Blackhawk Vs. Uncle Mikes holsters

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ITEOTWAWKI

Moderator
Well, after purchasing an Uncle Mikes kydex paddle holster for about 20 dollars and a blackhawk (non serpa) polymer paddle holster, I really must say that Uncle Mike's comes out the big winner.

While the blackhawk is a little more attractive, the Uncle Mikes simply is made better, stronger, and their tensioning screw works just a little better. They both have the ability to mount your pistol at a cant, but the Uncle Mikes allows you to change just the verticle axis as well. It's the paddle itself that really makes the difference. The blackhawk seems downright flimsy in comparison. It also requires a rather thin belt to clip the paddle to (otherwise the notch just won't catch). It came detached from the belt several times as compared to the Uncle Mikes never coming off unintentionally. And as I said about the tensioning screw, I have yet to find the perfect tension in the Blackhawk while the Uncle Mikes both holds my pistol in the repeated upside down shake test yet releases it easily with the right draw motion. The blackhawk either shakes out after a few tries or will be so tight as to completely remove the holster from your pants when drawing.

Just wanted to give my honest evaluation.

Save ten bucks and get an Uncle Mikes holster.
 
I've always steered clear of Uncle Mike/Fobus/etc. But you're review might change that. I'd be curious to hear the long term outlook of the Uncle Mike's holster.

Traditionally, I've bought holsters as follows:

For plastic guns, I use comp-tac holsters. They look good for Kydex, hold the gun securely, the draw is smooth and fast, and seem to stand up to abuse fairly well.

For steel guns, they get nice leather from Galco or similar. Good looking guns like 1911's deserve good looking leather. I can't tell a difference in draw speed between good leather and kydex. Some people say they do, but the clock says no difference for me.
 
I'm quite pleased with my Uncle Mike's Kydex paddle as well. It fits pretty close to body and hides well enough under a medium weight coat. I do have to say though that I like the CQC line from blackhawk for the retension. I don't like thumbsnaps or other retention devices, so if I need security on the pistol when carrying, I'd definitely by a Blackhawk. For 20 bucks though, Uncle Mike didn't do to shabby.
 
I use different holsters for different tasks.... if im going camping ill take my Blackhawk thigh rig... for concealment i use a Blackhawk Serpa holser, but Uncle Mikes is my choice for duty gear.... because they make a really nice standard ride holster that allows you to leave a tactical light on the gun :)
 
I like the Uncle Mike's kydex holsters. They offer a thumbsnap on some models (which I like), and the holster bodies themselves work great. I have to occasionally retighten the tension screws. If I were not so lazy I would probably just lock tite them.

They recently re-designed their paddles, which while easier to take on and off, do not conceal as well. My old paddle cracked (probably because of all the torque-ing I had to do to get it off), and UM sent me their latest paddle. I ended up switching the paddle with an older backup holster that I keep in the car.

My LEO buddies like the SERPA holsters, but to me he big thing about the Blackhawk holster is that they standoff quite a bit, like the new UM paddle. Okay for under a jacket, not as good under a shirt.

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