alucard0822
For great Justice
Ask anyone who carries concealed on a daily basis, a holster is probably the most difficult choice you will make. A good holster should retain the pistol well, draw and reholster well, go on and off the body easily, be comfortable, conceal well, spread the weight, be comfortable, be durable, and of course be comfortable. If a good defensive pistol isn't comfortable in it's holster, you may opt to carry a smaller, less formidable pistol, or perhaps not carry at all when you don't feel you need to. A good holster is worth it's weight in gold, yet should be comfortable for years worth of car rides, sitting, crouching, running, and walking. This is what I have been searcing for during the last decade since I began carrying outside of MD, and especially in the last 6 years as a PA resident carrying daily, and I have a pile of holsters to prove it.
Mainstream concealed carry, and IWB holsters have come a long way as state after state has improved the law recognizing our rights, and technology has improved as a result. The latest hybrid designs use a leather backing for comfort and support along with a molded Kydex pocket to hold the pistol securely, and use wide belt clip placement to spread the weight and stabilize the rig. This design became popular with Crossbreed, but soon had a number of imitators from small and large manufacturers designing similar models. The benefit of a wide flat and supple backing allows larger pistols to be carried comfortably. The Kydex shell is rigid, it won't collapse while reholsteringlike leather, and the pistol snaps in and out with positive retension to keep in place during activity. The design is thin, a single layer of leather is all that is between the gun and a single thin layer of kydex is against the waistband. The clips are spaced wide, this spreads the weight far across the belt, preventing sagging and shifting, they also can tighten up as you tighten the belt, and in most designs the clips are to either side of the kydex shell, so there is less bulk around the pistol. The downside is these holsters are large, and can be cumbersome, sometimes slow to take on and off. The usually require pants a size larger, and a good strong belt, I use a 5.11 trainer belt, and have been thoroughly happy with it.
The Foxx hybrid is a hybrid holster that follows this design. The kydex shell is riveted securely, available in several colors, and to fit several models, they are not interchangeable or replaceable like the MTAC. The thick and soft leather backing has the smooth side against the pistol, rough side against the body in tan or black cowhide, or tan horsehide, and a few embossed designs. I chose the optional stitched comfort pad, it is black velvet that is soft on skin, but holds onto an undershirt to help keep it in place instead of sliding like a moleskin or smooth leather backing, it's stitched and glued, looks great, and seems durable. The standard clips are metal, but there are optional kydex clips, J-hooks or Velcro low profile hooks, all are mounted with screws and countersunk nuts to allow adjustment. There are 5 mounting holes to adjust height and cant, although the shell already has a decent cant to conceal well, and came with the clips in the center holes that put the mouth of the shell even with the top of the waistband. The bottom edge is curved to sit perfectly on top of my hip, the top edge completely shields the slide and sights from contact with my side.
The shape is similar to the "combat cut" crossbreed uses, no leather to interfere with the grip, but shields the rest of the pistol from the body and keeps sweat off the pistol. The muzzle of my G20 sticks out just a hair past the bottom edge of the holster, but I can't feel it compared to the shorter G30. The Kydex shell holds the grip tight against the body, but has a large relief to clear the front sight. It snaps in and out with just enough effort to be secure without slowing a draw, and draws smooth without snagging the holster or body. I carry a full size G20 in it, and you forget you are carrying it, you can feel a bit less weight with smaller guns, but no difference in bulk or comfort as you only feel the holster, not the gun. There are signs you are carrying, no clear shape printing, with an untucked shirt it is as close to invisible as you can get, but thin shirts, tucking, or some motions can barely print, and the clips can give it away if you tuck your shirt, although the Velcro covert clips would solve that. I wear my shirt loose, and it practically disappears, although it is a tall order to hide under a t-shirt only, better suited to a tucked t-shirt, and untucked overshirt, or thin jacket. There are few holster/handgun combinations that offer a concealed and comfortable 12,000fpe of self contained badazzery.
The Little Foxx is a newer design. Unlike most hybrids including it's big brother it only has 1 clip and is much smaller. It has a flat leather backing(no comfort pad or clip options) for less bulk, same riveted kydex shell, and 1 clip mounted to flat nuts in a raised portion of the shell. THe rough side leather is fine with an undershirt, but was a bit rough when new, but over a couple months has softened up, and is more comfortable. The hardware is good, while the clip can be rotated to adjust cant, it also locks in place once the screws are tightened, and there is plenty of clearance between the hardware and slide so no scratches. It rides about 1/2" higher than the hybrid, and isn't really designed with a depth adjustment, although you can pull the clip off, and use the bottom hole in the clip with top hole in the holster to drop it deeper on the beltline. The single clip is very quick and easy to put on or off, and holds reasonably well. This design of course is not as stable or comfortable as the hybrid, but still works reasonably well. The retension is looser than the hybrid being the kydex is bowed out around the hardware, but is still sufficient, and like the larger hybrid it tightens with the belt. The soft backing kinda self adjusts to differences in thickness, mine is intended for a G20/G29, but thinner G17/19/26 fit perfectly, even the skinny XDs fits well, and stays in place with sufficient retension being the slide and trigger guard are rougly the same shape. It is better suited to compact pistols being there is less area to spread out the bulk and weight of large heavy pistols. It is exceedingly comfortable and convenient with my XDs, still comfortable, but shifts a bit with my G30, and really is only comfortable for short walks with my full size G20, sitting or moving you can feel the front edge of the slide dig in a little.
The website is decent with lots of pictures, and simple online ordering. There are other models, and most allow a decent amount of customization. There is an OWB hybrid with belt slots, "trap" full kydex IWB model, small of the back model, and a few mag holsters, belts and adhesive grip wraps.
Perhaps the most attractive feature is the price, both models start at $39, half the price of Crossbreed, and under most competitors. There are options that can increase the cost, and some other products they sell, my hybrid with kydex clips and stitched velvet backing was $58, shipping is free. All hardware, stitching, fitting, and materials are superb on both, the color is even, and doesn't bleed from the leather. On both orders there was a "4-5 business days to ship" disclaimer, both were shipped within 24 hours, and arrived from Warren, MI in 2 or 3 days, although some custom combinations may take longer. All holsters include a 14day trial, return it no questions asked if you don't like it for a refund. The instructions are basic, they come with medium retension, good for most, loc-tite on the hardware will help if it comes loose(mine haven't). The owner Ray is active on a lot of other forums, and the brand has a lot of other reviews and happy customers like me.
http://www.foxxholsters.com/
Both holsters look similar, and for me carry well in the same 4:00-5:00 position, both are tuckable. I have worn both, and they broke in nice and quick. I have had the little fox longer around 6 months, got the hybrid recently, they look perfect when new, and still look great after wearing them for months.
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