The Comp-Tac C-Tac Holster
If you’ve read my Concealed Carry Primer you know that I prefer an inside the waistband holster for concealed carry. I would like to recommend such a holster to you today. A little history first. My off duty pistol was, for years, a Browning High Power. I have also carried a Colt Commander, an HK P7, a Walther PPK/S, a mini Glock and a Smith J Frame from time to time. Most of these were toted in an IWB rig. When my team transitioned to Glocks I elected to make that my off duty gun also. The problem came when I was trying to get a holster for it. I know finding a holster for a Glock these days is about as difficult as finding a candidate for governor in California. My problem was finding one that would hide the pistol under a t shirt. Most IWB designs have one or two
retention straps that are attached at the side of the holsters mouth. The width of the
Glock’s slide made things stick out too much for me to conceal.
Then I heard about Comp-Tac. I took a look at their on line catalog and called them. They were very patient with all my questions. I ended up ordering a C-Tac concealment holster from them along with a spare magazine carrier. A side note, the mag carrier is not an IWB model. The way it rides on the belt puts it in line with the bottom edge of the belt so there’s no real need to have it concealed in your pants. Comp-Tac has a thirty day money back guarantee if you find the holster isn’t for you
The holster is constructed of leather and kydex. The body of the holster is kydex.
There are two strips of leather that go out from the side and connect with two kydex clips which hold the rig in place. The cant of the holster is adjustable with another clip and an allen wrench that’s provided. This arrangement maintains a very thin profile. The leather provides flexibility for comfort. When I first got the holster I was a little leery of the kydex clips that hold the rig on the belt. I had visions of the old sheet metal clips on those little suede gun pouches. You remember the ones that would let the holster come out with the gun during a draw. Happily, I will tell you that the clips, after a couple of months and many,
many, many draws both dry and live fire, have held. The holster stays in the same place on my belt regardless of my activity. The rig itself is reasonably secure. Remember though, it’s a concealment, not a security holster. If you plan on rappelling, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes or other such things get a different holster.
One nice feature of the C-Tac is this, you can tuck a shirt in over the gun in you want.
The design of the holster allows you to tuck your shirt over the butt of the gun and
between the belt line of your pants and the clips. The only thing that shows is the clips.
With dark colored slacks or jeans it’s not very noticeable. You will have to wear a full cut shirt, maybe a little bigger than normal and practice a slightly different drawstroke
(pulling the shirt out with your weak hand as you draw with your strong hand) but it does
work and is an option you may want to explore.
If you are looking for a premium quality concealment rig from a company that will
take care of you give Comp-Tac a call or check out their site at www.comp-tac.com. You won’t be disappointed in their products or their service. Tell them Spike sent ya.
UPDATE 2 April, 2004
I recently broke one of the belt clips on the C-Tac. I called the folks at Comp-Tac and explained what happened. Without missing a beat they mailed me a new clip at no charge, no questions asked. It arrived two days after I called. That folks is customer service. A tip of Spike's Hat to the Comp-Tac crew!
