New 101 Appendix Holster

    
                                                   

       101 Holsters has sent me a new and I say improved version of their 101 Appendix Holster to T&E.   I would like to share, discuss, and show the changes of the design.    

        In a nutshell the 101 Appendix has done what properly your wife wishes you would do, or what maybe you wish your significant other would do...diet.   Upon first reviewing the holsters I noticed various differences including in their overall size.  The newest design is slightly smaller in width, height.  The old thermo-plastic-bird lost a little bit of weight.  The holster now only has one rivet/tension screw.  While I have not had an issue with the parts 101 Holster utilizes I still stress to all users that have ANY products that feature parts that are to be placed into one another or screwed into one another USE BLUE LOCTITE!!!  I don't care where you get your stuff from or who makes it, throw some loctite on that bad boy and you just  bought yourself some awesomeness insurance for about four dollaz.

The picture on the left shows the original Appendix Holster which featured two rivets/tension screws.  The new iteration features one rivet/tension screw.  Time will tell if this change has affected the durability of this holster.

From what I can tell so far this change has not made any difference in the retention or in the durability of the holster, but as I said, we'll see.  

The evolved holster also features polymer loops for the snap loops, or "pull the dot loops" from holsterloops.com.

Old snap loops

 New snap loops

The polymer loops are durable and so far are better than the original loops.  I stretched them out onto a canvas and took a Kershaw to them and did a couple of slash cuts and it marred them but it did not chew completely through them or compromise their integrity enough to make me worried about still carrying the holster.  I still need to run them through some sort of abrasion test to properly test them against a sort of "accelerated use phase," meaning, I have to rub something like fine grade sand paper against them to simulate wearing a heavy duty nylon or leather belt rubbing against them constantly to really test the durability of the loops.  

          It is a little hard to see this new cut in the holster but from the above photo as compared to the photo to the right, but the newest holster has a more angular and aggressive upward cut, while the original feature a more outward rounded cut.  This new design means less material to rub against you and your clothing, less printing, and less weight (barely but I'll take it when I can get it).  

          As you can see here, the end of the holster is "open" which allows one to use the same holster for their sub compacts, to their full size pistols.  Yes you will have a portion of your muzzle sticking out from the end of the holster but at least it will be locked into place and the trigger guard will always have full coverage.  Usually when you try to put a full size gun in a compact size holster you will expose more of the trigger guard area then you should.  This leads to more chances of junk getting in the way of your trigger, and less retention.  Possibly even a negligent discharge (highly, highly unlikely, but the odds are increased).  

I blew this photo up so you can see that the Glock 17 fits, and that the trigger is not exposed, AND that the slide stop has been molded to fit those who like to use extended slide stops.  The magazine release area has also been smoothed out to prevent any accidental magazine release issues (Yes I have experienced this with Kydex holsters).  

Something has also changed about the molding process in the holster.  I have not had time to go into direct specifics about the changes but the manufacturer did mention that they had created a "jig" to fix the chamber area.  This lowers the probability of the holster from going out of battery if one was to press the firearm too fast or hard into the holster.  I also mention the molding process because the feel of the holster has changed.  The feel that I'm used to with the original version was more of the standard kydex slide and pop.  With the p90x version it just slides in like glass.  Really distinct feel, somewhat reminiscent of the G-Code XST Rti holster that I have.  

So the 101 Appendix is just like Subway Jared, same old Jared, just smaller, lighter, and arguably more functional.

I haven't found anything wrong with the holster, yet.  I'm a pretty nick-picky dude, especially when I'm trying to find fault but so far no foul.  Hopefully I'll find something minor and stupid so I don't sound like such an infomercial, but if I can't find it I can't find it.   I haven't been in for my annual optical exam though...so, who knows.    

Thanks again to 101 Holsters for letting me to a little test and evaluation on a new design.

Safariland 567 BL attachment system

Ordered the Safariland 567 BL (REVIEW)  It sucks moderately.

1.50-1.75"

          Simply put this attachment is made to replace the T-Adapter that comes stock with  Safariland holsters, which are meant for belts sized between 2 to 2.25 inches wide.  The BL (Belt loop -oooohhhhh FANCY) is sized to fit more normal sized belts, namely 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches.  This device is perfect if you do not want to go to the range wearing all your leather gear.
          Now you can wear your everyday belts but still build that muscle memory without hauling all that extra leather.  This device is handy for those looking for a solution to get some training in with their gear but without establishing to everyone and their mother that they are law enforcement.
           UPDATE*****

        I love the fact that Safariland has made attachment systems so you can utilize a multitude of gear that you already own from them in various ways.  I utilized this system to conceal carrier a Safiarland 6280 series holster (during winter, no way is that thing going to fit under a shirt), I also used it on more "normal" sized belts while at the range practicing.  To put it lightly it sucks (that's lightly right?).  It is once again very awesome that Safariland even made this in the first place (and still does...), but they're making it out of the wrong materials.  It is simply to flexible and pliable and the 6280 series grabs onto the gun just enough that it makes drawing very awkward.  Even with a study belt drawing from this attachment system is too sloppy for my liking.  Your gun should be still and almost locked into place on your hip, and it should be able to be obtained with a simple draw and release, NOT a snag, pull, twist and point...  The 6280 series holsters are simply to heavy duty for this attachment.  If you have a non-hooded holster or non-shrouded holster then this works slightly better.  The reason for this is because if you do have the ALS or SLS system when you push down on the release paddle and push forward (a la the SLS series holsters) when you push forward to obtain your grip and disengage the hood you end up pushing the whole holster forward which then completely ruins the draw because the holster and firearm are no longer pointing straight up and down.

So unless you absolutely need this (like I did), DO NOT BUY IT.