Hey guys. Finally broke down and got myself another handgun. Looking to fix it up nice - Trijicon Sights, Surefire light, and maybe some upgraded pieces such as a mag release, etc.
Here’s where I’m not sure what to get: a holster. I’m looking for a good Kydex that can be worn both IWB and OWB. I’ve seen guys running Bravo Concealment, some running Raven, and some running others. Bravo seems to have the best pricing from what I’ve seen, but is there anything to be known about any of these brands - pros/cons?
I am a Raven fanboy. Both have amazing fit and finish, but my Ravens seem to carry better overall. I had an issue with my bravo holster for my Shield, it was very top-heavy to carry with no way to remedy it. I carry a Glock 19 in an RCS phantom every day and it has served me very well. If you plan on carrying a light sometimes, but not all the time, look at Griffin concealment. Their light bearing holsters can be used with or without a light. food for thought.
I have had a good experience with Bravo holsters for guns with lights, but I also use Raven mag pouches. I personally have been very satisfied with Bravo, but i’m sure the Raven works just as well. The retention of the Bravo is more linear I guess you could call it. It has a constant tension as you bring the gun out, it’s not like others I’ve tried where it sort of snaps into place at the bottom of the holster, and it needs to pop out of the retention to get the gun out.
I have a Raven holster for my G17/TLR-1HL. The fit was loose, but it was nothing I wasn’t able to fix with 10 minutes and a hair drier. It’s all-in-all a really nice holster.
I went through the same exact dilemma about a year ago. G17 Gen 4 with TLR1-HL. Ended up keeping the Raven and selling the Bravo. Nothing at all wrong with the Bravo but the Raven had better positive retention in my mind. I still use a Bravo DOS for appendix carry. Both make excellent kydex.
Raven holsters FTW. I use the tuckable inside loops and off set wings for my 1911 and it has zero issues with shifting or creating pressure points when I sit. Conceals the gun very well, too.
Okay Raven guys - for OWB carry - should I get regular belt loops, or pancake wings? I vary between a 1.75" VTAC gun belt and a normal leather belt for everyday dress.
there are so many options out there. Fury is my go-to. Quality, price, and lead time are excellent. They’re definitely worth a look if you are undecided. http://www.furyholsters.com
My two cents…after owning a Raven holster I’m now a convert to JM Custom Kydex. His attention to detail and aesthetics far outclass Raven’s work. Just my opinion, but Raven’s holsters are is more along the lines of a Camry (nothing wrong with that) where as JM Custom’s holsters are like a high class Lexus.
Owned both and id buy the Bravo over the Raven, tho the finish of the Raven was a little better. The Bravo’s retention was superior on the mag pouch and the holster. IMO you shouldnt have to take a heat gun to a brand new holster to “fix” what should have been caught by quality control.
I think at this point, my Bravo’s are completely outdated. My two are from before the time of the DOS, RTT, etc, when there was just one holster with a couple different mounting options. Mine is a simple belt looped version, and it carries the pistol very high. I have a WML version, but the light causes the pistol to sit off my body, so it never saw much use. I find the 10 degree cant bravo uses to be much better for the square range than concealed carry as the butt prints. IIRC, you can have more cant if you prefer.
I have two NTACs from when they were cloning Raven holsters, before they apparently got shady and went out of business. The 15 degree cant is a notable improvement for concealed carry, though. At this point, I don’t see how carrying ANY of the larger square holsters IWB could possibly be comfortable compared to a holster designed entirely to be carried IWB. Maybe I’d feel different if I tried the thinner .06 kydex…
I have the RTT light bearing and Raven light bearing. Both are good, tho I dont carry much OWB, if I had to pick one in that area id give the edge to the Raven. I cant put my finger on exactly why maybe its the loops or one has a little more curve than the other. Like mentioned above the Bravo carriers slightly higher IMO
Is your Raven running normal belt loops or the pancake wings? I saw that previously you said the retention was better on the Bravo, but do you still find the Pros of the Raven outweigh that, considering it can easily be fixed with a hair dryer or heat gun?
I’m beginning to lean towards a Raven just from sheer numbers that I’ve encountered recommending them over the other brands. I’m just curious which loops I should go with.
Not sure if my body size would help the deciding factor, but I’m about 5’11", 155 lbs. 30-32 inch waist.
In fairness, I’ll add that Bravo did exactly what I asked them to each time, and was happy to mod the holsters and pouches to my liking. And they certainly did a good job with it. I intend to try some of their IWB holsters at some point, and I happily referred my brother to buy one of their holsters when he needed a first holster to figure out his likes and dislikes. I guess I’ve just moved away from a do-it-all approach with holsters, and have started using specific holsters for specific tasks. Example given, for a rather short period of my life, a Safariland thigh holster was my most sensible option, but it hasn’t seen use since then.
On both holsters I have been using the standard loops so I dont know what kind of difference the pancake loops would make. You might could say that, maybe it put a bad taste in my mouth that I had to modify the holsters right off the bat. Tho i dont believe you can go wrong either way. Given my experience with the Raven is why I suggested Bravo over Raven tho it may only be an isolated issue. Ive seen more Bravo holsters in person than Raven and the retention and quality on the Bravo have been consistent on across the board from my experience.
Do you find that the standard loops hold it pretty close to your body? I’m currently running my Safariland ALS from when I worked at my county Sheriffs Office and I want something more streamlined to my body.
Do you think maybe the loose retention on your Raven was an isolated incident? I’m interested in overall fit and finish, and I notice you said the finish is nicer on the Ravens.
Yea I cant complain with how close they kept to the body. The ALS is anything but streamline. It very well could have been isolated. The edges on the Raven were nice and smooth compaired to the Bravo but that was not a big deal to me, never had them dig into me or rub anything.