High Noon Holster Comparison

[Lerk]

So choosing my first holster to use for my EDC gun as I will be receiving my CCW shortly. Have decided I'm going to go with a High Noon Holster, but am stuck between two models. I will be carrying either a S&W M&P Shield or a S&W M&P Compact (if I can't track down a Shield in the near future). I've decided I want to carry from 3-5 o'clock as that is most comfortable with my frame and daily routine. I also want the holster to be canted. The two models I am looking at from High Noon is the Down Under w/ Clip and the Tailgunner w/ Clip. Wondering if you guys can tell me a little bit more about both, some pros and cons you've discovered, and just the rest of your experience with them.


Down Under

Tailgunner


Just a little bit about me, I'm 5'9", about 175lbs. Only wear t-shirts untucked and blue jeans or cargo shorts.

And a little extra, depending on what holster you guys recommend, I'll need a good belt to go with it also, my cheap retail store one won't be up to the job.

 

[RedAlert]

I've never owned any High Noon products so I can't offer comment on quality, fit or function. However, I've done a lot of looking at holster by various craftsmen and these are the most expensive I've encountered for a simple IWB holster.

I suggest you at least look at some of the other offerings by other craftsmen and you could save yourself a bundle of cash and still have a high quality holster. Of course if you have your mind set on this company, go to it as I'm sure they are a good company.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

However, I've done a lot of looking at holster by various craftsmen and these are the most expensive I've encountered for a simple IWB holster.

You can save $100 by not getting a black one. I love my High Noon holsters, but I can't fathom what they are thinking charging $100 for black leather dye.

Anywho, I use a down under w/ straps for my CZ-75B. Great holster.

As for a belt. Get on from The Beltman. A little pricey, but well worth it.

 

[basicblur]

You can save $100 by not getting a black one. I love my High Noon holsters, but I can't fathom what they are thinking charging $100 for black leather dye.

I'm guessing maybe because it's a non-standard item? I'd wager most folks don't want black on IWB as the dye could cause problems with perspiration etc?

Anywho...can't help you on your particular models - I have a couple of their Sky High rigs.

What can I say 'bout quality? (I'm no expert)
Stuff looks quality, doesn't have quite the sheen on the leather than DeSantis and Galco do, and it can take a while for non-stock items (12 weeks on my first, a little longer on my second).

I don't think they're all that pricey for what you're getting, and they do have a ton of good leather infof & options at their site.

BTW - I was disappointed with both their and Galco's double mag carriers (sent the High Noon Back). I prefer DeSantis double mag carriers - due to the construction of both the Galco and High Noon carriers, I could not get the same tension on both magazines - the leather overlaps at the rear, which causes slightly different pocket sizes for each magazine. You can see where they've skived the leather at the overlap point in order to try to maintain the same thickness even when overlapped, but it didn't quite work. The DeSantis double mag carriers do not overlap, and I can get the same tension on both magazines.
The DeSantis double mag carrier is also a little smaller, as it has a bit of molded / shrink-wrap build to it. The High Noon and Galco double carriers just have rounded edges etc, and are both not quite as compact as the DeSantis carrier.
The finish on the DeSantis carrier closely matches the finish on my High Noon holsters (black).

 

[Leadbutt]

I have used them for several years now, and have found for the short barreled IWB type guns the "tail gunner" for me works better , the design helps in keeping the butt tucked in.

The nice thing about the "reverse" "J" clip is the ability to use it under the belt on pants with a heavy welt in the waist area.

 

[armoredman]

Been using the Down Under with straps for a year now, and it conceals a full size CZ SP-01 Phantom easily under a large t-shirt, even in Arizona summer heat.



I cannot recommend it highly enough. Couple it with a High Noon Rock Steady gunbelt, and you are set.http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Pro.../Magazine_Carriers/Pocket_Holsters/belts.html

Another great choice for winter months is the High Noon outside the waist band Slide Guard, shown here with a Kimber 1911.

 

[JTQ]

You can save $100 by not getting a black one. I love my High Noon holsters, but I can't fathom what they are thinking charging $100 for black leather dye.

It's not a secret why High Noon charges so much for their black dyed IWB holsters. They list reasons for the extra cost right in their "Questions" section.
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/_Questions/_questions.html#121

While the extra cost for the black IWB models is not worth it to me, there are some that want that option and are willing to pay for it. I applaud High Noon for making that option available to customers and also armoredman for spending the cash to get one. His holster certainly looks cool and I can enjoy living vicariously through him.

Like armoredman, I have a "Slide Guard" for a 5" 1911. It is a much better holster than any Galco or DeSantis holster I've ever handled. For the most part they are also more expensive than the Galco or DeSantis holsters, so in that regard you are not comparing apples to apples. The High Noon product is better, only you can decide if you are willing to spend the extra bucks to get the better product.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I'm not a fan of the clip. I prefer the straps.

Reason: Most of the time, I prefer to wear a wilderness style TDU belt. The clips just don't do a good job of grabbing it for me.

 

[Loic]

I have a highnoon for my cz sp-
01 phantom (outside the wb) it took about 4 months to get it. The quality is nice, the holster is very tight. I wore it for more than 60 hours and its better but still tight (once on the belt It's still hard to unholsyer the gun, in the beginning it was just impossible)

It is very comfortable to wear and conceal the gun well under a t-shirt.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Loic]

Been using the Down Under with straps for a year now, and it conceals a full size CZ SP-01 Phantom easily under a large t-shirt, even in Arizona summer heat.



I cannot recommend it highly enough. Couple it with a High Noon Rock Steady gunbelt, and you are set.http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Pro.../Magazine_Carriers/Pocket_Holsters/belts.html

Another great choice for winter months is the High Noon outside the waist band Slide Guard, shown here with a Kimber 1911.

How long it took for the break in?
I noticed on my cz, that the release mag button got a little rust on it. I hike a lot in the desert and I guess the acidity of the sweat is doing that...

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

It's not a secret why High Noon charges so much for their black dyed IWB holsters. They list reasons for the extra cost right in their "Questions" section.
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/_Que...tions.html#121

Oh, I know their explanation... but it doesn't account for why their other holsters are available in black without extra cost.

Nor do they explain why you can get black IWB holsters from their competitors for $100 less.

 

[basicblur]

It is a much better holster than any Galco or DeSantis holster I've ever handled.

Inquiring minds would like to know why High Noon Holsters are "much better"?

 

[ForumSurfer]

"Better" is subjective. Having owned both; the quality of materials, quality of workmanship, quality of stitching and fit in a high noon were better than the galco's I have owned.

 

[basicblur]

"Better" is subjective. Having owned both...

I own all three - I'm just leery of drive-by "better" statements.

I don't know that the quality is better on any of the three - just different?
I didn't take a microscope to 'em (and I ain't no leather / holster expert), but I looked 'em over pretty well when they arrived - can't say I'd call "better" on a particular brand.

BTW - I definitely prefer the DeSantis dual magazine pouches due to what I consider a design flaw in both the Galco and High Noon pouches.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I don't know that the quality is better on any of the three - just different?

The high noon version just has a more personally hand crafted feel to it....to me. It just looks like they took their time making it more so than the galco. Both do the job, but if price is close...I'll take the high noon. Of course this is all with regard to OWB in my mind. For me, an IWB holster doesn't need that same attention to detail as my belt will keep it in place and handle the tension more so than the holster. Like say comparing the down under to the galco summer comfort.

BTW - I definitely prefer the DeSantis dual magazine pouches due to what I consider a design flaw in both the Galco and High Noon pouches.

I never wear a double mag holder unless I'm shooting IDPA or plinking. I prefer kydex for that.

 

[Loic]

Well, they do take their time....4 months...... I still like it

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[smalls]

I suggest getting straps instead of a clip. I had a holster with a clip, and it wiggled back and forth a lot. Straps keep it much more secure.

 

[JTQ]

Inquiring minds would like to know why High Noon Holsters are "much better"?

I'll admit I don't own either a DeSantis or Galco, though I have handled a variety of their models in various gun stores, big box stores, and at gun shows, so if you have all three and disagree, I will defer to your expertise.

In my limited experience, my High Noon is stitched and finished better than any model I've seen from either DeSantis or Galco. Additionally, with the DeSantis holsters specifically, the leather seemed "floppy" to me. My guess is the experience folks have with holsters such as the DeSantis models I've handled would be the reason so many on forums ask us to recommend them a holster with retention straps. These holsters certainly seem like they would need a retention strap to keep the pistol in the holster. With my High Noon Slide Guard, the draw is perfectly smooth with no hang ups anywhere in the draw stroke and yet you can take the holster off, and with the gun inserted, and shake it upside down until your arms are sore, and the pistol is not falling out.

 

[basicblur]

...so if you have all three and disagree, I will defer to your expertise.

I ain't not expert ,but I was impressed enough with the DeSantis ones I have to order additional models. The guns seem to fit 'bout as tight in them as they do in my High Noons, and they all have adjustment screws. I've loosened the adjustment screws on all my holsters as the guns seem to fit plenty tight in all of 'em (with the retention strap undone).
I realize I'm bucking the crowd, but I prefer most of my holsters with retention straps. Currently I have:
1. High Noon Sky High & DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard for a P229R (357 SIG for winter carry)
2. High Noon Sky High for XDSC9 (my main CCW)
4. Galco FX Suede for HK USPC.
3. DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard for LC9.
5. DeSantis Quick Snap for LCP.

Got a DeSantis Ankle Rig on the way for a S&W SHIELD-gonna give ankle carry a try, and am looking for something easier to summer conceal than my XDSC9.
Probably going to pick up a DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard for the SHIELD as soon as I can find a lined one below MSRP. For some reason, the lined versions of the Thumb Break Scabbard are non-stock and are considered custom orders for the SHIELD (my other Thumb Breaks are lined, and are stock items).
I've got a few discounters checking on getting the lined Thumb Break for me.

My first Sky High took 3 months to deliver, the second took 4 months.
I can get a lot of DeSantis rigs delivered immediately at around 30% below MSRP from various sources, so unless I'm really impressed with High Noon over DeSantis, those are some big obstacles to overcome.

I've thought 'bout trying a non-retention holster, but I sure do like the extra layer of leather some of the makers sew across the mouth to keep it from collapsing-I wish High Noon & DeSantis would start doing so.

One o' these days, I've got to have a holster yard sale (or at least get a bigger holster box)!

You don't wanna see my flashlight box... :banghead:

 

[camsdaddy]

I have a high noon mr softy holster for several guns and have been very happy. Inexpensive, quick shipping, strong clip and durable