drop-leg carrier question

[JTQ]

...do you have any thoughts as to relative pro's and con's of the BladeTech vs the Garrett? One question, how does the retention compare between the two of them WRT both effectiveness and ease of removing the gun? Also, how do they compare for replacing the gun?

Kydex holsters are excellent for training, as Sam1911 said, they will stay open when the gun is drawn and will be very easy to reholster. Most people will recommend a kydex holster for a training class since they are very durable and so easy to draw from and reholster.

I don't have a Blade-Tech, but do have other unlined kydex holsters, a Raven Concealment Phantom, and a Dale Fricke Gideon Elite, both great holsters, but I wouldn't recommend either for your projected use. With unlined kydex, like the Blade-Tech, the gun clicks into the holster. You know when it is fully seated as you can hear it click into place, and when drawing the gun, it kind of jumps out of the holster after you've gotten past the retention point. They are very positive, and as Sam1911 says, you can adjust them from "they are only held in by gravity" to "I'm giving myself a weggie trying to get this gun out" level.

The Garrett Silent Thunder is lined with smooth leather. I have one and it has the smoothest draw stroke of any holster I own. You can adjust the tension like the Blade-Tech, but the gun doesn't "click" into the holster. It's kind of like the feeling of putting a spoon into pudding. The gun sort of "clunk's" when it is fully inserted. The tension is along the whole gun, much like a leather holster, but since the outer layer is kydex, it is consistent throughout, while a leather holster can flex somewhat.

Either Blade-Tech or Garrett would be a great option. Blade-Tech is somewhat of a bigger company and their mounting system is a little more universal, giving you some more mounting options such as the Tek-Lok. Garrett is a newer, and smaller, company and may give you a little more personal attention, if you want it, but there are fewer external options for Garrett products. I am extremely pleased with my holster from Garrett, and for kydex holsters, I think they are very good looking, but I can't think of anything negative to say about Blade-Tech.

 

[Nuclear]

I own a Garrett Silent Thunder holster for a full sized 1911, coupled with a Wliderness 1.5 inch Instructor belt and two magazines on the opposite side, I spent a whole week at a class and the only time I noticed the holstered gun was when I sat down. And they are very helpful on the phone.

 

[old lady new shooter]

belt arrived, very happy with it

I got the Wilderness Tactical 5 stitch Instructor Belt in 1 3/4 inch width as Jeff recommended and it arrived today. Very happy to report it feels great on, a belt like that already helps support the back.

Waiting for the holster now, I ordered the Garrett Silent Thunder OWB with the drop-and-offset mount as recommended by JTQ. Will report back.

 

[1911 guy]

Good choice. The 5-stitch Instructor belt has been my belt of choice for a decade now and i have no thoughts of switching.

If you're still open to the suspender idea, a lot of us that carry fullsize guns also wear Perry Suspenders made by Dicky, the work clothes company. Unlike regular suspenders, these attach directly to the belt, rather than the pants. Can be picked up at Wal-Mart or such department store.

And i will second everything said about drop leg holsters. I carried a M9 or M1911 in a drop leg for years. The purpose wasn't any advantage of draw, presentation or comfort, but simply of real estate. Back when I was a slim young lad of twenty something, I toted around (2) 3 mag carriers, (2) 1 quart canteens, pistol mag pouch, bayonet, entrenching tool, first aid kit, 100 round M60 pouch and pistol. I'm sure I've forgotten a few things. The best way to fit it all around a 30 inch waist was to drop some of it (like the handgun) below other things. I figured out the first day to wear it as high as possible without hanging up on other gear.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Good choice. The 5-stitch Instructor belt has been my belt of choice for a decade now and i have no thoughts of switching.

If you're still open to the suspender idea, a lot of us that carry fullsize guns also wear Perry Suspenders made by Dicky, the work clothes company. Unlike regular suspenders, these attach directly to the belt, rather than the pants. Can be picked up at Wal-Mart or such department store.

And i will second everything said about drop leg holsters. I carried a M9 or M1911 in a drop leg for years. The purpose wasn't any advantage of draw, presentation or comfort, but simply of real estate. Back when I was a slim young lad of twenty something, I toted around (2) 3 mag carriers, (2) 1 quart canteens, pistol mag pouch, bayonet, entrenching tool, first aid kit, 100 round M60 pouch and pistol. I'm sure I've forgotten a few things. The best way to fit it all around a 30 inch waist was to drop some of it (like the handgun) below other things. I figured out the first day to wear it as high as possible without hanging up on other gear.

I can't take any credit for the choice, Jeff recommended it and I bought it.

Re suspenders, I'm definitely open to the idea, but what I decided was to first see how I feel with just the belt -- the issue is not the weight per se but the fact that it will be on one side... several folks said the belt should serve to distribute the weight so I figure I should first see to what extent that proves true for me. There is a Wal-Mart not too far from me where I could buy those suspenders you're recommending, so if I decide I want them at least I don't have to wait for them to be shipped from somewhere.

 

[1911 guy]

I find it more comfortable to carry more weight, but evenly distributed, than less weight on one side. In my case, that means carrying 2 reloads on my off side.

 

[old lady new shooter]

I find it more comfortable to carry more weight, but evenly distributed, than less weight on one side. In my case, that means carrying 2 reloads on my off side.

Yes, that's what I meant.

Just weighed my speedloader and its pouch, a whopping 2½ oz, add 7 rounds at ~½ oz each = 6 oz, times 2 = 12 oz. Vs loaded 686 Plus, 42.4 oz, the difference is almost 2 pounds. If money were no object the logical conclusion would be to have twins, one on each hip. Would also be faster than reloading and easier to switch hands if necessary.

 

[1911 guy]

In my case, a 1911 weighs a lot more than two magazines. But it does help. You may find that car keys, cell phone, etc. can also be changed location to put small amounts of weight in different places to even things out.

 

[old lady new shooter]

In my case, a 1911 weighs a lot more than two magazines. But it does help. You may find that car keys, cell phone, etc. can also be changed location to put small amounts of weight in different places to even things out.

Being a female, all that other stuff is normally in my purse. But I'll be experimenting once everything gets here.

 

[JTQ]

old lady new shooter wrote,
I ordered the Garrett Silent Thunder OWB with the drop-and-offset mount ...Will report back.

Have you've received your holster from Garrett? How has it worked out for you?

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I carry my duty revolver, a 4 inch .357 Magnum S&W Model 686-6 in a Safariland Model 6280 SLS mid-rise holster on a duty belt. Safariland offers extended belt loops that lower the handgun up to an inch or two. You might want to investigate that. As for getting the weight off your hips, battle/tactical suspenders are the way to go IMHO.

I'm not really an expert since I've only been carrying guns for a little over 40 years. YMMV.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Have you've received your holster from Garrett? How has it worked out for you?

I did receive it, thank you so much for following up.

Being that I realized I was nowhere near ready for that October class, since finally getting my gun I have been practicing with snapcaps for home defense scenarios, not up to the only one where I would be wearing the holster yet. Right now I am still not 100% satisfied with the grip, I'll probably make a separate post about that, I guess in the revolver section.