Drawing From Concealment Part V: Reholster

At this point, you have effectively neutralized an attacker and protected yourself. You have thoroughly scanned and evaluated your environment and are now in a secure position, with assistance on the way. It’s now time to safely and gradually re-holster your firearm.
 

Laws and Legal Advice

Keep in mind that it is essential to consult a reliable source who is knowledgeable about the legal requirements in your jurisdiction when it comes to using your firearm in self-defense. Organizations such as the NRA, USCCA, and US Law Shield, as well as experts and trainers like Masad Ayoob, can provide you with valuable information and resources to assist you in understanding what actions to take or avoid in the event of such a real-life scenario.
 

Technique of Re-holstering Your Gun

While it might seem straightforward to say “reverse the steps” when reholstering, the reality is much more complex. After firing your gun to stop an attacker, you have likely experienced a highly traumatic and terrifying event. You may be trembling, crying, and your mind may be racing. Everyone has a unique response to such events, and there can be various physical and psychological impacts to deal with. Therefore, it is crucial to consider these possibilities in your training.

Reholstering is a Slow Action

While we train ourselves to draw and shoot our gun swiftly and safely in self-defense situations, reholstering is not a skill that should be performed with speed in mind. Rather, it should be done slowly and consciously, as we are not training for quick reholstering.

Breathe

Pull your firearm back to your upper stomach or lower chest, with your trigger finger extended and outside of the trigger guard. Ensure that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. If your firearm has a safety, engage it.

Keeping your trigger finger extended along the slide, use your non-dominant hand to lift or sweep away any clothing that may be covering the opening of your holster. It is important to pay close attention to your holster as you do this.

To reholster your gun in an OWB or IWB holster, begin by rotating your wrist downward and lifting your elbow to align the muzzle of your gun with the opening of the holster. Remember to keep your trigger finger extended along the slide and to look at both your muzzle and the holster while aligning.

Keeping your trigger finger extended and outside of the holster, push the gun straight down into the holster until it is securely in place. If your holster has a retention system, make sure to re-engage it.

Tips For Reholstering your gun

With UNLOADED HOLSTERED GUN: check your firearm thoroughly, including inspecting the chamber by looking through the top of the slide. Ensure that there is no ammunition in the barrel, magazine, or in the immediate vicinity.

You can use your phone to record yourself performing the technique and then review the footage to analyze your form. Alternatively, you can ask someone to observe your technique from the side without ever allowing the muzzle of your gun to point in their direction.

Tip 1

Hold your firearm in a fully extended position, with your finger off the trigger and extended along the slide. Take two slow and deep breaths, focusing on your breathing.
 
Next, bring the firearm back towards your lower chest or stomach, being sure to engage the safety if it is available.
 
Repeat this process 10-20 times, paying close attention to your breathing and being intentional about each movement. Remember that proper breathing is a crucial part of your training, especially after experiencing a traumatic event, as it helps to keep oxygen flowing throughout your body.
 

Tip 2

How to Reholster OWB/IWB

Begin by holding your gun with the muzzle pointed forward and the safety engaged at your lower chest or stomach. Lift any clothing covering your holster using your non-dominant hand, ensuring that your arm or hand does not pass in front of the muzzle.
 
As you hold the clothing, rotate your wrist downward and raise your elbow, aligning the muzzle directly over the opening of the holster. If you are using an IWB holster, lean your hips slightly forward.
 
Slide the gun slowly down into the holster while keeping your trigger finger outside of the holster.
 

How to Reholster Band/Leggings/shorts/Thigh

To reholster your gun, start by holding it at your lower chest or stomach, muzzle forward, and safety engaged. Use your non-dominant hand to lift any clothing covering your holster, and hold it up out of the way without allowing your arm or hand to pass in front of the muzzle.
 
Next, use your underarm or elbow to hold the clothing up, and with your non-dominant hand, grasp and pull the holster tab to create an opening to receive the gun. While reholstering, make sure to slide the gun slowly into the holster while keeping any part of your hand from being in front of the muzzle.
 

Special Note

When reholstering a gun in an appendix holster, push your hips slightly forward as you slide the gun back into the holster while ensuring that your trigger finger remains outside the holster. This angle helps to avoid pointing the muzzle directly at your abdomen and feet. Finally, re-engage any retention snap or strap that your holster may have.

How to Reholster Removable Holsters ie: Sticky, Magnetic Holster, Bra holster

Hold your gun with your dominant hand at your lower chest or stomach, muzzle forward, and safety engaged. Using your non-dominant hand, carefully remove the holster from its location while keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
 
Hold the holster from the bottom, with the opening facing you. When reholstering, slowly slide the muzzle into the holster while ensuring that the muzzle is not pointing at your hand or fingers. Keep your trigger finger outside the holster.
 
After reholstering, hold the holstered gun with your dominant hand while using your non-dominant hand to clear any clothing. Then, carefully replace the holstered gun back into your waistband or bra.

Perform this exercise for at least 10 to 20 repetitions and review your videos.

Although the reholstering process may look different for each type of holster available, it’s crucial to practice this step regardless of the type of holster you use.

In every case, you must remember to:

Take it slowly and remember to breathe.
 
Be mindful of the placement of your trigger finger, ensuring that it remains along the slide of the gun and outside of the holster when re-holstering.
 
Maintain awareness of your body to prevent muzzling your non-dominant hand or any other body part.
 

In some cases, it is safer to remove the holster, as mentioned above.

It is impossible to predict the circumstances in which you may need to use your firearm for self-defense. That’s why it is crucial to train and prepare for the factors we can control. Practicing the techniques we’ve covered in this series will develop muscle memory, enhance fluid movements, and minimize the likelihood of errors during high-stress situations.
 
I hope this guide on how to reholster has been valuable to you. Please don’t hesitate to review any of the steps and continue practicing to improve your skills.