Abstract:
This invention is a semi-automatic pistol holster that allows the user to carry a pistol unloaded in normal circumstances. When in need, the user could single-handedly and quickly load the first round with the pistol still holstered. The user could then leave the loaded pistol in the holster discreetly as a pre-cautionary measure when entering into a potentially dangerous situation, or the user could immediately draw the pistol and pull the trigger to fire at target. The holster comprises two components: a holster body tailored to enclose a specific pistol model and block its front sight and slide; and a retention device that retains the pistol but also allows quick loading of the pistol while inside the holster. This invention offers an alternative holster with improved safety, flexibility, and secure retention to carry a pistol. It&#39;s also easy-to-use and simple to manufacture economically.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB) 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR. 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The two most common handguns are the double action revolver and the semi-automatic pistol, the latter of which the present invention is designed for. A typical semi-automatic pistol, referred to as “pistol” hereafter, comprises a slide, a barrel, a recoil spring, a guiding rod, a frame, a trigger guard, a hollow handle for a magazine clip, and a firing mechanism including a trigger, hammer, etc. Normally the muzzle, slide and frame are aligned in the front. When the user pulls the slide, the barrel, guiding rod and pistol frame don&#39;t move with the slide and stick out relative to the slide. Then the user releases the slide, and the recoil spring snaps the slide back. That would load a round into chamber and the pistol ready to be fired, providing any gun safety measure is disengaged. 
         [0007]    There is always a delicate trade-off between safety and quick readiness when it comes to carrying pistol unloaded or loaded, whether for duty, tactical or concealed carry. 
         [0008]    Carrying a pistol unloaded is considered safer, reducing the chance of accidental discharge but it also compromises on the quick readiness side of the balance. The user would use one hand to draw the pistol out of the holster, and then use the other hand to pull the slide to load a round into the chamber. The user could then point the pistol at the target and pull the trigger to fire. It would be difficult and time consuming at a time of emergency and confusion. It would also be next to impossible when one of the hands is occupied, injured, or disabled. Pistol tacticians developed certain techniques to load the first round as quickly as possible, e.g. Israeli draw. However it usually requires strict military training, which the general users don&#39;t have, to get good at, and it still requires two-hand operation. 
         [0009]    Carrying a loaded pistol is more prone to accidental discharge. Some common examples are when the user withdraws the pistol not intending to fire and later forgets about its “loaded” position, or when an un-supervised child who would otherwise not be strong enough to pull the slide, pulls the trigger accidentally. A quick google search would reveal plenty of news stories on such incidents resulting tragic and sometimes fatal results. 
         [0010]    This invention aims to provide a pistol holster design that enhances both safety and readiness in carrying a pistol. It allows the user to carry a pistol unloaded but being able to single-handedly load the first round quickly with the pistol still inside the holster. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    This invention relates to pistol holders in general but more specifically, to a holster that allows the user to single-handedly load a round into the chamber of a semi-automatic pistol while inside that holster. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0012]    Three recent prior patents attempt to let the user load a round with the pistol holstered: Abushaev, U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,665 B2 issued on Feb. 11, 2014; Kovalchuk U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,404 B2 issued on Jun. 9, 2009, and Avrahami, U.S. Pat. No. 20070163164 A1 filed in January 2007. However all three designs have major disadvantages that undermine the intended function and seem impractical for commercial application, comparing with the present invention. 
         [0013]    Abushaev design has two large, separate components securing the breach block and lower portion of the pistol respectively. It requires five safety locks to retain the pistol and regulate the loading and withdrawing movement. These five locking mechanisms require all three fingers to press three spring-loaded release buttons simultaneously in order to load and withdraw the pistol. This would cause confusion and cost precious seconds in a time of emergency. 
         [0014]    The fact that the design consists of two large pieces along with five locking mechanisms makes the holster too clumsy and heavy for everyday carry and greatly increases the chance of mechanical failure. 
         [0015]    It also requires a lock plate to snap onto the bullet casing extraction port in order to retain the pistol. If a user was unaware that the pistol was already loaded and pushed the pistol to load again, the bullet in the chamber would have been blocked by the lock plate and would have jammed the pistol all together. 
         [0016]    The overall complex design evidently makes manufacturing difficult and uneconomical. 
         [0017]    In comparison, this present invention has a much simpler design comprising of only one holster body and a retention device. The holster body could be economically and quickly manufactured using injection molding technology. The body has an opening window exposing the casing ejection port so as not to jam the pistol. The user only needs a quick turn of the retention device using one index finger to be ready to load and withdraw. 
         [0018]    Kovalchuk design relies on friction between the holster wall and the pistol slide to retain the pistol. In situations like every day carry where frequent movement and external impact are expected, the pistol appears to be prone to loosing frictional engagement and dropping out of the holster unintendedly. 
         [0019]    It also completely exposes the trigger when the pistol is holstered. This increases the chance of accidental discharge, not only during normal carry, but also when the user has to apply strong force to overcome the friction to load and withdraw pistol. 
         [0020]    The design has a hole in the front fitting the muzzle only. Therefore it only works on limited number of pistol models with only the muzzle sticking out when the slide is pulled. It is not compatible with mainstream semi-automatic pistols in the market like Glock and Sig Sauer. These mainstream pistols usually have the muzzle, guiding rod and pistol frame all sticking out in relation to the slide when it&#39;s pulled. So a mere hole in the front would block the guiding rod and pistol frame, making it impossible to load a round. 
         [0021]    The user would have the pistol out of the holster after loading which doesn&#39;t work in scenarios where the user only wants to load the gun but still leave the pistol inside the holster, for precautionary purpose. 
         [0022]    In comparison, this present invention&#39;s holster body is shaped and measured to specific pistol models to ensure a tight enclosure of the slide and frame. It has flaps and retention device to protect the entire trigger area from potential external impact. When the user rotates the retention device, the index finger naturally stays away from the trigger area, further helping avoid accidental discharge while the pistol is withdrawn from the holster. The front opening is tailor-made accommodates all semi-automatic pistol models which they have the muzzle, rod and frame sticking out, or only the muzzle, during loading. And the user could leave the gun holstered, after loading a round. 
         [0023]    Avrahami design uses two hook-like slide stops to hold back the slide while loading. Unfortunately most pistol models have curvy edges in the front of the slide, providing very limited surface and friction for the two hooks to hold back the slide steadily. This design, similarly to Abushaev&#39;s, would jam the pistol if the user tries to load a pistol that&#39;s already loaded. It uses a simple strap to retain the pistol from dropping out of the holster. However there&#39;s nothing to secure the pistol from moving further downward. The pistol could be accidentally pushed downward to load even with the strap engaged. 
         [0024]    The present invention has an opening in the front with an enforced frame measured and shaped to a specific pistol model, to block as much as possible of the slide front surface and the front sight, providing maximum friction holding the slide steadily while loading. Secondly, the present invention&#39;s retention device secures the pistol from moving either up or down. Finally, the holster body has an opening window exposing the casing ejection port so that the pistol would not be jammed when a round is ejected. 
         [0025]    There are also a number of older patents aimed to provide similar functionality yet are disadvantageous to the present invention. 
         [0026]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,306 (February 1974), U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,150 (November 1981) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,402 (September 2009) have a similar design as Kovalchuk, with similar disadvantages. 
         [0027]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,587 (October 1973) also has similar disadvantages as that of Kovalchuk because it&#39;s not compatible with mainstream semi-automatic pistols with the muzzle, guiding rod, and the pistol frame all sticking out while loading. 
         [0028]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,044 (February 1979) requires the user to withdraw and rotate the pistol&#39;s before it could be loaded, which is not practical. 
         [0029]    US20100219216 A1 (September 2010) requires a spring-loaded movable trigger guard housing that allows the user to load the pistol while holstered. Similar to Abushaev&#39;s design, the trigger guard housing appears too bulky for carrying and too complex to manufacture economically. In addition, it doesn&#39;t have a proper retention device to secure the pistol in a holster. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    This invention is a pistol holster that allows the user to carry a pistol unloaded in normal circumstances. When in need, the user could single-handedly load the first round while the pistol is still inside the holster. 
         [0031]    The user could then leave the loaded pistol in the holster discreetly as a pre-cautionary measure when entering into a potentially dangerous situation or the user could draw the pistol and point at the target and pull the trigger to fire. 
         [0032]    This invention consists of a holster body and a retention device. 
         [0033]    The holster body is shaped and measured to a specific pistol model. It encloses the pistol slide and frame tightly yet still allows free up and down movement along the axis of the barrel when the retention device is in “release” position. The holster body has flaps on both sides covering the trigger and trigger guard area. 
         [0034]    There&#39;s a proximal opening allowing a pistol to be inserted and withdrawn from. There&#39;s also a distal opening at the front, with frames sized and shaped to block the front sight and the slide, but exposing the muzzle, rod, and pistol frame. The holster body also has an opening window exposing the bullet casing ejection port, as well as a guiding opening in the bottom, to help secure the pistol and guide the movement of trigger guard while loading. 
         [0035]    There&#39;s a retention device fixed onto one side of the holster, typically on the side of the user&#39;s dominant hand. The device has two locking pins. When in “lock” position, they lock around the front of the trigger guard and secure the pistol from moving either upward or downward inside the holster. When in “release” mode, the pins stay clear the trigger and allow the pistol to move either upward or downward. 
         [0036]    When the pistol is inserted into the holder, the front sight and the front of the slide are stopped by the distal opening, signaling that the pistol is fully inserted in place. The user rotates the retention device clockwise using the index finger to “lock” position, and the two attached locking pins move off the holster body and the spring hinge presses them down around the front of the trigger guard, until the trigger guard is locked between these two pins. 
         [0037]    When the user rotates the retention device counterclockwise to the “release” position, the locking pins&#39; curvy ramps are forced to move up onto the holster body and outward with the spring bar presses the two pins against the holster body. Eventually the two pins are moved onto the holster body and away from the trigger guard, allowing free downward/upward movement of the pistol in the holster. The direction of the movement is regulated to be along the axis of the barrel by the holster body and the bottom opening. When the user pushes the pistol handle downward, the front opening stops the front sight and slide, but lets the barrel, rod and pistol frame protrude through, thus loading a bullet into the chamber. At this point, the user could ease the force applied on the pistol handle and the recoil spring would push the pistol back in relation to the slide, completing the loading process. The user could then choose to leave the pistol in the holster, or pull the pistol out of the holster. 
         [0038]    The steps of a complete loading operation, in a continuous action, are: 1) turn the retention device to “release” position using index finger; 2) grab the pistol handle and push the pistol downward to load the pistol; 3) ease up the force on the handle and let the recoil spring push the slide back in position; 4) pull the pistol upward out of holster; 5) point the pistol at target and move index finger onto the trigger to fire. 
         [0039]    The user also could choose to simply put the retention device in “release” position and pull the pistol out of the holster without loading a round, e.g. for maintenance purpose. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a right side view of the present invention with a pistol holstered and the retention device in “lock” position. 
           [0041]      FIG. 2  is a right side perspective view at the proximal opening of the present invention, with the retention device in “lock” position. 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  is a flat front view at the proximal opening of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  is a right side perspective view at the distal opening of the present invention with the retention device in “release” position. 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  is a right side perspective view at the proximal opening of the present invention with the retention device in “release” position. 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  is a flat side view of a standalone retention device in “release” position. 
           [0046]      FIG. 7  is a prospective view of a standalone retention device in “release” position. 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  is a right side prospective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention with the retention device in “lock” position 
           [0048]      FIG. 9  is a bottom-up prospective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention with the retention device in “lock” position 
           [0049]      FIG. 10  is a flat front view of a pistol holstered in the present invention in “lock” position 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  is a right side bottom-up prospective view of a holstered pistol with its slide pushed back to full extent while loading a round. 
           [0051]      FIG. 12  is a right side top prospective view of a holstered pistol with its slide pushed back to full extent while loading a round. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]    The particulars shown in all the drawings are by way of examples for general demonstration purpose only. The present invention illustrated in all the drawings is for right-handed users, but it could also be made for left-handed users. The present invention could be made to fit all pistol models, not limited to the model ( FIG. 1.3 ) illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0053]    Additionally the holster would include, though not illustrated here, additional elements such as a belt loop, or clip, or snap for attaching the holster to a waist belt, straps for securing the holster around the shoulder or thigh, and latches for securing the holster to a fixture like bed frame, or inside a vehicle. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the right side view of the present invention, comprises a holster body ( FIG. 1.1 ) and a retention device ( FIG. 1.2 ) in “lock” position, with a pistol ( FIG. 1.3 ) holstered. The holster body and flaps are made of rigid materials like carbon fiber, nylon, Kydex or leather. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a top right prospective view of the present invention showing the proximal opening where the pistol is to be inserted. The holster body is shaped and measured to fit the pistol&#39;s slide and frame tightly yet still allow the pistol to move freely upward and downward inside the holster when the retention device is in “release” position.  FIG. 2.2  is a projecting groove to accommodate and guide the front sight when the pistol is inserted into and drawn out of the holster.  FIG. 2.10  shows the holster body shaped to fit the pistol&#39;s frame which is usually wider than the slide.  FIG. 2.1  is an opening window exposing the pistol&#39;s bullet casing ejection port to allow a round to be ejected.  FIG. 2.8  is the inner flap that serves as the base to attach to additional elements for fastening to a belt or other fixtures. The element could typically be a loop, strap, or latch. The inner flap covers the entire trigger area for protection.  FIG. 2.9  is the outer flap, which covers the other side of the trigger area. The retention device ( FIG. 2.11 ) is fixed to the outer flap ( FIG. 2.9 ) through a screw lock ( FIG. 2.7 ). The screw lock allows the retention device to rotate within a certain degrees of angle between the “release” and the “lock” positions. The device is shown in “lock” position in  FIG. 2 . There is a groove ( FIG. 2.3 ) on the flap ( FIG. 2.9 ) and holster body to guide and stop the retention device when it turns counterclockwise to the “release” position.  FIG. 2.6  is a spring loaded hinge that forces the spring strip ( FIG. 2.5 ) inward. There are two locking pins (invisible in  FIG. 2 ) attached to the spring strip ( FIG. 2.5 ).  FIG. 2.4  is a protuberant handle that assists the user in rotating the retention device using index finger. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a flat front view at the proximal opening of the present invention showing the cross section of the holster body.  FIG. 3.6  shows the holster body shaped to fit pistol&#39;s slide and frame.  FIG. 3.1  shows the enforced opening frames around the distal opening, shaped to block the pistol&#39;s front sight and slide, but allow the muzzle, rod and pistol frame to go through while loading.  FIG. 3.7  is the inner flap.  FIG. 3.2  is the protuberant handle on the retention device.  FIG. 3.4  is the screw lock fixing the retention device to the holster.  FIG. 3.5  is the spring loaded hinge that connects the spring bar to the retention device.  FIG. 3.3  shows the two locking pins in the “lock” position. Both of the two pins have curvy tips, which serve as ramps so they would push themselves outward against, and park onto the holster body, when the retention device is being rotated to the “release” position. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the front perspective view at the distal opening, with the retention device in the “release” position.  FIG. 4.1  is the front opening with enforced opening frames designed to block the front sight and slide.  FIG. 4.6  is the opening exposing the pistol&#39;s bullet casing ejection port.  FIG. 4.5  is an opening that guides the trigger guard movement when the pistol is pushed downward to load. It is sized and shaped to a specific pistol model to guide the pistol&#39;s trigger guard traveling to the position where the slide is fully pushed back. The retention device is in “release” position as it is rotated counterclockwise until it is stopped by the groove ( FIG. 2.3 ) on the flap and holster body. While it is rotated via the screw lock ( FIG. 4.4 ), the curve-shaped locking pins are pushed outward by the holster body and ramped onto the holster body. As the two locking pins are fixed to the spring strip ( FIG. 4.2 ), the spring strip ( FIG. 4.2 ) is also pushed outward while the spring loaded hinge ( FIG. 4.3 ) counter-pushes the spring strip and the locking pins against the holster body. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the back perspective view at the proximal opening of the present invention.  FIG. 5.5  shows the proximal opening where the pistol is inserted and withdrawn from. The projecting groove ( FIG. 5.1 ) is shaped for the front sight and guides the pistol in and out of the holster. The holster body has grooves ( FIG. 5.3 ) to guide and stop the retention device.  FIG. 5.4  is a protuberant handle that assists the user in rotating the retention device using index finger. There are two locking pins ( FIGS. 5.2 and 5.6 ) attached to the spring bar, which would lock around the front of the trigger guard when in “lock” position. The proximal-opening-facing side of the first pin ( FIG. 5.2 ) has an inclined plane at the tip, which allows the trigger guard to push aside the first pin when the pistol is inserted with the retention device in “lock” position. Once the trigger guard pushes past the first pin ( FIG. 5.2 ), the second pin ( FIG. 5.6 ), which is longer than the first pin, would stop the trigger guard from going further downward, at which time the spring loaded hinge would push the pins back inward and both pins would lock round the trigger guard. This allows the user to holster and secure a pistol with a single insertion, when the retention device is in “lock” position. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , there is shown a standalone retention device in “release” position, in flat and side prospective views respectively. The retention device is fixed to the holster body via a screw lock ( FIGS. 7.3 and 6.2 ). The user uses the index finger to push the protuberant handle ( FIG. 6.1  and  FIG. 7.1 ) to rotate the retention device counterclockwise to “release” position, and the index finger naturally curls away from the trigger area. This design reduces the chance of accidental discharge when the user withdraws the pistol. 
         [0060]    Still referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  of the invention, when the user rotates the retention device counterclockwise, the first locking pins ( FIG. 7.4 ) and the second ( FIG. 7.5 ) are pushed against the holster body and the curvy shapes at the tip helps the pins ramp up onto holster body. When the above mentioned groove ( FIG. 2.3 ,  FIG. 5.3 ) on the holster body stops the retention device, the two pins are fully clear the trigger guard and thus in “release” position. The pins are fixed to the spring bar which is attached to the retention device via a spring loaded hinge ( FIGS. 6.2 and 7.6 ). When the retention device is rotated clockwise and the locking pins are moving away from the holster body, the pressure from the spring loaded hinge forces on the spring bar, thus pushing the locking pins inward to “lock” position. The distance between the two pins is slightly wider than the thickness of the front of the trigger guard so they could tightly lock around the trigger guard. The length of the pins is close to the distance between the retention device and the inner flap, in order to lock the trigger guard securely. 
         [0061]    Still referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  of the invention, the first locking pin ( FIG. 7.4 ) has an inclined plane at the tip facing the direction where the pistol is to be inserted. The second locking pin ( FIG. 7.5 ) does not have the inclined plane and is longer than the first pin ( FIG. 7.4 ). When the trigger guard is pushed past the first pin ( FIG. 7.4 ) but gets stopped by the second pin ( FIG. 7.5 ), both pins would be pushed back in “lock” position by the loaded spring hinge. The two pins would lock around the trigger guard and secure the pistol inside the holster. The user doesn&#39;t need to turn the retention device to the “release” position first before holstering the pistol. Instead the user could simply insert the pistol into the present invention with the retention device in “lock” position, to have the pistol locked and secured in the holster. 
         [0062]    Still referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  of the invention, in case the pistol is inserted while the retention device is in “release” position, the front opening ( FIG. 4.1 ) stops the pistol signaling to the user that the pistol is fully inserted and in position for the user to engage the retention device by rotating it clockwise to the “lock” position. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a prospective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention in “lock” position. The front opening ( FIG. 8.5 ) stops the front sight and slide when the pistol is fully holstered, but leaves open the muzzle ( FIG. 8.8 ), rod and pistol frame. The holster body has a bottom opening ( FIG. 8.2 ) to guide the trigger guard ( FIG. 8.7 ) movement when the pistol is pushed down to load. The inner flap ( FIG. 8.4 ) covers the trigger area. The retention device ( FIG. 8.3 ) is shown in “lock” position and its two locking pins ( FIG. 8.6 ) locking around the front of the trigger guard ( FIG. 8.7 ).  FIG. 8.1  is a groove on the holster body to guide and stop the retention device at the “release” position when the locking pins are clear of the trigger guard. 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a perspective view from the bottom of a pistol holstered in the present invention. The first locking pin ( FIG. 9.3 ) and the second locking pin ( FIG. 9.1 ) are in “lock” position securing around the trigger guard.  FIG. 9.2  is the opening at the bottom of the holster body measured and shaped to guide and stop the trigger guard, thus the pistol, when the pistol is pushed down to load a round. 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown the flat front perspective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention.  FIG. 10.3  shows the second locking pin securing the trigger guard. First pin is invisible but also locks the trigger guard from the other side.  FIG. 10.2  is the distal opening that allows the muzzle, rod and pistol frame to go through, when the pistol is pushed downward, while the opening frames ( FIG. 10.1 ) blocks the front sight and the slide, thus loading a round. 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a perspective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention in “release” position, and the slide being pushed back by the front opening to full extent to load a round. The retention device is in the “release” position with the two locking pins ramped on the holster body away from the trigger guard.  FIG. 11.1  is the front opening that allows muzzle, rod and pistol frame to go through, yet blocks the front sight and slide. The opening ( FIG. 11.3 ) at the bottom of the holster body guides the trigger guard to move downward, and stops the trigger guard when slide is fully pushed back. 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a top side perspective view of a pistol in loading position, with its slide fully pushed back while holstered in the present invention in “release” position. The front opening ( FIG. 12.2 ) allows the muzzle, rod and pistol frame to extend outside the holster while holding back the front sight and slide. The holster body has an opening window ( FIG. 12.1 ) exposing the pistol&#39;s bullet basing ejection port. The retention devices is in the “release” position and the two locking pins ( FIG. 12.3 ) ramped onto the holster body and stay clear of the trigger guard, so the pistol could be pushed down to load a round. 
         [0068]    Accordingly it is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide a holster that allows the user to load the pistol single-handedly and quickly while the pistol is still inside the holster. The user could then withdraw the pistol and be ready to fire, or leave the loaded pistol in the holster discreetly as a precautionary measure. The holster body is shaped and measured to fit specific pistol models, to secure the pistol, guide the loading movement, and eject a round in case there&#39;s already a round loaded in the chamber. 
         [0069]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a pistol holster with a safe and reliable retention device. When the pistol is holstered, the retention device, together with the holster body, would completely cover the trigger area of the pistol. In “lock” mode, the device&#39;s two locking pins secure the pistol from moving either upward or downward directions. While in “release” mode, the two retention locking pins stay clear of the trigger when the pistol is pushed downward to load and pulled upward to withdraw. And the user&#39;s index finger naturally moves onto the pistol&#39;s frame away from the trigger during the process, reducing the chance of accidental discharge. 
         [0070]    A still further object of the present invention is to have the said holster manufactured economically. It has limited number of parts that could be produced using mature technologies like injection molding. The assembly requires little skill and labor hour so it could be economically mass-produced. 
         [0071]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a safe, reliable, discreet, light weight and easy-to-carry pistol holster with all the above mentioned functionalities and advantages. 
         [0072]    Thus the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes combinations of the various features described in the specifications herein as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.