Patent attributes
A pivoting holster hood automatically locks over a handgun within the holster shell in a first pivot position and is selectively pivotable to a second position forward of the holster cavity upon depression of a reciprocating hood actuator that is coupled to a hood plate. A first spring cavity, defined by the first hood plate, and a second spring cavity, defined by the hood actuator are oriented in opposing communication, capturing a compression spring there between. The spring biases the second spring cavity and the hood actuator into a first reciprocated position, which locks the hood through mating engagement of a hood pawl and a notch of the holster shell. The hood actuator releases the hood pawl out of mating engagement with the shell notch, in opposition to the compression spring biasing force, unlocking the hood. In some embodiments, the hood automatically locks in the second position.