Possible IWB convert. New Garret IWB

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

I have never liked IWB carry. Tried a variety of IWB, disliked it, and always stuck with belt slide of one type or another.

I can’t say (obviously) have tried them all, but my experience with IWB always sent me back to belt slide holsters quickly. I use a IWB when I’m forced to, but being self employed, I’m lucky in that I get to choose my wardrobe and can dress around my CCW.

My current favorite holster for CCW is the Garret Silent Thunder belt slide, which is kydex lined with leather using a proprietary process, and I have been using it daily for a year plus now.(1, 2)

I was speaking to Ron Garret of Garret holsters and he said he had a brand new IWB design called the The Silent Thunder Fusion that could make a believer out of the most anti IWB type. Said he had designed it from the ground up to be functional and comfortable.

My initial impressions are, Ron has out done himself with this design, and I may be a convert after two decades + of almost daily CCW to IWB. At the very least, seeing it as a real option to belt slide, and not dreading it. Wearing around all day is amazingly comfortable for having a full sized gun stuck down your pants :slight_smile:

Drawing from the holster is smooth and fast, re holster is good, but not like re holstering a good belt slide for me.

Description from site:

[b][i]The Silent Thunder Fusion is a composite holster that combines incredible thinness, unbelieveable comfort and extreme durability. The Fusion consists of:

-Thin layer of pig suede for comfort, adhesion/non-slippage, and ventilation - NO EXPOSED HARDWARE

-Layer of thin closed cell foam which contours to your body, rounds out control surfaces of the weapon and provides a sweat barrier

-Thin layer of Hermann Oak Veg Tanned Leather providing a smooth surface for the weapon, quiets presentation and serves as the anchor point for the entire system. This same leather lines the Kydex front further quieting presentation and eliminating the harshness of Kydex next to your weapon.[/i][/b]

Like everything I have gotten from Garret, build quality for $$$ is outstanding.

My set up:

Pics and info for this holster:

http://garrettindustries.mybigcommerce.com/silent-thunder-fusion/#write_review

After I wear this holster for more time under more conditions, I plan to do a review vid, but first impressions are excellent.

1,2 = https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=62132&highlight=silent+thunder

2

I hear you regarding the comfort issue. I’ve been using IWB holsters of one type or another for near a decade now. I’ve generally avoided belt slides for fear of printing in such a firearm unfriendly locale as I work in. I typically carry in the appendix position and usually have discomfort, especially since my current setup is a desantis tuck this 2 with a spare mag for a subcompact glock. During cold weather I’ll wear a RCS on my right hip with a spare mag pouch at the appendix and the pouch kills me. If I can find a IWB that doesn’t jab me, I’ll try it, but I find carrying anything behind my hip kills when driving or sitting down so I have a tough time with that as well. I’m tired of having so many useless holsters lying around. I’d be interested to know how comfortable you find this design and how well it conceals.

3

So far, as mentioned above, surprisingly comfortable and conceals very well. I’m wearing it at approx 4 oclock.

4

How comfortable does it feel while seated? I looked at the site you linked and it doesn’t show the holster with the snap loops you have in your photos. Did you have to special order them? I’d like to try it with some sort of tuckable snap loops or j hooks for dress shirts and formal attire.

5

Thanks for the write up Will.
Just ordered one myself. Appears to be less bulk than my Crossbreed.
We’ll see when it gets here.

6

It looks very similar to the Comptac MTAC which I found to be very comfortable as well.

7

The snap loops were not special ordered, so it should either be there as a choice, or perhaps you need to ask.

Comfort driving is ok, but not optimal for long distance driving, but anything in that position is going to push into your hip/back. If I was going for longer drives, I would do what I always do with holsters personally, shift it to 3 oclock - so it’s on the side of my hip vs rear - when I get into the car for a drive longer then say 30 mins or so.

That’s how I deal with it, others may have different/better strategies there.

8

For me it isn’t about the comfort of the holster, it is about not wanting to buy pants two sizes too big that fall down past my arse crack when I’m not carrying!

If I carry in my normal pants it feels like I jumped into them from the roof, which I also cannot stand. I just can’t get used to it either way.

9

Similarities for sure, but note this designs layers (vs just leather in the comptac) that really seem to add additional comfort, and the fact it has leather lined kydex, which is proprietary to Garret, and makes for better fit, no wear on gun, and quiet. Might be thinner too, not sure there.

BTW, I have a CompTac belt slide for courses, competitions, etc, and it’s my favorite kydex belt slide for those uses.

10

Hopefully your impressions/experience are similar to mine. Write up expected. :cool:

11

The build quality looks to be much better from the photos and your description. I also think you’re paying for what you’re getting in this case. Never having used the Garrett it looks like the MTAC would be the economy version and the Silent Thunder is the loaded, bells and whistles version. If I wasn’t an AIWB convert I’d definitely give it a shot.

12

The above is one reason for sure I avoided IWB. I do have some jeans already a few sizes larger which make this rig work well, so already having pants that work for this a +, but I agree, thought of having to purchase pants a few sizes larger to fit a holster, never made much sense to me.

Some however require the additional concealability of IWB (or at least think they do…) and don’t have a choice on that.

13

I think that seems a fair assessment. :wink:

14

OP,

How did you get one of these for an M&P? On the site (link you posted), it says:

[SIZE=“2”][b]ST Fusions are available for the following models ONLY:

1911 - all models and barrel lengths

Kahr - all models as listed on our Available Firearms List

Glocks - all models as listed on our Available Firearms List

XDm - 4.5 and 3.8

(XD’s, HK’s and Sigs coming soon)[/b][/SIZE]

I would love to try one of these for the PPQ, or maybe even to really bury a PF9.

15

I just asked. Ron is a very helpful guy. I bet they just need to update their web site info, but tell him something like “what you did for that Brink dude” :cool:

16

HAHA, wilco. Thanks man.

KX

17

I have friends in low places bro :dirol:

18

I sent them an email asking specifically if they could make the Fusion for a KelTec PF9 and the Walther PPQ. They told me that, YES, they can and would make the Fusion for either of these pistol models.

Question answered. Never hurts to ask. Thanks Will.

KX

19

A promised, Ron is a very nice guy and fast to help a shooter out where possible. :wink:

20

Well, I just placed the order for a PF9 model. Ill post back when I recieve it and get a few days of wear" under my belt", to give my impressions. It looks very promising though.

If I like it, I may order one for the PPQ.