Walther

The Phalanx Defense Stealth Operator – New and Improved

A long time ago I purchased my first Stealth Operator holster. It was a kydex holster that could accommodate over 150 different holsters securely. I was curious, and I consider most universal holsters to be absolute garbage. However, the holster was quite affordable. This was 4 years ago and to this day that same Phalanx Defense Stealth Operator holster still works like an absolute champ. It accommodates a wide variety of guns, including big name guns like Glock, S&W, and even Walther and CZ. It accommodates mostly double stack, polymer frame guns.

That being said it has no problems with my Walther PPS, which is a single stack 9mm. They’ve updated the construction of the Stealth Operator to last even longer, and they’ve utilized redesigned belt loops and more modern screws. Additionally, they’ve created a special edition model that is Hydro dipped in the colors of Old Glory. This is the compact model and it does leave the barrel and slide of most guns exposed but fits nearly any modern gun. For a complete list of guns that are compatible with the system check out their new website here.

The Stealth Operator Improved

The kind folks at Phalanx Defense sent me one of the new Stealth Operator compact models, hydro dipped in Old Glory. Comparing it to my older model I see a few differences. Instead of screws, the two halves of the holster are bolted together. The belt loops are slightly curved more than the older models and this allows for a more form-fitting design.

This pulls the gun in closer to the body. This holster arrived at the right time as I did need a new holster for a Polymer 80 Glock I finished some time ago. Most Glock holsters won’t accommodate it, but the Stealth Operator does so with ease. This is the full-sized model and the holster makes it easy to secure.

It holds the gun close to my body and makes it nearly invisible under nothing more than a T-shirt. It prints just a hair, but it still an impressive amount of concealment for such a big gun.

Because it holds the gun tight to the body you will feed some abrasion from the grip on the gun as it rubs throughout the day. That’s just part and parcel of concealed carry though. The holster itself is sized for 1.5-inch belts and fits nice and tight on those belts. I’ve used it in combination with my Propper Carbon Carry belt and they’ve been a great combo

Hows the Retention?

Retention is going to be a concern when you try to design a holster to accommodate a wide variety of guns. However, the design of the Stealth Operator uses a rather simple but elegant solution. This is a bulge on both sides of the holster that creates a friction point. This clips in over the trigger guard with a nice and loud ‘click’. It secures the weapon well and for concealed carry it works well.

You can hang the gun upside down and it’s not going anywhere, but when it comes time to draw the gun its a smooth move. I’ve only had and used this specific holster for a couple of weeks now, but durability wise I trust it. My previous model has lasted me a good four years without any issues. Retention has always been tight, even with the old school screw design.

Oddballs

What I originally loved about the Stealth Operator is that it accommodates guns that can be tough to find a holster for. Newer designs or those not well known don’t always have the best holster market. The Stealth Operator is often an excellent go to if your gun isn’t the most common on the block.

I will say at the time the Stealth Operator will fit most popular pistols, especially if they are polymer frame double stack guns. This is an affordable and well-made holster assembled in the Great State of Florida. I’ve been a fan, and continue to be a fan. If you need an affordable and reliable holster designed for daily carry this is a great choice. If you have a multitude of guns and don’t want to break the bank buying holsters this may be the ultimate solution for you.

Holster Selection: Things to Consider

During my 1,900 hours as a defensive shooting instructor one of the dominating questions I was asked was about holster selection. In my experience this is the hardest one to answer. I have good news and bad new for you: The perfect holster match for your body shape, selected firearm, carry position, and attire exists. It’s also likely to be the fourth or fifth holster you try.

Dara, Theis, Alien Gear, Clinger, Raw Dog Tactical, High Threat Concealment, 1791 Gun Leather, Coast, the guy down the street, and that latest-and-greatest brand they push at the local gun store. They all are the perfect match for someone, just maybe not you. What makes them either the prefect match or not depends on features, comfort threshold, carry position, cost, and mission of the day.

Personally I break one of the fundamental tactical rules and rotate between a few different holsters and handguns depending on my attire and tasks for the day. This is a tactical no-no because it means that my draw and pistol handling will vary from one combination to the next. Fortunately thousands of rounds and hundreds of hours of training along with weekly practice give me a false sense of confidence in my decision. Besides, if I wasn’t willing to try different combinations how would I know what worked best?

The video below has some knowledge nuggets that with any luck can help you find a favorite by your third or even second attempt instead of fourth or fortieth.

Now this guide is merely a guide and not a definitive end-all, be-all of holsters. The same considerations listed above have applied to me and so I can’t speak to holsters for every gun model, carry position, or clothing type. What I can say is that using my Bersa BP9CC in an Alien Gear holster with Ulti Clips I’ve been able to comfortably conceal at a trade show while wearing slacks and a tucked-in dress shirt. I love my Grand Power P11 and found it to fit nicely and ride very comfortably in an outside-the-waistband from 1791 Gun leather. My Walther PPS M2 rides very nicely in my No Print Wonder from Clinger Holsters. For the worst-case scenario my Walther P99AS is easily concealed in my SOG bag which also houses an Ally One from Angel Armor.

Yes, every one of those links takes you to more information about those options, so bookmark this page and use this as a guide and hopefully we’ll help you feel safer sooner than unguided exploration might have done. Let us know what you carry and in what in the comments below.

Walther P99 AS: The Original PPQ

The Walther P99 is a German original that is still running strong in the German police forces after 20 years. The pistol came into being in the early 1990s and still holds it’s own against other big manufacturers. The P99, in my opinion, is a supreme example of high-quality German production that will last for decades and even long after we are gone.

HISTORY

Walther has been around since 1886 when Carl Walther started the company making rifles. The company started making pistols in 1908, and started getting a name for itself when their Walther Model 1 Pistols became popular in WW1. These little pocket pistols were striker fired and chambered in 6.35 MM, and were apparently very commonly found in the pockets of German Officers. In 1929, the ever popular PP(Police Pistol) model was developed. Soon after in 1931, the PPK(Police Pistol Detective) models were released. The PPK was offered in a variety of calibers to include .22 LR, .380 ACP, .25 ACP, and .32 ACP. It wasn’t until 1938 that Walther got their first big contract through the Third Reich to make the P-38 to replace the P-08 Luger. After WW2, Walther was all but shattered until Fritz Walther, Carl Walther’s son, started the company back up in 1953. The company resumed production of the P-38 for the new West German Army in 1957. It wasn’t until 2004 that all the P-38’s were phased out of the German army in favor of the P8, which is similar to the H&K USP9.

The Walther P99 was released in 1996 with the standard P99 AS model, which was the main model that Magnum Research used to produce licensed copies of the pistol for import into the US. S&W imported the frames from Walther and was licensed to make slide assemblies in order to produce their own version of the pistol, the SW99. S&W even made a .45 ACP version of the pistol for a time. The Walther P99 saw a generation upgrade in 2004, which brought it to the version I am reviewing, with a great many upgrades that improve the comfort of running the pistol. There are a total of 4 variants of the P99 out there that Walther produces. They make the standard AS model, standing for Anti-stress, and it uses a double action striker fired trigger system. Then there is the DAO which has, as the name implies, a double action only trigger that was made to decrease the likelihood of a negligent discharge by an officer. Then there is the Q, displayed below, which replaced the RAD/QA model in 2011 and retains the appearance of the AS/DAO models. You will notice that it resembles the PPQ, yet retains the P99 marking on the grip, and the P99 trigger and paddle release. The PPQ is a variant of the P99, but the name was just changed to PPQ when imported for US sales.

GRIP

The Walther P99 grip is a unique one to say the least. It can feel awkward and slippery at first, but it still seems to work when you get used to it. The pistol comes with three backstraps and the size differences are enough to fit most sizes of hands.

I use the small backstrap so that I can have maximum reach on the trigger when it is in double action mode. The palm swell on the backstrap and the horizontal serrations are the two things I would say that are the primary things securing the pistol in your hand. The horizontal serrations on the front help prevent vertical movement, while the palm swell helps prevent side to side movement and encouraging you to put your hand higher on the grip for a better hold. The grip is pretty nice and comfortable, despite the lack of conventional texturing. There is ever-so-slight grooves for your fingers on the front, which I find to work very subtly and without even noticing they are there.

CONTROLS

The Walther P99 has a very simple set of controls, but I feel like people get freaked out just because they are different. The pistol has a paddle magazine release, as opposed to a button that would have you shift the gun in your hand to release the magazine. I would just like to note that Walther probably makes the best paddle magazine release I have ever used. It runs virtually the entire length of the trigger guard and pops the magazine out with force, even with the slide locked to the rear. You don’t have to move your hand at all in order to activate the release, let alone to manipulate the next control.

The slide stop is best described as a paddle as well, in my opinion. With the size of it, you can use the slide stop without adjusting your grip, but you don’t really have to worry about it snagging. It is a pretty sturdy piece of stamped metal, like the Glock slide stop, but very long and low profile. The real control that gives this gun it’s uniqueness is the decocker. It is a cutout on the top of the slide and to operate it, you simply press down to actuate it.

Some people have shown distaste for this method of decocking a pistol. The biggest complaint is that the shooter cannot actuate the decocker without moving one of their hands to do so. In my experience, if you are going to decock the pistol, you are also ready to holster it. For this reason, I find the spot for the decocker to be of no issue. I personally will decock the pistol with my support thumb just before holstering.

SIGHTS

The sights on the Walther P99 are made of a very durable polymer. In the previous picture, you see no damage from me doing manipulations on the rear sight. The three dot sight picture is just like the PPQ, for those familiar with that pistol. The rear sight has a wide gap between the two rear dots with plenty of room on each side of the front sight in order to help you acquire a rough sight picture quicker. Some people complain about this type of setup being the reason they cannot hit well and accuse them of being inaccurate due to the space on each side of the front sight. Well my answer to this particular complaint is that I have rarely seen people properly applying the fundamentals have issues with any sighting system. Unless the sights themselves are misaligned or the barrel is damaged, I see no reason for people to not shoot well with these sights. They are not the most visible sights, or the highest quality, but they are far from the reason for missing.

TRIGGER

The Walther P99 trigger is one of the best double action triggers in my opinion. The smooth and lightly rounded trigger face is nice and gives the feeling of a lighter pull. The curve of the trigger is very much like the curve on a CZ75, but is much more comfortable on the pull. The double action on the P99 pulls around 10 pounds when you first get it. When you break it in with about 2000 rounds, you may find the trigger to drop a couple pounds on the double action pull alone. The single action is where this pistol shines and people like myself fall in love with it. The trigger is very light(4 lb) on the single action pull with an almost non-existent wall before the break. The trigger pull goes all the way to the rear and the trigger will actually touch the back of the trigger guard. The reset on the pistol is incredibly short and tactile. You barely have to move your finger in order to make the trigger reset.

As you shoot the pistol more, the trigger pull becomes smoother and lighter. You can do very little to improve the trigger pull aside from shooting and dry firing the pistol. I recommend a generous amount of the latter anyways, just to get proficient with whatever you intend to shoot.

SHOOTING

Shooting the Walther P99 is a little unusual at first. Once you shoot it for the first time, you may come away feeling like the pistol recoils more than it should. This is a common observation, even by myself. After shooting it for a few thousand rounds, it has calmed down exponentially on the kick. To be clear, it wasn’t “flipping” and being difficult to bring back on target, but it does give the impression that it is a bigger caliber than it really is. But like I said, this pistol doesn’t actually “flip” much at all, and in fact I found myself able to make very quick follow up shots with great accuracy. The reloads on this pistol are very easy, and almost straight up fun with how simple the magazine release is to use. The slide manipulations will need to be done firmly for a few thousand rounds because the P99 uses a .40 caliber recoil spring, which makes the action a little stiff. Funny note, I got the P99 so hot that I made the recoil guide rod droop a little. The guide rod is just fine and this is not a problem by any means, just so we are clear.

I have over 3000 rounds through my P99 and I will be putting more rounds through it in the future. This is a very young round count for this pistol and most pistols for that matter, so there is still a good amount of room for the pistol to grow, if you will. That said, I have had zero malfunctions with this pistol, even after putting it in Alaska mud.

THOUGHTS

Through the years, the Walther P99 has stayed very relevant, and has seen a respectable amount of use in various police forces in Europe in all of its different variants. I would not discount this pistol if you are looking at pistols with a good light DA pull and a PPQ-like SA. This pistol actually is reported to have a better SA trigger than the PPQ. The one thing people have constantly complained about is the paddle release. There is no need to change your grip and it takes zero training to learn, so I don’t understand where the disconnect is. Other than that, I can’t think of a reasonable reason why this pistol would not be on your list of pistols to check out. It is reliable, durable, easy to shoot, and has a proven track record in Germany and other European police forces. This pistol is an example of why Walther pistols stay in the holsters of militaries and Law Enforcement agencies for such a long time.

The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster

I have a real affinity for shoulder holsters, and I don’t know where it comes from. I like to say its from living in Florida and being a Miami Vice fan. However, being in Florida doesn’t give me a lot of opportunities to wear a shoulder rig, and good shoulder rigs are expensive. Is the ShapeShift Shoulder Holster any different?

I can purchase two quality waist mounted holsters for the cost of one good shoulder rig, which I can only wear in the winter. AlienGear aims to change that by adding a Shoulder Holster to their ShapeShift lineup. AlienGear was kind enough to send me a ShapeShift Shoulder Holster for test and review.

The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster is compatible with any of the ShapeShift shells, and the multi-use magazine pouches AlienGear produces. The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster is a well-made holster and is priced competitively with most quality shoulder holsters. The difference being its modularity for multiple guns, as well as your ability to swap shells with different platforms for different carry situations.

The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster

The ShapeShift system is unique in the fact it’s incredibly modular. As a platform started as four holsters that all used the same shell. You could carry IWB, OWB, slide OWB, and Appendix. Over time the Shapeshift system has evolved rapidly into a system that can be used for nearly any situation.

This includes a leg rig, a MOLLE mount, a backpack mount, an ankle rig, and even more. The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster is only one cog in a massive machine.

The ShapeShift Shoulder holster is made from leather and features some excellent design choices. The big thing about shoulder holsters and comfort is how poorly made ones do not support the weight of the weapon well. This leads to discomfort and shoulder pain. The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster has very wide straps that do support the weight of a firearm and magazines very nicely.

The second issue is the lack of adjustment for most shoulder holsters. The ShapeShift Shoulder holster has tons of adjustment uses a standard peg and loop style belt system. You can stretch the magazine to accommodate the vast majority of body types. The shoulder holster also has tie downs to secure the holster to the belt.

The Design of the ShapeShift Shoulder Holster is very well thought out and designed to be comfortable and fitted to the body. As a shoulder holster, it’s intended to be high quality and hit the shoulder holster benchmarks. What else can it do?

The Difference the ShapeShift Shoulder Holster Makes.

As part of the ShapeShift holster system, you can use this Shoulder Holster with a few dozen different guns, although each will need their own shell. This makes it modular, and once it’s purchased, you can use the system for multiple platforms at nominal additional cost. To me, this value adds to the design and makes it well worth the price a good shoulder holster costs.

Outside of just being able to carry different guns, the ShapeShift Shoulder holster is quite modular. My model came with two magazine pouches on the right-hand side. The two pouches are adjustable for different angles and can accommodate almost all double stack magazines.

They can’t be adjusted to fit something as small as a single stack 9mm magazine, but from Glock to CZ they work with double stacks. I can tighten or loosen the magazine pouch with an included tool quite easily.

You can ever purchase separate holsters to carry two guns at once, or you can run four magazines under your shoulders for a lot of extra ammo for a waist carried gun. You can change your ShapeShift Shoulder Holster to adapt it to whatever you want it to be.

Carry and Use

The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster is very comfortable. I’ve carried both my Glock 17 and Walther PPS, and in both cases, it was superbly comfortable. A Glock 17 with three 17 round magazines is just as comfortable as the lightweight Walther PPS.

The ShapeShift Shoulder Holster comes with a leather strap to act as a retention device with a simple button. This device is straightforward to adjust and lengthen and shorten when needed.

The gun sits nice and tight in the holster with proper adjustment. When positioned correctly the retention strap is rapid to defeat with the thumb. You can use a natural grip, and when your thumb reaches the button, you can deactivate it with ease.

The holster system moves with you, so it remains not only comfortable but easy to conceal. It really helps keep your upper body free to move around with ease. When adjusted to your body it doesn’t swing right or left or forward and rearward. This prevents it from swinging out when bending over and creating suspicious bulges in certain positions.

Drawing your gun is easy and can be done in a flash with practice. With the tie downs, the holster won’t move and popping the retention device off and drawing the gun is easy.

Returning the weapon to the holster is simple and safe, and the internal polymer frame keeps the gun in the same place every time. Even between arms, the adjustments are quick to make.

All in all AlienGear not only has an excellent shoulder holster but an adaptable one that makes the build worth the money. Give them a look, and live out your Miami Vice fantasy with me.

FAB Defense Scorpus Covert G-9 Holster

The name FAB Defense should be no stranger to regular readers of the Load Out Room, the Israeli based company has had several of their products featured here before. FAB Defense made a name for themselves with their KPOS Glock carbine conversion kit and their GL-Core AR15 stock that was compatible with both civilian and mil-spec buffer tubes. In this installment of the LoadOut Room, we have been fortunate enough to get one of their Scorpus Covert G-9 holsters to spotlight and review. We want to take this moment to thank FAB Defense’s North American distributor ZFI Incorporated for partnering with us on this review.

The Scorpus Covert G-9 holster is an interesting holster for several reasons. What makes it interesting is that the design team at Fab Defense has managed to make an affordable holster that it thin, lightweight and is usable by several different pistol formats. They also took the lessons learned from their successful Scorpus G-9R outside the waist holster and incorporated them into this new inside the waist holster. Let’s take a look at closer look at the new holster.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: FAB Defense

Country of Origin: Israel

Material: Unspecified Polymer

Material Thickness: 1.9mm Thick (0.07 inch)

Model Supported:

Glock Model :17, 19 , 22, 23, 26, 27, 31, 32 & 33
CZ-P10 C
H&K VP 9
Walther P 99
FN FNS-9 & FNS-9 Compact
Ruger SR-40
Grand Power K100 & T12
Schmeisser SLP-9
FMK 9C1 G2

Colors Available: Black Only

Handedness: Left & Right Both Available

Belt Sizes Supported: 1.5 ” & 1.75″ Wide Belts

MSRP: $39.25

Other Features:

Adjustable Retention Mechanism
Ergonomic Rounded Sweat Guard
Removable Covert Spacer to allow the holster to ride even closer to the wearer
Weighs 67 grams (2.36 Ounces)

Initial Impressions

The first thing I noticed after unboxing the FAB Defense Covert G-9 is it’s weight or lack of weight I should say. Weighing in at a whopping 2.36 Ounces and being less than 2mm thick the holster is about as minimalist as you can get. In a holster that will be used as a conceal carry holster, that is a good thing. It’s hard enough to conceal a pistol without adding a huge polymer monstrosity on your hip poking out for all to see.

FAB Defense wasn’t specific on their polymer that was used in the Scorpus Covert holster but I will say that without the pistol in the holster it does flex a bit when pressure is applied to it. After all, it is less than 2mm thick so it’s to be expected, that being said once the pistol is inserted no flexing of the material is detectable which is a good thing.

The backside of the holster that will be in contact with the users skin or undershirt if the user is layering clothing is textured with a pattern of in recessed circles. It’s an interesting pattern but FAB Defense never says why the pattern is included in the design. I will wager a wild ass guess that its the allow the holster to not stick to the wearer skin in humid or wet conditions. The voids in the pattern should allow some amount of circulation of air against the users skin? Maybe

One issue many people face when selecting a CCW holster is that they usually have to think about what width belt they are going to use with their holster. Traditionally holsters didn’t offer much in the way of select-ability, you bought a size and you were stuck with it. In designing the Scorpus Covert the team at FAB Defense made a quick change feature that allows the wearer to use either a 1.5″ or 1.75″ wide belt.

This may not be an issue for people with only one width belt but many people today have wider range belts they use while training that are slightly wider than a belt they would wear daily. The ability to train and use the same holster across not only several different pistol models as well as two different width belts just adds to the overall value of this holster.

Wearing and Adjustments

Wearing the FAB Defense holster with my Glock 19 is a dream. The fact it’s extremely lightweight and thin helps reduced any profiling while wearing it at the 3 O’Clock position. When lugging around a fully loaded pistol I tend to look for ways to lighten the load, and with this holster, it’s about the lightest CCW loadout I can find. I always tend to wear some form of undershirt and generally a long sleeve shirt so that any holster doesn’t directly contact my skin. So I can’t speak to how the recessed pattern on the holster sticks or doesn’t stick to your skin.

I can say that it doesn’t bunch or dig into my shirt and that all the rounded and smoothed edges are a very nice touch and speaks to the attention to detail at the factory. This isn’t an Uncle Mikes holster that you regret buying the instant you try to wear it. The design team at FAB Defense made this a very direct and straightforward design. Even when it comes to making adjustments like tightening the retention screw, all you need is a small phillips style screwdriver and you are all set. When swapping between 1.5″ and 1.75″ belt clips all you need is a flathead screwdriver to press down the retention tab. A few pulls of the material and you simply slide in the new clip and you are ready to go.

Overall I will say that for the price that the company is asking for this holster it’s really a can’t miss deal. It’s well built, lightweight and does the job with no muss or fuss. It’s a common sense no-frills approach to CCW. It keeps in line with the tradition FAB Defense has built of making quality gear at an affordable price. If you would like to purchase the FAB Defense Scorpus Covert or any of their other products like the pistol caliber carbine conversion kits, check out the company’s North America distributor in the links below. We want to say again thanks to FAB Defense for all of their support.

FAB Defense: www.Fab-defense.com

ZFI Incorporated North American Distributor: www.zfi-inc.com

The Comfort Cling Holster: A Clip Less Wonder?

Reviewing holsters is always fun, and I really love being proven wrong when I see an idea I think is a failure. One such idea I thought was a bit too far was the Comfort Cling Holster from Clinger Holsters. I like the No Print Wonder V2, so I figured I could give them a chance. The Comfort Cling Holster looks like a pocket holster, plain and simple, but its supposed to be an IWB holster. The Comfort Cling Holster is a clip-less design, and when I originally read that I was lost. I thought it seemed like an idea that just wouldn’t work.

Without a clip the Comfort Cling would surely move around, shift, slide up and down as I moved, and at worst it would simply fall down my leg the moment the tension wasn’t perfect. I’d give it a fair shake though.

Was I Wrong about the Comfort Cling?

Yep. That’s an easy one.

Why Was I Wrong?

Well, now after a few months of use I can say I was wrong for a variety of reasons. First, the gun itself doesn’t move in any measurable way. It fits in the waistband the same way any standard IWB holster would. This includes strong side and appendix. I carried strong side with a Walther PPS M1 for months now and it never moved an inch, left or right, or up and down. It stayed put.

I hate being wrong so I went out of my way trying to prove myself right. While wearing the holster I tried a few more dynamic movements. I squatted over and over, got on one knee, left then right, I climbed a ladder, and hell I even did box jumps. The holster stayed put.

That’s Not All Folks

The Comfort Cling is remarkably comfortable. It’s gel-like cushion feel good against the skin and doesn’t rub you raw. It also doesn’t chafe or rub in any way. With a small enough gun you’ll forget that its even there. With my Walther PPS M1 I forgot all about it.

That gel-like cushion is also water resistant, means it won’t absorb any sweat and transfer it to your gun. The Comfort Cling features a full-length sweat guard as well. Even when I was sweaty (Which is often) the holster doesn’t become slick and slide.

Drawing from the holster is quite easy, and the holster never came with the gun. The grip is left exposed and it’s easy to grip and draw. Although the design does have the holster and gun cling to the body closely, so it doesn’t present like a duty holster does. It’s just as easy as any other deep concealment IWB holster.

The Downsides

The only real downside I can come up with is the fact the holster collapses when the gun is drawn. It’s not a major deal since it’s easy to remove entirely. Without a clip, you can pull the holster out of your waistband, put the gun back in it, and then put the gun and holster back in your waistband.

Parting Shots

The Comfort Cling From Clinger Holsters is a fantastic little holster and it’s only 20 bucks. That’s a great little value. It comes in a few different sizes and searching by a gun on their website is the best way to find the right size for your gun.