About two weeks ago I received my first hybrid (Kydex and leather) holster from TAKtical under the conditions I would write a review about it once I wore it for a couple of weeks. I’ve been concealed carrying for a relatively short time compared to many of the members here (7 Years), but I’ve been through several different types of holsters both good and bad. I’m going to base this review on the four things I feel are most important when selecting a holster: Retention, comfort, the ability to be concealed and overall quality and value.
I used this holster for 2 weeks of very different activities, I had an all day range session, went to the movies, a couple of birthday parties, and regular weekend chores ( I’m not allowed to carry at work). I carried my 5” Stainless Colt Rail Gun.
Retention:
Retention on this holster, as I’m assuming with most hybrid holsters, is deceiving when the holster is not being worn. This is not a holster you can turn upside down and shake and expect your gun to remain in the holster. I say this is deceiving because once you strap the holster on with a quality belt that holster will not allow the gun to come out unless you intend for it to come out. Without the person knowing what he/she is doing I don’t believe someone could remove the gun from the holster from behind you even. On the other hand there were a couple of times at first when drawing that I had to give an extra tug to release the Colt. Once I had the proper technique down I was able to draw and be on target a quick as could’ve with any other holster system. Retention Rating: 8\10
Comfort:
I’m a big guy and comfort in a holster is very important to me especially when I’m wearing my gun all day and chasing after my 2 year old boy. Many of the most of the IWB holsters I have used to date always reminds me that a gun is more “comforting” than “comfortable.” This holster was by far the most comfortable IWB holster I’ve ever used. Because the leather is so wide I distributed the weight of a 5” railed 1911 very well, not once did I catch myself having to pull up my pants because it was being weighed down by a couple of pounds of steel on my hip. This holster is fully adjustable in both ride height and cant by simply adjusting the Chicago screws that hold the clips in place. The holster I received had the “combat cut” that allows the wearer to get a full grip on the grip of the gun without the leather getting in the way, this cut didn’t quite cover my extended beavertail grip safety, but after talking to TAKtical that will be an option he will offer once his website is up. This is easily the most comfortable holster I own. Comfort Rating 9\10
Ability to be concealed:
Now this is an area where being a big guy helps, I can conceal pretty much anything without a forearm with an IWB holster. I was able to conceal my full size 1911 under a t-shirt, polo shirt, Hawaiian shirt, even a tucked in oxford shirt with no printing. As long as I wore a black belt you wouldn’t even see the clips of the holster. Ability to be concealed Rating 10\10
Quality and Value:
TAKtical has posted his holsters for sale on this forum at least once before and has offered both the hybrid holster and a matching IWB single or double mag carrier for $60. This holster seems to be fully on par with the quality of other hybrid holsters that I have been able to touch and feel for a fraction of the price, especially with the included mag carrier. I can guarantee that this will not be my last holster from TAKtical, once he broadens his line of molds I will more than likely get one for each gun in my carry rotation. Quality and value Rating 10/10
In closing I’m recommending this holster to anyone out there who is not 100% sure they have found the perfect CCW system for them. Give an upstart holster maker a chance to impress you, and get plenty of holster for your money. If you made it this far in this long post thank you for reading and have a great day!
I used this holster for 2 weeks of very different activities, I had an all day range session, went to the movies, a couple of birthday parties, and regular weekend chores ( I’m not allowed to carry at work). I carried my 5” Stainless Colt Rail Gun.
Retention:
Retention on this holster, as I’m assuming with most hybrid holsters, is deceiving when the holster is not being worn. This is not a holster you can turn upside down and shake and expect your gun to remain in the holster. I say this is deceiving because once you strap the holster on with a quality belt that holster will not allow the gun to come out unless you intend for it to come out. Without the person knowing what he/she is doing I don’t believe someone could remove the gun from the holster from behind you even. On the other hand there were a couple of times at first when drawing that I had to give an extra tug to release the Colt. Once I had the proper technique down I was able to draw and be on target a quick as could’ve with any other holster system. Retention Rating: 8\10
Comfort:
I’m a big guy and comfort in a holster is very important to me especially when I’m wearing my gun all day and chasing after my 2 year old boy. Many of the most of the IWB holsters I have used to date always reminds me that a gun is more “comforting” than “comfortable.” This holster was by far the most comfortable IWB holster I’ve ever used. Because the leather is so wide I distributed the weight of a 5” railed 1911 very well, not once did I catch myself having to pull up my pants because it was being weighed down by a couple of pounds of steel on my hip. This holster is fully adjustable in both ride height and cant by simply adjusting the Chicago screws that hold the clips in place. The holster I received had the “combat cut” that allows the wearer to get a full grip on the grip of the gun without the leather getting in the way, this cut didn’t quite cover my extended beavertail grip safety, but after talking to TAKtical that will be an option he will offer once his website is up. This is easily the most comfortable holster I own. Comfort Rating 9\10
Ability to be concealed:
Now this is an area where being a big guy helps, I can conceal pretty much anything without a forearm with an IWB holster. I was able to conceal my full size 1911 under a t-shirt, polo shirt, Hawaiian shirt, even a tucked in oxford shirt with no printing. As long as I wore a black belt you wouldn’t even see the clips of the holster. Ability to be concealed Rating 10\10
Quality and Value:
TAKtical has posted his holsters for sale on this forum at least once before and has offered both the hybrid holster and a matching IWB single or double mag carrier for $60. This holster seems to be fully on par with the quality of other hybrid holsters that I have been able to touch and feel for a fraction of the price, especially with the included mag carrier. I can guarantee that this will not be my last holster from TAKtical, once he broadens his line of molds I will more than likely get one for each gun in my carry rotation. Quality and value Rating 10/10
In closing I’m recommending this holster to anyone out there who is not 100% sure they have found the perfect CCW system for them. Give an upstart holster maker a chance to impress you, and get plenty of holster for your money. If you made it this far in this long post thank you for reading and have a great day!
