Choosing the right holster for your handgun is just as important as choosing the firearm itself. A properly fitted holster improves safety, comfort, accessibility, and overall confidence whether you carry daily or only on occasion. With so many brands, styles, and “universal” options on the market, it can be difficult to know which holster is actually right for your handgun.
This guide breaks down exactly how to choose the right holster for your handgun and explains how Highway Holsters makes the process simple with a proven holster sizing system.
Why Choosing the Right Holster Matters
A holster is more than a way to carry your firearm. The right fit ensures:
- Safe trigger coverage to prevent accidental discharge
- Secure retention so your handgun stays in place
- Comfort for extended wear, especially for everyday carry
- Consistent draw and re-holstering
An ill-fitting holster can shift, rub, fail to retain your firearm, or even interfere with safe operation. That’s why understanding holster fit is essential.
What Determines Holster Fit for a Handgun?
Many people assume holsters are sized strictly by brand or caliber, but holster fit is determined by several physical dimensions of the firearm.
Barrel Length
Barrel length is one of the most important factors when choosing a holster. It is measured from the ejection port to the end of the barrel. Even handguns within the same model family may have different barrel lengths, which affects how deep the firearm sits in the holster.
Slide Width and Trigger Guard
The width of the slide and trigger guard area determines how securely a handgun fits. A holster must allow enough space for the slide while still maintaining proper retention and trigger coverage.
Overall Length and Accessories
Handguns equipped with rails, lasers, or tactical lights often require a different holster size. These additions increase the overall length and profile of the firearm and must be accounted for to ensure a safe and secure fit.
Understanding Highway Holsters’ Holster Size Guide
Rather than forcing customers to guess based on brand names alone, Highway Holsters uses a universal holster sizing system based on real firearm measurements.
The Highway Holsters size guide uses four key dimensions:
- A – Barrel length (measured from the ejection port to the barrel end)
- B – Inside width (top of slide to bottom of trigger guard)
- C – Overall height (front of trigger guard to barrel end)
- D – Overall length, including rails when applicable
This system allows Highway Holsters to accommodate a wide range of firearms across multiple manufacturers, including Glock, Sig Sauer, Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and many others. It also accounts for compact, subcompact, full-size handguns, revolvers, and firearms with accessories.
How to Find Your Correct Highway Holsters Size
Choosing the right holster size with Highway Holsters is straightforward:
- Identify your handgun make and model
- Measure the barrel length and overall length
- Determine whether your firearm has a rail, laser, or tactical light
- Match your measurements to the Highway Holsters size chart
Because the sizing system is measurement-based, many handguns across different brands fall into the same size category. This eliminates confusion and helps ensure a consistent, secure fit.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Holster
Many holster fit issues come from a few common mistakes:
- Choosing a holster based on caliber alone
- Ignoring barrel length differences within the same model
- Forgetting to account for accessories like lasers or lights
- Relying on “one-size-fits-all” holsters
Avoiding these mistakes and using a proper holster size chart greatly reduces the risk of poor fit and discomfort.
Why Highway Holsters Makes Choosing the Right Holster Easier
Highway Holsters was designed with simplicity and accuracy in mind. By using a standardized holster size guide, customers can confidently choose a holster that fits their handgun without guessing.
Benefits of the Highway Holsters system include:
- A universal sizing chart based on real measurements
- Compatibility with hundreds of handgun models
- Clear guidance for firearms with rails or accessories
- A focus on safety, comfort, and secure retention
This approach removes the uncertainty from holster shopping and helps ensure long-term satisfaction.
Still Not Sure Which Holster Size You Need?
If you’re unsure which holster size is right for your handgun, Highway Holsters provides clear sizing diagrams and support to help you choose confidently. Using the size guide ensures your holster fits properly, functions safely, and remains comfortable for everyday use.
Choosing the right holster doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right measurements and a proven sizing system, finding the perfect fit is simple.
