Why Do You Need a Lanyard on a Handgun?

Handgun lanyards benefit military special forces, police tactical teams and wilderness campers by keeping a sidearm tethered to the shooter during physical activity. Most experts do not recommend lanyards for everyday use or concealed carry because the cords can entangle other objects.

  1. Designs

    • Lanyards come as shoulder loops or belt attachments. A loop lanyard spirals over the shoulder (sometimes over the head) and under the arm. For inconspicuous carry, a belt lanyard resides near the holster. Most lanyards attach to the handgun grips or butt and allow for arm length adjustments.

    Applications

    • When running, horseback riding, hiking, climbing, or jumping, lanyards secure handguns to their owners. Negatively, lanyards snag on branches or provide handholds for opponents.

    Clip Lanyards

    • The autoloader clip lanyard threads through the base ring of the clip, keeping it with the shooter even during rapid reloads. This lanyard creates tangle risks.

    Quick Releases

    • Because an attached heavy handgun can drown a camper who capsizes a canoe, a quick release can save a life by jettisoning the firearm.

    Origins

    • Lanyards were first popular with horsemen toting muzzleloading pistols in the 16th through 19th centuries. They serve today for some modern military, police and private applications. The wisdom of lanyard use depends on the weapon carrying environment.