What Is a Gun Clip?

Several companies sell clips that attach directly to a handgun. The idea is simple: instead of putting the handgun into a traditional holster, the clip allows the gun itself to attach to a belt or waistband.

For example, Techna Clip markets handgun clips as a minimalist concealed-carry solution and promotes carrying without a traditional holster.

You can see an example on the

Techna Clip product page

They’re certainly compact. They eliminate much of the bulk associated with a traditional holster.

But small and convenient aren’t my primary considerations when evaluating concealed-carry equipment.

The Question Isn’t Whether the Clip Holds the Gun

When I evaluate a concealed-carry system, I’m not simply asking:

“Will this keep the gun attached to my pants?”

I’m asking whether the equipment performs the important functions I expect from a concealed-carry holster.

One of the most important is simple:

Look at the Trigger

Take another look at the photograph above.

The metal clip is attached to the side of the handgun, but the trigger guard remains open. The clip itself provides no barrier around the trigger.

That matters because concealed carry places a handgun around clothing, belts, and other objects. A properly designed holster creates a physical barrier around the trigger guard while the handgun is being carried.

With a clip-only arrangement, that protection has to come from somewhere else—or it simply isn’t there.

What I Expect From a Concealed-Carry Holster- Gun Clip vs Holster

A good concealed-carry holster should do more than keep the handgun from falling down your pants.

I want a holster that:

• Covers and protects the trigger guard.
• Provides adequate retention so the handgun stays where it belongs.
• Maintains a consistent position on the body.
• Stays attached when the handgun is drawn.
• Protects the trigger from unintended contact during normal carry.
• Allows the handgun to be carried without relying on clothing to protect the trigger.

Those aren’t cosmetic features. They’re part of the safety system.

Convenience Can Become the Wrong Priority

I understand why these clips appeal to people.

They’re small. They’re simple. There’s almost nothing extra to put on, and they add very little bulk to the handgun.

But concealed carry shouldn’t become a contest to see how little equipment we can get away with.

“But I’ve Carried This Way for Years”

That’s an argument firearms instructors hear about all kinds of equipment and gun-handling practices.

Something working hundreds or thousands of times doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best practice.

Firearms safety is largely about reducing opportunities for something to go wrong.

If one carry method physically protects the trigger and another leaves it exposed, that’s an important difference to me.

Not Every Clip System Is Necessarily the Same- Gun Clip vs Holster

There is an important distinction here.

I’m not claiming that every handgun clip or every possible clip-based carry system is identical. Some systems may be combined with a separate trigger-guard cover or other protective device.

I’m talking about carrying a handgun using only a clip attached to the firearm, like the setup shown in the photograph.

The clip can provide attachment and some degree of retention. It does not, by itself, surround and protect the trigger guard the way a conventional holster does.

A Holster Is Safety Equipment

People sometimes think of a holster primarily as something that makes carrying a gun more comfortable.

I look at it differently.

A holster is part of your firearm safety equipment.

The handgun, holster, and method of carry work together as a system. Changing one part of that system can change how safely the handgun can be carried and handled.

That’s why I spend time discussing holsters with students in my concealed-carry classes.

For more information, read:

Choosing a Proper Concealed Carry Holster

What I Told My Student

I didn’t need to tell him that the clip couldn’t physically hold his handgun. Obviously it could.

My concern was the exposed trigger

I want my students carrying their handguns in equipment designed to protect the trigger, provide adequate retention, and keep the firearm consistently positioned.

There are many excellent holsters available today. You don’t have to carry a huge, uncomfortable piece of equipment to accomplish those things.

But whatever you choose, don’t select your carry equipment based solely on convenience.

Rick Sindeband
Have Gun Will Train Colorado
Professional firearms training in Pueblo, Colorado