Victory Operational Works is a veteran owned company making a unique holster system. The Crusader is a 2 piece multi-use holster which is not your typical pancake style. Victory Operational Works also has one called the Crusader Max which has a built in mag carrier. I chose the standard Crusader in Kryptek Neptune, but Victory also sent me one of their Conspirator individual magazine carriers to try out. It is also in Kryptek Neptune. Both of which exude quality.

The Crusader comes complete with everything you need. When I say everything, it really means everything. When you pull the Crusader out of its nicely sealed packaging, a bag of accessories comes out with it. In this little bag is all the extra hardware you need to change the Crusader from an inside the waistband (IWB) holster, to an outside the waistband (OWB) holster. This includes screws, rubber grommets, Torx style allen wrench, etc. The OWB mounting isn’t just some flimsy belt loops, Victory Operational Works gives you an official Blade-Tech Tek Lok to use for OWB carry. The Tek Lok is a proven secure mounting method that has built in belt width adjustments. For IWB use, the Crusader holster comes, out of the package, with an installed Discreet Carry Concepts 1.5” monoblock. The DCC clip also has a laser engraved “V” on it which is a really nice quality touch that I haven’t seen before. In my opinion, the DCC clips are the best IWB clips around. So check a box for Victory doing stuff correctly.

With all those mounting options, Victory goes one step farther with the Crusader. The Crusader has a bunch of different mounting hole options. Essentially, all these holes give the user plenty of different options for carrying the holster by being able to mount the belt clip or Tek Lok. Most notably are the different holes for ride height and cant. With the IWB and DCC option, you have 2 different ride height adjustments, as well as a cant option. There are 2 different ride height adjustments in the OWB configuration. Besides the supplied mounting options, Victory puts in a bunch of different holes for OWB carry. This allows you to install your own type of OWB attachments. Most notably are the Safariland mounting hole pattern. I ended up mounting a QLS fork from Safariland so I can quickly just add or remove the Crusader from my battle belt. All of the mounting holes are riveted so they will last a lifetime. Another check for the quality box.

When it comes to the Crusader itself, it is unique. I say this because the holster is constructed of 2 separate pieces. A front piece and a back piece. They are molded to each individual firearm, to make a complete holster, by custom made inhouse jigs. Then they are mounted together with 4 screws and rubber bushings. These 4 mounting points also make it possible for the end user to adjust the tension on the holster. You can make the gun fit super loose, or super tight. Adjust the 2 down by the trigger guard for that “snap in” feel, but keep the other 2 screws looser, and the pistol seems to glide out of the holster with ease. Or tighten them all up equally for more of that normal holster feel. The way Victory makes these 2 sides allows for tall sight and slide ride optics. The Crusader is an open bottom style holster. The open bottom allows lint and stuff to not build up in the holster. It also allows for the use of threaded barrels and compensators to stick out the end of the holster, if you are using such products. One thing I noticed about the Crusader, is that it angles the butt end of the pistol in toward your body. I really liked this as it helps to hide the grip a little better.

Victory Operational Works also sent their Conspirator magazine pouch. The Conspirator is a molded, universal, single mag carrier for double stack magazines . It also comes with all the hardware that the Crusader comes with, plus some options for a different style of DCC clip. The mag holder is the same excellent quality of the Crusader. It also has multiple holes for mounting it however one would like, angled either direction, straight, lower, higher, etc. One of the features, of the Conspirator, is the insert piece that lets you adjust the magazine's retention. Not by just clamping the screws tighter, but an adjustable drag plate inside the magazine pouch. I really like the Conspirator mag pouch. It may seem expensive at $49.99, but when you figure in all the mounting hardware, it’s a decent value.

Every convertible holster has some trade offs. For me, the Crusader makes an excellent OWB holster. I like everything about it in that configuration. Where I think the trade off is, is in the IWB configuration. Because of the 2 piece design, there is a little more material to try and hide. This caused the holster and pistol to print more for me at the 2:30-3 o’clock position. Appendix carry was a little better, but not much. I really appreciated the designed in angles, or curves, that Victory puts into the holster. These angles make it a very comfortable holster to wear for IWB carry. Even if it does print more for me. Those angles also make it more comfortable for OWB carry. The Crusader also is made so that the pistol's magazine release button is not covered by the holster. This allows you to change a magazine without unholstering the pistol. But for me, it means that the holster itself won’t drop the magazine. Which has happened to me before. So nice job Victory.

If you are looking for that one do-all holster, the Crusader from Victory Operational Works just might be it. The quality and craftsmanship are top notch, even down to using torx head screws that are used throughout the holster. It has great adjustability and comes with everything you need to convert it between IWB and OWB carry. Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty, you should go take a look at Victory Operational Works and the Crusader holster.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Quality Universal kydex holster

Target Market:

Anyone needing a do-all holster

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Blade-Tech Tek-Lok included for OWB carry, offering two different carry options, vertical and FWD cant
Discreet Carry Concepts 1.5” Monoblock Clip, with “V” laser engraved including mounting hardware for IWB carry, offering three different carry options, two ride height options with .5” difference and FWD cant
All mounting hardware is stainless steel for strength and to prevent rusting
Four adjustable retention points, two on the trigger guard side and two on the slide side, creating a sandwich type retention that applies equal pressure around the holster that maintains a perfect fit regardless of how tight or loose the retention is set
Three point angle adjustment in OWB configuration utilizing the Tek Lok and rubber bushings
Final fit on each holster performed with actual handgun, never plastic guns
Open access to magazine release so magazine can be removed while handgun remains safely holstered
Positive pressure created by rubber bushing on all hard points, eliminating the need for thread lock
T-15 tool included with each holster
Highly polished edge treatment
OWB hole pattern is universal and compatible with G-Code RTI, Safariland QLS and Blade-Tech to name a few
Muzzle end is open
Rear sight catch to rack slide single handed
Every hole drilled is finished with an eyelet for added strength at each hard point
Optic compatible cut front plate and relief channel created on back plate
No questions asked LifeTime Warranty