Category: gun belt

Categories
ammo gun belt handgun holster magazines OWB training

I’m Preparing For My Next Pistol Course

December is approaching and I promised that I would take another pistol training class this year. I might not be able to fit it into 2024, sadly, but if not, I’ll try for Q1 of 2025.

That means I’ve to ensure I’m ready. I’ll need ammo and equipment.

I need 600 rounds of range ammo, with 100 of it being frangible.

I already have a duty belt from Wolf Tactical – I received two of them for Chrismas last year. They’re nice belts, too. They’re dual belts with a nice clasp. It’ll accept molle gear, as well.

I also need mag pouches. They can be easily bought from Amazon and I just need something that’ll allow three mags on the belt (whether it’s one pouch or three). I don’t have the mage pouches yet, but I’m thinking of these.

I’m not even sure which gun to take, but it’ll have to be a 1911 or 2011. Why? Because I went ahead and ordered an OWB holster (a requirement for the course) for a 5″ 2011 (it should fit a 1911 as well). Specifically, I bought the QVO Tactical 5″ “Secondary” OWB holster. They’ve what they call a quick-ship version (it’s already built and ready to ship – customization isn’t allowed for those shipments)…it was $100. The holster doesn’t accept weapon-mounted lights, but that’s OK. The holster mounts to the belt via metal angled belt loops.

The current plan is to take m Tisas DS9 since I already have 1000+ rounds through the gun.

If I haven’t yet taken the class by April 2025, I’ll wait a bit because I’m planning on buying two guns this coming spring and at least one will be a 2011. I’m looking at the new Kimber 2K11 – that’s a $2000 gun, so if I get that, I won’t get another. If I opt for something other than the Kimber 2K11, it’ll probably be a Springfield Armory Prodigy DS 5″ with the optic and three mags package, along with the Fusion/Ermox XP Pro. All of those guns are 2011s and should fit in the aforementioned holster. Then again, if I do decide to take whatever I buy in 2025, I’m going to have to postpone the training course until I get enough rounds through whatever I end up buying….I should probably just use the Tisas Carry DS9.

I also have several other compact- and larger-sized guns that I can use for the course. There are guns that I bought over the years that came with their own holsters, and all but the P320 have 3 mags:

  • Sig Sauer P320 Compact – paddle-style holster
  • Sig Sauer SP2022 – paddle-style holster
  • Canik TP9SA (x2) – Safariland-type holsters with paddles
  • Canik TP9 Elite SC – minimal style holster – covers trigger

Of the four above guns, the SP2022 would probably be the one to choose, but I don’t want to be messing with trying to cope with a DA trigger. At one point in time, DA/SA was all I’d carry, but things have changed and I’m now a SA guy – I don’t want to train to use two trigger types, so the SP2022 will be a backup gun for the training.

Or, I could forego that above list and focus on 1911s/2011s. I just didn’t want to bring a 1911 and have issues during the course – I don’t want to be that one 1911 guy that has constant feed issues. The Tisas has only had one fail to feed in like 1200 rounds, so I’m thinking it won’t have issues (I’ll stick with the ammo it’s been eating without fail – Blazer 124-gr FMJ).

Really, the only thing I need to determine now is what frangible ammo to buy. I’ve 50 rounds of Hevi-shot 9mm frangible that’s in the back of my safe, but I’m not sure if the Tisas will eat it (it should – my RIA Commander ate that ammo without issue).

Categories
1911 AIWB appendix concealed carry gun belt holster

I Added A Wedge to My Crossbreed Hybrid Holster

I was able to rig up a wedge to the Crossbreed The Reckoning holster.

I used heel gels (ala Dr. Scholls) and velcro.

I carried using the holster most of the day. It’s a HUGE improvement! The pelvic hot spot is no longer a hot spot.

At first I thought I needed more wedge, but I’ll play around with the holster height – I can affort to raise it a bit so that the muzzle is not right above my junk (remember though, this is a Commander-sized 1911 I’m trying to appendix-carry).

Once I get the 5-hole clips, I’ll have better cant and height adjustment.

Every day, I feel that I’m getting this thing dialed in a bit better. The thing is, this holster isn’t exactly cheap. I shouldn’t have to be tweaking things like this. IMO, ALL AIWB holsters need to include a wedge (possibly adjustable). Yeah, I realize that each body is different, but if I’m going to spend $100+ for a holster, it needs to be better configurable. Another thing: Crossbreed should be including 5-hole clips with these, as the holsters are marketed as AIWB-capable. They already included the claw – why the claw and not also a wedge and 5-hole clips??

Pics of the holster (on and off the body):

This will give approximately 1/4″ of leverage and pushes the grip into the stomach, helping with less printing of the grip. And yeah, the leather is already wearing (and this photo is zoomed-in).
Secured with velcro. Velcro is stuck to clear packing tape (sticks better this way than directly to the leather).
This protruds out a bit, purposely – I wanted a good buffer since this area is a strong pressure point.
How it looks now.
This is pre-wedge install.
This right here is what counts! This is MUCH better than the above picture – less printing!
Categories
AIWB appendix gun belt IWB

New Holster and EDC Belt

I posted here that I’d purchased a new holster.

Because I’m trying appendix carry (with a 4.25″ 1911), I needed a new belt, as the traditional belt (with buckle) doesn’t work well with appendix carry.

I bought a Wolf Tactical Heavy Duty Simple EDC belt from Amazon. I’ve tested it’s fit and it wears well! I like it a lot, so far but really, all it has to do is not be in the way when I carry this 1911 appendix-style.

How’s the Crossbreed “The Reckoning” holster? Eh, it’s OK.

I ran into one issue where the damned gun wouldn’t fit into the kydex shell. The mould is wrong for this shell, as ended up cutting a bit of kydex off where the muzzle rests – the shell has a muzzle stop, but it ends up stopping the gun from fully seating into the holster; the trigger is exposed. Once I cut off the muzzle stop, I was able to properly seat the firearm.

I didn’t want to return the holster because it’s December and I didn’t know when I’d have received the proper holster. Cutting the kydex a bit didn’t bother me. I do recommend that anyone that wants to try this holster and needs to carry an Officer or Commander 1911 should probably buy the holster for the 5″ gun, otherwise you’re going to run into fitment issues.

Another thing I wish this holster had was height and cant adjustment. I’ll look at their website to see if they’ve adjustable clips. UPDATE: I just looked on their website and they have 3-hole versions of the clips that I have, for $3.75 each. I might be able to use clips from other holster makers, too. would be nice to have more than 4+ hole adjustments.

Also, this holster has a claw, which helps a LOT, but I also needs a wedge. I need the gun pushed into my body a bit more than it is, as the gun’s grip is poking out and printing. I suppose I could add a wedge to it.

Mirror shot #1, concealed
Mirror shot, unconcealed
Mirror shot, close up, unconcealed
From above, notice how the grip sticks out – a wedge would probably fix this issue.
Mirror shot, zoomed out a bit
From the right side
From center-right
From 3:30 – 4 o’clock
1-2 o’clock
Directly from the front
Mirror shot #2, concealed

I’ll report/share more as I learn more about appendix carry, but it looks like I may need a wedge (it’s digging into my lower abdomen pretty good, too).

UPDATE – see post wedge installation photos here.