JWR,
I have been perusing the articles on SurvivalBlog.com on assembling a set of web gear. The part I am stuck on is selecting a holster. I have an LC-2 web belt that I want to put the holster on, which requires a holster that can be strapped on to the belt since most holster loops won’t slip over the plastic buckle. I’ve looked at the [Bianchi] M12 holster that is issued by the US armed forces for the [Beretta] M9 [and M1911], which is designed to strap onto the LC-2 belt. I also read on your site that you recommend Blade-Tech holsters, though I can’t tell which model/accessory would allow their holsters to attach to an LC-2 belt. I have also been looking at the Blackhawk SERPA holsters
In short, what’s your experience/opinion of those holsters and can you tell me which model(s) actually are able to attach to the LC-2 belt. If it helps, I carry a full-frame Glock semi-auto pistol. – Andy J.
JWR Replies: For many years, the members of my family and several of our friends carried Bianchi M12-series holsters, with a thumbsnap conversion. (Full flap holsters are too slow for practical use.) But as Kydex holster designs improved, I eventually switched to the Blade-Tech brand. The Blade-Tech belt holsters will fit a standard GI pistol belt, but they must be disassembled (un-screwed) and re-assembled, to fit.
I’ve come to the conclusion that Kydex holsters have several advantages:
First, unlike leather or woven nylon, they don’t retain moisture. When they get wet, you can just wipe them down and they are dry in minutes. But leather and nylon holsters can take hours to dry. This is particularly important with blued steel handguns. Stainless steel and pistols and Glocks (with their impregnated Tenifer finish) are less susceptible to rust. Since the Bianchi M12 holster is constructed as a multi-layer sandwich, they can take almost as long as a leather holster to dry out.
Second, many nylon holsters lack the requisite stiffness from the outset, or they lose their stiffness over time. This might not sound like a big deal for causal shooting, but under stress, you will need a holster that will keep its shape all the time. This is crucial for re-holstering. You need to be able to re-holster without fumbling or looking down. Especially when you are transitioning between your handgun and your long-gun, a lost couple of seconds could mean a lost life. Stiffness and uniformity of belt position is also an issue when you are engaged in heavy physical activity, such a crawling, scrambling over rocks or fallen trees, and so forth. In my experience, because the Bianchi M12 has a thumbsnap that is cumbersome to re-secure. And because the holster has a shallow throat, and it can flex, it is possible for an autopistol to “cam out” of the holster–for example if the butt of the gun is caught on a branch or a large tree root. Needless to say, this can be more than just embarrassing, in a real-world shooting situation. I now recommend only holsters that have a solid purchase on the piece, all the way up to and including the triggerguard.
With that said, there are some applications where I actually prefer leather or nylon holsters–especially concealed carry. Because Kydex has no “give” to it, these holsters can be uncomfortable for concealed carry. Moisture retention is still an issue, but then again, handguns with stainless steel and other rust-resistant finishes are the way to go.