Should Kydex Holsters Click When the Gun Is Inserted?

If you’ve ever used a Kydex holster, you’re likely familiar with the highly satisfying “click” that occurs when you holster your weapon. But the click you feel and hear as your gun snaps into place is more than just tactical ASMR. It happens for a reason, and there are plenty of factors that contribute to it.

This phenomenon is known as an “audible click,” and it’s common in most Kydex holsters. It’s a sign that your holster’s retention is engaged, and your gun is fully seated. Although most Kydex holsters feature this audible click, not all do. Hybrid holsters and those made for light-bearing pistols often do not click at all, even though the retention is set. 

In this article, we’ll explain why holsters have an audible click, why some don’t, and how to tell if the click you hear (or don’t hear) is normal for your holster. 

Why Do Holsters Click When the Gun Is Inserted?

In order to understand what an audible click is and why it’s important, you first have to know a little bit about holster retention. Most concealed carry holsters have what’s known as “passive retention,” which means the shell itself is designed to hold the firearm in place. Because Kydex holsters are heat molded to fit a specific gun model, they fit your pistol like a glove and use friction to keep it secure. 

So, the click you hear is the sound of the trigger guard of your firearm making it past the tightest part of the holster and snapping into place. This click is a physical and audible indicator that your gun is fully seated in the holster and won’t come out until you draw it.

Because of their design, the vast majority of Kydex holsters will have an audible click.  However, there are plenty of variables that can affect how loud or quiet this click will be, and even whether it will have one at all. We’ll cover these factors in-depth in the coming sections. 

Should All Kydex Holsters Have an Audible Click?

Although all holsters should have retention that locks the firearm securely in place, you won’t necessarily be able to hear a click when it is engaged. There are many factors that can affect whether or not a holster has an audible click. 

Hybrid and light-bearing holsters, for example, often don’t have an audible click or have a very faint one (we’ll get more in-depth about why this is the case later on). Non-light-bearing Kydex holsters, on the other hand, almost always have an audible click. 

There are exceptions to this rule, however. The style of the craftsman who made the holster, the tooling used, aftermarket attachments, and even the gun model itself can all have an impact on whether a click is audible. 

Because there are so many variables, it’s important to understand that an audible click is not necessarily a sign of quality. As long as your holster holds your pistol securely in place until you draw it, it’s doing its job, click or no click. 

Why Doesn’t My Hybrid Holster Have an Audible Click? 

If you have a hybrid holster with a Kydex shell and a leather backing, you may have noticed that you don’t hear an audible click when you holster your gun, or that the click is very quiet. 

Hybrid holsters typically do not click when the firearm is inserted, since only one side is made of Kydex. Because the leather backing is flexible and offers some give, the trigger guard of your pistol is able to make it past the thinnest part of the holster without the snap you feel with a full Kydex shell. 

You may still hear a small click when you insert the gun, depending on the way the trigger guard on your model is designed. A thicker trigger guard may still produce a click, while a thinner trigger guard likely won’t. It all depends on the firearm you have and how the Kydex is shaped around it. 

Rest assured that even if you don’t feel or hear the pistol click into place, hybrid holsters still have passive retention and will have no trouble keeping your weapon secure while on your body. 

Why Doesn’t My Light-bearing Holster Have an Audible Click?

Like hybrid holsters, most holsters designed to accommodate aftermarket lights and lasers usually do not feature an audible click when the gun is inserted, even with an all-Kydex shell. 

The reason for this is that in order to fit a light-bearing pistol, the holster must be molded with channels large enough for the attachment to pass through, creating a new retention point around the light instead of the trigger guard. Because the retention locks around the light attachment instead of the trigger guard, you most likely won’t hear it click into place. 

That said, depending on the exact attachment, gun model, the design of your trigger guard, and the tooling used during manufacturing, you very well may hear an audible click when holstering your weapon. Either way, your holster’s friction-based retention will be engaged as long as the light or laser is attached. 

Why Does One of My Holsters Have a Louder Click Than Others?

If you have multiple holsters, you may notice that one of them has a louder or different-sounding click than the other. Although this may raise an eyebrow at first, it isn’t cause for concern. 

All holster models vary when it comes to their audible click. Some holsters have very loud, deep clicks, while others may be lighter or more subtle. Just because the sound may be more prominent in one holster than another doesn’t mean one is better quality or that something is wrong. This variance is perfectly normal, and there are multiple reasons why it may occur. 

First, it should be expected that holsters made for different gun models will have different clicks. Because an audible click is caused by a pistol’s trigger guard snapping into place, different styles of trigger guards result in different sounds. The thickness, material, and size of a trigger guard have a major impact on how light or deep an audible click is. 

Second, as we already mentioned, different holster styles may result in different clicks. A leather backing, a differently-shaped shell, or accommodations for light attachments can all affect the audible click. 

Next, if you have a holster with adjustable retention, you’ll likely notice the click will vary depending on how tight or loose your retention is set. The tighter the retention, the louder the click. 

Finally, the loudness of the click may vary depending on the tooling used in production and the craftsman who made it. At Vedder Holsters, all our holsters are handcrafted to order in-house, so each holster may vary slightly depending on the style of the person who made it. As long as your gun is properly secured in your holster, you can relax knowing the retention is working. 

If My Holster Doesn’t Click, How Do I Know the Retention Is Working? 

Many people are under the impression that a holster’s click is a sign that the retention is set. But an audible click is not always a good indicator of this. Because of the reasons stated above, you may or may not hear a click when the gun is holstered, even when the retention is engaged. 

So, how can you tell a holster’s retention is working properly? 

You may have heard that holding your holster upside down and shaking it is a good way to test its retention. However, this is not a reliable method. The best way to test a holster’s retention is by simulating real-life scenarios. This is especially important for inside the waistband holsters, as the added pressure of being stuck between your body and waistband adds additional retention. In fact, a hybrid holster’s retention is only engaged when it is pressed against your body. 

So, to test your holster’s retention, wear your holster and unloaded pistol (or bluegun) as you normally would during everyday carry. Then, try doing some things that could cause your gun to come out of the holster, like bending over, jumping up and down, or doing a cartwheel (if you’re feeling extra adventurous). As long as your holster stays securely in place during these activities, your retention is working properly. 

If your holster comes loose, there are a few things you can try. For a holster with adjustable retention, turn the retention screw until it is tight enough that your gun won’t fall out of the holster, but loose enough that you can draw it quickly. When carrying a hybrid holster, which does not have adjustable retention, you may need to tighten your belt a notch or two to ensure the retention is strong enough to keep your weapon in place. 

If your retention still isn’t keeping your gun secured, you may need to do some further investigating. Adding a bit of Turbo-Fuse™ Blue Threadlocker to your retention screw can prevent it from coming loose over time. Or, if you think something may be wrong with your holster, you can contact our team, and we’d be happy to help out. 

At the end of the day, whether your holster has an audible click or not, as long as it passes the above test, you can feel confident knowing that its retention is engaged, and it’s safe to carry. 

Summary

Although most Kydex holsters feature an audible click thanks to their heat-molded design, factors like the gun model, tooling, leather backings, and accommodations for light attachments can all affect how loud this click will be and even whether it will have one at all. 

As satisfying as an audible click is, it’s not necessarily a reliable way to determine whether your holster’s retention is working properly. Functionality is the most important aspect of concealed carry gear, and as long as your holster holds your pistol securely in place throughout the day, you can rest assured it’s doing its job. 

Looking for a reliable, custom-fit holster? Visit our Holsters by Gun Model page to find Kydex holsters tailored to your firearm. Plus, explore our Resources Page for gear recommendations, concealed carry guides, and exclusive content to elevate your carry system.