Question about Blade-Tech holsters

[Byrd666]

I'm hoping to hear from folks who use, or have used, Blade-Tech holsters and the experience(s) they've had with them. Both good and bad please. They are offering a Kydex Yaqui style holster called - The Partial Eclipse OWB holster - that really looks like what I've been searching for. I became a huge fan of this style holster when I was carrying my EMP .40, (Damn, how I miss that beautiful pistol), and have been trying to find a Kydex one for my M&P c9 since I bought it.

Any comments, and or all help is appreciated. Link below.

http://shop.blade-tech.com/partial-eclipse-holster-c-1_23_28.html#.Uhly_D9VVvB

 

[Sam1911]

Can't say enough good about Blade-Tech. Great products and lots of nifty gadgets (like the Tech-Lock mounting system).

Can't really recommend a slide-style holster unless you HAVE to carry several guns with different barrel lengths though. Way too easy to bump the unprotected muzzle and have the gun half out of the holster (and headed toward the floor!) before you know it. I have a competition gun that I use a similar holster with and I know exactly how much that sucks. They make plenty that guard the muzzle and prevent the problem entirely. I'd vote for those.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Blade tech makes great stuff, but just as Sam said, that style of holster (regardless of manufacturer) is far from optimum.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My polymer holsters progressed through the Fobus, Uncle Mikes, Comp-tac to the Blade-tec. I really didn't think there would be that much difference between the Comp-tac and the Blade Tech, but there is...at least for IDPA competition.

The workmanship on the Blade-Tech is excellent...all the angles and clearances are just right. Having said all that, I would also caution against that style of holster for the same reason as mentioned by Sam.

It retains fine when you're just standing or walking, but sitting is just asking to lose you gun

 

[JTQ]

9mmepiphany wrote,
I really didn't think there would be that much difference between the Comp-tac and the Blade Tech, but there is...at least for IDPA competition.

The workmanship on the Blade-Tech is excellent...all the angles and clearances are just right.

I find your experience interesting. I also would have thought the two makers to be similar. What models were you using between the two brands, and were there features or construction that you found gave the edge to Blade-Tech.

 

[9mmepiphany]

For the Blade-Tech, (B/T) I used their standard OWB holster, 1 with a paddle and another with the Stingray belt attachment.

For the Comp-Tac, (C/T) I used their Belt holster and their Paddle holster (Settable Cant)

The first thing was the choice of attachments for mounting. My B/T OWB holster came with the Tek-Lok as well as the Paddle...I added the Stringray. My C/T holsters were an either/or proposition. (I do note that they also offer the International, but I was comparing their standard holsters at the time)

I liked the spacing of the tension screws better on the B/T. I found that it allowed a bit more fine tuning of the retention. I found the C/T aggravating to find the balance...besides the screws backing out and being difficult to realign.

I liked the paddle attachment of the C/T better as the wider "wings" stabilized the pouch more on the belt.

While some people like a sweat shield, I found that the one on the C/T poked me in the wrong place.

I liked that the C/T held the body of the holster tighter to my body, which made CCW easier

 

[Sam1911]

With the BT rig, how would you compare the stingray vs. the paddle? My daughter has picked out their drop & offset with the carbon-fiber look holster for her (hey, wait, that's MINE!) xDM but she's convinced she wants the paddle, not anything with belt loops.

What's your recommendation?

 

[9mmepiphany]

First I've been a huge paddle holster fan for years. I think it is because I'm basically lazy; it is just too easy to be able to cram the paddle into my waistband while going out the door and pulling it off at work.

My rational justification has always been that it allows infinite positioning along the belt line regardless of belt loops...which was quite an issue when I was a lot thinner and wore a lot of jeans. The downside was that it would also shift when you sat in a car...the seat cushions push it forward...and you had to remember to readjust it when alighting.

I've competed in IDPA with the paddle (M&P9) and also attend Gunsite (1911) with it and it seemed to work fine. (Believe me, there have been great advances since my first Safariland 5181 which was constantly slipping and rocking)

If you are using the correct size belt (the Tek-Loc style adjustment is great) it doesn't move upward at all on the draw. However, because of the space above the locking tabs/wings it does rock a bit if you push forward when drawing. It has a lot to do with arm length...but the Drop/Offset really helps with that.

After I took a speed class, I changed my draw a bit. I'm hitting harder and snatching more. For that the Stingray really helps. The widespread loops are much better at stabilizing the holster on the belt than the Tek-Loc and it is easy to loosen the belt to adjust positioning. Positioning of the belt is less of an issue with my increase girth and the placement of the belt loops on 5-11 BDUs.

You still have to almost disrobe to get the paddle holster off.

I'd start her with the paddle, if that is what she wants...at some point she'll be willing to try the Stingray. The SR really is a better choice for competition, but you'll never really believe it if you haven't tried the paddle first

 

[Sam1911]

Well, that makes a lot of sense, thanks! I think getting the D&O rig will change her world anyway, and adding the stingray piece will be cheap and easy if she wants to try it.

Much obliged!

 

[Byrd666]

Okay, the "full size" holster makes sense. Now that it's been brought to my attention and I've thought on it a bit.

Now, if you would please, school me on the paddle holster(s) and the attachments. I've always used a belt holster of some kind and don't think I've ever even seen a paddle holster in person. Though I do understand the concept and idea behind them, I've never really considered one. What would be some of the advantages of this style holster, as well as the DISadvantages to them? I will be calling BladeTech on Monday sometime to discuss with them but, I'd really like to have a basic idea of what I need to know when I do.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Paddle holster - see post #8 for the narrative form

Pro:
1. easy on and off
2. infinite placement on the belt/waist line
3. stable when worn with a stiff gun belt

Con:
1. seat cushions may move it forward on the belt when seated
2. depending on your drawing style, it may not be as fast

 

[Byrd666]

Thank you for that.

As far as readjusting after I step out of the truck, I pretty much do that now out of habit. As far as my drawing style, if I actually have one, being slowed down, I'm not sure that's possible. Wyatt Earp I'm not.

 

[JTQ]

9mmepiphany, thanks for the feedback.

Do the SRB and the Comp-Tac belt loops take up about the same amount of space on the belt? Does one hold closer to the body than the other (SRB vs Comp-Tac belt holster again)? Do you find one design easier to find the right spot on the belt, i.e., avoiding or straddling a belt loop?

Do those shims on the SRB do a good job of staying locked in place, or would some rough handling possibly cause them to rock out of position and leave the holster loose on the belt?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Do the SRB and the Comp-Tac belt loops take up about the same amount of space on the belt?

The SR extends a bit more on the belt than the C/T...maybe .25" on each side. I don't have the C/T here to measure as I let a friend use it, but that is what sticks in my mind.

Does one hold closer to the body than the other (SRB vs Comp-Tac belt holster again)?

Just looking at the holster on a table, it looks like the SR would hold the holster body further away...but it doesn't.

Both holsters hold the holster about the same distance from the body. The SR looks like it sticks out further because the extended loops curve away from the holster...but all that is under the belt and wraps around your body

Do you find one design easier to find the right spot on the belt, i.e., avoiding or straddling a belt loop?

I haven't run into any interference with belt loops with my 5.11 pants. Both attachment systems have the ability to straddle belt loops

Do those shims on the SRB do a good job of staying locked in place, or would some rough handling possibly cause them to rock out of position and leave the holster loose on the belt?

When I first tried to adjust the shims on the belt attachment, I thought I was going to break something before it could get it to release. This is because they are retain not only by the friction of the tabs in the backing plate, but both tips of the shims are under the outside edges of the loops...so it is held in place under spring tension. I had to lever the shim out with a screwdriver blade and maintain that pressure as I rotated it sideways

 

[Hangingrock]

I have (5) holsters from Blade-Tech and (2) holsters from Comp-Tac. I find I'm leaning towards Comp-Tac more so than Blade-Tech now. I think its all a matter of personal preferences and plus Comp-Tac has a shorter delivery schedule.