Cook’s Holsters – The Chef’s Surprise

Cook's IWB adjustable clip holster with the S&W M&P Shield

Cook's IWB adjustable clip holster

Cook's IWB adjustable clip holster, body side

Cook's IWB adjustable clip holster with the Shield, body side.

Last year I embarked on a project to find excellent IWB holsters for we civilians who carry concealed in everyday life. There are, of course, literally hundreds of holster makers out there vying for our money. Some of them are established, large businesses that also make other gear for law enforcement and military use. Some are medium to small businesses making gear of their own design to their own specifications and quality requirements. Some are people working out of their garages and basements making gear they believe in, and a few others are turing out cheap knock-offs to make some quick money.

Although one has perhaps too many choices in holsters, and most of us accumulate a box full of rejects while looking for the right one, holsters are a most important part of a person’s every day carry gear. You will see some people who have expensive handguns of which they are inordinately proud, but carry them in inexpensive holsters that may confer potential liability for the shooter. I have also seen some people who have inexpensive but well cared for handguns holstered in quality holsters that will always be ready to do their job effectively, every time. If you carry a handgun, you need, absolutely need, a quality holster.

A quality holster will do a number of things very well. It will keep your gun securely contained while protecting the trigger at all times. It will be constructed so that your handgun is easily accessed when needed, but will not come out unless you draw it. It will be designed to ride in the position you choose for carry, and not wobble, twist, or deform. It will be acceptably comfortable. I

t will be constructed so that it is ready for one-hand re-holstering without taking one's eyes off of the scene to search for the holster’s opening. Although some firearms pundits and internet ‘experts’ claim this is not necessary, they are wrong. There may be occasions when one needs absolutely to quickly and securely re-holster one’s firearm: if one is helping an injured person or shielding a child, or if one’s weak-side arm or hand is injured, or if the fight is probably over and the police are arriving. You do not want to be waving a gun around when the police are trying to sort out who they bad guys are.

After much trial and error, and as I’ve become more and more comfortable with concealed carry over the years, I have settled on appendix carry for 90% of my carry time. It just makes sense considering my life style and where I go and how I dress. Appendix carry makes getting to your gun easier and quicker while walking, standing or sitting, in the car or on the street. And, it is easily concealable even under a simple shirt. There are some who will not consider appendix carry because they have a fear of shooting themselves in the stomach, groin or leg when drawing or re-holstering their gun. It should be noted that many people and professionals choose this type of carry especially when concealment and quick access is primary. Given the fact that a modern semi auto handgun, even those without a manual safety like the enormously popular Glock, do not just go off by themselves, but require a positive, trigger pull, it only makes sense that keeping one's finger off of the trigger until ready to fire is a cardinal rule not to be broken. Allied with this is the necessity to keep any other object away from the trigger during holstering or re-holstering. That's where a plastic or kydex holster comes into it's own. They don't (or shouldn't, if the right holster is chosen) deform or collapse like fabric or leather holsters may do, especially after they are older. Keeping one's clothing out of the way when drawing or re-holstering is the shooter's responsibility regardless of the holster.

As I've mentioned before, there lives in our little town a retired law enforcement officer who often goes armed around town with his Glock stuck into the waistband of his jeans. No holster. No trigger shroud. He likes to call this "Mexican carry" and thinks he knows what he is doing. A few of us have reflected on how long it will be before he creates a negligent discharge. Speaking with him about the dangers of this to him and possibly others hasn't done much good. Maybe we should just take up a collection and buy him a holster?

Most of the various holsters I have used over the years are languishing in a box or have been sold. I’ve used leather, hybrid, synthetic, plastic and kydex holsters. For IWB appendix carry holster for my M&P Shield I reach for my Cook’s Holster’s IWB with the adjustable belt clip. Mine is made of 0.080” Kydex. Cook’s offers other thicknesses, but his one is light, strong and will not change shape. I could probably stand on it without damaging it. It has an ABS injection molded plastic belt clip that is strong, flexible and easy to slip on and off over the belt. Once it clicks into place, it stays put. The clip is wide enough to keep the holster and gun from rotating, and shaped on the end so that it’s easy to manipulate, but doesn’t stick out like those awful metal clips which are just waiting to sang on your shirt or sweater.

The other fine points worth mentioning are the sight channel built into the holster. No chance of your gun’s sight being snagged during the draw. The holster has a built-in sweat shield and sports a retention adjustment screw.

I have worn this holster in the appendix, cross draw and strong side positions to test its flexibility in placement. It rides extremely well in any of those positions and with the adjustable cant from the belt clip screws is readily adaptable when you wish to carry in different positions.

I have carried my Shield in many different places and situations riding in this holster. It is comfortable as a hybrid leather and kydex holster, and to my mind better, because it is easier to re-holster into, doesn’t move and I don’t have a large swath of leather and two clips to deal with. This is important when I need to quickly remove the gun and holster, then just as quickly and easily slip it back into place and secure it to my belt. Try that with a hybrid two-clip leather/kydex holster.

I’ve been using this Cook’s holster for the better part of a year, summer, fall and winter and I’ve yet to find something to complain about.

If you are serious about an everyday carry holster that offers quality, durability and is just plain outstanding at what it does, consider a Cook’s holster. They are plain outstanding kick-ass holsters. I call them “Chef’s” holsters, they are that good.

Another future candidate: G-Code's INCOG holster system.

I am looking for other candidates for my personal favorite IWBA (In Waist Band Appendix) carry holster for the S&W M&P Shield. I have been reading and seeing video reviews on G-Code's offering in this area. It's an injection moulded holster that can be part of a modular system, can be adjusted for different carry positions (not just appendix), has the ability to attach a magazine carrier, and has a unique coating called 'tactical fuzz'. It is getting very positive reviews. I hope to have one for testing and to report back here soon.

Throwing the Curve

Taurus Curve

 

Yes, it's causing quite a rukus with the "gun guys", who mainly are, let's face it, traditionalists, if not experts in their own minds. Not all, of course. There are quite a few very knowledgeable, smart and innovative thinkers in the firearms community. There are also quite a few ego-ridded, self-styled experts who don't tolerate diversity very well. The introduction of Taurus' Curve .380 has certainly rattled a number of cages out there in expert land.

I have yet to delve deeply into the reports and reviews of this radical and innovative new handgun, but what I've seen on the internet is certainly interesting. And, frankly, somewhat sad and disappointing. I don't really know why I'm disappointed because with every innovation there comes a wave of nay-sayers, critics and just plain mean commentary. And, my favorite, those criticisms of aspects and features of the new product by people who have yet to even see one, much less perform a hands-on evaluation.

There seem to be three main areas of complaint by the self-styled critics:

1. It's ugly.
2. It's only a .380
3. It's curved.

It's Ugly: What's that got to do with anything? Does it matter that you have a good-looking handgun to the person who wants to kill or hurt you? "Oh, pardon the ugly, gun, but I'm going to have to shoot you with it anyway." I know people who won't bother with Spyderco knives because they don't like the way they look. OK, but that doesn't have anything to do with the knife's function, and neither does it with a piston.

It's only a .380: This is a continuing and not very helpful rant by the caliber Nazis. If you check out the latest report on why the FBI is moving back to the 9 mm cartridge, and do some research into actual bullet and caliber effects on wounds, you'll find that the big caliber stopping power argument is based on ancedote and myth. I suspect that for some people having a big gun is more of a psychological attribute than anything else. If you were to pull your big 1911 .45 and shoot at me and miss, and I pulled my little .380 and shot at you and hit, which would you think would be more effective?

What underlies many of the big-caliber arguments is the vision some people have of being assaulted by a couple of two-hundred fifty pound, speed addled bikers who are so cranked up on drugs that a handgun equivalent of an elephant gun is needed to "stop" them. What's more likely is that pulling a gun will defuse most situations quickly anyway, regardless of how big it is, and shooting statistics will show that even average sized assailants can be shot multiple times with large caliber weapons and still keep on going.

Basically, one can dismiss this argument out of hand when discussing concealed carry self defense guns. I know plenty of people who own big guns who routinely leave them at home. Why? Because they are big guns. I also know many people who always carry small guns with them for just that reason.

It's curved: This is closely related to the "it's ugly" argument, but is available for a more objective and reasoned analysis. It is pretty obvious as to why it is curved. Concealed carry handguns are carried on the person far more than they are drawn and shot. The big advantage of concealed carry is to carry. Anything that makes this easier and safe is to be considered an advantage.

Let's assume that the Curve will shoot as accurately as other small, compact .380 handguns, like the Ruger LCP. From what I have seen demonstrated on the range, this is a fair statement. What is there about the Curve that may make it better than other similiar handguns? The form factor alone is a step ahead. Smooth with little to impede IWB carry or draw. Ergonomic shape which offers better concealment and probably more comfort. A supplied belt clip, which can be used with a kydex detachable trigger guard, if desired for increased safety. And, the built-in light and laser combination which is a brilliant idea considering that the majority of incidents that would require resort to your firearm happen in times of darkness.

So, there are three add-ons that the average concealed carry person doesn't have to bother with: a holster, a laser and a light.

As to the belt clip, I think a certain amount of common sense is called for. Not having evaluated the gun at this point, I don't know if the design of the frame and trigger, coupled with the double action firing mechanism is enough to give me the confidence to carry IWB without the trigger cover. It might be, or I might like a thin, kydex holster for it.

 

One thing for sure, the Curve is a gun, not a piece of art work, and so far it seems to have taken a big step ahead of its competitors in the concealed carry market. I'm looking forward to evaluating one and reporting on it here.

 

 

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190 Million Armed Guards

 

Guarding Paris Civilians

What's wrong with these pictures? On the face of them, nothing much – the French military protecting some of their citizens from Islamic militants, and my own Spydero Delca 4. From what's happening in Europe, increasing security for everyone is certainly a good idea. It's a good idea here in the USA too, since we are not immune from violent attacks by religious fanatics. In the photo, the ratio seems to be one armed soldier for every five civilians. For the popuation of the US, that would require roughly 190 million armed soldiers or law enforcement personnel for seven days by twenty-four hour duty. So, about half of the population to guard the other half.

 

 

Obviously riduculous. Also ridiculous is the notion that the rest of us should be prevented from having the ability to protect ourselves. I understand that there are people who do not want to take on this responsibility but choose to rely on the police and armed forces to do that for them. I also understand that they should not have any say in whether or not others decide to take on that responsibility for themselves. Even moreso, I believe they do not have the right to tell me how I can or cannot choose to defend my family and loved ones just because they prefer a different solution.

I am licensed to carry a concealed firearm in my state, and in many other states that offer reciprocal rights to mine. However, I just spent a week in Washington state which is not one that recognizes the carry rights I have in mine. They certainly recognize other rights, such as my driver license, social security card, etc., but when it comes to concealed carry they do not for some reason that probably doesn't make much sense. So, having to visit Washington state for medical reasons, I was prevented from carrying one of my pistols with me. My wife and I spent five days there protected by my Spyderco, which, really, isn't much of a protective device since I'm a senior and not trained in knife fighting, but it was better than nothing.

But back to the religious fanatics threat. I think that future incidents like the one in Paris, especially if they happen here in America, will begin to shift people's perspective on self defense. Is there any sane reason why honest citizens should be prevented from carrying weapons in defense of these homocidal religious nut-cases just because some people are afraid of guns?

So, some advice that bears repeating: if you have any desire to be able to protect yourself and other innocent people, learn how to use a handgun safely and effectively, get a concealed carry permit and carry a weapon. Odds are you will never have to use it, but if you do, at least you will be able to fight back.

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Aware

This time I present a guest whose view and philosophy mirrors my own. Many of my friends and family do not get why I carry a gun. Perhaps this will help them to see the world more like I do.

I carry a gun every day

Ernie Traugh, guest columnist
January 4, 2015

Every day I get up and put on a gun. It’s part of my daily routine. No different from making coffee or feeding the dogs before I leave for work.

There is so much misinformation about who that makes me. I’m a “gun nut.” I’m one of “those right-wing Second Amendment people.” I’m the scourge of the earth to some.

Funny how that works.

They don’t even know me but they are worried that I’m what’s wrong with this country, this state and this city I call home. I walk among them and they don’t even know it. I’m the guy in the jeans and Under Armour shirt, the guy in the $200 sport coat and $125 shoes, the guy in Nike pants and a hoodie, and some days I’m the guy with dirty hands from working in the yard, but most of all I’m the guy they never see.

Oh, they acknowledge me sometimes. When I hold the door for them because my parents raised me that way. When I let them go ahead of me in line at the gas station because they seem to be in a hurry. When I pick up their baby’s pacifier in the aisle at the grocery store and hand it back to them because it fell out and they didn’t notice. But they don’t see me. I’m just another guy in the store with things in my hand. But only my left hand. I don’t carry things in my right hand. Not at the store. Not in public.

Why? Because I’m “that guy.” I know that bad things happen. Every day. Everywhere. So I try to be aware. I try to study my surroundings. I expect to not see it coming every time. I expect that evil may show up while I’m shopping or walking through the mall or eating at a restaurant. It doesn’t make me crazy. It doesn’t make me paranoid. It simply makes me aware. Unlike a lot of people that walk by me every day. Looking at their phones, their notes, their purses, or any of the other distractions that plague us. I get it.

I also get that there are wolves. Hungry. Lean. Skilled at their trade. Studying you. Studying me. They like you. They don’t like me. I see them at the mall. I see them at the gas station. I see them right here in this town. Do they know I’m armed? No, they don’t. They know that I’m aware. I look at them. Kill them with kindness. It’s a like a mutual agreement. I see you; you see me. Let’s not kid each other.

It’s weird in a way. The man and his friend in the store that looked all around and even glanced at the camera above us — those guys see me. I’m aware that the door is over there. I’m aware that the coffee pot is within reach and full. He urges me to go first to the counter. “Oh no, you go please. I have all day,” I reply. Now he has to make a purchase. Now he knows I’m polite …. I’m polite and I do not want them behind me in line.
The lady with her kid? She doesn’t notice me, but I’m there. I have a phone. I have a flashlight. I have two knives. I have a firearm. And I have a plan. If this doesn’t go well I want to get her and that little one out of here. Chances are nothing is going to happen until they’re gone anyway. I’d like to leave too.

One man asks the other a question. He hands the guy a few extra bucks to make the purchase of an item at the counter. They leave. I make my purchase. I call the employee by name and tell him to have a good night. I walk to the door and hold it open for the woman approaching. She says, “Thanks.” I say, “Yes ma’am.” Then, poof. I’m gone.

Just another uneventful trip to the store. The best kind ever. It’s funny those men truly saw me but other customers didn’t. Why? Maybe too busy. Maybe too much on their minds. Maybe because they didn’t worry for one second about those two men or me.

When I get home I don’t tell my wife about the two men who lingered. The two men who entered together but stood so far apart. The two men that seemed to have no sense of purpose or item they were in search of. No need to talk of them because nothing happened. This happens daily. Sometimes once. Sometimes multiple times. I like uneventful days.

Most people don’t know me. But man, they sure do judge me. If I use a gun to defend myself they will read about it. They will hear about it. They will weigh in on what should have happened.

I have seen bad people do bad things. I have seen good people dumbfounded and in shock because they couldn’t comprehend what was happening in front of them or, worse yet, to them. It’s not fun or pretty to think about, so most people don’t. They don’t stay awake late at night watching videos from self-defense experts. They don’t read the articles. They don’t look at unedited news on the Internet. They don’t search out the videos of people fighting for their lives and losing.

A man stabbed outside a bar. A couple hijacked and killed in front of the store. A store clerk shot even after complying with a robber’s demands. A video from inside the grocery store of a mad man with a gun shooting people while looking for his ex. Dashboard cameras of an officer involved in a shooting. It’s an ugly world so they choose not to see it.

I don’t train for the warm fuzzy days where everyone gets along. I train for the other days. I try to round out my skill sets. I look at what others have done to succeed. I watch videos of those who haven’t. Some refer to it as making something good out of something bad. Like watching videos of officers being killed as every person that’s gone through any type of law enforcement academy has had to do. Learn from others’ experiences.
People from all walks of life legally carry guns. Some are men and some are women. Some are old and some are young. The ones I know train. The ones I know are aware: Aware of their surroundings. And aware of all of the armchair quarterbacking that will be done if they ever have to use that tool of last resort on their belt. So why do it anyway? Because they value their life and the lives of others. Simple.

My so-called “gun nut” friends and customers are some of the most congenial, trustworthy people I know. I only wish everyone had such friends. I wish everyone understood like I do.

• Ernie Traugh is owner operator of Cedar Valley Outfitters, which opened in 2001, and has been a reserve police officer since 2004. Comments: ernie@cedarvalleyoutfitters.org

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