Seeking input on these two IWB holsters...

[paravil]

I'm looking for a good IWB option at a decent price. I know this is an area where you tend to get what you pay for, but I've found what appear to be two quality options in the $50 range, but in different styles. I'm looking for input both on these specific holsters, and on the positives and negatives of each style. This will be for a S&W j-frame.

The first is this holster from Talon:
Smith and Wesson J-Frame With Metal Clip IWB

The second is the Desantis Intruder:
Desantis Intruder from Midway

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Kcinnick]

First holster is hideous. You don't need steel reinforcement in properly built holsters.

Desantis is just a rip off of other another brands holster at a cheaper price.

 

[RedTag]

You are right that you get what you pay for and spending a little bit more money you can get a quailty holster that you can customize. Go with Raven Concealment. i got one for my USP Compact and it fits perfectly IWB and OWB havent had a better fitting holster. Mine cost 75 and a $6 attachment to convert it to wear IWB

 

[CVA-66]

I have the Desantis for my EDC with a G19 and am very happy with it.
Once you get some wear on it you should find it very comfortable.

 

[Coltdriver]

You can get what someone else paid for if you buy used.

I picked up a Galco Summer Comfort shipped for $40 and like new too. They are similar to a Milt Sparks Summer special.

I have two Desantis holsters, not the model you are looking at but I have been happy with both of them.

 

[paravil]

Desantis is just a rip off of other another brands holster at a cheaper price.

I had been looking at the Crossbreed, and was just going to suck it up and drop the $100, but then I found this Desantis model for half the price.

Go with Raven Concealment.

I'll check this out. I like the idea of a convertible holster.

I have the Desantis for my EDC with a G19 and am very happy with it. Once you get some wear on it you should find it very comfortable.

Thanks. I'm not trying to be cheap here, but when I saw the Desantis model at, like I said, half the price of the Crossbreed, that seemed like a more sensible option for me. Plus I can order it from Midway and have it in under a week.

 

[Kcinnick]

I had been looking at the Crossbreed, and was just going to suck it up and drop the $100, but then I found this Desantis model for half the price.



I'll check this out. I like the idea of a convertible holster.



Thanks. I'm not trying to be cheap here, but when I saw the Desantis model at, like I said, half the price of the Crossbreed, that seemed like a more sensible option for me. Plus I can order it from Midway and have it in under a week.

Seeing as I am a "little guy" I don't like seeing companies blatantly ripped off by "big guys" using imported materials and labor.

Galco and Desantis are two of the worst at doing this. I hand draw every one of my patterns and make everything by hand right here in Louisiana using American products and sell holsters from $60-$90, only reason for a $90 holster is the $20 set of clips it uses.

 

[JTQ]

paravil wrote,
I had been looking at the Crossbreed, and was just going to suck it up and drop the $100, but then I found this Desantis model for half the price.

Wow, $100 for a Crossbreed holster!? What options are you getting on your holster or what retailer is selling you a Crossbreed holster for $100?

http://crossbreedholsters.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

 

[paravil]

Seeing as I am a "little guy" I don't like seeing companies blatantly ripped off by "big guys" using imported materials and labor.

Galco and Desantis are two of the worst at doing this. I hand draw every one of my patterns and make everything by hand right here in Louisiana using American products and sell holsters from $60-$90, only reason for a $90 holster is the $20 set of clips it uses.

I understand. I buy as many accessories as I can right up the road in a mom and pop. I'm just on a pretty tight budget these days, and was shopping with that in mind.

Wow, $100 for a Crossbreed holster!? What options are you getting on your holster or what retailer is selling you a Crossbreed holster for $100?

The Crossbreed site. The Supertuck in horsehide (I live in the deep, humid south) with the combat cut comes to $92.25 before shipping.

 

[erikk8829]

You get what you pay for: Milt Sparks VM2 or Occidental Phoenix is what I carry &love them ...pricy but worth every penny

 

[JTQ]

paravil wrote,
The Crossbreed site. The Supertuck in horsehide (I live in the deep, humid south) with the combat cut comes to $92.25 before shipping.

So, in the apples to apple comparison business, is that DeSantis holster for half the price of the Crossbreed, a horsehide holster also?

While I'm not generally a fan of the Crossbreed style of holster, my guess is the regular cowhide Crossbreed would outlast the DeSantis product by a significant amount, and be more moisture resistant.

 

[paravil]

While I'm not generally a fan of the Crossbreed style of holster, my guess is the regular cowhide Crossbreed would outlast the DeSantis product by a significant amount, and be more moisture resistant.

Good point.

 

[Kcinnick]

I carry a cow hide holster daily in the hot humid south. Horse hide is actually cheaper than the cow hide is use. It is all cutoffs from the shoe industry. They cut the cheeks out and make shoes, the backs go to the furniture industry and what is left is scraps for leatherworkers. I would say on average good horse is about 50% the price of good cow. They charge more because it is a PITA to work with. Also, I you don't have a full line of leather products to offer you are going to get a lot of waste. Oh, and alot of places succumb to Mexican leather, some of it looks nice, but it is a common practice in Mexico to use 5% chromium in their veg tanned leather to make tanning easier, but is very bad for guns, promoting rust.

I am not so sure crossbreed uses good leather. The only holster I have seen from them the leather was unfinished and too soft, but that was years ago. They have the nicest metal clips I have ever seen.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I love leather, but I've still gotta go with the Desantis Intruder. Even IF the clip on the other holster is strong, it will still still be less stable than the Desantis holster. I've owned both (not these brands, but styles), and have noticed a significant difference in stability.

 

[Rail Driver]

I've been using that same Talon holster (in black) for a good while - It's HANDS DOWN the most comfortable IWB revolver holster I've ever used. It holds the gun well and at a good angle for almost any strongside position I've tried (not great for anything past 5 o'clock right handed). It also allows reholstering one handed if necessary.

I posted a review of the holster on here awhile back. http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8203256&postcount=1
Here's a pic of mine (along with the Tagua OWB I use when my pants are feeling too tight lol)