The 'UNholster': Another Brief Review

by FOG, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 10:17 (4287 days ago)
edited by FOG, Saturday, March 02, 2013, 13:00

(Edited for grammar + Figure caption added)

I like fine leather holsters as much as anyone, but I have to admit I always wanted to try a Clipdraw on a J-frame.

When I picked up this early AirLite model a couple of years ago, I just couldn't resist.

• Smith & Wesson Model 342 'AirLite' (.38 Special, not .357)
• Bianchi Speed Strip / Federal 125-gr Nyclad (Standard Pressure, not +P)
• Spyderco 'Jess Horn' (C27P)

Since then, it's been my EDC, and I must say, it works very well, within its obvious limitations.

I use it in the Appendix Position, just inside the front belt loop on my Levi's, and I have found that if I slide the gun backwards and butt the clip against the loop on my pants, things stay very well put indeed.

I wouldn't want to run a marathon wearing this rig, but since I can't anyway, I generally don't worry about such things.

Meantime, it does make for extremely discreet, yet easily accessible, concealed carry. This as partially due to the merits of the position itself, of course, but this setup is among the best I've ever tried for the J-frame.

About the only thing I don't like is the cheesy-looking mounting screw, but I have to admit it does the job. (Well, that and the original high-polish finish, but that was easy enough to fix with Scotchbrite...)

Also, just a guess, but it might not work quite as comfortably with J-frames having the old, standard, thinner barrel profile. The fatter, shrouded barrel of the AirLite is probably more 'gut-friendly'.

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