Safariland's newest holsters look to add a level of utility and comfort.
A couple new holsters Safariland has on tap:
At the outset, gear appears fairly straightforward when going armed. Gun, holster, belt — ready to roll. Right? Not always.
Everything from the right gun to proficient ammo to comfortable clothing bedevils armed citizens. These choices are persistent. It’s not uncommon for a seasoned carry veteran to begin tinkering with their everyday rig and end up starting over from scratch.
Best Starter Kit for Concealed Carry:
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Of the whole carry rigmarole, holsters are generally the toughest nuts to crack. Even when light-years away from the flimsy nylon gun-show specials, they still might end up in a pile of also-rans if they don’t conceal or aren’t comfortable. It’s a sad truth; no one holster can be all things to all armed citizens.
Luckily, the world does not want in holster options, and thanks to Safariland grew a bit larger recently.
Model 17 and 17T
Ultra-thin and flexible, the Model 17 and 17T offer lightweight and comfortable inside-the-waistband carry. Made of Safariland’s thermo-formed plastic (SafariLaminate), the holsters retain their shape even after the gun is drawn, facilitating safe and quick draw and re-holstering.
The models are identical save one feature, how they attach to a belt. The Model 17 secures via a spring steel clip, while the Model 17T utilizes a cant-adjustable J-Hook. This attachment makes the 17T tuckable, giving shooters another level concealment, especially in lighter clothing. The holsters are also designed to provide excellent retention through a deep contour in the trigger guard.
The Model 17 and 17T have black STX finishes and have fits for Colt, Glock, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson and Springfield pistols. The holsters are extremely well priced with MSRPs of $38.50.
Model 557 Open-Top
Generally, if a gun is outfitted with a light, it needs a holster tailored to this extra gear. Remove it, then a whole new rig is required.
Safariland appears to solve much of this problem with the 557 Open-Top Belt Slide Holster. Constructed from Safariland’s thermo-molded plastic (SafariLaminate), the holster safe keeps a gun with or without its light, without rattling around.
Its low profile makes the outside-the-waistband holster a viable concealed-carry option. And its winged design molds comfortably to the body while providing excellent weight distribution. The holster also features an ejection-port detent that keeps the gun in place when not in use.
The Model 557 works with gun belts 1.5 to 1.75 inches in width and is compatible with a number of popular makes and models of defensive handguns and lights, including: Glock 17/22, 19/23, 34/35, Heckler & Koch P30, Sig Sauer P320, Smith & Wesson M&P 9/40 and Walther P99Q handguns with TLR-1, TLR-1HL, Surefire X200, X300, X300U lights and red dot equipped handguns. The holster is moderately priced with an MSRP of $50.
