UPDATE 17Jan2011: As promised I am updating my original review, as I have received the newer model of holster offered by Personal Security Systems. Review of the new model follows the original review.
I was clued into Personal Security Systems' holsters by Beretta96fs here and it looked like it fit the bill for what I was looking for: a kydex pancake without the 3-month wait time Raven carries. I sent off an e-mail to Steve of PSS and awaited the arrival of my new holster.
When the package arrived (a very short 2 weeks later) I tore into it like a kid on Christmas morning. I opted for a magazine holder to compliment the holster. Both are nicely contoured to fit the waistline, although if this were not the case it's easy enough to fix by means of careful application of a heat gun. The standard belt loops offered are 1.5"; I had requested 1.75" and they were substituted free of charge.
Holster retention is in my mind perfect: not too loose where the loaded gun easily falls out, nor too tight where my pants come up with it during the draw. Having run a few drills at the range, I feel safe in that the gun won't be going anywhere until I make it.
There is no doubt in my mind that this holster will last very long and hold up to much wear-and-tear; I've absolutely no fear that it may crack due to being too thin (as it is fairly stout material).
Considering the pricing, fast turn around, and great service offered by Steve at PSS, I recommend these holsters to anyone wanting a fine product.
Updated Review
Since November when I first posted my review, Steve at PSS has received much feedback regarding the holsters they make. One of the more common complaints was the excess material at the muzzle-end of the holsters; in the new model the kydex is trimmed much closer to the muzzle thereby eliminating this excess material. For those of you who do like the extra material along the bottom edge, you're still in luck: keeping the material along the bottom is an option.
The new model is on the left
As can be seen in the photo, the molding with the new holsters is much more (for lack of a better word) detailed. This is due to two things. First, the kydex used in my holster is 0.06" while the older made use of 0.08". Steve has said he uses the thinner on his personal set up (as well as the backing for colored pieces) and has had no issue with it in terms of strength and longevity. The thickness of kydex used is yet another option the customer can make while placing an order. Secondly, I'm told the equipment in use at PSS has gone through a renovation of sorts. They are now using a much more heavy press that allows for a closer mold to the model, which in and of itself serves two purposes as I see it: aesthetics and retention.
With the closer mold more material dips into the trigger guard, thereby increasing the retention. The retention with this new holster is much more strong than that of my original. That's not to say I found the retention lacking with my original; quite the opposite, in fact. With this new holster however, a deliberate and solid motion is necessary to remove the firearm. Your gun sure as hell won't be going anywhere until you make it.
Frankly I didn't know what I was missing with my older holster until the new one arrived. The body-side of the holster is more relieved which aids in attaining proper grip during the draw. While there is still a sweat-guard along the slide (in contrast to Raven Concealment's 'Magpul cut') I have no issue in gripping my Glock properly under both static drills and while moving.
Part of the material removed uncovers the magazine release. While I don't feel that having this exposed presents a problem, it is a change from the older model.
The top edge of the holster is cut in such a way that it does not rub the middle finger while gripping the firearm. While I had no issue with rubbing with my old holster, the new model has slightly more material removed to further eliminate this from happening.
The last of the major improvements is the hardware used. The screws themselves have a larger and rounded head, and from my as-of-yet-limited experience messing around with this setup, are snag free. Sandwiched between the holster body and belt loops is a thin rubber washer. From what I can tell this serves to help eliminate squeaking caused by the rubbing of the kydex rivets, as well as provide enough resistance to help keep the screws from backing out. A little threadlocker never hurt, however (and is indeed suggested on the handling and care sheet included in the shipping package).
All in all, I think the improvements offered by the new model of Personal Security Systems kydex holster work great. The final product is no-nonsense, and in my eye leaves little room for further improvement.
Disclosure Statement: In the interest of full-disclosure, I received the new & updated holster as a gift from Steve and his staff at Personal Security Systems as a token of gratitude for the business generated by my original review here at M4Carbine.net
Originally Posted by Heidevolk
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