Concealed Carry Basics Part 2: Holster Options
You Have Your Pistol – Now How Do You Carry It?
This is the second installment in the Concealed Carry Basics series. In Part 1, we addressed the factors involved in choosing the right firearm for you to carry. As we mentioned there, people have been carrying firearms for protection since there have been firearms. The practice can be as simple as literally carrying it (like, in your hands) or tucking it into your waistband. However, the first method will likely (at best) lead to a chat with Officer Friendly after he gets a MWaG (man with a gun) call while the second might lead to such pleasantries as a surprise vasectomy. Therefore we strongly recommend not using either method for your EDC.
Many, if not most, folks who endeavor to carry a firearm tend to go through a number of holsters before they find the one that works best for them (or, worse, end up using a bad holster). Thus they end up having to try to sell their used holsters or having the proverbial box o’ holsters tucked away into the back of their closets. Good holsters can be somewhat pricey and a box of pricey holsters can add up pretty quickly to real money.
We’re here to help with some basics on what kind of holsters are available and some considerations to keep in mind when choosing yours. As with the choosing a firearm part, This article is not a primer on what specific holster is best or which one you should get – instead, we hope to help you find one that works best for you and your situation.
If you are starting from scratch, head over to Firearms 101 for the basics on what firearms are, how they work, and commonly used acronyms.
So, you have the firearm you want to carry for protection… what next?
First off, you should definitely use a holster – no questions asked. Sure, some people do just drop a firearm into their pocket or purse or tuck it into their waistband like they just got out of jail and found it in an unlocked glovebox, but it’s a bad idea for several reasons addressed below. Continue reading
Alien Gear Holsters Releases New Cloak Tuck 3.0: Concealed Nation Edition
In response to winning Concealed Nation’s 2016 “Best Holster in the History of Ever” reader poll, Alien Gear Holsters teamed up with the concealed carry website powerhouse to deliver the all-new Cloak Tuck 3.0: Concealed Nation Edition.
Sporting a brand new look, the Cloak Tuck 3.0: Concealed Nation Edition comes as a product of a dual collaboration between both brands.
During the online poll, Alien Gear Holsters won several titles from Concealed Nation’s readers, including the highest in gun holster comfort, holster utilization, repeat business and affordability rates.
For Customer Service Team Leader Maxwell Wiener, the opportunity to connect with such a highly regarded concealed carry website is an exciting time for both brands.
“We are super excited to be recognized and partnered with Concealed Nation,” Wiener said. “It feels great knowing a product like our Cloak Tuck 3.0 has provided safety, comfort, and peace of mind to so many.”
Concealed Nation’s Brandon Curtis is also excited to offer customers a concealed carry holster.
“This partnership with Alien Gear Holsters to create these dual-branded holsters is something that we have been excited about for a while now,” Curtis said. “Paring these two companies for this project seems like a natural way to bring the brands closer together, and we hope to see positive feedback from both communities. We are happy to continue work with the great folks at Alien Gear Holsters, and are excited to promote responsible concealed carry together with these new holsters.”
Alien Gear Holster and Concealed Nation fans can order this special edition Alien Gear IWB Holster here.
Alien Gear Rolls Out New Cloak Mod OWB Paddle Holster
The GunLink team has been enjoying Alien Gear’s holsters since we bought our first one shortly after they went on sale and have been wearing them almost exclusively as our primary holsters. Colder winter months, however, as well as different kinds of dress and situations occasionally alter my carry methods from my favorite old Cloak Tuck 1.0 IWB to an OWB holster. While I don’t prefer it in a lot of situations, especially in the hot shorts-and-tshirt months, I do like the convenience and ease of access (and not having to wear over-sized pants) afforded by OWB carry. That is why I was excited to see the latest new product coming out of the Alien Gear workshop at January’s SHOT Show: a new modular OWB paddle holster.
This cool, versatile holster has now moved from vaporware to CCW-wear with the official roll-out of the new holster. I look forward to getting one to try out for myself. The official announcement of the new model is below. Continue reading
Low Profile UltiClip Offers Deep Concealment, Improved Retention
In their recent press release, Florida-based Ulticlip claimed that they intended to “bring concealed carry into the 21st Century.” As far as we can tell, they’ve done a pretty good job of modernizing one of the integral components of many holsters: the belt clip. Check that. Calling it a “belt clip” might not be all that accurate since the Ulticlip allows something somewhat uncommon: CCW without a belt.
Company owner Randall Darby sent over some of his Ulticlips to check out, so we gave them a try on a few different holster types. UltiClips are designed to work with a variety of holster designs. Basically, if your holster has belt clips that attach by a screw or fit through a sleeve, the Ulticlip will likely work with it. Paddle style holsters and pocket holsters without clip might be able to be cobbled up to work with the Ulticlip but, by their nature, they probably won’t work as designed.
We did most of our testing on our EDC IWB rigs from Alien Gear and N82 Tactical. Our N82 testing was done on the Pro model holsters; although the Original and Original Tuckable models use a clip that fits into a leather sleeve with a notch for the rib to stick out of, the sleeve is too tight for the Ulticlip rib to fit through. We also took the Ulticlips for a spin on a couple other styles of holsters and let some gun-buddies try them out on their holsters to get opinions.
The Ulticlip makers claim three main benefits of the upgraded belt clip: “ultimate retention, ultimate concealment, and ultimate versatility.” Let’s take a look at how they do in reaching these three goals. Continue reading
Latest Alien Gear Holster Chosen as American Rifleman Editor’s Choice
GunLink has reviewed a number of Alien Gear holsters and accessories, including the original Cloak Tuck IWB holster and the updated Cloak Tuck 2.0 model and clip options. Now, their latest offering, the Cloak Tuck 3.0 line of holsters has been honored by the NRA’s American Rifleman editors.
American Rifleman has named the Cloak Tuck 3.0 concealed carry holster an Editor’s Choice for IWB holsters. According to Managing Editor Joseph L. Kurtenbach, Alien Gear Holsters has improved on the design of the Cloak Tuck Series after launching their third generation of concealed carry holsters.
After testing out the Cloak Tuck 3.0 for two months with several guns, Kurtenbach was impressed by a variety of elements that this inside the waistband holster had to offer.
“[I] was impressed by its comfort, concealment and ease of carry, regardless of the pistol’s weight.”
The NRA’s managing editor explained that Alien Gear Holsters has evolved the IWB holster to better suit the needs of concealed carriers.
“Alien Gear did not invent the winged IWB handgun holster, but the Idaho-based company’s Cloak Tuck 3.0 has evolved the design in terms of construction, comfort and value,” Kurtenbach said.
Kurtenbach tributes the quality of the Cloak Tuck 3.0 gun holster to a Continue reading
Ulticlip Says They are Bringing Concealed Carry into the 21st Century
(Chicago, IL) Ulticlip was designed out of necessity. There were no viable options on the market that provided ease of carry, concealment, unprecedented holster retention, and versatility in one product. Based on more than a decade of concealed carry experience, Ulticlip sought to address issues concerned with carrying a firearm. Ulticlip has met that need!
Ulticlip’s patent pending design replaces current holster clips, allowing firearm owners to carry with better retention, a smaller footprint for increased concealment, as well as maximum versatility. It can be worn with or without a belt and securely clipped in a backpack or purse. Ulticlip’s design gives the firearm owner options that the standard holster clip has not allowed in the past.
Ulticlip is proudly made in the USA and was brought to market in May of 2015. Ulticlip has acquired the praises of firearm owners from Japan, the Caribbean, South Africa, Europe, and across the USA. Satisfied customers have said, “Why didn’t someone think of this sooner,” and “This is the product that I have been waiting for!” A great product and outstanding customer service is the ultimate goal of Ulticlip.
Randall Darby, a life-long firearm owner, is the president and designer of Ulticlip. He has worked as a full-time Missionary for over 20 years. Randall states, “Exceeding our desire to make a quality product is our vision to make a difference in this world. Ulticlip is a Christian run business. We believe that real change starts in the heart of man. For that reason Ulticlip gives a portion of the profit from each clip sold, to faith-based charities.”
For more information and video demonstrations, go to ulticlip.com and watch for a review of the Ulticlip on GunLink coming soon!
