needknees
02-06-2008, 01:20 PM
Blade-Tech Kydex paddle for compact Glocks
I came across this holster "used" (seriously, I couldn't see any marks from holstering at ALL) for a great price so I had to pick it up. I wanted something I could use in IDPA for my G23 and G26 that'd be a bit quicker than the IWB. Basically, I was looking for an excuse to try another holster :shobon:. Blade-Tech is well know for quality holsters and many people I shoot with swear by them. I had to see what all the fuss is about.
I like how the pistol is retained in the holster. Unlike my Sidearmor holster for the G34 (which will be reviewed in a bit), the Blade-Tech exerts most of its tension on the trigger guard area. That means both my G23 and G26 work equally well in this holster. The Sidearmor gets it's retention from pressing on the slide. It's not particularly nice to the gun's finish and doesn't work well with the smaller slides of the G23 and G26. The draw is very nice and slick. I haven't noticed any substantial wear on either of my small Glocks from this holster. Good stuff there.
To be honest though, I'm not completely happy with it. The paddle attachment is not very stable and I could see it possible drawing out with the pistol. It's also one floppy bitch. I ordered a Sting Ray belt attachment from Blade-Tech today, we'll see how that differs from the paddle when it arrives. Anyway, on to the pics:
Nice and compact
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_009.sized.jpg
Back of holster
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_010.sized.jpg
Top shot
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_011.sized.jpg
G23 in holster
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_012.sized.jpg
This holster is cut to allow a full, complete grip while the pistol is in the holster. I quite like that.
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_013.sized.jpg
G26 in holster
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_014.sized.jpg
Side profile, concealed
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_001.sized.jpg
Side profile, uncovered
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_002.sized.jpg
Closer
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_003.sized.jpg
Rear, concealed
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_006.sized.jpg
Rear, uncovered
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_019.sized.jpg
FLOPPY BITCH!!!
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_005.sized.jpg
Top shot, holster hanging way the fuck out there.
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_004.sized.jpg
To recap:
Holster make and model
Blade-Tech paddle for compact Glocks
Price
I got it used for $30 shipped. $63 new.
Holster construction
7/10
It's kydex. don't know what else to say about it. You can see some cut marks from them shaping the kydex. That's a-ok with me, as the draw is silky smooth. I'm not a fan of the way Blade-tech does their paddle attachments. However, looking at their website I see they've drastically altered their paddle design. It's probably a lot more stable now.
Gun fit
10/10
It works extremely well with the G23 and G26. The G23 comes right to the bottom of the holster so there's no wasted space if you're trying to conceal this rig. It's contoured to the shape of the gun well... but Glocks are basically square so :downs:
Gun retention
10/10.
Retention is adjustable via two screws in the holster body. Having multiple adjustment points is nice because you can tailor the draw to how you like it.
Holster attachment (or holster retention)
5/10
:fuckyou:
Not a fan of this paddle. It's floppy, hangs off my waist strangely regardless of belt tension, and moves up and down when you draw the gun. I've had paddles what work well in the past... this isn't one of them. However, I have not drawn the holster with the gun. Yet. So I can't give it the score I think it deserves.
Comfort
8/10
This holster is reasonably comfortable. It's lack of stability actually makes it better in this category because the holster can move around a bit when you're sitting.
Stability
4/10
Again, not pleased with the paddle. It lets the holster move around too much for my tastes
Concealability
4/10
The holster hangs off my body so much it's really not concealable at all, even with a decent cover garment. I guess if you had a big coat or something it'd be doable, but I still wouldn't suggest carrying with this paddle because of retention issues.
Overall
6.8/10
Meh. I'm really waiting for that belt attachment to get here.
I came across this holster "used" (seriously, I couldn't see any marks from holstering at ALL) for a great price so I had to pick it up. I wanted something I could use in IDPA for my G23 and G26 that'd be a bit quicker than the IWB. Basically, I was looking for an excuse to try another holster :shobon:. Blade-Tech is well know for quality holsters and many people I shoot with swear by them. I had to see what all the fuss is about.
I like how the pistol is retained in the holster. Unlike my Sidearmor holster for the G34 (which will be reviewed in a bit), the Blade-Tech exerts most of its tension on the trigger guard area. That means both my G23 and G26 work equally well in this holster. The Sidearmor gets it's retention from pressing on the slide. It's not particularly nice to the gun's finish and doesn't work well with the smaller slides of the G23 and G26. The draw is very nice and slick. I haven't noticed any substantial wear on either of my small Glocks from this holster. Good stuff there.
To be honest though, I'm not completely happy with it. The paddle attachment is not very stable and I could see it possible drawing out with the pistol. It's also one floppy bitch. I ordered a Sting Ray belt attachment from Blade-Tech today, we'll see how that differs from the paddle when it arrives. Anyway, on to the pics:
Nice and compact
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_009.sized.jpg
Back of holster
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_010.sized.jpg
Top shot
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_011.sized.jpg
G23 in holster
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_012.sized.jpg
This holster is cut to allow a full, complete grip while the pistol is in the holster. I quite like that.
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_013.sized.jpg
G26 in holster
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_014.sized.jpg
Side profile, concealed
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_001.sized.jpg
Side profile, uncovered
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_002.sized.jpg
Closer
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_003.sized.jpg
Rear, concealed
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_006.sized.jpg
Rear, uncovered
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_019.sized.jpg
FLOPPY BITCH!!!
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_005.sized.jpg
Top shot, holster hanging way the fuck out there.
http://photos.sevarg.net/sam/albums/holsters/02_05_2008_004.sized.jpg
To recap:
Holster make and model
Blade-Tech paddle for compact Glocks
Price
I got it used for $30 shipped. $63 new.
Holster construction
7/10
It's kydex. don't know what else to say about it. You can see some cut marks from them shaping the kydex. That's a-ok with me, as the draw is silky smooth. I'm not a fan of the way Blade-tech does their paddle attachments. However, looking at their website I see they've drastically altered their paddle design. It's probably a lot more stable now.
Gun fit
10/10
It works extremely well with the G23 and G26. The G23 comes right to the bottom of the holster so there's no wasted space if you're trying to conceal this rig. It's contoured to the shape of the gun well... but Glocks are basically square so :downs:
Gun retention
10/10.
Retention is adjustable via two screws in the holster body. Having multiple adjustment points is nice because you can tailor the draw to how you like it.
Holster attachment (or holster retention)
5/10
:fuckyou:
Not a fan of this paddle. It's floppy, hangs off my waist strangely regardless of belt tension, and moves up and down when you draw the gun. I've had paddles what work well in the past... this isn't one of them. However, I have not drawn the holster with the gun. Yet. So I can't give it the score I think it deserves.
Comfort
8/10
This holster is reasonably comfortable. It's lack of stability actually makes it better in this category because the holster can move around a bit when you're sitting.
Stability
4/10
Again, not pleased with the paddle. It lets the holster move around too much for my tastes
Concealability
4/10
The holster hangs off my body so much it's really not concealable at all, even with a decent cover garment. I guess if you had a big coat or something it'd be doable, but I still wouldn't suggest carrying with this paddle because of retention issues.
Overall
6.8/10
Meh. I'm really waiting for that belt attachment to get here.