If you regularly carry a gun, you know that the perfect pistol is nearly useless if married to an imperfect holster. Anyone who holds a concealed carry permit will eventually amass an entire drawer or box of holsters that were purchased to be the next, great solution to the daily carry problem. Seldom does one encounter a truly new idea in holsters, either; most of the holsters on the market are variations on the same old thing. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise to spend some quality time with Survival Sheath Sytems‘ new bayonet holster.
I’ve long been a customer of Bob Humelbaugh’s excellent Kydex work. Over the years he has made many aftermarket sheaths and holsters for me. Kydex is my preferred concealed carry material, be it for guns or for knives. It is a no-nonsense, lightweight, durable thermoplastic that, when properly molded, holds its contents by friction fit alone. This is invaluable in a daily carry item. A good Kydex sheath allows you to draw smoothly and quickly, without tie-downs or snap closures or other encumbrances, while maintaining a positive hold on the weapon when it is not deployed.
Humelbaugh’s bayonet holster is a marvel of simplicity. It’s a C-shaped panel of Kydex molded to the gun in question with an open channel at the top to accommodate the sights. A simple Kydex J-hook, molded by Bob to match the holster, can be switched from side to side using a pair of screws. This means the holster weighs almost nothing at all; it is, with the exception of the screws, entirely plastic. The minimalist profile also means that while the trigger guard of the weapon is fully enclosed (a desirable feature in a concealed carry pistol), the rest of the weapon is accessible to afford a positive grip on initiating the drawstroke.
Retention is absolutely firm thanks to the Kydex molded to the trigger guard of the weapon. A pair of spacers beneath the barrel of the weapon hold the Kydex shape open and rigid, while (I presume) also permitting the user to fine-tune the tightness of the pistol. (I did not adjust these screws, as the tension was perfect for the J-frame test pistol used during the evaluation.) On the draw, the gun pops free and is biased slightly forward, which is entirely compatible with the elbow-high draw that I was taught by Chris Fry and Craig Douglas.
The bayonet holster is intended for Inside the Waistband (IWB) carry only. A very nice feature of the design is that it affords a one-hand re-holster. The Kydex remains rigid and open even with the gun deployed.
A caveat of all Kydex holsters is that they are meant for working weapons, not safe queens. Frequent drawing and holstering of any gun in a Kydex holster will eventually result in wear on the gun’s finish, especially if there is grit and other debris in the holster. This design, however, is perfect for all-day, every day carry of a deep concealment pistol. It keeps your clothing out of the trigger guard (preventing misfires) while staying the hell out of your way when it comes to taking a firm grip and drawing the weapon.
The bayonet holster is further evidence of Bob Humelbaugh’s mastery of all things concealed when it comes to Kydex weapons carry systems. Buy with confidence from his shop — and tell him The Martialist sent you.
Thanks for the thorough review of this concealed carry holster. A friction hold may not work for everyone who carries, but reviews such as this one will help reduce the number of drawers filled with unused holsters in the world!