Tom recently posted an auction to support P-F and offered up some of his current, (soft release, not final), versions of his AIWB holster. He mentioned in that thread that he also had some available for right handed Glock 17 / 19 owners who might be interested at the current time.
Because in the short time I've been on this site I've noticed many favorable comments on Tom's work, his support of the site and membership, and a reluctance to toot his own horn, I decided to order one of the available holsters to send some goodwill his way.
Let me preface the following by saying that I also wanted to compare the Dark Star Gear holster to my JMCK "George". I am very happy with the "George" holster and Tony's work is unquestionably top shelf... but as nothing in this world is perfect and the last custom kydex holster I purchased before Tony's dates back to the middle to late 90's, I figured I might as well see for myself what the cutting edge in kydex holsters offers these days. Plus, since I have a fixed loop and neoprene wedge on the "George" I figured to get this one with a clip and claw to see how the other half lives.
The DSG holster just came in today so obviously this is very early in the game and I cannot give a review as if I'd been living with the holster for months on end. That said, I have come away with some observations and comparisons.
First off, here's a side by side image of the DSG holster alongside the "George", both front and back. Bear in mind that the "George" is sized for Glock 19 while the DSG is sized for Glock 17. (My usage is for Glock 19 and 26.)
You'll notice in the first shot that if the belt loop and clip on each holster are aligned that there is very little difference in the drop of the holster as far as how far it extends down into the pants. The second image was not aligned in the same fashion.
The obvious differences that you'll see right away of course is that the DSG has both somewhat more coverage in the front as well as a full length guard in the rear, whereas the "George" has a mid length guard (at my request).
The guard on the DSG completely covers the slides on both the 19 and 26.
The other obvious difference is that the "George" utilizes a neoprene wedge whereas the DSG uses a "claw" to tackle the job of pivoting the gun's grip into the torso. Both do an effective job at this. The difference that I found was that if I wear the George without the wedge, my two Glocks each print more than I am comfortable with. With the DSG, when I fashioned a wedge and attached it with a rubber band, it printed slightly less but not nearly to the same extent as the difference with the JMCK holster. This of course makes sense since the "claw" is still at work. That said, I think that a pad would be a useful addition to the DSG holster.
Interestingly, however, while the neoprene wedge on the "George" is comfortable and both firm and pliant at the same time, I am more aware of the "George" in a sitting position when compared to the DSG holster. Aware is not the same as uncomfortable. I simply mean that I am more aware of the holster's presence.
In terms of fit and finish, I have no complaints with either holster, they are both very well done with smooth finished edges. There are more adjustment and fitment holes noticeable on the DSG but that is due to the various methods available for belt attachment.
The DSG has a slightly more audible or distinctive clicking sound when either gun is holstered but the feedback on the "George" is as positive if a bit more muted.
The "George" holds both the 19 and 26 very securely yet offers a very slick draw.
The DSG holster holds both firmly but there is a very slight amount of vertical play when the 19 is holstered due to the slightly different tolerances between the two guns. It is still retained very securely and it is not noticeable when wearing.
Neither gun will fall out of either holster when shaken upside down.
The draw on the DSG feels slighly less slick in comparison to the "George" (due to the way it positively locks the trigger guard), but it is in no way inferior in my view. (This may in part be due to its being new and my not having drawn from the holster nearly as many times.)
Both holsters afford a full master grip when drawing from a standing or seated position.
Here are some images (taken in the mirror) of the newly received DSG holster with Glock 19. For reference, I am 5'10" and about 175 lbs.
To wrap things up, I'd have to say that the DSG AIWB holster is excellent and pairs well with my JMCK "George". Where the "George's" fixed kydex belt loop is a bit tighter and a somewhat more secure fit, the DSG clip allows me to throw the holster on a bit more quickly and has a slightly different feel when seated. They are both very comfortable from my point of view. I like the fact that the claw allows me to use the DSG without a pad although I still think that one is worth attaching for that little extra stealth. (Comfort is fine without it.)
(For those interested, I have several images of the "George" and some impressions here and here.
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Originally Posted by breakingtime91
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