5 Best Universal Holsters (That Don’t Suck)

Do universal holsters universally suck?

That's a good question, and the answer is categorically a big no. A lot of them certainly suck, but not all of them. 

As a gun writer, I get lots of guns to test and evaluate. These include a variety of handguns, and it's challenging to test a firearm without a holster. It's also expensive to buy a new holster for guns I'm sending back to the providing company anyway. 

This has led me to find a variety of multi-fit holsters that work. Through experimentation, I've found a few that I enjoy. Each has its purpose, and each one is capable of holding a multitude of different guns. 

These five holsters most certainly don't suck. 

Universal Holster Comparison Chart

Best Universal Holsters

1. Blackhawk Omnivore - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Blackhawk Omnivore Holster

$56

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$56 at Amazon

GunMag Warehouse (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Poor Blackhawk has had a helluva time recovering from that time Tex Grebner shot himself in the leg with a 1911.

Besides that, the SERPA holster was mainly declared unsafe and fell out of use quickly after a few more NDs occurred. That didn't stop Blackhawk from trying to be innovative with the Omnivore. 

The Blackhawk Omnivore incorporated several of the good ideas from the SERPA and introduced them to a holster that requires only a rail or light to house your gun.

Blackhawk gave the Omnivore the same mounting system as the SERPA and allows the use of SERPA leg rigs, paddles, belt loops, and more. The Omnivore is also made from polymer. 

It comes in two models, a light-bearing model and a standard rail model. This holster can accommodate over 150 guns, provided they are equipped with a rail or a flashlight.

The simpler railed model uses a small block that attaches to the rail and is then the basis for the holster's retention. 

The light-bearing models are made for the Streamlight TLR 1 and 2, and a separate model for the X300 lights from Surefire. The standard model is okay, but the light-bearing model is so much more innovative and useful, in my opinion. 

From where I'm standing, the ability to drop a light on nearly any gun and then drop it in my Omnivore is quite valuable. 

The Omnivore is a level 2 holster that uses active retention. Instead of the dreaded trigger finger release, the Omnivore uses a thumb release. Press the release down as you grip your gun and draw your weapon. 

It's a bulky holster, so don't expect to conceal it. For the range, hunting, or open carry of any kind, the Omnivore is a solid choice.

I keep the Omnivore on my Battle Belt, and that's perfect because one day, I may carry a Polymer 80 Glock 17, or maybe a Magnum Research MR9, or perhaps a railed 1911. 

I have all the choices. Also, the Omnivore works with 1911s equipped with Recover Tactical rails, which was a pleasant surprise. All I have to do is move my TLR 1 from gun to gun.

It's simple, and the holster is effective and customizable, and sturdy enough for daily use. 

The Omnivore is also affordable and makes it a solid choice for my line of work. 

2. Phalanx Defense Stealth Operator - Best OWB Holster

Best OWB Holster

Stealth Operator OWB Holster

$35

at AR15 Discounts

Prices accurate at time of writing

$35 at AR15 Discounts

Classic Firearms (see price)

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

This was the holster that first made me realize that universal holsters don't have to suck. The Stealth Operator isn't my favorite name, but it's one of my favorite holsters.

This holster is a Kydex rig that comes in both OWB and IWB models, as well as compact and full-size variants. 

I owned both the OWB compact and full-sized variants for years and found them through a local gun store. Gainesville is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from me and is where Phalanx Defense is located.

It's an excellent shop, and they've even taken me on a tour of their historic building. 

The holster is the star of the show, though. It's a very low-profile design that's small enough for concealed carry and sits tight to the body.

The Stealth Operator is a holster system that utilizes a tightened frame with a particular point that locks the gun into the holster by the trigger guard.

You'll get an excellent loud click when you holster your weapon to let you know it's retained. 

The compact model has an open bottom to accommodate most small-sized guns. It will also fit full-sized firearms, but their barrel will stick out of the holster quite a bit.

If you're looking for something bigger, the full-sized will accommodate your Glock 17s, CZ P09s, and several more without the barrel poking out. 

The holster uses two belt loops for OWB and two metal clips for IWB options. It comes in multiple colors and even a few hydro-dipped special editions. After carrying and using these holsters for years, I've become a big fan of them. 

They accommodate so many different guns. This includes weapons like the Walther PPS, a subcompact 9mm single-stack, all the way up to a CZ P09 with its 21-round magazine and double-stack design. 

Phalanx Defense Stealth Operator OWB Compact Holster

$34

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$34 at Amazon

These holsters cling tightly to the body and hold your weapon very securely. I've never felt one move or slide out in any way. They are the most modern designs on this list and allow for both concealed carry and tactical use. 

I own several for a reason.

I trust them, and when it comes to a lot of different pistols sent for testing and evaluating, I'm often using these holsters to carry, to draw from, and to help me test the weapon. 

What's your take on the Stealth Operators? Rate it below!

3. Bianchi M12 - Best OG Holster

Best OG Holster

Bianchi M12

$92

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$92 at Amazon

When I was first issued an M9, I got a green Bianchi M12 to carry it.

These old holsters have been in use forever and were affectionately known as the Suicide Holster.

If you had to draw from it, you'd be dead before you cleared leather. 

This is most certainly an out-of-date holster, and the SERPA quickly became the preferred model for carrying our M9s.

The M12 is an old holster, but it's a tough old broad. When I was young and obsessed with being a modern warfighter, I overlooked the usefulness of the M12. 

Sure, it's no longer a warfighting holster, but it can certainly be an excellent range, hunting, or hiking holster.

You'd be hard-pressed to fight a holster with such a simple but robust retention system. That big flap will keep your gun in place, rain or shine. 

It isn't coming out till you want it out. The M12 can attach to a belt, be rigged to a tanker-style chest harness, or even to a MOLLE platform. Several military surplus rigs allow you to carry just about any way you want. 

The Bianchi M12 doesn't just keep your gun in the holster, but also protects the firearm from the environment well, too.

This holster almost completely covers the gun, meaning if you fall down a hill, not only will you retain the weapon, but it will be a lot cleaner than you are. 

The M12 uses a pull tab that large and easy to reach, pull it down, and the holster flap unlocks and allows you to draw your pistol. It's not quick or modern, but it's effective. 

The simplicity of the design means it's hard to break and will work chock full of dirt, mud, or sand. It won't fail unless you glue it shut. Even though it's an old holster, it is durable, water-resistant, and I've never seen one break. 

I've had this one for a decade, and it keeps on keeping on. It's not High Speed, but it is useful in a specific role. It does limit you to Glock 19-sized guns and up. It's a great companion to a woods gun or a hiking piece.  

4. LAS Concealment Tanto - Best AIWB

LAS Concealment Tanto

$87

at LAS Concealment

Prices accurate at time of writing

$87 at LAS Concealment

The LAS Concealment Tanto was a nice surprise and a holster I’ve been carrying for the last few months. The Tanto is an AIWB holster that indexes on the light, just like the Floodlight. However, it takes steps to differentiate itself and to provide different options for different barrel lengths to provide a better fit overall.

The Tanto can also use a variety of Streamlight designs, the Surefire X300, and the ModLite pistol series. Users can pick from three different clip designs and a variety of attachments, including a spare magazine pouch.

The Tanto takes steps to reduce the holster’s size and increase comfort overall. For example, the "shark fin" cut, as LAS Concealment calls it, eliminates excess material around the weapon light. The corners are melted and sanded down to prevent pinching and rubbing.

This is another reason why you choose your barrel length. Instead of just embracing one long length, you can choose a shorter length to better fit your gun and make it easier to carry the holster.

The Tanto tucks the grip of the pistol inward, more toward the body. This helps with concealment and makes carrying something like a CZ P09 full-sized gun easy to conceal with minimal printing.

Like any modern concealed carry holster, the Tanto is designed to work with red dots. It has an open cut and can also accommodate suppressor-height sights.

The Tanto provides a comfortable, easy-to-conceal universal holster that allows for the fast draw of appendix carry with a variety of customization options and smart design cues. It’s comfortable, easy to conceal, and can fit a wide variety of different firearms fitted with modern accessories.

5. PHLster Floodlight2 - Best High-End Holster

PHLster Floodlight2

$138

at PHLster

Prices accurate at time of writing

$138 at PHLster

The PHLster Floodlight is now in its Gen 2 model, but I’m still rocking and rolling with my OG PHLster Floodlight. If you’re buying one now, the Gen 2 will serve you extremely well. This holster uses your light as its index point, so it can function with a ton of different guns. The holsters are light-dependent, and you have to match your holster with your chosen light.

PHLster produces the Floodlight for the Surefire X300 and Streamlight TLR-1 series of lights. If your handgun can attach these lights, it can be carried by the PHLster Floodlight. The Floodlight allows you to carry Glocks, CZs, Walthers, Caniks, Berettas, and so many more.

You can also adjust the retention with ease. The holster indexes on the light, and an easily adjustable shock cord makes it easy to fine-tune the holster’s fit on your weapon’s slide.

Slides aren’t built the same and can be radically different, so it’s nice to adjust the holster to fit your gun. The Floodlight series can accommodate optics, suppressor-height sights, threaded barrels, and most compensators.

The holster is a two-piece frame that’s modular and allows for a variety of different belt clip options. The holster is completely ambidextrous and easy to swap from right- to left-handed design.

The holster’s cut allows for a fast grip and effortless draw. I’ve used both the AIWB (Appendix IWB) and the traditional OWB (Outside the Waistband) versions, and getting the gun up and into action is always quick and seamless.

The PHLster Floodlight Gen 2 comes with PHLster’s new ComfortScape technology. It makes the holster’s surface feel smooth, but also improves concealment and ventilation around the holster. This improves comfort and makes it easy to carry a large gun with a large weapon light.

The PHLster Floodlight is from one of the best concealed carry holster brands available. Universal holsters can be challenging, but PHLster produces exceptional holsters with a proven track record of success.

How We Tested: Universal Holsters

For this round-up, most of the holsters recommended were hands-on tested by Review Analyst Travis Pike.

Holsters were evaluated based on retention, universal compatibility, comfort, adjustability, draw stroke, and reholstering.

Holsters are worn for a minimum of 2 to 4 hours at a time for several weeks. During this testing, reviewers sit, drive, stand, walk/jog/run, bend, and climb stairs. Our reviewers note any hot spots, digging edges, holster shifts, or retention issues.

After several weeks of wear, reviewers reassess clip tension, hardware, sag, comfort, and materials, looking for degradation, color transfer, sweat issues, or any other indications of quality issues. 

From there, holsters are taken to the range where they are tested against live fire drills that involve drawing and presenting the firearm and re-holstering. Holsters are assessed for draw efficiency, retention during movement, and reholstering.

Meet the Experts

Freelance writer Travis Pike led the research and evaluation for this article. Travis is an NRA-certified Basic Pistol instructor as well as a concealed carry instructor. He is a USMC veteran and lifelong shooter who brings his knowledge of gear and movement to the testing of holsters.

Final Thoughts

Multi-fit, universal holsters often suck. They typically offer poor retention, poor attachment options, and are generally junk. That's just a fact in the gun world. 

But the holsters listed above most certainly confirm that universal holsters don't have to suck. 

What's your favorite universal holster? Have any that you love or hate? Want something specific...check out our Best Concealed Carry Holsters. Looking for something to put in your new holster? Then bop on over and read all about the Best Handguns for Beginners!