Tuckable IWB holster with Thumb Break

[C10 250]

I truly love the the concept of holster like the Crossbreed Super Tuck, Ted Blocker's DA3, and Milt Spark's Versa Max II. Unfortunately per my agency policy, any off duty holster I carry needs to have a locking retention such as a thumb break. Unfortunately not of the three fit the bill. I contacted Ted Blocker and was informed that it wouldn't be possible to get one custom made. I haven't been able to get a hold of any body at Milt Sparks, and it doesn't seem that they put a thumb break on any of their holster anyway.

Does anybody know of any other source for this style of holster as I describe.

Thanks.

 

[C10 250]

I completely forgot to mention, it's for a 6906 with a round trigger guard.

 

[Cookster]

Give Ray over at Lobo Gun Leather a shout. . .

lobogunleather.com

I don't see anything on his website per your specs for an IWB, but he may be able to make one for you.

I bought an OWB snap-loop belt attach with thumb break for my G19 that I am very happy with.

Prices are very reasonable imo.

Regards,

Rob

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Applying a thumb-break retention to a IWB holster can result in problems. With the holster held firmly against your body it can be difficult to get the thumb-break to release.

This option can work, but only if the user is willing to put in the necessary time and effort to train with the holster so that the drawing technique allows for full release of the retention.

I don't offer thumb-breaks on my IWB web-page for this reason. For those who want this option, I will make it for them, but only after knowing that the customer understands the need for additional training and practice before using a thumb-break IWB holster. I just prefer not to hear about a customer getting killed because he couldn't get his pistol out of his holster.

 

[C10 250]

I do know what you mean as far as additional difficulty opening a thumb break when it's so tight up against the body. On my OWB holsters I wrap my belt around the outside of the holster to pull it in tighter against my body for better concealment. I've learned to open the holster in by sliding my thumb in a downward motion rather than trying to push inward. I've grown quite comfortable doing so, and a have been easily qualifying at the range. I haven't tried quality IWB holster yet, but I imagine that the same technique would be effective.

I did check out your website, and it does not appear that you offer an IWB holster utilizing the Z-shaped belt clips which allow a shirt to be tucked in around the gun. This of course would not be my first choice for when I carry my weapon off duty. There are however many occasion in my life where this it would prove quite convenient. Situations in which I've had leave my weapon behind because it was not possible to carry in my attire.

I don't know if the locking retention is a common requirement among the rest of the law enforcement community for off duty carry, but I do know there is no foreseeable change in my department's policy.

Although I am now very intrigued by your "Enhanced" pancake holster design, especially the belt loop/tunnel hybrid thing you got going on. I can almost definitely say I'll be ordering one for my 5906 after Christmas. Do you do any work with horse hide?

 

[sipowicz]

How about putting on a pull thru snap like Alessi uses...it covers the hammer and all you do is pull on the gun.

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

C10 250,

I have searched ad nauseam for IWBs with thumb breaks and can tell you that your choices are extremely limited. If you are willing to get a non-tuckable IWB with a thumb break, your choices will widen, slightly.

The holster manufacturers that I contacted (like Comp-Tac) won't custom make one. Raven Concealment wasn't too enthused to make one for me and quoted $150. I believe that price is way out of line, and after reading reviews of their holsters, I see that the kydex tends to crack/break. Also, their holsters take up a lot of real estate.

Andrews Gun Leather makes a leather IWB w/ thumb break, MacDaniel II, but the photos show it riding too high for me. They might be able to customize the ride height.

Eagle Industries makes a non tuckable IWB with a thumb break that's decent, but they raised the ride height on their newer IWBs and are too high for me.

Milt Sparks - the only experience I have with them are from two LEOs who used the same range as me a couple years back. They got Milt Sparks OWB holsters custom made with thumb breaks which tore off within two weeks of receiving them. One fellow had a second one made, which also tore promptly.

Take a look at the Don Hume Strike. IWB STRIKE [IWB Strike] - $67.00 : Don Hume Leathergoods, manufactures high quality leather and nylon goods.
I have one. It fits your requirements, but not sure if they make one that fits your 6906. I would definitely call them to see. I think they give cops a discount. My opinion on the Strike is that the ride height is good - just high enough over the belt for your hand and fingers to get a good purchase on the gun before you begin the draw. You will have to thread your belt through the kydex belt loop. The thumb break is easy to work and really not an issue with some practice. The leather is duty grade making the holster a bit too wide for IWB, and it may colapse too much for one handed reholstering if you cinch your belt real tight. Also, another thing about all Don Hume holsters that I have observed is that the straps that go over the hammer tend to crack a bit after about a week - the leather doesn't rip, but the finish cracks a lot.

Also check out Fist holsters, they have a great reputation, and you have the option of purchasing with a thumb break. I have no direct experience with their products, but I called them and they politely answered all my questions.

 

[C10 250]

Charlie Foxtrot
Thank you so much for your very informed answer and perspective.

The Don Hume does seem to almost fit the bill if they are able to mold it to my gun. But I do see that there could be some bulge issues as the clip is directly on the holster it's self rather than two on either side of the holster as it is on the other tuck capable holsters.

Has anyone else had any similar experience with the Milt Sparks holsters? It sort of goes against everything I've heard said about them thus far. I've actually never heard of a thumb break "tearing" off with in a matter of weeks, even on the cheapest holsters. I've only seen it happen on one duty holster that suffer of years of abuse where the officer would use it as an arm rest when it was empty. Was the strap integrated into the cut of the mold or was it sewn on after the fact? Did the entire strap tear off or just the snaps?

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

C10 250

You are right - centered belt loop clips on IWB holsters inhibit their ability to conceal the pistol. Also, keep in mind that the Strike is made with VERY thick leather, and that hinders concealment, too.

The Milt Sparks holsters with the torn thumb breaks occurred around 1999. These OWB holsters were custom manufactured by MS with the added thumbreaks integrated into the cut of the mold. The entire thumbreaks were torn along the straps, not at the snaps - I saw the this with my own eyes. Yes, this goes against everything I've heard about NON-custom Milt Sparks holsters, and all the reviews that I've read about them. The lesson to be learned is that circa 1999, Milt Sparks custom holsters with thumb breaks were not good - I cannot attest to current custom MS holsters. During that time period, however, other fellows I knew with Milt Sparks non-custom OWB holsters were happy with their purchases.

For concealment, offset belt loop clips will reduce the bulge somewhat, and a single offset belt loop clip, like the Blade-Tech UCH takes up less real estate on your belt than holsters with two belt loops clips like the Comp-Tac holsters. Unfornately, Blade-Tech and Comp-Tac's only means of retention is friction (retention screw).

My only other suggestion (which I have no first hand experience with) would be to take a look at Fist holsters - the #22 tuckable IWB FIST, INC. This should be available in leather or kydex, and with an optional thumb break.

Please let us know what you end up getting and how it works out.

 

[flop-shank]

Doesn't Matter, I think

I have experience with FIST and Milt Sparks holsters. I normally use a FIST 1A IWB with my 5" 629. It's clip is right over the cylinder. I also use a Sparks VM-II when I'm wearing pants that have a belt loop where I normally would place the clip of my 1A. There is no difference in printing with either holster. While the clip and the leather "clip retainer" sown to the front of the FIST holster seem big and fat and do increase the holster's girth, the clip sits perfectly flat on the surface of my Beltman belt. The VM-II has a build up in the steel thingy that surrounds the holster mouth so that the holster can't collapse after the gun is drawn, not unlike the thickness caused by the do-dad that retains the clip on the FIST. If anything the FIST might actually print less.

I can't offer an opinion regarding the Hume holster as I have no experience with it.

 

[newguyhere]

I spent time looking for the same thumb break as we have the same policy.

I just ended up going w/o a thumb break off-duty. Most people I work with do the same.

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

So far, FIST seems like the most viable option. The Hume holster is reinforced for one handed reholstering (which is important if you are a cop), but I wear my Beltman 1.5" belt tight and have found that once I draw, the mouth of the holster colapses making one handed reholstering impossible. I chose the Hume over the FIST because I figured that the leather would be more comfortable than the kydex and because it was about half the price of the FIST.

I generally don't tuck the holster anyway, but really wanted the thumbreak. I ended up compromising and buying a Blade-Tech UCH eventhough it has no retention device. I had to modify (drill a hole) the holster because the way it comes from the factory, it rides too high for concealment or comfort. Too bad it isn't available with a thumb break.

It seems as though holster manufacturers are losing a lot of potential customers by not making thumb break retention available on their IWBs. I am aware of the arguements for not having one, but I believe that they are desirable, and a lot of law enforcement agencies REQUIRE them. And they require them for a good reason.

It may cost more to make holsters with retention devices, especially the kydex ones, but the manufacturers that would make them will end up selling more holsters. I still prefer my Eagle Industries IWB over the Blade-Tech UCH, mostly because of the thumb break.

I don't want to end up with a box of useless holsters, but I might but a FIST next.

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

Just looking at the photo of the Bianchi Pistol Pocket tells me that it would ride way too high for me (personal preference). The center of gravity would be above the top of the belt, making it feel like the pistol and holster is going to flop over and out of the pants - not very secure.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Bianchi and Safariland offer a IWB holsters with a "Thumb Snap".
Use one but don't snap the thumb snap. My way of getting around a "Desk Bound Commando" rule.
Jimmy