Kydex holsters

[Matt.2504]

Hi everyone;

I’m looking at purchasing my first kydex holster and just want some validation that the passive retention is enough to keep my sidearm secure.

im not fast and definitely not elegant;  more bull in a china shop, that sometimes falls over.

 

I’ve ran lots of holsters over the years all with some form of active retention, whether it be a fabric strap or warrior universal button release; and even with this security liked to opt for a bungee lanyard just in case ( some of my pistols are not lanyard compatible). 
This will be on a mid-ride belt mount with leg strap. 
 

I run a variety of pistols ( FNX, G17, P226, M45, Hi Capa) so would be probably be getting a universal holster whos retention is flashlight based. 
 

 

So my options are:

universal holster with flashlight retention

costing a total of £60

 

or seperate light bearing, active retention hood at £110 per pistol.

 

 

What should I do?

[JimFromHorsham]

There’s kydex and then there’s kydex and I would always reccomend a holster that is pistol specific , the “universal” options are always a compromise and are usually the least secure . 
 

first up , make sure it is kydex , not just molded plastic , most proper kydex holsters will also have a tension adjuster ( nuts and bolts with rubber in between ! ) 

Also bear in mind most proper holsters are sized for the genuine pistol and light , airsoft pistols and clone lights can sometimes be out of spec and again cause fitting issues .

 

for me , for a light bearing holster it’s Safariland , for simple pistol only it’s either a genuine BHI Serpa or leather pancake style ( BHI / Galco ) 

 

Ive had a couple of deadly customs kydex holsters and tbh wasn’t impressed , one didn’t fit the pistol and light it advertised at all , the other just didn’t have enough retention adjustment and was a poor fit around some of the controls .

 

these are just my opinions / experiences , others will vary .

[Cannonfodder]

I think they're only plastic rather than kydex but I've found the amomax holsters to be good.

 

https://www.bullseyecountrysport.co.uk/amomax-678-c.asp

[Matt.2504]

46 minutes ago, JimFromHorsham said:

There’s kydex and then there’s kydex and I would always reccomend a holster that is pistol specific , the “universal” options are always a compromise and are usually the least secure . 
 

first up , make sure it is kydex , not just molded plastic , most proper kydex holsters will also have a tension adjuster ( nuts and bolts with rubber in between ! ) 

Also bear in mind most proper holsters are sized for the genuine pistol and light , airsoft pistols and clone lights can sometimes be out of spec and again cause fitting issues .

 

for me , for a light bearing holster it’s Safariland , for simple pistol only it’s either a genuine BHI Serpa or leather pancake style ( BHI / Galco ) 

 

Ive had a couple of deadly customs kydex holsters and tbh wasn’t impressed , one didn’t fit the pistol and light it advertised at all , the other just didn’t have enough retention adjustment and was a poor fit around some of the controls .

 

these are just my opinions / experiences , others will vary .

Thanks, appreciate your response

im looking at buying from Kydex customs the only other thing I probably should have mentioned above is im left handed so not the everywhere does suitable holsters.

 

the flashlight I’m using is a genuine O-light PL turbo Valkyrie - very nice light. 

[JimFromHorsham]

1 minute ago, Matt.2504 said:

Thanks, appreciate your response

im looking at buying from Kydex customs the only other thing I probably should have mentioned above is im left handed so not the everywhere does suitable holsters.

 

the flashlight I’m using is a genuine O-light PL turbo Valkyrie - very nice light. 

I think your best possible chance of happiness is pistol & light specific but I appreciate that’s an expensive game to play ! 
 

I would perhaps email them a list of the pistols you want to fit in the universal holster type and see what they say ? 

[TheFull9]

Do you want to/can you spend £550 on holsters and have room to store them all? If no, easy decision.

 

I've been using Blackhawk Omnivores that grip the lights for years, saved me a lot of money and space. I never buy a gun-specific holster unless said gun doesn't physically have an accessory rail. I've looked at the KC offerings too and I'd use one if I didn't already have enough holsters.

[Enid_Puceflange]

I have been using a Kydex custom & an Ali Exp “Kydex” holster, and tbh can barely tell the difference between the two.

I just couldn’t justify the cost of a second holster that would accept my TLR1 clone, the Ali Exp version has the same retention feature as the FIVE TIMES more expensive genuine Kydex Customs one.

I wrapped them both in OD Green material and you would never know between them what one was what.

A QLS system allows me to swap between the two for when I decide (or more accurately- forget) what holster I had used last and wasn’t in my kit bag

But both are for a G 17

I haven’t tried anything that is a general multi pistol system , so can’t comment on those 

[Matt.2504]

41 minutes ago, TheFull9 said:

Do you want to/can you spend £550 on holsters and have room to store them all? If no, easy decision.

 

I've been using Blackhawk Omnivores that grip the lights for years, saved me a lot of money and space. I never buy a gun-specific holster unless said gun doesn't physically have an accessory rail. I've looked at the KC offerings too and I'd use one if I didn't already have enough holsters.

does the omnivore allow for optics?

 

 

17 minutes ago, Enid_Puceflange said:

I have been using a Kydex custom & an Ali Exp “Kydex” holster, and tbh can barely tell the difference between the two.

I just couldn’t justify the cost of a second holster that would accept my TLR1 clone, the Ali Exp version has the same retention feature as the FIVE TIMES more expensive genuine Kydex Customs one.

I wrapped them both in OD Green material and you would never know between them what one was what.

A QLS system allows me to swap between the two for when I decide (or more accurately- forget) what holster I had used last and wasn’t in my kit bag

But both are for a G 17

I haven’t tried anything that is a general multi pistol system , so can’t comment on those 

Unfortunately I can’t find any left handed holsters on Aliexpress. I bought some mid ride QLS mounts from them that arrived today, fraction of the price of any available in the UK.

[Galvatron]

7 hours ago, Matt.2504 said:

I run a variety of pistols ( FNX, G17, P226, M45, Hi Capa) so would be probably be getting a universal holster whos retention is flashlight based. 
 

 

So my options are:

universal holster with flashlight retention

costing a total of £60

 

 

 

For my Hi-Capa, I use a Deadly Customs Surefire retention holster so that holds on to the Surefire X300 torch and its clones. I attach it to a QLS adapter whose receiver plate goes on my mid-ride mount and leg strap.

[Matt.2504]

7 hours ago, Galvatron said:

 

For my Hi-Capa, I use a Deadly Customs Surefire retention holster so that holds on to the Surefire X300 torch and its clones. I attach it to a QLS adapter whose receiver plate goes on my mid-ride mount and leg strap.

How do you find the retention?

Is the passive retention enough or do you feel active retention ie strap/ hood or button release would make it more secure?

[Lozart]

12 hours ago, Galvatron said:

 

For my Hi-Capa, I use a Deadly Customs Surefire retention holster so that holds on to the Surefire X300 torch and its clones. I attach it to a QLS adapter whose receiver plate goes on my mid-ride mount and leg strap.

 

4 hours ago, Matt.2504 said:

How do you find the retention?

Is the passive retention enough or do you feel active retention ie strap/ hood or button release would make it more secure?

 

 

I have the same type of holster, the one piece of advice I would give is that while it has been generally good, just make sure that your Surefire clone fits the rail on your pistol properly. Last couple of times out using my TM M9A1 the torch has separated from the pistol rail and the pistol has come out of the holster while I was running. Currently looking at resurrecting my old Safariland clone for that one.

[TheFull9]

15 hours ago, Matt.2504 said:

does the omnivore allow for optics?

 

 

They're also active retention if you can't abide the idea of passive, but then again passive is a faster draw.

 

Edit quote - @Lozart"I have the same type of holster, the one piece of advice I would give is that while it has been generally good, just make sure that your Surefire clone fits the rail on your pistol properly. Last couple of times out using my TM M9A1 the torch has separated from the pistol rail and the pistol has come out of the holster while I was running. Currently looking at resurrecting my old Safariland clone for that one."

 

After what happened at my last game I wonder a little if that might be a TM M9A1 issue specifically, the rail on that frame doesn't quite look like proper spec picatinny to me.

 

--

 

Another learning point for me was attachment methods of pistol lights, which have become more pertinent and worth paying attention to in the age of holsters that purely grip the light. The X300/U is good but it doesn't clamp down exactly, whereas a lot of Streamlight designs have a screw running laterally that you can actually tighten. Given that airsoft rails have airsoft tolerances and clone versions of the X300 will as well, I think that's something people should pay attention to. There's nothing you can really do about it before you physically put the 2 items together, but worth checking before heading out the door.

[Lozart]

2 hours ago, TheFull9 said:

 

Edit quote - @Lozart"I have the same type of holster, the one piece of advice I would give is that while it has been generally good, just make sure that your Surefire clone fits the rail on your pistol properly. Last couple of times out using my TM M9A1 the torch has separated from the pistol rail and the pistol has come out of the holster while I was running. Currently looking at resurrecting my old Safariland clone for that one."

 

After what happened at my last game I wonder a little if that might be a TM M9A1 issue specifically, the rail on that frame doesn't quite look like proper spec picatinny to me.

 

 

My X300U came with a screw fitting to permanently attach it, might give that a try first.

[Galvatron]

6 hours ago, Matt.2504 said:

How do you find the retention?

Is the passive retention enough or do you feel active retention ie strap/ hood or button release would make it more secure?

 

It's good, it's tight enough to feel secure as I walk or even run at a moderate pace. I'm not sure if I'd risk a full-bore sprint where I lift my legs higher. With that said, I've never had the pistol come loose on account of the X300 clone (I think it's an unmarked WADSN model) I use.

 

I would consider a button/latch release more secure.

[Matt.2504]

I’ve ended up changing my plan and ordering a Blackhawk omnivore and I also have a TLR-1 on its way so will update you on my opinion when it arrives 

[Matt.2504]

Verdict:

Blackhawk Omnivore holsters are great, they are universal but very secure due to their active retention which is applied to flashlight (or 20mm mounting bracket if non flashlight version) and at a reasonable price.

It’s not always the easiest for us southpaws to find good holsters but this one works.

 

if you are looking to mount it to a QLS system though you will need an adaptor as the two are not directly compatible.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4948094/files

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Matt.2504
Adding link to 3d printer schematics