I have picked up several IWB kydex holsters for concealed carry. All of them have little things to nitpick about (some have a lot to complain about) but I have to say I have been overwhelmingly impressed with this holster. I bought this as an experiment, both to check out the manufacturer, and to check out the possibility of carrying my RIA 5" 1911.
So, first off, the holster looks and feels good. I went with the carbon fiber for the looks and it looks attractive, and its well made and shaped. The gun gives a positive click when holstered, and the retention was spot on right out of the packing bag. Thumbs up! The holster retains retention even turned upside down and shaken, but is till easy to draw from the belt. Retention adjustment is provided by two screws with full washer and grommet along the open edge of the holster. Easier to maintain retention with two screws over a single screw. Thumbs up! The belt clip is also a solid two screw affair, with grommets and washers. The clip is polymer, and fairly thick. There is plenty of space between the clip and holster, and should handle even fairly thick belts. Works fine with my Relentless Tactical gunbelt.
Secondly, the holster has the edges chamfered. So, no sharp edges. Thats not to say the edges are all perfectly rounded, they are not. They are still more or less straight, and there are a few spots where the edges are bit harsh. Overall the the finish on the edges and the corresponding comfort are great. I wore the holster around for a day, and the only discomfort was really with the length of the gun when sitting (5" barrel). Compared to some of the sharper edged competition at the same price point, you get a lot more bang for your buck in these holsters.
Finally, the sweatguard comes up all the way to the back of the slide. The only portions of the gun that are exposed are the hammer, the back edge of the ambi safety, and the beavertail. The holster is slightly canted to the rear, and by slight, I mean around 8 degrees or so, not an FBI cant.
Overall I would have to say that Concealment Express gives a lot of bang for the buck. This holster provides a lot of value for the price, and competes with some of the holsters here I see for $60 to $70. Is it perfect? No. There are some minor annoyances with the holster, just like any other on the market. Is it worth the $40 I paid for it? Hell yes! I just bought three more for other guns I own.
Finally, I do have to mention their customer service. Its outstanding! I mistakenly ordered the wrong Walther holster. I needed a PPS, and clicked on a PPQ. Totally my mistake. I called their number and explained the issue, and they are going to exchange the holster for the model I need. Super impressed!
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 7.56 x 4.84 x 2.24 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.08 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9 x 6 x 3 inches |
| Brand Name | Concealment Express |
| Color | black |
| Material | .08" KYDEX |
| Manufacturer | Concealment Express |
| Part Number | CEX-1911-35NR-CF-LH-VAR |
| Style | 1911 3.5" Officer (NR) (Non-Sig) |
| Size | Left Hand |
| Hand Orientation | Left |
