"Minimalist" holsters

Flashpoint

Flashpoint

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Just picked up an LEO trade in gen 4 G22 from the local FFL I had it shipped to and stopped by Academy on the way home just to see if they had a reasonably priced holster I liked before I ordered one from Amazon. I typically like the standard IWB single clip kydex holsters, they work well for me and I like being able to remove the firearm and holster at once with one hand so I can arm/disarm easily and quickly without F'ing with a loaded firearm.

Well I found this thing and it only cost me $30. Brand is Mission First Tactical. I like that it has the "claw" because the G22 is a big gun and it really pulls that grip into your body to prevent printing. Seems to work great, it's comfortable, easy to draw/re-holster with one hand, and secures with a nice positive click. Obviously this big boy is not going to be my EDC but I'd like to be able to carry it occasionally. The only thing I feel that it's lacking is there is no sweat guard at all for the entire slide. I doubt I'll be carrying a full size gun in the summer much if at all though.

Anyone else use a "minimalist" holster for a decent (compact or full) size gun?

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Flashpoint said:
Just picked up an LEO trade in gen 4 G22 from the local FFL I had it shipped to and stopped by Academy on the way home just to see if they had a reasonably priced holster I liked before I ordered one from Amazon. I typically like the standard IWB single clip kydex holsters, they work well for me and I like being able to remove the firearm and holster at once with one hand so I can arm/disarm easily and quickly without F'ing with a loaded firearm.

Well I found this thing and it only cost me $30. Brand is Mission First Tactical. I like that it has the "claw" because the G22 is a big gun and it really pulls that grip into your body to prevent printing. Seems to work great, it's comfortable, easy to draw/re-holster with one hand, and secures with a nice positive click. Obviously this big boy is not going to be my EDC but I'd like to be able to carry it occasionally. The only thing I feel that it's lacking is there is no sweat guard at all for the entire slide. I doubt I'll be carrying a full size gun in the summer much if at all though.

Anyone else use a "minimalist" holster for a decent (compact or full) size gun?

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I’m sure it clicks in there pretty good, but in no way would I personally trust a rig like that. Especially with no manual safety.

🫣
 
I have one for a Sig P365, so not a full size. But I really like it a lot especially if I’m just throwing it in my Waist band with some drawstring shorts or something like that. I think the retention and trigger security are on par with other Kydex holsters, so I would take the comment above with a grain of salt
 
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Don't have it in that chassis anymore but that's about as minimal for that mass and length as I could fathom.

Worked really well, didn't waggle nearly as much as I expected for being nothing more than a clip that engages a rail and covers the trigger guard.

I've got an LCP and a Bodyguard 38M&P in pocket holsters that are basically a hooked cover that snaps over the trigger guard. Works great.

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barf said:
I’m sure it clicks in there pretty good, but in no way would I personally trust a rig like that. Especially with no manual safety.

🫣
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While I prefer a leather pancake, if the trigger is completly covered, I don’t see where this would be any less safe.
 
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fieldgrade said:
While I prefer a leather pancake, if the trigger is completly covered, I don’t see where this would be any less safe.
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I am not saying it’s unsafe while properly secured, I think it has a much higher potential of coming out of the holster than if using a traditional holster.

I have never used one, I only said I wouldn’t trust one (especially without testing it out).

Anyone that have one ever tried sprinting with it, or running down stairs? Going to the ground while sparring? I just feel that it is in danger of popping out with movement, especially wearing drawstring shorts or sweatpants.

You’re not always going to be standing still with no one within arms reach when you need it.
 
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barf said:
I am not saying it’s unsafe while properly secured, I think it has a much higher potential of coming out of the holster than if using a traditional holster.

I have never used one, I only said I wouldn’t trust one (especially without testing it out).

Anyone that have one ever tried sprinting with it, or running down stairs? Going to the ground while sparring? I just feel that it is in danger of popping out with movement, especially wearing drawstring shorts or sweatpants.

You’re not always going to be standing still with no one within arms reach when you need it.
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That’s a fair concern.
 
This one came with a G43 I bought.

rcsgear.com

VanGuard 2 Standard Kit - IWB Minimalist Holster

The VanGuard 2 is a minimalist IWB holster. Unlike traditional IWB holsters, the VG2 covers only the trigger guard of your weapon. This unique design eliminates the bulk of a traditional holster.
rcsgear.com rcsgear.com

I like it, but because of the snap it takes to seat it, I'm not comfortable with trying to holster it while it's clipped to my belt.

I clip it, then snap it onto my belt.
 
barf said:
I am not saying it’s unsafe while properly secured, I think it has a much higher potential of coming out of the holster than if using a traditional holster.

I have never used one, I only said I wouldn’t trust one (especially without testing it out).

Anyone that have one ever tried sprinting with it, or running down stairs? Going to the ground while sparring? I just feel that it is in danger of popping out with movement, especially wearing drawstring shorts or sweatpants.

You’re not always going to be standing still with no one within arms reach when you need it.
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I won't be carrying this G22 in drawstring shorts/sweats, I can tell you that much. 😂
 
barf said:
I am not saying it’s unsafe while properly secured, I think it has a much higher potential of coming out of the holster than if using a traditional holster.

I have never used one, I only said I wouldn’t trust one (especially without testing it out).

Anyone that have one ever tried sprinting with it, or running down stairs? Going to the ground while sparring? I just feel that it is in danger of popping out with movement, especially wearing drawstring shorts or sweatpants.

You’re not always going to be standing still with no one within arms reach when you need it.
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At least on my P3 65 the retention is really good. I haven’t been in an MMA match yet, but I was able to successfully complete all of the dance moves from Swan Lake, while wearing one retained in my yoga pants.

I’ve actually had concerns that if I went to drawl it that the clip might not be strong enough for me to get the gun free of the holster.

I understand your concerns from just looking at it and never handling it, but with my n of one they are poorly founded
 
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vp9c said:
At least on my P3 65 the retention is really good. I haven’t been in an MMA match yet, but I was able to successfully complete all of the dance moves from Swan Lake, while wearing one retained in my yoga pants.

I’ve actually had concerns that if I went to drawl it that the clip might not be strong enough for me to get the gun free of the holster.

I understand your concerns from just looking at it and never handling it, but with my n of one they are poorly founded
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Well if you can swan lake, it’s probably good to go.
 
Any holster sold in a big box store like academy will be garbage including such minimalist holsters of questionable retention. if the goal is appendix carry, the top holster makers are JM custom, darkstargear, PHLster, Henry Holster, maybe Tier1.

the G17/22 is easily carried AIWB w extra magazine. It is my summer and jogging carry.


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I used the mft minimalist for the p365x for a long time it's a great holster in my experience.

It's very tight fitting with the retention screw properly adjusted.
 
vp9c said:
At least on my P3 65 the retention is really good. I haven’t been in an MMA match yet, but I was able to successfully complete all of the dance moves from Swan Lake, while wearing one retained in my yoga pants.
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I admire your courage. 😉
 
I tried a minimalist holster for a while and didn't like it.

I'm a big fan of wmls though, and 100% prefer a double clip holster to keep the pistol from rotating which is necessary for a full size pistol and full size light (in my experience).

I don't recall having retention issues, just wasn't my cut of tea.
 
]I used to carry a G23 in a Raven Concealment version of the holster you have posted. It was completely locked in for sure as I remember hearing it click as I locked it in BEFORE I put it down my pants.

Sun is shining outdoors as I sat down on a bench weird, and the gun popped out of the holster while in a VERY public place with a LOT of kids around. Had to take my wife's jacket and cover my front (appendix carry) like I was hiding a huge boner with one hand and gripping the grip with my other to keep it from pointing at my femoral/legs/groin as the gun was no longer attached to the holster.

Had to find the nearest restroom to gingerly pull it out carefully and remove mag & chambered round. Popped it back into the holster with a mag and NOTHING in the chamber and finished off the afternoon. NEVER used that holster again with a round in the chamber.

YMMV.

Tenicor Certum is an excellent holster for appendix with a compact Glock IME. But a 23 is not a 22.

Micro guns make better carry guns and I have no problem with .380 personally.
 
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