US20070175935A1

US20070175935A1 - Holster handgun locator and lock

Info

Publication number: US20070175935A1
Application number: US11/713,185
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman Clifton
Original assignee: Safari Land Ltd Inc
Current assignee: Safariland LLC
Priority date: 2005-01-20
Filing date: 2007-03-02
Publication date: 2007-08-02

Abstract

A handgun is releasably secured in a holster by a lever pivotally mounted to the holster carrying a forward locking member for positively engaging a handgun portion locking same in place. A rearward lever portion is movable by a user to pivot it away from engaging a handgun so that it can be withdrawn from the holster. Positioning member is affixed to a holster and engages the handgun which may include a tension device. A muzzle positioner may be used to engage within the bore of the muzzle, which includes an alignment pin and an attachment fastener to the holster.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application “HANDGUN LOCKING DEVICE AND HOLSTER”, Ser. No. 11/038,915, filed Jan. 20, 2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to safety devices to inhibit unauthorized or accidental withdrawal of a handgun from a holster, and particularly to handguns carrying a flashlight.
2. Related Art
A wide variety of safety devices exist to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun from a holster by anyone other than the user. What is desirable is an improved locking device that is safe and allows for rapid withdrawal of a handgun when necessary but greatly reduces the likelihood of accidental or unauthorized movement of the gun. In addition, the safety devices should be compatible with other safety devices to further enhance the security of the user. What is desired is a device in a holster that accommodates a handgun carrying a flashlight.
In recent years more law enforcement agencies have required firearms holsters to have additional security to maintain the weapon in the holster during a conflict. Such additional security have used inventions that lock on the trigger guard or the ejection port of the handgun. With the advent of miniature flashlights mounted to an integral part of the bottom frame of the weapon, the holster securing designs have become problematic. The passage area designed in the holster to allow the light to pass through creates too large an opening for most lock devices to be able to secure to the trigger guard. Designs that lock on the ejection port of the weapon require indexing the weapon in such a way that the pistol cannot move away from the locking device until some type of release is intentionally made by the user. This indexing uses the forward part of the trigger guard as well as the bottom of the frame of the pistol problems arise however when a flash light is mounted to the handgun. Problems arise, however, when a flashlight is mounted to the handgun. A further concern is caused when the user removes the light from the pistol but still needs to securely holster the pistol in the same holster that was designed to accommodate the light mounted to the pistol. The primary function of the present design is to index on the muzzle of the weapon and the front part of the pistol frame in such a way that the weapon is secure until the ejection port lock is released. This design allows the same indexing and securing even when the light is removed from the pistol, and allows different types of lights with similar shapes to be used in the same holster.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a handgun locking apparatus for securing a holsterable handgun in a holster having a body and an interior cavity and having a long axis extending form the top to the bottom of such holster comprising a lever member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, means for movably mounting said lever member to the holster, the lever member having a locking member located in the cavity for positively engaging a portion of a handgun for locking a handgun in holstered position inside the holster to inhibit the withdrawal of a handgun from the holster, the rearward portion of the lever member being movable by a user to pivot the locking member about a pivot axis positioned normal to the long axis of the holster away from a handgun for allowing a handgun to be withdrawn from the holster.
The lever member includes a forward spring member for contacting the body of the holster for biasing the forward portion of the lever member towards a holstered handgun to locate the locking member into positive engagement with a handgun holstered in the holster. The cavity is molded to define interior surface spaced away from the forward portion of the lever member to allow for movement of the forward portion of the lever member away from a holstered handgun a sufficient distance to allow for withdrawal of a handgun from the holster. The means for movably mounting includes a pair of spaced posts affixed to the lever member for pivotally mounting the lever member to and inside the holster. The rearward portion of the lever member includes an operating arm for operating the lever member to move the locking member away from a handgun for allowing withdrawal of a handgun carried in the holster. The locking member is sized to fit against an edge of an ejection port of a handgun. The means for movably mounting includes a pivot mounting of the lever member in the cavity for movement about the pivot axis. The body of the lever member includes at least one sloping surface for guiding the movement of a handgun being inserted into the interior cavity of the holster. The at least one sloping surface includes an extension arm extending forwardly of the forward portion of the body and a locking surface integral with the extension arm positionable in contact with a portion of a handgun for inhibiting withdrawal of a handgun from the holster.
In another aspect of the invention there is included a tension member for positioning a handgun inserted into the holster into contact with the locking member, the tension member including a body, the body having a movable arm member with a handgun contacting surface and a camming surface. The body further includes a lower holster engaging surface and a movable member carried by the body and in contact with the camming surface for selectively moving the arm member to position the handgun contacting surface against a handgun for forcing a handgun into a first position. Also included is means to rigidly mount the tension device inside the holster. The body further includes a gun-contacting surface for limiting downward travel of a handgun in the holster. The movable member includes a screw mounted in the body, the screw having a first end portion in contact with the camming surface and a second end portion adapted for rotation of the screw by a user for moving said handgun-contacting surface. The locking member is sized to fit against a portion of a handgun. The rearward portion of the lever member includes a pad member for affixing the lever member to and inside a holster, the pad member having a hole therethrough for a fastener for affixing the lever member to the holster. A portion of the body of the lever member is arcuate in shape and has an outer surface positioned away from the forward wall portion of the cavity and an inner surface formed to provide the locking surface. The locking surface includes a projecting portion sized to fit with a portion of an ejection port of the handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun, the portion of the port being a forward edge.
In another aspect of the present invention there is included a muzzle locator for positioning a handgun in the holster, the locator having a body with a passageway therethrough for affixing the body to the holster a fastener disposed through the passageway for connecting the body to the holster, the body including a muzzle insert extending generally along a long axis of the holster and sized to fit within the muzzle of a holstered handgun to position the muzzle end of a handgun in the holster so that the locking member will engage a handgun and retain same until released. An alignment pin is included for installation in another passageway extending generally parallel to the passageway for positioning the body so that the muzzle insert is slidably engaged in a muzzle. The alignment pin includes a head portion and an end portion having at least one projecting boss thereon, the body formed with another passageway therethrough and including a pair of wide passages in each side surface of the member and a continuous narrow passage from one wide passage to another wide passage, the projecting boss being positioned into another passageway to secure the pin therein so that a muzzle end of a handgun holstered in the holster will receive the muzzle insert. The body of the locator includes a rearwardly disposed muzzle stop boss for limiting forward travel of a handgun in the holster. A stop boss is located below the muzzle insert for contacting the forward end of a guide rod of a handgun in the holster.
Finally, the muzzle positioning device is provided for positioning the muzzle end of a handgun in the holster, the device having a body with a first passageway for affixing the body to the holster and a second generally aligned passageway with the first passageway being affixed to the holster by a fastener extending through the first passageway, the body including a muzzle insert sized to fit within the muzzle of a holstered handgun, and an alignment pin for installation in the second passageway of the body for positioning the muzzle insert with respect to the holster and the muzzle end of a handgun so that the locking member engages the handgun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a holster having an interior molded surface in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rearward perspective view of the spring-loaded ejection port lock in accord with the present invention for use with the holster of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the lock of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the lock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the lock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the lock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the lock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the port lock in accord with the present invention showing a partially cutaway section illustrating an interior surface feature of the lock;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the lock of FIG. 8 partially cutaway and fitted over a handgun;
FIG. 10 is a side view of a handgun showing the relationship of a lock of FIG. 8 to a handgun;
FIG. 11 is a rear view of the lock of FIG. 8 showing its relationship to an interior surface of a holster;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the lock of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate two views of an adjustable tension device in accord with the present invention;
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the locking device in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the locking device in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 19 is another view of the locking device in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 20 is another view of the locking device of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is another embodiment of an adjustable tension device in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a pictorial view of a handgun to be secured by the locking device of FIGS. 19-20;
FIG. 23 is a pictorial view of a handgun to be secured by the locking device of FIG. 18;
FIG. 24 is a side pictorial view of a handgun with a light carrier attached thereto illustrating the relative placement of a locking device, a flashlight and lens shield, a muzzle locator and alignment pin in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 25 illustrates the relative placement of the muzzle locator and the light carrier in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 26 is a top view of the alignment pin in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the alignment pin of FIG. 26;
FIG. 28 is a top view of the muzzle locator in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 29 is a side view of the muzzle locator of FIG. 28;
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the muzzle locator of FIGS. 28 and 29;
FIG. 31 is a side view of a holster and holstered handgun to which is mounted the muzzle locator in accord with the present invention; and
FIG. 32 is a front view of the installed muzzle locator in accord with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a holster 10 containing a holstered handgun 11 in interior cavity 13 formed by holster body 12. Body 12 is a rigidly molded structure with an interiorly disposed portion 14 adjacent the ejection port of handgun 11 or any other surface that can be engaged to inhibit withdrawal of the handgun 11.
The interior cavity 13 of the holster 10 is molded for a specific model of handgun 11 and includes space for a spring-loaded ejection port locking device shown generally at 18 in FIGS. 2-7
The specific locking device 18 shown in FIGS. 2-7 is mounted via mounting posts 22 extending outwardly from mounting arms 21 of body 19 that fit within mounting holes 16 of holster 10. An alternate construction of a locking device will be discussed hereinbelow. An integrally formed operating lever 20 has a thumb pad 24 on an end thereof.
The body or saddle 19 of locking device 18 is formed to engage upward surfaces of a specific handgun 11 to position the gun properly in the holster and includes an interiorly disposed ejection port indexing edge 26 that fits against respective front edge 27 of the right-side ejection port 29 of handgun 11 (FIG. 10). Preferably, an opposed pair of spaced indexing edges 30, 31 are also molded into device body 19 to fit against a handgun to also assist in positioning the gun with respect to the device 18.
When locking device 18 is secured inside holster 10, it will rest slightly below the mating surface created by molded cavity 17. As will be described in more detail below, the insertion of handgun 11 into holster cavity 13 against angled locking saddle surface 23 will cause the locking device 18 to be pushed into cavity 17 forcing locking edge 26 into ejection port 29 and against locking front edge 27. From this position it will be necessary to move the locking edge 26 away from ejection port 29 to withdraw a handgun 11 upwardly out of the holster. The angled locking saddle surface 23 may be defined as at least one sloping surface to guide the handgun into its proper seated position in the holster.
From the directions referenced in FIG. 1, rearward movement of operating arm 20 by pressure on thumb pad 24 will cause the main body 19 of device 18 to pivot about post axis 22A toward cavity 17. The locking edge 26 will move away from port edge 27 a sufficient distance to allow the handgun 11 to be withdrawn from the holster 10. Forward spring member 19A is bendable around pivot portion 19B as operating lever arm 20 is pushed rearwardly causing body 19 to move away from handgun 11. The member 19A normally rests against the interior surface of molded cavity 17 and applies a rearward force onto the handgun while the tension device 32 maintains proper positioning of the handgun 11 in the holster cavity 13.
An adjustable tension device (ATD) 32 is fixed to the interior cavity 13 of the holster 10. As handgun 11 is inserted into holster 10, the handgun 11 will come into contact with an angled funneling surface portion 33 of ATD 32 and position the handgun 11 against the locking device 18 to place the locking surface 26 of device 18 into contact with ejection port 29 of handgun 11. The handgun 11 will be locked into place with locking edge 26 against edge 27 of port 29. Tension device only is for muzzle location and applying tension on the holstered pistol, i.e., to give resistance during draw of handgun and take up loose play between pistol and holster.
With respect to FIGS. 8-12, a second embodiment of a spring-loaded ejection port lock 34 is illustrated. A mounting pad 35 includes a hole 36 therethrough for passage of a fastener to rigidly affix lock device 34 to the interior cavity 13 of a holster 10. Mounting holes 16 (FIG. 1) would not be formed in the holster when using lock device 34.
Pad member 35 is part of a forward lever 39 that is movable about a first pivot portion 40. A second spring member 37 is movable about a second pivot portion 38. An operating arm 41 has a thumb pad 42 adjacent a hook member 43 used to movably position arm 41 to a portion of holster body 12 as clearly shown in partial cross-section in FIG. 9.
The upper surfaces of the main body 45 of locking device 34 fit spaced away from a molded cavity 44 that is formed to accommodate the lock 34 in a manner similar to the fitting of lock 18 into cavity 17. Spring lever arm 37 fits within cavity 44 (as shown by bulge 48 in FIG. 1).
FIGS. 8-12 illustrate the arrangement of the ejection port lock 34 with respect to a specific handgun 11. Interior surfaces 46 include a locking surface 47 usable against an ejection port in a manner substantially identical to that described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 1-7.
FIGS. 13-14 illustrate the adjustable tension device 32. Body 49 is preferably formed of hard plastic material and is mounted via hole 52 to holster 10 and includes a camming surface 50 integral with an arm member 50A and which is movable slightly upwardly by a screw 53 mounted in threaded hole 54. Member 51 provides a travel limit for screw 53. Upper surface 55 is adjusted via screw 53 to contact the handgun 11. Rearward surface 56 contacts the trigger guard of a handgun 11 and functions as a gun travel limit. Lower surface 57 rests against the spine of a holster 10.
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate another embodiment of a locking device 58. With the exception of forward extension arm 59 the device 58 is identical to the lock 34. Extension arm 59 includes an enveloping hood 60 at the end 61 thereof. Hood 60 fits against the radiused detail 62A on weapon 62 or the forward muzzle sight of a handgun 62 to hold the gun in the holster 11.
Lock device 58 is employed for certain firearms that do not include a sufficient locking surface adjacent the main body or saddle 45, for example the firearm depicted in FIG. 22. Thus the lock device 58 need not include locking edges 26 and 47 but will include a forward locking surface, such as 64A or 66A.
With respect to FIG. 18, another embodiment of a locking device 63 is shown in perspective. The lock 63 is substantially identical to lock device 34 with the exception of extension arm 64 which includes sloping surface 64B. Oval boss 64A fits within an oval-shaped lightening cut 79 and engaging shoulder 80 formed on Glock 78 (FIG. 23).
FIGS. 19-20 illustrate another locking device 65 that is substantially identical to the device 34 with exception of the extension arm 66 and locking surface 66A, which is used with a particular firearm such as a Berretta 76 (FIG. 22).
Each of the locking devices disclosed hereinabove operates in the following manner. Each locking device has a forward portion with upper and lower surfaces and a rear portion with a pivot point between. The forward portion is pressed downwardly on a handgun in a holster and positively engages the gun at some area (such as ejection ports) to lock the gun in the holster to inhibit withdrawal of the gun. The lower surface of the saddle position includes angled or sloping surfaces which position the device over the gun slide and to center the device by directing movement of the handgun. Pressure on a rearward lever-operating arm causes the forward gun-engaging portion of the device to move away from the gun. The pivoting of the forward portion is around the mounting axle axis of device 18 or around a pivot area such as area 40 of devices 34, 58, 63 and 65. Spring members on the front of the device provide a means to push the device onto the gun but in a manner that allows for spacing between the locking portion body or saddle and the mating surface located in the front portion of the holster which provides sufficient space for unlocking the device from the gun by moving the locking portion body away from the locking features of the holstered firearm. The adjustable tension device such as 32 is provided to assist in positioning the gun in the holster to provide for proper engagement between the handgun and the locking device.
The exact dimensions of the locking devices and mating surfaces depend on the specific handgun involved.
If the holster 10 used has an open muzzle end, the preferred tension device used will be the device 67 illustrated in FIG. 21. The gun contacting surface 68 integral with arm member 72 carrying a camming surface 73. Camming surface 73 is in contact with adjustment screw 74 threaded through passageway 75. Bottom surface 71 rests against the spine or rearward portion of a holster 10 and is secured through opening 70. A gun-contacting surface 76 contacts the trigger guard of a handgun and provides a travel limit for a handgun 11 in holster 10. Adjustment screw 74 is accessible through an open muzzle end of a holster 10 thus making adjustments faster and more convenient.
A number of other devices such as rollers and wedge-shaped blocks can be used in lieu of ATD's 32 and 67. ATD's 32, 67 are preferred devices because they are adjustable in order to provide a correct positioning of the handgun and the locking devices discussed herein.
The forward spring members, such as member 19A, are shown as integral plastic elements, it is important to note that the spring members may in fact be other devices such as coil springs that are attached to the main body of a given locking device. In addition, operating arms are also shown as integral with the locking device body of a particular embodiment. It is to be understood that such arms can be separate members attached to the device body by any appropriate means.
The devices shown are designed for a right-hand draw. Devices for a left-hand draw are mirror images of respective right-hand devices and are otherwise substantially identical in structure and operation.
With respect to FIGS. 24 and 25, a handgun 11 is shown illustrating the relative placement of a muzzle positioner or locator 100 for positioning a handgun 11 and a light carrier 101 carrying a flashlight 102 (operable by pushbutton 104) and a lens shield 103 in accord with the present invention.
Light carrier 101 is attached to handgun 11 by any conventional means. The locking device 34 shown represents any locking device discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-23 hereinabove.
FIGS. 26, 27 illustrate the alignment pin 105 used in the present invention. Pin 105 includes a head 106, shaft portion 107, a pair of oppositely disposed elongate slots 108 and a forward end 109, formed to include two laterally slightly enlarged bosses 110 to provide for a snap fit of pin 105 into device 100 as will be discussed.
FIGS. 28-30 illustrate the muzzle locator 111 having body 112 and a muzzle locator element 113 with a tapered rearwardly disposed insert portion 114 and a pair of oppositely disposed bosses 115 therein. Recesses 116 in insert 114 provide for reduced weight. A lower passageway 118 is used with a fastener 121 to affix the locator 111 to holster 122 via holster passages 127 (FIG. 31). A pair of enlarged passages 119 forms a pair of ledges and is contiguous with a reduced central passage 120 therethrough (FIG. 28) beginning slightly inside body 112. The narrow passage 120 and interior ring flanges 120A and wider end portions 110 provide for a snap-fit alignment of pin 105 therein for positively locking the pin 105 in place. Portions 110 pass through passage 120 and are forced past ring flange 120A and fit into passage 120 thereby being rigidly contained in body 112. The size of bosses 110 and length of wide passages 119 provide that the bosses 110 can be forced past the narrow ring flange 120A from either side of locator 111 for ambidextrous use of pin 105. The head 106 of pin 105, when fully inserted in passage 120 is disposed in either enlarged passage 119 and is flush with the outside surface of body 112.
FIG. 31 illustrates a holster 122 having an interior cavity 123 with a light-carrying interior portion 125 in the light-carrying portion 124 of the holster 122. A lens shield flange 126 is mounted in forward portion or muzzle end 135 of the holster 122. See also FIG. 32.
A passageway 130 accommodate fastener 121 such as a T-nut and a screw or similar apparatus to affix member 112 via lower passageway 118.
A passageway 129 is used on one side of the forward or muzzle end 135 of holster 122 to provide for alignment pin 105 therethrough and into upper passageway 119, 120 of body 112. Fastener 121 secures the body 112 to the forward or muzzle end 135 of holster 122. Alignment pin 105 is used to precisely position the body 112 to in turn position the muzzle stop boss 117 and muzzle insert 114 which is tapered to accommodate various handguns 11 used. As shown in FIG. 24, stop boss 117 fits against the guide rod 131 of the handgun 11 and muzzle insert 114 fits into muzzle 132.
The pin 105 and body 112 are formed to be usable with either a left or right-handed holster 122. A right-handed holster 122 is illustrated.
For a left-handed holster the screw portion of 121 would be located on the opposite side of the holster 122 shown in FIG. 31 and the front portion 109 of the pin 105 would also be on the opposite side as would be evident to those skilled in the art.
In summary, the body 112 of locator 111 includes two passageways 118 and 120, that carry a fastener 121 and alignment pin 105 respectively to provide for positioning locator muzzle insert 114 into the muzzle 132 of the handgun 11 to position the muzzle 132 of the handgun 11 to position the muzzle 132 of the handgun 11 to cause engagement of handgun 11 with the locking member employed in the specific holster used.
The passageways 118, 120 are generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to a long axis of the holster 122. Muzzle and muzzle insert 132 are generally in line with the long axis.
Rearwardly disposed muzzle stop boss 117 located below insert 114 may or may not contact guide rod 131 depending upon the specific handgun 11 being used. Rearwardly disposed muzzle insert 114 and bosses 115 thereon will function as a lower travel limit in addition to the positioning function discussed above.
While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Handgun locking apparatus for securing a holsterable handgun in a holster having a body and an interior cavity and having a long axis extending from the top to the bottom of such holster comprising a lever member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, means for movably mounting said lever member to the holster, said lever member having a locking member located in said cavity for positively engaging a portion of a handgun for locking a handgun in holstered position inside the holster to inhibit the withdrawal of a handgun from the holster, said rearward portion of said lever member being movable by a user to pivot said locking member about a pivot axis positioned normal to the long axis of the holster away from a handgun for allowing a handgun to be withdrawn from the holster.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever member includes a forward spring member for contacting the body of the holster for biasing said forward portion of said lever member towards a holstered handgun to locate said locking member into positive engagement with a handgun holstered in the holster.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cavity is molded to define interior surface spaced away from said forward portion of said lever member to allow for movement of said forward portion of said lever member away from a holstered handgun a sufficient distance to allow for withdrawal of a handgun from the holster.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for movably mounting includes a pair of spaced posts affixed to said lever member for pivotally mounting said lever member to and inside the holster.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rearward portion of said lever member includes an operating arm for operating said lever member to move said locking member away from a handgun for allowing withdrawal of a handgun carried in the holster.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking member is sized to fit against an edge of an ejection port of a handgun.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for movably mounting includes a pivot mounting of said lever member in said cavity for movement about said pivot axis.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said body of said lever member includes at least one sloping surface for guiding the movement of a handgun being inserted into said interior cavity of the holster.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said at least one sloping surface includes an extension arm extending forwardly of said forward portion of said body and a locking surface integral with said extension arm positionable in contact with a portion of a handgun for inhibiting withdrawal of a handgun from the holster.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a tension member for positioning a handgun inserted into the holster into contact with said locking member, said tension member including a body, said body having a movable arm member with a handgun contacting surface and a camming surface, said body further including a lower holster engaging surface, a movable member carried by said body and in contact with said camming surface for selectively moving said arm member to position said handgun contacting surface against a handgun for forcing a handgun into a first position.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 further including means to rigidly mount said tension device inside the holster.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said body further includes a gun-contacting surface for limiting downward travel of a handgun in the holster.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said movable member includes a screw mounted in said body, said screw having a first end portion in contact with said camming surface and a second end portion adapted for rotation of said screw by a user for moving said handgun-contacting surface.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking member is sized to fit against a portion of a handgun.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rearward portion of said lever member includes a pad member for affixing said lever member to and inside a holster, said pad member having a hole therethrough for a fastener for affixing said lever member to the holster.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a portion of said body of said lever member is arcuate in shape and has an outer surface positioned away from said forward wall portion of said cavity and an inner surface formed to provide said locking surface.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said locking surface includes a projecting portion sized to fit with a portion of an ejection port of the handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said locking surface includes a projecting portion, said projecting portion being positionable against a forward edge of an ejection port of a handgun.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tension member in the holster for positioning a handgun inserted into a holster with a handgun in contact with said locking member.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a muzzle locator for positioning a handgun in the holster, said locator having a body with a passageway therethrough for affixing said body to the holster a fastener disposed through said passageway for connecting said body to said holster, said body including a muzzle insert extending generally along a long axis of the holster and sized to fit within the muzzle of a holstered handgun to position the muzzle end of a handgun in the holster so that said locking member will engage a handgun and retain same until released.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 further including an alignment pin for installation in another passageway extending generally parallel to said passageway for positioning said body so that said muzzle insert is slidably engaged in a muzzle.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 further including an alignment pin that includes a head portion and an end portion having at least one projecting boss thereon, said body formed with another passageway therethrough and including a pair of wide passages in each side surface of said member and a continuous narrow passage from one said wide passage to another said wide passage, said projecting boss being positioned into said another passageway to secure said pin therein so that a muzzle end of a handgun holstered in the holster will receive said muzzle insert.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said body of said locator includes a rearwardly disposed muzzle stop boss for limiting forward travel of a handgun in the holster.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said stop boss is located below said muzzle insert for contacting the forward end of a guide rod of a handgun in the holster.

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a muzzle positioning device for positioning the muzzle end of a handgun in the holster, said device having a body with a first passageway for affixing said body to the holster and a second generally aligned passageway with said first passageway being affixed to said holster by a fastener extending through said first passageway, said body including a muzzle insert sized to fit within the muzzle of a holstered handgun, and an alignment pin for installation in said second passageway of said body for positioning said muzzle insert with respect to the holster and the muzzle end of a handgun so that said locking member engages the handgun.