The Small Parts That Hold Your Rig Together

Every holster setup is only as reliable as the hardware holding it in place. Screws, posts, spacers, and thread locker might not be the first things you think about when building out your rig, but they are the parts doing the real work behind the scenes. Understanding what each piece does, and why it matters, will help you build a setup that stays locked in under any conditions.

At a Glance:

• Screws fasten holster attachments to platforms and belt mounts using standard thread sizes like the industry-common 8-32.

• Threaded posts sit behind the holster or mounting platform and receive the screw from the opposite side, creating a secure clamping connection.

• Spacers control the gap between the holster body and its attachment, affecting clearance, retention hardware access, and draw angle.

• Thread locker prevents fasteners from vibrating loose during movement, travel, or field use.

• Washers distribute pressure and protect surfaces from wear at contact points.

• Having spare hardware on hand saves you from downtime when a screw goes missing or a post gets damaged.

Holster hardware is easy to overlook until something comes loose at the worst possible time. This guide breaks down each component in a standard holster mounting system so you know what you're working with, what each part does, and how to keep your setup running right.

Screws: The Primary Fastener

The screw is the most recognizable piece of holster hardware, and it's the component that pulls your entire mounting system tight. In the holster world, the 8-32 thread pitch is the industry standard. You'll find it across Safariland-pattern holsters, Tek-Lok buckles, knife sheaths, and a wide range of mounting accessories. This standardization is what makes it possible to mix and match components across different brands and setups.

Holster screws typically come in Phillips flat head or truss head styles. The flat head sits flush or slightly recessed into the mounting surface, keeping the profile low and preventing snags. Screw length matters too. Choosing the wrong length can result in a screw that doesn't fully engage the threads of the post, or one that's too long and bottoms out before clamping tight. When mounting a holster to a platform like the True North Concepts MHA or RHP, the included hardware kit provides correctly sized screws for the intended mounting configuration.

A few things to keep in mind with screws:

• Always hand-tighten with a screwdriver. Power tools can strip threads or crack Kydex.

• Confirm thread engagement before applying thread locker. The screw should thread smoothly and pull the assembly snug without excessive force.

• Carry spare screws. They're small, easy to lose, and nearly impossible to replace in the field without the right size on hand.

Threaded Posts: The Other Half of the Equation

A screw without a post is just a loose fastener. Threaded posts (also called binding posts or Chicago screws in some contexts) sit on the back side of your holster or mounting platform and receive the screw from the front. The post's flat, wide head seats against the surface and acts as a bearing point, while the internal threads grip the screw and create clamping force.

In Safariland 3-hole pattern setups and platforms like the MHA, the posts drop into the row of holes on the adapter and are held in place by the holster body or attachment plate on the opposite side. Posts need to seat fully into their mounting holes. A post that sits proud of the surface can create an uneven mount, introduce wobble, and eventually work loose under stress.

Like screws, posts in the holster industry are standardized at the 8-32 thread size. The True North Concepts Spare Hardware Kit includes replacement posts alongside screws and spacers, all sized at 8-32 for compatibility with the MHA, RHP, leg strap kit, and a variety of other holster models and accessories commonly used across the industry.

Spacers: Controlling Fit and Clearance

Spacers are the unsung heroes of holster hardware. These small cylindrical or ring-shaped pieces sit between the holster body and its mounting attachment, and they serve several purposes:

• Clearance: Spacers push the holster away from the adapter or belt, which can help clear retention hardware, body armor, or magazine release buttons that might otherwise interfere with the draw.

• Alignment: Adding or removing spacers adjusts how the holster sits relative to the belt line, allowing for fine-tuning of ride height and cant angle.

• Tension control: Spacers set the gap between clamping surfaces, which directly affects how tight the overall assembly feels when the screws are torqued down.

Spacers come in different materials depending on the application. Hard plastic or aluminum spacers provide rigid standoff distance. Rubber spacers (common in IWB holster setups) add cushioning and slight flex, which helps absorb movement against the body during daily carry. You'll often find rubber spacers used between Kydex shells and belt clips to reduce pressure points and allow for a more comfortable carry position.

The True North Concepts Universal Holster Mount ships with both rubber and hard plastic spacers, giving users the ability to control how far the holster sits from the MHA. This kind of adjustability matters when you're dialing in a setup for a specific loadout, body type, or duty holster configuration.

Thread Locker: The Invisible Safeguard

Thread locker is a liquid adhesive applied to screws before installation. Once it cures, it fills the microscopic gaps between the screw threads and the post, creating a bond that resists loosening caused by vibration, impact, and repeated stress. Without it, even a properly torqued screw can back out over time.

This is especially important for anyone who wears their holster setup during high-movement activities, long shifts on a duty belt, vehicle travel, or air transport. True North Concepts includes thread locker with their MHA and RHP kits and specifically recommends its use on all mounting screws. Their product documentation is clear on this point: vibration from aircraft travel is known to back out screws on mounted gear, and failing to use thread locker can lead to equipment failure.

The most common thread locker for holster hardware is a medium-strength, removable formula (often blue-colored) like Vibra-Tite VC-3 Threadmate or Loctite 242. These products hold fasteners securely but still allow for disassembly with standard hand tools when you need to reconfigure your setup.

A few tips for applying thread locker:

• Apply a small drop to the screw threads before installation, not to the post.

• Allow the manufacturer's recommended cure time before putting the setup under load.

• Check your screws periodically, especially after travel or extended field use.

Washers: Protecting Surfaces Under Pressure

Washers sit between the screw head (or post head) and the mounting surface. Their job is to distribute clamping pressure across a wider area, which prevents the fastener from digging into softer materials like Kydex, polymer, or leather. They also reduce wear from repeated installation and removal.

In duty holster setups where gear is regularly reconfigured or maintained, washers help protect the mounting holes from becoming wallowed out or cracked over time. Some manufacturers include accent washers made from anodized aluminum, which serve the same function while adding a visual detail to competition or custom builds.

Belt Bars: Locking Hardware to the Belt

Belt bars are specific to platforms like the True North Concepts MHA, where they play a direct role in securing the adapter to your belt. These machined aluminum bars thread through MOLLE webbing or bolt directly to a standard gun belt up to 2.25" wide. The MHA's clamping system sandwiches the belt between the adapter body and the belt bars, creating a rigid, flex-free connection.

If you lose or damage a belt bar, the Spare Hardware Kit with Belt Bars from True North Concepts includes two 6061-T6 aluminum replacement bars, color-matched and anodized, along with all the mounting hardware needed to get your MHA back in action.

Why Spare Hardware Matters

Losing a single screw can take your entire holster setup offline. It happens more often than most people expect, whether it's a screw that vibrates loose during a long drive, a post that falls out during a holster swap, or a spacer that rolls off the workbench and disappears. Having a spare hardware kit in your range bag or toolbox means you're never stuck waiting on shipping to get your rig back together.

The True North Concepts MHA/RHP Spare Hardware Kit is a compact, affordable backup that includes 8-32 screws, spacers, and threaded posts compatible with the MHA, RHP, leg strap kit, and a wide range of other holster models, knife sheaths, Tek-Lok buckles, and common accessories. At under $10, it's one of the easiest investments you can make to keep your gear ready.

Build It Right, Keep It Running

Holster hardware might be small, but it's the foundation of every reliable holster setup. Knowing the difference between a screw, a post, and a spacer (and understanding when to use thread locker) puts you in control of your gear instead of guessing your way through installation. Take the time to install your hardware correctly, apply thread locker, and keep spares on hand.

You can find the full lineup of holster platforms, adapters, mounting hardware, spare hardware kits, and accessories at True North Concepts. From the MHA and RHP to belt bars, leg straps, and holster pads, everything is engineered for precision, built in the USA, and backed by a lifetime warranty.