View Full Version : In need of a new holster...
I'm carrying an old POS leather one. Florida is super hot for Kydex. I've been looking at Raven though.
My job dictates I can NOT carry appendix.
I carry 4-430 canted. G19
This holster prints. Too hot to wear lots of layers.
Thoughts? Anyone use some of the Raven holsters?
mkmckinley
01-01-16, 14:22
I run a Bladetech Nano 4:00 in NC year-round. There are a few similar designs out there but the nano is cheap and widely available without wait (and made in the USA). The nano also allows a little cant adjustment. I don't notice any issues with the kydex in the heat inless I'm backpacking or something. In that case I generally go OWB anyway. Good luck with your search
HBE Leatherworks makes some great stuff. I have one of them and love it. http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/
This JM custom hybrid might work as well. http://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/HYBRID.html
I'm carrying an old POS leather one. Florida is super hot for Kydex. I've been looking at Raven though.
My job dictates I can NOT carry appendix.
I carry 4-430 canted. G19
This holster prints. Too hot to wear lots of layers.
Thoughts? Anyone use some of the Raven holsters?
How about a hybrid with Horsehide backer or a totally horsehide holster?
Crossbreed or White Hat Holsters http://www.whitehatholsters.com/
http://www.kramerleather.com/home.cfm
titsonritz
01-01-16, 15:45
I love my Raven Phantoms. IWB or OWB works great.
Leather is markedly worse than Kydex in a high heat and humidity environment. Leather is hydroscopic - it absorbs humidity which can eventually cause corrosion issues. Especially if you store your pistol IN your holster.
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"One cannot awaken a man who pretends to be asleep."
I also prefer leather for IWB carry. I highly recommend these
http://rgrizzleleather.com/iwb-holsters.html?m
I have the RNR model for my G19 and for my shield. They take a little bit to break in. Very well made. I have never had the holster follow the gun when I draw. I switched from a Milt Sparks SS to these. Much more comfortable. The snaps on the Summer Special wore out after about a year. I would occasionally brush the snaps with my forearm and unsnap them. This is a better design.
How about a hybrid with Horsehide backer or a totally horsehide holster?
Crossbreed or White Hat Holsters http://www.whitehatholsters.com/
http://www.kramerleather.com/home.cfm
+1 on the crossbreed. I have 2 IWB in horse hide PPQ and a PPS and love them.
JackFanToM
01-01-16, 16:27
StealthGear Oynx...it BREATHES!!!!
http://stealthgearusa.com/products/sgusa-holsters-for-the-walther-ppq-m1-or-m2?variant=2919153156
I posted the Walther PPQ section, as that is what I carry in mine
I have Raven Phantoms for my 1911's, Sig 226, HK P30 & my G17, which I also use for the G19. So, yeah, I like them. The one for my 1911's & G17 have been in constant use for about 10 years.
jdavis6576
01-01-16, 17:32
I tried the Comp-Tac hybrid but much prefer thr JM Custom IWB3, carry year around in NC with it. Much cooler than leather.
http://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/IWB3.html
I like the Phantom for OWB. Comptac Minotaur is good for IWB. Both with a G19.
I actually used a comp tac ctac and loved it for 4:00 carry. It's very thin, and fully adjustable for cant, ride hight, and retention. You can get a ton of belt attachment options as well.
All that said, the only other full holster I've used was a Galco that's less than worthless for iwb.
I would go kydex in fl. Phantom looks great, only raven experience is with vangaurd and vg2, which may alo be a viable option for you. The vg2 works for occasional 4:00, don't know how well it would be liked for all the time.
Good to see you back here.
The phantom is a great holster, though I never tried it IWB. I can conceal a FS M&P with X300U in one with some VERTX pants and an REI workout shirt. Their Morrigan is a good option too, at the price point. If you really want leather, check out RE Factor Tactical's holsters. They're made by someone else (Blackpoint or something like that) but are a leather kydex mix that looks more functional than some of the other brands, IMO.
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I'm carrying an old POS leather one. Florida is super hot for Kydex. I've been looking at Raven though.
My job dictates I can NOT carry appendix.
I carry 4-430 canted. G19
This holster prints. Too hot to wear lots of layers.
Thoughts? Anyone use some of the Raven holsters?
If your not dead set against kydex, I highly recommend JM Custom kydex IWB. The CrossBreeds are nice also, but 99% of the time I prefer the JM. Does well with shorts, polo or t shirt with PPQ, probably do even better with G19.
G19 Driver
01-01-16, 20:48
RCS Phantom is the best holster I have come across in 25 years.
Blackpoint Tactical kydex leather winged OWB holsters, beats them all, * for me .* And yes they stay close to your body.
http://www.blackpointtactical.com/
I've been carrying this Raven around 300-330. The longer Comp-tac clips seem to make the difference for me as the holster can cant with me as I sit, stand or drive. The only thing I might modify is the bottom corner of the holster as that part prints when I sit, but again I am sitting so its not a huge deal.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4481604/forum-pics/19-xc1-1200.jpg
For pure comfort but without the light, the Comp-tac Minatour MTAC is the best I have tried.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4481604/forum-pics/mtac-19rmr-01.jpg
I have used the phantom both IWB and OWB. I prefer it more OWB with the pancake loops but is very functional IWB with the soft loops.
I use Raven holsters exclusively. It's not that I'm brand myopic - Raven's holsters have just always delivered.
I've used the Phantom line (mostly OWB). Phenomenal retention and great for training.
For daily carry, I like the VanGuard 2 (appendix). There is no way that minimalist design will make you sweat. It doesn't have to be set up appendix style, either. Versatile little piece of kit. I am going to give the Eidolon a try as well.
Not sure what you mean by Fla being too hot for Kydex. Do you leave your gun in the car a lot??? Im in TX and Kydex is all I use.
Raven is great. My Glock and MP holsters work awesome IWB or OWB. Oddly neither the P30 or VP9 work IWB, but are superb OWB.
JK Custom Kydex is also one to consider as is Dark Star Gear. Leather wise, I've used Milt Sparks for my 1911's and the VM2 is super comfy.
I'm carrying an old POS leather one. Florida is super hot for Kydex. I've been looking at Raven though.
My job dictates I can NOT carry appendix.
I carry 4-430 canted. G19
This holster prints. Too hot to wear lots of layers.
Thoughts? Anyone use some of the Raven holsters?
Raven's Vanguard 2 is nice, but that offers zero sweat protection.
Dark Star Gear makes some nice custom holsters (I think there's one called the Summer Special that might be suited for what you describe).
Raven is coming out with a Morrigan, which seems like a very reasonably priced, slim, low-profile option.
Leather is markedly worse than Kydex in a high heat and humidity environment. Leather is hydroscopic - it absorbs humidity which can eventually cause corrosion issues. Especially if you store your pistol IN your holster.
Agreed. Leather can also absord sweat, which makes it nasty over time.
+1 on the crossbreed. I have 2 IWB in horse hide PPQ and a PPS and love them.
I have a Crossbreed in Horse Hide. Superb quality, but I prefer something more minimalist.
Stealth gear is by far more comfy than any other type of hybrid. Actually the most comfortable holster I have ever used.
Another vote for Raven. I have 4 Phantoms that I have been using for the last few years, both owb and iwb, with great results. I have a drawer of holsters (like most here I'm sure) and the Phantoms are the only ones that see use.
Thanks a lot for the replies. Super busy at work and with my son so it's hard to get on here until now.
I wanted lots of opinions so I could find stuff I haven't heard of before, I'm liking that comp-tac. I like a lot of those leather style too .
Florida is hot. No I don't leave my pistol in the car?? Kydex can get uncomfortable when sweating or being outside IMO.
Anyways I was just getting some new input. I can't remember the name of the Raven I looked at, it was a wierd name and looked more of an ABS plastic than kydex.
Thanks again to all of you taking the time to reply and give input
Sounds like the eidolon or vanguard2. I get what your saying, you don't want a giant piece of plastic against your skin when sweating, right?
I wore underarmor 7nder my gun and carried in a vangaurd when I was in sw Florida.
I don't think I will ever order kydex that isn't JM custom kydex jmcustomkydex (https://www.jmcustomkydex.com). I am up to 6 of his holsters and I love all of them. I have an IWB2 with and without light attached for 1911s, Glock 34 and Glock 17. Each one is awesome and hides the gun well. While I am not in the florida heat most of the time I do make business trips to Southern California and take my pistol with me and it hides just fine under a t-shirt or untucked Polo.
As for leather I recently ordered some leather from Lobo leather Lobo gunleather (http://www.lobogunleather.com) and have been really impressed by the quality and how well their traditional belt holsters hide guns. Their enhanced pancake model makes a 4 inch N-Frame smith disappear under a t-shit. The smith is generally carried while hiking as it works well for anything I will run across in the Pacific NW trails, but with all the gun scared liberals moving up here I like to keep it concealed and this holster is great for that. I am also a fan of their enhanced avenger, but that works better for an open front garment as it rides really high.
good luck in your search.
Haven't seen anyone mention AlienGear. I have a CloakTuck 3.0 for a 5in Sig 1911. Before I actually picked it up I didn't think there was anyway I'd be able to conceal a full size 1911 in anything short of a parka, but even at 5'8" 157lbs the whole gun hides under a fitted t-shirt at the 4:30 position right over my back pocket. Now I'm far from what anyone would consider an expert in concealed holsters, but I've been very impressed with their product. Given it's performance on a full sized gun, I expect it would more than exceed your expectations with a smaller framed gun. Its kydex on the outside, but its got a neoprene backing so its really pretty comfortable.
I use kydex pancake style holsters (similar to the Raven but made by ZCS) with Comptac clips, very similar to the setup tonyxcom posted on the last page, for my P2000, VP9 and Shield. I carry right at 0300 and it works well for me even in the summer with t-shirts. The clips help distribute the weight well and being offset keeps the setup thin. I may eventually cut down the ends of the clips now that I have the height set but it hasn't bothered me enough to do it yet.
The Raven Phantom is a good do most anything IWB/ OWB holster. I have a few laying around. I see it as a OWB that can be used IWB. I have pulled the IWB soft loops off and put the OWB loops back on. I have one JM Custom with 2 more on order. Their IWBs are fantastic.
I bought a Theis All Kydex for the wife. It can be worn inside the waist band or between the belt & pants. I like it so much, I'll be ordering one for myself
https://theisholsters.com/productDetails.php?pcID=16
Sparky5019
01-09-16, 19:44
http://www.trholsters.com
Best Kydex I've ever seen or used. Just sayin.
http://www.trholsters.com
Best Kydex I've ever seen or used. Just sayin.
Pretty sure that's the same as the guy on eBay right?
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Sparky5019
01-09-16, 20:13
Pretty sure that's the same as the guy on eBay right?
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I believe he has an eBay store as well. Why do you ask?
brickboy240
01-11-16, 10:07
Honestly, I was a total "leather holsters or nothing" guy before I bought the Raven Phantom for my G19. Tried a Comp Tac kydex and did not like it, either.
I really...really like the Phantom and suggest it to anyone. It is very comfortable (I know...this is subjective) and I carry it in a similarly hot and humid climate here in Houston. Very fast holster and I have found that it takes very little work to hide it under my clothing.
I would give the Phantom a try - I never liked kydex at all until I bought one of these!
StealthGear Oynx...it BREATHES!!!!
http://stealthgearusa.com/products/sgusa-holsters-for-the-walther-ppq-m1-or-m2?variant=2919153156
I posted the Walther PPQ section, as that is what I carry in mine
This is what I was going to suggest. It's the most comfortable holster I've worn, and as JackFanToM said, the backing material does breathe to a certain degree as opposed to leather or kydex.
JackFanToM
01-13-16, 09:54
As a comparison - the comp-tac Minotaur was what I used prior. The Minotaur was excellent, or so I thought. One day carrying a oynx and I never used the Minotaur again. Oynx is lighter, more comfortable, the kydex used is better shaped and thicker, and the hardware is better. In addition the Minotaur tended to flex and shift a bit, but the Oynx does not.
OWB or IWB? For OWB leather I like the Kramer belt scabbard, for iwb the most concealable holster I've ever used is the milt sparks nexus. I can conceal a g19 under a white t shirt with the nexus, it has maximum depth and extreme cant but you can still get a 100% full firing grip easily. If you're looking for strong side iwb I can't recommend the nexus enough.
If you are going to switch to kydex Raven is top notch. They will stand behind their product no matter what and the quality and detail they put in their product is what separates them from many of the other kydex holster makers.
If you are looking at the leather / kydex hybrid holsters I say go with Jason Christensen from Concealment Solutions which is located out in Utah. Jason is another one of those guys that puts a lot of small details in his product to make them better and is awesome to work with for custom work. He also has a lot of different options such as horse hide for the leather and he can make a holster for pretty much any gun even some of the less common ones.
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