Love them? Hate them?

I use them when I carry on the job, as a contractor. climbing thru trusses one day I snagged my baby glock and it fell into two feet of blown glass insulation. that convinced me they were worth it,

The holster I was wearing was a good well made holster, but the space and my fat ass combined to cause the gun to come loose. My fault, but I use a thumb break now.

Not required and can be dangerous when reholstering due to grabbing the trigger.

Your finger can also be dangerous when you are reholstering, keep them both out of the trigger guard! Yes there are times when some sort of retention device is needed.This could include climbing around in roof trusses or while riding a bicycle or motorcycle. I would call it an absolute necessity if you chose to open carry.

I love'em for the same reason as 1911fan, not because of my fat ass, but because I'm contantly climbing through shit, or out on my bike, or just what ever. Having more retention than just pressure is nice most of the time.

Don't a lot of departments require them for duty holsters?

-bob

From what I've seen/read, most departments require a 'level 2 or level 3' retention holster for on duty wear.

Since some departments regulate duty weapons and holsters for on duty use, they may also regulate off duty carry requirements (firearms/holster), too.

I currently have a Triple K thumb break holster for my 1911A1. Some day, I'll have the cash to add other types/styles for a more 'concealed' carry option.

I carry 1911 type pistol exclusively. I have one holster (Bianchi) for my fullsize that has a thumb break, I use it only on the range. None of my carry holsters have additional retention. They work perfectly for me; but then again I'm not doing acrobatic stuff, at work or play.

All of my holsters, including many I've made, have thumb breaks. The only exception is a couple of pocket holsters I've made.

The extra security is well worth the miniscule addition to draw time.

As for reholstering, that should always be done with the utmost care.

+1 to what Scott wrote.

I hate them, well not hate but I don't prefer them because I carry in a Bianchi CarryLoc. It gives you ease of a non retention holster for draw and reholstering without the worry of the thumb break getting caught up in the process and it provides excellent retention. Best of both worlds.

I've got one for each of my carry guns. I use the Model 82 and it has a good shape to fit up against the waist and they have been very durable.

Only possible downside they are not the fashion statement my wife would like me to make, they come in tan or black no fancy stuff like some of you guys are showing these days.

Hmm, I have looked at the CarryLoc as well, and I think it has gotten some praise here before.

Is the CarryLoc mechanism available to holster makers so they can incorperate it into a more BBQ-friendly holster?

sure ... buy the carry-lock, strip it out, make a new one.

Expensive though and a bit of rpecise alignment is necessary.

I'm not sure you could refit it into another holster without some major work. These holsters are pretty thick leather and I think that is part of the strucutre that holds the loc in place while you holster and draw.

I like the thumb break, but, here it comes.

I usually carry a side snap scabbard Galco with the retention thang. When I wear the thumb break, and go to the restroom, I quite often try to pull the gun and set it on our sink, only to say oooops, (actually the word starts with f and ends in k, but you get my drift), so in the event of needing in self defense, I'd much rather not have the thumb break. Although some well place training to get back into the T beak would solve this problem I think. It's not a good feeling when you lift your gun and it doesn't move!