Recommendations for OWB range holster

[Danko]

Greetings, I'm seeking help finding a good Kydex/plastic type OWB range holster. Everything I've looked at has some sort of retention device. My gun is an M&P 9mm with 4.25" barrel. I just received an Uncle mike's Flex holster, but it has a plastic retainer that locks into the trigger guard making it nearly impossible to draw. It has no adjustment so I think I'll pitch it in the trash. I hate spending my money on junk

Any and all suggestions appreciated!

Thank you, Danko

[HeavyDuty]

Greetings, I'm seeking help finding a good Kydex/plastic type OWB range holster. Everything I've looked at has some sort of retention device. My gun is an M&P 9mm with 4.25" barrel. I just received an Uncle mike's Flex holster, but it has a plastic retainer that locks into the trigger guard making it nearly impossible to draw. It has no adjustment so I think I'll pitch it in the trash. I hate spending my money on junk

Any and all suggestions appreciated!

Thank you, Danko

Strong recommendation for JM Custom Kydex, Tony participates here. I’ve found his OWB2 model to be extremely versatile, and have one for just about everything. (Enough of them that I’m waiting for Tony to name his dingy after me if not the whole boat.)

https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/OWB-V2.html

[Danko]

Thank you for the suggestion. As it stands I never owned an OWB, so I don't have an idea of if, or how much cant I need. I need a holster I can adjust myself.

Danko--

[HeavyDuty]

10 degree is pretty universal, as is straight drop.

[RJ]

I agree that JM Custom Kydex are a solid choice, however, in this case OP asked for an adjustable cant, I presume because he's not quite sure exactly what will fit him best.

With that in mind, I would suggest as a viable alternative: Vedder Light Tuck. It is available for the pistol mentioned by the OP (M&P 4.25") and features an adjustable cant from -30 to +30 degrees. I've had a couple of these with no issues. Mine were well made and operated smoothly. It is a very simple holster. The price won't break he bank and will permit the gun to be carried for a while in different locations on the belt to gain knowledge and experience.

(As many have, I have a box 'o holsters, with many failed experiments. It's just how it goes. Being a lefty it's especially costly as I generally can't sell them as easily.)

https://www.vedderholsters.com/lighttuck/

[Casey]

JM Custom makes great stuff, and I've used a couple different variations of Tony's OWB holsters in training classes with zero issues.

For something a little more budget-friendly, a Blade-Tech Signature Series (https://www.amazon.com/Blade-Tech-Signature-Holster-Shield-Tek-Lok/dp/B07Q23J7WJ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=126M44UGG4KQ5&keywords=blade-tech%2Bm%26p&qid=1654743264&sprefix=blade-tech%2Bm%26p%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-2&th=1&psc=1) can be had for right at $45. If it doesn't work for you, Amazon's return policy is pretty liberal. This isn't something I would ever want to use for concealment, but for a basic range holster, it's quality.

[pangloss]

Lots of good choices, one of which is Dale Fricke's Gideon Elite.

Sent from my moto g power (2021) using Tapatalk

[NH Shooter]

Another vote for the JMCK OWB #2 (https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/OWB-V2.html), this one with 10-degree cant;


https://i.ibb.co/Zx1mBwQ/ppq-14.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/8s5CD9d/ppq-15.jpg

[Oldherkpilot]

Another vote here for JM Custom Kydex. I also have several Comp-Tac International holsters. Similar to the pistol market, its getting to point where you can't swing a cat without hitting a good holster these days.

[CarloMNL]

For something relatively inexpensive, I've had great luck with a Safariland 5196. Open top, with an adjustment screw so that you can dial in how much retention you want. Mine came as a vertical drop but you can give it an FBI cant by repositioning the screws on the belt slide mounting plate. Not sure if Safariland's idea of an FBI cant is 10 or 15 degrees though.

[JTQ]

...I'm seeking help finding a good Kydex/plastic type OWB range holster.

Here is the Dale Fricke Gideon Elite mentioned above https://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/gideon-elite-holster/
- it is a straight drop holster, but still could be used for concealment if needed.

JM Custom Kydex also has a specific "range" holster, the R/C OWB https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/R-C-OWB-Holster.html

The most common holsters you'll probably find on the range are the Comp-Tac International and the Blade-Tech Classic

Comp-Tac https://www.comp-tac.com/international-neutral-colors

Blade-Tech https://blade-tech.com/products/classic-owb-holster

[RJ]

Blade-Tech https://blade-tech.com/products/classic-owb-holster

Crap I totally missed the "range type" holster requirement.

Second the recommendation for a Blade-Tech. I've used a BT holster in USPSA since I started in 2016, first with a VP9, then with Gen 5 Glocks in 2017. They make a very good holster shell, and if you use the Tech-Lok, it is pretty easy to put on and off.

Tony's R/C holster is also excellent.

I ordered a Comp Tac once, but the retention and fit was sub par, so I returned it for a refund. Not sure they are all like that but my experience was not positive.

[GJM]

I have pretty much all the holsters mentioned, and they are excellent. However, a Comp Tac International is pretty much the school solution for a kydex range holster. They are often available for immediate delivery on Amazon for about $60.

[Danko]

Casey, good choice! I ordered a Blade Tech Signature holster last evening for 35 bucks. I paid and additional 12 bucks for the paddle attachment. I'm not sure what I need, so I figured I better get the attachment too. Thank you for your suggestions.

Danko--

[Danko]

Thank you for your suggestions. Last night I ordered a Blade Tech Signature series with a paddle attachment for a total of 48 bucks. I don't know what I need yet, so I figured I better get the attachment too.

Danko--

[Danko]

RJ, thank you for kicking in some suggestions! I ordered a Blade Tech Signature series last night with a paddle attachment for 48 bucks.

I like the quote at the bottom of your post! If only more people understood we should all do what's right all of the time, the world would be a more pleasant place.

Danko--

[Bill127]

Kydex is noted as being harder then leather on gun finishes, leather can be pretty rough too though. Leather collects grit over time and acts like sandpaper on the pistol. The bottom line is if you want to carry you are going to have to expect wear. There is no way around it I`m aware of other then to refinish when it gets bad. I would just use these sources for choosing and purchase:
https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Mikes-Range-Competition-Holster/dp/B07TJB33VP
https://theoptics.org/best-rangefinder-binoculars/