Holster retention levels describe how many separate things hold the gun in the holster. Level 1 is passive retention: the holster's molded fit and friction. Level 2 adds one active device you have to defeat on the draw, a thumb break, a hood, or a locking lever. Level 3 adds a second. The system comes from law enforcement, where the risk is someone else grabbing your gun, and this guide explains what each level means, who needs which, and what that means for concealed carry.
Level 1: passive retention
The holster holds the gun by fit. On a molded kydex holster that fit is adjustable with screws and audible as a click, and it is enough to keep the gun in place through running, bending, and being upside down. Every concealed carry holster we sell, like the Glock 19 IWB, is level 1, and that is correct: the gun is under a shirt where nobody can reach it, and the draw has to be one motion.
Level 2: one active device
A thumb break, a rotating hood, or an internal lever released by the thumb or index finger on the draw. It stops a grab from behind or the side and it makes the draw a two-step motion that must be trained. Level 2 is the minimum for uniformed open carry, security work, and any exposed holster where the gun is visible and reachable.
Level 3: two active devices
A hood plus a lever, or a thumb break plus a lever. Patrol duty holsters. The draw is slower and the holster is bulky, and it is worth it when you spend a shift with a gun on your hip in public.
Paddle and OWB holsters
An OWB paddle holster like the Glock paddle or Bodyguard 2.0 paddle is level 1 with adjustable Posi-Click retention, which is right for the range, competition, and open carry under a jacket. For exposed uniformed carry, buy a purpose-built level 2 duty holster.
What concealed carry needs
Level 1, with retention set firm enough that the gun does not come out when the holster is turned over, and a covered trigger guard. Adding a thumb break to a concealed holster slows the draw and adds a step to fail under stress, for a threat, the gun grab, that concealment already prevents.
Frequently asked questions
What does level 2 retention mean?
The holster's molded fit plus one active locking device you release on the draw.
Is level 2 required for concealed carry?
No. Concealed carry uses level 1 with a covered trigger and firm passive retention.
Is a kydex holster with a click level 1 or 2?
Level 1. The click is passive retention.
Who needs a level 3 holster?
Uniformed patrol officers with an exposed duty holster.
Is a paddle holster level 2?
Not by itself. A paddle is a mounting method; the retention is level 1 unless it has a hood or lever.
The bottom line
Level 2 is for exposed guns. For concealed carry, a molded level 1 holster with a click and a covered trigger, like every holster we sell, is the right answer.
Related reading
What does IWB mean? IWB vs OWB vs AIWB
What makes a good concealed carry holster
Holster clips explained
