There are few bigger names in the holster business than Safariland. I was told by a friend years ago that its hard to go wrong with one of their holsters, after years and several holsters later I echo his opinion. Today I am bringing you something a little different, as most of my holsters are OWB style. Today we are looking at the Safariland Incog X IWB holster for concealed carry.
The Incog X holster is available in a variety of options. With four different color options with it’s Cordura wrap, and you can order it with or without the magazine caddy. Another option is right or left handed draw, for those who carry on the wrong side. You can of course choose between various popular weapon light compatibility, as well as pistol optic cuts. These varying options can change the price from $100 to $132.
Setup and Assembly
Opening the package, I found the typical Safariland presentation. The holster and side-car came with a plastic baggy with additional fasteners and other small parts. The holster can be used with ot without the side-car (magazine caddy), the extra screws are for different configurations.
As well there are different sized spacers to install on the concealment strut, the polymer extension on one end to enhance concealment. You can change the thickness of the strut spacer to engage with your belt, causing the ride of the holster to hug your body.
The belt loop clips allow for various belt sizes. And the mounting holes are slotted so you can adjust the ride-height. There are two screws accented by a red washers, one on the holster itself and one on the side-car. The red washer identifies it as the tension screw, which you can tighten or loosen to set holster retention to your taste.
The back side of the Incog X holster has a comfortable microfiber suede soft lining. This makes it less abrasive where it contacts your body and waistline. As maximizing comfort is important when carrying.
Concealed Carry with the Incog X Holster
IWB holsters definitely favor the slimmer folks out there. If you’ve got a bit of extra tummy, it can make these style of holster a little less comfortable. With that said, I was happy with how well the Incog X holster fit me, despite my dad-bod. I definitely wasn’t going to be able to sit down with it in the appendix position though.
As you can tell, this is not me in the picture. You can see how a trim person can easily tuck this whole combination
It was impressive how well my gun hid under a simple t-shirt when I did carry it appendix. I thought for sure my abdominal profile would have pushed the pistol print out more than it did.
you can see on this trim model, there is some printing. Oddly enough having a dad-bod helped cover up the print
The security of my pistol was outstanding in the Incog X holster. I typically carry on the back of my hip, it was pleasing to have this comfort and control using this holster. And having the side-car with an extra mag was icing on the cake, as I don’t always carry an extra mag when I carry.
I also used the PSA Dagger pistol during testing, it fit perfectly as well
Adjusting the tension on the holster pocket was easy, I was actually surprised at how much tension could be added. To the point of making it irritatingly secure. After a few tries I found a good level of retention, as well as the correct ride height and fit.
I tried various Glock style pistols in the Incog X, mainly my Ruger RXM, and a PSA Dagger compact. Both are G19 size pistols, and compatibility with all of them seemed great.
the side-car magazine caddy is convenient and sturdy
Pros and Cons
The negative aspects of the Incog X holster are much like other IWB holsters. Meaning that its application greatly depends on the build of the person wearing it. In my opinion, if you are a chubby fellow it might be a little more challenging to use.
On the plus side, the holster offers great comfort and portability of your CCW pistol. It keeps it secure and close, for those times when you might need it. High quality fasteners and materials come pretty standard with safariland products. The Incog X comes with all the things that has made Safariland product so desirable.
Last Words
With so many great options out there, you definitely have choices. The Safariland Incog X holster is certainly a good option in my opinion. It brings high quality and compatibility and to be honest a handsome look to your CCW holster. You owe it to yourself to give these holsters a look if you are shopping for one.
As my love affair with pistols has matured, it has been commensurate that holsters have become a bigger and bigger part of my inventory. There are so many different options out there it can often be hard to choose. I’ve become a bit of a fan of Safariland holsters, the style and quality fit my taste and needs. Perhaps knowing I am a fan, Safariland sent me one of their new Gravity holsters. Today I aim to share with you my experience with it.
The Gravity holster is a paddle style holster, using a polymer paddle as an anchor point underneath your belt. Like other paddle holsters, the Gravity can be put into place or removed without the need to remove or even loosen your belt.
There is a flexible hook feature to keep the holster affixed to your waistline during the draw. Removing the holster requires flexing the holster away from the paddle to allow the retension hook to pass the belt.
Like most Safariland holster, the Gravity is made from a polymer blend molded to fit your pistol. In this case a Glock 19 pattern that will fit a variety of my handguns. The holster pocket can be adjusted for tension by a clamping screw backed by a rubber stopper. Inside the pocket, you will find a suede liner to protect your pistol from rubbing on the steel fasteners. And on the exterior you will find the traditional Safariland Cordura wrapping, in whatever pattern you choose.
Wearing the Safariland Gravity Holster
The Gravity holster rides outside your belt, meaning you are either open carrying or covering it with a shirt or jacket. Due to my daily program I often carry openly, or at least with no concern for concealment. This allowed me to put the Gravity through vigorous daily use; driving in the truck, sitting in my office, walking around a busy shop, etc.
For the most part I used my Ruger RXM for the daily carry in the Safariland Gravity holster. The fit was perfect, and allowed excellent draw access which I often practice during my day. While you can carry the Gravity holster in various locations, the most obvious and comfortable for me was at the back of my right hip.
Adjusting the cant of the holster to best fit my draw angle was easy, using the provided Allen wrench. I had ordered the Gravity cut for pistol optics because that how I roll now. My RXM and several other G19 pattern clones fit and functioned great. There is no mechanical retention other than the squeeze of the polymer and tension screw, so keep that in mind.
Safariland Gravity Holster Features
Adjustable Cant
Fully covered trigger guard
Adjustable tension allows for customized draw resistance
Front sight clearance 13/32” (0.406”)
Accommodates any Safariland 3-hole pattern holster mount
Fits belt widths up to 1.75” (45mm)
IDPA and USPSA approved
Pros and Cons
I carried my pistols for the better part of two months using the Gravity, and have come up with what i think are some fair assessments. Having the ability to quickly put on and take off the holster was one of my favorite features. I did find that I frequently did have a bit of a challenge getting the hook over my belt and pants. While this might make for comedic gold when watched from a safe hearing distance, it was a touch irritating. However I would much rather it be secure and solid when attached with a little effort to remove, than to have it come off too easy. I also noticed that when wearing a shirt, there is the classic problem of getting shirt jammed into the holster when re-holstering. This is simply a part of concealed carry, and something you need to be aware of.
OWB holsters are far more prone to printing, which this one certainly could be depending on my fashion sense any particular day. But again, these are things you just deal with as a CCW enthusiast. It appears at printing that the Gravity is only available for right-hand draw, and I didn’t see a weaponlight option either.
Carrying a concealed weapon can involve a lot of compromises, and I think the Gravity Holster does a fine job of giving folks options. I’m a member of the clean plate guild, which means IWB holsters are often uncomfortable. The Gravity gives a very secure alternative that doesn’t require wearing a Mu’umu’u. It keeps my pistol right where I expect it to be, and has the adjustability to customize. It can even be mounted using the Safariland QLS system which I am also a big fan. All this in a holster that looks sharp and comes from a company with great service history.
Conclusion
I have enjoyed using the Gravity Holster the past few months, and I expect I will continue to enjoy it for years to come. Handguns and their holsters have become to me like my wife’s shoes. I often select a holster and firearm based on the days activities and wardrobe, having the Gravity holster is another excellent tool to have on my belt when carrying.
After decades of shooting, I have noticed a decline in my quality of hearing. No doubt in part to a lack of using good hearing protection. I have more recently adopted the use of various hearing protection options, and today I bring one of them to you. I’ve been using the Safariland Liberator HP 2.0 headset for several months now, and I think its time to tell you more about them.
Modern hearing protection is incredibly helpful compared to what many of us grew up on. I remember wearing those original old foamies, which were better than nothing but still unpleasant. And then there was the old hand-me-down headphones we used to use for both shooting and riding around in Dad’s airboat. Neither gave great protection, and of course resulted in plenty of yelling in order to communicate.
My kids also have benefited greatly from shooting with the Liberators, seen here shooting theTaurus TX22
The Safariland Liberator HP 2.0 headset is a modern electronic advancement. It is an over-the-ear design that uses gel-filled cushions, spring-wire band, and dual microphones to bring in only the sound you want to hear. The Liberator’s are powered by a rechargeable battery using a USB-C connection. You can also power them with dual AAA batteries or a single CR123 lithium cell. The Liberators feature noise cancelling technology with multiple settings to adjust to your liking. Push-button controls allow you to adjust settings and volume, and the stereo mics and high definition speakers will help you with situational awareness.
the Safariland Liberators, note dual wind insulated mics.
In the field with the Liberators
Most of my shooting is done with rifles and carbines. But due to an overwhelmingly fun time shooting pistols, I have recently started spending a lot of time shooting them more. I usually don’t care for over-ear protection when shooting rifles, especially since I always shoot suppressed in open country. But for shooting pistols the Liberators are ideal, and I have put them to great use.
I have used other headsets before, but my very first impression of the Liberators was fantastic. The gel filled ear cups are very comfortable, and seal very well to the side of my head. The dual sealing cups block out a great deal of noise.
note the very soft gel filled cushions, with dual sealing rings to keep out noise
Turning on the headset was another satisfying experience, when powered up you here a “power on” followed by the sound of your surroundings in great detail. You can adjust the volume to better suit your conditions, a high pitch tone accompanies the volume up button and a low pitch tone accompanies the lower volume button.
Other less expensive headsets cancel noise, and pass voices through to your ears. But they also make it hard to tell where sounds are coming from. The Liberators dual mics give you a 360 degree awareness of where sounds come from.
Until shooting with the Safariland Liberators, I had never realized how valuable this feature is. If you’re out shooting alone it may not be a big deal. But when you are on a live range with others around its nice to know where everybody is, and which direction the shooting is coming from.
Going Hot
As I drew my pistol from my Safariland holster I was excited to get busy with targets. Most 9mm pistols aren’t incredibly loud, but they certainly justify hearing protection. As I went through magazine after magazine I was very quickly enamored with the sound control the Liberators offer. I tried different settings to see which one I liked best, allowing the voices of my friends to come through while blocking out the high impulse noise of gunfire.
the push-button controls are simple and have audible sounds when actuated
The spring suspension of the Liberators holds tight to your head without being uncomfortable. It also doubles to help keep your ball cap in-place when the wind gets out of hand. The Liberators can be swapped to behind the head suspension as well, or to a helmet set.
The three modes allow for differing scenarios, such as mostly quiet other than occasional gunfire. A second one for when there is more ambient noise present such as riding in vehicles. And the third setting is for very loud environments like a Swifty concert where you want to keep all noise suppressed but the voices right around you. All three settings are designed to be compatible with radio transmissions.
While I don’t particularly care for wearing any headset for longer than necessary, I found the Safariland Liberators to be as pleasant as possible. I’ve used the Liberators over the course of many range days, and I have recently distilled my opinions on them.
Pros & Cons
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons I’ve come up with so far:
Pros
Very comfortable ear cups and spring suspension
Excellent noise reduction
Excellent situational awareness with stereo sound
Three modes for different conditions
Push-button controls
Very handsome presentation
Available in various colors and camo patterns
American made product
Rechargeable battery system
Compatible with other Safariland HP configurations
Not huge, can be used without stock interference
The comfort and ease of operation make the Liberators an excellent choice for hearing protection. They are easy to use, and always ready with long battery life and ease of recharging. And they are good looking too, and the custom color options will match your best mall-ninja outfit. The Liberators truly shine because of the quality audio, and how they help your directional hearing.
watertight USB-C charging port, which can be swapped out to run the AAA or CR123 batteries
Cons
Your ears can get sweaty
Not inexpensive
The only downsides I could come up with about the Liberator was of course the cost, as they are more expensive than other options. And as with any over-ear headset you are likely going to sweat when it gets hot or if you live in Houston.
Conclusion
I have really grown to appreciate good ear protection. And having used the Liberators for around six months, I can say they are an excellent product. If you need or desire professional grade hearing protection, I don’t think you could go wrong with the Safariland Liberator HP 2.0. I will continue to use these and others to see how they compare and endure, make sure you follow for more.
When I started a gun-belt project some time ago, I didn’t realize how far down the velcro-lined hole I would get. I also never anticipated spending so much money on holsters, but necessity makes permissible things that otherwise might be forbidden.
When I say I spent a lot of money on holsters, I don’t mean that in a bad way. I guess I may have become just a bit of an addict to Safariland’s ALS holster lineup, and today I am going to share some of my sickness with you.
I have long wanted a good gun-belt, and for it to be proper I was going to need a good pistol holster. To that end I found myself endlessly scrolling through Safariland’s website trying to decide on which one I liked the best. That was three holsters ago, and there are no signs of stopping.
The Safariland ALS holster uses their level 1 retention system, using a thumb lever to release the pistol from the polymer holster. There are also other levels of retention that require multiple release movements by the user to get the pistol from its holster. I also have a level 2 retention holster, and believe it or not, it’s still very quick to get out and on target.
Professional grade products like the ALS line of holsters are more likely to be seen on a duty belt than tucked under your rhinestone studded cowboy shirt and jeans. There are various models, but the ones you’ll see here today are not for CCW users, but more for sport or duty.
This model doesn’t feature the optics hood that flips open as you draw, but I still like it.
Safariland ALS holster Review
The ALS system uses a polymer block that hinges inside the holster to lock onto the slide of your pistol. The block is attached to a thumb lever perfectly placed on the side of the holster to release as you draw the pistol. The tight fit, and required retention demand that the holsters be custom fit for each pistol model or family.
One of the pistols I have shown here today is a Shadow Systems DR920, which is a Glock 17clone. So I ordered a Glock 17 holster design which fit my pistol perfectly. In addition to ordering the holster custom sized to your pistol, you’ll also need to specify if said pistol will carry a red dot or not, as well as a weapon light if applicable. And of course there are many different red dots, and weapons lights, and as you can imagine the plethora of different models that Safariland has to model. To their credit it seems like they have achieved a good system to order holsters from their website by selecting popular models of pistols, sights, lights, and other options. Both right and left handed models are available, and add to the mix the dozens of different colors and wrap patterns they offer and the whole thing becomes overly impressive.
My first holster came in, and I’ll admit I was a bit unprepared, and I’d neglected to order the appropriate Safariland accessories needed to properly position and mount the holster to my belt. Safariland offers a wide variety of positioning pieces and connecting hardware to fit almost any purpose.
Later I purchased the Quick Locking System (QLS) which utilizes a rapid snap-on system to attach and remove the holster from the belt. This was an absolute must have, mainly because I have multiple belts for multiple purposes, and having the ability to swap from one holster to another is extremely convenient. The QLS system is robust and easily operated by a single hand.
This is starting to sound like some really nice gear right? Well I for sure think so, but let me warn you about the dangers of becoming an addict like me. All this equipment is very handy and definitely will help improve your high-speed operation (whatever that might be). But it won’t take long before you are signing your paychecks over to Safariland if you aren’t careful.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Very high quality product
Adaptable to your needs
Very modular products
Great selection of styles and colors
If it doesn’t improve your game, you’ll at least look good
Cons
Not inexpensive
Can be a little intimidating to pick right
Can you believe Safariland is based in California? The irony.
Every Safariland product I’ve bought has come with extra fasteners, tools, washers, etc. This is very handy as you try to configure your equipment. There are also several sets of fasteners with different lengths, to allow you to mount in different configurations.
There are also detailed instruction pamphlets that come with them to help guide you in your installation. I of course threw those out like most guys, and figured it out on my own. Purchasing a couple extra QLS forks to attach multiple holsters to my different belts, is something I would strongly recommend. The quality of these products speak for themselves, that said I am quite sure that someone who is far more tactical than myself will step in to say they aren’t durable enough for his needs.
I’m sure there are plenty of folks who have managed to break this gear, which is no surprise. I mean c’mon it is only plastic, and it weathers with use and sunlight so it won’t surprise me if someday something snaps. I’m just glad that it is unlikely I’ll be hanging off the side of a helicopter when it does. But Safariland products come with a two-year limited warranty if such a thing happens.
Features
ALS retention system
Safariland’s ALS holster system does a fantastic job of keeping your pistol secured in the holster. You can run, jump, roll around on the ground, bail in and out of vehicles and your pistol will stay safely on your side.
Notice the optics cover folded out of the way as the pistol is drawn
It’s also extremely easy to get your pistol out when you need it, with just a quick swipe of your thumb, the pistol slides smoothly into action.
Polymer housing
Built from the polymer housing , the holster makes a soft touch that won’t damage the finish of your pistol. But I can tell you after much use, you will still start to see some rubbing evidence. But the holster does a great job protecting your pistol, muzzle, red dotand weapon light safe. The holster is closed at the end to keep dirt and debris from getting into your muzzle. At the top of the holster there is a winged hood to protect your red dot, it also has a flip up cover to keep your red dot window from collecting Cheeto dust between shots.
Tucked neatly behind the holster and out of the way, there is a tension screw that you can adjust with an allen key to increase or reduce the tension against your pistol inside the holster. There is a soft pad on the inside that is progressively pressed against the pistol frame as the screw is tightened. This allows you to customize the feel of your draw, as well as reduce rattling of the pistol as you run back and forth at the range.
Safariland’s QLS system is awesome for swapping one holster to another on your belt. The fork attaches to the holster, and the receiver mounts to your belt. You can slide the holster into place making the same motion you would to holster your pistol itself. Then the locking lugs at the end of the fork engage the receiver securing the holster to your belt. I found this feature a must have if you are getting in and out of vehicles. While you certainly can wear the holster as you drive, it is much more comfortable to pop it off for longer drives.
the QLS system allows easy removal and installation
Cordura Wrap
I love the fit of the ALS holster, and the tiger stripe wrap
As an aspiring mall-ninja, I love the fact that most any Safariland holster can be ordered with any of their Cordura wrapping patterns. So if you are a multicam nerd, there are almost too many different options to choose from, like multicam tropical, or my favorite Tiger Stripe.
Read more about this and other great products at GunMade.com
Conclusion
If you do much pistol shooting, you are probably going to love the Safariland ALS holster, the same way I have. They give professional grade performance to anyone willing to buy them. I absolutely feel like it has helped me get better and faster at drawing my pistols, and I love how they function.
I typically wear one or another of these on a daily basis, if only to get more practice in. On any given day I draw my pistol from one of these holsters no less than many dozen times. If you are looking into a retention holster, I can strongly recommend the holsters from Safariland.
