Holster for Facilitating the Master Grip

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/664,141 filed Jun. 25, 2024; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/726,022 filed Nov. 27, 2025, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/746,961 filed Jan. 18, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/794,287 filed Apr. 24, 2025. All of these applications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

Handguns, particularly when used for law enforcement and military situations, need to be highly secure when holstered and reliably, intuitively, and safely unholstered in stressful situations ready for firing. When unholstered, the handgun is ideally grasped in the master grip with the forefinger positioned on the handgun body above the trigger region. Modern polymer holsters for semiautomatic handguns do not optimally facilitate grasping the holstered handgun in the master grip.

The inventor has recognized that modern polymer holsters for semiautomatic handguns do not optimally facilitate grasping the holstered handgun in the master grip.

The majority of holsters now utilize rigid polymer holster bodies and are made for receiving semi-automatic handguns having upper slides. The sidewalls of bodies that extend around the mass produced holsters have dramatically improved retention capabilities with different levels of retention available depending upon the need. One intended goal of such retention features is to prevent others from easily unholstering the handgun when in a struggle with the person wearing the holster and handgun, such as a law enforcement person. Holster retention capabilities are often categorized in three levels: level I, level II and level III. Level I typically equates to a conforming friction engagement for passive retention. Level II has an active mechanism that needs manual release to withdraw the handgun. Level III has two mechanical retention means for securing the handgun in the holster.

The manual release of the retention means is almost always by the same hand that grips and withdraws the holster, such as by an index finger or thumb release.

Although holsters may have surface structure on the holster to direct the user's forefinger to the correct location, even with such structure, upon withdrawal of the handgun and the transition of the forefinger from engaging the exterior surface of the holster to engaging the handgun, the forefinger needs to move inward to engage the handgun. The transition can be problematic, particularly in stressful situations, the forefinger may inadvertently move toward the trigger region. Any improvements in holsters to facilitate reliable and intuitive unholstering and facilitating the master grip when unholstered would be welcomed by users and the industry.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a holster that provides near conventional enclosure of the handgun by the holster while facilitating a secure withdrawal and master grip.

A holster with a slot for the index finger along the side of the weapon allowing handgun engagement along the holster body above the trigger guard when the handgun is still holstered facilitates the proper master grip when the holster is withdrawn.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a holster with a covered slot for receiving the user's forefinger on the holstered handgun, the cover on the slot providing access to the handgun body surface above the trigger region with the holster precluding access to the trigger region while the handgun is holstered. A feature and advantage of embodiments are latch mechanisms that are operative by the engagement of the user's hand on the holstered handgun in the master grip, without having to push a finger pad with the forefinger towards the handgun.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the holster allows complete extension of the index finger and contact with the handgun while the index finger is completely extended and before the handgun is withdrawn from the holster. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the user may use one motion to reach downward to grasp the handgun allowing unholstering without altering the grasping of the handgun.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention, the distal phalanx and middle phalanx are in contact with the frame of the handgun prior to and as the handgun is being removed from the holster.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a holster that allows a full gripping of a holstered handgun simultaneously releasing one or two handgun latches as the handgun is gripped, allowing a full master grip with the hand to handgun contact with the holstered but now unlatched handgun. In embodiments, actuation portions configured as finger pads are actuated by a motion that does not sandwich or compress the pad between the handgun and the user's fingers after actuation, as in conventional handguns. In embodiments, the finger engagement portion of a latch, such as a finger pad, is pushed forwardly with respect to the handgun, and/or pushed outwardly with respect to the handgun.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a holster that allows a full gripping of a holstered handgun simultaneously releasing one or two handgun latches as the handgun is gripped, allowing a full master grip hand to handgun contact with the holstered but now unlatched handgun. In embodiments, actuation portions are positioned with a gap between the actuation portion and the handgun, without the holster body therebetween. The actuation pad is pushed toward the handgun no more that the gap distance such that the forefinger then, as the handgun is withdrawn, transitions from the actuation pad directly to the side surface of the handgun above the trigger region. In embodiments, the finger actuation portion may engage the side surface of the handgun above the trigger region of the handgun.

In embodiments, a Level II handgun holster has a handgun securement latch that requires the holstered handgun to be gripped in the master grip, with the forefinger on the handgun body above the trigger region to release the latch and withdraw the handgun. In embodiments, the forefinger pushes a finger engaging member outwardly with respect to the handgun. In embodiments, the forefinger pushes a finger engaging member forwardly with respect to the handgun. In embodiments, the forefinger pushes a finger engaging member forwardly and also outwardly with respect to the handgun.

In embodiments, a Level III handgun holster has a first handgun securement latch that requires the holstered handgun to be gripped in the master grip, with the forefinger on the handgun body above the trigger region to release the latch and further has a second handgun securement latch that must be released before withdrawing the handgun. In embodiments, the second latch is released by the user's thumb engaging the thumb engagement region of the handgun rearward of the trigger region. In embodiments, the first securement latch has a forefinger engagement portion that is pushed forwardly and/or outwardly with respect to the handgun body above the trigger region. In embodiments the first securement latch releasable engages the handgun trigger guard to latch and secure the handgun in the holster. In embodiments the first securement latch releasable engages the handgun discharge port to latch and secure the handgun in the holster. In embodiments the second securement latch releasable engages the handgun trigger guard to latch and secure the handgun in the holster. In embodiments the second securement latch releasable engages the handgun discharge port to latch and secure the handgun in the holster. In embodiments, the finger actuation portions of the first and/or second securement latches are positioned within a cavity defined by the holster body such as they are not readily visible when worn by a user and with a handgun holstered therein. In embodiments, a finger actuation portion may be positioned between the handgun and holster mount such that the finger actuation portion is not readily visible and accessible to a person other than the user wearing the holster. A feature and advantage of such embodiments is that it would be extremely difficult for a person other than the user wearing the holster to effectively disengage the first and/or second securement latches to release the handgun.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a holster that has adjustable or customizable latch release portions for users with different hand and finger sizes. In embodiments, a latch member with a finger engagement portion can be replaced with another latch member that changes the forward-rearward positioning of the finger engagement portion on the holster. In embodiments, the positioning of the finger engagement portion may be adjustable changed on the latch member to vary the position of the finger engagement portion with respect to the handgun.

In embodiments, a polymer holster has a lower portion that receives the forward portion of a handgun slide and frame, the lower portion conformingly shaped to minimize movement of the handgun in the holster, the holster lower portion extending beyond the forwardmost end of the handgun and having a conforming portion that constrains motion of the handgun when fully seated, limiting freedom of motion to a single axis withdrawal axis.

Embodiments allow the forefinger to initially be placed on the side of the handgun, while the handgun is holstered, and allowing it to remain there while the handgun is unholstered, and as the handgun is raised to a shooting position, with the shooting hand already in the master grip, eliminates the finger transition from the outside of the holster to the side of the handgun thereby reducing accidental discharges during the handgun withdrawal from the holster. Slots positioned on the side of the holster above the trigger region, where the forefinger is often placed on the outside of the holster, provide the normal holster functionality while allowing the master grip to be utilized on a holstered handgun. The slot may be defined by outwardly projecting lips formed of the holster wall, or a covered slot, the cover provided by an outwardly projecting elongate rounded cover formed of the holster wall.

In embodiments, an injection molded holster is configured as a duty holster to be worn in an OWB manner, the duty holster having an injection molded body and one or more active handgun restraint mechanisms. In embodiments, the holster has a rigid polymer side cover that is movable, for example pivotable, from a forefinger access inhibiting position, or a forefinger blocking position, to a forefinger non-inhibiting position with respect to the distal side of the holstered handgun. Wherein when the side cover is in the forefinger access inhibiting position, a user is precluded from grasping the holstered handgun in the master grip with the forefinger extending along and contacting the holstered handgun distal side above the trigger region. Wherein when the side cover is in the forefinger non-inhibiting position, the user may grasp the handgun with the master grip. In embodiments, the side cover is latchable in the forefinger access inhibiting position and has a user actuatable mechanism on the handgun body for releasing the side cover so that it moves, for example pivots, to the forefinger non-inhibiting position.

In embodiments, the trigger region may be defined as the region defined by the trigger guard and the handgun body. Precluding access to the trigger region precludes access to the trigger.

In embodiments, a holster is configured as an injection molded holster and includes a rigid polymer body, and further includes a rigid polymer hood restraint extending over a rear end of a handgun slide of a holstered handgun, the hood restraint is movable from a first position, a blocking position to a second position, a non-blocking position with respect to withdrawal of the handgun. In embodiments, the holster has a rigid polymer side cover that is operatively connected to the hood restraint. The side cover moveable from a first position, a forefinger access inhibiting position, or a forefinger blocking position, to a second position, a forefinger non-inhibiting position with respect to forefinger access to the distal side of the holstered handgun. Wherein the hood restraint and the forefinger access inhibiting side cover may be simultaneously or jointly moved from their respective first positions to their respective second positions. Wherein when the side cover is in the forefinger non-inhibiting position, the user may grasp the handgun in the master grip. In embodiments, the side cover and hood restraint are integral, fixed to each other. In embodiments, the side cover and hood restraint are unitarily formed such as by injection molding.

In embodiments, the holster body may define an open region allowing the user's forefinger to access the side of the handgun above the trigger region, where the forefinger is placed in the master grip, is open in a lateral direction. That is, it is visible and the holster body covers the trigger region such that it is not visible or is substantially not visible. In embodiments, the side cover extends over and along the region of the holstered handgun covering the region above the trigger region, visually blocking the side of the handgun where the forefinger may be placed in the master grip. In embodiments, the side cover may pivot from a forefinger access inhibiting position to a forefinger access position. In embodiments, the side cover may pivot about a pivot access extending in the forward rearward direction with respect to the handgun. In embodiments, the side cover may pivot about a laterally extending axis, that is transverse to the axis of the barrel of the handgun. In embodiments, the side cover may pivot about an upwardly-downwardly axis, with respect to the handgun. In embodiments, the side cover is integral or unitary with a slide hood restraint and the hood restraint and side cover may pivot jointly about a laterally extending axis. In embodiments, the side cover is integral or unitary with a slide hood restraint and the hood restraint and side cover may move jointly from respective blocking positions for the handgun and forefinger access to the side of the handgun above the trigger region. For example, the hood restraint and side cover may be slidingly engaged with the holster body, and/or may be connected with linkages. In embodiments, when the hood restraint and integrated or unitary side cover move from a first position, where handgun withdrawal is blocked, and forefinger access to the side of the handgun above the trigger guard is blocked, to a second position where the hood restraint is not blocking the handgun, and the forefinger may access the handgun in the master grip fashion, a forefinger slot is defined between a margin of the holster body extending above the trigger region and the hood restraint and unitary or integrated side cover, both now in the second position. In embodiments, the integrated or unitary hood restraint and side cover may be biased toward the second position and may be latched in the first position with a latch mechanism on the holster body. In embodiments, the latch mechanism may include a thumb release pad actuated by the users thumb.

In embodiments, a rigid polymer holster has a rigid polymer holster body and a rigid polymer side cover, movably attached to the holster body. The side cover having a first position where forefinger access to the side of the holstered handgun above the trigger region is blocked, and a second position where forefinger access to side of the holstered handgun above the trigger region is provided. In embodiments, the side cover also provides further handgun withdrawal blocking portion such that when the side cover is in the first position, withdrawal of the handgun is blocked and when the side cover is in the second position, withdrawal of the handgun is not blocked by the blocking portion. In embodiments, for example, the blocking portion may engage the ejection port of the handgun when the side cover is in the first position. Ine embodiments, the blocking portion may engage the trigger guard, or the handgun body, or the rearward end of the handgun slide, or generally any rearward facing surface of the handgun that can be engaged to block withdrawal.

In embodiments, a holster with a holster body may have a forefinger access cover movably attached to a holster body, the forefinger access cover movable between a first position where a user's forefinger is blocked from the side of the holstered handgun above the trigger region and a second position where the forefinger access cover allows a user's forefinger to access the side of the holstered handgun above the trigger region in the master grip fashion. In embodiments, the forefinger access cover operates as an actuation portion such that when actuated, the forefinger access cover moves to the second position where user's forefinger may access the side of the handgun above the trigger region. In embodiments, in the first position the forefinger access cover lays in proximity to the distal side of the handgun, in close enough proximity to preclude entry of the user's forefinger. In the second position the forefinger access cover is displaced from the first position away from the distal side of the handgun above the trigger region. In embodiments, the forefinger access cover is slidingly engaged with the holster body, in embodiments, the forefinger access cover is pivotally connected to the holster body, in embodiments, the forefinger access cover has linkage connecting it to the holster body. In embodiments, actuation of the forefinger access cover to move it from the first position to the second position also actuates a handgun retention mechanism to move a withdrawal inhibiting portion of the mechanism from a retention position to a non-retention position. The handgun retention mechanism may engage, for example, the handgun trigger guard, the handgun ejection port, the handgun slide, or other portions of the holstered handgun. In embodiments, the forefinger access cover may have an actuation face directed rearwardly with respect to the handgun and when pushed forward releases the forefinger access cover from the first position and it moves to the second position, the access cover may be biased to the second position. In embodiments, the movement of the forefinger access cover to the second position also jointly moves a handgun withdrawal blocking portion from a withdrawal blocking position to a non-blocking position. In embodiments, the handgun withdrawal blocking portion is integral or unitary with the access cover including the actuation face.

In embodiments, a holster with a holster body may have a forefinger access cover movably attached to a holster body, the forefinger access cover movable between a first position where a user's forefinger is blocked from the side of the holstered handgun above the trigger region and a second position where the forefinger access cover allows a user's forefinger to access the side of the holstered handgun above the trigger region in the master grip fashion. In embodiments, the forefinger access cover operates as an actuation portion such that when actuated, the forefinger access cover moves to the second position where user's forefinger may access the side of the handgun above the trigger region. In embodiments, in the first position the forefinger access cover lays in proximity to the distal side of the handgun, in close enough proximity to preclude entry of the user's forefinger. In the second position the forefinger access cover is displaced from the first position away from the distal side of the handgun above the trigger region. In embodiments, the forefinger access cover is slidingly engaged with the holster body, in embodiments, the forefinger access cover is pivotally connected to the holster body, in embodiments, the forefinger access cover has linkage connecting it to the holster body. In embodiments, actuation of the forefinger access cover to move it from the first position to the second position also actuates a handgun retention mechanism to move a withdrawal inhibiting portion of the mechanism from a retention position to a non-retention position.

The handgun retention mechanism may engage, for example, the handgun trigger guard, the handgun ejection port, the handgun slide, or other portions of the holstered handgun. In embodiments, the forefinger access cover may have an actuation face directed rearwardly with respect to the handgun and when pushed forward releases the forefinger access cover from the first position and it moves to the second position, the access cover may be biased to the second position. In embodiments, the movement of the forefinger access cover to the second position also jointly moves a handgun withdrawal blocking portion from a withdrawal blocking position to a non-blocking position. In embodiments, the handgun withdrawal blocking portion is integral or unitary with the access cover including the actuation face.

In embodiments, the holster body may define a forefinger slot that when viewed from the side, the side of the handgun above the trigger region, where the forefinger is placed in the master grip, is open in a lateral direction. That is, it is visible and the holster body covers the trigger region such that it is not visible or is substantially not visible. In embodiments, the side cover extends over and along the forefinger slot, covering the forefinger slot, for example, visually blocking the side of the handgun where the forefinger may be placed in the master grip.

In embodiments, the holsters may be manufactured utilizing vacuum forming methods, or injection molding. In embodiments, existing forms for vacuum forming can be adapted for providing the elongate outwardly projecting forefinger cover having a U-shape in cross-section. Such adaption may be accomplished with an insert seatable on the vacuum form where the slot with the cover is desired. In embodiments where injection molding is utilized for forming a conventional holster, not having a forefinger slot, a mold insert may be provided to the mold, positioned in the mold cavity to provide a slot for receiving the forefinger of a user of the holster, the insert positioned such that the molded holster has the forefinger slot positioned such that the slot is above the portion of the holster covering the trigger guard and trigger region of a holstered handgun.

In embodiments, holsters may be thermoformed or modified by thermoforming portions for users providing them customized sized slots for the users, custom sized slot covers, and custom sized slots with slot margins as projecting outwardly from the holster.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is that training of new users of handguns is facilitated by having a holster that requires or compels that the user to grasp the holstered handgun in the master grip before withdrawing the handgun.

The inventor has recognized that a trigger finger depressing a handgun release finger pad within the master grip forefinger slot, where the finger comes to rest on the handgun as the pad is depressed, with the finger already in a master grip position in the slot, is starkly different than depressing a finger pad position on a holster body. The latter requiring that the finger first transitions from the finger pad to the holster body and then transitions from the holster body to a different level of the side of the handgun during the withdrawal motion. Such transitions may cause positioning errors of the forefinger during the handgun withdrawal.

In embodiments, the upper margin of the finger pad is directly adjacent to the handgun body and/or slide, without any portion of the holster body positioned there between, allowing the finger to be in contact with the holstered handgun while the tip of the forefinger is in a preactuation or actuation position with respect to the fingerpad release lever.

In embodiments, a new method of unholstering a semiautomatic handgun with a slide, the handgun in a holster with a rigid polymer body extending about the handgun and covering the trigger region and extending over the slide. The holster worn with an upward access opening to the handgun receiving cavity such that the handgun is pointed downwardly with respect to the holster. The method comprising grasping the holstered handgun in a master grip with the forefinger engaging the side of the handgun above the trigger region. The method further comprising withdrawing the handgun along a handgun withdrawal axis that extends upwardly and downwardly with respect to the holster while maintaining the master grip on the handgun. The method further comprising pointing the handgun at a target while maintaining the master grip on the handgun. The method may further comprise releasing one or more latches on the handgun as the user grips the holstered handgun in the master grip. The method further may further insertion of the user's forefinger in a covered slot extending forward and reward with respect to the handgun and positioned between the trigger region, with respect to the handgun.

When used herein, the frame of reference with respect to the handgun, unless the context dictates differently, forward is in the direction of the barrel and a direction that a bullet would be discharged from the handgun, and rearward is opposite thereto. A downward reference with respect to a handgun means generally the direction the trigger extends from the handgun body, upward is opposite thereto. When used herein, the frame of reference with respect to a holster presumes the holster is worn on the side of an individual standing with the barrel of the holstered handgun pointing downwardly and with the receiving and withdrawal opening of the holster being directed upwardly. A forward direction with respect to the holster is the direction the standing user of the holster is facing with the holster on his side. A rearward direction being opposite thereto.

Referring tothe well-known “master grip” for gripping handguns is illustrated with the user's forefingeron a body of a handgunabove the trigger region. The tipof the forefinger may extend to a juncturebetween the handgun bodyand a slide.illustrate the one hand ready-to-fire grip with the finger at the trigger.

Referring to, a holsterwith the handguntherein being worn by a user. The handgun being a semiautomatic handgun with the slideon the body, a barrel, a gripon a rearward end of the body, a trigger region, with a trigger guardand a trigger. A muzzleat a forward endof the slide. The holster secured to the user by conventional attachment means, such as a strap or clip, for securing the holster to the user's belt.or elsewhere. The user gripping the handgunwith his handwith the master grip prior to withdrawal of the holster from the handgun. The user's forefinger.is positioned in a covered master grip forefinger slotof the holster, the middle finger., the ring finger.and the little finger.are wrapped around and are gripping the grip. The user's forefinger.is pressed against the surface.handgun and may engage the handgun bodybelow the slideand above the trigger regionand may also engage the slide and the tip of the forefinger and may be placed at junctureof the slideand handgun body.

The covered slothaving a forward margin., a rearward margin., and a lower rounded apex margin.. The forward margin.has a generally straight portion that may follow and be parallel to the juncturebetween the slide and handgun body and the handgun insertion and withdrawal axis.. The rearward margin.may be angled rearwardly with respect to the forward margin such that the slotconverges in a downward direction. The rearward margin.providing positioning for the user's forefingeron the handgun and further providing a barrier to entry of the forefinger into the trigger regionof the handgun. As the handgun is withdrawn, the forward margin.being substantially parallel to the insertion withdrawal axis.allows the forefingerand tipof the forefinger to remain frozen on handgun during the withdrawal process.

Referring tothe holster bodyis illustrated and is configured as a rigid polymer housingdefining a handgun receiving cavitytherein. Opposing sidewall portions, a proximal wall portion, and a distal wall portion, are connected by a forward wall portionand a rearward wall portion. A trigger guard capture region.is defined at the juncture of the opposing side wall portions,and the rearward wall portion. The trigger guard capture region.conformingly sized to the trigger guard of the handgun to be received in the holster. The width Wbetween the opposing side wall portions,at the trigger guard capture region.sized to slightly oversized to the width Wof the handgun trigger guard. See. In embodiments, the width Wis within 0.25 inches of the width Wof the handgun trigger guard. In embodiments, the width Wis within 0.15 inches of the width Wof the handgun trigger guard. The internal wall surfaces.of the holster at the trigger guard capture region.providing bearing and guide surfaces during insertion of the handgun and constraining the handgun when holstered. A slide capture region.is defined by the opposing side wall portions,and the forward walland is conformingly shaped to the slideof the handgun to be received in the holster. Internal wall surfaces.at and defining the slide capture region.may provide bearing and guide surfaces during insertion of the handgun. The internal wall surfaces.at the slide capture region.and the internal wall surfaces.at the trigger guard capture region.are adequate to position the handgun in the holster, allowing clearance, that is gaps, between the opposing side walls and the handgun between the trigger guard capture region and the slide capture region..

Attachment bossesshown in dashed lines are for connecting the holster to a suitable mounting system. Such mounting systems are known to those of skill in the art and are illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,782,094; 10,883,795. Said patents and publications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The holster sidewall away from user when worn, the distal sidewall, has the master grip forefinger slottherein that extends downward, with respect to a holster being worn by the user standing, or forwardly with respect to the handgun, or when the user is sitting, from the upper marginof the holster. The forefinger slot defined by a slot defining margin, including a forward and rearward margins or edge portions.,.and a curved end margin.at the user's forefinger tip and being generally sized for and configured for the user's forefinger.. The slot may extend the length of the user's forefinger. In embodiments the slot may extend one inch or more into the distal side wall from the upper margin and can accommodate, in embodiments, at least the distal phalange of the user's forefinger. In embodiments the slot length may be up to 3.75 inches measured from the upper margin forward of the slot to the lowest end of the slot. In embodiments the slot may be up to 3.25 inches measured from the upper margin forward of the slot to the lowest end of the slot. The forward margin and rearward margin may be generally straight and may be parallel or within 30 degrees of parallel in embodiments. The forward margin and rearward margin may be generally straight and may be parallel or within 40 degrees of parallel in embodiments. In embodiments, the forward margin and rearward margin may be substantially straight and be angled with respect to each other of 25 degrees or less. In embodiments, the slot is long enough to place the distal phalange on the handgun body above the trigger region, or the juncture between the body and slide, or on the slide, with the forefinger fully extended as shown in.

Referring to, holsters.,.,.with a master grip forefinger slotis illustrated and has a forward marginsignificantly longer than the rearward margin. The forward margin essentially parallel to an insertion withdrawal axisof the handgunwith respect to the holster and also parallel to the juncturebetween the slideand bodyof the handgun. The lower margin may be parallel to the user's forefinger when gripping the holstered handgun. The user's forefingerengaging the handgun with the master grip proximate the juncture. The rearward marginand rearward portionof the holster precluding the user's forefinger from entering the trigger region on the holstered handgun. The forward margin, parallel to the insertion withdrawal axisallows the tipof the user's finger to maintain its position on the handgun body and potentially the slide. The holster has a bodythat extends proximate the rearward endof the slide.

Referring to, slot covers.,.,.,.may cover and further define the slotfor receiving the forefinger. In embodiments, the slot cover may be attachable to, removable from, or unitary with the holster body. As depicted the slot covers may be channel shaped or U-shaped, and in combination with a holstered handgun, the channel shaped slot cover and body, or body and slide, of the holstered handgun define a covered forefinger receiving slot or tunnelallowing the user's fully extended forefinger to be placed on the side of the handgun in the master grip. The gaps defined by the channel shaped slot covers.,.,.,.and the side of the handgun, particularly the gap proximate the trigger region, are sized to preclude passing of a user's finger. In embodiments, the gap proximate the trigger regionis less than 0.25 inches. In embodiments, the gap proximate the trigger regionis not greater than less than 0.33 inches. In embodiments the channel shape tapers in a downward direction with respect to the holster, and a forward direction with respect to the holstered handgun.

Referring to, the rigid holster with the forefinger slot, covered or uncovered, is particularly amenable to holsters with thumb actuation buttons. Such buttons may require depressing toward the handgun or pushing a pad forwardly. Referring to, a holsterwith a master grip forefinger slot, may have a cover configured as a separate piece. As best shown in, the cover piece may have a protrusion or ribextending along the insert marginthat interfaces with a groove at the margins of the slot in the holster body.

Referring to, the thumb actuated release mechanismis illustrated. A leverwith a thumb engaging pad, pivots about a pinin a conforming recessin the proximal sidewall portion. The lever has a stop portionthat in a normal position obstructs the removal of the handgun by blocking the trigger guard. Depression of the thumbpadas indicated by arrowpivots the lever about pinand moves the stop portionoutwardly, as indicated by arrow, to a non-obstructing position allowing removal of the handgun from the holster. Other known latches with release mechanisms may also be utilized. See for example, U.S. Patents and Publications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,694,860; 8,602,275; 9,134,093; 9,494384; 9,759,515; 2019/0293386; and 10,330,435. Said patents and publications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

Referring to, a form fitting polymer holsteris depicted with a holstered handgun. The holster has a holster bodythat has an elongate raised portionon the distal side wallof the of the holster body defining a forefinger covered receiving slotthat positions a user's forefinger over the handgun bodyforward of (when the handgun is pointing downwardly in the holster) the trigger region. The distal phalange of the user's forefinger (not shown in these views) may seat and press upon the handgun bodybetween the trigger regionand slideand may engage a portion of the slide, such as by the tipof the user's finger, depending on, for example, the particular handgun and the length of the user's finger, The holster distal wallconfronts and is in close proximity to the handgun. The gaps,forward and rearward (when the holstered handgun is pointing downward) of the covered forefinger receiving slotare sized to retain the user's forefinger in the covered slot and preclude the user's finger from entering the trigger region. In embodiments, the gapsforward and rearward of the covered receiving slotat the handgun body distal phalange receiving regionare less than 0.25 inches. In embodiments, the gapsforward and rearward of the covered receiving slotat the handgun body distal phalange receiving regionare less than 0.40 inches. In embodiments, the covering portion of the holster may be removable such as illustrated by the channel shaped cover of, and may have different sizes for accommodating users with different finger sizes or for accommodating a user when wearing a glove, for example. The polymer holster may further comprise a mounting system, such as a belt clip as best illustrated in.

Referring to, embodiments of holsters with different handgun retention mechanisms,,are illustrated.illustrates a holsterwith raised portionsof the holster bodyto accommodate retention mechanisms that may be associated with the forefinger covering raised portion. Retention mechanisms known in the art, such as levers, linkages, flexing arms, may generally be utilized with the master grip holsters as described and depicted herein. In embodiments, the user grasping the handgun in the master grip may simultaneously actuate the release mechanisms. Referring to, an actuation portionof a latching systemmay be pushed in a direction away from the handgunand/or toward the muzzle of the handgun by the user's forefinger. That is, an angled finger receiving padmay be pushed outward as the user's finger is slid between the pad and the handgun body into the phalange receiving region. The actuation pad is connected to a lever portionthat pivots about pivot pointwith axis, to move trigger guard retention portionaway from the blocking position shown into a non-blocking position out of the trigger guardsuch that the handgun may be unholstered. A suitably placed springmay urge the mechanism to the blocking position. Trigger guard retention portion may have a angled cam surfaceto provide automatic retraction when the handgun is holstered.

Referring to, another pivoting retention mechanismis illustrated with a pivot axisthat extends upwardly and downwardly (when the holstered handgun is pointing downward) with the pivot point. As the actuation portion, configured as a finger engaging member, is forced outward from the handgun as the user's finger is inserted between the handgun and actuation portion, the ejection port catchis moved from a blocking retention position to a non-blocking position as indicated by the arrowallowing withdrawal of the handgun from the holster. The mechanism may be biased to urge the mechanism to the blocking position and may have a cam surfaceto allow retraction of the ejection port catchwhen the handgun is holstered.

Referring to, a retention mechanismsimilar to that ofis illustrated and rather than having the finger engaging member configured as a finger pad that is pressed against or toward the handgun, the finger padis pushed away as the thumb is gripping the handgun. The pivot axisforward of the retention membercauses the retention member to move in the same direction, away from the handgun and trigger guard, as the finger padwhen the user's thumb is inserted in the region between the padand the handgun as indicated by the arroweffectuating release of the trigger guard.

Referring to, embodiments of holstersmay have two active retention mechanisms,, such as described above, with finger release pads, each of which require user steps to release the retention mechanism for withdrawal of the handgunfrom the holster. Additionally, in embodiments, a third retention mechanismmay be configured as a hood that pivotally extends over the rearward slide end and requires pivotal displacement of the hood, as shown by the dashed lines in, to move the hood out of the way to permit the handgun withdrawal. The hood may be released by a release mechanism or may be manually rotated out of the way by the user. Thus, in embodiments, a handgun in a holster may be grasped in a master grip with the forefinger on the handgun body and/or slide in a Levelholster, with two actuations provided by the hand grasping the handgun.

In embodiments, a holster with a forefinger slot may have a pad that is depressed toward the handgun and with the rearward edge of the pad being adjacent and above the handgun frame such that after the pad is depressed by the end of the user's forefinger, the forefinger tip transitions to the body of the handgun above the trigger region and still being constrained by the rearward margin of the slot (with or without a slot cover) to prevent the migration of the forefinger to the trigger region. In embodiments at withdrawal of the handgun 1.0 inches, the user's forefinger is still constrained by the rearward margin of the forefinger slot to prevent the migration of the forefinger to the trigger region.

In embodiments at withdrawal of the handgun 2.5 inches, the user's forefinger is still constrained by the rearward margin of the forefinger slot to prevent the migration of the forefinger to the trigger region. In embodiments at withdrawal of the handgun 3.0 inches, the user's forefinger is still constrained by the rearward margin of the forefinger slot to prevent the migration of the forefinger to the trigger region.