Christmas Present from Texas

Well, not exactly a Christmas present, seeing as how I bought it for myself. A present to me, from me. It is a new D.M. Bullard IWB with Belt Loop for my trusty Ruger SR9c.

I've been carrying one of Dave Bullard's Belt Slide OWB holsters for my Ruger since I bought the gun. It's been through a lot and shows it, like a good leather holster will, but is still my OWB go-to holster for the SR9c. The design is such that I have also used it successfully to holster an LC9 and a Bond Arms Snake Slayer. Those were temporary solutions to a pressing need, but now it's reserved for the SR9c, as it should be.

Today I received the IWB from Dave Bullard's shop. Even though I know they have been working very hard to keep up with demand, hiring and training new people (not an easy thing when Dave's quality and craftsmanship standards are so high) and moving to a larger space to accommodate the increased work demands, the quality of my new IWB has not been compromised by all that.



It is not a good practice to say much about a holster when it is brand new. I've often found my initial enthusiasm to be misplaced because issues and irritations I had not considered come to light with actually using a holster day-to-day as they are intended to be used. But, in this case, I will say this: the fit to the pistol is right on and it's not so tight that it will take a week of break in before it is ready for duty. And, it's comfortable, right out of the box. The back of the leather is almost flat, with some moulding to the pistol shape, but not aggressively so. The 'sweat' guard (I'd call it a slide guard) cushions my delicate abdomen from the slide, yet the grips ride high enough for a good, quick grip on the draw.

I bought the version with the belt loop attachment rather than the metal clip. I don't like metal clips even though they are thinner than leather. I don't like the way the end sticks out. I know why it does that, to help you get the clip over the belt, but I've had issues with these kinds of clips before, snagging an overgarment when I lift it to uncover the pistol for the draw. The belt loop is not as thick as my belt, to put it into perspective. And, it is adjustable in cant so you can wear the holster pretty much where you like. I like the flexibility to wear my concealed firearm in different positions, depending on the situation. This one will move easily to the cross draw position when I am driving or sitting for long periods. Or I can swing it around to a strong side carry if I like.

I'll post more as time goes on about how this latest acquisition from D.M. Bullard is working out. But, since I've given many holsters the field test and I have thought long and hard about what is best for me, I think this one will become my main IWB holster, like Bullard's belt slide has become my favorite OWB holster.

Dave Bullard's website

LaserMax Micro, Rail-Mounted Laser Sight

The LaserMax Micro

This is a really slick, rail-mounted laser made to fit any pistol with a rail, but especially meant for small, compact semi-automatics. Many people are buying and carrying the "compact" guns for self defense. It is an unfortunate fact that many of those, especially newcomers to concealed carry, do not have the opportunity or time for the level of training they need. Time at the range and some simple self-defense safety, drawing and firing practice are all that many people get.

Shooting a pistol accurately is not easy even for those of us who shoot and train regularly. This is especially true when the chips are down, adrenaline is pumping and one is involved in a life-or-death situation. It is also a factor when one is forced to fire a pistol in low light, or dark situations. These are the times when many self-defense shootings occur.


It is incumbent on all who carry legally to be as safe with their firearm as possible, especially when innocent bystanders are around. This means you must be able to actually hit what you are aiming to hit. Aiming a pistol properly with iron sights is difficult at the best of times. At the worst, it pays to have as much help as you can get. That's where laser sights come in.

LaserMax has been making laser sighting devices for many years. Handgun sights are only part of their business and expertise. Recognizing the need to provide a very small, lightweight, reasonably priced, and easily installed laser sight for compact semi-autos with rail mounts, they have produced the Micro. LaserMax was kind enough to provide one for me to evaluate on my Ruger SR9c, one of my favorite 'compact' carry pistols.

I was not interested in a larger, under the slide type of laser sight for this gun. It is more an issue of esthetics with me. I like the way the SR9c is designed and I like the holsters I had carefully chosen for it, since it is one of my main carry guns. The Micro promised to be more unobtrusive, lighter and would fit one of my Remora holsters that I use for this gun. I received it in the packaging you see above, opened the wrapping and within about a minute had it on the pistol.

It looks like an add-on, which it is. It's much smaller and less bulky than the CenterFire or Laserguard models. Which is good. Still, it initially looked kind of weird, hanging under the muzzle like that.

View of the Micro mounted to the SR9c from underneath.

Looked at from the bottom, it is not much larger than the slide and under-barrel body of the Ruger. Nice.

Installation was pretty bomb proof, even for me. Slide it on the rail, line up the hole in the laser mount with the notch in the rail, insert screw. Tighten. Done.

Switch Protection

In the photos above, I'm showing a really thoughtful feature that should be more advertised for this sight. I was concerned about activating the laser in my holster and imposing unnecessary battery drain. Looking closely at the laser body and fitting it in my holster revealed what I term a switch protection shield. These protrusions extend on both sides only enough to stop the activation switches from contacting the holster. A very nice touch.

On the gun.
The photos below show how the Micro looks close up, mounted on the pistol, ready to go.

It is barely wider than the frame, and from the top, you can't see it.

In operation it's pretty simple. When I draw the pistol my trigger finger is naturally laying extended down the side of the frame. The tip of that finger touches the activation switch on the right side (remember, it has a twin on the left side for left-hand shooters, or in case you might be forced to shoot with your non-dominant hand) and to turn the laser on takes only a brief press with that fingertip. Another press, and it turns off.

The laser offers pulsing or constant beam. I prefer constant, but the option is there should you want to switch.

Carrying the Micro-equipped pistol

One of my pet peeves with lasers is the fact that getting one after having a favorite gun, and going through the pain and expense of finding a couple of good, safe, comfortable carry holsters forces one to adapt one of those holsters, if possible, or buy at least one more holster. There are a number of good holster makers, Cleveland Holsters, for example, that make outstanding holsters for Micro equipped handguns. I've discovered that my "standard" non-laser Remora holster was easily modified to accept the Micro, by removing a short row of strategically placed stitches near the bottom of the holster. That's what I'm using to carry the SR9c when the laser is aboard. I sometimes remove it and carry the pistol in a favorite, leather OWB holster. It is easy enough to do. It would be easier, if LaserMax would develop a quick change mechanism similar to that found on road bicycle wheel mounts. 

I have grown used to the sight on the gun. As I said, it is small. Very small. Unobtrusive. Doesn't get in the way and these days, it is usually mounted to the Ruger because it's just too damn important to leave at home alone.

Check these out for more information on the LaserMax site: http://lasermax.com

Be safe.

Cleveland IWB Holsters Review

Cleveland Comfort Cut for the Ruger SR9c/LaserMax Micro

Bobby Cleveland and company make IWB holsters that are a cut above most of the other holsters of this type - the hybrid (leather backing and kydex shell) double clip, in-the-waistband holsters for concealed carry. I may be wrong, but I believe the type was made popular, if not originated, by Crossbreed. The idea is basic: use a wide leather backing to provide comfort against the wearer's skin, attach two clips, also widely spaced to take up the weight and attach a kydex shell moulded to fit a particular handgun. Shazam! You have a very odd holster that works very well for its intended purpose. There are quite a few hybrid holster makers offering their designs and variations off this theme. I received a couple of Cleveland holsters made for the LaserMax Micro, rail mounted laser and the Ruger SR9c handgun, and for the LC9 equipped with the LaserMax CenterFire unit to test and report on here. My thanks to Cleveland holsters for the chance to evaluate and write about my findings and opinions

Cleveland holsters take the basic Crossbreed concept and move it into a higher level of design and execution. But before getting into the details, here is what you get when the holsters arrive in the mail.

For the LC9 with a custom cut.

Holster for the SR9c with comfort fit.

Reverse of the package.

 The packaging is good and contains an informative sheet on how the holsters are made and how to adjust the ride height and cant to your liking, and a warning to use the included thread locker material to ensure the screws, once adjusted to your preference, don't move.

The holsters are a quality product throughout. Where some makers use basic cowhide for their backing, Cleveland sports premium tanned leather, as you can see from the closeup below. Other makers' backings are not as smooth, flexible and well finished. In fact, Cleveland even hand bevels the edges for comfort and an excellent finish.

A close look at the leather quality and finish of the backing, and the type of round nuts used to hold the screws.

Another look at the leather finish, kydex and clip attachments.

Below is the custom cut on the LC9 holster. The rear of the slide is protected by the leather backing, but the grips are exposed permitting a good and rapid access to the pistol.

LC9/LaserMax in the custom cut holster.

The reverse side shows the adjustment holes for the two clips and the brass round head screws Cleveland uses to keep the clips and the kydex shell in place. Each of the screw and nut combinations trap a rubber O ring between them so that any slack that may develop between the kydex or clips and the backing can be taken up with a few turns of a screwdriver. This is a good feature, not possible with holsters that are bradded to the leather.

Reverse side of the holster.

The comfort cut, the one supplied for the bigger Ruger SR9c/LaserMax combo, is basically the same holster but with the leather left higher to shield the wearer completely from contact with the gun. It was obvious that the SR9c and 10 round magazine would be completely covered by the backing, but I wanted to see how it would work with the longer 17 round magazine installed.

Comfort cut for the SR9c/LaserMax combo.

The same holster showing how the pistol equipped with the longer magazine fits.

Reverse of the custom cut and Ruger with the longer magazine.

 As you can see, no problem with the long magazine.

Another feature that sets Cleveland holsters apart from the competition is the detail they mould into the ends of their holsters. Rather than simply cutting the kydex off at the muzzle, they wrap it around the end of the weapon, moulding it in place there as well. And the kydex is brought higher up on the slide. This offers more comfort and security to keep the gun in place.

Detail of the muzzle end.

Wearing and using the Cleveland holsters.

 A good design and several quality steps above the normal, these holsters are obviously quality built equipment. The big aspects are comfort, ease of use, adjustability and security of the weapon.

Quality: I would put Cleveland holsters in the top tier of quality hybrid IWB holsters. I had an opportunity to compare the Cleveland holsters with a Comp-Tac Minotaur hybrid. I discuss this in more detail below. In my experience, these two are at the top of the hybrid IWB game but have very different design and manufacturing philosophies.

Comfort: These holsters are certainly very comfortable. The two Cleveland holsters were comfortable right off, without a break-in period. As you wear them more and they mould and conform to your own body type and contours they will fit better and become even more easy to wear for extended periods.

Ease of Use: I had a set of the kydex clips to try out with these holsters. I generally like kydex over steel clips as I find they are most often easier to use. However, the kydex clips Cleveland supplies don't work for me. The steel clips worked as advertised, but I could not get the kydex clips to attach snugly to my 1 1/2" gun belt. I measured the clips inside area and found they were 1 5/8", which should have been big enough, but no. I could force one over the belt, but not the other. I think the issue was that the clips were not big enough on the inside to accommodate my belt and the thickness of the material in my Wranglers. Switching to the steel clips solved that problem. Even so, I have always found the twin clip hybrid holsters difficult to get on properly, and the Clevelands were no exceptions. I think this a personal idiosyncrasy. Your mileage may vary.

Security: The guns snap nicely into the kydex when properly adjusted and can be drawn with little effort. The pistol is not coming out of that holster accidentally. At first I expected the comfort cut holster to be more difficult on the draw, but with some practice to familiarize myself with getting a grip between the leather and the grips, I came to the conclusion that this is not really an issue, and I think as the holster breaks in, it will be even easier. I certainly appreciate the leather between me and that long grip. The custom cut is comfortable enough with the smaller LC9 and access is no problem at all. All in all, I think I prefer the custom cut, but, again, that's a purely personal decision. Like any other carry system, train well with what you use and you will be proficient with it.

The Cleveland and the Minotaur

I previously did a review of Comp-Tac's AIWB Minotaur for the SR9c here on this blog. See it for details. It is important to remember that the Minotaur I use here to compare with the Cleveland holsters is not an AIWB, but an IWB designed for strong side carry, as is the Cleveland. In this post I want to point out the differences between these two holsters that clearly show the design differences and philosophies between the two makers.

Right away you can see that the Minotaur is smaller overall and shaped nothing like the Cleveland. Perhaps the most striking difference is in the clips and their arrangement on the two holsters. The Cleveland has traditional metal clips adjusted by means of a series of holes in the leather backing. The Minotaur's clips are thinner kydex with multiple adjustment holes in the clips themselves. Depending on their positions, the ends of the Minotaur's clips may protrude below the bottom of the leather backing. I haven't found this to be an issue. Some users will trim the clips - easily done because they are kydex, not metal - once they have arrived at the positions they like. Unlike all twin clip hybrids, I found the Minotaur to be very easy to put on and remove.

Below you see the reverse (body side) of each holster. The Cleveland is wide and smooth providing a larger surface area to distribute the load. Cleveland uses round, smooth screw heads here which do not impact the holster's comfort. Some holsters of this type use a three-pronged star type of nut that digs into the leather instead of screw heads. This works, but moving these nuts to different positions is a trial, leaving puncture holes behind. The prongs usually are bent and have to be straightened which is difficult as they are thick metal points, and small. This is not an issue with Cleveland's holsters.

The Minotaur's mounting hardware is permanently fixed in place and covered by a thin, smooth leather lining. Even though smaller, the shape of the Minotaur's backing handles the load and delivers a surprising level of comfort. Even though they are radically different in shape, I would say the two are equally comfortable for me. If you have a different body shape, you might prefer one over the other. I am tall and relatively slim: 6' 3", 200 lbs.

The biggest difference between the Minotaur and the Cleveland holsters lies in the ability to attach different kydex shells to the Minotaur to fit different pistols. The kydex shells are available separately for the Minotaur to fit many popular carry guns. Remove four screws, slide in a different holster shell, reinstall the screws and you have a holster for a different gun, but with the same backing broken in to you.

A direct comparison of the two holsters:

Although both holsters offer a wide range of adjustments for ride height and cant, neither are suitable for appendix carry. This style is becoming more popular for CCW owners, and for good reason. There are a number of professional trainers who have debunked the "danger" of appendix carry, especially as compared to the more common strong-side carry method. Both have their risk points and with either the shooter must be aware of them and train to minimize the risks. But to say that appendix carry is inherently more dangerous than the other styles is not correct.

This style of Minotaur might be adjusted for a "straight drop" but the shape of the backing is not designed for appendix carry so I doubt it would be acceptable in that configuration. Comp-Tac does offer a Minotaur designed specifically for appendix carry. I reviewed it here earlier.

The Cleveland is really designed for carry with a cant. I tried to adjust the custom cut for the LC9 to the appendix carry configuration, but with the built-in cant of the kydex shell, it was not possible. So, with that in mind, the Cleveland and the Minotaur can be adjusted for your strong-side carry preferences.

Conclusion: Cleveland makes the best traditional design hybrid, leather backed, dual clip concealment holsters. They have taken the standard design and elevated it to a much higher level with attention to materials, details of construction and the better moulding and 'wrap around' of the kydex. Cleveland offers a thirty-day guarantee, as does Comp-Tac.

My opinion is that Cleveland and Comp-Tac, although following very different design philosophies, offer the best in hybrid, concealed carry holsters available today. The Minotaur is obviously different and has staked out it's own design path. The Cleveland is a more traditional design, but with deep attention paid to the details, comfort and differences between their product and the also-rans. You really can't go wrong with either.

Comp-TAC AIWB Holster, New Mexico and the Golf Course

 This is the new, unworn Comp-TAC Minotaur AIWB (Appendix In Waist Band) holster with kydex clips.

AIWB for the Ruger SR9c

This is the reverse side of the holster above showing the stitched in liner that covers the hardware necessary for the clips and screws to remove and replace the holster kydex shell. This is a good thing, since you can purchase a different kydex shell for a different gun and use the same leather backing and attachment hardware for it at a much less expensive price than buying a completely new holster for that other gun.

AIWB inside

The two photos above were taken when the holster was removed from the package and packing. It was unworn at that time so that you can get a good indication of the quality and amount of work that goes into these Comp-TAC holsters.

I particularly like the inside lining covering all of the hardware. I had a Crossbreed holster once that took a beating when I adjusted it a number of times for depth and cant. The Minotaur, on the other hand, uses screws with embedded nuts for adjustment and shell replacement, getting around those strange leather fasteners that dig into the leather with three sharp prongs. After removing and reusing those prong fasteners, I always bent one or more of the prongs and they never worked right again. You don't have to worry about this with the Minotaur. The clip screws are for an Allen wrench, thoughtfully provided by Comp-TAC along with the holster, and you merely unscrew the clips, remove the screw and the rubber bushing between the clip and the leather, reposition the clips and screw everything back together.

For me, the clips were set lower than I like so I moved them up for a deeper carry. Although the bottom of the clips protrude past their mounting points, once you have found the cant and depth you like, they can be trimmed off if you so desire. I did not find them to be a bother so I have left them alone.

My Ruger SR9c fit snugly and positively into the shell. All good, so I slipped the holster under my waistband and belt and slipped the kydex clips over my thick 1 1/2" belt. This was far easier than with metal clips and, once in place, the clips are unobtrusive against my black belt.

I received the holster the day before a family trip to New Mexico. I thought this was a good time to test the Minotaur, appendix carry of a larger handgun in a real-world scenario that would involve driving, getting in and out of the car, restaurants, National Monuments, and tourist-infested Santa Fe. So, I took the SR9c and an extra large capacity magazine and me and the Minotaur and the rest of the family took off. 

Over the next two days I carried my SR9c constantly, often in the midst of hordes of tourists, in museums, on shuttle busses, climbing around ancient Indian ruins and in public places where the mere thought of a legally armed citizen amongst them would have sent certain of my fellow vacationers into meltdown. Nobody saw a thing, and I was amazingly very comfortable with the holster. The Ruger rode safely and securely, never budged and stayed comfortable even during long periods of sitting.

After returning home, and spending a hot afternoon playing eighteen holes of golf, still wearing the Minotaur and the Ruger SR9c, I removed the holster and took the photos below.

 Note that the leather is virtually in the same condition as when I first received it. The shell still holds the Ruger as it should.

This photo shows the lining covering the hardware on the reverse side of the holster. Even though it has been worn through four very hot days with lots of activity and sweat, little evidence of this shows. The slight bulges where the screws are covered is more pronounced in this photo than in reality. They are not noticeable when the holster is on.

I took this photo to show how much the bottom of the holster has conformed due to sitting and rising. The leather protrusion you see, slightly bent upwards, is none the less flexible and serves to protect the top of your thigh from pressure from the pistol and kydex shell. It does that nicely and contributes to the comfort of this design.

This side shows almost no deflection.

A view from the bottom of the leather backing, lining, rubber bushing and kydex clip.

I will admit to the following advice: don't wear a large handgun in any holster while playing eighteen holes of golf, especially in the appendix position. Golfing has a lot of bending at the waist both from swinging the clubs but also from clambering in and out of the golf cart.

So, my first extended experience with Comp-TAC's AIWB Minotaur is overall very positive. It is very well thought out in terms of comfort, security of the weapon, range of adjustability (I think anyone could find the right combination of ride height and cant that suits them best, and even better, the holster is designed to, and will take, constant fiddling without breaking down, stripping screws or bending those prong-nuts many holster makers use) and provides outstanding protection for your firearm.

This model especially is very nice since the pattern of the leather backing in combination with the kydex clips is built specifically for appendix in-waistband carry, which I am liking more and more. I'll have more to say on this mode of carry, but I can say that I think this is one of the better made holsters out there. It incorporates an innovative, effective design and is backed by some good customer service people. I also have a Comp-TAC Minotaur which is designed to be worn strong side. I won't be carrying it, but I will take some comparison photos to illustrate the differences. Why? Because some holster makes would keep the same design for both strong side and appendix carry, counting on the user to fiddle with adjustments to get the right position but Comp-TAC has specifically designed the AIWB Minotaur for that style of carry. To me, this shows their commitment to customer satisfaction and excellence in design and production.

As I carry this holster more and compare it with other similar "hybrid" IWB designs, I will keep you updated on what I find.

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.

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.

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.

Carrying a bigger gun

Ruger LCP .380

Ruger SR9c 9mm

Ruger's two fine self-defense carry pistols. Both have their place in a basic self-defense carry scheme. Without getting into the caliber wars, and you can read as much about this as you want on most internet gun forums if you can stand the tone that these "discussions" often descend to. My philosophy centers around being very proficient with your chosen self-defense weapon regardless of which make, model or caliber you like. There are limitations, of course, being a decision that is predicated upon carrying for self-defense. Too light of a caliber will most certainly be ineffective and too heavy will be hard to shoot and hard to carry consistently. I like the range somewhere in the middle, but whatever one chooses, it is imperative that you be able to consistently hit your target. This will make most any caliber effective, and minimize the possibility of shooting something or someone you don't intend to shoot.

At this point, I have settled on the combination you see above. The .380 shooting modern self defense ammunition, like Hornady Critical Defense (and there are other good choices as well) is an effective, short range self-defense firearm that is reliable and very easy to carry for both men and women, and with almost any wardrobe. Being both light and compact, it carries well in almost any position, and it is very suited to use as a backup gun when required. Pocket carry is very suitable for that role and I personally favor the Uncle George back pocket holster for that use since I don't like front pocket carry. When carrying as a backup, or singly, it fits well in an appendix or cross-draw carry position to supplement a larger handgun in a different carry position such as strong-side.

I find the LCP is very handy for around the house carry when you want something with you and your other gun, or guns, are parked safely in the house.

At one point, in addition to the SR9c, I had a Ruger LC9. Now, that's a good self-defense carry gun - compact, not so big, reliable, in 9 mm. However, I think the SR9c is a better 9 mm choice. It carries, with the small magazine, 11 rounds to the LC9's 7. It has better sights, better (for me) ergonomics, and a much better trigger. And, it is marginally bigger and heavier, but not so much that I cannot carry it all day in a suitable holster - which at this point includes the Bullard Bandit and the N82 Tactical Pro, depending on the occasion.

The biggest advantage of the SR9c over the LC9 for me is that I can shoot it better and more accurately than the LC9. And, coupled with the Ruger SR22PB as a trainer, it goes to make me a better shooter, and that's the most important thing. Your gun must be reliable, but you must be reliable too.

Choose your best carry guns and train with them often. Then carry them whenever you can.

Be safe.

Bullard Cross Draw photos update

As I mentioned in my first post about this holster, it's not meant to be worn under a T-shirt. About the only OWB holster I've worn under a T-shirt successfully is David's Bodyguard holsters for the LCP and the LC9. Still, a somewhat loose shirt is best. Not baggy or obviously over sized, but just comfortable and not 'form fitting' will do.

Remember that this holster is broken in sufficiently for the gun, but not to me as yet. My experience tells me that I need to wear this holster and gun for a few weeks to get it accustomed to my body shape before I can pass final judgement on its suitability for concealed cross-draw carry. It is very good now, when new, so my expectations are that it's going to get better over time.


Update, October 7, 2010
Since the post, above, I have continued to try this holster at different times, with different clothing. I've found that, for me and my body type, it is only really concealable with the SR9c under a jacket or cold weather vest. Wearing it with a sweater or sweat shirt, or a heavier shirt, still allows the butt of the pistol to push into the clothing such that it's obvious there is something there.

While this style of OWB cross draw holster may be very good for smaller framed guns or revolvers, and if the wearer is heftier and with a bigger body type, for slim people carrying somewhat larger guns, it is not a good choice. This is not aimed solely at Bullard cross draw holsters, but at all styles that do not have a method for the belt pulling the butt of the gun in against the body. If this isn't the case, the butt will protrude, more or less, but enough to show there is something under your garment.

So, my advice is not to avoid these designs, but arrange to try one out so that you can see if it fits your body style and clothing choices. If so, there is much to recommend them, as well as the cross draw carry itself.

Posted with Blogsy

Looking for that Cross Draw Holster

As much as I like D.M. Bullard's leather holsters (I have three of them and two mag carriers) I am looking for a less expensive alternative to cross draw holsters. I also like Remora holsters and have found that they function very well in the cross draw position and are very easy to get on and off, and to re-adjust if necessary. They seldom shift position and only do so if you do a bunch of extreme up and down movements, like bending way over and squatting, etc. Even then, they don't tend to move much. It's more in my mind than in actuality. The thing I don't like, and it's not particular to Remoras, it having it shoved inside my waistband. It's fine for a few hours, but for an all day carry, it gets wearisome for me. Some people don't mind at all, but they like IWB carry anyway, no matter what holster they use.

I am looking for a good alternative OWB cross draw holster. I found interesting ones at texasdonkeys.com which is also Rising Star Holsters. Jim Crawford is the owner and holster maker and he does a very nice job of making holsters of Herman Oak leather. I bought an LC9 cross draw OWB from him. It was a beauty but with the size of the LC9 that particular design did not work out well. The holster had a large, long belt loop but because of the size and weight of the LC9, that design did not pull the butt of the gun in close enough for good concealment. I called Jim and discussed this with him and we agreed to exchange the LC9 cross draw for an LCP cross draw. The smaller size and weight of the LCP should keep the gun in proper position. I should receive it in a day or two so I will report, with photos, the results.

For the LC9, not to mention the SR9c, an OWB holster must have a design capable of pulling the butt of the pistol into the body. Jim's other designs, for larger guns, have two "loops", one on the back and one on the 'inboard' side of the holster nearer the belt buckle, which should do that nicely. I haven't tried one yet. I might as Jim's work is first class and the design looks right.

On aspect of cross draw holsters that are overdone in my opinion is the tendency of makers to put a significant cant on the holster. I don't think this is necessary for quick access, nor is it a feature that helps conceal the pistol. A cross draw position is more difficult to hide due to the fact that the butt of the gun points toward your midline, getting the butt closer to the belt buckle and closer to view if you are wearing an unbuttoned shirt, or more prone to printing under a loose shirt. If the gun is worn more straight up-and-down, the butt is further away from midline and tends to tuck in close to your body reducing printing and visibility. For example, today, going for a quick morning walk with my wife, I grabbed the SR9c in the Remora and wore it IWB, cross draw, straight drop (vertical, no cant), under a light sweater. Invisible, fairly comfortable and as easy to get to as a holster with a cant.

My experience with D.M. Bullard's work is that his designs work, and work well, and the end product fits the gun it is designed and made for and will last as long as the gun lasts, certainly longer than I will. But, at this point the demand for his holsters far exceeds his output. He's expanded and is training more help, but his standards are so high that it will be a long time before his lead time gets back to "reasonable". Right now, if he starts taking custom orders again, it is still likely to be three or four months. And you can expect to pay a premium for his work, which I do not begrudge him. It's worth it.

So, the search goes on. I have enough carry systems to be effective now so I'm in no great hurry to find the best cross draw setup. I'll report here from time to time on my findings.

Shooting

With the weather like it's been, and the loss of my friend's shooting area - some kind of stupid social falling out that caught me in the fallout - I've not been out shooting for a long while. Now, this isn't so important if you are into target shooting, but I'm not. At least not yet. My focus now is on self defense tactics and in order to get competent and stay that way you have to practice. A lot.

So, I found another piece of land on which I could shoot and there was about a week between snow storms, melt and the attendant mud, so on a kind of dry day I drove out to the land and packed my handguns. LC9, LCP and SR9c. Yes, I'm a Ruger fancier for reasons I will probably go into in another post. I packed along some 9 mm FMJ and .380 FMJ practice rounds and an innocent cardboard box for the target. Walked, sluged through snow and mud mostly, about a mile to a good spot and set up.

Then commenced the lesson showing me (once again) that I am not such a good shot, especially not having been to the "range" for too long. Even more interesting is that each of these guns has a different trigger, meaning that the LCP and LC9 are "double action" with long trigger pulls before the gun fires. The LCP, being so small, seems like it has an overly long pull. It's long, but it just takes getting used to. You can't jerk this gun and expect to hit much. Anything less that a yard or two away will require some concentration on the grip and trigger action. This is something that must be practiced to get muscle memory involved because in a hurry-up self defense action, you don't have time (and probably can't) to think slowly and deliberately.

The LC9 also has a long pull, but being bigger and heavier, and fitting my hand better, is more manageable. Some story though. Practice. A lot.

The SR9c is a real sweetie when talking about triggers. It has a kind of Glock-like safety on the trigger and the pull is probably around 5 oru 6 pounds and short. Compared to the other two guns, way short. But with that, the great ergonomics and weight of the gun, it shoot fast and stable.

I had fun. Seriously wounded the cardboard box, and an innocent sandstone boulder nearby and shot up a few dollars worth of ammo.

That brings up my second point. Ammo. I worked out a minimum practice schedule and routine for  the year. At the absolute minimum number of trips out and rounds fired, I would still be sending about $300 worth of lead down range each year. I thought about reloading. Then, I thought about shooting more cheaply and more often so that I could hone my shooting skills without going broke. That's when the light dawned that the answer is another Ruger! 

Of course! What I really need is a new Ruger SR-22 Pistol so that I can buy carloads of .22 ammo and shoot ten times as much at less cost that I would need to even with reloading my own ammo.

Hell, I don't know why I didn't think of this before....