Modular holster for handguns and the like

Abstract

A holster ( 10 ) includes one or more modular inserts ( 90, 100 ) positioned within a rigid body ( 20 ) of the holster ( 10 ) to fit and position a preselected handgun ( 56 ) or group of similar handguns or other service items. Also described are security devices including a pivoting security hood ( 66 ) and an internal handgun retention device that engages an ejection port ( 136 ) of the handgun. The hood ( 66 ) and internal retention device may be both opened by a common release lever ( 70 ) of the holster ( 10 ) that is preferably located along a portion of the holster ( 10 ) substantially adjacent a user wearing the holster ( 10 ). The release lever ( 70 ) drives a rocking latch located along a front wall of the holster body ( 20 ), which latches the hood ( 66 ) in the closed position and engages an ejection port ( 136 ) of a holstered handgun ( 56 ). When actuated by the release lever ( 70 ), the latch ( 120 ) disengages the hood ( 66 ) and the ejection port ( 136 ), allowing the hood ( 66 ) to rotate open and the handgun ( 56 ) to be withdrawn from the holster ( 10 ).

1 . A holster comprising: 
 a holster body including opposing first and second walls; and    a first removable insert lining at least a portion of one of the first wall and the second wall.    
   
   
       2 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1 , the first wall being a front wall and the second wall being a rear wall.  
   
   
       3 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second removable insert lining at least a portion of the other of the first wall and the second wall.  
   
   
       4 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1 , the first removable insert lining further comprising an upwardly extending spindle proximate a bottom of the holster body.  
   
   
       5 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1 , the body including a front shell and a rear shell detachably coupled together along inner and outer side walls of the body.  
   
   
       6 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an internal retention device.  
   
   
       7 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a pivoting hood spanning a top opening of the holster body when in a closed position and pivotable to an open position.  
   
   
       8 . The holster as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising 
 an internal retention device; and    a release lever for actuating the pivoting security hood and the internal retention device.    
   
   
       9 . The holster as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising a fastening device for securing the holster to a user, the lever being located relative to the fastening device such that when the holster is secured to a user via the fastening device, the lever is located substantially adjacent the user's body.  
   
   
       10 . The holster as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the release lever actuates the pivoting security hood and the internal retention device when moved in a first direction and then in a second direction.  
   
   
       11 . The holster as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the release lever actuates the pivoting security hood and the internal retention device when moved in a forward direction and then in a downward direction relative to a user.  
   
   
       12 . A holster for a handgun, the handgun including a shell ejection port, the holster comprising: 
 a body defining a cavity and an opening for admitting the handgun into the cavity;    a catch for engaging the shell ejection port of the handgun to retain the handgun in the cavity, the catch being movably supported within the cavity; and    a release lever for disengaging the catch from the shell ejection port.    
   
   
       13 . The holster as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising a fastening device for securing the holster to a user, the lever being located relative to the fastening device such that when the holster is secured to a user via the fastening device, the lever is located substantially adjacent the user's body.  
   
   
       14 . The holster as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising a pivoting hood spanning a top opening of the holster body when in a closed position and pivotable to an open position.  
   
   
       15 . The holster as set forth in  claim 14 , the hood being actuated by the release lever such that actuating the release lever to disengage the catch from the shell ejection port also causes the hood to pivot to the open position.  
   
   
       16 . The holster as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a holster body including opposing first and second walls; and    a first removable insert lining at least a portion of one of the first wall and the second wall.    
   
   
       17 . The holster as set forth in  claim 16 , the first wall being a front wall and the second wall being a rear wall.  
   
   
       18 . The holster as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising a second removable insert lining at least a portion of the other of the first wall and the second wall.  
   
   
       19 . The holster as set forth in  claim 16 , the first removable insert lining further comprising an upwardly extending spindle proximate a bottom of the holster body.  
   
   
       20 . The holster as set forth in  claim 16 , the body including a front shell and a rear shell detachably coupled together along inner and outer side walls of the body.  
   
   
       21 . A method of securing a handgun in a holster comprising: 
 placing a removable insert into the holster such that the insert lines at least a portion of one of a front wall and a rear wall of a body of the holster, and such that the insert aligns the handgun with an internal retention device when the handgun is placed in the holster; and    placing the handgun into the holster such that the internal retention device engages an ejection port of the handgun.    
   
   
       22 . The method as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising opening a security hood prior to placing the handgun into the holster and closing the security hood after placing the handgun in the holster.  
   
   
       23 . The method as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising actuating a single lever to release both the security hood and the retention device, thereby allowing the handgun to be withdrawn from the holster.  
   
   
       24 . The method as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising actuating the lever by moving the lever in a first direction and then in a second direction.  
   
   
       25 . The method as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising actuating the lever by moving the lever in a forward direction and then in a downward direction relative to a user.  
   
   
       26 . The method as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising selecting the removable insert from a plurality of removable inserts such that the selected removable insert is of a size and shape to hold the handgun such that the internal retention device engages the ejection port of the handgun.