[Thunderbear]

I'm going to post a few pictures of my M40A1 in various holsters I've found.

First up, newest on the block is the Blade Tech UCH, a tuckable IWB kydex holster. I was hoping JB at Comp Tac would have started work on a freakin' MA1 mold by now, but I ordered from Blade Tech and was shocked with a 3 week turnaround! That's right, 22 days! Not bad, for an advertised lead time of six weeks! :shock:

This one is going to take some getting used to. It's got a bodyshield, which I have heretofore had no experience with, so we'll see if I keep it or cut it. Retention is adjustable via Chicago (boo) screws, and the cant is adjustable with the same, from straight drop to FBI. The tuckable part is a straight up bitchandahalf to master, as tucking your shirt into open pants that are sagging from a two pound pistol is an exercise in patience. But thankfully, the SA1 disappears yet again under the shirt! I like this holster so far, it's my first piece of plastic that isn't a pistol or a maxed out credit card. :lol:


Secondly, the AKJ Concealco Readyline IWB. I am THRILLED with this holster. AJ makes a bangup holster! I love it, tough leather, throat wide open for reholstering, and the cant is PERFECT. I can bend over from the waist and you can't see a freakin' thing! Lead time ~2-3 weeks.

And on duty:

Next up, the FIST #43 IWB/OWB:

This is a pancake/IWB with a clip. This has been my favorite, and by far most versatile and most used MA1 holster. I highly recommend FIST. Lead time ~4 weeks.

Next up, the Blue Line Leather paddle. This is the Corporal Punishment open top, in black.

I like how this paddle pulls in close, I'm fairly thin, so this helps with concealment. Lead time for Blue Line: ~5 weeks.

Next up, Galco Fletch w/ thumb break. Madecov says it isn't supposed to fit MA1s, but this one fits mine perfectly.

Very flexible, tight fit, smooth draw.. Galco makes quality product. Thumb break takes a bit to get used to, though. I bought this on a whim at a gunshow, and if I ever open carry, it will be with this.

Next up, the belly band. This one is generic 6" but Smartcarry, ThunderWear, and others have the same basic premise, ie, tuckable holster without a belt.

Basically it's a six inch elastic band with a sewn in holster and flash/mag pouch. It's kind of hot, but you quickly get used to it, especially if you're tucking in a shirt. even large frame automatics disappear with these.

Proper way to wrap.. over the boxers, keeps your boxers getting most of the perspiration.

Here, pants/shorts add support to the weapon.

Tucked in. Very few eyes are trained enough to pick the weapon out at this angle...

... and this is what most people see. Nothing...

... until you need it.

This concludes Thunder's MA1 tutorial, "A holster for every occasion."

8-O

 

[MrApathy]

which galco did you get ? I have only seen original M series models.
suprised MA1 would fit

blueline paddle looks nice

nice collection of holsters.

wish I could find a store full of every holster and take a M and MA1 in and see what all are compatible.

 

[Thunderbear]

which galco did you get ? I have only seen original M series models.
suprised MA1 would fit

blueline paddle looks nice

nice collection of holsters.

wish I could find a store full of every holster and take a M and MA1 in and see what all are compatible.

Holster says FLETCH - M Series. FL417 is on the back of the holster. Madecov said the same thing, and he tried his MA1 in the FLETCH he had for the M, and it was too tight. I have tighter holsters than that, so I dunno.

Did you come across an MA1 yet? I know you were still looking, a while back. Having handled an M after I bought my A1, the A1 fits my hand so much better.

Oh yeah, I semi-detail stripped the gun, and cleaned and blew out the firing pin channel, extractor area, and no FTEs in 100+ rounds. Thanks for the advice.

 

[madecov]

My FLETCH is a perfect fit for the M. My M40A1 will fit but it is very very tight. I could allow the holster to stretch but then the M would probably be too loose

Galco makes a decent product. Probably one of the best mass produced.

I just ordered a Blade tech STINGRAY Belt Holster, they claim LEO and Military orders are running about 3 weeks (we'll see)

I'm also going to order a Laredo Defender for the A1 .

 

[Syntax360]

Excellent thread! Great pics. Thanks for the contribution. I'm sure a new member looking for a holster will find it very useful.

 

[Wulf]

Great post, Thunder. Thanx. What make is the belly band?

Wulf

 

[Thunderbear]

Dunno, Wulf, it was a gunshow special. Will work for both MA1 and SA1s though, it's reversible for smaller barrels.

 

[theFiasco]

Good post, Lefty!

 

[Thunderbear]

Haha, you noticed.

That makes the Galco FLETCH I have possibly the rarest holster ever. The elusive left handed M40A1 Steyr holster :lol:

 

[Lurker]

Hey Thunderbear where did you get your Blueline pancake? I've been looking for one online but can't find it anywhere.

 

[Thunderbear]

http://www.bluelineleather.com/Corporal_Punishment.html


kcevans was selling the same one in the Firearm Accessories subforum, but I don't know if anyone bought it.

 

[pghllew]

Blueline holster

I just posted a pic of Blueline leather's Undercover holster with a thumbsnap in the photo gallery.

 

[odie072]

Fist #43 OWB

Thunderbear, if it wouldn't be to much trouble, could you post a pic of the Fist #43 in OWB carry?? I'm thinking about getting one for my M9A1 and would like to see how high and close to the body it rides.

Thanks
odie072

 

[Seven]

Love it!

Thunderbear -

I got the Blue Line paddle that kcevans was selling, and love it. Very good quality holster, and fits my S9 like a charm. I've got a fair amount of leatherwork experience, and added an additional hole for one of the screw mounts for the paddle, which allows me to change the cant of the holster and use it cross-draw if I want.

But anyway, it's a good product, and as you say it holds the weapon very close in.

7

 

[Thunderbear]

Re: Fist #43 OWB

Thunderbear, if it wouldn't be to much trouble, could you post a pic of the Fist #43 in OWB carry?? I'm thinking about getting one for my M9A1 and would like to see how high and close to the body it rides.

Thanks
odie072

I will take a few of those pictures. I haven't because I ordered the wrong size loops in the holster. My gunbelts are 1.5", I orderd 1.25". Oops.

Notes on OWB carry: Pistol is higher, canted more readily for draw, and the frontstrap finger hump makes for an incredibly smooth draw. If I can dig out one of my non reinforced 1.25" belts, I'll take a picture.

 

[charmincarmens]

Excellent thread! Great pics. Thanks for the contribution. I'm sure a new member looking for a holster will find it very useful.

AMEN to that, CARMEN

 

[Thunderbear]

Up top with new pics!

 

[Thunderbear]

Was wearin my Kevlar cup, I ain't skurred. :lol:

 

[posterboy7]

Galco FLETCH

I realize this thread is a bit old, but what the hey...

About five days ago I ordered a FLETCH holster for my M40-A1, both hoping it would fit but concerned that it wouldn't because of the original poster's comments.

I got the holster today, and with only a very little bit of twisting and bending the holster to start to break it in, it is *extremely* tight. The gun was very hard to pull out of it and the slide is pushed out of battery if I don't keep my thumb on the back. And this is not even wearing it yet.

I got a FLETCH holster for my Stoeger Cougar (since sold to buy the Steyr) and I don't remember it being this tight in the beginning.

My question is, how much do I have to break it in to get it to holster and draw with proper ease -- I didn't get that far with my Cougar before I sold it -- and at what point do I decide that I have the wrong holster for the gun?

I emailed Galco customer service and asked if the holster is expected to fit the M-A1. I will definitely follow up if/when I get a response.

If this holster doesn't work out I think I will order a FIST. Unfortunately, I need a working holster by the end of the month for a class and definitely by the middle of May for LFI-I.

 

[Thunderbear]

Re: Galco FLETCH

I realize this thread is a bit old, but what the hey...

About five days ago I ordered a FLETCH holster for my M40-A1, both hoping it would fit but concerned that it wouldn't because of the original poster's comments.

I got the holster today, and with only a very little bit of twisting and bending the holster to start to break it in, it is *extremely* tight. The gun was very hard to pull out of it and the slide is pushed out of battery if I don't keep my thumb on the back. And this is not even wearing it yet.

I got a FLETCH holster for my Stoeger Cougar (since sold to buy the Steyr) and I don't remember it being this tight in the beginning.

My question is, how much do I have to break it in to get it to holster and draw with proper ease -- I didn't get that far with my Cougar before I sold it -- and at what point do I decide that I have the wrong holster for the gun?

I emailed Galco customer service and asked if the holster is expected to fit the M-A1. I will definitely follow up if/when I get a response.

If this holster doesn't work out I think I will order a FIST. Unfortunately, I need a working holster by the end of the month for a class and definitely by the middle of May for LFI-I.

Sounds like you got Madecov's issue with your FLETCH. I would suggest putting the gun in a couple of layers of plastic wrap, or better, a couple of plastic bags. Force the gun in the holster, and leave it in over the space of a few days. After that, continue to unholster and reholster with the bags on. Remove the bags, and it should be good to go.

If you're in DIRE need of a holster, I'll mail you my FLETCH to use in the training class. I want it back though. :lol: