#t.rex-arms

[rusopolous]

For a little while now I was not feeling up to sharing what I have with the world or rather the World Wide Web, but I’m mostly going to talk about the product from @trexarmskydex known as the Sidecar. A lot of people who have Instagram profiles who are in the firearm community know about or have come across the companies holster in some way. Whether they are originally from T.Rex-Arms or another company uses the same idea. Now, I got my sidecar for my H&K VP9 specifically without a light (mostly due to me not having any training with the light). Anyway, the wait was about 5 weeks, 4 for making it and a week to deliver. May I mention that this comes from across the country (east coast) and has been delivered to me (west coast). I am very pleased and satisfied with my purchase.

The photos here are just some small details about the holster that I find very important. Since it is an appendix carry holster, one factor that the creator took into account was that with most holster that are for AIWB still print with the handle of the firearm. Thus, he created the “raptor claw”. It has been redefined and has a more soft shape to it in order to press against the waistband of the pants or the belt it is attached to. Another detail is surrounded by the magazine release for the VP9. The holster covers the mag release, due to possibly magazine ejections when deploying the firearm. Along with this they have flared out a portion of the pistol well for easy deployment and re-holstering. In my opinion, this does make it much easier and can cut back on time if and when in a combative situation. The mold itself for this specific firearm and magazine is pretty thick compared to my other IWB holster. It does from time to time shave off kydex when deploying, but that is also due to drawing at angles. As for some of the other obvious details to this holster; they simply are practical, have purpose, and are pleasing (to my eyes at least). 

[rusopolous]

Have been thinking about getting a new holster ever since my Surefire x300-B. I already have a holster for the VP9, but it’s a single clip that doesn’t hold everything in place. Plus it’s not light compatible. Always liked G-Code stuff with their Incog holster until I started following T.Rex-Arms and what they provide. Been thinking about dropping money down for either their Sidecar, light-compatible sidecar, or their Raptor. The Sidecar is already pretty cool with it being able to hold the firearm and magazine with two clips, but can only be worn around the appendix. The Raptor seems to be enough for me, but I worry that the clip provided might not be able to really keep what I am carrying in place. Either way, I may still drop money on the Sidecar and train with what I have.

[rusopolous]

Been having a difficult time when choosing my next holster, whether it’s IWB or OWB. There are a lot of holster makers out there, but really there are only a couple that I like that actually have holsters for the weapon I have. OWB holster would be more suitable for Autumn and Winter seasons and IWB holster for Spring and Summer. IWB holster could be a year-round holster, but it’d be good to have something that had a little more retention and was OWB. I don’t really see a H&K VP9 being a duty side arm, but it’s not really small for conceal carry. It’s in between, but can work either way. I just see an OWB holster for large or full size pistols, something like a government model 1911, H&K USP, or even full size Glocks. IWB would be more practical with something Smaller than a Glock 19/23 like a Glock 26 or S&W M&P Shield. I don’t own any of them, yet. However, I have to make the choice in choosing a holster to accommodate my needs and wants.

It’s basically come down to @trexarmskydex and G-Code. For T. Rex-Arms I would get a Sidecar or the Raptor for appendix carry. The Sidecar is very popular and a lot of people favor it over G-Code’s Incog. It can carry and conceal a full firearm, along with a magazine. It’s a two piece constructed kydex holster that has a piece of kydex that pushes the handle of the firearm closer to the body. The raptor is the same thing, but does not have a magazine carrier connected. I feel confident enough to not shoot myself in the crotch to carry appendix. They did come out with their Ragnarok holster, but they only have them for Glocks. It is kind of a given, since they are pretty new. But, again, I don’t own a Glock (yet).

G-code has a cool holster that some people consider to be a level 2 holster, the XST holster. It is OWB, has a thumb release, and a retention screw near the trigger guard. It can be a standard holster or it can be attached through an RTI mount, which is pretty a pretty simple and interesting system. Never considered carrying OWB, but it seems much easier than IWB conceal carry. that’s probably the only reason I am even considering it.

Either way, I’m going to end up spending $100.00+ for a holster, but the decisions and options. T.Rex-Arms has the upper hand when making the choice, but another factor I have considered is weapon lights. Again, T.Rex-Arms takes the cake when it comes to making a holster that accommodates a weapon with lights mounted on them.