Raven Concealment Systems Ambidextrous Vanguard 2 Basic IWB Holster Kit Fits Glock Gen3/4, Black

I bought one of these several months ago and almost instantly threw in on top of my unused holster collection. I now know that that was a mistake. When I first tried it on, I had just come back from a long walk on the levee. I was wearing flannel lined cargo pants and no undershorts, so the barrel of the pistol felt cold and uncomfortable against my bare skin. It also seemed so much like I was just shoving a gun down the front of my pants that I was not comfortable with it. However, as I said before, I have quite a pile of unused holsters. That's because I am always searching for a way to conceal and carry my favorite gun on the planet, a Glock 30sf, in any kind of weather, not just in the winter with extra clothes on. I am 6' 2" tall and 227 pounds (as of this morning), so even though most would not call me fat, I do now have a bit of a belly bulge (I am definitely not winning the battle), and far too often the grip of my pistol prints too much. I have never been very comfortable with IWB carry, but I've tried it a few times. Recently I dug this little trigger guard out and, while dressed normally (blue jeans and underwear and my gun belt) I tried this holster again. And damn if it didn't hide whatever I put in it! I carry at about two o'clock, and this is as close as I have ever come to really concealing anything I want. I was shooting with some officers the other day, and when we had finished, I put my gear away, put my Glock 30sf on, and came back to talk for a few minutes. That was the first day I had worn this holster in public. I asked the guys if I was printing (just a T-shirt and light shirt on top, and they all looked at me for a minute, had me turn around a couple of times, and all said they didn't see my weapon. This is not a forget-you're-wearing it holster, but it's not that bad either. Easy to drive in and walk around with. So I then ordered the new Vanguard with the claw. That didn't work for me. The pistol printed more with the attachment. I contacted Raven, and they said no problem, just send it back. I did like the clip on the new holster though (sometimes I think I have the loop snapped closed and it turns out not to be), so I asked if they had any clips for my original Vanguard 2. They don't make them. So instead of returning the new holster with the clip, I cut the claw part off. I works OK, but it rides a little higher than the original. Yesterday I wore the original Vanguard with the loop all day, and I came home feeling just fine. So far, I do not have any holster that conceals as well as this one when it comes to mid-sized Glocks (maybe the new Sticky Holster I just bought, I'm still playing with that), and I have some top-of-the line holsters. The one drawback is that I must remove the holster from my pants to reholster, but if I am going somewhere where I want to be sure no one sees my weapon, right now this is the holster I choose.

Hands down best holster I own. Very robust/ well built and it fits my Glock 19 like a glove and it's so comfortable that I forget I'm carrying, and I always appendix carry if that's saying anything. Strong retention with a very distinct and audible click. I can run, jump, climb, work etc. without worrying about it falling out but at the same time, the retention is not too strong. I do not worry about it impeding my draw. Speaking of the draw, it sits high enough above my belt so I get a good purchase when drawing my weapon, both sitting and standing. The button clasp on the belt loop is very strong I never worry about it coming undone.However with all that being said, it is not perfect. Re-holstering the weapon after drawing is an issue to consider. Re-holstering one handed is close to impossible. Also the pointed end, that is closest to the end of the barrel which allows you to attach a cord if you do not want to use the belt loop will occasionally jab into your leg if you carry appendix and particularly after drawing the weapon. This dose not hurt, it's just a little annoying. Another thing is when you sweat in hot weather, the sweat will get all in between your weapon and your body creating a sticky, slimy feeling. I for one do not care about this but it's something to consider. Lastly read the directions, it seems pretty cut and dry but it is a little more complex than it seems.

These are my thoughts only! I have been carrying for 51 years. My experience has taught me that no holster is as comfortable as not wearing a holster. I have found that the weapon, loaded including holster should be 30 ounces or less, this may exclude active Leo because of department regulations concerning the carrying of weapons both on and off duty. More than 30 ounces will eventually become a burden. I now think in terms of a carry package, I don’t just buy a weapon and then try to figureout a holster. After many holsters and holster types-I mean many, I found this holster. It may not be approved for law enforcement use even off duty, but for the rest of us this is an option that should be considered. I use mine daily, the firearm,a glock 27 is very secure. There have been no hot spots with appendix carry, and the weapon is really concealed. To be safe, you need to slide the holster off to reholster but that is easy to do. This is a great idea, particularly with the belt loop, I have some doubts about using the lanyard method but truefully I haven’t tried that option. I do recommend trying this out! The Glock 27 loaded and this holster weigh 28.25 ounces-just about perfect.

Purchased one for my Glock 43 with the overhook a year ago and fell in love with it. I had been using an appendix IWB holster designed to fit my Glock 19/Surefire X300 and grew tired of having so much kydex, all the screws, rivets and such hanging out in the front of my pants...Finally picked up the G19 compatible version with the soft loop and can finally carry the G19 and G43 without being able to tell which I have on. Both are equally as comfortable with the vanguard, carry the same and don't shift around, tilt off camber or cause a problem. The soft loop snap is a beast to snap on and off the first week but after that, it breaks in nicely and remains secure. Never once had an issue with the weapon coming loose or popping out. 4/5 stars for not offering the overhook as a standard option for the gen3/4 models.

Really good retention.