A while back I ran into L.A.G. Tactical. I had heard of them before, but was able to talk with them at the Axelson Tactical grand opening event. I really liked what I was seeing. Later I contacted them and they agreed to send me a holster for review. All of their holsters and accessories are made from Kydex here in the U.S.A.

Now, as most holster manufacturers do, they make a bunch of different styles and colors. I chose the Defender model in O.D. Green. The Defender is L.A.G.'s combination Inside the waistband (IWB) / Outside the waistband model (OWB). The way they do this is really quit simple, basically they send IWB and OWB belt clips with the holster. Being a style of pancake holster, it uses rivet holes on each end to attach either belt loops or hooks. All the necessary hardware is supplied. Loctite is recommended when attaching the screws, but some of them come with thread locker already on them.

What sets L.A.G. apart from other holster manufactures is their actual attention to detail. When you go to order one of these holsters, they have drop down menus that ask you just about everything to make the holster fit correctly. Of course one of them is what gun model, of which they have plenty. But some of the other menus are what surprised me. First of which is where the holster will be carried, 2-3 or 3:30-5 o'clock. Then they have a menu for what side of the firearm is the magazine release on. The angle you would like the firearm to sit, 90°, 10°, or 20° cant. Next comes if you are primarily using it IWB or OWB. Now for what I thought was really great, they ask your waist size so they can get the curvature closer to what you need. Along with this, they ask is if you are Male or Female. Then they have a box for special requests. You also can choose separate front and back kydex colors. And last, the size and type of belt loops.

One can also select the thickness of kydex for the holster. They have standard at 0.060" and heavy duty at 0.080". I chose the standard. But if I had to do it again I would have chose the heavy duty. I like the feel of the thicker kydex and the standard kydex seems to flex a bit. But if it is used primarily as an IWB holster, this flex should make it more comfortable. And since I wore it as both, It did work well as an IWB holster. But I prefer it as an OWB rig.

The quality of this holster is fantastic. The guns fit inside the holster is great. Draws from both IWB and OWB are nice and smooth. Reholstering is easy thanks to a slightly flared top. The Defender has an adjustable screw tension. So if you want more or less resistance, it is possible. The kydex if formed nicely. Since mine is for a 1911, they have a nicely molded cover over the safety and mag release. I really liked the covered safety as it makes it way harder for the safety to accidentally come off, it also doesn't jab me in the side. The front and rear pieces are also nicely trimmed and smoothed together.

I carried the holster IWB off and on for about 3 months. It works nicely, and actually made carrying a full size heavy pistol not so bad. It did take about a week for me to get use to wearing it IWB. Having the ability to adjust the ride height helps with the comfort. When I switched it to OWB, and used it at a few pistol matches, it worked very well. Do I have any problems with this holster? Not really, but it does make a better OWB than IWB. But you can't have your cake and eat it too.

L.A.G. Tactical has also gotten some new publicity in partnering with Tactical Insider and Craig Sawyer on a special Defender series holster. If you are in the market for a good quality kydex holster, do not overlook L.A.G. Tactical. I personally would buy a holster from them or send someone their way. Plus as a bonus they can be purchased from Cabela's, but without all the options available at L.A.G. Tactical's website.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Kydex Inside / Outside waistband convertible holster

Target Market:

Concealed carriers, IDPA shooters, or General range use

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Kydex
Inside waistband carry
Outside waistband carry
Supplied with both belt clips
Adjustable retention
Semi-custom for body fit
Color options
Thickness options
Made in USA
Adjustable ride height

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Lots of different color and pistol models available

What others are saying?:

Outstanding Holster 5/5 Stars @ LApolicegear.com

I use this LAG Tactical holster set up for IWB with my S&W Shield. Very well made product. all edges are smooth. Molded for perfect fit with my pistol. Very comfortable, even when against my bare skin this summer. Highly recommended!

Pros: Holster completely covers muzzle and front sight -- a big plus in my opinion. Top of outside edge is flared just a bit and that makes "finding" the top of the holster and getting the pistol back in during re-holstering a breeze. Kydex is stiff enough so, when worn, holster holds it shape when pistol is removed -- making re-holstering easy.

Cons: None!

Great holster 4/5 Stars @ LAGTactical.com

Great holster,very comfortable, tight at first but now it is perfect and still retains my pistol very well, has served me well so far, if you are in and out of vehicles all day i would recommend getting thicker kydex as mine is starting to crack, around the trigger guard but that is to be expected as my pistol grip catches on the vehicle during enbus/debus, but i think the next thickness would mitigate that.