The concealed-carry holster should be chosen as carefully as the carry gun or defense load. There isn’t a shortage of manufacturers and custom makers, but gun owners continue to choose holsters that are cheaply made and that do not perform well. Cant, angle, and drop have a bearing on how well the handgun rides on the belt. The holster must carry the pistol as comfortably as possible while maintaining a balance of speed and retention. That is a tall order.
In this installment of holster reviews, we are looking over items for the best-selling SIG Sauer P365 pistol. Some of these also fit the Hellcat Pro, and all are available molded for either handgun. The Glock 48 would be another handgun that benefits from these types of holsters. Because a slimline 9mm is the most popular concealed-carry handgun in America, the holsters in this test bear a hard look.
Our procedure was to check the holster for proper fit, to carry the handgun concealed for at least a day, and to draw from concealed carry and reholster the pistol safely as well. As for our prices, shop around. We used an average price to gauge affordability.
Bullard Leather
Belt Slide Holster, $100
Belt-slide holsters are a staple for compact pistols. While not as concealable as an inside-the-waistband holster when you have a short-slide pistol such as the SIG P365, you have a good candidate for concealed carry among those shooters who cannot tolerate an IWB design. The Bullard Leather Belt Slide (BullardLeather.com) features double stitching, an important reinforcement in a leather holster. The design is blocked and molded properly and has a sweat guard. Edging, the part of the holster where the two halves meet and are glued together, is flawless. Draw speed is sharp. You may have to budge the holster mouth a bit with the muzzle on re-holstering, and we rated the holster down a half grade on that respect. If you are transitioning from 1911s and leather to a modern polymer-frame gun, this holster will have much appeal.
Gun Tests Grade: A-
Crossbreed
The Reckoning Holster, $58
The Reckoning hybrid holster (CrossbreedHolsters.com) has a hard Kydex holster mated to a supple leather backing. The Kydex holster is actually a half shell with the leather backing retaining the handgun as well. The half-shell design allows the shooter to get a good firing grip. The hard shell provides retention while the leather backing offers good comfort. The Reckoning’s belt clips are adjustable and take a good bite of the belt for security. There is some adjustment for drop, either a high ride or low ride, by moving the belt clips. Retention may be adjusted by tightening the shell against the backing. The Reckoning is designed for tuckable carry. This isn’t an option we recommend, but in that role, The Reckoning is as good as any. We tested as an IWB. We drew from the holster several times with a good, sharp draw. There was no difficulty in re-holstering. The backing is comfortable and seems to spread weight out well. The Reckoning is affordable and does exactly what it was designed to do.
Gun Tests Grade: A
DeSantis Criss-Cross
Crossdraw Holster, $80
The Criss-Cross is a leather cross-draw design. The leather is nicely tanned. Linen stitching makes for a nice contrast. We like the draw angle; it allows sitting at a table or desk with your hand practically on the gun butt. When driving, the holster is easily accessible. Fit is good. On the reverse side, you can see double-stitched saddle-blocked linen thread. The Criss-Cross features a retention adjustment screw. This works well for adjusting tension and also for tightening it up as the holster leather becomes worn in daily use. A good feature is a heavily reinforced holstering welt. No problems in drawing and re-holstering with the Criss-Cross. This is a well-thought-out holster. DeSantisHolster.com.
Gun Tests Grade: A-
DeSantis Uni-Tuk, $101
The Uni-Tuk is a highly developed inside-the-waistband holster. It is also useful as a tuckable type. The Uni-Tuk features an adjustable belt loop with a strong hook to ensure stability. The belt hook is behind the half-shell polymer holster. This makes for less bulk in concealed carry compared to a holster with the belt loop on the front of the holster. This design also brings the holstered handgun into the body more closely. The Uni-Tuk features hybrid construction. The holster shell is Kydex, while the backing is a foam-filled design. This backing is well suited to constant carry in humid climates. Since a Kydex shell cannot collapse, there is no need for a holstering welt. The holster body itself features a tab to one side of the belt loop that seems to prevent rollout when carried in the appendix position. We found the Uni-Tuk equally well suited to inside-the-waistband, tucked under a shirt, or appendix carry. This is easily the most versatile holster tested.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Falco Appendix
A909 Holster, $140
There are options on the Falco website (FalcoHolsters.com) that may affect the final price. Our holster as delivered is the priciest holster of the test. We don’t see how it could have been less expensive considering the work that goes into the A909. This holster is all-round comfortable design with the Kydex shell covered in calf skin overlay. The backing is supple leather, very well finished. While the Kydex component is prominent, there is plenty of give to wrap the holster under the belt line. It features a removable anti-roll-out foot. The belt loop rides over the holster and a clip rides near the magazine carrier. The ability to carry the gun and magazine together by simply fitting the holster to the belt is a good feature. It is best to use a sweat guard in this type of rig. This protuberance behind the holster protects the gun from perspiration and the body from oil, solvent, and discomfort. In this case, both the holster and the magazine carrier feature sweat guards. A minor concern is that you may need to bump the sweat guard to the rear as you holster. It is simple enough to slightly angle the muzzle into the holster. We find this to be a credible combination. While pricey, there is a lifetime warranty.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Galco Hornet, $99
The Hornet (GalcoGunLeather.com) is a crossdraw OWB especially designed for small-frame automatics and revolvers. The Hornet is cut from high-quality leather. The tanning is well done. The crossdraw requires a specific geometry. It doesn’t work to simply take a standard holster and wear it on the wrong side. The Hornet is well designed of good material and cut at the correct angles. The belt loop keeps the holster cinched tight to the belt. The tunnel loop is a welcome feature that results in a good, tight fit to the belt and cinches the pistol in rigidly. This tightness results in a good fit and keeps the gun butt angled properly and tight against the body. A crossdraw that allows the gun butt to tilt forward isn’t well suited to concealed carry. Drawing and re-holstering the pistol went smoothly. The Hornet offers good concealment under a light jacket or unbuttoned sport shirt. An OWB is never as discreet as the IWB. The Hornet is best suited to those who are often seated at work or who drive most of the day. This is a good choice for certain situations.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Galco Stow-N-Go, $40
The Stow-N-Go is a leather inside-the-waistband holster intended to offer an IWB holster at a fair price. The holster welt or holster mouth is reinforced and did not collapse when the pistol is drawn. Re-holstering generally went fine; occasionally, we had to tuck the muzzle into the holster and slightly budge the holstering welt open. A plastic belt clip is well designed, anchoring the holster to the belt during movement. We think the Stow-N-Go is an affordable alternative to pricier holsters such as the Summer Comfort. We rated it down a half grade on the holstering welt.
Gun Tests Grade: A-
Best Buy
Galco Walkabout, $60
The Walkabout is similar to the Stow-N-Go, the primary difference being that the Walkabout features a magazine holder. The advantages of the Stow-N-Go are retained. The holster features a reinforced holstering welt. The fit is good, and in our example accommodated both the SIG P365 and the slightly larger Hellcat. If worn as an appendix-style holster, the magazine carrier is an asset. If worn as a conventional IWB holster, the magazine carrier is on the wrong side for a rapid acquisition. However, the point may be made that some shooters would not bother to carry a spare magazine without a holster/carrier combination. It is slower to change the gun to the weak hand, draw the magazine, and then swap hands again, but better than digging in the pocket for a magazine or not having a spare magazine. If worn as an appendix holster, the Walkabout is more affordable than purchasing a holster and a carrier. A tester made the point that if worn as a tuckable with the optional supplied tuckable clip, once the shirt is pulled out, the magazine carrier is exposed as well, a good point. The draw angle is nearly infinitely adjustable by means of an adjustable belt clip. We almost made this holster the Best Buy, but the lower price of the Stow-N-Go won out.
Gun Tests Grade: A-
Mission First Tactical (MFT)
Inside-The-Waistband
Holster, $55
This MFT holster features a 1.5-inch belt clip. The clip takes a good hold on the belt. Surprisingly, the MFT holster features adjustable cant. One of the mounting holes is large enough to allow some adjustment. There is also a retention screw. The holster is manufactured of 0.08-inch-thick Boltaron Kydex. The holster is equally suited to right-hand or left-hand carry. While advertised as suitable for appendix carry, it depends on the user’s build and whether or not rollout is an issue. The holster also may be used OWB if you order an MFT paddle.
We wore the MFT design for two days with the SIG P365. It rides well and offers a good draw. Re-holster isn’t a problem. One rater noted that the sight track is nicely developed. The sights did not snag in any other holster, but the MFT features a prominent sight track. One of the raters felt the belt clip had too much flex, but going back and testing the other holsters, all have a bit of give. The large belt clip of the MFT holster has more leverage; it is wider than most. We sometimes tested a holster and went back to others to confirm our opinion. The MFT holster is a good choice, well worth the money. We would like thicker material at 0.10 inch, and we rated the holster down a half grade on this mark. MissionFirstTactical.com.
Gun Tests Grade: A-
Written and photographed by Bob Campbell, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT
