Holsters and Holster Manufacturers to avoid?

You got me thinking;

Perhaps a topic for a separate string;

But I’ve seen some trigger guard devices that I chose not to buy, because of my fear it could have opposite effect, fall off and end up in front my trigger, pressing/pulling on the trigger. Buyer beware. Safety first, never add free standing items into one’s pocket if holstering a gun there.

Know anyone who carries a firearm in a pocket without a holster? Scared me. So another reason to “play Santa”.

I think “thread come loose from clothing, and it tugs on the trigger pointing to the nether regions”, no thank you Sir. :smiling_face:

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I realize this topic is older, but I believe the question is more about the provider and customer service.
I know most every maker has similar styles at varying prices, and I too have a trash liner bag full of dusty holsters.
Has anyone had experience with Rounded by Concealment Express (I believe I’m naming them properly)?
I recently ordered a holster from them because they were one of the few that offered one for my carry and was claimed to be completely USA made and shipped. For a solid week I only see “confirmed” on my orde…no shipping info.
I’m hoping my order is working through the build queue, but I’ve had several “USA” items actually ship from China. Not only do these orders end up taking forever to deliver, they’re never what they were claimed.
I’m hoping for the best while expecting the worst…worstest? Mostest worstester?

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just acquired the new Crossbreed 2.0 modular belly band for my S&W Shield
the set up works great for deep conceal carry at Church for security
the holster set up is awesome, totally concealed
BUT Houston we have a problem with the Mag pockets
was walking threw the commons area and the Mag jumped out of the pocket and hit the floor
fortunately there was no one in the area but me soooo
going to contact Crossbreed this week to see what can be done about it

Mike

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Craft Holsters & Urban Carry.

LONG STORY SHORT.

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I’m not a fan of the Crossbreed reckoning holster (leather, and screws are too many variables for retention. The leather scraped up my side more than the gun would have). I’ve steered completely away from hybrid holsters. I only run Kydex.
The alien gear holster is okay. It’s a cool system for a new shooter, not the greatest at anything, but modularity is cool to find what someone might want for carry. I don’t really recommend it. It works but it’s just not the best set up.

If I was going to recommend a first holster I’d recommend something like a vedder light tuck. You can wear that holster in any position, it’s good quality kydex, very adjustable, relatively comfortable, and a fair price for what it is. They have sales all of the time. They make a good gift holster imo. There are better options, but you’re going to pay.

Now I think $100-$120 for a holster is a good range if you’re getting top tier quality. BUT I think it’s a good idea to know what position you want to carry in before dropping that much money on a holster. I’m a big fan of JM Custom Kydex.

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Muddy River😎

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One manufacturer that I don’t recommend is craft I ordered a " custom " holster from them that was supposed to be leather and got a nylon fit all holster that was not very well made I like Alien gear and J M Custom Kydex

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I tried the Urban Carry and hated it. Threw it away it was so bad. Liked the concept, was horrible to use.

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All my holsters are Winthrope. They are comfortable and tend to retain very well. But I see lots of others I would also wear. I say find what works for you and hang with it. Note I have been trying to contact Winthrope online no luck… I think something happened with them during Covid like a few other businesses

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I always had reservations about plastic holsters but a few years ago I went and jumped on the bandwagon. I used one as my EDC but a couple of days ago I bent over to pick something up off the floor and heard a pop I grabbed my gun just as it almost fell onto the floor which was concrete the plastic broke and yes I mean “kydex” the holster was only 2 months old and from a reputable company. I am going back to leather and not looking back.

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I do believe We the People makes good holsters. However, I have had several problems with orders, cancellations, and shipping.

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Alien Gear. Hate to say it, only tried one shoulder holster; They did refund my return. I was initially attracted by how comfortable the leather shoulder straps looked. I wanted it to work.

But on its arrival, way too many small brittle complex parts with little to no instructions.

Barsony. Thought I’d like there leather hip holster at very affordable price. My firearm was way too tight, but when I sent it back for refund, they claimed the never received it, so I got no refund.

The Holster Store, out of St Cloud, Florida. Only have one shoulder holster I bought from a third party. There were mold spots on the interior pockets of the holster and magazines. Compared to other leather holsters, the leather on this one was not as good a quality; The firearm tends to get a little stuck, too tight and the retention straps seem not big or heavy enough to hold the holster back as leverage. I’m waxing the actual holster pocket in hopes it’ll break in more easily.

Tip:

To try to fit in leather, if too tight at first, get lots of wax paper, not parchment paper.

Nail scratch test for the waxier side, double line 2 XL sheets over the unloaded, gun, wax side out, holster the gun 20 times, then repeat with new sheets. Then with a third set of sheets - just holster it once, leave it in two nights; Wallah - better fit.

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Which company, pray tell?

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I wasn’t going to say names but I have had second thoughts. It was Alien Gear.

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Send it back to them, it shouldn’t have broke, they stand behind what they sell.

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They are replacing it but it goes into the drawer I will never use plastic again I got a Galco I have a couple of holsters from them mostly for my large revolvers and I really like the quality

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In my case I have boxes. Tried all the materials kydex leather combinations of kydex and leather you name it. One day I was looking at this box of holsters thinking how much money I had sunk into the m. I found a good couple of custom holster makers and spoke with them and recently found the custom guy that just makes what fits me. If you think $200 is way too much for a holster wait a couple years until you look at how many you’ve accumulated that haven’t worked for you. And be aware if you’re younger your body changes with time and I no longer carry a iwb holster. I carry everyday regardless of whether o w b or pocket carry if I have to.

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Thought it might be useful to list a few holsters to Makers that I have purchased holsters from and no longer use. When I carried iwb I used stealth gear, vetter, galco, bianchi, several others I can’t even remember without going and looking. The most comfortable iwb I wore for stealth gear. All of them were considered good holsters but none seem to check all my boxes and I just tolerated them because they work.

Once back issues became prevalent and I started carrying owb I tried galco, bianchi, Kramer. I really liked avenger style holsters and pancakes but wanted something easy on easy off that did the job. I also had a couple of custom holsters from mirnickle and even milt Sparks. I wore the mirnickle for quite some time with a para ordnance LDA 40 cal.

Once I got into the compacts and micro compacts I got a holster for a couple of firearms from kusik leather and they are fine holsters but again really wanted something easy on easy off so I started checking with several custom makers. One guy that really impressed me with his knowledge and willingness to discuss my specific needs was TT leather. He made a suggestion based on my desires and body type and I haven’t looked back. He has made three holsters for me for three different firearms and they are by far the most comfortable and easy on off owb holsters and I use them exclusively now. They are a leather snap retained owb pancake style holster and I have to say they may be ugly to some people but my God they are comfortable and convenient to use. His quality rivals that of milk Sparks.

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Hey ShooterRick, just wanted to suggest you try appendix carry if you are hurting with back pain. I let my “bat belt” get a little too large and heavy and by the end of the day, I could feel my back remind me I wasn’t some young buck anymore. A friend pointed me to this little company (dominatedefense.com) out in Idaho that makes what my friends and I feel are the best damn EDC belts I’ve ever had. Combine their Ranger EDC belt with your favorite appendix carry and you’ll be amazed. I also added a pad to my appendix carry so my kibbles and bits don’t get pinched or unnecessarily pressed on. Simple modification. Ordered some double sided velcro and attached one side to the holster and the other to a nice pad and it allowed me to adjust as I needed. Most of the appendix carry holsters are really uncomfortable but that belt stretches as you sit making it surprisingly better. Since getting the belt, I haven’t used a standard belt when carrying since unless I’m in a suit and need a dress belt.

Check them out and test it out yourself. Typically I stray away from pointing out a specific manufacturer of holster because everyone is different and has different tastes, but as far as belts…I HIGHLY recommend the Ranger EDC. https://dominatedefense.com/product/ranger/

Since I switched to appendix carry, my back pain has gone away, and my groin pain is tolerable…sorry, couldn’t resist.

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Thanks not a problem but I’m very comfortable carrying behind my left hip owb doesn’t bother my back at all and I don’t have any trouble concealing even in Louisiana in warm weather. I’ve tried appendix carry a couple of times just could never get comfortable with it

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