In today’s article, Andy Grossman reviews the TACRIG FLEX holster. The carry rig is an interesting blend of materials and design that allow you to securely carry your defensive handgun in a wide variety of ways. TACRIG provided the holster to Grossman for review.
If you carry a gun, I’m sure you have struggled with holsters at one point in time. One of the toughest things about carry is choosing the right holster. The second you find the perfect holster and get it all broken in and comfortable, Springfield Armory comes out with a brand-new gun that you just have to have. You fell in love with that gun, and now you want to carry it. Well, now you must start that holster process all over again. It’s a vicious cycle that every gun owner runs into at some point in their carry journey.
If you are like me, you have multiple guns you carry depending on the day and situation. That brings on a completely new challenge and a ridiculous number of holsters. Now, what if I told you that I found a way to carry any of your guns in just one holster?
I know what you’re thinking; that’s impossible. Well, it isn’t anymore with TACRIG holsters. I guess I should say the “TACRIG holster system” because TACRIG is a whole lot more than just another holster company in the world of Kydex and leather.
TACRIG has reinvented what a holster is and what it is designed for by making what I think is the safest, most versatile holster on the market to date.
How It Works
The TACRIG holster allows you to switch from one firearm to another; move your gun from IWB (inside waistband) to OWB (outside waistband); to your bag; even mount a gun in your car, your gun safe, on your refrigerator, bedframe, or even a wall without ever removing your gun from the shell of the holster and never exposing the trigger.
The TACRIG has unique pull and release button connectors that allow you to disconnect the holster from your holster backer and move it to another location, all while keeping the gun safely holstered. I know it sounds a little crazy, so let me explain the actual holster shell first.
The shells are made from Boltaron, an American-made plastic polymer that is resistant to extreme temperatures and, according to some, more durable than Kydex. I have had Kydex holsters lose shape just from sitting in a very hot truck on a summer day. I am told Boltaron will not lose its shape in the heat or become brittle in cold, meaning your holster should not lose tension on your gun.
So far, all the shells I have from TACRIG have held their shape as well as their tension on the gun with no problem at all in every condition I have put them through, including the shell that has been in my truck for the past two years.
The Details
The backer of the holster for IWB carry is breathable and engineered to be — according to the company — compatible with just about every semi-automatic pistol on the market. It is a rubbery material that is strong and durable, and there’s literally no need to break the backer in because it is so flexible and lightweight. TACRIG backers are fully adjustable for cant 15° in either direction as well.
I am a big fan of hybrid-style holsters with leather and Kydex, so the fact the TACRIG system is like this was a nice feature. What I couldn’t believe was how incredibly comfortable the backer was right out of the box the first time I carried with it. The backer is designed to be carried on your hip, which is perfect for me because I carry in that position most of the time anyway. I will say the backer is a little larger than what I am accustomed to. Once it’s in place, you forget you have it on because it’s so comfortable. TACRIG also makes an appendix carry backer as well for those that like to carry in the front.
The metal fasteners are really the heart of this holster, and they’re what makes it so versatile. Each of the four fasteners will withstand up to 269 lbs. of force for a combined capacity of over 1,000 lbs. of breaking strength. Yet, it’s very simple to release by just pulling up on each button-style connector. So, the holster shells have the female ends of the button connectors, while all the mounting accessories are male ends.
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TACRIG’s mastermind, Tim Silva told me they have more than 40 products in development that can be used to connect the holster shell in different ways. Current options include a magnetic mount. The hard surface or safe door mounts screw into any hard surface and actually worked great in my truck. I was able to mount my Hellcat right to my center counsel and, in seconds, I can take the entire shell out of the truck and throw it on my waist for carry. You can also get chest mounts, drop leg mount, bed frame mounts, and OWB belt loops that allow you to use the same holster shell for OWB carry that you use for IWB.
In Practice
At the time of writing this, I have carried a number of different firearms in TACRIG holsters. It’s fantastic being able to go from my small compact Hellcat to my larger Echelon in seconds without ever removing either gun from a holster shell. All of these guns were carried on the same backer and were able to be mounted to all the different surface mount options without having to change a thing.
The real value proved to be the holster’s versatility. Being able to easily switch between different guns, carry configurations (IWB, OWB, chest, etc.), or off-body locations has proven to be an absolute gamechanger for me.
I originally picked up the Flex IWB/OWB Package, which has a $169.99 price tag and comes with your backer, belt clips, and a holster shell of your choosing. In reality, you are getting two holsters with this package for just over the price of one comparable holster from a different company. Every accessory I tried out worked flawlessly and just kept impressing me.
TACRIG is constantly adding more shell options as well as more mounting accessories. So, if you are looking for what might be the ultimate holster, be sure to check TACRIG out.
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