MIC holster vs Raven Vanguard (1), a comparison for AIWB.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6742/84575006.jpg
Disclaimer: I was not paid by either manufacturers for this comparison/brief review. I did not see much reviews on these kind of holsters for AIWB, so I figured
I'd do a quick comparison of the two for those potentially thinking of using these. I also explain my rationale for using older designs over the newer designs such as the Vanguard 2.
This is more of a quick comparison between the two holsters and not designed as a scientific review (as there's nothing really scientific to it).
I have been using appendix carry with my G19 the last two years because of concealablity and better access for me.
However, there aren't very many suitable holsters for AIWB that worked well for me.
I used a Blackhawk nylon IWB holster because it was the thinnest holster I have used, but what I also considered not very safe (because it's not rigid).
I have also used a Galco stow-n-go holster, a Smart Carry for deep concealment (although usually a last option because of the slower efficiency of drawing),
and have tried a Blade Tech Nano. These were all for the front appendix carry. Other Kydex options were too thick
or had the gun riding too high and wanted to tip outwards for AIWB .
When I saw Raven release the Vanguard 2 at Shot show, I started to rethink the idea of a minimalistic holster.
While I liked the concept of the Vanguard 2, was slower to reholster because the user had to remove the holster off the belt
to get the gun back in, then reclip it back to the belt. While this is not a game stopper, I ran across Raven's
Vanguard 1 holster and the Mic holster, which were the more simplistic kydex trigger guard covers and functioned for enhancing "mexican carry" use.
Although they lack the flexiblity of the Vanguard two (no adjustable belt loop), they could be used for AIWB by looping the retention chord through the belt.
With the MIC and Vanguard 1, the holster is outside waistline after drawing, but is retained on the belt via a retention cord. Although reholstering is done outside of the belt loop (hanging by the retention lanyard), it is still a step less in comparison to Vanguard 2, where the user still needs to unclip the holster off the belt then re-clipping it back on.
Both holsters could also be used as a standard 'trigger cover' for night stands and glove compartments. The user anchors the static chords to something. A tug of the firearm with the chord tight will unholster the weapon.
Because I had no experience with this type of minimalistic kydex holster, I bought a MIC holster from a local GT Distributor to test the concept before ordering the Vanguard directly from Raven.
[edited 5.28.12, removed statement of one manufacturer's claim of being the original designer because of fact checking, check out Tom's (from Raven) statement below]
MIC Holster:
http://www.glocktech.com/purchase/buy_mic.php
The holster did not come with directions.
After doing some dry runs with it and then getting range time with it, I liked the this type of holster as it's very fast.
Although reholstering takes two hands, it occurs outside of the pants (and away from the family jewels) since I know the probability of having an AD caused by a foreign object (ie: clothing) is lower. However, the user's going to need to take into account reholstering with both hands in the event one arm/hand is injured
or it is being used to hold/grab onto something else in an actual shooting event.
After twp weeks of using the MIC holster with success in both dry and live fire, I decided to place an order for the Raven Vanguard 1 for my other G19.
Raven Vanguard:
http://www.ravenconcealment.com/hols...nguard-holster
This holster came with directions and Raven Concealment Decal. On my invoice, "Erica" handwrote "Thanks for your order" on it.
Although not necessary, that left a good customer service impression on me (even though I have yet to use it yet).
A few days after placing the order for the Raven, a crack developed on the MIC hoslter. This was not due to operator error, as I followed the instructions off of Glocktech's Youtube video on clipping it on the gun.
I took the holster to the store I bought it from and had it exchanged without questions asked. It's important to note that I bypassed Glocktech and went straight to this distrubtor for the exchange,
so I can't comment on Glocktech's customer service.
According to MIC's designer in his video, he said that he only had
"6 holsters come back to him broken because of improper use." I don't know if this was a design issue or a quality issue with the kydex used, but this was
unacceptable to me. The new MIC replacement feels subjectively the same as the first one I had.
I will test it out to see if it the same crack will develop or not, but the Raven had become my primary carry holster once I received it.
The MIC holster currently rests on my back up G19.
It is also worth noting that both holsters were designed to have enough retention for the gun to stay holstered if it were to fall out of the pants (ie: it hangs upside down). Both holsters feel (subjectively) as if they have about the same amount of retention.
One of my G19 has a thinned trigger guard, and retention (ie: draw, or clamping it on) is not affected, although it is not as snug as the stock/unaltered trigger guard.
Pictures of the holsters for visual comparison:
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1153/53103586.jpg
MIC on top, Vanguard on bottom.
Note that the Raven has an eyelet where the parachord runs through the holster. The MIC does not have this.
The raven's parachord loops is also longer, which accompanies wider belts better as well.
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4861/41302016.jpg
Underside of the holsters. MIC on top, Vanguard on bottom.
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3020/11700847.jpg
Inside of the holsters. They're both slick on the inside.
MIC on top, Vanguard on bottom.
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MIC holster:
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7964/80957259.jpg
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4746/20740309.jpg
Holstering is done by snapping the holster from the front (as instructed by Glocktech).
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/627/62718305.jpg
MIC holstered
Although I didn't have a picture of the first MIC holster that cracked, I drew in where the crack occurred in red.
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5050/faultline.jpg
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Rave Vanguard 1:
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/599/21633748.jpg
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/728/28413692.jpg
Holstering with Vanguard is clamping it from the bottom to top as per their instructions.
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/3223/86782578.jpg
Vanguard holstered.
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Draw and use:
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9492/collage1lo.jpg
This is a compilation of pictures extracted from a video of me using the MIC holster. The draw time/video was similar with the Raven Vanguard.
Note that as I extend the G19 forward, the holster snaps off and is retained on the belt.
The time from draw to sight alignment and fire was ~1.30 seconds. Not as fast as some external holsters (as shirt has to be lifted, etc), it is still reasonably fast.
Reholstering is quick as well, as the user just snaps the holster over the trigger guard and quickly tuck the weapon system into the pants. I find this faster than re-clipping a holster through the belt loop.
Conclusions:
These are not holsters for the novice CHL user. It's a niche product for a specific application and may not applicable to some users. However, when employed properly, it is quite fast and safe.
MIC holster's cracking is something to be curious about. I don't know if it's a sample size of one, but it's a consideration to look at.
The Raven appears to have a cleaner 'finish' (with eyelet, etc) and has not exhibited cracking yet. If it were to occur, I am pretty sure the people of Raven would take care of it without issues.
Both are functional holsters (when not counting manufacturing defects) within its designed parameter.
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6334/lastxx.jpg
I'll update this thread as I continue using both holsters.
I'll try to answer any questions that come as well.
