[Guest]

I just called Comp-Tac to order a straight drop belt holster for my M9. First, I was told that they don't make a holster for the M9. Then when I said it was the same as the M40, I was told that I had to pay a $20 custom order fee and it wouldn't come with a guarantee, because all of their holsters are "custom fit" and they wouldn't guarantee the M9.

This wasn't just "somebody" at Comp-Tac -- I could hear the woman talking to JB directly in the background.

What gives? I thought Comp-Tac was in business with Steyrs now. I was under the impression that Madecov's coordination had gotten them "in the door" with Steyr's (since they have his M40 cutaway now). She (Tammy) even went as far as to suggest I contact Blade-tech!

If it wasn't for the fact that JB was involved in the conversation, I would put it down to miscommunication. As much as I like my two Comp-Tac holsters, I'm not going to pay a premium charge for them to make me a holster off a mold they already have in hand. Something just isn't right....

Any thoughts?

Jim

 

[RangerM9]

ummm....just say you have a M40

Jim,

why not just give it a day or two and then call back and order one for an M40, you know that it should fit perfectly, even if they don't, and you shouldn't have to pay the premium since it is for your "m40"

This little fib hurts no one and saves you some bucks....

just a thought.....

later

 

[Guest]

I thought about that...although I'll be curious to see what kind of response I get to that, too. It was almost like I was speaking a foreign language (granted, I'm from New England and they're in Texas, but still...)

I did order a belt holster for my Glock and a set of V-clips for my C-T.A.C. --- but my Steyr is still "naked"!

 

[RangerM9]

ha!

maybe the just wanted to hassel a yankee!....lol

 

[aubie515]

From everything I have read...it sounds like the CTAC is the way to go.

 

[jnclement]

What ever happened on this? Is Comp-Tac in, or out?

 

[Guest]

Just now reading this thread. I know J.B. and he is a very stand up businessman. Unfortunately, it seems that we are suffering the same problems as everything else with our beloved pistols - lack of aftermarket support due to low volume.

Companies can't provide the same level of support to a gun that just doesn't provide the volume. It also sounds like no one has explained to them that the dimensions of the 9, .357 and .40 are all the same. I've got to speak with J.B. about a couple of things early next week, and I'm going bring this up with him.

Did you ever order another holster Jim?

Jeff

 

[Guest]

No, I never called back. I did order a holster for my Beretta Vertec and a new set of V-clips for my C-T.A.C., but I was still a bit frustrated over the Steyr conversation.

All of my dealing with Comp-TAC, except this one, have been first rate. I'm pretty sure that when Madecov went there and gave them his M40 prototype, they had the discussion about it being the same dimensions as the M9. If they need to charge more for Steyr products because of low production rates, then I can understand. (I don't like it -- but I understand the economies of scale.) But to charge a "special order fee" for the M9, when it's the same holster as the M40, just isn't right. I hope it's a case of confusion.

I'm not sour on Comp-Tac by any stretch...but it still irks me and I'm not ready to call back about the Steyr just yet. If you talk to J.B., don't make much of the fact that I'm frustrated -- just make sure he's ready to support the Steyr community. He can get a lot of miles out of some more good PR!!

Jim

 

[madecov]

OK.
Comp-Tac are decent folks and make an incredible product.

The molds that they use are different than the ones leather folks use. From what I gather they have machined steel blocks that have the proper gun dimensions and a full length sight track. They heat the Kydex and a press forms the holster around the mold. Then they are hand finished around the edges, checked for fit etc.

The gun I gave them is a deactivated per ATF rules M40. Poly frame, steel slide, trap sights, etc. It would be perfect for leather.

To make a holster for the Steyr is a major pain in the posterior, they have to use a similar mold using production methods to get a basic shape, then the kydex has to be kept soft and it is reformed around the deactivated gun I gave them as the gun itself can not handle the pressure used to form the Kydex. This means it takes them way more time to make a holster for the M series and each one is effectivly hand made. Comp Tac being one of the larger Kydex houses has a lot of volume, this slows them down a lot as well as being a bit uncomfortable on the hands.

About the only other Kydex house of equal quality (detail and fit/finish) is going to be Blade-Tech, with a 6-8 week wait.

This is from observation when I dropped off the deactivated gun and is not 100% on my part. A slight upcharge for the Steyr from them is a small thing given the quality and fit of the product they deliver in so short a period of time.

JB is probably going to be upset with me over this. and I appologize to him in advance. He has told me the Steyr is one of the more difficult ones to make for as each is a ONE OFF item

 

[Guest]

Thanks Madecov, that certainly sheds light on the subject.

Jeff

 

[Guest]

When I called comptac to order a ctac JD got on and introced himself as the manager and the one who would custom mold my holster. He explained to me that for the steyrs I would not get that "click" when it hit home due to the trigger gurad shape but it would be secure.

He said nothing about a special upcharge over the list price of $70, but gave me back to the receptionist lady who procedded to get my shipping info and ask me which style clips I'd like. She then quoted me a price of $90! I asked why not the advertised $70 and she explained there was an aditional fee for those guns of $20. I had specificly said it was for an M40.

I told her "never mind"

While I don't doubt the quality of their product, they obviously do not seem very interested in steyr holsters. A CTAC may be worth $90 but I was having a hard time jutifying the $70 expense on current budget.

I do not know what is involved in making a mold for the M/S but they do only need to make one. Probably their business is so good the few holsters need for the steyr do not concern them even if it would be profitable.

Kinda a waste of madecov's deactivated dummy, but i guess he got a free holster for it.

So for my $70 I set aside I ordered Eric Larson's extra DC Special that the customer cancelled the order for (a $130 holster for $70 vs a $70 holster for $90). I've heard nothing but good about HBE Leatherworks holsters too, i just kinda wanted the adjusability.



Oh, and my one good kydex is a bladetech and it "clicks" when it seats. My wife or I use it for idpa (though w/ the tek-lok we wouldn't try going to a major match w/ it).

 

[Guest]

Yeah, that sucks about the $20 "premium" for a holster that they've already made before, but from what I understand each Comp-Tac is hand-made specifically for each gun and the volume of Steyr's is small enough to require significant set-up for each one.

Strange that J.B. said the holster would not "click", as both my C-T.A.C. and Belt Holster fit my M9 and S9 equally well and both "click" when the gun is seated.

Leather sure is nice though and the HBE stuff does look great in the pictures. Enjoy it!

Jeff

 

[BurningDog]

To make a holster for the Steyr is a major pain in the posterior, they have to use a similar mold using production methods to get a basic shape, then the kydex has to be kept soft and it is reformed around the deactivated gun I gave them as the gun itself can not handle the pressure used to form the Kydex. This means it takes them way more time to make a holster for the M series and each one is effectivly hand made. Comp Tac being one of the larger Kydex houses has a lot of volume, this slows them down a lot as well as being a bit uncomfortable on the hands.

If its a deactivated gun anyway, why don't they just re-enforce it internally to be able to stand the pressures?

 

[madecov]

Probably not worth the time and effort given the low volume.