Lessons

When things don't work, it is usually a sign that there is a lesson there, that some changes need to occur in order to correct whatever is wrong. The shooting in Connecticut is another example of something that does not work.

I have stayed far away from this story, as I did with the shootings in Colorado recently. Not because I do not grieve with the parents, friends and relatives, but because the story will be beaten to death in order to sell advertiser time, and to push various agendas. What gets lost in all this are the, to me, essential lessons.

The first lesson is that gun control as envisioned by gun haters is not only ineffective at resolving incidents like this (not to mention much smaller, frequent and more personal incidents that happen almost daily in America and across the world), it can contribute to the likelihood of things like this happening again. If guns were removed from law-abiding citizens, that fact would not stop the crazies, criminals and terrorists from getting and using guns, it would, in my opinion, make that much more likely and the consequences of that class of people more devastating. It would be plain open season on anyone without the means to protect themselves and their loved ones, and those people would, of course, be the law-abiding citizens who had to give up their guns.

Bad people think hard about confronting other bad people because they would know that the other guys are armed. Not so with the disarmed public. They would be easy prey to anyone who had a gun, knife or club.

The second lesson is that by prohibiting law abiding citizens from legally carrying in a designated place, that place then becomes what we used to call in the military, a free fire zone. Anyone wanting to wreak death and destruction would most likely pick a gun-free zone to do so for the simple reason that the odds are high that no one there would be armed and able to stop them. This is so obvious that I do not understand why we would ever want to create and advertise a free-fire zone to the criminals, crazies and terrorists.

I spent some time in Israel recently and I can assure you that the Israelis don't allow their school children to be unprotected or attend gun-free zones. You see a group of students out for a field trip, or a trip across town and they are invariably accompanied by adults with weapons. Go to a nice sidewalk cafe by the sea in Tel Aviv, and the guy at the entrance is packing. The Israelis don't think it is smart to have their people give up their weapons because a bunch of Arabs are trying to kill them and their families. We shouldn't either.

The third lesson is that this is, and always has been, a dangerous world. Thinking that removing dangerous things from the world will make it safe is a delusion. Cars are dangerous. So are alcohol, airplanes, electricity, poisonous emissions, submarines, knives, axes, and... well, you get the point. However, it should be noted that by themselves, none of the items in that list are dangerous in of of themselves. Unless they are used, or mis-used, by humans, they are pretty benign. Airplanes don't fly by themselves. Knives, axes and alcohol are static items that without human interaction would slowly degenerate into molecules over time. Guns. The same. So, obviously, one of the most dangerous elements to humans are other humans, and until that changes, I refuse to surrender the right to protect myself from them as effectively as I can.

In the end, I cannot see how depriving law abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms would have in any way stopped the tragedy in Connecticut. Or in Colorado.

I can see that if a teacher, aid or even passerby on the school grounds who was legally carrying a weapon that day might have stopped or minimized the damage that did occur. At least the possibility would have existed where, instead, the law had decided to make that school a free fire zone for a crazed criminal.

If you are scared by all this, be scared of the society and the dangerous people in it, not the many things those unfortunate individuals may use to express their violent souls. Also, be somewhat comforted by the knowledge that there are among you many who hold their freedoms and rights dear and who would seek to protect themselves and others, perhaps you, from those dangerous individuals, and who legally have the means to do so.

A Humbling Lesson

A Crimson Trace Update

After having the Laserguard installed on my LCP for a while now, I have been getting used to the feel, activation and use of the laser mounted on the gun. Theory aside, the experience is teaching me new things, not all of them flattering. First, contrary to what I have read on numerous gun forums about acquiring the "little red dot", I have absolutely no trouble finding the red dot - and, it's not so "little" either. In fact, it is very bright under most circumstances, most especially in low light conditions. Actuate the laser, and your eye immediately goes to the bright red dot which should be on the target, drawing your attention to the target immediately, not to looking for a 'sight picture'.

Another lesson for me is that I am far less dependent on obtaining a standard site picture, which requires that I raise the gun to eye level and hold it relatively steady while I line up the front sight on the target. While I consider this to be a good and useful tactic, and strive for it even with the laser installed, I have learned that it is not a necessary component of my aiming technique, especially under self-defense situations. Let me explain.

Training and muscle memory are extremely important in getting the body and mind to act as they should under stressful situations. Acquiring your firearm and bringing the pistol to bear accurately is a solid requirement in those situations, but as you can imagine, there are times when one will not be able to perform this routine as it is normally practiced. You may be running. You may be down. You may be blocked somehow from getting into the standard sight-acquisition/shooting posture. There may just be no time to get there. Such situations call for what is termed "point and shoot" techniques. The issue with that is without some indication of where the muzzle is pointing, when a standard sight picture is not possible, you really don't know what you will be hitting when you pull the trigger.

I have learned, by using the Laserguard, that I do not instinctively aim where I think I am aiming when practicing 'point and shoot'. Like, bringing the pistol up to the fire position, without getting a normal front sight picture (maybe extending it quickly from the waist to mid height while looking at the target) the laser shows me that I am almost consistently aiming too low, and often to one side, off my intended target. Why does this matter? Well, for example, if I was sitting and had to draw and fire very quickly without coming to a sight picture - time being of the essence and the threat being close and moving toward me - with the laser, I now can tell when to fire. The red dot is on the target, regardless of where my gun is positioned, I know I am going to hit the target pretty close to that dot, not fire into the wall or, worse, someone else.

I am amazed that even in such close proximity, one's aim can be off enough to miss a center-of-mass target when doing this quick drill. I better understand the statistics that relate the fact that trained shooters, we are talking about law enforcement and military trained shooters, often miss their targets even when they are within five yards or less, sometimes much less.

So, one good lesson I have learned from using the laser without, so far, firing a shot, is that my belief in my natural ability to point-and-shoot is misplaced. I need practice getting on target with that method and the CT Laserguard revealed that shortcoming, and will be a good aid in improving my accuracy. I also suspect, that by so practicing and developing the reflexes and muscle memory by using the Laser, I will still be a better shot if I should have to make that shot without benefit of an active laser sight.

You are never too old to learn something new.

Crimson Trace Installation

This will be a short post, since it was a brief installation. It is about a close to a no-brainer process as possible. Slip the battery into place. The instructions make it clear how to orient it - you have a 50-50 chance to get it right even if you didn't read the instructions, which I don't recommend. They are clear, accompanied by a useful "exploded" drawing and brief.

Slip the laser half of the Laserguard over the trigger guard. Attach the other half, press them together and secure with the two included screws and allen wrenches. Note: make sure the screws go in from the correct side!

Done.

Custom LCP. Skateboard tape on the receiver. Hand painted Ruger emblem. New Crimson Trace Laserguard.

The light is bright and tight. The on-off button on the front strap of the grip is always under your hand and when the pistol is gripped normally, it is on. The fit of the sight is perfect for the LCP with no appreciable gaps or wobble.

I dry fired a number of times and got instant feedback on my trigger pull. Not bad for an old guy. Live fire will probably tell a different story, but that is good. Improvement should be a constant process. For me, there are no issues with the Laserguard getting in the way of gripping or firing the pistol.

So, next will come a more extensive review after I have carried and used the LCP and Laserguard for a while. So far, I am impressed. Time will fill out that impression.

And the winner is....

The winner of the most responsive customer service is Crimson Trace. They were the last company I contacted with a review request and the quickest to respond to that. Then, they quickly dispatched a unit out to me which arrived today. Thank you, Crimson Trace for your willingness to respond to your customers rapidly and effectively.

LaserMax also responded to my request which I made about a week before contacting Crimson Trace. Although they wrote that they were getting a unit to me for review, I do not have it, nor have I had any further communication with them.

LaserLyte is evidently still searching for the appropriate department to handle my request. I have heard nothing from them since they so informed me.

Here is the unit. I will install it later today and report on how that activity went. But for now, I can say that Crimson Trace people are fast, the packaging is first rate and it got here in a hurry. The unit is well padded and protected and all the necessary hardware is included along with the installation and user manuals.

Package components from the box. The laser guard itself was securely packed in the foam envelope that it is resting on in this photo.

The essential parts. The small stickers are supplied with all laser products, although I do not plan to attach them since I will be the only one operating the unit.

Bear Creek Holsters' Concealed Caddy

I have a new Concealed Caddy gun carrier made by Doug Childers of Bear Creek Holsters in Texas. This is an item that I might never have thought of, even though it is such a useful part of any carry system.

Concealed Caddy with a Model 1911

With a S&W 686 4" Barrel

The fit.

As many of you do, I spend a lot of time in my car. Probably too much, but in this day, it can't be helped. For me,  living at a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes away from major stores and service facilities, being in the car often is just part of life. A good example is the prohibition of carrying concealed within a post office.

This requires that I remove my carry gun either in it's carry holster (easier with a clip type, which I don't particularly like) or from the holster and place it in an inconspicuous place in the car while I visit the post office. If I were leaving it for more than a minute or two, I would lock it in the car safe, but, for a two minute in-and-out, in a small town, that's a little too much for me. Then, back in the car, retrieve my gun and/or holster and put it back on. Now, with this new Concealed Caddy, I can house my gun in the Caddy, take it from the house to the car, slip the Caddy between the seat and console and off I go. When I leave the car for my quick post office visit, the Caddy and gun stay where they are (in a locked car, of course) - nothing to tip off someone glancing inside that there is a holstered gun in the car - and I can just come back and drive away. The gun is always readily accessible but out of sight. And, instead of switching holsters, or having it rattle around inside the door pocket, my handgun sits protected inside a nice, lined leather case. Here are some photos from the Bear Creek Holster site demonstrating how the Caddy works:

The Concealed Caddy tucked between the seat and console.

Both snaps open. If you weren't looking almost straight down, you would not see the handgun inside. Also, if you were in the passenger seat, you also would not be able to see the gun.

Slide your hand down, using the inner surface of the flap as a guide, and it falls naturally on the pistol's grips, ready to be drawn if need be.

Like many simple ideas, this one is basic and effective. The Caddy is made from premium leather - your choice of color, within reason I imagine, and is lined with soft leather to protect your precious handgun. It closes with two sturdy snaps and, when closed, completely covers and protects the gun inside. The neat triangular shape allows you to wedge it practically anywhere and the characteristics of the leather outside surfaces help it stay where you put it.

I began my testing and evaluation of the Caddy with a trip from southern Colorado to that weird La-La Land of Colorado, also known as Aspen. It's a long drive almost completely through the state south to north and back again over various mountain passes and valleys with around numerous elevations gains that go from around 4000' to over 11,000' feet. Twists and turns. Frequent stops. In and out of the car. So, I took my handy Ruger SR9c along in the Caddy and a Remora in the door pocket for those times I needed to make the transfer from Caddy to holster and back again. Like, I pull into a quick stop gas station for something to drink, I'm not leaving the pistol in the car, for obvious reasons. The drill was simple. I kept the Caddy between my seat and center console with the rear snap open on the Caddy. It was easy to wedge down sufficiently low to not interfere with anything, yet, when I needed to get to the gun inside, I merely swiveled the Caddy forward, which positioned the flap in the open, unobstructed by the console and easily accessible, popped the front snap and slid my hand inside to a ready grasp of the grips. I would have my Remora out, slide the Ruger into it and that into my waistband and, shazam!, ready to exit. Reverse the process and you are ready to hit the road again.

I could have as easily just slipped the Caddy from its position between the seat and console, got out, tucked it under my arm and gone about my business. Nothing there to indicate what I am carrying. The Caddy is shaped to accommodate a range of gun sizes, but since it isn't shaped like a handgun or molded to shape, it is just a nice leather triangular envelope which could house almost anything. A nice touch.

I will be posting again as me and my Concealed Caddy get more mileage together, so check in again now and then. At this point, after hundreds of miles and days of a hectic road trip, we are getting along fine and I wonder why I didn't think of this before. But, Doug did. Thanks, Doug.

Crimson Trace

Crimson Trace Laserguard on a Ruger LCP

I will soon begin my testing and evaluation of the Crimson Trace Laserguard for the Ruger LCP. I had not looked at the company website for a long while, but took the opportunity yesterday to go there and see what Crimson Trace is now up to.

When one buys a significant piece of technology, it is a good idea to know something about the company and people who make it and stand behind it. I do know that Crimson Trace was very prompt in responding to my request to test and review one of their laser sights but I wanted to know more. This is what I found on their site regarding their company and how they view themselves:

SERVICE AS AN OBSESSION

“Your customers are only satisfied because their expectations are so low and because no one else is doing better,” said Ken Blanchard in his book, “Raving Fans”.

At Crimson Trace, our goal is not to meet your needs.  Nor is it to exceed your expectations.  Our goal is to create a “Raving Fan” out of you.  To us, customer service isn’t simply answering your questions, tracking your shipment, or talking you through installation.  To us, customer service is making your experience with our brand shine so brightly that you’re amazed.  That you’ll tell others about your experience.  That you’re not just a customer.  You’re a Raving Fan!

Our Customer Service team is friendly, highly trained, motivated, and extremely knowledgeable…but everyone says that, right?  Our team is all of those things PLUS empowered.  That means, the person you get on the phone can answer your questions, take care of your needs, and provide service that is above and beyond your expectations.  Call us or email us – and you’ll find out for yourself.

That is a high benchmark to set for yourself. As part of my review of the Laserguard, I will also see how well Crimson Trace lives up to their goal. So far, they are doing fine.

Know the Law

On the gun forums I use, and the one I moderate, there are continually postings that show the person making statements, or asking questions, is not familiar with the law that governs concealed carry and use of a weapon in their state. Unfortunately, states vary in their requirements for gun owners - perhaps someday this will become uniform, but I 'm not holding my breath. One one forum recently a poster stated that if a person who was in a self-defense situation and had to shoot someone, killed them and had to aim to do so, would be liable for a murder charge.

Seriously.

This, of course, engendered a bunch of back and forth on the forum, much of it heated and most of it uninformed, although not as bad as the original poster's bad information. Such incidents are best judged upon their merits, or lack thereof, and speculations about such a vague notion are merely that - speculations. However, there is a lesson here.

Know the laws of the states in which you will be carrying. Don't depend on internet chatter or advice. Every state now has its statutes online so getting to the real thing and reading them is no big trick. It is best to be informed and know your responsibilities beforehand so that you can stand a better chance of making a good decision if you have to.

One example. You are leaving your local supermarket with groceries when, in the parking lot two rows away, a nutcase starts shooting at people at random. You have an excellent opportunity to duck into your car and leave the scene. You are not in immediate danger of lethal harm. But, other people who are manifestly innocent (ordinary women, men, children) are. If you take care of yourself and leave you have not gotten involved hence are not legally liable, but, on the other hand, if you are legally armed for self defense, are you morally and ethically liable to come to the defense of innocent people? And, if you do so, what kind of legal liabilities and protections do you have?

I think it is best to know about, and consider such possibilities beforehand. In instances where these kinds of factors may come into play, there is no time for consideration of potential legal and moral questions. There is only time to act. It's best to know what you should do before you have to do it.

There are classes that discuss these kinds of issues and questions. I highly recommend them to you. You'll find my report on one such class in this blog - aftermath of defensive shootings. See what is available in your area. Considering the consequences, it will be both inexpensive and vital if you carry a handgun for self defense.

Crimson Trace Replies

Fastest yet is Crimson Trace. I got a reply the next day from their Media Relations Manager with the news that they are sending a unit for evaluation. No questions or delays. That's what I call good customer service.

So, I'll soon have a Crimson Trace and a LaserMax for testing and evaluation. I will post first impressions here as they arrive, then plan on another more extensive evaluation that examines operation, effectiveness, concealment qualities, and so forth. For now, first impressions are that Crimson Trace and LaserMax are in the lead as far as customer service and response are concerned. Now, if LaserLyte decides which department will be reviewing my request, I might have good news from them too.

Eventually.

Versacarry Mag Release Issue - Update

As you will see a few posts back, I had an issue with the magazine in my Ruger SR9c being unintentionally ejected when I bent over sharply while carrying in the Versacarry "medium" rise holster.
I contacted the Versacarry folks about this, then set about trying to analyze what happened. As the photo will show, when I had the Versacarry and SR9c  in my normal cross draw position, while wearing my usual Wrangler jeans, the mag release button on the Ruger is positioned right underneath the sewn end of a belt loop and the heavy Bear Creek gun belt I normally wear. When I bent over sharply it put pressure on the mag release button sufficient to trip the mag release.

Mag release button exposed, but not in danger of being depressed. This is not my normal cross draw carry position but somewhat further back to illustrate the position of the various components: holster, belt loop, belt and button.

In the normal cross draw position, the mag release button is directly under the end of the belt loop and can also get pressure from the top of the stiff gun belt. As you can see, the magazine (empty) has been partially ejected. This was a result of bending sharply at the waist as if picking something off the floor.

Now, this is a situation that required a number of factors to come together simultaneously, something that is very unusual. My take on this is that when using any holster with which the magazine release button is exposed (i.e., not protected against actuation) check to ensure that there will be nothing pressing on the button while the gun is in the carry position you have chosen. If so, move the gun and holster, or use a different holster in that place. For the Versacarry line, the simplest solution would be to choose one of their holsters with a lower or higher ride which would move the mag release button to another place. I would, of course, test this with an unloaded gun just to make sure. In fact, if you use any holster that exposes the magazine release button, test it thoroughly to ensure that does not happen to you.

So, some after the fact testing and analysis shows that this issue was not simply the result of carrying my SR9c in a Versacarry holster, but carrying a semi-automatic handgun in any holster in which the magazine release is exposed. Take a look at your normal carry with this in mind.

Be safe.

Reviews, Evaluations and Customer Satisfaction

Many of the items I review here are provided by their makers for that purpose. Not all. Some I have bought courtesy of my credit card. After doing this for a while I have formed a few opinions of the way in which companies approach review requests. First, I am obviously not representative of a large publishing concern with a huge readership. I do have a fairly steady readership and have had almost ten thousand visits since I started this blog. However, I do concentrate on a specific area - concealed carry - and attempt to be rational and as objective as a gun-toting Second Amendment supporter can be. As you will have noticed, I try hard to keep politics out of the discussion. I find that when politics and guns are mixed, any chance for rational discourse goes rapidly out the window.

Back when I was a moderator of the old Elsie Pea Forum (RIP), I saw and got involved in many discussions concerning the use and value of laser sights mounted to concealed carry handguns. Now, being of the old school and having had my training and qualifications with a handgun courtesy of the U.S. Marines and an old Model 1911 pistol, I'm not one to favor laser sights right off the bat. It became quickly evident that many of those who had these gizmos attached to their pistols really liked them. More so, many gun makers provide some of their handguns with laser sights installed at the factory. Even so, many members of the forum lined up against them and their reasons were many but the most often cited were: dependence on another piece of gear that might fail at the wrong time; turning it on; trying to find the red dot instead of sighting on the target. The laser supporters answered these in various ways but it became apparent to me that I could not be an effective part of the conversations since I have no experience with this technology applied to handguns. And, furthermore, I was unlikely to do so since they are expensive and if I did want to equip and carry them on my self defense guns, I was looking at a considerable cash outlay for the sights and the new holsters I would need. So, I passed.

However, having re-thought this, I decided that if I could get some real-world experience with various laser sights on at least one of my carry pistols, I could do a thorough evaluation from a "normal" (yeah, I know...) person who legally carries a handgun for self defense. I don't have a bias, one way or the other, nor do I support any firearms related companies or have any interest in supporting one company or maker over another. I am basically interested in reporting, from my personal perspective, what works for me as part of my concealed carry systems and training and what doesn't. In this spirit, I contacted three manufacturers of laser sights for handguns asking for an evaluation unit that I could test and report on here. I also stated that I would return the unit to them after the testing and evaluation was done. This seems like a reasonable request. I get to find out about their products, test them, report here and send them back. They are out postage and some free publicity on my blog. Of course, the publicity could be good or bad or both.

Although I have not received any product to test as yet, the two responses I have gotten are interesting.

The first company to respond was LaserLyte. They were quick to reply to my query but vague about whether or not they wanted to participate. The person who responded to me is "forwarding my request to the proper department for review". Wow. Departments. I guess they are trying to figure out which of their departments should handle this request. I'm not too thrilled by this or what it portends for me actually getting a unit to test. I am certain that I am not the first person to ask for a review unit - there have been a bunch of reviews done to date already - so why would they have to find the proper department to review my simple request. It is possible that this is a stalling tactic, or perhaps this is just procedure, how they handle unknown people out there in cyberspace who are asking them for something. I don't know. That happened on November 21. It is now November 29, eight days later so either they have a great many departments, a great many requests of this nature, or my email is sitting on the bottom of a virtual pile of emails somewhere in the proper department.

The second company to respond was LaserMax. My request went to them on November 21 and someone responded to me on November 26. It was short and sweet. Yes, they have evaluation units and will send one to me. That was good and it was customer friendly and pretty darn quick. I'll let you all know when it arrives.

The third company I contacted was Crimson Trace. I sent an email to them yesterday. I thought I had sent a contact form at the same time as I had contacted Laserlyte and LaserMax, but I don't think I did that, so I sent one (or another) yesterday. I also was in contact with a friend who is a holster maker who told me that when the Crimson Trace became available for the handguns for which he made holsters, he contacted them and requested an empty shell that he could use to make holsters for guns with their sight attached. He needed something to fill orders until the blue gun makers released moulds of guns with Crimson Trace lasers for holster makers. He sent them his web site URL and tax number and the necessary information to prove he runs an actual business. They said, sure, he could buy one from them at a discount, but were not willing to provide even the empty shell. This is not very good customer service in my view. Who knows? Crimson Trace may have adopted a more customer satisfaction friendly policy in the interim. When I get a reply from them, I will post the results here.

So, laser sights. There it is. I will test and evaluate whatever unit, or units, I can get from the makers and report my findings and personal opinions here. As this little project gets going, it is obvious that part of the reporting will include how the companies handle requests, queries and issues from their customers. For me, the attitudes and practices of companies making products plays an important part in whether I will spend my money on their goods, or look elsewhere for a similar product with good support and service.

Return of the Ruger LC9 and another look at lasers

Yesterday I went to my local gun store and retrieved my lonely LC9 which had been on the block for a couple of months. Earlier, I had decided that since my main carry gun for self defense would be my Ruger SR9c, it made no real sense to keep the LC9 and I could, instead, sell it and buy a new Ruger SR22 pistol to improve my shooting accuracy by getting more range time in at a reasonable ammo price. I bought the .22 pistol and put the LC9 up for sale. All well and good until a couple of days ago.

My son and I went out to the range, as in open range, to get some target practice. All went well except when firing the Ruger LCP, which has been my main at-home, around the house, carry weapon. I mean, it is small, light and easy to carry pretty much in any position. Except ankle carry. I don't do ankle carry, maybe because I wear boots and that seems way too much. Besides, I don't fancy a weight hanging off my ankle, no matter how light it might be.

The LCP, which is always clean and lubricated, twice failed to come back into battery after firing rounds of Winchester White Box practice .380 ammo. Might have been a function of lightly-loaded cartridges, or might not. They also have a flat nose which might have been a factor. This, coupled with the unavoidable fact that I cannot shoot the LCP with the same accuracy beyond 3 to 5 yards that I can achieve with the SR9c or the LC9 decided me to put the LCP up in the safe while I figure out what it's future will be, and to retrieve the LC9 and use it for my carry piece along with the SR9c in rotation, or, more to the point, when I feel like it.

This factor, not being able to achieve acceptable accuracy with the LCP, is the most critical in my decision. When one legally carries a firearm for self defense, one of the most critical responsibilities is to cause no harm to innocent people. Too often, innocent bystanders are killed or wounded by well-meaning but unprepared legal gun owners because the gun owners do not have the necessary skills to hit what they are aiming to hit. This is especially true in high-pressure situations which define close encounter gun fights. You just can't take the shot if you don't have a clear field and if you don't think you can hit what you are aiming at. Period.

Thus, the reason for my purchase and training with a Ruger SR22 pistol. And also, my reason for reconsidering my earlier decision not to use, or at least evaluate the use of, a laser sight on my concealed carry gun.

I am considering testing a laser for the LC9. I have not used one before but am familiar with the pros and cons, since this is often a hot topic for the gun forums I frequent or moderate. I have before come down on the side of not using a laser, but I think before I take a definite stance, I need to have some practical, personal and real time experience with one. To this end, I have opened negotiations with one laser sight maker to test one of their products on the LC9. More on this as it develops.

Posted with Blogsy

IWB Thoughts

There have been many opinions voiced and gallons of ink, virtual and real, consumed over the "best" self- defense carry gun. I have avoided most of this and settled on what you might call a "middle of the road" gun - a large capacity 9 mm semi - auto that fits my ergonomic preferences. At this point I consider the most important aspect of self defense carry to be carry. I subscribe to the notion that the most effective self defense gun is the one you have when you need one.

That requires you to constantly carry your chosen weapon. Simple idea, but often not easy to follow. Obviously, developing a personal system to comfortably and effectively carry a self defense gun is key to this. And, the holster is the crucial component. In addition to keeping the pistol oriented correctly, the trigger covered and held securely, but not too securely to inhibit a clean draw, the holster must be comfortable enough to carry regardless of when, where and how a person goes about his or her daily business.

Obviously, larger handguns are more difficult to holster well and carry for a long period. Another reason why the big caliber advocates have a fundamental problem when it comes to actually carrying the big guns for self defense. But, even so, there are many, many holster designs that attempt to answer those requirements. That is why many of us have accumulated our box-o-holsters.

In terms of basic comfort, the OWB (outside the waist band) is superior to the IWB (inside the waist band) design, but IWB designs generally are better for concealment. There are, of course, exceptions. Most of us will eventually settle on one of each as our favorite holsters.

For me, my best holsters share certain characteristics. Comfort, of course, but comfort alone is not enough. I don't want a holster so comfortable I "don't know it is there". I want to know it is there and where it is, but I don't want it to be a constant nag or pain. I have one IWB holster, an N82 Tactical, which is insanely comfortable (for a holster, let's stay real, we aren't talking about pillows here) but sometimes doesn't want to let go of my gun when I need to draw it. Not good. Fails a prime requirement - make the gun easily accessible all of the time, without fail.

Stability. When I put a holster in place I expect it to stay there. So far, every holster I have tried, IWB or OWB styles, that has only one clip does not stay in place. Not that it migrates from one side to the other, but it moves too much. The grip rotates down to the belt line. Or up so the end pokes into my shirt, printing "gun here!". Not good. I don't like getting out of the car and having to readjust the position of my holster. So, two clips or belt loops are mandatory.

The hybrid holsters built with two clips and a synthetic shell on a leather backing are stable, but I don't find them acceptably comfortable and they are hard to put on and remove. Besides, I don't like those clips with the "tails" that stick out. Just the ticket to catch on your shirt or sweater hem when pulling it up get to your gun.

So, loops - one big enough for stability, or maybe two loops - and reasonable comfort that does not impede access. And, a good place to accommodate an extra magazine would be good. So, I'm looking closely at the D.M. Bullard Texas Conceal Carry holster. Since I favor cross draw carry, this might be an excellent choice. A good belt loop attachment will keep the grips above the belt line and the flat, wider design incorporating a spare mag pouch, might make it stable and reasonably comfortable. If I am able, I will review this holster here and see how it stacks up against the other IWB holsters I have tried and reviewed.

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New D.M. Bullard Bodyguard

I have a Bodyguard OWB holster from D.M. Bullard for my LCP. I have had it for about two years and It has become my standard OWB holster for that gun. It is comfortable, secure and provides ease of access. And, importantly it conceals the LCP with almost anything including T-shirts. When I carried an LC9 I also bought and frequently used one of David's Bodyguards with equal satisfaction. I have been carrying my Ruger SR9c in a Bullard Bandit for OWB but having put the LC9 up for sale and using the SR9c as my main carry gun, I decided to go for a Bodyguard because of the better all-around concealment it provides.

Some people try many different makes and models of things before, through personal experience and preference, settle on a few out of the many and stick with them. Like many of you I had a box full of holsters accumulated while searching for the "best". The "best" is, of course, a very subjective and personal decision, as it should be. I confess to being a native of Fort Worth, Texas and therefore partial to such things as boots, hats and holsters made in Texas, so it was natural that I was intrigued with David Bullard's work when I first encountered it. I now have many products made by David or his craftsmen and I am still gladdened by the consistent quality and craftsmanship of his work. But, beyond that, I have found that his designs work. To me a good leather hand made holster is a thing of beauty, but even more so when it does exactly what it was designed and intended to do. So now, my box of holsters is emptying out and I am depending more and more on Bullard for my needs.

My new Bodyguard for the SR9c arrived this week and I quickly put it to the test. Perfect molding to the gun. Even the slide striations and indent for the magazine release button are precisely molded in. The trigger is completely covered, which, should one choose, allows carry of pistols like Ruger semi-auto to be carried with the manual safety "off" with assurance that the trigger safety is always protected. The gun and holster are held firmly in place with a good gun belt, behind the hip at a steep cant for comfort and concealment. This design works very well for the smaller pistols and equally as well for the larger gun.

I broke the holster in quickly by wrapping the pistol in two layers of kitchen plastic wrap and holstering a few times. Now, it is held tightly but releases easily. Seemingly a contradiction, but true.

I will be putting this new Bodyguard to the test over the winter and into the summer when lighter garments will be in order and I will report on that experience. Many holsters feel and perform very well initially, but with use and time may exhibit issues and flaws not obvious during the "honeymoon" period. I certainly don't expect any with the Bodyguard, but you never know.

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Initial Impressions: Little Foxx Holster for the SR9c

Little Foxx Holster with the Ruger SR9c

Tuckable J clip

After learning about Foxx Holsters from a posting on The Ruger Pistols Forum, I contacted Raymond, the owner and brain trust behind the company and discussed reviewing one of the line. I like hybrid holsters and have used and tested a few. These appeared to be well made and not overly large, and more intriguing, is Raymond's policy of zero shipping charges and his unconditional warranty. You can also try it for fourteen days to see if it is the right one for you. All this for $39. Hard to beat!

We settled on the Little Foxx model since I am primarily interested in cross-draw carry. I received a new Little Foxx Holster on Monday.

http://www.foxxholsters.com

Prompt shipment. It arrived in a bubble padded heavy envelope and in perfect condition. This holster is obviously made by someone who takes pride in his work. It was solidly constructed, smooth edges on the kydex and the leather. Leather edges of the backing are smoothed and dyed as well.

All of the rivets holding the kydex to the holster are flush and undamaged. The SR9c fit is right on and the moulding is perfect right down to the sight channel. The big, heavy low-profile kydex clip is fastened to the bottom of the kydex shell with two Chicago screws providing solid lockup and good alignment. The bottom attachment allows the holster to be worn either with the shirt tucked or not. I like that. I also like it that the clip does not have a "tail", which I find may catch on overgarments with hems, like some sweaters or sweatshirts.

Little Foxx, back side - the one next to you.

The SR9c is held somewhat loosely in the holster when the gun and holster are not attached to the belt and inside the waistband. This, I believe, is a design feature. When properly worn, the tension of the belt (and you should always use a belt made specifically for carrying a gun in a holster to get the best benefits from your holster regardless of make) and the fact that the leather backing will give a bit to conform to your body shape, tightens the kydex around the gun enough to make very positive retention yet an easy and smooth draw.

The Foxx holster was comfortable from the first wearing, and has proven to remain so over the intervening days I've been using it, and it is my main carry holster in order to provide good feedback and data for this review. At this point, I am carrying in my usual cross-draw position. If you will look back in the archives here, you will see posts concerning cross-draw and why I believe it has gotten an uncritical hearing and a bad rap. See especially the article by Mr. Campbell I've referenced for an experienced LEO's opinion. So, because that's my preferred carry position, I'll be evaluating the holster against my other IWB cross-draw carry units.

The primary competition for the Foxx holster is the N82 Tactical Pro IWB.

I have taken some comparison photos to illustrate the differences between the two holsters.

N82 Tactical Pro and the Little Foxx

Little Foxx superimposed on the N82 Tactical Pro for a size comparison.

The Foxx is considerably smaller and lighter than the N82. The Foxx uses lightweight kydex for the shell while the N82 uses a moulded thicker plastic. The kydex has 'give', the moulded plastic does not. With belt and body pressure, the Foxx kydex shell conforms a bit to the gun shape and this helps to 'lock' the pistol into the holster against the leather. The N82 depends on a small part of the moulding of the plastic shell to engage the front of the trigger guard to hold and retain the gun in the holster. This works well, but in order to release the trigger guard from the protruding plastic part in the trigger guard, one has to grasp the butt and give a small inward twist to release the pistol before it can be drawn. This is not as onerous as it sounds, but it is one other motion required to draw that is not present in other designs, like the Fox.

At this point, comfort is a toss-up. The Foxx is light, somewhat flexible and no larger than it needs to be. The top part of the slide is covered by leather but the grips are not. Some might call this a combat grip, but I prefer to think of it as an open grip. Combat, like 'tactical', is a term better applied to law enforcement or the military than a civilian rig meant for concealed carry. I might have to draw my weapon in self defense, but I don't plan to be going into combat with it. For that, I'd rather have a rifle.
Even with the open grip design, which I prefer, the Foxx is comfortable.

The N82 uses a kind of neoprene sandwich, with soft leather against the body and leather against the gun. The neoprene inside provides a good level of 'softness', comfort is a better word, and prevents sweat from migrating through to the weapon. However, I suspect the leather backing on the Foxx will provide an equally effective sweat barrier. No part of the gun touches your body with the N82. This does contribute to the outstanding comfort of the holster, but adds mass, area and closes the grip area to an extend. Combined with the need to twist then draw I find this is an inhibiting draw factor compared to the Foxx and similar 'open grip' holster designs. Bear in mind, however, that these factors are highly personal. What might be a negative for one person may have no effect, or be a positive attribute to another. I can only state my personal preferences.

Back sides of both holsters. The N82 showing the result of sweat marks from last summer.

So, it is early in the game but at this point I like what I see. And what I feel. The only negative issue relates to my cross-draw preference. I've come to find that most holster makers do not consider the effects of the cross draw position in their designs. And, I'm not speaking of strictly cross-draw designed holsters, but only for those that are designed to be worn IWB and can be positioned effectively in the cross-draw position. I've yet to examine other IWB holsters for this aspect other than the Foxx and a short while ago, the Versacarry. (See this blog: Versacarry Review and Field Notes post.)

In short, some holsters may position the Ruger SR9/40 series semiautomatic pistols such that, in the cross-draw orientation, the magazine release button is underneath the waistband material and the belt. If the belt is thick, as a good gun belt should be, and the wearer bends forward sharply, the pressure of the body pushing the gun and holster outward against the belt, can cause the magazine release button to be depressed enough to eject the magazine. This is definitely not good.

Note the top of the J clip, where the top of the belt will be, in the cross-draw carry, positions the belt over (covering) the magazine release button. This can, in certain circumstances when bending severely forward, press the button and release the magazine. However, the J clip is adjustable to prevent this.

If carrying the SR9 series in the cross-draw orientation, radical negative cants, such as pictured above, should be avoided to eliminate the magazine release issue possibility.

I have verified this issue with the Versacarry. With the Foxx holster, if the clip is positioned with too much negative cant (possible by using a left-hand carry clip on a right-hand cross draw orientation - see the photo above) this can happen as well. However, with the normal clip positioned in its most up-and-down (straight drop) orientation, the configuration of the clip, holster and gun is such that the magazine release button should never drop below the top of the belt line. So, there should be no concern about this if the proper clip is used and positioned right.

With the proper clip and orientation, the top of the belt should never rise above the magazine release button.

For most people, this is not a concern since only a small minority of us cranks insist on carrying cross-draw. (Good luck getting to your weapon in a hurry when you are belted into your seat or sitting down wearing a shirt, sweater and/or coat and your pistol is somewhere behind your hip.) Sorry, had to get that in... However, I do wish makers of good IWB holsters that can be worn cross-draw take into consideration protection of the magazine release where appropriate to do so.

I've only begun to evaluate the Foxx IWB for my SR9c. I will continue to give it a real-world field test and report back here on my findings. At this point, I am very pleased with the holster and anticipate it will become a regular in my small lineup of IWB holsters for this gun. And, I forgot to mention, the Foxx holster

FoxX Holsters - new evaluation

Next week I will be taking delivery of a new IWB holster from FoxX Holsters. I learned about this company from one of the members on the Ruger Pistols Forum. Upon visiting their web site I was impressed with the style, price and guarantees offered by the company. Try it for fourteen days, and if you don't want to keep it, send it back for a refund on the holster cost. Also, if it breaks or there are any other issues, they will fix or replace it for as long as you own it. Nice.

I still have not solved my IWB issues with my SR9c. A few of the holsters I now use are close to what I want in an IWB holster, but each has its shortcomings: the Remora is comfortable, flexible in terms of where one positions it and is easy on the draw, but it can shift and change position under certain circumstances. I expect a concealed carry holster to stay where I put it, regardless.

The N82 Tactical Pro I have is extremely comfortable even for all day and most of the night wear. It is tuckable, although this is not a feature I often use, but, it can shift a bit around the single clip, and I have not been able to torque the screw enough to keep the clip from rotating about its mounting point. Also, the Pro has a moulded plastic, not kydex, shell to hold the pistol in place. It "locks" in with a part of the plastic that holds the forward part of the trigger guard. To get the pistol to release from this "lock" requires you to grasp the pistol grip firmly and give an inward twist to the gun as you draw up and out. If I carry the SR9c with the manual safety in the "off" position (rendering the Ruger, in operation, to be much like a Glock) this is not an issue. However, if the safety needs to come off with the draw, the hand position necessary to grab, twist and release positions my thumb such that it is not in a good place to sweep the safety. Fumbling with a manual safety is not something I want in a stress situation.

I would like to try a D.M. Bullard IWB holster, but I haven't had the chance to use and evaluate one. As many of you know I have a number of Bullard's holsters and like them. However, this new Little FoxX holster may resolve my IWB issues.

One of the things I think I will like is the kydex positional "J" belt clip. There is no tail to interfere with a shirt or sweater when pulled up to clear the holster, and it can be positioned solidly with a cant or straight drop, important for me since I favor a cross draw holster position. Also, it appears to be no larger than it needs to be and possibly very comfortable.

Anyway, I will soon be able to put all this to the test and report back here.

Posted with Blogsy

Versacarry Review and Field Notes - Update

Versacarry Lineu

I took two of the Versacarry holsters provided to me by the company and sent them to two forum members to try out and report on their impressions. You'll see those two reports below. One of the testers is male, and one female, so we get good feedback from both which is important due to the differences in sizes and body builds between the sexes.

I provided these reports to Versacarry for comment. I have included those below the two reports, and also a followup to an issue I experienced with a Versacarry and my Ruger SR9c yesterday.

First report from Ms. X:

Testing done with a Ruger LC9

Design
I love the simplicity of the Versa-Carry design, even more so since they’ve added the trigger guard plate, which is reversible so it can be used whether you’re a righty or a lefty. The clip is a nice C shape, so there’s nothing for clothes to get caught on like some of the metal clips available out there.

Comfort
Comfort level is excellent, since there’s no bulky leather or kydex to deal with. (I’m pretty small, at 5’2” and 115# - so most IWB holsters that I have tried take up nearly 1/3 of my waistline). I tried the Versa-Carry in many positions – appendix, cross draw, and everywhere from 3:00-5:30 positions. Appendix and cross draw felt great for me, with minimal printing from my firearm.  I suspect a larger frame firearm might rotate a bit, and cause more printing in just about any position, but I only tested on the LC9.

Draw/Re-holster
The draw was difficult at first, due to the post on the Versa-Carry being very form fitting in the barrel, but after a few dozen draws, it seemed a lot smoother. I can get a fairly solid grip on my firearm, and the draw is quick once the holster is broken in.
I don’t always wear a belt, so I tested both ways. With a belt, the clip holds tight and the holster stays where you put it with no movement or rotation. Without a belt, however, normal movement seems to make the holster clip rotate a bit, which means the butt of your gun may not be exactly where you expect it to be if you have to reach for it, and/or you may find yourself printing more than expected.
Re-holstering is not as easy, however. If carrying in the appendix or cross-draw position, I can suck in my gut, and get the weapon back on the post (but it’s not quick). In any other position, the holster must be removed from my waistband, the gun mounted back on the post, and then the whole assembly put back in the waistband. In everyday life, this isn’t a big deal, since 99.9% of the time you would holster up in the morning, and remove it at night before bed. 

Overall Thoughts
I didn’t think I would be comfortable using the Versa-Carry due to its minimalism, even though there is a trigger guard. I found the opposite to be true, however. Since the LC9 not only has a long trigger pull, but also an external safety, I found that my initial worries of accidentally shooting myself were mostly unfounded. I do carry with a round in the chamber, even though the folks at Versa-Carry recommend that you don’t (that is NOT an endorsement to go against the manufacturer’s advice – you have to weigh the pros/cons of that for yourself and make your own decision). I typically will put the external safety on though, just for that extra piece of mind. This could create a problem if I ever have to draw on someone though, since I train with safety off, and carry in my other holsters with the safety off. 

The Versa-Carry isn’t something I will use every day, and maybe not even on a regular rotating basis. But I do feel like there’s a place for it in my holster line up – I just have to figure out where that place is. 

Second Report from Mr. X

Versa-Carry - Initial Impressions

The holster is definitely more comfortable on me than my leather backed kydex holster with two clips and I’m able to draw faster as well since I’m not messing with the leather.  Concealment is decent in the three through six o’clock range.  On me, appendix carry prints as the butt of the magazine is pushed outwards since there’s no Kydex to keep it from rotating.  Plus, since I don’t like the idea of not having a round chambered. I chambered a round but have it on safe which I feel comfortable with this since I have an ambidextrous safety. (Single side safety weapons would be hard to charge in a high-stress situation I believe).  So, long story short, having a round chambered in such an open holster makes me nervous about appendix carry.  I’d rather shoot myself in the leg or butt rather than my… well, you get the idea!

I don’t see it as a big problem, but there is also no good or quick way to draw and re-holster with the versa still in its carry position.  So, it wouldn’t be a good training holster, but seems to have a fairly quick draw speed which makes me like it as an every day carry option.  Initial draws were stiff due to the barrel post, but that seems to be getting better the more I work with it.

I would like to see the versa made with either an adjustable cant or various stationary position cant options.  For the three o’clock position, which is where I like to carry, a 15 to 30 degree forward cant would be optimal as it is easy and quick to draw and hides the flared extension on my magazine quite well.  Additionally, I’d like to see options for an adjustable clip to ride the weapon higher or lower.  As is, my SR9C rides low which doesn’t allow me to get a full 100% grip on the weapon.  Keeping the length of the plastic backer but moving the clip position down an inch would compensate for this.  Alternatively, an adjustable plastic clip (I love the clip on this thing more than the weak metal clips on most) would be ideal so a shooter could position the weapon based on their own preferences.

Versa-Carry – Extended Impressions

After using the Versa-Carry for a while, I finally gave up on it and went back to my forward-cant Kydex holster.  There are just too many negatives with an open holster that make it less than ideal for everyday carry and, now that I’m running a Smith and Wesson M&P without an external safety, there is no safe way to quickly and easily access the gun in a protection situation.  Sure, there is a trigger protector on one side, but that only helps if you don’t have a round in the chamber and if it doesn’t get snagged on your clothes during the draw.  The lack of an adjustable cant makes it nearly impossible to conceal adequately and the ability to re-holster is non-existent.  I just couldn’t see using this for anything but a back-up gun that was lightweight with an external safety and long trigger pull to boot.  Using an IWB kydex holster for everyday carry and a Fobus for training purposes suits my various needs perfectly well.  I don’t see the Versacarry staying in my line-up of holsters for anything at this point.

Response by Britton Boyd of Versacarry

Note: I have extracted these comments from Britton's email to me.

1- We are working on a unit that will have an adjustable canting feature. This is something we have been planning on doing since day one. We do know that carrying on your strong side almost requires some sort of cant at times. Once again, something we are going to release in the future when we get caught up with our massive amount of orders and production that take up all of our time.

2- With only having one attachment point, the Versacarry does need a sturdy carry belt to be most effective. The one attachment point make for our units to be inserted and removed easy, which is what we wanted in the design. 

The new revolver model has an optional trigger guard that covers both sides of the trigger. We are hoping to release those to the public later this year or early in 2013. ...I actually saw Justin (Owner/Creator) design and begin work for a new trigger guard for the semi-auto models. This new option will cover both sides of the trigger. I'm not sure of a release date on that, but will keep you updated. 

My recent issue:

After carrying my SR9c in my Versacarry all day, involving driving, walking, sitting and a general day of errands and shopping away from town, I had returned home and had accidentally dropped my sunglasses on the living room floor. I bent down to retrieve them and the magazine for the SR9c ejected itself and fell to the floor. I was wearing the Versacarry at the cross draw position clipped to my heavy Bear Creek gun belt. Upon inspecting the pistol back in the Versacarry, I saw that neither magazine release button is covered by the holster. Evidently, there was enough pressure on it from me, the belt or waistband and belt to actuate the release and drop the magazine. This would have been embarrassing at best if it had occurred in public, and unfortunate if I was doing something like ducking or crouching quickly for cover.

I brought this to the attention of Versacarry last night but have received no response as yet. I will post results when I do.

In the interim, if you use a Ruger SR9 or SR40 series pistol with a Versacarry be aware that this situation might arise if you are carrying at the cross draw or appendix positions.

I'm not drawing hasty conclusions from this until I have a chance to discuss it with the Versacarry folks who have been very responsive and positive to my questions and comments.

Holster Evaluation Results

Bear Creek's IWB for the LCP
A Damn Good Holster

I have a number of holsters primarily for concealed carry, and I have tried a few more than that. A few I have kept for a while, carrying them in various situations, dress and weather, evaluating which ones work the best for me. My goal is to arrive at two or three holsters that I carry in one or two positions so that I limit the possibilities for confusion should I need to react in a self-defense scenario.

All well and good, but it became obvious that I needed some method to my madness or I would be relying on memory and fading impressions, both of which are increasingly unreliable. So, I developed a simple chart with which to record and analyze my simple requirements. You will see that below. At the time I began keeping these records, I owned a Ruger LC9 along with the other two Rugers in the chart. I've since put the LC9 up for sale since I believe it is redundant to the SR9c which has many advantages over the somewhat smaller LC9. Regardless, I did collect data about that gun which is shown below.

The chart below is grouped by gun, then by score. A higher score is better than a lower one. I generally took the range from 1 (worst) to 5 (best). These are obviously subjective and relate to my preferences, habits and body type. Meanings of the rating categories:

Secure: Does the gun and holster stay where I put it, throughout a carry period. This usually involved sitting, standing, walking, some short running, kneeling, bending, and the normal activities you'd be engaged in throughout the day. I want a holstered gun to stay where I want it to be throughout my day. Period. This is a problem for IWB holsters unless comfort is sacrificed.

Comfort: Speaks for itself. If the rig is comfortable, I'll carry it readily and for long periods. Otherwise, it ends up in the drawer or on eBay. I don't have to "forget it is there". In fact, I want to know it is there, where it is and that it is not bugging me endlessly.

Cover: Do normal garmets cover the holster and gun in normal, everyday activities, or do I have to continually adjust for either comfort or, worse, concealment. This is also a major issue with most IWB holsters. It is closely associated with the "Secure" category, above. First, if the holster and gun can be worn comfortably in a way that conceals under normal garb, then, will it stay there. If it prints anywhere you put it on, then it fails this test obviously. If it swivels, rotates, shifts or otherwise moves into a place where it prints, this is a failure of a holster allegedly made for concealment.

T-Shirt: I wear T-shirts frequently in the spring and summer, so any IWB (and some OWB) holsters that are made to conceal will have to do so under a T-shirt. Around here, when fall really comes in, we can count on putting the T-shirts away until late spring, so this is a requirement that might be met with a 'summer' holster that works particularly well with T-shirts.

Final Notes
A category that doesn't appear in the charts but is assumed to be there for any self-defense holster is ease of draw. If the thing is hard to draw from, it's going back to the maker with a note, or in the trash.

The Bear Creek IWB holster pictured above was one of my first LCP holsters. It served me well and long. I sold it to a friend who was getting started with concealed carry. If I had it to do again, I'd keep it, and have Doug make one for him.

I currently have a new D.M. Bullard OWB cross draw holster made for the SR9c. I have been using and testing it for a few weeks - thanks to Dave for the opportunity. It is not rated in the charts. As I have noted in previous posts here, while the quality is outstanding, the combination of my body type and the size and heft of the SR9c contributes to the holster not pulling the butt of the gun in close enough to my torso. Regardless of where I position it, and I wear a heavy gun belt made by Doug Childers of Bear Creek Holsters, there is always a one to two inch gap between the gun butt and me, which produces printing under anything other than a jacket. I am still working with the holster and will have a more detailed final review here later.

Update: Since this was originally posted I have experienced and issue carrying the Ruger SR9c and a Versacarry in the cross draw position. When bending down sharply to pick something off the floor, the magazine button on my SR9c was depressed and the magazine ejected onto the floor. Caution is advised if you use a Ruger SR9 or 40 series semiauto with a Versacarry holster in the cross draw or appendix carry position. More information will be posted when I get feedback from Versacarry.

Holster	Type	Gun	Rating	Secure	Comfort	Cover?	T-Shirt	Comments
Bullard Bodyguard	OWB	LC9	17	5	4	4	4	Comfortable. Secure. Hides well. Draws well.
Remora	IWB	LC9	14	3	3	4	4	Versatile. Ambidextrous. Moves from position depending on your activities.
Versacarry	IWB	LC9	14	3	3	4	4	Minimal. Trigger open on one side. Inexpensive. More comfortable than it appears.
pjholster	IWB	LC9	12	3	1	4	4	Excellent quality. Light. Hard. Not comfortable in appendix or cross draw positions.
Remora Tuckable	IWB	LC9	12	3	3	4	2	Versatile. Ambidextrous. Moves from position depending on your activities.
Fobus	OWB	LC9	9	3	4	1	1	Paddle can be insecure. Minimal concealment. Requires cover.
Uncle George	Pocket	LCP	20	5	5	5	5	Quality. Ease of carry. Very concealable.
Galco Stow-n-Go	IWB	LCP	19	5	4	5	5	Inexpensive, well made, excellent clip, comfortable.
Nemesis	Pocket	LCP	19	5	4	5	5	Quality. Ease of carry, problematic access in front pocket.
Bullard Bodyguard	OWB	LCP	18	5	5	4	4	Comfortable. Secure. Hides well. Draws well. Very high quality.
Versacarry	IWB	LCP	18	4	4	5	5	Minimal. Trigger open on one side. Inexpensive. Very comfortable in this smaller size.
Remora	IWB	LCP	16	3	4	5	4
Bullard Bandit	OWB	SR9c	17	5	5	4	3	Comfortable. Secure. Needs cover. Draws well. Very high quality.
N82	IWB	SR9c	15	3	4	4	4	Comfort. Secure. Adjustable cant. Large.
Supertuck	IWB	SR9c	15	4	3	4	4	Big. Wide. Difficult clips. Better for bigger person.
Versacarry	IWB	SR9c	14	4	3	4	3	Minimal. Fragile. Trigger open on one side. Cheap
Remora	IWB	SR9c	12	3	3	3	3	Versatile. Ambidextrous. Moves from position.
Remora Tuckable	IWB	SR9c	11	3	3	4	1	Versatile. Ambidextrous. Moves from position.

		Comments
Versacarry	IWB	May break at clip hinge if over stressed. Trigger guard covered on one side only. Surprisingly comfortable.
pjholster	IWB	Hard, inflexible, and comfort depends on position.
Bullard Bodyguard & Bandit	OWB	Conceals surprisingly well with a loose T-shirt, but not perfectly. Comfortable. Secure. Needs cover. Draws well. Very high quality.
Remora	IWB	Basic holster. No reinforcement or sweat shield. All Remoras may shift position a small amount or significantly depending on where they are placed, and the activities engaged in. Some locations are more secure than others. For larger guns, between the belt and waistband is most secure. The tuckable versions work well with the same caveats as above.
Uncle George Holster	Back Pocket	The almost perfect pocket carry. Always in position. Light and flexible enough to be very comfortable, heavy enough to protect the LCP. Easy to draw. Conformed so you sit on the end of the panel, not the pistol.
N82 Tactical Pro	IWB	A good solution to concealment and comfort, with a couple of design flaws. Comfort is outstanding especially for the larger guns. Protection of the pistol is also excellent. The single clip means easy on and off, but permits the holster and gun to move, swivel and change position which may produce some printing. The gun is held in place by a designed "lip" cast in the plastic over the trigger guard which requires a slight inward twisting motion to release the gun on the draw. Something else to remember which adds a complicating factor in what may be a stressful situation.
Crossbreed Supertuck	IWB	Wide leather base, kydex holster with dual clips which can be difficult to engage. Adjustable in cant and ride height. Not as comfortable as the N82 Tactical, but more stable. Expensive.
Galco Stow-n-Go	IWB	An outstanding solution to a comfortable, effective and inexpensive IWB carry for small pistols. May work as well with larger handguns. And, it is inexpensive with one of the best clips on the market.