Alien Gear Modular Holster Raises the Bar

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 6/14/2019 | N Perna

[w1n1]

Think of Alien Gear’s Core Carry Pack and their Drop Leg Rig as multitools for everyday carriers.
Generally, I'm leery of a product that claims to perform multiple functions. My experience is that when something tries to be everything, it turns out to be marginal at doing a variety of things. Take, for example, the multitools produced by a variety of companies. They contain a veritable cornucopia of tools for various functions – pliers, saws, screwdrivers (regular and Phillip's head), knives and so on. Each tool performs its assigned task adequately but not to perfection. In other words, not as well as a stand-alone tool designed for that specific purpose would do. A 2-inch saw blade attached to a multitool won’t function as well as an actual saw in any situation.

The same goes for tactical gear and accessories. I am willing to shell out the bucks for a well-designed product manufactured for a single purpose, or, if the need arises, pay for multiple products to meet multiple demands.

Take holsters, for example. For my everyday carry, I use more than one holster. My primary carry gun is a Glock 30, compact .45. I often carry it in an outside-the-waistband Kydex holster. It’s not the ideal configuration for concealed carry as it prints a bit, but, from a tactical standpoint, it is my go-to rig. I can draw the weapon easily from it and it has good retention.

RECENTLY, MY WIFE made a big purchase. She bought three Alien Gear Core Carry Pack holster systems. One is for her Glock 26 9mm, another for her Glock 43 9mm, and the last for a Glock 27 I own. She also purchased a drop leg adapter for her Glock 26.
Yeah, I have a cool wife. The holster system is designed to be used inside the waistband, IWB appendix, outside-the-waistband slide, OWB paddle, and a holster mount for mounting it inside of a vehicle. It’s the multitool of holsters!
The user can change the holster into its various configurations by following the fairly simple enclosed instructions.

Between the two of us we tested three of the variants with three types of Glocks. The only ones we didn’t try were the vehicle mount and the regular IWB (not the appendix carry). We opted to stay true to what we actually carry at work and when off-duty to give the most realistic evaluation of the products. Read the rest of Alien Gear modular holster.

[junta]

I’m stuck in waiting limbo for Safariland to actually make another batch of S&W MP holsters to match the accessories I already have. Moral of the story have a Glock or wait.

[Snake Skin Sonny]

Nothing beats leather.

These plastic holsters have their uses...police work, etc.

However for EDC for the regular Joe, they are not practical nor functional.

Every single one I have tested stands away from the curve of my hip and causes printing with every shirt I have.

They literally wear the finish off of a firearm, even if it's not holstered/unholstered repeatedly.

They are noisy.

Lightly bump a counter or other such object and the plastic holster rings out like a snare drum and the thing "clicks" with every step due to the movement of the weapon in the holster.

My MTR Leathers holster for my Colt Defender conforms to my hip, makes no noise and, to date, has not affected the finish on my weapon one bit.

It comes off my belt quickly and easily without removing my belt, it "flows" in shape while still holding the weapon securely, lessening the "print" potential, even with a couple of old T-shirts I sometimes work in.

This Plastic Fantastic may be the future, but not for this ol' soldier.

But...to each his own.

[junta]

That’s a good critique.

[rjsimmon]

Nothing beats leather.

I am with you on that. Still looking for a good, in-waistband leather holster for my 1911. Far too many plastic ones out there and not enough leather.

[Yo-Yo]

I’m stuck in waiting limbo for Safariland to actually make another batch of S&W MP holsters to match the accessories I already have. Moral of the story have a Glock or wait.

Well, an M&M isn't exactly like trying to find a holster for a Korth or something.

I have a Safariland paddle retention holster that I only use at matches. It's for a Glock 26. I had no trouble finding it...

[CodeToad]

I am a huge Galco fan for the reasons you stated. All high quality leather products.

[Yo-Yo]

Nothing beats leather.

For me, I always carry IWB, and I use hybrid holsters, with leather against the body and kydex against the belt.

I find the wide backing of a hybrid holster is more comfortable with a heavier firearm as it spreads the weight across a larger portion of the body. The Kydex against the belt and the retaining clip placement keeps the overall holster much slimmer.

I've tried Galco all leather IWB holsters for carrying my Smith J-Frame, but between the cylinder, two layers of leather, and the belt loops, it makes for a very thick package.

For OWB open carry, I have a Safariland leather holster with thumb break snap for my S&W Model 19 with 4" bbl, which is very comfortable to wear all day. But I don't open carry anymore, so it only sees range duty these days, and honestly stays in "that drawer" full of holsters.

[CrazyIvan]

I bought an Aliengear hybrid IWB for my Ruger LC9S five years ago when Illinois went CCW. The leather has formed to me nicely. It fits closely enough that a light shirt slightly oversize conceals it completely with no print.

[afterhoursarmory]

Give this outfit a shot:

http://jacksonleatherwork.com/

They made an IWB holster for my Springfield .45 XDS. Took a while to get the holster but hands down the best holster I have ever owned. More times than not I forget I am even packing as it just fits perfectly.

[laplata]

👍

[rjsimmon]

Thanks. I’ll give them a look.

[Mr Rogers]

Although I have a lot of leather holsters, I don’t use them anymore. I prefer a kydex IWB holster worn OWB - between my belt and pants. I don’t have to wear extra large pants to fit it inside. It is thin enough that a double stack carries smaller than a single stack in leather. My belt keeps it snugger than a leather OWB holster. I’ve never heard a clicking sound and if I did bump a counter, it is probably my leather belt that would hit first.

Loosen my belt, clip the slim holster inside, tighten to taste.

Works for me. YMMV.

[Celtic Conservative]

The kydex is nice because it keeps the holster more rigid than ballistic nylon. Re-holstering in an IWB holster can be a pain in the butt if your holster collapses after the draw.

CC

[Snake Skin Sonny]

..."that drawer" full of holsters.

And we all got one of them, right?

I could almost open a store with all the "tried" holsters I have.

Thankfully, my wife has never made a real accounting of them all...else she'd be insisting on "trying out" everything from a new stove to dresses to vacuum cleaners and all manner of wifely things in between.

[moovova]

I get the occasional leather “groan” from my Mitch Rosen holsters, but love them. Another thing, plastic will never have the smell of a nice leather holster!

[Paal Gulli]

Alien Gear Bashes Police for Shooting Armed Suspect ACTIVELY SHOOTING AT POLICE

[Lurker]

“Nothing beats leather.”

True dat. My XDS In .45 rides in a custom leather job by Jackson Leatherworks in NC. Wasn’t cheap and I waited 4 months for it. But it’s worth every dime and every minute.

Fits me like a glove, is as comfortable as anything I’ve ever tried for IWB. And I’ve tried a lot. Hell, I could open a slightly used holster store and have a month of inventory.

On VERY rare occasions I’ll use the Kydex one that came with the pistol. But for EDC it’s the leather.

L

[Dutch Boy]

For IWB, I use a Crossbreed super tuck made in horse hide for my 1911. Very comfortable and distributes the weight quite nicely. I also use a Bear River custom leather holster for my CM9. That hides very well. I’ve worn them both together under a tucked t-shirt completely unnoticed.

A few years ago at a gun show I nearly bought a Ritchie Hide Away. It was very comfortable but for some in explicable reason I got distracted and moved on to the next shiny thing. I regret not buying it.

Another FR threat that will likely cost me money...

[Who is John Galt?]

...when something tries to be everything, it turns out to be marginal at doing a variety of things.

Sounds like Am Shootin Journal: marginal at everything...

;^)