RPS Tactical Adaptive Holster Review

Everyone has been there; the drawer or tupperware container full of holsters. You’ve tried numerous ones, and there is always some sort of issue with them. The holster is too bulky; the holster doesn’t have any flex to work with your body shape; it only allows for one method of carry or storage. RPS Tactical has addressed these issues. Located in Fairfield, Maine, RPS Tactical was started by a local LEO and his brother, with a focus on making holsters, belts & nylon gear along with many other custom items. I spent some time with Rob and his brother Nick and discussed the way they make their holsters, as well as the way they hand stitch their belts. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality is very apparent in the way they make their items and the final product they put out. They are also willing to work with the customer. When I wanted to get a holster made by them, they didn’t have the mold for my Steyr C9A1 (most people don’t) and they were willing to let me bring my firearm over for them to mold the holster. I know another individual who had a specific need and they worked with him to get the holster and belt exactly as he wanted it. With the owner of RPS Tactical being a law enforcement officer, they have a really good understanding of what goes into comfortable everyday carry of firearms and other gear.

I did a podcast with the guys at RPS and they made me the Adaptive Holster for my Steyr for me to evaluate. I spent almost 8 months carrying my Steyr with the Adaptive holster in the IWB and then the OWB configurations. I had long road trips in the car, range trips, working outside, going on walks with my wife and son & pretty much every single other everyday thing you do. The Adaptive holster is a kydex shell with a sturdy leather  backing. On the body side of the backing material is the soft side of industrial strength velcro. This allows for various mounting options if you purchase the corresponding velcro patches that can be affixed to any surface. For my body type, I found the OWB configuration worked better for me. I carried setup as IWB from June to about November, when I switched to the OWB configuration as the weather got colder and I could start wearing jackets. The IWB worked good, but with my body type I’ve found that IWB can be uncomfortable over extended periods of time. I am confident other people that don’t have issues with IWB carry will find the RPS Tactical Adaptive holster very comfortable.

During my time wearing the holster (and I am still wearing it to this day) i noticed no abnormal wear or any hardware backing out or failing on it. Everything was very sturdy, reholstering was very easily accomplished, and the trigger guard was suitably covered. The kydex is molded to your specific firearm, and the retention was fantastic.  As with most high quality holsters, the leather backing was cut to allow for a full grip on the firearm prior to drawing.

One thing I will also note is the soft side velcro backing. While it is there for the mounting options as we discussed before, it also makes for very comfortable carry if the holster is directly against your skin. I, like many people, do not enjoy having a tucked in shirt. I have used other holsters that have the large leather backing and oftentimes found that when they were against bare skin that there was a lot of perspiration and discomfort especially in the hot summer months. It seems like the soft velcro backing on the body side of the holster allows some air to get in between the backing and your skin, preventing any perspiration or discomfort from occurring. For those of you who like to wear a tucked in shirt, the IWB configuration is tuckable as well. There are other carry options for the adaptive holster as well, including a paddle mount or  purchasing the RPS Tactical Shoulder harness and using your existing holster as a shoulder holster.

If you are looking for a very high quality holster (or any other pieces of high quality gear) from a fantastic small business, look no further than RPS Tactical. Their commitment to their products long after it has left their shop is telling. I have had multiple people come back to me after I have steered them toward RPS Tactical for their holster needs and tell me that they were so happy to work with RPS. Rob and Nick were very attentive to their needs and oftentimes they ended up getting fitted out with belts and other items above and beyond what their original request was. That speaks volumes as to the character and dedication that the guys at RPS have to customer satisfaction. I was very happy to evaluate their holster, and would highly recommend their products to my friends and family, for both duty & EDC use.  

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS

CLAIM TO FAME:

Adaptive Holster System (Various Mounting Options)

TARGET MARKET:

Those wanting a high quality holster for everyday carry that can be utilized in a variety of ways.

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):

• Convertible between IWB & OWB

• Tuckable during IWB carry

• Soft side velcro backing against the body

• Sturdy leather backing with cut to allow full grip of firearm before drawing.

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

Various color options/finishes including Kryptek, Carbon Fiber, Coyote Tan & more

LINK TO OTHER REVIEWS:

Tactical Toolbox Review

PRICE POINT:

$65.00 (various options may be extra)

I NEED IT NOW! AVAILABILITY:

RPS Tactical LLC

OUR RATING:

Alex & Ryan Design Kydex Light Bearing Holster

I first heard of Alex and Ryan Design from my friend who bought a cuff holster from them. I looked into them a little bit and sent a few emails back and forth. After getting their advice(they answer their own email) I ordered the holster featured here and a double mag holster for IWB. I very promptly received an email from Alex saying that he thought it’d be more comfortable if I had 2 single mag holsters.

I went with his recommendation as he’s the expert. When I received the product I was a little shocked that it came in a plastic shipping bag as opposed to a box but my fears were immediately set aside as I inspected the holsters for damage. They’re definitely strong and durable to travel through the postal system unscathed. I grabbed my Glock 19 with Inforce APL and quickly, yet safely, inserted it into the holster, and then the whole contraption into my pants. I decided that it needed more retention so I removed it and tightened it with a coin, like many other smart designs allow. After some trial and error I got it to a retention level that I felt comfortable with.

The inside of the holster is smooth and allows for quick retrieval of your weapon while the outside has the familiar feel of kydex, rough yet soft. Wearing this has been a breeze and comfort has never been an issue. I've since wore it to two weddings, one of which I was a groomsmen, and no one had a clue. I recently tripped while running and the holster held up, kept my firearms secure, and only suffered some light scratches. A nice thing about its design is that I’ve successfully carried this setup as appendix, on the hip, behind the hip, and small of back positions. The clip on it is very sturdy yet still flexible to enough to bend far beyond any belt they can accommodate. I’m unsure of a way to make it any better without the addition of adjustable cant.

Claim to Fame: Comfortable and quality holster

Target Market: Concealed carriers

FNBs:

• Custom made to your setup
• Many firearms choices
• Adjustable retention
• 10 degree cant optional(non light bearing)
• Options for different lights
• Suppressor sights chanel optional
• Optional lifetime warranty on all parts and hardware
• 3 different sweat guard heights

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

There are too many for me to list so here’s a couple cool ones: Multicam, Tiffany Blue, 9 Kryptek designs, classic black, and many more.

What others are saying?

You can find reviews on their site for this holster

Price point:

$48.99 and up depending on options chosen. $65.99 as designed in this review.

I need it now! Availability:

It’s a custom made product so it takes 2-3 weeks to produce depending on their other orders. There is an option for rush orders and they’ll ship in 3-5 business days.

Our Rating:

Pros:

• Tough design, .080 thickness
• 100% American made using American made hardware and equipment
• Full combat grip
• Easy reholstering (kydex retains weapon shape)

Cons:

• Preset 0° cant on light bearing, 0° or 10° degree cant on non light bearing
• Neutral: At the time, it wasn’t offered at Appendix with RCS claw. It is now offered as such.

Score 8.5

Bravo Concealment RTT Holster Combo Pack

I remember listening to a podcast back when I first became a gun owner, and one of the hosts jokingly claimed that when you become a concealed carrier, you are almost guaranteed to have a drawer full of holsters at some point. Sure enough I can support that claim now that I have multiple handguns, each of them needing a holster for inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB) carry. Add in a mounted weapon light, and thats another set of holsters. The good news is many other gun owners have the same problem, and kydex holster companies have attempted convertible holsters that can easily be swapped between OWB and IWB.

One such holster is the RTT Holster from Bravo Concealment. Available in a combo pack that includes both IWB and OWB belt clips for either training or competition use, or carrying concealed inside the waistband. The combo pack also includes kydex magazine holsters, either as two single mag pouches or one double mag pouch.  The RTT holster is designed to fulfill most of the requirements for a defensive pistol class setting, all for one solid price.

The RTT Holster gets it's name from Range Time-Tactical Shooting, LLC. You maybe more familiar with their YouTube Channel of gear reviews and training promo vids. The RTT Holster Combo Pack is marketed as the gear package ideal for taking a RTT Defensive Pistol Class. Bravo Concealment offers the RTT holster separately as a lightbearing or plain standalone holster for $74.99 if you already have mag pouches you prefer to run in the classroom or competition, as well as the standalone magazine holsters as either double, or two single magazine pouches.

 In wearing the RTT holster and mag pouches around the farm for a week with my Smith & Wesson M&P357c w/ Streamlight TLR3, I really appreciate the robust construction and the hand-fitted care that when into the components. The inward curve of the belt loops on the holster and pouches fits the natural curve of the body as well as provides good friction against the belt, so your rig wont be sliding around your waistline all day.

The advantage to selecting two single mag pouches is the flexibility on the belt, you can either place both side by side on the support hand side, just one, or mix it up to fit your training scenario. There is an option to have the bottom edge of the kydex pouch cut slanted to allow for better mobility during pronating or crouching exercises. Another great feature Bravo Concealment puts into these mag pouches is a tensioning screw just to the right edge of the magazine that can be tightened or loosened with a screwdriver. Most holster makers will tell you to heat up the kydex to be pliable enough for manually reforming, but its nice to see this maintenance step simplified into the engineering of the mag pouches. Logically they will be used more frequently that the main handgun holster during courses of fire (unless your only practicing your drawing mechanics) so its nice to able to adjust the tension on the fly.

The RTT holster itself is an all around good OWB holster. Strictly speaking, outside the waistband kydex holsters all sort of look the same. The key differences between them to me are the cut and the clips. By cut, I mean the top opening of the holster. There's a balance thats needed in order to protect the trigger guard yet expose the magazine release, as well as leaving adequate clearance for the gripping hand's fingers to get a full, firm purchase on the handgun's grip... especially under duress. Several draw-strokes under standing, sitting, and kneeling positions were all positive in my testing.

The clips, or belt loops in this case, are what I would consider and great choice for OWB carry and training scenarios. Instead of using actual clips that would allow the holster to be attached or removed without unfastening the belt, Bravo uses polymer injection molded belt loops. These require the belt to be threaded through the loops at the same time as your pant belt loops, unless you run an exterior tactical belt which of course is possible by selecting one of the 1.5" - 2" belt width options on the Bravo concealment website. These loops are really ideal for heavy duty drills and generally harder use than other style clips, as they will withstand more stress from drawing and reholstering forces. I've seen other OWB kydex holsters on the market with thinner belt loops cut from the same kydex sheet and I was never really impressed by their thinness and sharp edges. Also a note: Bravo offers pancake-style belt loops separately.

This brings me to the IWB capability of the RTT Holster, which for me did not go well. My real only issue with this holster as an IWB option is it was very uncomfortable for a shooter my size.  I carried it in the 4 o'clock position like I'm accustomed to carrying with other IWB holster types, and just feels like a huge hard object not conforming to my hip at all. For context. my build is north of 220lbs, and the holsters I usually wear for CCW are leather backed with a half kydex shell.  I've tried adjusting the RTT to an appendix carry position, and an almost 5-6 o'clock position to reduce the direct pressure on my hip with some relief, but still just not feasible for me unless 5.11 decides to make tactical sweatpants.

Now take note, if you have a slimmer body type, this holster should ride better on your hip. However with that said, I also found difficulty with the IWB soft clips themselves as they interfere with the drawing hand. Even with the clips mounted at their lowest position on the holster's grommets and adjusted for a 1.25" width belt, there wasn't enough clearance for my fingers when drawing the weapon, and I by no means have sausage fingers! My second grievance is they are tricky to loop under the belt and snap with one hand or without looking. I'm not sure why the button snaps themselves were so difficult either, but I wasn't able to figure out how to snap them correctly in one attempt. These are just not working for me, but it is worth noting that Bravo Concealment also sells polymer injection molded IWB belt clips that would be preferable in my opinion over these soft belt clips.

All in all, I would certainly recommend getting the RTT Holster Combo Pack if you wanted a starter's kit for training courses or competitive shooting events, especially if you wanted to retain a mounted weapon light on your gun using an outside the waistband holster. If your class / competition requirements include a IWB holster and you are confident this style of holster will fit inside your pants, I would say get the 1.5" or 1.75" IWB belt loops instead of the soft clips. The gear is solid, and the customer service at Bravo Concealment is on point. Now get your gear and hit the range!

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: The RTT Combo Pack provides everything needed to attend an Range Time Tactical Defensive Handgun Class. Whether you are a casual shooter or a serious RTT enthusiast, the RTT Combo Pack will help you purchase everything you need at a discounted price.

Target Market:  CCW carriers (OWB or IWB), Handgun Training Classes, 3-Gun competitors

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Kydex RTT Holster available with or without pistol light.
• 2 Single Mag Pouch *OR* 1 Double Mag Pouch
• IWB Soft Belt Loops/ IWB Belt Clips
• Designed for outside the waistband carry, but can easily be converted to inside the waistband by switching out the belt loops.
• Thinner profile and 0° cant allowing the ability to add more gear to your belt.
• Hand molded holster for solid retention of weapon.
• Robust 1.5” or 1.75” injection molded belt loops.
• Adequate room for a positive grip thus enabling a smooth draw with solid weapon retention.
• Belt loops are adjustable to create a desired cant for greater concealment.
• All edges on holster are rounded for comfort.
• Kydex .08 thick
• Bravo Velcro Patch

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Black, OD Green, Flat Dark Earth, Coyote Brown.

What others are saying?: "I bought the RTT holster to support the Indiana company it was named after. I carry the G19 and love the holster. High quality, thick kydex. I bought the holster along with a single mag holder. Perfect retention, plus I love the fact that there is a cutout for the index finger so I can get a FULL grip before drawing. I did have to wait 3 months to get it, but it was worth it for me. I don't buy a lot of gear, but what I do have I like to spend the extra time and money to get the best I can afford. I feel like I made a good decision. I would not hesitate to purchase again from them." DefensiveCarry.com Forum User

"I recently picked up the ‘RTT Holster’ from Bravo Concealment and wanted to share my thoughts on the holster. Let’s start with customer service. The fit and finish on Bravo holsters are stellar. I was very impressed with the quality and attention to detail that was evident in the holster I received. My holster was free of sharp edges and rough spots throughout. Not to be disappointed, function follows fit and finish with everything Bravo makes. My holster was for a Glock 17 and the retention was excellent. My Glock clicked into the holster and stayed in place until I wanted it out. The ‘RTT Holster’ is designed primarily as an OWB holster and that’s how I use it. Given the way the holster curves around the body and the way the belt loops pull the holster close in, the holster conceals quite well. Options are available for IWB use if you’re interested. I’ve run the Bravo Concealment ‘RTT Holster’ through two handgun classes and use it for concealed carry on a daily basis and I couldn’t be happier with how it performs. Having purchased my holster for the Glock 17, I actually got a bonus feature in the since that the holster also works very well with the Glock 19 & 26." Shanes Gear Thread

Price point:

• Retail: $142.99 -10% using coupon code RTTCOMBO10

I need it now! Availability: Brave Concealment Website

Our Rating:

Pros:

• Convertible from OWB to IWB using supplied clips
• RTT Holster is well made with solid retention
• Hardware are common screw heads instead of hex or torx
• Mag pouches available as two singles or one double pouch
• Slant cut on mag pouches for better mobility / shooting positions
• Mag pouches have tension screw for user adjustability
• Holster and mag pouches are adjustable for cant
• Injection molded belt loops are tough and rugged
• If your pistol has an RMR or other micro red dot, Bravo will cut a recess for clearance

Cons:

• Concealed IWB carry is not as comfortable as other IWB only holsters
• Soft belt clips hinder clearance for drawing hand
• Price still higher than separate components on the market

Score: 7.5 Good

Featured FFL:

For FFL services I choose Promised Land Firearms in Toulon, IL.

Ryan's Links:

Gun & Gear Review Podcast

Hunter of Design

Crew Holsters "Shadow" IWB Holster

I received the Shadow holster from "The Crew Custom Holsters" some time ago.  The Shadow is a kydex clam shell style inside the waistband (IWB) holster.  I have been wearing the Shadow for a while to try it out.  It is comfortable for a kydex style holster.  The model I received was in black, but they offer lots of different color and pattern options.  They also offer the Shadow for light or laser mounted firearms and tons of different models of firearms.  You can wear it just about anywhere from appendix all the way around to about 5 o'clock.  I typically wear it around the 3:30 position.  It seems to conceal the firearm well, as my children and wife did not notice me wearing it.  One big advantage this holster has over others is that it can be canted frontwards or even backwards.  There are different holes where the clip is located to adjust it to Zero, 15, or 45 degrees.  I tried it in all 3 positions and found that the zero and 15 worked best.  The 45 degree cant seemed strange, but someone may have a use for it.  The fit and finish of the holster are very good. They smooth the edges out and try to eliminate any sharp surfaces.  Mine is for a Kahr CM9 and it fits nicely and, with the adjustable retention, holds the pistol well.  The holster does collapse a small amount when there is no firearm in it.  It didn't seem to collapse enough to make reholstering difficult, but I did notice it.  I usually wear a hybrid style holster, but have found that with this little holster, the single clip makes it ideal to slip on and off easily.  If I need to run to the store at night or something similar, I can just grab this holster and clip it inside my waistband with no problems.  The Shadow is a very nice, convenient holster.  They will also do custom one off holsters if asked.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Convenient IWB holster

Target Market: Concealed carriers

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Adjustable cant
• Lifetime warranty
• Single wide clip
• Adjustable retention

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? Lots of different color and pattern options

• Shadow Holster Options

What others are saying?:

• Aaron X.   5/5stars at The Crew Custom Holsters - Quick and excellent, communication, product and service. I have been recommending The Crew Holster to my friends.

Price point: 

• MSRP = $50 for Black. Colors, patterns, and Lights extra
• Retail = $50

I need it now! Availability: The Crew Custom Holsters.  Some options ship quicker than others, see Available Molds

Our Rating:

Pros:

• Adjustable Retention
• Adjustable cant
• Light options
• Color options
• Easy on/off

Cons:

• Slight holster collapse

Score: 8.5 GREAT

Chad's Favorite Links:  Handgun Radio

ABC House Charity Match June 20th, it really is for the children!

Alien Gear Holster Cloak Tuck Review

By James M. Smith In search for a high quality and good value holster I did a lot of looking and research before making a decision. When I came across Alien Gear Holster I was immediately intrigued. They offer, what appeared to be, a good quality holster at an exceptional price. They as offer their holster with a lifetime warranty. Of course, with a company that is only a couple years old that doesn't mean much, but hopefully they will stay around for a long time. I decided to go ahead and give Alien Gear a shot. For under $40 shipped I got the tan leather holster for my Full-Size M&P9. I was comparing this with the Crossbreed holsters and getting one of those with the horsehide and the “combat cut” would have been pushing $100. Is the Crossbreed worth the extra cost? I don’t know as I haven’t had any personal experience with them.

At the time that I ordered, shipping times were about three weeks and they were able to meet that deadline. The holster arrived in a nice padded shipping envelope and inside that was the start to a beautiful relationship. The holster was bagged in a cool black bag with Alien Gear's logo on it. This was a really nice touch for such a budget priced item.

The leather seems to be of high quality and had the edges are nicely smoothed. So, I unloaded my gun and inserted it into the holster and tightened the retention screws to make it snug. Now, as with most IWB holsters, you don’t get full retention until it is inside the waistband and your belt snugged up around it. Knowing this I made sure to make it snug but it was still loose enough that it will fall out if you do the standard retention test of turning the holster upside down. While doing these initial adjustments and inspections, I noticed one thing I do not like about the Alien Gear Holster. The leather and the kydex do not fully cover the trigger guard by the grip. Is this a huge issue? I don’t really think so. The trigger itself is fully covered and if anything were to get in there it would still be behind the trigger, so accidental discharges should not be an issue. It is just my pickiness that makes me even mention it. I feel that they can and should make a change to their molds and leather cutting process to get it fully covered. I don’t think it would affect the ability to get a good grip on your firearm for drawing. On that note I’m glad that I went with a combat cut holster. The combat cut has the leather cut really close to your firearms grip, so it is possible to get a firing grip while the gun is still holstered. This makes it so that you don’t need to do a lot of adjusting of your hand hold after it is out to the holster.

I don’t have much to compare with, but I find this holster to be very comfortable. It does not rub or pinch. I have not tested it in extreme heat yet, as I got it in March, but I have not experienced hot spots or anything. The only time I’ve really experienced any discomfort is when I am riding in my car. I have a hard time getting completely comfy in that car anyway. It is just a matter of finding the position.

Concealability. I think this is more of a factor of the firearm I carry. I carry a Full-Size M&P9 and with the large full-size grip it is hard to get good concealment. Even with the holster set at its lowest setting I have a hard time keeping the grip under my shirts.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Quality hybrid IWB holster at an affordable price.

Target Market: Anyone who wants to carry IWB.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Iron Clad triple guarantee
• 30-day money back test drive
• Lifetime shell trades
• Forever Guarantee
• Adjustable cant and ride height
• Adjustable retention
• Thick sweat proof leather
• Tuckable
• Combat Cut

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? Natural or Black dyed leather. There are many different gun shells available. Now available in an OWB configuration and combo kit (IWB and OWB). They also have leather belt loops available instead of the steel spring clips. All of these options are available from Alien Gear Holster's website.

What others are saying?:Concealed Nation "Best Holster Ever“ 

Price point: 

• MSRP: $29.88

I need it now! Availability: The Alien Gear Holsters Cloak Tuck can be purchased directly from Alien Gear Holsters. Facebook

Our Rating

Pros:

• Low Cost
• Comfortable
• Great warranty, test drive, and shell exchanges
• Tons of shell selections

Cons:

• Doesn’t fully cover the trigger guard on my FS M&P
• Not a huge selection of holsters for guns with lights or lasers

 Score: 8.0

Comfort Holsters Bentley Comfort Holster Review

I really love it when my initial impressions of a product are wrong. When I first received the Bentley Comfort Holster, I thought the unique materials were some sort of gimmick to justify the premium price tag. After carrying with the holster for a few days in a row, I'm happy to say "Boy, I was wrong!" There's an metaphoric expression used to compare the quality of a product to a highly reputable classic car maker... "the Rolls Royce of ___" is what people say. I can venture to say that this holster got its name, because it is "the Bentley of Holsters."

First let me preface by stating that I own several different inside the waistband holsters, and they each have gotten their fair use.  I do have a favorite out of the bunch, that has warped to my body after being worn repeatedly, and feels pretty good now that it's been 'Ryanitized' by my love handles. By the end of the evening, especially if it was a particularly active day, my body is relieved when its time to take that holster off. The air finally gets a chance to wick away sweat that accumulates with unbreathable skin-on-leather contact, even with a layer of fabric in between. Then there's the circular indent left behind. I do not expect the comforting concept of having a concealed defensive pistol to be in itself comfortable to bare, and that has been a mantra in the concealed training world for awhile now. With all the advancements in leather and kydex, we still have to endure some discomfort in order to be secure when using conventional IWB holsters. I'm pleased to have found an alternative that effectively throws that paradigm out the window.

Comfort Holsters claims this is the most comfortable holster in the world. A bold claim indeed, something that every holster manufacturer attempts to boast! The flagship model in Comfort Holsters' product line is called "The Bentley Comfort" holster. The Bentley uses a unique gel layer wrapped in suede material, which pads a full kydex chassis on the hip-facing side. The full chassis of kydex provides maximum retention of the firearm, while protecting the metal's finish from sweat. The gel pad reminds me of high end orthotic insoles in a prescription shoe, which is actually a really good way to compare the beneficial qualities of the material. Gel obviously molds to outside forces, your hip in this case. This eliminates abrasions, chaffing, and putting undue pressure on your body that some conventional IWB holsters can cause. Now wrapping that jelly material in soft suede not only feels pleasant to the touch but allows skin the breathe, which resolves something a leather backed holster design suffers from greatly. The result is an all day comfort that I personally had never really appreciated until it came time to remove the Bentley from my pants at the end of  day one... the relief of pressure and drastic "Aaaaahhh, much better" feeling was missing. Meaning the Bentley and my body were ready for another 9+ hour day of carrying, and that's a feeling I have never experienced with any other holster I've tried.

The Bentley holster has two leather tabs, more like wings, that provide the mounting for two belt clips. Unlike other holsters, the clips are not spread out. The Bentley is smaller more compact design with clips specifically placed asymmetrically for functional purposes. The rear clip is less than an inch from the kydex, with its clip positioned underneath the pistol grip. This, combined with a short, rigid double layer of leather which the manufacturer calls the "Cling Tab," causes a pulling / torque of the holster inward so that the grip follows the contour of your body, instead of remaining parallel to your frame like other holsters. The front/foward tab is a single layer of leather and is longer and mounted to follow the inward taper of the kydex, allowing it to flex and follow the contour of your waistband. This design has two primary intended results: reduce "printing" or broadcasting you are concealing a firearm through an imprint in clothing, and not needing a break-in period for the holster to warp and conform to your body.

From my testing, which included drawing my S&W M&Pc for dry fire practice for a couple weeks, I found that I am pleasantly pleased with the Comfort Holsters Bentley Comfort holster. The marketing hype on the Comfort Holsters website seems overreaching if you've never given it a try, but I can honestly assess that a lot of thought and engineering went into designing and building a better IWB holster. Some personal notes I found during my testing and evaluation are:

• If you prefer to carry exactly in the 3 o'clock position, the Bentley doesn't feel 'right'. It printed much more for me at this apex of my hip. I found that moving it back to the 4 - 4:30 position was the 'sweet spot' for me. I normally don't carry this far back because more traditional IWB holsters have a wider leather backing, and would cause pinching/discomfort in the kidney area when in the sitting position. The Bentley's smaller profile was almost unnoticeable when sitting at my office desk and driving around town.
• The rearward clip on the Cling Tab is directly located below the front strap of the grip, and if you adjust the seating depth so your gun sits deeper in your pants, the clearance for your fingers gets really tight. My digits began to wear on the knuckles of the index and middle fingers during drawing practice, and would often interfere with getting a good purchase on the grip frame. I wouldn't say that I have gorilla mits, but if you have fatter booger hooks than I do you will encounter this too. Best to leave the rear clip in its lowest position.
• The smell of the adhesive that binds the suede/gel panel to the kydex body is very pungent. If it weren't for the instructions addressing this, I would have been concerned for my safety in a tightly spaced environment. No worries, the off gassing dissipated after about 2 days.

Note: If you want a holster made to fit your rail mounted light or laser, just ask Rob. I wish I had a TLR-3 on a S&W M&Pc molded up, but failed to ask.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: This is the most comfortable holster known to man

Target Market: Concealed Carriers looking for the ultimate comfortable hoster for IWB carry

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

• Gel Cushion
• Suede Protection
• Tuckable
• Adjustment clip position (3 levels for forward clip, 2 for the rear)
• Rigid & short Cling tab gives extra support to rear of holster, angles grip inward
• Full Kydex body retention
• Small Footprint
• Lifetime Guarantee
• 6 week buy back warranty
• Made in the USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Kydex color Black or Desert Tan

What others are saying?: " During a very extensive search for an IWB holster to fit my glock 19 AND mounted Streamlight TLR-1, I ran across Rob Durham. When I first contact Rob he was in the process of moving his shop into the back of one of his local gun shops. This move has enabled him to make holsters for pretty much anything that the shop might carry. After hammering out all the details of what I was looking for Rob was able to put together a mold for my combination and for future use... Instead of leaving a waxed backing on the holster Rob has mated a second layer of leather for added comfort. It does not affect the flexibility of the holster. It doesn't affect the thickness either. This holster is fairly thin. I think I would have liked to see him run a row of stitching In the sculpted track running the entire perimeter of the holster, but we'll see how it holds up in the long run as is. The Holster is set up for adjustable ride height and/or cant... The holster features a sweat guard. As of right now there is not a "combat cut" like cross breed offers. But I have a feeling it will be an added feature in future holsters. It does not effect the draw, but would be a tad more comfortable on first "grab". After playing with the cants I finally settled in on the front clip all the way to the top and the rear clip in the middle position. At the 3 o'clock position it provides a slight cant, and makes the weapon print ALOT less.... is directly on the hip. You'll notice in this position that it "squares off the side." Also noted a bulge around the pocket. This position is NOT okay while seated. The grip and sweat guard tends to push into my side in this position while seated." Firing Line User Review

Price Point:

• MSRP: $125.00

I need it now! Availability: Readily available at comfortholsters.com

Our Rating: +  No break-in period +-Cling Tab: Shorter, double layered tab pulls pistol grip in to follow body contour + Suede and Gel combo really does provide all day comfort, no sweating or chaffing especially if in sitting positions (at desk or driving) + 6 Week Buy Back guarantee, shows major faith in product / customer satisfaction -  Smaller footprint puts rear clip right under pistol grip and can hinder initial purchase of handle if preferred position adjusted a certain way - My experience with experimenting with different pants / tops was still signs of printing through light clothing due to full kydex body and gel pad. --Strong glue smell upon first 1-2 days of wear - Price is on the higher end of the market, but it is high quality with uniquely comfort not available elsewhere.

Score: 8.0 Great

StealthGear ONYX IWB Holster for Springfield XD 40 Sub-Compact Review

Overall, I am very new to the concealed carry scene, purely due to the fact that I live in Illinois, and up until 2 months ago it wasn't an option. However, those days are over. I was like any other person that was new to concealed carry in the fact that I was overwhelmed with the amount of holster choices available to me. IWB? OWB? Kydex? Leather? Hybrid? The list goes on and on. My daily carry gun is a Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact, so this is what I was looking to conceal. I ended up with a StealthGear ONYX IWB Holster. Based on my overall satisfaction of this holster, I don't think that I could have gone with a better first choice for a holster, right out of the gate!

The heart of the StealthGear ONYX IWB is its revolutionary VentCore TM breathable platform. StealthGear claims that "this innovative ventilation system allows moisture to rapidly dissipate away from your body, leaving you dry and comfortable, all day long. No other holster will keep you drier! StealthGear ventilated holster platforms are built with a unique combination of synthetic non moisture-absorbing materials and stainless steel hardware. You will not find a tougher, lighter or more comfortable IWB holster on the market today." Personally, I cannot find fault in any of their claims. I have virtually worn this holster every day for the last two months, and find this to be very comfortable. During my normal day job, I am unable to carry my firearm. However, I choose to continue to wear this holster...it is that comfortable that I do not even notice it or find it bothersome.

As far as the rest of the features go, everything else is of pure quality. The function and fit are great. I have positive retention between the holster and gun at all times, and in many different positions. The feel of this holster, even against bare skin is vey comfortable, not just between layers. The ride height and the cant are both adjustable to your liking as well. Like I stated before, this is the first holster that I started to carry with (I have since had others purchased for one reason or another for this gun and others), and I think that I was lucky finding the best one. With that being said, it took me a week or two decide what combination of position, along with ride height, and cant worked best for me. This StealthGear ONYX IWB holster allowed me to find that perfect combination with ease.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Extreme comfort and ultimate concealability, all while being combat ready.

Target Market: Conceal Carry.

FNBs (features & benefits of this product):

• Ideal for concealed carry
• VentCore TM ventilated platform keeps YOU dry
• Integrated condensation (or moisture) shield keeps your WEAPON dry
• Built with non moisture-absorbing synthetics
• Stainless steel fasteners
• Designed for rapid combat presentation
• Adjustable for cant and depth
• Tuckable
• Tough .093 mil KYDEX shell with adjustable retention screws
• Full coverage of muzzle for extreme protection
• Lighter weight than leather or hybrid holsters
• Strategically-placed padding for maximum comfort
• 3/32" hex key and extra screws included
• Lifetime warranty
• Hand-Built in the USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:

• Black Only
• J-clips available for those that want less exposure of the clips (I have recently ordered, but have not received yet)

What others are saying?: 

• "Initially, I just chalked up the proclaimed comfort to the similarity in design to the Crossbreeds I was so accustomed to. After all, the Crossbreed holster is by far the most comfortable IWB holster I have used, that is until now. - Thebangswitch.com
• "What it boils down to is this: it’s light, airy and feels great. Really great. I’ve been giving it a go for most of this summer. I just about always wear a t-shirt between any holster and my baby-soft skin and with that intermediate layer – yes, even in the summer – the ONYX is about as comfy as an IWB rig can be. - TheTruthAboutGuns

• MSRP = $99.99

I need it now! Availability:  Available online at the StealthGear USA site. Currently a 3-5 week waiting period. A longer wait period than most would understandably want, but worth it when you get the finished product.

Our Rating:

+ Most comfortable holster that I have tried

+ The quality, fit, and finish are second to none

+ Quality stainless steel fasteners

+ Excellent weight distribution

- 3 to 5 weeks can be a tough wait when you are so darn eager to get something

Score: 9.0 

Concealment Solutions Black Mamba CE Review

Concealment Solutions is a small company located in Provo, Utah run by an excellent guy named Jason Christensen. The Black Mamba CE is a hybrid Kydex/leather, inside-the-waistband holster. There are two models of the Black Mamba, the original and CE. The CE offers the “combat” cut leather that keeps you from grabbing the holster at the same time as the gun, which is a great feature at only a $5 increase. There are tons of models available, but if you are local to the Provo area Jason will take the time to custom fit any gun he doesn’t have a mold for. I purchased my Black Mamba for the Glock 26 I was carrying at the time. When I put it on, I immediately knew it was the perfect holster for me. I had previously been carrying in an all Kydex IWB holster that held the pistol straight up and entirely too high with no adjustments, which made even the subcompact Glock difficult to conceal, sometimes. Once I got my Mamba adjusted, I realized I could conceal even a full-size pistol. So much so, that I traded my subcompact Glock 26 for a compact Glock 19. One of the great features of this holster is the incredible range of adjustability. On either side of the Kydex shell, in the leather, there are two tuckable clips mounted. Each clip has the option of being moved up or down by unscrewing the hardware and moving it to a different hole. This allows you to change the depth of the pistol in your waistband and, also, the cant of the grip, allowing you to carry it just the way you want it. The Kydex shell has a molded-in sight channel that is plenty large for any different sights you want to put on your pistol. There is a flare at the top that helps you guide the pistol back in. There is also a flare at the bottom, where the rail is, that I can only assume is to reduce the risk of the rail catching on the Kydex on the way out. Jason provides excellent customer service and answers emails very promptly. I would(and do) recommend the Black Mamba to anyone and everyone that needs a great concealment holster.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Incredibly comfortable concealment holster 

Target Market: Concealed carrier 

FNBs: (Features & Benefits of this product)

• Kydex/leather construction
• Tuckable, IWB clips
• “Combat” cut leather
• Adjustable cant and carry depth
• Good, thick leather

 What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

The Black Mamba is only listed as black, but I’m sure if you ask, you could get one in any of the colors offered for their belts.

 What others are saying?

            “As time went on, the holster just got more and more comfortable. I can carry all day with no problem.” - Easy Kentucky Concealed Carry

 Price point

Retail = $69.99

 I need it now! Availability

The only place to get these holsters is directly from their website.

 Our Rating

+ Sturdy leather + Tuckable clips + Adjustable depth and cant + Large sight channel + Combat Cut + Amazing customer service!

Score 9.5

Comp-Tac Single Magazine Pouch Review

The Comp-Tac Single Magazine Pouch is a sturdy, well made magazine carrier. It is made of a single piece of thick Kydex and has a heavy-duty belt clip. The belt clip is specific to the size of your belt, so you will choose 1.25”, 1.5” and 1.75” depending on the size of belt you carry with. The mag carrier has adjustable retention by a screw that you tighten with stiff rubber between the two sides of the Kydex and adjusts using a supplied Allen key. You can also choose to purchase your carrier for left-handed or right-handed and bullets-forward or bullets backwards carry. The mag pouch carries the magazine very close to your body, so it does not print by protruding outward. One thing that bothers me about it, is that it carries the mag incredibly high. This could be an advantage for competition, but in carry, I find it tends to print at the baseplate. Other than that, this is a great carrier.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Sturdy and secure.

Target Market: Concealed carriers and competitive shooters.

FNB's: (Features & Benefits of this product)

• Kydex
• Retention adjustment screw
• Wide and secure belt clip 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  These mag carriers are available in black, pink, red and digital camo. See Comp-Tac's website for the options.

What others are saying?:  “The Comp-Tac Single Mag Pouch is simple, nearly indestructible, relatively inexpensive, comfortable and just plain works…all the time!” -TACFIRE

Price point:

• MSRP = $28.00
• Retail = $28.00

I need it now! Availability:  You can purchase the Comp-Tac Single Magazine Pouch from multiple places, but When the Balloon Goes Up! seems to have the best price, after shipping.

Our Rating:

+ Sturdy + Secure + Adjustable retention

- Sits a little high (for me)

Score: 8.5