Gun Holsters

Best Sig P938 Holster for Concealed Carry

June 7, 2019 By Josh Leave a Comment

Who Makes The Best Sig P938 Holster?

I’ve owned a Sig Sauer P938 for a few years now, and can say that it’s the ideal concealed carry gun. It’s small, easy to conceal, quite effective at the range and at halting bad guys in their tracks with 9mm Parabellum self-defense cartridges loaded in the magazine.

But, I can talk all day about this little micro pistol and how I love its 1911-esque ergonomics in a small package, but this isn’t a gun review. The holsters I present here are not ordered from best 938 holster down in descending order.

Instead, I’ve listed a few holsters in a few different categories because I understand that everyone wears their guns in different positions. Here are the most popular methods of carrying, with what I’d consider to be the best Sig 938 holster for each category.

Best Sig P938 Pocket Holster —

Sticky Holsters:

The P938 is the perfect size to pocket carry, and I can say that I’ve pocket carried it on many occasions, and still do regularly. In fact, as I sit here and type this, I’m pocket carrying my Sig Sauer P938 in my Sticky MD-1 holster.

I’ve owned this holster as long as I’ve owned the gun and it’s held up through thick and thin, and what’s really great about it, is that if I need an even smaller setup, I pocket carry a small 2 inch snub nose revolver.

This pocket holster is one I’ll never get rid of, and if it gets damaged I’ll likely get another. I pocket carry this gun all the time and my life would have a void without it.

sig 938 holster — Here is my P938 in a JM4 Tactical Relic Holster

Best Sig P938 IWB Holster —

JM4 Tactical RELIC:

This one is relatively new to the market, but I can say that I love it so far and it’s my current go-to for this gun when it’s not in my pocket but prefer to carry IWB. It’s far from cheap, but the quality is unlike anything else I’ve seen out on the market.

They took high quality leather and sewed it to the inside of molded Boltaron polymer. It’s sexy and performs better than anything else on the market. Get used to me talking about this one, because I’ve got a review coming your way in a little bit.

This definitely wins my vote for top P938 IWB holster, and can be worn appendix if that works for your body type, or anywhere inside the waistband.

Check out the RELIC here.

Best SIG P938 Holster for Working Out

Brave Response

This is the holster I’ve had the longest on this list. I’ve had it since Brave Response developed it and have carried just about every pistol I own in it at one point or another.

This thing is built for comfort and is perfect for running, going to the gym, going to work, or anything else. It is highly recommended, if not a bit strange. If I had to use one phrase to describe it, it would be “belly band.” But, that’s not even entirely correct because it’s not like the other belly bands. It has to be worn to understand.

The reason why it’s great for working out is because it is not dependent upon other clothing or a belt in order to work. Well, I strongly urge you to put clothing on, but other than that it is a self-sufficient system that utilizes Velcro to attach to your body.

Best SIG Sauer P938 Appendix Holster

Crossbreed Mini Appendix

I admittedly don’t have as much experience with this one because I have a hard time carrying in the appendix position based on my body structure. Still, I’d be remiss not to put something here for appendix carriers (think in front of your stomach) since the Sig Sauer P938 is such a great gun.

I have heard great things about this holster, so I’ll call it the best SIG P938 appendix holster.

Best Sig P938 Holster for OWB —

Mission First Tatical

Some of you may be scratching your head on this one. I mean, why would I want to carry such a small gun OWB? I’m actually a big fan of carrying a small gun OWB and bigger guns IWB. I know it seems backwards, but bigger guns are easier to conceal inside the waist, and reverse for smaller guns.

Personally, I think MFT’s OWB holster is the best Sig p938 holster that I’ve found for carrying in this manner.

The material it’s made of is called Boltaron. It’s much stronger than Kydex plastic is and just holds up better. I’ve owned one of these since the first batch MFT made. It’s a solid option.

Who do you think makes the best Sig P938 holster? Let us know in the comments below.

Boisterous Appendix Carriers Are The Vegans Of The Concealed Carry World

May 8, 2019 By Josh Leave a Comment

This is my good friend Terry, who is not the the subject of this article. This is just a pic I had on hand.

Nothing against veganism if that’s your thing–but I like meat and have zero plans to stop eating it.

In the same vein, I won’t disagree that Appendix carry is a legit method of carrying your gun, if it works for you. But, for me, it doesn’t work.

And, to really put a fine point on how I feel, boisterous appendix carriers are like the vegans of the concealed carry world–always trying to force their way of life on you as if it’s the ONLY way.

It’s not the only way, and it doesn’t work for everybody. To some degree, I wish I could carry appendix simply because of how fast the draw can be.

Another benefit of carrying in the appendix position is that it’s really hard for a thief to steal your gun, as we have heard of some stealing in the 3 – 5 o’clock positions.

But, here’s the thing: It won’t work for everyone and I’m living proof of that.

I’ve lost count of how many appendix carry holsters I’ve tried to this point, and not one of them worked well enough for me to use. Ever.

And, if there is one thing that rubs me the wrong way it’s when I hear folks tell me that the only reason why I don’t carry this way is because I assume I can’t because I’m a “bigger guy” and not on facts like actually trying these holsters out.

They assume, wrongly, that I haven’t tried to make it work.

I have.

AIWB doesn’t work for me even though I’ve bought and received countless appendix holsters to test out with no luck. Before I move on, let’s get some background information.

How to appendix carry:

Carrying in the appendix position is nothing more than locating your firearm IWB (inside the waistband) between the 12-1 o’clock position if you’re a righty, or the 11-12 o’clock position if you’re a lefty (called AIWB, or appendix inside the waistband).

Some folks also do cross draw, but that’s not the topic of this discussion.

Some concealed carriers can make it as far out as 2 or 10, but that’s rare because the front of the hip bone really starts to come into play here.

There are a few main benefits as discussed a moment ago, not the least of these is concealment factor for most people. Of course, this is holster dependent, and the wrong holster could break your concealment factor.

What comes to mind here, is something like this:

The caption for this picture is hilarious and reads:

Is it a baby or a gun? Either way, we’re naming it Gaston. The AIWB took up the author’s entire abdomen. (Photo: Jacki Billings)

Now, I know this lady from when I worked for guns.com and can say that she doesn’t usually look pregnant. The holster that she’s wearing just happens to be a real turd for the appendix position.

Does this mean she doesn’t carry in this position? If I remember correctly, this is her preferred method, only in a holster that works for her body type.

Hopefully that answered the question of how to appendix carry if you didn’t know. Let’s move on.

Common problems carrying in the appendix position:

It is my goal with this article to shut the vegan appendix guys and gals up for the last time with what I’m about to say. If I sound pissed, it’s likely because I am because someone just told me that I haven’t tried enough holsters.

I’m not sure what these people think I’m made of, but I can assure you it’s not money. Anyway …

Hear me, it isn’t just about body size or the size of my stomach. There is so much more that goes into carrying appropriately in the appendix position that no amount of losing weight will even help me because it goes beyond the size of my stomach.

Listen, I’m 300 pounds, but I haven’t always been this weight. When I got out of the Marines I was about 240 and I was in much better shape.

I still struggled even though my belly was smaller. Why? Because of my physiology. More than the size of my stomach, is where my waistline sits. More than where my waistline sits is where my body bends and contorts.

We are ALL made differently. Don’t assume I can do something because you can, even if you are a bigger dude.

My body is nothing like the 300 pound dude I may be standing next to in line at the grocery store. He may be able to appendix carry just fine, simply because his 300 pounds is shaped and maneuvers differently with a different waistline than mine does.

I’m sitting here right now, typing this up in agony to remind myself of why I don’t carry this way in one of my best appendix holsters. Let me repeat that, this is the one that works the best for me and is designed to be worn in this method.

And, it sucks.

Oh, and I’ve tried double digits worth of holsters in this position and they all suck for me. So my thoughts on why I can’t appendix carry is based on personal facts, not assumptions.

I even set out on a journey to design and sell my own holster that worked in the appendix position for people like me with bends in their body the same way without success.

I approached people who make plastic holsters for a living, telling them what I needed and one guy laughed as he told me it couldn’t be done.

Concealed Carry Adjustment:

To me, whenever you have to adjust your gun when you’re carrying it, it’s a dead giveaway that there’s a gun there. I carry concealed, so my goal is for the gun to remain hidden.

appendix inside the waistband — Here’s Travis carrying appendix, also not the subject of this article

When I sit down carrying appendix, I have to physically move my stomach not because it’s something I want to do, but because it’s something I have to do.

Why? Because when your body is feeling pain, your natural response is to limit that pain as much as possible. It’s physiology, again.

Can I train myself to not reach down to my stomach and force myself to not make that adjustment?

Of course I can, but why would I want to remain in a state of pain when there are other ways that work better FOR ME?

Here’s the thing: If I’m not comfortable I’m not going to carry my gun. If I’m not going to carry my gun, what’s the point?

Just Stop:

It is possible that you don’t know what’s best for me any more than I know what’s best for you. I’m not going to force my way of thinking on you, nor should anyone try to force their way of thinking on me.

If I want to carry a gun in any method, just as long as I’m doing so safely and can get to that gun to save my life, that’s all that matters. And hey, when the crap hits the fan, just be thankful that we’re in the same room together.

Stop being the vegans of the concealed carry world. You do your thing, and let everyone else do theirs.

Rant over.

Top 5 Best SIG P365 Holsters For Everyday Carry

March 7, 2019 By Travis Pike Leave a Comment

The P365 from SIG Sauer has become a phenomenon in the concealed carry industry. It squeezes ten rounds into a grip no bigger than a single stack 9mm. Even to this day, the gun can be hard to find in stores. Its popularity has spawned a growing aftermarket with plenty of holsters. I’ve tried out a ton, but I have found my top 5 best SIG P365 Holsters that I keep coming back to, and will show them to you now.

Bravo Concealment Torsion 3.0

The Bravo Concealment Torsion 3.0 is Bravo Concealment’s newest holster. It’s one of the rare IWB holsters that accommodates an adjustable tension device. It’s all polymer and has a rigid and strong design. It can utilize a single or dual clip set up and can be worn in both an IWB and AIWB configuration.

The Torsion is also able to accommodate your P365 if you decide to modify it. This is the best P365 holster if you want to rock a miniature red dot sight and a threaded barrel as it is designed to accommodate both of these add ons.

Not only that but this is a minimalized holster. It’s very thin and very lightweight. It utterly disappears under my clothes and the inward 10-degree cant makes this thing absolutely invisible under nothing more than a T-Shirt. It’s perfect for small frame people as well. It’s currently my EDC holster for the P365 and I adore it.

Clinger No Print Wonder V3

The Clinger No Print Wonder V3 is a very simple and versatile holster that can easily switch between IWB, OWB, and Appendix carry. Swapping it to each configuration takes only a few minutes.

It does easily conceal and is a very affordable holster, especially when you consider the fact it is actually three holsters in one. The No Print Wonder V3 can even swap between left and right-handed shooters for ease of use. In its IWB configuration it’s extremely comfortable and one of those holsters you can just forget about while you wear it.

The Clinger No Print Wonder V3 can also be adjusted for cant and ride height. It’s an odd design admittedly, but it does work and was one of my first P365 holsters. It stays in the rotation in its OWB configuration which I really adore.

Crossbreed Pocket Rocket

The P365 sits at the exact right size for pocket carry. It’s a bit for it, but the gun still fits in most men’s pockets. I can’t speak about the ladies. The Crossbreed Pocket Rocket is a hybrid design that facilitates simple and effective pocket carry. The leather backing is larger than your average pocket and it will stay in the pocket when the gun is drawn.

The leather backing is also soft against the skin and very comfortable for daily carry. It stays put inside the pocket and keeps it from moving around and causing chafing. The portion that carries the gun is a polymer shell like you’d find on a standard hybrid holster.

It protects the gun and makes it easy to unholster and to holster the weapon. It’s one of my favorite pocket P365 holsters and one of the highest quality on the market.

JM4 Relic Appendix

The JM4 Relic Appendix holster is one of the most unique hybrid holsters that I’ve ever seen. Your normal hybrid holster is a leather backing with a polymer shell. This is a polymer shell with leather stitch inside it. What it does is create a super comfortable appendix carry holster.

The holster uses Grade A Hermann Oak Leather and its incredibly comfortable. I doubt it matters to most but the holster does also look really nice. I appreciate the leather with the modern reliability and strength of Boltaron.

The JM4 Relic is one of the more comfortable appendix holsters on the market. It’s certainly one of the most interesting means to build and design a holster. These P365 Holsters come in a single clip and tuckable models.

AlienGear Shapeshift Shell

The 365 in P365 is, of course, a reference to the idea that this gun is the end all be all for concealed carry guns. It’s the perfect size to be carried every day, all year round. I tend to agree and the AlienGear Shapeshift Holster allows you to not only carry it every day but in any configuration you desire.

The Shapeshift kit allows you to carry IWB, Appendix, OWB, Ankle carry, shoulder carry, hell even there is even a MOLLE connector. The Shapeshift is really one of the most versatile kits you can have in terms of carrying a gun. As a far as P365 Holsters go it’s hard to beat for every day, and every situation kinda carry.

I can run my normal IWB setup for most days and swap to shoulder carry on road trips, or maybe toss it on my backpack for a hike. There are options for all of those. It’s a very cool system that keeps expanding.

Runner Up: We The People Holster

Sometimes you just need a quality, but affordable holster. Some of the others on this list are expensive, others not so much. This one is on sale a lot and is a solid gun holster for your SIG P365. Just read all the reviews on this page to see what I mean.

P365 Holsters

The P365 is designed to be the ultimate EDC handgun and it really fills that role very well. The overall design is fantastic and people of any size can carry the P365 with ease. Overall it has become an overnight sensation and for good reason. It’s a small, well made, and easy to handle gun. The above are the best P365 holsters I’ve found, but you should always try them all out for your own.

It should be said that the vast majority of these holsters will fit guns outside the P365 realm. If one interests you but you don’t own a P365 I certainly suggest looking to see if it fits your individual gun. Although keep in mind certain holsters won’t be friendly for oddball versions of a gun like metal frame Walther Q5s, Polymer 80 Glocks, and other oddballs.

What about you folks, do you have any suggestions for P365 Holsters?

Dara Holster Review

January 8, 2019 By Eve Flanigan Leave a Comment

canik tp9 holster — Dara makes holsters for mainstream and many offbeat brands, like Canik.

Dara Holster Review: out of the box, into the match

Folks who train and shoot with me regularly know I have a fondness for a certain brand of range holster for myself and students, and for myself, a certain pistol that’s a little—as one friend puts it, Bohemian. I can’t help that the Canik TP9 SA fits my hand like a glove and won’t stop being reliable.

Problem is, that certain brand of holster isn’t available for my go-to pistol. Not enough of ‘em on the market, a company rep explained. So when I found a company that makes an offset, drop holster for my gun, I was over the moon.

Santa was true to his word, delivering a Dara brand competition holster under the tree. With two months of range work now under (well, actually on) my belt, I can vouch that this company is a great alternative to some of the bigger names, for more reasons than making a holster for offbeat brands.

First, some backstory. The Canik is sold new with a perfectly functional, Serpa-style knockoff with the user’s choice of paddle or belt attachment. It’s a setup that mostly serves me well, except in some situations.

It’s not allowed in certain classes and schools due to the Serpa’s embattled safety legacy. While those concerns are almost entirely based in operator errors, the holster’s got a bad rap in some sectors. During winter months, a drop holster is a great way to keep a jacket closed and still be able to shoot. And during certain drills that demanded extreme speed, defeating the level 2 retention device was costly.

This holster hangs low and easily pairs with a heavy winter coat or body armor. It’s helped short-waisted me draw faster compared to a higher-mounted, Level 2 holster.

Stumbling upon the Dara website, I found the solution. Among their offerings is a dropped and offset action sport holster, and among the available fits was the TP9 SA. Yes! A three-year search had just come to an end.

This model is made to order, down to details like belt width, color, sight height, light-bearing, and there’s even an accommodation for extended mag releases. As the name implies, this holster was designed for match shooting and slide coverage is minimal, to accommodate an RMR and facilitate a fast draw.

It’s made for speed, alright, but I was more concerned about whether it would retain screws and hold up to my rather physical days at the range, which entail carrying targets and armloads of gear, as well as some ground work like shooting in prone.

So far, this Dara competition holster has proven itself tough. It has six screw-in attachment points between the belt mount and holster, three high and three low. At first, I thought the retention was a bit tight, so I gave the retention screws a half turn counter-clockwise.

I dabbed a bit of Loctite on them after the fact, not expecting it to do much good as I’d not coated the threads. That was over a month ago, and the screws have maintained their new setting. Likewise, none of the attachment screws has offered to loosen, something I’ve come to expect while breaking other brands’ belt holsters in.

Six points of attachment between the holster and mount mean this thing isn’t budging or coming loose.

I’m hard on gear, often carrying too many things and squeezing into tight spaces loaded down. When the Dara holster is pressed against the ground or a solid object, I feel a slight flex in the setup, and it has yet to indicate it might crack under weight. Of course, it’s still relatively new, but I’ve used it hard, and so far, so good.

The outer texture of the Dara is slightly rough, the finish matte. It does tend to cling to dirt, but for tactical purposes, is not reflective. The lower gun position makes it easy to wear with a coat and/or body armor, while keeping the gun accessible.

This holster has indeed eliminated the problems associated with the stock holster. I can get to my gun with a zippered winter coat on, and the draw is fast as it should be, enabling me to pass a certain federal qualification my friends and I use as a skills check.

A low-cut slide enclosure aids a fast draw and accommodates an RMR sight.

If I were to change anything about this holster, it’d be to shorten the drop just a bit, say 0.75 inches or even less. It’s just long enough that I must consciously, firmly press the muzzle end of the gun toward my leg at the moment the drawstroke begins. That’s safer than it sounds, as the gun is still holstered in that moment. It’s a minor annoyance, but if I forget to press, or on the occasion I’ve loaned the rig to another, it’s easy to almost pull oneself up by the belt rather than snatch the gun out of the holster.

At $104, and currently on sale for $99, the American-made Dara is a step above competitors’ match holsters, and fairly priced. This gun holster has a two-week production window because it’s a custom order. Dara makes many other Kydex holsters in a variety of configurations and for a broad range of handguns. Lots of Inside–and outside–waistband models are available and ready-to-ship. Prices for those are $55 and up.

dara holster review — A low-cut slide enclosure aids a fast draw and accommodates an RMR sight.

If you’re looking for a custom Kydex holster for a match or carry gun, this is one company worth checking out. Dara sold the holster featured in this article at full price with no disclosure it could be a media topic.

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All photos by Team HB.

What’s The Best Concealed Carry Holster? Here Are My Personal Top 10

June 27, 2018 By Travis Pike Leave a Comment

As a gun writer, a firearms instructor, and concealed carrier it’s fair to say I have a ton of experience with holsters. I have dozens of them–boxes full of them. Today I want to dive in and discuss the idea of the best concealed carry holster. I couldn’t choose just one though, so here are the 10 best gun holsters from my experience. Is it the end all list? Probably not, but it’s a list of holsters I’ve found to be excellent for a variety of tasks.

Here are my 10 best concealed carry holsters:

Number 10 Comfort Cling by Clinger Holsters

Number 10 on my list is a holster I never thought I’d like. The Comfort Cling looks like a pocket holster but is actually an IWB design. It’s a clipless system that relies solely on friction to hold the gun between your body and pants. Here’s the thing … It actually works. It’s super comfortable and I never feel the gun digging into me. The best part is it stays put, completely and totally still. The reason it’s number 10 is that it does collapse and reholstering means removing the holster. Other than that it’s a great option that really surprised me. This is the best holster for a minimalist I’ve ever seen.

Number 9 The Blackhawk Omnivore

The Omnivore is a universal holster and that typically means a crap holster. However, the Omnivore is a little different. It is a polymer holster that actually has an active retention device that utilizes a small rail attachment that connects to a lock in the holster. This allows it to fit over 150 handguns with ease. My particular model is a light bearing holster that works with the Streamlight TLR-1 and the retention locks onto the light. This holster allows me to accommodate guns that aren’t mainstream like my P09 or my Magnum Research MR9 and a light. Plus they sell for under 50 bucks and seem to work extremely well. They are a little bulky, but it has never given me an issue. At the price, this is by far the best concealed carry holster for carrying a light equipped handgun, even when it’s an odd one.

Number 8 Gould and Goodrich Gold Line Shoulder Rigs

As a Floridian, I like to think I have a natural love of shoulder rigs. After seeing Don Johnson rock one in Miami Vice I knew I wanted one as a kid. I finally snagged a Gould and Goodrich Gold Line leather shoulder holster and it fits perfectly. This all leather holster is adjustable to a massive degree, has wide straps to accommodate the weight of a full sized gun and two loaded magazines. The G&G Shoulder holster is my go-to when wearing a coat or, dare I say, a blazer. However, in most situations it’s a little too hot to comfortably conceal a shoulder rig in Florida so I don’t use it as much as I’d like to. When I do though I feel like I’m channeling my inner Crockett. It’s certainly the best shoulder holster I have for that 80’s retro feel.

Number 7 The NSR C-4

I’m not a huge fan of appendix carry, not for any odd safety justifications or fear of shooting off my junk, it just feels unnatural. I was pleasantly surprised at the comfort with the NSR C-4. It’s an all polymer holster that rides nice and high which I like. It’s easy to conceal a Glock 19 sized gun and this is nice and handy on hot days where its shorts and a light t-shirt kinda day. The NSR C-4 may not be my holster of choice every day but it has changed how I look at appendix carry and this a tool for the toolbox in certain situations. While it may not be my go-to holster for me all the time it does have its place, and is my pick for the best appendix holster.

Number 6 The Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 1.0

This is one of my oldest holsters and the first time I decided to try IWB carry. The Cloak Tuck 1.0 I have is designed for my Ruger LCR and works wonderfully. It’s superbly comfortable and the hybrid design allows you to mix old and new. The Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 1.0 isn’t the most modern, and Alien Gear is currently on the 3.5 model. That being said hundreds of days worth of carry and one bad experience with a puppy, it’s still my go to when I wanna carry a small wheel gun.

Number 5 Desantis Cargo Pocket Holster

A long time ago my day to day life was ruled by a uniform, and I don’t mean the Marines. At a time where my uniform was a tucked in shirt and a pair of cargo pants. Trying to conceal a gun in this style of dress was challenging when it came to balancing comfort, concealment, and access. Then I stumbled on this little gem. This simple holster is much wider than a standard pocket holster and fits safely and comfortably in a cargo pocket while providing a good base for secure carry. The holster stays in place when the gun is drawn, is comfortable, and it’s rapid to draw from. I call it the office thigh rig.

Number 4 The JM4 Relic Hybrid

When it comes to concealing a full sized gun IWB you really have to consider the holster you are choosing. The Relic is a modular holster that works as both an IWB and OWB holster, and is a simple but robust design. The Relic is a hybrid holster that uses a thick Hermann Oak Grade A leather that’s super stiff but very comfortable, and the actual shell for the gun is made from Bolatron. The combination results in a big holster designed to support and carry big guns. I can conceal and carry a Glock 17 without much issue and can do so comfortably. This is the best holster I’ve ever used for IWB carry of a full sized gun.

Number 3 The Phalanx Defense Stealth Operator

The second quasi-universal holster on the list is the Stealth Operator. I’m not a big fan of the name, but I’m a fan of the holster. This thin and easy to carry holster can carry a wide variety of guns, including my CZ P09, my MR9 Eagle, a Glock 17, and many more. The retention is passive and based around the trigger. This OWB holster is perfect for concealed carry due to how close it sticks to the body. Drawing and reholstering is very simple and because I can use for a wide variety of guns. I love it and the price is hard to beat.

Number 2 The Clinger Holster No Print Wonder V2

Another from Clinger Holsters, but this one isn’t clipless. It’s an interesting design that’s quite minimalist when it comes to materials used. The main holster is made from polymer and it has two wings that accommodate the clips for your waistband. These unique clips allow you to easily adjust the height and cant of how your gun is carried. The No Print Wonder lives up to its name when it comes to deep concealment. The gun disappears completely when carried in light shorts or pants and a t-shirt. When it comes to deep and comfortable concealment, the No Print Wonder is my best concealed carry holster.

Number 1 The HTC Vantage

Is the HTC Vantage the best concealed carry holster ever? It made my number one spot, but like most things in the gun world, there is no absolute best. It’s my favorite holster for OWB carry, but pretty bulky for concealed carry. This is a duty sized holster and this particular model is designed to work with a light bearing gun, specifically my CZ P09 and my TLR 1. It is strong and rigid and is designed for duty. It’s a big holster that sticks out from the body for a quick and easy draw, but also supports this heavy gun and light combo perfectly, and has my full confidence. This is the holster I go to for fun range trips or tactical training classes.

What Makes the Best Holster Concealed Carry Holster?

To figure that out for yourself, you need to know what the purpose of the holster is. For example, my Vantage would not be a good choice for a deep concealment holster. I can have a favorite without it being the best holster ever. Define your purpose and need, and then start trying to figure out what works best for you.

Did I mention your favorite holster? If not, which is your go-to? Let us know in the comments below.

Blackhawk Leather Holster Review: Brand New MBoss

May 12, 2018 By Eve Flanigan Leave a Comment

Rock that pistol with a new Blackhawk Leather Holster, the MBoss

Lovers of leather holsters and tactical gear have more to love now, with the May release of this brand new to market Blackhawk Leather Holster, the MBoss, custom made for their favorite major-brand handgun.

The MBoss is constructed of Italian leather, and is black, with two belt loops. It’s slightly reminiscent of traditional pancake holsters. But it’s not entirely traditional, not at all.

The test model, which fits either a government- or commander-size 1911, is just 4.3 inches at the tallest point with a scalloped profile that makes most of the holster less than 4.0 inches tall. Its slim profile thus makes it a wearable, functional showcase for a handsome firearm. I think it makes the inherently sexy 1911 profile even more attractive.

A single piece of thick, finished leather is sewn in a loop shape with heavy-duty stitching to form the MBoss. The finish is a combination of smooth, finished leather and a finely-stamped pattern that’s definitely a modern profile while granting a nod to the traditional basket weave look.

This holster features a sight channel that accommodates and protects the front sight during holstering and drawing. Its open bottom doesn’t give direct protection while worn, but it does create a cage-like barrier around the slide that prevents direct contact by the vast majority of outside objects.

For its trim design, the MBoss has great retention while the leather provides non-marring contact with the gun. There’s an adjustable retention screw to get the fit just right.

There’s a visible, traditional pancake belt slot on the Blackhawk MBoss, plus a hidden, double-stitched belt loop on the body-facing side. On that loop is stamped the brand and firearm model the holster’s made to fit, as well as the month/date of manufacture. The only visible branding is a subtle, stamped Blackhawk shield, with no lettering. No brand-pimping here, just class.

I paired the holster with an Exos Gear gun belt and my commander-size Sig Sauer Nightmare. The belt is 1.5 inches wide and 0.20 inches thick, a tight fit with the MBoss. The double-layer, visible belt loop on the holster is thick and will surely be easier to manipulate after some break-in. Despite some assertive pulling required to install it on the belt, the belt-holster combo is secure and comfortable when worn.

For kicks, I also tried the MBoss installed on a flimsy vinyl fashion belt. The secure feeling the rig had on the Exos belt was gone; the weight of the pistol, which rides high in relation to the holster, pulled the grip out so it felt like it was flapping as I walked. Wearers with more robust midriffs might not experience the same, but I wasn’t comfortable with so much motion in the gun. I ditched the idea of wearing this holster with a crappy belt. Besides, the MBoss is too nice-looking to pair with a belt of substandard quality.

With the grip well exposed, drawing from this Blackhawk Leather Holster is a breeze. There’s no problem getting a full firing grip while the gun is holstered—a trait I seek in any holster because it shortens the time between the draw and putting rounds on target.

This is a holster that walks a perfect line between a tactical and traditional appearance. It would make a great choice for the carbine user who’s updated their black rifle with a wooden stock, or for the detective who needs a professional, courtroom-ready look that’s also fit for patrol. And it’s great for anyone who wants to showcase a beautiful handgun with a presentation-quality holster, right on their hip.

The equestrian aspect of my life has developed the habit of judging leather not just by appearance and texture, but smell. Aromatic leather is indicative of good materials and a slow, quality tanning process. Cheap leather smells like urine, having been tanned in it. This holster has the lovely scent of a tack shop.

Early press releases from Blackhawk indicate an IWB version of the MBoss, with a snap belt loop or metal clip similar to that of their Premium Leather Holster, will be available in the future also.

I have no disagreements with the MBoss, but I do hope this Blackhawk leather holster will eventually come in a dark and/or medium brown in the future. For now, it’s doing a fine job of making both traditionalists and tactical types do a double-take to see if it’s Kydex or leather. It’s leather, but won’t ever be mistaken for your grandpa’s holster.

MSRP is $79.95. Availability is sparse as of this writing, and it’s not yet listed on the manufacturer’s website. If the splash Blackhawk gave this holster at the May 2018 NRA convention is any indication, it should show up at your favorite sporting goods supplier soon.

LAG Tactical Defender Holster Review

April 10, 2018 By Josh Leave a Comment

At the present time in firearms holster technology, if you don’t offer up something different than most others out there, you’re going to drown in the ocean of Kydex holster makers, struggling for air. L.A.G Tactical is a Kydex holster manufacturer that’s just different enough to snuff out the rest of the competition as they climb up this proverbial ladder.

I first ran into them at SHOT Show, 2017, surprisingly out on the range. I say it that way, because most holster companies choose to sit range day out, and opt to attend the greater part of the show.

After all, range day is open to only a small percentage of the people allowed to attend SHOT Show. If memory serves me correctly, only about 1,000 media pros are invited to the range each year, while somewhere in the neighborhood of 80,000 media and buyers are present at the rest of the show.

Either way, that’s where I met the folks at L.A.G Tactical, and they stand out in my memory as the company who handed me a Kydex business card holder that I still have, and use. In fact, I whipped it out when I saw them at SHOT Show, 2018 a few months back to show them I still had it, and to thank them, again.

kydex holster — LAG Tactical Defender with two Springfield Armory pistols

It was at this point where I was offered the chance to do a review on one of their holsters: The Defender.

I’m actually pretty stoked they sent it out to me, because where most plastic holsters are nearly identical to all others, the Defender has a few nice touches added that really help it stand out. They sent me two holsters of the same type for two different guns: One for a 4-inch 1911, and one for a Springfield Armory XD9, 4-inch barrel.

Both can be carried IWB or OWB depending on your preferences, and I was sent the clips for each. Though, I do feel inclined to let you know that I always prefer IWB carry in the 4 o’clock position and only had them set up for outside the waistband for a short time.

Let me start by saying that the the L.A.G. Tactical Defender Holster has since been added to the rotation of concealed carry gun holsters I use on a fairly regular basis, and retired a couple others, that I’m not a big fan of, anymore.

Hey, opinions change.

The LAG Tactical Defender Holster is comfortable. Now, I know that’s something you hear in a lot of holster reviews, but hear me out.

I traveled from my home in Pennsylvania to the mountains of North Carolina in an effort to find more affordable housing, and the only time I had the 1911 and LAG Tactical holster off my body was when I drove through communist Maryland.

Let me rephrase that for you in a different way, I took a 12 hour trip (I have 3 little kids who need the bathroom every 47 seconds so an 8 hour trip turns into 12) and I was no more uncomfortable than I would have been with my snubby revolver in my pocket, which is my usual travel gun.

As a side note, the reason why I didn’t bring my snub with me on this trip is because I had to review this holster, and thought a 12 hour trip with the gun placed at 4 o’clock would be a good demonstration of its comfort. I chose the 1911 instead of the XD9 because of its lesser capacity, overall, than the XD.

I know it sounds counter intuitive, but after speaking to a lawyer about driving through MD and realizing that I need as many things on my side as possible in case I get stopped, I opted for this pistol.

Maryland sucks for gun owners.

But, I digress …

The LAG Tactical Defender Holster is sturdy and has some great standard features that you come to expect on a modern day concealed carry gun holster, like adjustable cant and ride height. Personally speaking, I found the configuration it came in to be the most comfortable and left it that way.

The Defender is modular in that you can wear it inside the waistband, or swap it for outside the waistband use with a different set of available plastic (likely injection molded) belt clips. So, you essentially get two different holsters, if you get the extra clips.

I don’t usually carry OWB (outside the waistband), so it didn’t stay that way for long. But, when I carried that 1911 IWB (inside the waistband), it was effing dreamy. The hard, plastic Kydex shell is curved so it suctioned up to my right butt cheek like it was there from birth.

Check out the curved shape. It fits my butt like a glove.

Another thing I’m a fan of on this Kydex concealed carry gun holster is the flared lips up top. It’s the little things in life that make you stop and thank people who took the time to make something right. While it may not seem like that big of a deal, the flared top makes it that much easier on the re-holster.

Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but there aren’t many other holster manufacturers who do that.

kydex iwb holster — This baby is puckered up like a prom queen.

The fit on this $79.95 holster is great for the guns they sent me holsters for, and they fit snug inside without any excessive movement, the hardware is top quality, and the retention is adjustable. I literally have no complaints which is hard for me if you’ve read any of my other reviews on other websites.

I do believe an $80 price tag is a bit much for your average Kydex holster, but the LAG Tactical Defender Holster is far from average, so they can get away with it and likely sell them all day long. Have you tried this one yet? If so, let us know in the comments below.

Blackhawk Premium Leather IWB Holster Review

April 3, 2018 By Eve Flanigan Leave a Comment

blackhawk premium leather holster — Italian leather and unique finish make each product in this line one-of-a-kind.

Blackhawk’s new interpretation of the leather holster

The firearm accessory market, dominated in recent years by synthetic, tactical-looking, mostly black materials, is taking a turn back toward nostalgia and tradition. Wooden handguards for the AR platform are now available. And leather is back, surprisingly heralded by none other than the most tactical of companies, Blackhawk.

The Blackhawk Premium Leather line is a series of full- and compact-size, inside-and outside-waistband, series of all-leather holsters, mag pouches, and soon, belts. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to test an IWB model, secured with a belt strap/snap, for the Smith & Wesson Shield. Metal clips for IWB and slotted pancake models for OWB are also offered, as are matching mag carriers.

Its hard to keep this great-looking holster concealed. Shirt and pants by Propper. Belt by Exos Gear.

The most striking aspect of this product line is its appearance. There are two shades of brown offered, both with an antiqued look and semi-gloss finish. It’s utterly classic and attractive in either shade. The belt strap only enhances the classic profile on the test model.

Visible branding is minimal and classy. Blackhawk’s adaptation of the trident symbol is stamped at the bottom and occupies less than 0.5 square inch. On the rear is stamped the model and caliber for which the holster is made, Blackhawk’s web address, and the manufacture month/date. It sounds like a lot, but it’s subtle and not visible when wearing the holster.

Adjustable retention insures a custom fit.

This Italian-made leather gun holster is sufficiently rigid to sustain its open shape while empty and under a belt, at least so far. Model-specific fits for most major brands are available. On the Shield in this test, the cut is entirely custom, and perfectly so. There’s no wasted material to add bulk around the handgun. There’s just enough excess around the rear of the slide to prevent skin-to-steel contact.

Behind the trigger guard, thoughtful sculpting allows the wearer to obtain a firing grip while the gun is still holstered. To my mind, the ability to get a firing grip on the still-concealed gun is the first essential beyond the safety considerations of adequate trigger guard protection and gun retention. This Blackhawk Premium Holster has all three.

blackhawk leather holster — The imprint leaves no mistake as to which make and model fit inside.

Fitted for the 9mm/40SW Shield, the holster is 4.0 inches at its widest, and 6.5 inches from rear of the slide to the end of the slide. The muzzle end is open.

Re-holstering is a breeze and can safely be done while the holster is in place inside the waistband. A retention screw, a design element borrowed from synthetic holsters, adds customizable retention and peace of mind to this platform.

blackhawk shield holster — Just right. Good separation of steel from sweat with no excess material to make you sweat more.

Though I haven’t worn this holster long enough to assess whether re-holstering will remain safe as the leather breaks in, I can attest that it is comfortable when walking or sitting for extended periods. It doesn’t squeak when I walk, and drawing/re-holstering are silent—a good indication it’ll be easy on the gun’s finish over time.

Getting a firing grip right from the start is easy.

Only one trait of this holster is unappealing, in my estimation. As an equestrian who thinks the smell of luxurious leather is euphoria-inducing, this piece doesn’t cut it. Something about the treatment of this leather lends a mild odor that disappoints when I’m expecting the scent of a tack shop. But that doesn’t matter much since it’s worn a long way from the nose.

Colors are burnished or antique brown. Each piece is hand-crafted; no two are alike. As of this writing, only the three-slot pancake holster is available on the Blackhawk website; others such as the test model should be available in the next few weeks or months.

MSRP for the Blackhawk Premium Leather IWB holster is $99.95. Matching mag pouches are $49.95. The company anticipates a complementary belt release soon. For a custom leather holster look with wearable comfort it’s hard to go wrong with this one.

What are your thoughts? Do you think you’ll be in the market for one of Blackhawk’s new holsters? Let us know in the comments below. Next, find out which guns Josh thinks are the best 9mm handguns.

Blackhawk Omnivore Holster Review: It Eats (Almost) Everything

March 12, 2018 By Eve Flanigan Leave a Comment

There are lots of great full-size pistols on the market without a holster that fits. The relatively new Sarsilmaz SAR 9, for example, is a great firearm with no custom holster of its own. It took years for something other than the factory-supplied Serpa knockoff to be available for my own Canik TP9 SA.

What’s a body to do when there’s a great gun, but no holster on hand? Enter the Omnivore, by Blackhawk!. It’s a holster that fits pretty much any full-size handgun that has an accessory rail. More than that, it meets or exceeds the safety standards of many respected civilian and law enforcement institutions.

The Omnivore owes its safety to two measures of retention. It clicks into place in the holster thanks to a screw-on rail attachment that’s about the size of a Matchbox toy car. Releasing retention is accomplished by a fairly intuitive press of the thumb downward, against a padded button, during the draw.

This duo of retention devices overcome the danger factor associated with Blackhawk’s embattled Serpa design, which uses a lever inside the trigger guard as a retention device. The Serpa has become notorious for punishing people with poor finger discipline, and in two isolated cases, unintended discharges of a holstered gun allegedly happened after the lever became clogged with snow or ground debris during training exercises.

An added bonus of the rail-only retention device is that it protects the firearm’s finish. There’s no friction against the frame.

Since it is a Level 2 holster, that is to say a specific action on the part of the wearer, other than the upward draw, is required to release the firearm, the Omnivore is a handy option to have in stock for departments that require a Level 2 holster and allow employees to carry their own firearm.

The thumb-operated release requires a definite, but intuitive press during the draw. There’s an extension supplied with the holster so reaching it is never a problem with pistols that rest high in the holster. Blackhawk was serious about a universal fit with this holster.

The company maintains a list of compatible pistols on its website. As a rule, if it has a rail, it’ll fit. My guess is that the design would need revamping for the coming wave of concealment guns, like Sig Sauer’s P365 and the Springfield Armory XDE, rail guns that are well short of being full-size.

Users can mount their choice of a paddle or belt attachment. The belt slots are even adjustable for a variety of belt widths.

The Omnivore is available in right- and left-hand models. Those who carry common auxiliary lights weren’t left out; light-bearing models can accommodate either the Streamlight TLR 1 or TLR 2, or the Surefire X-300 or X-300UA.

Height of belt-mounted carry with the Omnivore is typical for a duty holster, neither high nor low. With a few reps of practice, the draw is natural and fast. This is a great holster in its own right, and a great choice for the family or facility that needs a multi-purpose holster for a variety of handguns.

While flexibility is the name of the game with the Omnivore, it does take a little time to set up for any given gun and wearer. I spent about 30 minutes reading directions, sorting the parts and hardware, and finally assembling a holster.

So far I’ve found no weaknesses in this holster; especially with the boxy light-bearing model (I own both), I was concerned that being squashed inside a seatbelt might encourage bending or brittleness. None of that has happened.

Prices vary widely, from $15 to $44 depending on vendor. Have you tried the Blackhawk Omnivore? Let us know in the comments.

Clinger Holsters, Comfort Cling Review

February 12, 2018 By Eve Flanigan Leave a Comment

Here is a Comfort Cling Review:

Seems like every week there’s a new concealment holster on the market. Many fall short of expectations for both seller and buyer for being uncomfortable to wear. Others lack sufficient retention of the gun or protection of the trigger guard, and are thus unsafe.

But there’s a new clip-less holster on the market that, in this gun wearer’s opinion, avoids those problems and has made its way into my very small stable of everyday carry (EDC) holsters. The holster, called Comfort Cling, is made by Clinger Holsters of Arkansas.

It’s a sheath, lined with non-marring ballistic nylon, and covered in an undisclosed fabric that’s soft and tends to cling to what’s touching it. Between those layers is sandwiched another proprietary, gel-like material that’s lighter than foam and meant to cushion the gun, protecting the wearer from nasty poking or abrasions during all-day wear.

Around the outside is binding secured by zig-zag stitching, holding the two halves of the sheath together. Clinger says this style of stitch won’t allow binding to catch on the gun, and so far, that’s proven true. It makes a quite smooth junction where the binding meets holster material.

A look at the ballistic nylon lining and zig-zag stitching on the binding.

Designed for inside-waistband (IWB) or pocket carry, Comfort Cling features a tab in front of the trigger guard, extending to underneath the muzzle end, to keep it oriented inside a pocket. It’s not the first holster designed this way, but it is the first I’ve seen on which the tab is padded like the rest of the holster.

The Comfort Cling comes in just two sizes—single and double stack. For the last month or so, I’ve been wearing the single stack model IWB at the two o’clock position. In addition to mundane activities like errands and work around the house, I’ve ridden horses and did an eight-mile strenuous hike with the Comfort Cling and a Glock 43 inside it as companions. Even though the official testing is over, I’m still wearing the holster—and it takes quite a winner to tear me away from my go-to holsters for any length of time.

A very comfortable holster for active people and probably less active ones too.

I’ve worn the Comfort Cling primarily with two belts—the Exos bridle leather gun belt and Nexbelt, both made for carry. With higher-waisted, snug pants, I can also wear it with no belt at all—with the caveat that the grip tends to tilt forward and print, or at least feel like it will, unless I maintain perfectly straight sitting posture.

It’s remained as secure than one of the other two holsters I wear habitually, the Sticky Holster. It differs from the Sticky in its slightly more grainy, less tacky texture, and lighter weight. As for the texture, imagine attempting to scoot across a soft leather couch with bare legs. It’s comfortable. It’s clingy.

In what could be applauded for truth in advertising, Clinger Holsters’ description of the Comfort Cling says it can be worn in beltless waistbands, but the tighter, the more secure. That’s accurate. Even pajamas, sweats, and gym shorts, it goes on to say. That’s a stretch, unless those garments have a drawstring. Placing two, not just one, half hitches at the beginning of tying a bow will make a waistband tight and keep a holster secure.

The Comfort Cling is safe in terms of retention and trigger guard protection, for a majority of daily activities. Jobs that include turning upside down or crawling on one’s belly, if carrying IWB, could spell trouble for retention. Could I press a solid, narrow object into the trigger guard sufficiently far to activate the trigger? Yes, but with great effort, and that ability is removed when the holster is also protected by a waistband. For me and my fairly active life, it’s perfectly safe.

The company says the Comfort Cling doesn’t collapse when the gun is removed—a potentially huge advantage where re-holstering into any soft holster is concerned. While It doesn’t go completely flat, I still find myself “fishing” a bit with the muzzle in order to reholster. That’s never acceptable for safety. It’s really no problem to withdraw it, holster safely, and reinsert the whole works into the waistband or pocket.

A safe way to reholster into the Comfort Carry–your muzzle is not a searching tool!

Remembering the correct name of Clinger Holsters’ Comfort Cling holster may present a challenge for modern minds, usually full of useless but competing information from commercial bombardment. To complicate matters, the company logo is a cute, cartoonish crab.

I find myself wanting to say “Crabby holster” before sorting through all the similar words under the brand to arrive at the correct one. Maybe that’s just me and the effects of too much unventilated indoor shooting earlier in life. A little branding issue doesn’t reduce my affection for this easy-wearing holster.

comfort cling vs sticky — Comfort Cling bottom and Sticky top. Similar but not the same.

Comfort Cling is allegedly more durable than the Sticky brand. Had I a few more years to test it and get it to the state of wear my Sticky is in, I might be able to comment with a qualified opinion. Both last a long time; longer than expected for an economy holster.

Speaking of money, here’s where the Comfort Cling wins the day as a relative equal to the Sticky Holster. $19.99 is the price, with a two-week refund policy and a one-year warranty. Sticky, by comparison, retails for $29.95 and has a lifetime workmanship guarantee. I now use both, depending on the gun I’m carrying.

Both serve me well. The Comfort Cling can be a great choice for anyone searching for a secure but comfortable and quick to don or shed carry system, and the financial risk is low; very low in comparison to some systems.