Im in the market for a holster/mag carriers for classes/training. I was looking at this setup as it seemed like a lower cost alternative than something like a sidearmor.
Im a fairly broke college student and I know the “buy cheap buy twice” thing but will this holster serve me well in beginner type classes that aren’t super intense. Basically if this thing is gonna break in 3 minutes of use Id like to know. But if it will work and last me through a few classes than thats fine with me until I have the $ for a better one. Oh and I will be carrying a 1911. (I did use the search feature on here but it seems a majority of the conversation about holsters seems to be about concealed carry and I just wanted to get a definitive answer about this particular product.)
I’d second the recommendation to go with kydex - as well as the positive opinion of both Bladetech and Comptac…
That being said, I’ve never used any of BT’s “injection molded” holsters - however, my opinion of other injection molded lines has been less than favorable. The material tends to be “softer” than kydex, and you can usually rip attachment points away from the holster by pulling the rivets through the polymer. I have seen probably a half dozen injection molded holsters ripped off during retention drills, then you’re left with a paddle or belt loop hanging off your hip while the other guy has your holster (with the weapon still in it…) The same can happen by hanging it on a car door, seat belt, doorway, etc…
I have two different comp-tac kydex IWB holsters that I use for daily carry, and a blade-tech kydex paddle holster that I bought back in 2004. The bladetech was my daily carry for about a year and a half in Iraq and took some pretty good punishment, but it has held up like a champ and I still use it anytime I’m not carrying IWB. Both of the comp-tacs work as new after a year or two in service.
One other concern, if the blade-tech model isn’t “in stock”, then they are pretty slow to get it made and shipped (weeks last time I checked, but that’s been a while). Comp-tac’s ship extremely fast if in stock, and their website currently says 11 days on “custom production” items…
You can pick up a Comp-tac Infidel IWB holster for less than $60, so it’s not too much of an increase in cost. You might also look into Raven Concealment.
So, to answer your question “is this a decent holster?” - probably. But for a few bucks more you can step up from “probably decent” to “definitely good to go”…