This adds perhaps 2 inches to the footprint. The holster is configured with a magazine carrier in the body. The DeSantis Hidden Truth was delivered molded for the Glock 19. This holster solicited a greater range of opinion than any of the other holsters tested. Speed, comfort, and the draw angle are excellent.ĭeSantis Hidden Truth, $70 GUN TESTS GRADE: A. The design complements the short-barrel revolver very well. However, when moving the Flex-Tuk to the appendix position, we were able to execute a brilliantly fast draw. When worn in the traditional by-the-kidney-over-the-right-rear-pocket position, the holster was comfortable and offered a good draw. Our example is molded for the J-frame Smith & Wesson, specifically the 3-inch-barrel Model 649 357 Magnum. Due to the design, the holster may be worn as an appendix holster or in the crossdraw position. The holster is partly leather and partly synthetic. The Flex-Tuk is supplied with both J- and C-clip belt attachments. DeSantis GunHide Flex-Tuk, $66 GUN TESTS GRADE: A Note: MSRP is $99, so be certain to shop around, as we did. We rated the holster down a half grade because the holstering welt isn’t as solid as some. Fit is good, the holster is comfortable, and the draw is sharp for those who practice. The holster’s dye is pleasant, with a fading of dark and light shades uncommon in a holster in this price range. The inside of the holster is a natural finish and offers little friction as the piece is drawn and may be less offensive in finish wear. The holster features a wraparound holstering welt that also contains the spring-steel belt clip. This holster was ordered for the Smith & Wesson J frame 2-inch barrel revolver. Blackhawk! Leather IWB, $47 GUN TESTS GRADE: A. We feel that in the end, we had a good grasp of the utility of each holster. During the test, we drew from concealed carry and carried the holstered handgun with the test holster. The holster had to be capable of good concealment inside the pants. The holster should not be able to be drawn with the handgun - the holster must remain stable.ĭraw angle.The holster must tilt the handle into the draw, allowing a natural draw from concealed carry.Ĭoncealment. The holsters were rated on how securely the holster attached to the belt, whether with a C hook, J hook, belt loops, or a strong metal clip. We used both Big Foot and Jeffrey Custom Leather belts during the test. We feel that it is useless to choose a quality holster without a good gunbelt. On the other hand, we did not like a holster that is excessively tight and demands a long break-in period.īelt attachment. We did not test holsters designed to accommodate more than one handgun. Finish was not as important in the long run as a perfect fit to the handgun and good design.įit.The holster must fit the handgun it is designed to carry. We graded the holsters based on stitching, quality of edging, and the general quality of the holster. Choose well, and if you get five years out of the holster in constant carry, you have done well. When they become too worn, they should be discarded for safety reasons. They do not last as long as handguns, but, of course, they are not intended to and simply cannot. As our senior rater noted, holsters are a renewable resource. For value and craftsmanship, the Galco Summer Comfort and Galco N3, available off the rack in some shops, are a good buy and represent the work of many craftsmen under a single roof. A true custom maker, such as Nightingale, offers options including cant and finish that may be important to the end user. The just-right holster for you is somewhere, you simply must find it. The IWB rides close to the body, and this makes the holster a very personal choice. These included the Wright Leatherworks Cobra, a combination IWB/OWB design, and the Jeffrey Custom Leather EZ Carry, a holster that may be worn between the belt and the trousers as well as IWB. We threw in a couple of holsters that, while primarily are inside-the-waistband designs, do other things. We also tested the DeSantis Hidden Truth, a kydex design, as a counterpoint to leather. We tested traditional designs that have stood the test of time, such as the Galco Summer Comfort and the bold new designs from Urban Carry. This was a result of the raters adding options such as special reinforcements and sweat guards. While we tried to keep the price around $100 or less, in several cases we went over. In this installment, we test more than a dozen holsters from makers large and small. For many of us, this means buying off-the-shelf holsters. Like a good shoemaker, workmen capable of making quality holsters are few and far between. Shooters know that quality leather gear is increasingly expensive.
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