Warning: Problem with Galco holster for XDm

[Plan2Live]

One of my carry guns is a XDm 3.8 Compact. I have been using a Galco Avenger outside the waistband leather holster. According to the packaging, this holster is designed for the XDm 3.8 Compact. I wear it at approximately the 3:30 position. The holster has a reinforced leather band along the opening that helps keep the holster open when the gun has been unholstered. The XDm has an ambidextrious magazine release. The reinforcing band and holster are cutout on the body side of the holster but extend over the magazine release on the side away from the body. I have found my magazine has been released about three times now and have determined it is the reinforcing band and holster pressing agains the mag release button on the side away from the body. At first I thought it was coincidence but now believe this to be a design flaw.

It looks like a simple fix, just cut both sides to avoid overlapping the mag release instead of just one side. I will be contacting Galco on Monday to bring it to their attention but wanted to post here to let others know to watch out for this.

 

[KenW.]

That is the exact setup I use every day, and I haven't experienced the problem. Curious...
Are you leaning against something?

I just looked at mine. The mag release button is just above the leather. Try adjusting the set screw so the pistol won't sit quite as deeply.

 

[Plan2Live]

Yes, I am leaning against something when the holster engages the mag release button, like when seated in a vehicle or a similarly firm chair. That is the problem. It shouldn't function (or malfunction) like that. I believe that is a design flaw that could be easily corrected by scooping out about 1/4 of an inch of leather like they do on the body side. Since the reinfoced top band is sewn on, I can't scoop it out myself without damaging and lossening the stiching.

Yes, you can artifically raise the height of the gun in the holster and overcome the design flaw but if you insert the pistol to the depth intended, as evidenced by the form fitting molding, it creates the problem. I appreciate the suggestion and don't intend any disrespect but equate that to telling someone to let their heels hang out the back if their shoes don't fit. I still view this as a design flaw. And don't get me wrong, I otherwise love the way the holster works and conceals. It just needs this small tweak.

 

[Mizar]

Many mass produced holsters have such flaw - on most of my holsters I had to relieve the leather for the magazine release (I'm left handed which adds to the problem). On your holster you can use some sharp linoleum cutters to cut a relief slot on the inside. After that put some CA glue (superglue) on the cut stitches - they will never come apart and the intervention will not be visible on the outside.

Boris