Tag Archives | PHLster

PHLSTER Floodlight Holster

PHLSTER’s new Floodlight Holster isn’t specific to any handgun. It retains on the weapon light, the X300 Ultra A or B, so that it can accept a wide variety of handguns making it extremely versatile.

From PHLSTER:

The Floodlight is a universalized holster, made to accept nearly any service-grade pistol capable of attaching an X300U A or B weapon light.

To accomplish this, many features are smoothed, radiused, and regularized to accommodate the different shapes, sizes, and dimensions of this wide array of firearms.

Like the Spotlight holster, adjustable retention is included, allowing the user to increase or decrease the friction retention on the body of the WML to tune the draw to their preference. Turn the screws attaching the ModWing grip-tucking hardware to dial the retention to your preference.

In order to ensure the best possible fit and retention across the widest variety of pistols, the Floodlight is a two-piece design, like the Skeleton holster, but features adjustable slide contact. By shortening or lengthening the shock cord connected the two halves, users can reduce or eliminate play, rattle, and slop when switching between guns that have different slide dimensions.

The Floodlight, like the Skeleton, is ambidextrous and can be worn AIWB or strong-side IWB, using either soft loops or clips (included). Reduced, lower-profile ergonomic molding improves comfort in a variety of carry positions and provides an ideal attachment point for your choice of aftermarket ergonomic wedge or DIY solution.

Like all of our holsters, the Floodlight accommodates muzzle devices, suppressor height sights, and slide-mounted optics.

Visit PHLSTERHolsters.com to learn more.

Wheelgunners Take Note: PHLster City Specials Are Now Available

We let you know about the update and return of the PHLster City Special a few weeks ago and, now, the time has come. They are now available to purchase and shipping from the PHLster website.

This AIWB holster is designed with revolver specific details. It is available for the S&W J-Frame and, new for this updated version, the Ruger LCR. Both versions are compatible with Crimson Trace Laser Grips and feature mold elements near the muzzle end which help prevent the grip from pushing outward. The City Special also utilizes the PHLster TuckStrut belt hardware which provides a tuckable, IWB soft loop as well as a strut/claw that turns the grip of the gun in toward the wearer for improved concealment.

The biggest news is that both version also feature PHLster’s clever reload cut. This cut allows the user to wedge the revolver into the holster with the cylinder held open to facility a one handed reload. This was one of the most innovative features of the original City Special and it is nice to see it retained on the new version.

PHLsterHolsters.com

PHLster to Update City Special

PHLster is bringing back their City Special hoslter – an AIWB holster designed specifically for carrying small frame revolvers. Their original City Special was one of the most forward thinking holsters available for compact wheelguns. The new version looks to build on that legacy with new features, support for a new gun, and PHLster’s advanced manufacturing methods.

The City Special will be available in two versions for the Smith & Wesson J-Frames and, new for updated the City Special, the Ruger LCR. The holsters will support the snub configuration in all calibers for each revolver. All City Special holsters will be Crimson Trace Lasergrip compatible. Additionally, the holsters will feature subtle mold elements on the muzzle end that reduce hotspots and help prevent the feeling that the gun is tipping out away from the wearer.

Fans of the original PHLster City Special will remember the optional reload cut. I am happy to report that the cut will be standard on all new City Specials. This cut allows the user to wedge the revolver into the holster with the cylinder held open to facility a one handed reload. This was one of the most innovative features of the original City Special and it is nice to see it retained on the new version.

PHLster tells us they are aiming for a mid-October release for the new holster. It will be priced identically to the Classic ($74.99). Once released, the City Special will be a regular stock item with no lead time.

PHLster.com

PHLster Gen 2 TDI Fightworthy Sheath Upgrade

There have been a number of changes to the Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife over the years. This knife remains an absolute bargain when it comes to self-defense knives but things like thickness and even the shape of the primary bevel have seen changes throughout long time production of this knife. Most aftermarket TDI sheaths do not account for these changes in their design which can lead to poor fit and performance.

PHLster has updated their TDI Fightworthy Sheath to include dual tension adjustments. These adjustments should let the sheath offer better performance across all of the available TDI production variations. I do not know of another TDI sheath on the market with adjustable retention.

PHLsterHolsters.com

Review: PHLster Spotlight Holster for Glock 43 with TLR-6

Before I start talking about the PHLster Spotlight Holster for the Glock 43 with TLR-6, I need to give you some context. I’ve been carrying a Glock 43 with TLR-6 for a little more than 2 years. The TLR-6 adds significant capability to the G43 but it has one downside that had me so frustrated, I nearly got rid of it. It installs by wrapping around the G43’s trigger guard and it has a very rounded shape. Kydex holsters typically retain the handgun via a molded detent on the trigger guard or weapon light, both of which are difficult thanks to the shape and location of the TLR-6.

During the previous two years, I have purchased two different holsters from well established makers and tried several others. They just didn’t have acceptable retention. The last holster I was using was able to be tightened to the point that it had barely acceptable retention but only when the adjustable retention was completely maxed out. Unfortunately, repeated drawstrokes during training eventually loosened the holster to the point that the G43 will fall out under its own weight.

I was ready to give up on the TLR-6 and I would have… if PHLster didn’t release their Spotlight Holster just in time.

Overview

The PHLster Spotlight Holster was designed in conjunction with Henry Holsters. It is a kydex AIWB holster with a fold-over design and adjustable retention. It features dual soft loops that are adjustable for ride height and belt width (2″ to 1.5″ belts).

The Spotlight has two features that help turn the handgun grip in toward the user. The first is a tear-drop shaped ramp that is molded into the back of the holster. The second is Henry Holsters ModWing-L strut that comes with two different height pads to adjust how aggressively the handgun grip is turned into the wearer.

The holster is cut to accept slide mounted dot sights and extended to fully cover most barrel mounted compensators.

Observations from Use

I purchased this holster with just one hope – that PHLster and Henry Holsters would have worked out how to provide acceptable retention on the TLR-6. They did. It is not quite as crisp as my other holsters from PHLster and Henry Holsters but it can’t be due to the shape of the TLR-6. However, it does offer a more than acceptable level of retention and is far better than any other holster I have tried for this combination. The gun and light do drop into the holster with a pronounced “click”, there is MORE than enough retention, and PLENTY of tension adjustment left. That alone makes this holster important for those who are trying to make the G43/TLR-6 combination work.

The Spotlight Holster has a full sweat shield but it shaped such that it does not interfere with the drawstroke. Even with the holster set to ride as low as the adjustment allows, it is easy to establish a full grip.

This holster conceals extremely well. The molded in ramp and ModWing-L strut do an excellent job of turning in the grip. The extra length that PHLster adds to accommodate a compensator plays a big role in concealment. The little bit of extra length helps anchor the holster below the belt so it less likely to rotate out at the belt line and it provides additional leverage for the ramp. This holster conceals better than any of the other holsters I have tried for this particular gun and light combination.

I find the Spotlight Holster to be very comfortable. I think there is a misconception about ramped holsters with those who may not have tried one that the ramp itself may create a hotspot. I find the opposite to be true. The ramp is very rounded and has a tear drop shape. This creates a large area of contact with the wearer and prevents the hot spots that you get from some AIWB holsters without ramps that end up pressing the bottom corners of the holster into your body.

The shooter should plan on spending some time adjusting the Spotlight Holster to fit their particular needs when they first receive it. There are some very thoughtful adjustments built in. There are two ride height settings for the soft loops which will also have some bearing on how the ModWing-L works. The soft loops should be cut to fit your belt width as this great increases stability. Finally, you should spend some time experimenting with the ModWing-L and its different height pads. If you plan on using the Spotlight Holster somewhere other than the AIWB position, you may want to remove the ModWing-L altogether.

The fit and finish of this holster are excellent. The mold lines are clean, crisp, and the blocking is generous, all of which contribute to a clean draw stroke. Care has been taken to finish the edges and the sight track is straight as an arrow.

Wrap Up

I haven’t tried every available holster for the Glock 43 with TLR-6 but I have tried a lot of them. The Spotlight Holster is better than any of the holsters I have used by a country mile. It isn’t even close. The combination of the extra length, the well-designed ramp, the ModWing-L, and PHLster’s insistence on getting the retention right make this holster worth your consideration.

PHLsterHolsters.com

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