Weapon Retention Techniques for Handguns--A Compendium of Articles.

(Source)

    First, some comments. While there are certainly concerns about retaining a pistol as one is drawing it or has drawn it, most of the articles deal with persons attempting to snatch the weapon from the holster. These are further split into two basic scenarios: an attempt by a person to your front, and an attempt by a person to your rear.

 
    Because police officers are routinely forced to interact at close or contact distances with criminal suspects, the majority of the articles pertain to law enforcement. But one of the consequences of this is that the articles almost universally assume that (1) the firearm is being openly carried and (2) the person is using a holster utilizing multiple retention systems making it difficult for someone to snatch the weapon in the first instance.

    Neither is the case with most concealed carriers. Holsters generally have some means of preventing a firearm from falling out such as a friction fit, a retention ("thumb-break") strap, or, if made of Kydex or similar, molded to hold the trigger guard. These types of holsters are intended to maximize speed of the draw stroke and any retention system in them is simply to keep the weapon from falling out of the holster. Some of these holsters, because of the angle in which they are carried, may be more difficult for someone to snatch, but are not really designed for that purpose.

    For these reasons, the best method for the civilian (i.e., non-law enforcement) carrier to avoid having his or her pistol snatched is to conceal the weapon. If the criminal does not know of the pistol, he or she cannot snatch the pistol. Moreover, not only does good concealment prevent the criminal from snatching the pistol, it gives the concealed carrier an advantage on when and how to bring a weapon into play, potentially providing the opportunity to get inside the criminal's OODA loop.

    Nevertheless there are instances, whether by exposing the weapon or in the midst of a struggle, that an attacker may become aware of the weapon, and then attempt to snatch the weapon or block the draw. Obviously, in such cases, it would behoove you to know something about weapon retention. And if you decide to openly wear a handgun in public you really should both invest in a retention holster designed to foil a weapon snatch and be proficient in countering a weapon snatch.

    And now for the articles:

• Bertomen, Lindsey J. "Training day: Gun retention techniques", Police One (12 Oct. 2018).
• Brickner, Mike. "The Weapons Retention Drill: Stop a Bad Guy from Getting Your Gun", U.S. Concealed Carry Blog (20 June 2017).
• Ellifritz, Greg. "Your Tactical Training Scenario: In-Hand Weapons Retention", Active Self Protection Blog (6 Jan. 2020).
• Farooqui, Nik. "Defeating Gun Grabbers | Effective Pistol Retention Techniques", SWAT Magazine (no date).
• Fasnacht, Tim. "Training in unconventional weapons retention", Corrections 1 (5 Nov. 2013).
• Harbison, James. "Real World Weapon Retention", Police Magazine (1 April 2019).
• Hightower, Tracy. "Defending Your Firearm, Your Life Depends On It", Tactical Response Blog (no date).
• Johnson, Richard. "Don’t Give Up Your Gun: Tips for Weapon Retention", Imminent Threat Solutions Blog (28 July 2011).
• Mastison, Fred. "Weapon Retention Techniques To Beat A Gun Grab", The Armory Life (28 June 2019).
• Mastison, Fred. "How to Defend Yourself – ABC’s of Weapon Retention for CCW", Ammo Land Shooting Sports News (30 March 2018).
• Periatt, Christopher. "Real World Weapon Retention Tactics", Police Magazine (29 Jan. 2016).
• Seeklander, Michael. "Weapon Retention, Disarms, and Strikes (Part 1)", Shooting Performance Blog (3 April 2014).
• Staff writer. "Handgun-Retention Tactics", American Cop (1 Oct. 2014).
• Swanagon, Joshua. "Get A Grip: Firearm Retention," American Outdoor Guide (8 May 2017).
• Wagner, Jim. "Most 'Experts' are Wrong about Surviving this One: Gun Retention", Blackbelt Magazine (22 April 2021).

[Note: This is a repost from my July 7, 2021, Docent's Memo]