Looking at a "Phalanx Defense Systems IWB Stealth Operator Compact" holster from America's Gun Store for my S&W 4506-1. Has anyone dealt with this company or had any experiences with this holster?

No, but I have a DeSantis for my 4506 and love it.

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Plastic's for toys - J. Cooper

Veteran 4506-ers always carry the weapon in a tan Galco leather SH, with a double mag pouch on the off-side.

They wouldn't be caught dead with that roscoe stuffed inside an OWB or IWB belt rig.

They just wouldn't.

No experience with that holster BUT i carried a 4506 for 8 years as a duty gun. While it IS fairly slim it's a heavy load and long and I rarely carried it concealed.

If you're determined to carry it be sure you have a solid belt or it will sag and you'll either have to tighten your belt too tight or you'll be fighting your pants all day long.

I was just thinking the same thing myself! That is a BIG chunk of stainless steel to be carrying IWB. If I carried my 4506 like that and ever drew my pistol, my pants would probably fall down!

I have OCCASIONALLY carried a 4506-1 IWB. When I worked at the Godforsaken gunshop, on the edge of the Hood. In a horsehide Galco holster as seen (partially) in this picture.

But the above posters are correct. It is A LOT of gun to carry IWB. And I preferred carrying it in an Aker flatsider OWB holster. It was fun though when somebody came into the LGS, accompanied by an "expert" to help them shop. They would take an interest in a larger pistol, only to have the "expert" tell them "Ain't nobody can conceal a big gun!"

I would then draw the 4506-1 from concealment and drop it on the counter. Then tell the Newby not to listen to their friend . Regards 18DAI

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6 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Indeed.


I've carried mine IWB and don't find it anymore bothersome than the five inch 1911 I'm usually carrying. A no dash gun is a bit lighter than the later variants and really isn't much heavier than an all steel 1911. As has already been stated, a good belt is a must. Then again, I've always carried full size service weapons when off duty and now retired, so the 4506 is just one more. It's all perspective.

As much as I used to enjoy watching Miami Vice in the days before the kids arrived, I am not that interested in carrying my 4506-1. Although I have on a couple of occasions carried my similar sized 97bd when I was walking out the door and realized that I had forgotten to lock it in the safe. I am really more interested in getting a minimalist kydex holster for the 4506-1 so that I can have it at the ready as a home defense gun with the trigger protected as I move it and others from the safe to their special places in the house and back.

So, it's for walking around the house? Not going out? Get an OWB and a long shirt or a sweater. Or, just wear it open. A good OWB and belt will be fairly comfortable.

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Watch your topknot!

I had one of those pistols when they first came out. I bought a Safariland Klipspringer(?) holster that was handsome, molded for that pistol, and had a green felt lining for wear protection and just impressed me alot. Oh, BTW off subject. The only ammo that ever gave me an issue with that gun was some of that aluminum Blazer stuff. Always a FTFeed. Like the slide would not close all the way on it. But I doubt you can find aluminum Blazer 45 ACP anymore?

Sorta splits the difference here, ... but if you're looking for a Kydex rig for a gun that big, if it's just for 'house, garage, and backyard' carry, you might check with Gunfighter's Inc and see if they make their 'Kenai' kydex chest holster for the 3rd Gen 45XX or 10XX guns.

Don't know if they do, but the Kenai rig is light-weight while the wide elastic straps hold the gun secure at low center-chest level. You can move around with your hands free, and yet since it's not hanging on your hip OWB the gun won't bang into anything in your house, or wherever.

The great thing about the DeSantis that you would like is it carries the gun close and tight to the body, there is no slop with the right belt.

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Plastic's for toys - J. Cooper

I decided against a Galco shoulder holster due to the plastic hardware, especially on a stainless gun.

Since you're just looking for something for around the house, you may want to look at Alien Gear. Their product is cheap and cheaply priced. Not the best by any stretch, but might do fine for light in house duty. A holster for a Beretta 92 will fit a 4506.

The plastic hardware on Galco rigs suits the purpose. It's lighter than metal hardware, something important in a rig suspended off your shoulders. It also doesn't rust or corrode, due to perspiration, like steel or brass hardware will. I routinely see supposed custom shoulder rigs costing more that use heavy steel hardware and an overbuilt shoulder harness that looks like something off an ALICE pack. What are they trying to carry, a bazooka? The early Jackass and Galco rigs used metal hardware. The company switched to plastic and saving pennies on hardware had nothing to do with it. I've used them for decades and have never had a fitting fail. I don't know why a stainless gun should be a concern.

Agree.

I've never seen scuff or wear marks on my 1006 or the magazines from my Galco SH.

If people like plastic hardware that’s great. I’m not trying to convince other people to use the same kit that I do. Everyone has different preferences and circumstances.

There are two reasons I avoid plastic hardware on shoulder holsters.

The first reason is that I don’t trust it. I’ve been issued rucksacks and gear with the supposedly indestructible milspec plastic buckles only to have them crack at inopportune times. Ever been in desolate Northern Afghanistan and had your night vision pouch closure buckle snap off? I have. It hadn’t been smashed or abused, and I suspect the temperature swings had some causal role. That’s not the only time I’ve seen plastic rucksack hardware snap. I am willing to pay more for a holster with metal hardware that I will have confidence in for many years.

The second reason I don’t buy shoulder holsters that suspend heavy pistols from plastic is the style. I don’t see any reason to pay $200 for a Galco holster if I can pay only slightly more and get one made with metal hardware. (Although after the Mitch Rosen thread informing people how good his products are the prices might rise!) It looks better, it matches the traditional leather material of the holster body, and it looks nice as it wears. It’s the same reason I prefer blued or stainless guns to the black Duracoat that some manufacturers use. Yes the Duracoat works (CZ makes some terrific functional guns) but the blued finish expresses the investment of craftsmanship that Duracoat doesn’t in my humble opinion.

If someone enjoys their different preferences they should keep doing so. My opinion isn’t better or worse than anyone else.