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Holsters and Leg Rigs

Browse gun holsters, thigh holsters, leg rigs and belt holsters from professional-grade brands at UK Tactical. Our holster range covers hip holsters and belt holsters for everyday and duty carry, drop-leg thigh holsters and leg rigs for use over plate carriers and load-bearing vests, MOLLE-compatible pistol holsters for mounting directly to body armour or chest rigs, and pancake holsters for a close-profile carry option. We stock Warrior Assault Systems, Safariland, Blackhawk, IMI Holsters and ARES Kydex, with dedicated Glock 17 holsters and Glock 19 holsters available alongside universal pistol holsters sized for most standard service sidearms. Colours in stock include Black, Coyote Tan, Multicam, Olive Drab and Ranger Green. Prices from £8.95. Free UK delivery on orders over £30.

Gun holsters and leg rigs at UK Tactical

Our holster range covers the full spectrum of tactical pistol carry solutions used by British military, police, security and civilian shooters. Whether you need a belt holster or hip holster for range use or duty carry, a thigh gun holster or leg rig for operational use over body armour, or a MOLLE-compatible pistol holster that integrates with a plate carrier or chest rig, we stock the correct solution from brands with proven operational track records.

Types of gun holster explained

Belt holsters and hip holsters

A belt holster or hip holster sits at the waistline and attaches to a duty belt or tactical belt via a fixed belt loop, paddle, or MOLLE-compatible mounting system. This carry position provides a natural draw angle and is the standard configuration for police, security and range use. Within the belt holster category, OWB (outside waistband) designs offer easier access and are typically the choice for uniformed carry, while pancake holsters use two panels that sandwich the belt to keep the holster close against the body for a cleaner carry profile. We stock OWB and pancake holster options including the ARES Kydex Glock 17 and Glock 19 holsters, which use a Kydex shell and adjustable retention screw for a precise, audible click when the pistol is seated.

Thigh holsters and leg rigs

A thigh holster or leg rig drops the carry position below the hip using a platform that straps to the thigh. This design is essential for operators wearing plate carriers, load-bearing vests or body armour, where a hip-mounted holster would be inaccessible or obstructed by the carrier's cummerbund. Our leg rigs use reinforced nylon construction with adjustable thigh and shin straps to fit over combats and trousers, and include MOLLE-compatible surfaces for attaching additional magazine pouches or accessories. The Warrior Universal Pistol Holster is a widely-used leg rig option in our range, compatible with most standard service pistols and available in all major tactical colours.

MOLLE pistol holsters

A MOLLE pistol holster mounts directly to the MOLLE webbing or laser-cut panels of a plate carrier, chest rig or belt system, removing the need for a separate thigh platform. This keeps the holster fully integrated with your existing loadout and allows the carry position to be repositioned to suit the role. MOLLE holsters in our range are compatible with Warrior Assault Systems laser-cut plate carriers and chest rigs stocked elsewhere on the site.

Safariland QLS and retention holster systems

The Safariland Quick Locking System (QLS) is a modular attachment platform that allows a holster to be instantly detached from its mount and transferred to a different platform - from a duty belt to a leg rig, or from one operator to another - without tools. The QLS 19 Fork and QLS 22 Receiver Plate are stocked separately, and are compatible with all Safariland 6354DO holsters in our range. Retention levels for Safariland holsters are rated Level 2 (two independent retention devices) or Level 3 (three independent devices, including the ALS automatic locking system). The 6354DO is a Level 3 holster suitable for operational and duty use where secure retention is required.

Left-hand holsters

We stock left-hand variants of the Warrior Universal Pistol Holster across all colour options at the same price point as the right-hand versions. Left-hand holster availability is more limited across the range; if you need a left-hand version of a specific holster, call our team on 01642 612524 for current stock information.

Glock holsters at UK Tactical

The Glock 17 is the most widely issued service pistol in UK law enforcement and British armed forces, and the Glock 19 is its compact equivalent used across specialist roles. We stock dedicated Glock 17 holsters and Glock 19 holsters from ARES Kydex and Safariland, as well as universal holsters from Warrior Assault Systems that are sized to accept both platforms. The ARES Kydex Glock-17/19 holsters are precision-moulded to the Glock frame and available in standard and light-bearing configurations in Black and Coyote Tan. The Safariland 6354DO is available in Glock 17 configuration in Coyote Tan and FDE. If you are looking for a Glock 17 holster or Glock 19 holster for British armed forces or UK police issue, call 01642 612524 to confirm compatibility with your specific platform variant.

Frequently asked questions about gun holsters

What is the difference between a thigh holster and a belt holster?
A belt holster or hip holster attaches at the waist and is the standard carry position for police, security and range use. A thigh holster drops the pistol below the hip using a platform that straps to the leg, which is the correct configuration when wearing plate carriers or load-bearing vests where the hip position is blocked. Most operators choose a belt holster for day-to-day or uniformed duty and switch to a thigh holster when they are wearing full body armour.

What is a pancake holster?
A pancake holster uses two flat panels - typically Kydex or leather - that sandwich either side of a belt to hold the holster close to the body. The design distributes the weight of the pistol across a wider belt contact area and keeps the holster profile lower and flatter against the hip than a standard OWB (outside waistband) holster. Pancake holsters are commonly chosen for plain-clothes or close protection use where a clean, discreet carry profile is needed. The ARES Kydex holsters in our range use a similar Kydex retention shell design.

What holster fits a Glock 17?
The ARES Kydex Glock-17/19 holster is precision-moulded for the Glock 17 and Glock 19 frame and is the dedicated fit option in our range. The Warrior Universal Pistol Holster also accepts the Glock 17 and is available as a thigh rig or belt-mount option. The Safariland 6354DO is available in a Glock 17 configuration. If you are fitting a weapon light to your Glock 17, the ARES Kydex TLR-1/TLR-2 and X300/X400 variants are specifically sized around those light footprints.

What is the Safariland QLS system?
The Safariland Quick Locking System (QLS) allows a holster to be instantly transferred between different mounting platforms without removing the belt or undoing straps. The QLS 19 Fork attaches to the holster and the QLS 22 Receiver Plate attaches to the mount. Pressing a release lever detaches the holster from its current platform so it can be clicked onto any other QLS-equipped mount. This is widely used by British military and police who need to move their holster between a leg rig, a belt and a plate carrier depending on the task.

Do you stock holsters for left-handed shooters?
Yes. The Warrior Universal Pistol Holster is available in left-hand configuration in Multicam, Coyote Tan, Olive Drab and Black at GBP 59.95. Left-hand configurations are more limited across other brands in the range. Call 01642 612 524 for current left-hand holster availability across the full Safariland, ARES Kydex and Blackhawk range.

What is a MOLLE holster?
A MOLLE holster attaches directly to the MOLLE webbing on a plate carrier, chest rig or tactical belt rather than mounting to a thigh platform or belt loop. MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) is the standard webbing system used across British and NATO tactical gear, so a MOLLE holster integrates cleanly with existing kit. Our Warrior Assault Systems range is fully MOLLE-compatible and designed to work with Warrior's plate carriers and chest rigs.

What holsters do you stock for UK police and military use?
Our range includes holsters in active service with UK law enforcement and British armed forces. The Safariland 6354DO is a Level 3 retention holster used by NATO and UK military personnel. The Warrior Universal Pistol Holster is used across British Army and special forces units. The ARES Kydex holsters cover the Glock 17 and Glock 19 platforms that are standard issue in UK policing. If you are purchasing for a specific force or unit and need to confirm approval status or compatibility, call our team on 01642 612 524.