Product Review: CrossBreed IWB Holster

[bg]

Those of you who have had the exquisite pleasure of meeting me in person know that--in accordance with the cadence requirement for being Airborne--I am indeed thin. This means my hips aren't girded in baby-soft rolls of cookie dough like some of my cornfed brothers on here. Owing to this, I have always been reluctant to try an Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holster.

My woman, having received an education in firearms from the University of Media Bullshit, has made it clear that carrying outside the waistband (OWB) is not an option. Actually she has expressed that carrying, owning, or even looking at a photo of firearm are all off-limits. Seeing as how the title to my balls is still in MY name, I looked her square in the eye and said... "Fine." and then began a search for an IWB holster.

I read several good reviews on a variety of quality IWB holsters but I really didn't feel like dropping $120 on one. I came across a review for CrossBreed Holsters and saw the words "free two-week trial" and "money back guarantee" next to the price tag of $65.

Sold.

I ordered the SuperTuck about a week before going to the Sizzler and it was waiting for me by the time I got back; delivery was a lot faster than I had expected. It didn't look like much when I opened it, and it was light...very light. And the retention was like a vise. I followed the instructions for adjusting the retention (about 10 mins of softening the Kydex with a hairdryer) and the results were exactly what I wanted.

I went with the horsehide option; an extra $15 for that but I like upgrades. Stiff as a board, but this wasn't the first time I had dealt with new leather (thanks to Mistress Kwok Song Joon; ask for her at the Parlor on Union Ave and 6th St) and I put it on, holstered the weapon (Glock 30) and just walked around for a while.

It was obvious that something was "there" but I expected that because using an IWB was a new experience. After about ten days (two weeks, tops) the leather had molded to the shape of my bony hips and I couldn't feel the gun or the holster anymore. I could feel the weight of it if I jogged or climbed stairs, but other than that I have to purposely bump the rig with my elbow every so often to remind myself that it's there.

The design on this thing is pretty simple: One cut piece of leather, a piece of Kydex molded to the shape of the gun you requested, and a couple of Kydex J-hooks (note: hooks have since been upgraded to steel). The design allows you to tuck your shirt between the gun and the hooks that go over your belt. It works well because nobody at church seems to know I'm carrying.

Like every other company, they throw a catalog in with your order before they ship it to you. Their catalog was horrible. I mean this thing was slapped together by a 15-yr-old with a cracked copy of Word Perfect. That kind of thing bugs me (being a designer and all) and so I made the guy a new one. It didn't take long, but then the bar wasn't set very high in the first place. Then I sent the owner an email and asked if he would be interested in doing a little bartering for a new catalog layout. He said he would, so I ordered another type of holster, a belt, and two IWB mag holders (a single mag and a double mag).

Right now I'm breaking in the Qwik Clip model which seems to be taking far less time than the SuperTuck. The mag holders are a different story, though. A fat Glock and a fat, double-stack magazine are not BOTH fitting inside the pants I own now. I'll be hitting walmart at some point to see just how fat my pants need to be to fit a pistol, two mags, and this 72oz ribeye I have to carry with me everywhere I go.

I can't compare this to any other IWB because this is the only one I've tried. But what I can tell you is that I know whether or not something is comfortable and these two holsters (SuperTuck and Quik Clip) are extremely comfortable. And with a bony ass like mine, that's saying something.

Anyway, for those of you who carry concealed at all, check out their website (which also needs desperate help but I don't do html).

Here's some pics from the catalog I was working on for them.
They have six or seven different holsters, these are just three of them.

[bjohns5454]

This means my hips aren't girded in baby-soft rolls of cookie dough like some of my cornfed brothers on here.

Damn!!!!!

Seeing as how the title to my balls is still in MY name, I looked her square in the eye and said... "Fine."

The title may be in your name, but we all know the goods are in her purse and she shows them to you on special occassions.

thanks to Mistress Kwok Song Joon; ask for her at the Parlor on Union Ave and 6th St

Next time you go, I think I left my wallet there...

If I am wearing a jacket, I wear mine in a Safailand paddle holster.



Otherwise I wear mine in a Blackhawk Urban Carry fanny pack.

[AbnJack]

Otherwise I wear mine in a Blackhawk Urban Carry fanny pack.

I just can't bring myself to wear a fanny pack, I'd carry a man purse first....much quicker and easier to whip it off and hit someone over the head with it.

[bjohns5454]

much quicker and easier to whip it OUT and hit someone over the head with it.

Fixed it for you!

[dixierat]

Fixed it for you!

Now jack'll be thinkin' you think he's got a big dick.

I need a good IWB holster for my XD. Or maybe one I can wear in the small of my back.

[StrikeHold]

I just can't bring myself to wear a fanny pack, I'd carry a man purse first....much quicker and easier to whip it off and hit someone over the head with it.

X2. Fanny packs could not be gayer.

[bg]

I need a good IWB holster for my XD. Or maybe one I can wear in the small of my back.

They make a Small of the Back version.

...And a man purse, too.

The belt I ordered from them hasn't arrived yet, but I'll post after I've worn it for a while.

[StrikeHold]

I use a belly band from Galco. Its very versatile. The only thing I dont like is re holstering one handed is not possible.

I like the looks of these Crossbreeds, though.

[bg]

I use a belly band from Galco. Its very versatile. The only thing I dont like is re holstering one handed is not possible.

I like the looks of these Crossbreeds, though.

The Kydex on the CB is stiff enough to hold the mouth of the holster open when it's empty. I haven't had any problems with one-handed reholstering and you can feel the gun "pop" into place when you do it.

The 3:30 position on my belt seems to be the optimum spot for me. YMMV

[LRS Guy]

I use a Galco IWB for my Glocks ( a 19 and a 33).

Kydex Uncle Mikes for most the rest of the time.

[yrualeg]

Brian

Excellent post Bro. After looking at the Crossbreed site and looking at some of the other products they offer I think I may actually grab one of their holsters myself. I need a good IWB holster since the one I have sucks balls. Works great but not at all comfortable so it's out.

[Mortarman11c]

I appendix carry. Right in the front next to the family boyz. The barrel sits parallel to my groin and rests in the crease of my leg when seated. This carry also allows an easy draw that doesn't draw attention to you. I have carried this way for years. You don't print out to the side, and you have excellent weapons retention.

[Doc Hollywood]

I too an a skinny fucker and have never liked the IWB holsters... until I got a CompTac Infidel. I have not belted my weapon since (other than my duty belt) and have no plans to return to belted holstering.

I never feel my holster or weapon - unless its not there.

That rig looks like it has a lot of material to it but I will probably check one out for gigs.

[bg]

I appendix carry. Right in the front next to the family boyz. The barrel sits parallel to my groin and rests in the crease of my leg when seated. This carry also allows an easy draw that doesn't draw attention to you. I have carried this way for years. You don't print out to the side, and you have excellent weapons retention.

I've heard that a lot of people find appendix carry to be convenient and comfortable.
I'm just paranoid about having the business end of a muzzle shoved into my junk.
Unreasonable? Sure. But I get very superstitious when it comes to protecting "Sgt. Rock" and his duffle bags.

[Doc Hollywood]

A retired CSM once showed me how a certain country's assassins carry appendix style like that with no holser, shirt tucked in and all that... we did a (range safe) draw down competition and he beat me every time.... i was impressed but I'm still not sticking my Glock next to my cock....

I've heard that a lot of people find appendix carry to be convenient and comfortable.
I'm just paranoid about having the business end of a muzzle shoved into my junk.
Unreasonable? Sure. But I get very superstitious when it comes to protecting "Sgt. Rock" and his duffle bags.