New Kaluban Cloak holster for MK25 with Streamlight TLR4 light

[jawman]

After months and months of searching and finally finding a holster maker who could make a Kydex holster for not only just the Sig MK25 (which the gun alone is hard to find a holster for) but for one with a newer tac light also, I was VERY excited to get this holster, but unfortunately, I am quite disappointed with it.

The retention on the holster is extremely tight - too tight. It is very difficult to insert the firearm into the holster. The slide will even begin to rack because the fit is so tight. After some force I finally was able to insert the gun into the holster. I thought that was hard, but drawing the gun from out of the holster is even more difficult. I have to use both hands and a lot of force to remove the gun, and a couple of times I had to sit down, and prop both of my feet on the sides of the holster and push my legs forward while pulling the gun towards me to remove the holster. It sounds absolutely crazy, but that's what I had to do. I know this is definitely not how the holster should be. I did extensive research for a Kydex holster and thought that Kaluban Cloak was the best. I watched numerous YouTube videos of other customers reviewing their holsters, and everyone had good things to say about them. No one experienced the problems I have, and they were all able to insert and remove the gun easily, all while maintaining a good retention.

I also purchased a double slot magazine holster. It's not as much of a pain in the ass as the gun holster is, but it is still somewhat disappointing. It holds 2 magazines. One slot fits okay, and is a little on the loose side, while the other is much tighter and more difficult to remove. They are both inconsistent among each other. It's as if one slot should be a little tighter, and the other should be looser. I did extensive research online reading about Kydex holsters and different holster makers, watched plenty of videos and read many reviews, and everyone had great things to say about Kaluban Cloak. Thus I was very excited to get a holster from them, so it's unfortunate and disappointing (and quite shocking honestly) that my holster sucks. I've reached out to them so hopefully this is an uncommon occurrence and they can make this situation right. I will post an update on this once I hear back from them. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6z7n59vwVc

 

[gunnutery]

Find where it's catching and take a heat gun to it to loosen up that area and then reholster the gun so that it's more form fitted to your gun. In the video you said it catches on the laser adjustment, you could probably heat up that area too and make it wider/bigger to accept it.

Do a search for DIY kydex holster making, on THR and youtube. Knifekits.com (I think) has kydex sheets and eyelets and such to DIY.

 

[jawman]

Actually the laser adjustment doesn't catch - at first I thought that it did, but after further studying the holster, I learned that the laser is not the problem, the holster is just molded poorly/too tight. I commented about this in one of the annotations, but if you're watching the video from the YouTube app and not on a computer, you won't see the annotations.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Well, it's a piece of plastic for a what?

 

[jawman]

Not sure what you're trying to say?

 

[Owen]

jawman, holsters for the P226R should work just fine also.

 

[JTQ]

I watched the video. Have you tried drawing the pistol from the holster while being worn, mounted on your belt?

New holsters are usually tight. Models like the Kaluban Cloak don't have adjustable tension, so they start out tighter because as they wear they will loosen up slightly. If they start out loose, they will not have enough tension to hold your pistol securely as they wear in.

Kydex holsters will also benefit from the "plastic bag trick" often used with leather holsters. Wrap your pistol in a plastic bag, or waxed paper, insert the pistol into the holster and let it sit overnight.

 

[jawman]

I tried it on holsteted as well and it was just as difficult if not more. When trying to draw the gun from the holster it just pulls my pants up and the pistol will not draw.

 

[JTQ]

While it is possible you do have a problem with your holster, the issues you have shown and described are very common with new holsters.

Lots of guys recommend using a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen up a kydex holster and the "plastic bag trick" is practically standard practice for new leather holsters.

Personally, I lack the courage to heat up a kydex holster for fear of ruining it. I would rather try the plastic bag or send it back to the maker.

I have a Raven Concealment Phantom, that is similar to your Kaluban Cloak holster, and it was very difficult to insert and draw my non-light equipped 1911 when new. I wrapped it in waxed paper and inserted my pistol. I left it in for a few hours and the holster showed improvement to the point where it was still difficult, but useful. The holster is just right now and has gotten that way simply through use. The more you use it, the better it will get.

 

[jawman]

What's the point of wrapping my gun in a plastic bag and putting it in the holster overnight? How does this process work?

 

[JTQ]

It stretches the holster. The plastic bag or waxed paper, very slightly increases the size of your pistol.

It's like wearing thick socks with a pair of shoes that are slightly tight. It will be painful, but it will stretch your shoes. When you wear the regular thickness socks, your shoes will fit better. It is mostly used with leather holsters since they are more prone to stretching, but it did work for my Raven kydex holster.

I used waxed paper since I could wrap it closer to the pistol and it added less material than the plastic bag, which was going to be hard to use since the holster was so tight. I let it sit a few hours, I can't remember if it was overnight or not. It was an improvement. It got the holster to where it was usable and I got the rest of the way to "perfect" just by wearing it and doing practice draws.

 

[jawman]

I'm going to try leaving it in the holster overnight and all day while I'm at work. So close to a full 24 hours. If that doesn't help I will do the same with a plastic bag.

Wondering, could I put the holster in the oven to warm it up a bit and then reinsert my holster and let it form? Is this okay? Or is this a terrible idea? What temperature and how long should I cook it for in order to soften it up just enough to put the holster in and let it form?

 

[JTQ]

I lack the courage to stick my kydex holster in the oven. Most will recommend using a blow dryer or heat gun, and I'm too cowardly to even attempt that. If I can't fix it with a sheet of waxed paper or plastic bag, I'm sending it back to the maker to fix. I figure, if I bend the kydex by heating it, it's my responsibility, and the fit is no longer the responsibility of the maker. I'd rather let a pro kydex bender make the adjustments.

You may get some help letting it just sit in the holster, but waxed paper, or a plastic bag, will help as will repeated drawing and reholstering of your pistol as it will stretch the holster just a little and make it easier to draw and reholster.

With an attached light, you may never get a real slick draw from your holster like you would with a holster for a non-light equipped pistol, but it should get better.

Kydex holsters do draw different than leather holsters. Leather is a steady pull, while kydex holsters require somewhat of a quick snap of a draw to pull the pistol out of the holster.

My Raven was my first kydex holster and I was disappointed with it at first, much like you are, as I found it difficult to holster and draw from, but as I learned more about the holster just by using it, I began to understand it and appreciate it. The design is a good one. Whether they executed yours well or not, I can't say, but I'd work with it a while to see if it loosens up.