Your Kydex Holster Lost Its Retention: Here's How to Fix It

If you did a cartwheel right now, would your pistol stay in place? 

If your answer to that question is anything but a resounding yes, you may have a retention problem that needs to be addressed. 

With a Kydex holster, lost retention isn’t as scary as it sounds. In fact, it’s a problem that can usually be fixed in two minutes or less with nothing more than a Phillips screwdriver and a dab of blue threadlocker. 

Here’s everything you need to know about how to test your holster’s retention, fix retention that keeps getting loose, and know when it’s time to send it in for a repair or replacement. 

Is Your Retention Loose? How To Test

When it comes to concealed carry holsters, it’s usually pretty easy to tell if the retention has gotten too loose. Unlike active retention systems, which require you to physically disengage a component on the holster to draw your weapon, most concealed carry holsters are designed with passive retention, using the shell of the holster itself to keep your firearm secure. 

So, if your pistol is rattling around in its holster, slides in and out without any resistance, or doesn’t feel like it’s fully seated in place, your retention is too loose. 

And we shouldn’t have to tell you that a gun loose in its holster is a dangerous one. Any risk of your firearm accidentally slipping out of its holster should be addressed immediately. 

Why Kydex Holster Retention Gets Loose

To prevent your holster’s retention from loosening, you have to understand how it happens in the first place. 

If you’ve recently purchased a Kydex holster, it may be as simple as it’s going through a break-in period. Like a new pair of shoes, a Kydex holster may start to “relax” a bit after you’ve put it through a number of draw cycles. In this case, simply readjust the retention and go about business as usual. 

With Kydex holsters, the majority of the time loose retention is a result of the retention screw backing out over time. This is totally normal and easy to fix. You’ll need to apply some blue threadlocker to the screw to prevent this from happening again. If your retention screw has backed out so much that you’ve actually lost it, you can always grab a hardware replacement kit. (Just be sure to use some threadlocker on it this time!)

Rarely, loose retention can be caused by prolonged exposure to heat. Kydex is thermoplastic, after all, and leaving it in extreme temperatures can sometimes cause it to warp or lose its shape over time. If your holster has become damaged from heat, you’ll need to replace it. A warped holster can become a hazard, particularly when the trigger guard loses its shape and puts you at risk of the trigger being accidentally engaged while holstering your weapon. To be safe, always store your Kydex holster in a cool, dry place!

How to Tighten a Kydex Holster

If your Kydex holster has lost its retention, don’t worry. This is usually a pretty easy fix. 

Holster retention adjustment is as easy as tightening its retention screw. On a Kydex holster, the retention screw is usually located just below the trigger guard. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to turn the screw until you reach your desired retention level. 

This will likely take a bit of trial and error. You’ll want to adjust the screw in small increments and test it by holstering and drawing your pistol each time. The goal is to find the sweet spot where your gun is secure in the holster while still being quick and easy to draw at a moment’s notice. 

There is one final step that most people forget: threadlocker. Applying a dab of blue threadlocker to the screw before making your adjustments will prevent it from backing out again. Make sure you use blue, not red, threadlocker so that you can make future adjustments as needed.

What About Holsters Without Retention Screws?

If you’ve been staring at your holster, wondering where its retention screw is, there’s a good chance it doesn’t have one at all. While quality Kydex holsters usually feature adjustable retention, not all Kydex holsters do. 

Hybrid holsters, for example, which are made with a Kydex shell and a leather or nylon backing, don’t have adjustable retention. They rely on the holster’s molding and pressure from your body to retain your pistol. 

With that said, “loose” retention on a hybrid holster may just mean that you need to tighten your belt. The retention is only engaged when the holster is being worn, not when it’s off your body. 

If you find that your hybrid holster is no longer retaining your gun, don’t try to fix it yourself. If your hybrid holster has a warranty, retention issues should be covered. 

When to Retire a Holster

As much as we hate to say it, there does come a time when a holster should be taken out of commission. 

Although loosened retention is typically not one of those times, if your holster is not performing like it used to, it’s a good idea to give it a visual inspection to make sure there aren’t more serious issues at play. 

Severe wear and tear, or actual damage, to your holster should not be ignored. Things like cracks, bent hardware, warping, or anything else that brings the integrity of the holster into question mean you should stop carrying it immediately. 

If your holster is under warranty, like all Vedder holsters, these issues are usually covered. Reach out to see about a repair or replacement. If not, it’s time to go shopping! A damaged holster is a dangerous holster, and it’s not worth the risk of carrying it. 

What Should Good Retention Feel Like?

We’ve talked a lot about what it feels like when your Kydex holster has lost retention, but what about what it should feel like when it’s working properly? 

In short, retention should feel exactly how you want it to feel. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this. How tight or loose you set your retention will depend on the firearm you’re carrying, how and where you carry, and your personal preference when it comes to draw resistance. 

Generally speaking, retention should feel snug enough that your pistol “clicks” into place and stays put until you go to draw. Conversely, it shouldn’t be so tight that you struggle to draw it quickly when you need it. 

Because retention is so unique to each individual, adjustable retention should be non-negotiable in a Kydex holster. At Vedder Holsters, all of our Kydex IWB and OWB holsters, as well as our Pocket Locker®, are equipped with fully adjustable retention, so you can find the exact resistance you need. 

FAQ

Is a loose holster dangerous?

Yes, a holster with loose retention can be dangerous if it’s so loose that your firearm might slip out while you’re bending or sitting. This puts you at risk of your gun being picked up by an unauthorized user or of your pistol coming into contact with a foreign object, resulting in a negligent discharge. Your holster’s retention should always be tight enough that you’re in control of your firearm at all times. 

Why did my Kydex holster get loose? 

The retention on a Kydex holster can loosen for a number of reasons. More often than not, it’s simply a matter of the retention screw backing out over time. Sometimes, however, loosened retention can be a result of the Kydex being exposed to extreme heat for long periods, such as in a hot car. 

How do I tighten my holster retention? 

To tighten a Kydex holster with passive retention, simply adjust its retention screw until it reaches your desired level of tension. For best results, apply a dab of blue threadlocker to the screw to prevent it from loosening again over time. 

How tight should holster retention be? 

There is no exact specification when it comes to holster retention. It all depends on what you carry, how you carry, and your personal preferences when it comes to draw resistance. A good rule of thumb is that your holster’s retention should be tight enough to keep your gun securely in place, yet loose enough to draw quickly. You should feel some resistance when drawing your weapon, but not so much that you’re fighting to draw it when seconds count. 

Can you re-mold a Kydex holster? 

Although it’s possible to re-mold a Kydex holster at home, it is not recommended. Modifying a holster without the proper tooling and equipment can result in unintended warping around the trigger guard, making it unsafe to draw and holster your gun. If your holster is in need of this level of repair, it’s best to send it in to the manufacturer for service or replacement. 

At Vedder Holsters, repairs and/or replacements are covered under our lifetime warranty, so reach out to us and we’ll get you taken care of! 

Summary

If your Kydex holster has lost retention, don’t worry. There are several reasons why this may be happening, such as a new holster going through a breaking-in period, exposure to heat, or the retention screw loosening over time. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix. 

More often than not, a holster’s retention can be tightened by turning its retention screw with a screwdriver. To prevent it from loosening again, we recommend applying a bit of blue threadlocker to the screw. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, or you have a hybrid holster without a retention screw, it may be time to send your holster in for repair or replacement. At Vedder, all our holsters are backed by a lifetime warranty, so simply reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll be happy to assist! 

Looking for a reliable, custom-fit holster? Visit our Holsters by Gun Model page to find Kydex holsters tailored to your firearm. Not sure which holster is right for you? Take a look at our interactive comparison tool to view holsters side-by-side and filter by feature. Plus, explore our Resources Page for gear recommendations, concealed carry guides, and exclusive content to elevate your carry system.