Concealable clip-ons / paddles?

[Ben]

This might be a better place to ask;

I'm looking for recommendations on an easily-removed / concealable holster to carry a medium-sized handgun (Ruger P-95).

I'm looking for experience with J-Hooks, snapping loops, paddles, snaps, clips, etc. It would be under an untucked t-shirt against my sweaty self so a barrier between the gun and myself would be advisable.

Thanx for your help,
Ben

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"

 

[David Scott]

Ben,

I dislike IWB myself (uncomfortable), but if you want the inside well shielded you should look at Kramer's IWB #1 and the Bianchi Professional.

 

[Ben]

I don't think I want IWB... sorry if I gave that impression. I just figured some of the paddles / clip-ons were kept really close to the body (enough to need a panel). I may have been wrong.

Thanx for your response though,
Ben

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"

 

[Ben]

Since I'm always bugging people to keep us informed on the products they end up purchasing, I'll let you know I ended up with the same thing Joe Klug recommended. It's the Bianchi Accumold model 7500 paddle holster. It's extremely comfortable, but hangs off my side a little too much for concealing... but it's my first holster for the P-95 and probably the BEST range holster on the market. It's the second Bianchi holster I have owned... both seem extremely well constructed.

FWIW, I bought it at Smyrna Police Distributors... they are a friendly group of folks. They have a great selection of holsters, and maybe they were overstaffed today, but the guy was willing to walk around and let me try out everything I wanted. He brought a long a Ruger P-93 for me to see if I liked the weight & position of the holster with a similarly-sized gun. I bought it mostly for their great service and I needed SOMETHING for the Ruger. I highly recommend SPD for holeters... but they only sell guns to LE (so don't get your hopes up). I paid 39.99 for the Bianchi.

Ben

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"

[This message has been edited by Ben (edited September 02, 2000).]

 

[Rosco Benson]

You might be well served by Lou Alessi's CQC/S. It features easy on/easy off convenience, remarkable stability on the belt, and it holds the butt in nice and close. Have a look at www.rfholsters.com

Rosco

 

[Ben]

That Alessi sure looks like a nice rig... but $90.00? OUCH! I'm sure you get what you pay for with it though... if I only had the money... ::sigh::

Ben

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"

[This message has been edited by Ben (edited September 03, 2000).]

 

[jawper]

Ben,

I gotta chip in my vote for the Alessi CQC/S as well. It IS expensive and you DO get what you pay for. I know the price seems high when there are so many perfectly good alternatives out there for less. I felt the same way and have the proverbial box full of holsters to prove it.

As the ultimate counter point to the Alessi, consider the Fobus paddle holsters (@ $15-20 dollars). They are cheap, they work very well (i.e. retention, comfort, speed of presentation), and they are durable. I LOVE mine (have the Glock and BHP/G'ovt model ones). They do not, however, conceal very well. Great for range or under-heavy-layer use but not so good for light-cover CC. The Galco Fletch paddle I have for Glocks is a higher end product (quite pricey actually) and is still too bulky for convenient light-cover CC. It's got some neat features and seems well enough made, but it isn't much more useful than the Fobus.

The CQC/S, on the other hand, is designed to pull the butt of the pistol into your side. The pistol is held firmly and yet releases smoothly. The snaps operate with surprising ease and yet never seem to open on their own (I've tried pretty rigorously to get them to do this). In short, the CQC/S is sleek and slim, performs very well, and is backed by Lou Alessi's service. If you want some variation on the basic design, just ask him and he'll go out of his way to accommodate your needs. I am constantly shocked at the level of support he offers. The CQC/S for my P7M8 has become my primary holster for carry and competition. I am so impressed that I have one for my PSP and one on order for both my Kahr P9 and my SIG 225. For me, the $90 spent on Lou's work saves me the $100+ in unsuccessful experiments. Having said this, I would think that designs from Sparks would offer a similar level of quality and be equally worth the higher per-unit cost. I'm just not as familiar with their stuff. I know they have some designs which provide the level of convenience you are after and have heard nothing but positive remarks about their stuff.

Hope my babbling helps a bit.


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Best,
- Jawper