(NOTE: This entire evaluation was written BEFORE any of the other posts related to gun/holster wear were read. In other words, these are my unbiased comments and results.)
• Wearer’s specs: Height: 5’9, Weight: 165 lbs, Waist at holster location: 33.5”
• Carry/Location: RH at 3:30 position.
• EDC pistol: S&W M&P 40 compact. Equipped with CTC laser grip. Weight (unloaded) 22 oz. Slide width: 1”
• EDC belt: Dickies – 36”, black leather, 2 prong, buckle. Width: 1.5”
• EDC mag pouch – Uncle Mike’s nylon/Velcro. Location: 9:00 position
• EDC knife – S&W Cuttin’ Horse, 3” blade clipped in lateral side of back pocket.
Generally speaking, I like kydex due to the fact that it is light weight, semi-rigid for easy re-holstering and good pistol retention; durable, washable with soap and water, and it is inexpensive/good value.
How the holster “rides”
I picked up the holster the day I purchased it. When I first tried it on (IWB), I noticed that the medial side of the holster was causing the waistband of my jeans to slightly flare out / away from my waist. A slight adjustment, using a heat gun and hand clamp, was made to both the lateral and medial sides of the holster in order to increase the concavity of the holster, and thereby, better conform to my waistline.
Given it was a cool but beautiful late autumn day; I rode my (touring model) motorcycle and was also wearing leather chaps which were separately belted over my jeans. This increased the amount of pressure to the holster against my waist. During the 40 minute motorcycle trip home, there was no discomfort during the entire ride.
The new (2 piece/2clip) pancake holster does have a larger footprint than my old (1 piece/1 clip) fold-over kydex holster, and therefore, does feel different. But different, in no way, means uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, it is very comfortable. I’m sure that I will quickly become accustomed to the “new” feel. There are no sharp edges or prodding/poking angles. A little background on my old kydex holster; I was developing a “bad” habit of hitching my pants up while canting/adjusting the holstered gun forward. I say “bad” because one does not necessarily have to visually expose a pistol to let everyone know that you’re CCW-ing. With the 2 clip holster, there is no need to adjust it. It feels and moves as one “unit” with my body even during and after a 40 yd sprint (yes, I can still sprint). Also, I needed to make a #2 potty stop in a public restroom and during the entire “process” I did not need to hang onto the holster or the pistol for fear of the pistol falling out of the holster or the to keep the holster from pointing upwards at me. In the immortal words of Borat, “verry niiice!”.
Product features
Upon initial examination, the muzzle end of the holster appeared to be closed/pressed completely together which was of concern due to the potential for trapping dust and lint. Further examination revealed that there is a designed in slit between the “pancakes” created by riveting only one side of the end of the holster, which allows trapped dust and lint to be flushed out/drained with cool water, if need be.
The sweat guard is a nice feature that I’m sure I will appreciate during those hot summer MI days. There was no need to carve out or dremel a spot for the light port of the CTC laser.
I ordered it with a 15 deg. cant and I love it. My old kydex had a 0 deg cant. Ref. “hitching/adjusting” comment noted above.
Pistol retention within the holster if very (overly?) “positive”. When holstering or unholstering there is an audible “thock”. There is so much retention pressure on the trigger guard of the pistol that it will stay in the holster even when it is inverted and vigorously shaken, as compared to the old kydex holster which would retain the (inverted) pistol until it was shook once. This does require a much firmer tug to unholster the pistol however; but with practice, I believe it will eventually not necessitate any more time to draw the pistol from this holster vs my old one.
Interchanging the holster from IWB to OWB (and vice versa) requires that 4 screws and threaded grommets be removed and re-installed with the other pair of belt clips on the opposite side of the holster. The OWB belt clips are different than the IWB belt clips, in that, the 2 - OWB clip screw holes are located on opposite sides (of the belt loop), whereas, the 2 - IWB clip screw holes are located directly above and below each other. This causes the holster to ride 0.5” higher when OWB…a desirable design feature relative to conceal-ability. The conformity of the holster to the pants/jeans is more forgiving when OWB. I was given a pair of leather belt loops, however, I thought I’d provide a review of the kydex clips first, since this is what I will be using the majority of the time. I will review the leather loops at a later date.
Overall evaluation
It is a very good looking rig (see photos), however, given the fact that I conceal 100% of the time, I don’t place as much value* on how it looks as much as I do:
• Comfort/Fit and Finish: OWB – 5, IWB – 4. The (IWB) tongue below the screw holes slightly extends beyond and outside the perimeter of the holster. I may grind/sand these down to exactly match the outer contour of the holster and further reduce the footprint.
• Conceal-ability: OWB – 5, IWB – 5
• Gun Fit: 4. It might be a bit on the tight side, however, this will probably relax over time.
• Drawability (Cant + holster height + gun fit): OWB – 3, IWB – 5. The OWB belt loops are loose on my belt and even when the belt is cinched tightly, the holster does have about a 5 deg. to 7 deg. rotational wobble when pulling on the pistol. I’ll probably be in the market for an instructor’s belt at the upcoming gun show I plan on attending, which should mitigate this action.
• Price: 4.5
• Total Value*: 4.5
*Based on 5 pt rating, where 5 is outstanding and O is a pile of manure.
If this is the type of holster that is compatible with your “mileage” and you plan on ordering one (or more!), I highly recommend that you provide Steve with your height, weight and girth (i.e. circumference in inches, NOT pants size) exactly around the location you wear your belt or holster. The more honest/accurate you are, the better he will be able to custom fit you to your own specs.
MCG
Product Evaluation of Personal Security Systems - Pancake Kydex Holster
Linear Mode
