Alien Gear bills its new Cloak Tuck 3.0 inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster as being “the most comfortable concealed-carry holster on the planet.” The screws attaching the Kydex holster to the leather backer have spacers that let you set your own tension adjustment for a more secure fit or a faster draw. Alien Gear offers the Cloak Tuck 3.0 for a variety of revolvers, including those from Chiappa, Colt, EAA, Ruger, Taurus, Charter Arms and Smith & Wesson. The belt clips are adjustable for cant and height and can fit belts up to 1.75 inches wide.
The Bianchi Model 7001 is an affordable option that can accommodate a wide range of revolvers. A thumb snap is built in, and the holster’s trilaminate construction and closed-cell-foam center protect your revolver. The outside shell is made from a durable ballistic weave for additional protection. The holster has a 10- to 13-degree forward cant, its high-ride design provides for smooth draws, and the belt loops fit belts up to 1.75 inches wide. This holster is suitable for duty use, concealed carry with a good cover garment or even hunting.
BlackHawk’s Suede Leather Angle Adjustable ISP Holster is made to comfortably carry a small revolver in an IWB position. Made with durable but soft suede, it features a belt clip that’s adjustable for cant so you can tailor the holster to your preferred and most comfortable method of carry. The interior of the holster is smooth for an easy draw, and the rough outside keeps the holster wherever you place it.
The new TecGrip Pocket Holster from BlackHawk is available in four different sizes to fit revolvers and semi-autos. It features thermal-bonded, three-layer laminate construction with a specially designed TecGrip outer layer that grips the pants material, keeping the holster in your pocket when you draw.
Blade-Tech’s Klipt IWB holster is available for Ruger LCR and S&W J-Frame revolvers. Made of Kydex, this holster has a built-in skin guard for added comfort and to protect the gun. The sturdy exterior clip is wide and keeps the holster where you want it. The Klipt is only available in a right-handed model, but ambidextrous versions can be custom ordered. The thin, lightweight construction keeps the holster comfortable for all-day wear without printing, and you’ll know your gun is secure thanks to the distinctive Blade-Tech “click.”
The Nano holster from Blade-Tech is an IWB rig that will accommodate S&W K- and L-Frame revolvers with barrels up to 6 inches long. It features dual sweat guards to protect the gun and increase comfort, and uses twin soft belt loops to secure the holster to the belt.
The BUGBite is a solid, reliable universal ankle holster. Made from breathable neoprene with soft cotton edging, the BUGBite is shaped like a human leg and is available in five sizes for a custom fit around your calf. It uses a zipper closure instead of Velcro so you can put it on silently like a sock and remove it silently. The universal pocket will fit guns up to 7 inches long and 5 inches tall, and there’s a spare ammo pouch on the opposite side.
The Stingray is an economical Kydex IWB holster that is available for various revolvers. The Stingray has been designed to drastically reduce printing by moving the belt tab farther toward the grip, which pushes the grip in toward your body rather than out against your shirt. The minimalist design also means there’s less material making contact against your body for a more comfortable feel and less weight. The Stinger uses a full sweat guard, and the metal furniture has been fully anodized to resist corrosion.
The International holster from Comp-Tac was designed for competition. This outside-the-waistband holster features an open-front design so it can accommodate handguns with optics mounted on top, and the holster can be carried in multiple positions, including on a belt, with a paddle mount and with a slight drop, which is ideal for female shooters. Each of these mounts is included. The rig is made of rigid Kydex for a fast, smooth draw and easy reholstering. The cant is also adjustable, and the mounting hardware can be set for a 1.5- or 2-inch-wide belt.
The Last Ditch from CrossBreed is not just a holster but an entire system. The company has taken its molded Kydex shell and attached it to a leather backer. The reverse side of this backer is securely covered in Velcro, which lets you use the holster in combination with many carry or hideaway options. Essentially, the holster can be attached to anything that has a corresponding Velcro surface, including CrossBreed’s own Bedside Backup platform as well as ballistic vests, vehicle mounts and some types of belly bands and undercover-carry shirts.
The CrossBreed SuperTuck Deluxe IWB holster has a large leather backer that rests against your body for superior comfort. For high-humidity areas, the company also offers horsehide. The holster itself is made from custom-molded, hand-fitted Kydex that firmly retains your gun. The powder-coated spring-steel belt clips are designed to let you tuck in your shirt over the gun and holster so it becomes almost invisible. It’s also height- and cant-adjustable for a customizable fit.
The DeSantis Apache ankle rig offers comfort, security and deep concealment. The holster will fit most handguns and stays on the ankle with an elastic band that eliminates motion. The rig is made of neoprene while the interior has a sheepskin lining, and the adjustable Velcro thumb strap secures the weapon for any activity. The holster can be worn on either leg, on the inside or outside of the ankle. Left- and right-handed versions are currently available.
The DeSantis Speed Scabbard is an all-leather belt holster that provides solid retention without the need for a thumb break. The gun is retained thanks to a tension screw and the leather itself, which is precisely molded to fit the specific gun model. The open-top design allows for a fast draw and easy reholstering. The leather is available in black or tan, and the rig will fit belts up to 1.75 inches wide.
The Cozy Partner is a durable open-top IWB holster with precise molding, solid stitching and a tensioning device for secure weapon retention. Note that you must wear a belt with this holster, and the dual-snap belt loops will fit belts up to 1.5 inches wide. The top of the holster features a memory band that keep the holster’s shape under pressure and makes reholstering easy. It’s available in black or tan unlined leather.
Double Click’s Tactical Pro OWB holster is made from Kydex and features durable belt loops that help hold the holster closer to the body to increase concealability and prevent printing. The Tactical Pro IWB holster features a much smaller footprint for improved comfort and concealability, and it includes one secure belt loop. The IWB holster also has a suede backing so it is comfortable against the body. These models are available for various revolver makes and sizes.
Galco knows leather, and two of its Western rigs make for an impressive display. The 1880s Holster Strongside and 1880s Holster Crossdraw represent no-nonsense gear like what was used in the Old West by the working man—and it’s priced accordingly. They’re designed to ride high and are made from full-grain saddle leather with hammer-thong retention straps for security and loops to fit belts up to 3 inches wide.
For concealed carry, Galco offers its excellent Underwraps Belly Band holsters, which provide comfort, concealability and versatility. This design is built to last with elasticized nylon and a Velcro closure for a custom fit. It also features dual leather holster pockets that will accommodate most handguns and two accessory pockets for spare ammunition or other items.
The ARS Stage 1 carry holster is a paddle design that is easy to take off or put on for everyday carry. It also features Hogue’s Automatic Retention System (ARS), which prevents unauthorized use, theft or disarmament. The ARS instantly engages when the gun is holstered. Still, the system allows for a fast draw, as a natural grip will place your thumb right on the thumb-release tab that unlocks the holster. For those who prefer belt carry, a belt plate is also included.
Aiming for the comfort of the original N82 Tactical holster but with a host of new features, the company’s Professional holster aims to prove that comforting and comfortable are not mutually exclusive. The Professional is a tuckable IWB-style holster that offers an adjustable cant and positive weapon retention. In this rig, a polycarbonate shell is attached to a leather and neoprene backer to protect the gun against sweat and to pad the user from the hard edges of the concealed pistol.
The Safariland Model 6378 ALS can be used as a standard belt holster or paddle holster. The belt holster option can be adjusted for cant. This holster also includes the ALS system, an internal lock that keeps the firearm in place and protects against theft or attempted disarmament. You still have an easy, fast and natural draw with the thumb-release system. Made of smooth thermal-molded SafariLaminate, the holster is available in several colors, and the inside of the holster features a soft suede lining.
The Model 25 pocket holster from Safariland has a re-inforced liner that allows the top of the holster to remain open, making it easier to reholster the gun. The black suede finish grabs the inside of the pocket, keeping the holster in place when you draw, and Safariland has added a moisture-proof membrane to protect your gun from perspiration and the elements. The holster covers the gun completely, except for the grip, to help prevent printing.
The Model 27 IWB holster from Safariland features tough black SafariLaminate construction that, at first glance, looks a lot like leather. The interior of the holster is suede-lined to protect the finish of the handgun. The open-top design also makes drawing and reholstering easy. This holster can accommodate any standard-sized belt thanks to its J-shaped belt hook, which slides in behind the belt and cinches at the bottom.
Sneaky Pete offers belt-clip holsters that look just like large smartphone cases. Made from glove-quality Turkish leather with a Kydex insert for durability, these holsters have double belt clips or loops to securely stay where they belong, and they’re available in various sizes to fit almost 20 types of compact and subcompact handguns. The closure is secured with double magnets and allows for super-fast access while completely hiding your handgun in plain sight.
Thanks to Tagua Gunleather, you can carry completely concealed and look good at the same time. The company’s stylish Concealed Leather Jacket is available for men and women and comes in black or brown. The leather holds the weight of a handgun very well and does not sag or print. The jacket has two internal ambidextrous pockets with Velcro closures for security. This jacket lets you easily carry a small or medium handgun with plenty of room for spare ammo or gear.
The ingenuity of the Versacarry system revolves around the barrel-retention rod, which is made from a tough, self-lubricating polymer that’s inserted into the front of the barrel at a 45-degree angle and holds the gun against the polymer clip. A polymer triggerguard is user installed in the retention clip for safety and can be set for right- or left-hand carry. The integral belt clip fits belts up to 1.5 inches wide. The one-piece belt clip and body comes in various lengths and calibers to accommodate pistols with 2.75- to 4-inch barrels so the grip is above the belt line for an easy draw.
Revolvers may be archaic or a bit of a throwback to some, but they’ve never really fallen out of favor with shooters, many of whom have found that revolvers have some unique advantages over semi-autos. A well-functioning, well-maintained revolver won’t fail because of a slide obstruction, and you can fire it from inside a pocket if needed. Revolvers also lack the external safeties you’ll find on semi-autos—the levers you might forget to deactivate in a hurry. For that reason, short-barreled revolvers are extremely appealing for concealed carry. But despite the reliability and safety built into each and every revolver, you should always use a sturdy holster to keep one secure, and to protect the gun and cover the trigger. Dozens of holster companies today are making high-quality rigs to carry your wheelgun safely and comfortably. Here are several new revolver holsters from some of the most popular manufacturers.
For more information on the revolver holsters featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.
