Some preliminary thoughts about the carry part of concealed carry.

As we all know there are many different approaches to designing and making holsters for carrying a handgun concealed. I have tried and tested many of them, and written about many in this blog. I think the main reason why we accumulate so many different holsters over time is that we initially don't answer a fundamental question: what type of holster will I carry the most often and the most comfortably?

This is based upon the assumption that if one goes to all of the trouble to get a concealed carry permit, then one will be carrying a handgun whenever possible. What is the alternative? To guess when you will not be needing to protect yourself or others? How will you do that? So, given that many of us (not most, probably) who have a permit will have a gun on their person whenever possible, it makes sense that a holster has to be comfortable and useful enough to be with us constantly.

Concealed carry holsters have to meet basic criteria: be safe, provide quick and unencumbered access to the handgun, hold the weapon securely, be generally concealable and comfortable. It's the last part, "comfortable" that is the issue.

My opinion is that for most of us, the best carry position is the appendix followed by the cross draw. They a couple of important advantages: easy to access when sitting; and easily protected from grabs or from someone bumping into you and feeling that gun on your hip. But to effectively conceal in those positions, the gun and holster should be carried inside the waistband, or with an effective covering garment. Not always possible in warm weather. A really loose shirt will work if you carry in these positions OWB, but you will have places, times and positions where your gun will be obvious to bystanders. So, inside the waistband is called for in most situations. The bad part: comfort.

Holster makers have come up with various solutions to this IWB issue, and, if you carry long enough, and anything larger than an LCP-sized handgun, it becomes an issue. A good, firm leather holster for a medium sized handgun will, in order to offer a certain level of comfort, will be thick and wide. A good kydex IWB holster is much thinner, but will either stick you in the ribs with the slide (sweat) shield, or if it does not have one, with the pistol's slide. The hybrid models that provide a wide backing of leather with two clips and a kydex holster are difficult to put on and you have a foot-wide hunk of leather wrapped to your torso all day.

I think the same can be said about wearing one of these types at the strong-side positions, like 3, 4 or 5 o'clock for right hand shooters. Whichever position you choose, your pants and belt must wrap around the gun and the holster, creating a large bulge that is clamped to your body and is always there in your consciousness, pressing into your hip or stomach like a heavy parasite.

I used to dismiss those people who say or write that they just can't get used to IWB carry. I no longer do so, but have come to appreciate their position. I seem to naturally reach for an OWB holster for my everyday carry, especially around the house. If I'm going out for a half-hour or so, I am ok with IWB, but if it's going to be longer, especially if we are on a car trip for a day, I don't like it. I make my pistol accessible, but not on me, while driving. When I get out, it goes along too. But, more often in an OWB cross draw or on the strong side where I don't have to live with a hunk of leather, or kydex and a heavy handgun stuck in my pants.

Of course your mileage and preferences will vary. Many people don't mind IWB carry and it works for them. But, after a long time carrying I have come to the conclusion that I want a balance between access and comfort so I am tending to the OWB style for most of my carry situations.

Reducing the Inventory. Reducing Complexity. Re-focusing

Ruger SR9c, Comp-Tac Minotaur AIWB, Kytex mag holder.

Bond Arms Snake Slayer, Remora holster,
BA Ammo holder with .410 Personal Defense Rounds

As with so many shooters, my personal inventory of weapons, accessories and holsters has grown far beyond what I need to be well equipped for personal defense.

I also have the proverbial box of holsters, except in my case, it is a large drawer full of holsters. As readers of this blog will note, I've tried and analyzed many holsters over the past months, reporting on what I see as their good and bad points relative to self defense carry. There are many different designs and executions of those designs. There are many ways to carry spare ammunition, a subject that really doesn't lend itself to debate - if you carry for self defense, then be adequately prepared with extra ammo. A gun with no ammo doesn't work. It looks like a gun, but it don't shoot. Case closed.

Laser sights. Night sights. Grips. Mag extenders, modifications (which I don't recommend in general) to the gun... There are many, many ways to spend money on more stuff for more guns.

But, I've come to the conclusion, what's the point? If you are interested in guns, shooting, target practice, and all of that, then fine. There is little limit to what you can spend your money and concentration on. But, if you are primarily interested in carrying a gun for self defense, and the legitimate defense of other innocent people who may need protection, all of the 'noise' of more stuff isn't going to do you much good for a couple of reasons.

One, it really doesn't matter if you have a leather or kydex holster, or mag carrier. It doesn't matter if you carry a Model 1911 .45, or a LCP .380. Strong side carry, cross draw, appendix and anywhere else - it's not all that important to the main goal of being prepared with your pistol for self defense situations. "No," someone is going to say, "you're wrong." Then comes one of the standard arguments: caliber (bigger is better vrs. accuracy trumps caliber), carry style (cross draw is too vulnerable to gun-grabs, and slow vrs. cross draw is better for driving and sitting), or (IWB is too uncomfortable and harder to get to, vrs. OWB less concealable and  harder to get to...)

And so on.

Two, if you have four different holsters, three different styles (IWB, OWB, SOB) and five different guns, you are setting yourself up for confusion, uncertainty and delay when, as the Marines so accurately put it, the shit hits the fan. Take the Bond Arms derringer and the Ruger SR9c for example. I had both of these guns - still have the Ruger - and can speak from experience. As the photos demonstrate above, carrying them in the same manner still presents significant differences and potential difficulties. It's easy enough when I'm just practicing moves like drawing from concealment, safety, presentation, reloading, but if that SHTF moment ever comes, I will be suddenly in full blown, adrenaline fueled, get-it-done-right-now mode. No luxury or time for consideration of what's in my waistband, or where, exactly, it's located.

If I'm carrying the Ruger with the manual safety on (I don't, but I don't recommend this practice to anyone. You have to make your own choices.), I have to click it off when I draw. If I'm carrying the derringer, the safety will be off, but I have to cock the hammer. It's a single action. (Which barrel will fire first? The bottom one for more accuracy and recoil control, if I've remembered to set the hammer accordingly.)

I can quickly squeeze off two, three or four shots (or more) with the Ruger with simple trigger presses. I have to re-cock the derringer with the thumb of my weak hand before I can shoot a second time. Third shot with the derringer? Well, first in the midst of all this fear, panic and craziness, I have to open the barrel latch, swing the barrels up and over, lock them there with my shooting hand thumb, strip out the two shotgun hulls, reach to my ammo carrier, lever up two shells so I can grab two together, bring them up to the gun, which I hope I've remembered to lock upright into my field of vision so I can also assess the situation while seeing the empty chambers, slide two shells into the barrels - all the way in - and close and lock the barrels into the frame. Oh, then I have to re-cock the hammer.

By then, I might be dead.

With the Ruger, once I've emptied the magazine, which will be eleven to eighteen rounds, depending, I have to push the mag release button, hold the gun into my field of view, slide a new magazine from the holder on my weak side, and slap it home and slap the slide back into battery.

Confusion. Mistakes. Too many options for a time that demands simplicity and clarity.

I am simplifying. The Snake Slayer, a fine handgun, is on the block. Someone will like it and find a good use for it. I don't spend much time afoot in snake country, although there are a few 'wild' dogs around here that would benefit from a face full of #4 shot. My holster collection is being reduced to a few that are simple, effective and concealable. I am carrying in only two locations on my body and none of my holsters are so comfortable that I 'forget I have it on'. That's pretty much BS anyway. Your conscious mind will become attuned to a good holster, but it doesn't forget where it is.

There are times and occasions when a good OWB holster works well and is appropriate, like a long day on your feet, walking, at the fair, around town. There are times when appendix carry is better, like in the car, or at the coffee shop or restaurant. Even walking around. My holster requirements have gone down by at least 50%.

The carry guns I depend on now, both Rugers - the SR9c and the LCP look and operate much the same way. Yes, I know that the LCP is hammer fired and the SR9c is striker fired, the triggers are very different, and the magazine capacities are very different. But, my hand and brain knows which is which when I put my hand on the gun and it knows how to achieve a self-defense sight alignment quickly (and when it's too close-quarters to worry about sight, or slide, alignment) with either. All I have to do then is press the trigger. Repeatedly, if necessary.

A couple of simple, effective and reasonably comfortable holsters for each pistol, one for AWIB, one for strong side carry. That's it.

If I need a separate mag carrier, I go with one from Kytex. I've reviewed them on this blog and I still recommend them. None better. With a gun in either carry position, the Kytex mag holder and spare mag is always in the same place. Don't have to worry about that.

Re-focusing
Finally, simplicity applied to self defense shooting itself.
The internet can be a good thing. Yes, there is a lot of crap flying around out there, especially regarding guns, self-defense, the Second Amendment and all, but I watched a couple of enlightening videos recently that I recommend to you. One was an interview by Rob Pincus with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman a literate, educated, soldier, former LEO and student of violence and combat, consultant and author of a Pulitzer nominated book on those topics. He was discussing the concept of the "sheepdog", the title of his new children's book. Now, I'd much earlier seen a video by Nut N Fancy, who is certainly opinionated and knowledgeable, but whose attitudes I don't always agree with. My understanding of 'sheepdog' then was that people who considered themselves to be that kind of person were arrogant and looked down on everyone else, who they, the sheepdogs, were out to protect. Whether the sheep liked it or not. An odious concept at best.

However, hearing Lt. Col. Grossman's explanation of the sheepdog cast a new light on this concept. There are people who rather than run from trouble, run toward it in order to deal with it. Fire fighters. Cops. Military. Teachers in 'bad' schools. Counselors. First responders. The 'average citizen' who rushes in to help or save. These are all sheepdogs and they don't look down on the people who are not. I believe anyone who elects to legally carry a gun for defense must consider themselves to have accepted the role, to some extent, of a sheepdog, if only for one's self and one's family. I believe the commitment goes much further and that, and it becomes a duty of protecting the innocent whenever that is truly necessary, whether through the use of a firearm, or jumping into a burning house trailer to rescue a trapped person. No one can make someone else be a sheepdog, but if you are carrying a gun for defense, you've already signed up.

I have to remark here that on a gun forum I used to moderate we had a few posters who declared that if they were ever in a place where a random shooter went active, their main and only responsibility was to get away to safety. Why, I asked, were the posters carrying a gun in the first place? I would wonder how a person could live with themselves if they had the possibility and means to stop such violence and they crawled out the nearest exit instead.

Re-focusing on the basics of shooting for defense. Obviously, when pushed to the point where there is no alternative but to shoot your weapon, one then is forced from the defensive to the offensive as a matter of survival. Offensive shooting with a handgun is not difficult. Anyone can learn the basics of drawing, presentation to the main target area and squeezing off rounds. You don't have to hit the bull's eye, or the 10 ring. You just have to put rounds into your target, which at normal self defense shooting distances of around 10 to 15 feet, is not difficult to do. If a normal person trains to do only this, that is all that is needed to be effective at self defense shooting.

And, accepting the fact that you are a sheepdog and you are able and committed to shooting the bad guy(s) if required.

Keep it simple. Restrict the number of your carry guns. Two, or three at the most. Make sure they are well maintained and you can shoot accurately enough to hit a man-sized target repeatedly and quickly. Carry in only one or two locations on your person. Avoid fancy or trick holsters. Keep it simple. No matter which caliber or calibers you choose, make sure you can shoot them accurately.

Where it is legal, always carry your gun.
Where it is legal, always carry your gun.
Where it is legal, always carry your gun.

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.

Remora Micro Clip holster and a laser equipped LCP

I have one of Remora's new Micro Clip holsters. I wanted to test it for fit with a laser sight, and for retention. My personal experience with small Remora holsters is that they don't stay where I put them throughout the day. I tend to carry my LCP in the appendix position. I used to carry cross draw, but I feel the appendix IWB position is more secure, more concealable and faster to access than cross draw. So, wearing the LCP constantly while doing all the things one does during the day which involves a lot of bending and twisting of the trunk, my experience is that a small Remora will move around and needs constant adjustment. I suppose if I really cinched up my Bear Creek gun belt, that might help, but I like comfort so that's not going to happen.

Micro Clip end view

The button protects the snap for the clip on the other side.

The clip unsnapped from the other side.

A size comparison.

The clip can be easily put on either side because of the built in snaps. This has a down side though. The clip swivels. Easily. Put the holster on, clip it to your belt and it can still move back and forth. Of course it won't come out, or off the belt, but it still can and does swivel a bit.

I think this is a good first effort on Remora's part to solve the issue of small holsters not being as secure in place as the larger ones. I carry a Ruger SR9c with a big magazine in Remoras, AIWB (Appendix In Waist Band) with little concern that the gun/holster will move around. It may, slightly, but usually not.

There may be no easy solution to the small holster issue since there is so little contact area to provide enough friction to keep it in place all day.

A Not So Good New Product from Crimson Trace

Crimson Trace's new Defender Series Laser

Lasermax Centerfire

There are times when you have to wonder if people designing and approving new products for a designated market really have a good grasp of what people want and, more importantly, what people need. In this case, I believe Crimson Trace has missed the boat. In fact, they've gone and built a completely different boat designed for people who haven't expressed much of an interest in where the boat will be going.

Crimson Trace is noted for, among other things, building handgun lasers that have their "instant on" feature. An actuation switch mounted on the grip so that it comes on with a firm shooting grip. Many people like this feature. Many people don't.
Laserguard makes a similar laser with the activation switch in front of the trigger guard so that it is easily actuated, or not, by the shooter whenever her or she wishes to turn it on. Many people like this. Many people don't. So, both companies have staked out their markets for this type of laser sight.

Now, Crimson Trace has introduced the Defender Series which is, except for the form factor, basically the same sight as the Laserguard Centerfire. The actuation switch is different in shape and color (it's red on the CT, which is nonsensical to me since the shooter won't be looking for the switch anyway), and the laser shape is different from the Centerfire and from CT's own Laserguard, which I think is a big mistake and a significant issue.

Why? First, and least important, it signals a weakness in their design and innovation concepts. Functionally, the Defender is the same as the Lasermax Centerfire, only it's newer and going up against an established competitor with a proven track record.

Second. Price competition I think. The Defender and the Centerfire are both priced about the same, but CT's Laserguard series is significantly more costly.

Third. And most important from the perspective of people who conceal carry pistols with laser sights, now you are going to have to buy yet another holster.

If you are going to introduce a significant improvement in handgun laser technology and adaptation to the handgun, why reintroduce the wheel that has already been invented by someone else? I think this is basically a move to get some of Lasermax's Centerfire business.

As I've said directly to representatives of Crimson Trace and Laserguard, do your yourselves and us a favor. Develop and provide a reasonably priced semi-automatic handgun laser that does not require the customer to invest even more money in another holster. If you carry concealed, holsters are a big deal. Good ones are expensive, so take that laser sight MSRP of $129 and add about $80 for another holster, or $160 for two. Now, you are spending $200 to $300 for a $100 laser.

At the least, CT could have kept essentially the same form factor as their Laserguard with the change in switch position so that for those who have Laserguards, another holster would not be mandatory. Notice, too, that the Defender's form factor is such that it won't fit a moulded holster made for the Centerfire. So, you can't even try one out in your existing Centerfire holster.

In my opinion, I don't see any reason to go with the Defender Series since Lasermax is already there, and has been for some time with their switch-activated, under-the-slide laser, the Centerfire.

Elsie Pea; Block Training; Police Chief; Lasers again

My Moderator's Logo from the old Elsie Pea Forum

Not too long ago, last year, the old Elsie Pea Forum (LCP) was sold off to an organization that runs forums. Many of them. The Elsie Pea Forum had grown to over 10,000 members and it was all five of us could do to keep things in check. We prided ourselves in stopping spam before it got started, keeping the atmosphere polite, if not cordial, preventing flame wars and keeping posters to the topic: no religion, no politics, no hatred. I will admit that there were times when this was trying, but if truth be told, the members themselves were very good about policing the forum and keeping troublemakers in line. If the members couldn't reign them in, the moderators did.

I was a big fan of Have Gun, Will Travel when I was as kid. I still think it was a TV show ahead of it's time, so I picked the logo, above, as my moderator calling card. I still moderate, but a much smaller forum where many of the Elsie Pea refugees hang out. http://www.compactcarryforum.com

Have Gun. Will Carry

Of course, it is more than that as anyone who has carried a concealed handgun for any time will tell you. Lately, I've been around the block more than once over dealing with the extra baggage that comes along with concealed carry. Like many of you, I have a drawer full of holsters (and I only have three carry guns), extra magazines, laser sights, night sights, special springs and recoil rods, gun safes, various cleaning do-dads and storage and carry boxes.

Now, the entire picture is complicated by my use and evaluation of laser sighting devices. Saving the topic of the utility and usefulness of laser sights on a concealed carry handgun for another time, one big factor became apparent right away. When I received a Laserguard from Crimson Trace for my LCP I was faced right away with the fact that, other than a Versacarry rig, I had nothing to carry it in.

At this point, over the last two months with the CT, I have had it on and off the gun three or four times. I do now have a Jeff Hays cross draw OWB holster, which is very nice indeed and works better than any cross draw holster I've found so far, and I have acquired a Remora with attached mag pouch for it. However, my other holsters, carefully pared down from many I tried that fit right, work right and will last a long time do not work with the Laserguard. Hence, off with the laser and, like today around the house, on with the Bullard Bodyguard and LCP.

Having a laser on my gun is pretty nifty, although the jury is still out as to whether a Crimson Trace or LaserMax will find it's way on one of my carry guns permanently. But not being able to carry it as I wish, in the style and quality of holsters that I require, is a big stumbling block. But, I'll report more on this after the LaserMax units arrive for testing alongside the Crimson Trace.

Block Training

I got an email, and later a follow up phone conversation, with a small group nearby composed of experienced former LEO and NRA Firearms Trainers who have come up with a very good idea. I call it Block Training. It works like this. They have essentially taken a general two-day intensive handgun and self-defense training class and broken it down into 2 to 2 1/2 hour blocks. This way a person can afford to begin improving his or her real-world handgun self-defense skills without having to pony up a few hundred dollars for the course, lodging, meals and a thousand rounds of ammo all at once.

I hope to be able to attend one of the first class blocks and report on this concept in more detail here.

Police Chief

The Chief in one of the local towns nearby is leaving after a long military and police career. One of the more interesting things he had to say was that he, along with many other in law enforcement, support the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms. To walk the talk, he is planning to set up and conduct concealed carry classes in our area. Now, if you want to take one, it is at least a two hour drive, and if you don't want to wait until they get around to holding a class within that range, you can drive another hour or two. I'm looking forward to that and it's got me thinking about getting my instructor qualifications and helping out.

Lasers Again

I've already whined about lasers and holsters, so I'll spare you that. The update is that I am waiting on what I have been assured by LaserMax is a package with at least one laser sight evaluation unit, plus other materials. If I don't see it this week, I'll be following up with them. Once that arrives, and the snow melts and the ground dries, I will be able to get some range time with both models and have some  personal experience that I can hopefully translate into useful information.

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.

N82 Tactical Pro Update

I spent five days on the road with this holster and my SR9c. Three of those involved lots of driving, hiking, wading in rivers while fly fishing. I also did the usual - visiting family, meetings, hotels, restaurants, in-and-out of the car. I decided to take my LCP as a backup and carry the bigger SR9c for the majority of the trip, including wade fishing in the Frying Pan and Arkansas rivers. I used the N82 Tactical Pro model for this. Now, the report:

It worked very well. Although no holster "disappears", especially with a sizable pistol in it, the N82 Pro was about as close to comfortable as you can get for an IWB holster. I wore it in a cross draw position 90% of the time as I find this most comfortable and accessible while driving and sitting.

The holster, front side after the trip. Hardly any wear and no sweat stains.

 

The same holster, back side, rough suede, showing the sweat stains incurred in five days of heavy use under often hot conditions.

This is one tough, but comfy, holster. I have already sold my Crossbreed Supertuck I formerly had for IWB carry for the SR9c. The N82 Pro has too many advantages over the Supertuck to justify keeping it. It is more comfortable. The gun does not contact your body. It keeps sweat away from the gun. It has only one clip, which makes for much easier on and off. In fact, it is easy to slip the holster and gun off in the car and stow it, then, before exiting, clip it back in place. Can't do that with the Supertuck, at least not without contortions.

So, still an excellent choice for IWB carry for larger pistols like the SR9c.

I also received the N82 Tactical Pro for the Ruger LC9. It is very much like the one for the SR9c, but a little smaller overall as befits a somewhat smaller handgun. However, my experiences so far with this holster and gun combination were not as positive. The issue involves getting a quick and unrestricted draw. The N82 Tactical Pro model is made with a clear plastic shell that is moulded to have a rounded ridge that sits inside the front of the trigger guard, "locking", or securing the gun into the holster. In order to release the gun, one must grasp the butt with enough grip to twist the gun somewhat inward to release the ridge from the trigger guard enabling a smooth draw. I am having difficulty doing this with the LC9, but with the SR9c this is not an issue. After inspecting the holster and gun, and how it rides in the holster clipped to the belt my suspicion is that the problem is a combination of the overall deep carry which is dictated by the location of the belt clip positioning the grips right above the belt line, and the smaller grip or butt area available on the LC9. A smaller butt is harder to get a good grip on, especially with the grips buried close to the belt.

Drawing cleanly from cross draw or appendix positions is hard for me, and it is very difficult at the 3-4 o'clock positions. I have passed my observations along to the good people at N82 Tactical. I'll report on the outcome as things develop.

My suspicion is that the Pro model using the same design for the LCP and similar sized pistols may be even more difficult to draw quickly and cleanly from. There is even less grip area and the deep ride makes it more difficult to get a clean, firm and quick grasp for that twisting motion.

For that reason, unless I am totally wrong about this, and that could certainly be the case, I would favor their traditional design for smaller framed guns. However, I have not seen a Pro model for the LCP, so my caveat may be unnecessary. The N82 design team may have modified the design to better accommodate smaller frame semi-autos. When I have the opportunity to test an LCP model, I will report on my experiences here.

Update: I have been getting more carry time with the LC9 Pro model and can report that I am having better success getting a clean draw with it. It is not as easy as with the SR9c and requires practice. You have to be intentional and forceful. My recommendation is to unload your gun and practice the movement until it becomes second nature. It is not really any different than learning to use a thumb break or active retention holster. Problems can develop when one has many different holster styles. Getting used to, say a Bullard belt slide design where the holster is moulded to the gun, then also using an N82 Pro, or a thumb break holster could cause problems if your reaction is patterned to on while using the other. Having to correct or pause to remember which design one is drawing from is not a good thing.

With this in mind, I am narrowing my holster designs. Open top leather design from D.M. Bullard for OWB carry. I have a Bullard holster for each of my carry guns. I am evaluating three designs for IWB carry: N82 Tactical Pro, Versacarry and Remora. If I get the opportunity to evaluate a Bullard IWB design I will compare it to those other three.

The N82 is very comfortable, but with the LC9, and perhaps, the LCP, is not as quick to draw from as I like. Conceals very well.

The Versacarry is surprisingly comfortable even though it offers nothing between you and the gun - you know it's there - but not in the same league as the N82 holster in comfort. Using the "standard" height model which keeps the grips well above the belt, it is very fast. Excellent concealment and about 1/3 the N82 Pro cost.

The Remora is in the middle for comfort. It is very flexible since it is a "no clip" design and can be worn anywhere as long as it is in the waistband or pocket. It is about as fast as the Versacarry. Under some circumstances it can shift position a bit.

 

Posted with Blogsy

A Versacarry Issue

A brief note for those using, or interested in the Versacarry holster. I had an occurrence wearing this holster with my Ruger LCP, which, to be fair, could have happened with most clip on holsters. I was wearing it at the 3:30 o'clock position, and had been much of the day. I sat on my sofa which has substantial but smooth leather arms. The arm was toward my gun side. When I stood up, the grip somehow hit the arm of the sofa and the LCP popped out of the holster and onto the sofa. Quite a surprise.

I am currently wearing the LCP in the same Versacarry but in the appendix position. I normally carry at appendix or cross draw with the Versacarry and was experimenting with the 3:30 position. I expect this not to be a problem at the front positions. But, anyone carrying so that the grips could come into contact with something, like furniture, should take proper precautions.