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Handcuff Case Guide: Open, Covered or Double, and Which Cuffs Fit

By Matúš Koleják, Braňo Hrivňák 20 min read
Black open-top handcuff case with a pair of steel handcuffs seated in it, a covered case beside it, and a second pair of chain handcuffs and a key in front, on a dark surface
In this guide

The short version

A handcuff case has two jobs that pull against each other: give up the cuffs to one hand without a look, and keep them in when you run, fall or fight. An open-top case is fastest and most exposed. A covered case holds and protects the cuffs better and costs one extra movement. Before you pick a type, check the cuffs you carry (cases are made separately for chain, hinged and oversized cuffs), your belt width (2 in or 2.25 in) and the finish and closure your agency allows. For most patrol officers we would put the primary pair in an open-top case such as the Bianchi 7934, which its maker lists for chain or hinged cuffs, and a second pair in a covered case such as the 7900 or 7300. Keep both off the centre of your back.

This guide is for police, corrections and security officers in the US who are buying a handcuff case, handcuff pouch or handcuff holder. The three names mean the same thing. We sell Safariland, Bianchi and Blue Force Gear cuff cases, so we have an interest, and we say where other makers' cases are better.

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What is a handcuff case? It is a holder, worn on the duty belt or on MOLLE webbing, that carries one or two pairs of handcuffs so that they stay put, stay quiet and can be drawn with one hand.

If you are setting up the whole belt, start with our duty belt setup guide.

How we wrote this guide

  • Specifications and prices for our cases come from our product pages and the makers' US pages on safariland.com and blueforcegear.com, checked on 10 November 2026. Safariland's site lists the AccuMold cases under its Bianchi brand, so we call them Bianchi.
  • Which handcuffs fit which case is reported as each case maker states it. Where a maker does not say, we write "not stated" and do not guess.
  • Advice on where to wear the case comes from Police1 training tips and columns. Officers' opinions come from one r/AskLE thread from 2023, reported as what posters said, not as fact.
  • We are a retailer, not police officers. We have not tested these cases on duty. Handcuffing technique and use of force are outside this guide; your training and agency policy govern them.

The six types of handcuff case

Type Good at Weak at
Covered (flap over the top) Holding the cuffs in a fall or struggle; keeping rain, dust and lint off them; a tidy look The flap must be opened first, which is awkward at the front of the belt
Open top Speed; easy to check by touch that the cuffs are there Cuffs are exposed to weather and to other people's hands
Double Two pairs in one belt slot Thicker, so it presses harder into a car seat; both pairs sit on one side
Magazine and cuff combination Saves a slot; one mount to fit Fixes the cuffs next to the magazines; less choice of cuff type
MOLLE pouch (nylon) Outer carriers and tactical belts; light; colours other than black Soft sides; hook-and-loop flaps are noisy and wear
Plain clothes (slim pouch or paddle) Fits a trouser belt; low profile under a jacket Not made for a 2.25 in duty belt

A seventh option is not a case at all: a handcuff strap, a short loop with a snap that hangs the cuffs from the belt.

Three black handcuff cases side by side on a dark surface: a covered case with a flap and chrome snap, an open-top case with steel handcuffs showing above its top edge, and a thicker double case with a flap
Illustration generated from our product photos. Left to right: a covered case, an open-top case and a double case.

Open top or covered: the real trade-off

We looked for a published comparison of draw times, or of cuffs lost from open cases, and found none. What follows is reasoning and reported opinion, not measurement.

Open top. You grip the cuffs and pull. On a "pull-through" case, which is how the maker describes the Bianchi 7334 and 7934, a strap crosses the cuffs and the pull releases it. Aker, a competitor, puts it this way for its own open-top case: "simply pull up and they un-snap the fastener through your motion".

Covered. A flap with a snap is a second layer between the cuffs and the ground. It keeps grit out of the ratchets, and your agency may require it for appearance. The cost is the extra movement, which feels slow only if you never practise it.

Noise. Cuffs rattle when the case is bigger than the cuffs, so it is a fit problem more than a type problem.

Our view, as a retailer: if you carry one pair and policy allows, an open top is the better default. If you carry two, put the second pair in a covered case. In corrections or crowds, covered is the cautious choice for both.

Which handcuffs fit which case

This is the part that is easiest to get wrong. There are four shapes of handcuff:

  • Chain cuffs, such as the Smith & Wesson Model 100 or Peerless 700C. This is what makers mean by "standard" cuffs.
  • Hinged cuffs, such as the S&W Model 300 or Peerless 801C. Case makers list them separately from chain cuffs.
  • Oversized cuffs, such as the S&W Model 110 or Peerless 702C. S&W lists the Model 100 at 8.98 in maximum overall length with a 2.04 in wrist opening at the first notch, and the Model 110 at 11.24 in and 2.8 in. That is why they will not go into a standard case.
  • Rigid cuffs, with a solid bar between the bracelets. None of the cases we sell is listed for them. Buy the case the cuff maker sells.
Case Chain Hinged Oversized What the maker says
Bianchi 7300, 7900 covered By size By size Not stated Three sizes, Group 1, 2 and 3, not defined on Safariland's pages; see the note below
Bianchi 7334 open Yes Not stated Not stated "One pair chain handcuffs"
Bianchi 7934 open top Yes Yes Not stated "One pair chain or hinged handcuffs"
Bianchi 7317, 7917 double Two pairs Not stated Not stated "Two pair standard chain handcuffs"
Bianchi 7318, 7918 Ultimate Hinge No Yes Not stated Safariland Ultimate Hinge "or similar"; Hiatt 8142 (7318), Hiatt Model UL (7918)
Safariland 90 Chain version Hinged version "Oversized Hinged" version Cuff type is chosen when ordering
Safariland 190, 190H 190 190H "Oversized" version "Specify chain or hinged cuffs"
Safariland 290, 290H double 290: two pairs 290H: two pairs Not stated Or one pair plus surgical gloves
Safariland Model 72 combo Yes Yes Not stated "One pair of standard size chain or hinged handcuffs"
Safariland Model 573 combo Yes No No "Standard chain style cuffs only"
Safariland TP17, TP17A Type not stated "Steel or Flexcuff handcuffs", one set or two
Blue Force Gear Handcuff Pouch Yes Yes Not stated "Two sets of bracelet or hinged style cuffs"
Blue Force Gear Cuff Belt Pouch Yes Yes Not stated "One set of linked or hinged handcuffs"

The Bianchi size groups. The dealer CopsPlus publishes a chart for the 7300: size 01 for standard chain cuffs (it names the S&W Model 100 and Peerless 730C and 750C), size 02 for the Peerless 801C family and the ASP Model 100, and size 03 for "standard hinged" cuffs (it names the S&W Model 1 and ASP Model 200). That is a dealer's chart, not the maker's, so tell us the exact make and model of your cuffs when you ask for a quote.

Closure, material and belt width

  • Chrome or brass snap. The traditional look, chosen to match other uniform metal.
  • Hidden snap. The snap is covered, so nothing shines. The 7900, 7917, 7918, 90, 190 and 290 series are offered with one.
  • Hook and loop. Quick with a gloved hand, but noisy, and it weakens as it fills with lint. The 7300, 7317 and 7318 come with hook and loop or a hidden snap.
  • No closure. Open-top cases rely on the moulding and a pull-through strap; the Blue Force Gear pouches use elastic.

Material. Bianchi's AccuMold cases are a moulded trilaminate with a nylon-look "ballistic weave exterior"; AccuMold Elite has a "Duraskin leather-look finish". Both keep their shape without leather care. Nylon pouches are lighter: Blue Force Gear lists its Handcuff Pouch at 45 g. We sell no real leather and no Kydex cuff case; see the competitors below.

Belt width. Duty belts are 2 in (50 mm) or 2.25 in (58 mm) wide. The Bianchi AccuMold cases have a dual web belt loop that takes both. The Safariland 90, 190, 290 and Model 72 are for 2.25 in belts only. If you have not chosen a belt, our ranking of the best duty belt explains the widths. Match the finish (plain, basketweave, hi-gloss or nylon-look) to the belt if your agency inspects, and use a keeper on each side if the case slides; see our belt keepers guide.

The handcuff cases we sell, compared

As a guide to cost, the maker's US prices on safariland.com on 10 November 2026 ran from $36.75 for the 7334 to $84.50 to $94.50 for the Model 72, with the single covered Bianchi cases at $42.75 to $54.75, depending on finish and options.

Model Type Holds Closure Belt Material What is wrong with it
Bianchi 7300 Covered 1 pair, three sizes Hook and loop or hidden snap 2 or 2.25 in; MOLLE version Nylon-look laminate Size groups are not explained by the maker
Bianchi 7900 Covered 1 pair, three sizes Chrome, brass or hidden snap 2 or 2.25 in Leather-look laminate Same size-group problem
Bianchi 7334 Open, pull-through 1 pair chain Pull-through style 2 or 2.25 in Nylon-look laminate Chain cuffs only as listed; cuffs exposed
Bianchi 7934 Open top, pull-through 1 pair chain or hinged Pull-through style 2 or 2.25 in Leather-look laminate Cuffs exposed; no nylon-look finish
Bianchi 7317 Double 2 pairs chain Hook and loop or hidden snap 2 or 2.25 in; MOLLE version Nylon-look laminate Not listed for hinged cuffs; thick
Bianchi 7917 Double 2 pairs chain Chrome, brass or hidden snap 2 or 2.25 in Leather-look laminate Not listed for hinged cuffs; thick
Bianchi 7318, 7918 Covered, hinged 1 pair Ultimate Hinge or similar 7318: hook and loop or hidden snap. 7918: snap 2 or 2.25 in Nylon-look (7318), leather-look (7918) "Or similar" is vague
Safariland 90 Covered 1 pair, by version Snap or hook and loop 2.25 in SafariLaminate 2.25 in only; many variants
Safariland 190, 190H Covered 1 pair, by version Snap 2.25 in loop or MOLLE adapter SafariLaminate or STX Longest option list here
Safariland 290, 290H Double 2 pairs, or 1 pair and gloves Snap 2.25 in SafariLaminate or STX 2.25 in only; dearest double
Safariland Model 72 Combo 2 magazines, 1 pair Snap 2.25 in SafariLaminate Ties cuffs to the magazine position
Safariland Model 573 Combo, paddle Magazine and 1 pair chain Open top Up to 1.75 in SafariLaminate, suede lining Not for a duty belt; chain only
Safariland TP17, TP17A Nylon pouch 1 or 2 sets Hook-and-loop flap Not stated Cordura nylon No dimensions or cuff types given
Blue Force Gear Handcuff Pouch MOLLE double 2 sets Elastic, no flap MOLLE only Helium Whisper, elastic front No cover; no belt loop
Blue Force Gear Cuff Belt Pouch Plain clothes 1 set Elastic and metal snap Up to 2 in Elastic front Will not fit a 2.25 in belt

Single cases, covered and open

The 7300 and 7900 are one design in two finishes. The Safariland 90 and 190 are the only two here with an oversized version, and the 7318 and 7918 are the hinged-cuff cases. What is wrong with them: each is a family of variants. Cuff type, size group, finish and snap all have to be right. The open-top 7334 and 7934 avoid the flap but leave the cuffs within reach of rain, dust and a hand that is not yours; the maker gives no retention figure, and we have not tested one.

Double cases: 7317, 7917, 290 and 290H

A double is the tidy way to add a second pair. The 7317 can also be ordered with MOLLE straps for a carrier. What is wrong with them: thickness, and the fact that both pairs live under one flap on one side of your body. Two slim singles let either hand reach a pair, at the cost of a slot.

Combinations: Model 72 and Model 573

The Model 573 is a paddle for trouser belts, aimed at plain-clothes work; our paddle holster guide explains how paddles hold. What is wrong with them: a combination decides the position of two items at once, and magazines belong at the support-side front, which is not where most belt layouts put cuffs.

MOLLE and plain-clothes pouches

If your cuffs ride on an outer carrier or a battle belt, a nylon pouch makes more sense than a moulded case. The Blue Force Gear Handcuff Pouch has no flap: elastic holds one pair back so that "only one set of cuffs is drawn at a time". What is wrong with them: Safariland's TP17 pages give no dimensions, cuff types or price, and the Blue Force Gear MOLLE pouch shares the open-top cautions. Our best plate carrier guide covers the carrier itself.

Cases we do not sell, and where they are better

  • High Speed Gear Kydex Handcuff TACO. $49.00 on highspeedgear.com on 10 November 2026. Hard-sided Kydex with adjustable retention, a shock cord and a removable 1 in snap strap. The maker says it fits chain and hinged cuffs, including ASPs, and gives a lifetime warranty. Better than ours if you want one case that adjusts to different cuffs.
  • Blue Alpha Gen 2 Handcuff Case. $35.97 to $41.97 on bluealphabelts.com. MOLLE or belt mounting and a storage slot for a handcuff key, which none of our product pages mentions. The page does not state the material or which cuffs fit.
  • Aker 506 Open Top Chain Handcuff Case. $44.00 on akerleather.com. Full grain leather, made in the US, for belts up to 2.25 in; Aker names the S&W Model 100 and Peerless 700C and 730C. Better than ours if your agency requires real leather.

Where to wear a handcuff case

Our duty belt setup guide puts the cuffs at about 5 o'clock for a right-handed officer, behind the holster, or at 7 o'clock on the support side, with 4 o'clock clear for the draw and nothing hard at 6 o'clock over the spine.

A Police1 training tip from 2005 describes an instructor slapping a cuff case worn "in the direct small of my back", which was enough "to send a jolt up my spine". A second Police1 tip from the same year says side carries also help "prevent the potentially serious spine damage that can result from falling on a cuff case that's positioned in the small of your back". A 2011 Police1 column on carrying cuffs in the middle of the back is shorter: "Please don't do this." These are instructors' warnings, not injury statistics; we found no study that counts such injuries.

Beyond that, placement is preference and policy. A Police1 columnist in 2010 carried his primary pair on the left front, "three to four inches away from the belt buckle", and a second behind the weapon. Whatever you choose must not block your duty holster or its release; our guide to holster retention levels explains those.

Defensive Firearms Instruction explains how its instructors set up handcuffs and cuff cases on a duty belt, including a Bianchi AccuMold double case. One trainer's method, not a standard. Not sponsored by us.

One pair or two?

There is no rule. The same Police1 columnist carries "two sets", notes that "some carry one, some carry three", and calls it "personal preference". Your agency may decide for you. A second pair covers a second person or a very large one. The cost is weight and space on a full belt. If you carry two, a double case saves a slot, and two singles on opposite hips let either hand reach a pair.

Disposable restraints. Safariland lists the TP17 pouches for "steel or Flexcuff" restraints. Whether you may use them, and where you carry them, is a policy question. Our dump pouch guide covers the general pouch some officers use for spares.

Keys. Carry a spare key away from your key ring. The HK-11 Hide-A-Keyper belt keeper hides one inside a keeper for 2.25 in belts.

What posters on r/AskLE said

In an r/AskLE thread from July 2023, an officer going from one pair to two asked for recommendations. No reply is flair-verified as law enforcement; several carry the "Unverified/Not an LEO" flair.

  • Covered cases "require you to defeat the snap, but provide protection to your cuffs and a bit more retention", one poster wrote, and are "ugly and inconvenient for front belt placement".
  • Open tops, said the same poster, "are the easiest to access, ESPECIALLY if you go with front placement, but your cuffs are exposed."
  • Straps. The top-voted reply liked a handcuff strap because straps "take up way less real estate on your belt". Another warned that "your cuffs can end up in odd positions, flap around when you run".
  • Mixing types. One poster uses "a closed case in the back on my right hip for non-urgent cuffing", with gloves inside, and a strap at the front.
  • Singles or a double. One carries two slim covered Safariland cases, "1 on each side". Another linked the Bianchi AccuMold double case: "This is what I use."

The original poster, who had moved to an agency that carries more equipment, said the extra items were "throwing my muscle memory awry". Any change of case or position needs practice before a shift.

Fitting and testing a new cuff case

These steps are general good practice, not a standard. Where your academy or agency teaches a method, use that.

  1. Check policy: type, finish, closure and position.
  2. Check the fit with your own cuffs. They should not move when you shake the case, and a flap should close without force.
  3. Load them the same way every time. The Police1 columnist keeps his "in an open-top holster with the keyholes toward each other". Follow your training and never vary it.
  4. Mount it on the loop for your belt width, with a keeper each side if it slides.
  5. Draw with each hand, standing, kneeling and seated, in the jacket, gloves and vest you actually wear.
  6. Practise the closure until you can open a flap without looking. On a pull-through case, check that the strap releases on the pull.
  7. Run, climb stairs and get in and out of the car. Then check that the cuffs are still seated and the case has not shifted.
  8. Recheck after a week, and inspect snaps, hook and loop and stitching when you clean your gear.
Shots Fired Podcast: two police officers break down their own duty belts and explain why they set them up as they do. Their preferences, not policy. Not sponsored by us.

Which handcuff case for which officer

If you Our advice
Carry one pair on patrol and want speed Open top: the 7934 (chain or hinged), or the 7334 for chain cuffs in a nylon-look finish
Need a covered case, or work in corrections or crowds The 7900 or 7300 in the right size group, or the Safariland 90 on a 2.25 in belt
Carry Safariland or Hiatt Ultimate Hinge cuffs The 7318 or 7918, the only cases here that name them
Carry oversized cuffs The oversized version of the Safariland 90 or 190. Tell us the cuff model first
Want two pairs in one slot 7317 or 7917 for chain cuffs; 290H for hinged pairs on a 2.25 in belt
Wear cuffs on an outer carrier or tactical belt Blue Force Gear Handcuff Pouch or TP17A for two pairs, TP17 for one, or a MOLLE version of the 7300, 7317 or 190
Work in plain clothes Blue Force Gear Cuff Belt Pouch, or the Model 573 paddle if you also want a spare magazine
Carry rigid cuffs, or need real leather or Kydex We sell nothing suitable. Buy the cuff maker's case, or look at Aker or High Speed Gear

Buying for someone else? Our gifts for police officers guide lists safer choices than a cuff case.

Common mistakes

  • Ordering by type and forgetting the cuffs. Check the make and model stamped on your cuffs first.
  • Ignoring the belt width. A case made for one width slides on the other.
  • Wearing the case over the spine. Move it to a hip.
  • Never practising with the flap.
  • Loading the cuffs a different way each time.
  • Adding a second pair without removing anything. Decide what comes off or moves to the vest. A tourniquet on the holster frees a slot, and our police flashlight guide covers lights small enough to share space.
  • No spare key.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a handcuff case, pouch and holder?

Nothing that matters. Makers tend to say "case" for moulded models and "pouch" for nylon ones. All carry one or two pairs of handcuffs on a belt or on MOLLE webbing.

Is an open-top or a covered handcuff case better?

Open top is faster and leaves the cuffs exposed. Covered holds and protects them better and needs one more movement. We found no published test that settles it; policy and where you wear the case usually decide.

Will hinged handcuffs fit a standard handcuff case?

Not reliably. Of ours, the 7934, Model 72 and both Blue Force Gear pouches are listed for chain or hinged cuffs, and the 7318, 7918, 190H and 290H are made for hinged cuffs. See the fit table above.

Which handcuff case fits oversized handcuffs?

Safariland offers an "Oversized Hinged" version of the Model 90 and an "Oversized" version of the Model 190. No other case we sell is listed for oversized cuffs.

Where should a handcuff case go on a duty belt?

Commonly at about 5 o'clock behind a strong-side holster, or at 7 o'clock on the support side; some officers carry at the front. Keep it off the centre of your back and clear of your draw. Agency policy comes first.

Should I carry one pair of handcuffs or two?

It is personal preference unless your agency decides. Two pairs cover a second person; the cost is weight and belt space.

A note on safety and policy

Handcuffing is a use of force and a trained skill. When and how you restrain someone, how many pairs you carry and where equipment sits on your belt are matters for your training and agency policy. If you also carry medical equipment on the belt, our IFAK guide covers what fits beside the rest.

About the authors

This guide was written by Matúš Koleják and Braňo Hrivňák of Combat Defender. We sell Safariland, Blue Force Gear, HATCH and TCI equipment to police, military and security customers, including the Safariland, Bianchi and Blue Force Gear cuff cases mentioned here. We do not sell High Speed Gear, Blue Alpha or Aker cases and are not paid by any maker in this article. We are not police officers, and we have not tested these cases on duty.

Case specifications and prices are from our product pages and the makers' US pages, checked on 10 November 2026; the Bianchi size chart is from a named dealer. Handcuff dimensions are from Smith & Wesson. Placement advice is quoted from Police1. Opinions from r/AskLE are reported as what posters said; none was flair-verified. The illustration was generated with an AI image model from our own product photos and checked by us; it is not a photograph. The videos are by third parties and are not sponsored by us. If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us and we will correct it.

Last reviewed: November 2026.

Sources

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