P226 MK25 holster with tac light?

[jawman]

I've got a couple of $50 off coupons to use at www.opticsplanet.com, and I plan on buying either the TLR-3 or the TLR-4 light to mount to my MK25, and will also be looking to get an OWB holster for that setup. What are my holster options for a MK25 with a light? Does the holster have to match a P226R + any light or must it specifically support the exact light I go with? I've never bought a holster before (besides the cheap nylon $20 ones) so I'm a bit ignorant with this process. Any help would be much appreciated.

Edit: After doing some searching, it seems that if I'm looking for a descent holster, they are light specific. I've tried searching on opticsplanet.com but I get so many search results and it's pretty overwhelming since I've never done this before. It'd be nice if I knew exactly what I was looking for or at least knew of some holsters that would fit my setup, but again I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to this.

 

[JTQ]

lawman wrote,
I've tried searching on opticsplanet.com but I get so many search results and it's pretty overwhelming since I've never done this before. It'd be nice if I knew exactly what I was looking for or at least knew of some holsters that would fit my setup, but again I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to this.

Are you sure you haven't done this before?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=647164&highlight=sig+p226+mk25

Most of the makers recommended in the previous thread you started should also make holsters for your MK25 with light attached. Remember, the rail on the MK25 is different than the rail on the 226R. You also will need to get the holster for the specific light, as you mentioned.

As I mentioned in your previous thread, looking for a cheap holster doesn't make much sense, when you are carrying a $1,000 pistol and now you are adding a $250 light. Get a good holster.

 

[jawman]

Are you sure you haven't done this before?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=647164&highlight=sig+p226+mk25

Yes, I'm sure I haven't done this before. That first thread I was looking for a holster for the gun only. I never succeeded in finding a holster for the MK25 as it was near impossible. But now that I plan on attaching a tactical light, that changes things, and definitely makes a difference for someone like me who is ignorant and inexperienced with something like this.

I'm leaning towards the Streamlight TLR-4, but I think it came out in January, and being a newer light I'm not sure if there are many holsters out there for the P226R that would fit it. Also, I'd like to get the holster from opticsplanet.com since I have the two gift cards. And the pistol is $850, not $1000.

 

[JTQ]

The "big picture" issue is still the same. You have a new pistol, with a new style rail. The real issue is finding a maker that cover's that new Sig pistol. I'm not that familiar with the TLR line up, but the big issue is your pistol with the odd rail.

I think the OpticsPlanet guy is a member on this forum, so he may be able to help you. On the other hand, OpticsPlanet carries a million different products and when you call them you probably are talking to a "phone answerer" so they may not be able to help you that much when you call.

From my post in the other thread, if you call a holster maker rather than a general retailer, they will know their product better, and will most likely be able to tell you if they are working on what you want even if they don't currently have it in their line-up.

If it's just a kydex holster you want, then Blade-Tech, Comp-Tac, Garrett, and Raven are the top places to look. If this Mk 25 is much different than a typical P226 you'll most likely need to call them and ask about that model specifically.

Blade-Tech http://www.blade-tech.com/home.php

Comp-Tac http://www.comp-tac.com/

Garrett Industries http://garrettindustries.mybigcommerce.com/

Raven Concealment http://www.ravenconcealment.com/

When you call somebody like Garrett Industries, as suggested in the previous thread, you'll probably get Ron Garrett (or his wife), the guy making the holsters. He could tell you in about two seconds if he makes a holster for the Sig MK25. In another two seconds he could tell you if he makes a holster for your pistol with the light you want attached.

I get the OpticsPlanet gift card issue. If you had a Glock 17 or a 1911, OpticsPlant probably has a bunch of holsters for you, but you don't, you have one of the newest Sigs with an "odd ball" (in their line-up at least) rail. It is unlikely you are going to find an "off the shelf" holster for that pistol, let alone one with the light attached. You may find some kind of generic fit holster that may be close, but there is no way I'd use it for my "only" $850 pistol and $250 light. I'd use the OpticsPlanet gift cards for some other stuff you may need, like a belt, or mag pouch, or cleaning supplies, and get the holster direct from a holster maker.

 

[jawman]

As mentioned in the prior thread you are quoting, none of those makers support the MK25 at this time, except for Garrett, and they were one of the more expensive options. The lights are $87 and $125, not $250 (not going to THAT much on a tac-light unless I was LEO, military, etc.). But all in all I think you're right - I'll probably use the gift cards for other things and get a nice custom fit holster, if possible. I still have to call and research further to see if it's even doable. But I wanted to check here first, because as I said, I'm not very adept when it comes to this whole thing. It was difficult for me to figure out the holster part, and to throw a new light into the equation makes it even more difficult.

 

[JTQ]

not going to THAT much on a tac-light unless I was LEO, military, etc.

Since you aren't LEO or military, you may want to look at getting a holster for the pistol without the light attached. Holsters are made so that they provide some retention to the light when in the holster. If you try and use the holster without the light attached to the pistol, the holster won't work very well.

 

[jawman]

I did find a really cheap nylon holster that fits the MK25 like a glove. But it is what it is: a cheap-ass nylon holster. I would really like a nice Kydex holster to also fit the gun and light like a glove. This will most likely have to be custom made. And since I plan on practicing/training with the light on, that holster will be my primary choice. If I ever want to shoot without the light, I can always use the cheap nylon as a backup. On the other hand, if I do most of my shooting and practicing during the daylight, what will I need the light for? To get used to the added weight? Maybe I'll get both Kydex holsters with and without the light. Not sure yet.

 

[jawman]

I see that Raven has a holster option of the P226 rail with a Streamlight TLR-4 tac light. I'm wondering if I were to order that holster, would my MK25 with the light attached fit that holster? I would assume that the addition of the light would make it easier than finding a holster for the gun only since the MK25 has a picatinny rail.

 

[JTQ]

I'd call Raven. They know what they are doing and should be able to tell you if it would work. I think the rail would still make a difference, but I admit, I don't know for sure.

As I mentioned before, a holster for light equipped pistol is a bulky affair.

I have holsters from Raven and Garrett. Both are excellent. The advantage Raven has over Garrett, in my opinion, is versatility. It can be worn IWB or OWB just by changing the attachments. If that is what you are looking for, I'd recommend the Raven over the Garrett. While I don't have a Garrett STX, I'd imagine it would conceal as well as the Raven in the OWB role.

As an aside, I don't have a light equipped Raven holster, but if I did, I'd never use it IWB unless I worked for somebody that required it. It would probably be OK as an OWB holster, though.