Free with gun(XDm) paddle holster better than nothing

[smasraum]

I have a Crossbreed Supertuck on order. My only gun (right now) is a year old XDM9 4.5" barrel. Unfortunately, I waited too late to order my Crossbreed Supertuck, my CHL was already on the way when I ordered, so now I've got 3-4 weeks where I've got my CHL, but no CBST. Well, you can't very well have a gun and a license and NOT carry it, right? So, my option is to tuck the gun into my pants sans holster or the XDM paddle holster. Since I'm not a gangsta, I opted for the paddle holster. If it was completely useless, they wouldn't bother, right?

So, the first day, I went to lunch and Home Depot. I stuck the holster in under my untucked shirt, cinched my belt up a tad tighter and left.

I learned something that first day. I think I wore it that way for 3 or 4 hours. What I learned is that it's darned uncomfortable. I thought to myself, "I should try wearing an undershirt between myself and the gun/holster next time." So today, I put on an undershirt, tucked it into my pants, and put an untucked cover shirt over it. You know what, after about 5 hours, I'm still comfy. My pants are fine, the carry is fine, everything is fine. I'm sure it's not as nice as the CBST that's coming, but it's better than not carrying. My only complaint is that I wish it had more cant. I think a steeper cant would make it more comfy and more concealable. I'm still fairly surprised at how comfortable and concealable this fairly big gun is. I think ultimately, I'll go to something smaller like the new XDMc, but after spending about $350 for the class, license and holster, I'm stuck with what I've got.

So, my verdict is, the XDM Gear paddle holster is an acceptable alternative.

Not my gun, but that's the paddle holster in the bottom left.

[smasraum]

I've only had my CHL since Mon, and I've only left the house twice. Neither time, did I mention it to my wife or talk about it. Today, we'd run errands, stopped back by the house (when I made the first post), and made one last shot out to Home Depot for a couple of items. She was waiting for some paint, and patted me on the hip. Her eyes got big and she said "Oh". She then patted it one more time to confirm. She looked up at me and said "All day?". Yep, she hadn't even realized. She was even more shocked when I told her that I'd carried a couple of days ago when he had lunch and ran some errands. Cool!

[Excaliber]

I have a Crossbreed Supertuck on order. My only gun (right now) is a year old XDM9 4.5" barrel. Unfortunately, I waited too late to order my Crossbreed Supertuck, my CHL was already on the way when I ordered, so now I've got 3-4 weeks where I've got my CHL, but no CBST. Well, you can't very well have a gun and a license and NOT carry it, right? So, my option is to tuck the gun into my pants sans holster or the XDM paddle holster. Since I'm not a gangsta, I opted for the paddle holster. If it was completely useless, they wouldn't bother, right?

So, the first day, I went to lunch and Home Depot. I stuck the holster in under my untucked shirt, cinched my belt up a tad tighter and left.

I learned something that first day. I think I wore it that way for 3 or 4 hours. What I learned is that it's darned uncomfortable. I thought to myself, "I should try wearing an undershirt between myself and the gun/holster next time." So today, I put on an undershirt, tucked it into my pants, and put an untucked cover shirt over it. You know what, after about 5 hours, I'm still comfy. My pants are fine, the carry is fine, everything is fine. I'm sure it's not as nice as the CBST that's coming, but it's better than not carrying. My only complaint is that I wish it had more cant. I think a steeper cant would make it more comfy and more concealable. I'm still fairly surprised at how comfortable and concealable this fairly big gun is. I think ultimately, I'll go to something smaller like the new XDMc, but after spending about $350 for the class, license and holster, I'm stuck with what I've got.

So, my verdict is, the XDM Gear paddle holster is an acceptable alternative.

Not my gun, but that's the paddle holster in the bottom left.

The holster that comes with XD series pistols is indeed functional. Just be aware that, because of the abbreviated OWB design meant to accommodate similar guns with different barrel lengths, you need to be especially careful not to let the covering garment ride up above the muzzle because what will show in that instance is unquestionably a gun. The muzzle will also be considerably below the belt line and a fairly long covering garment will be needed.

A full coverage leather or kydex holster doesn't reveal what it holds during a partial exposure and provides a bit more visual safety margin.

[smasraum]

The holster that comes with XD series pistols is indeed functional. Just be aware that, because of the abbreviated OWB design meant to accommodate similar guns with different barrel lengths, you need to be especially careful not to let the covering garment ride up above the muzzle because what will show in that instance is unquestionably a gun. The muzzle will also be considerably below the belt line and a fairly long covering garment will be needed.

A full coverage leather or kydex holster doesn't reveal what it holds during a partial exposure and provides a bit more visual safety margin.

Right, I am conscious of the length of my shirts and how they move.

[smasraum]

he realized that the paddle holster was right handed only..

so being the lefty, right brained person that he is.. He called Springfield.

They drop shipped him a left handed paddle holster free of charge


Gotta love a company that takes care of its customers..

Wow, very cool.

[bigred90gt]

Brother in law just purchased one of those last month.. After he oooooo'd and awwwww'd over the thing for a couple of days, he realized that the paddle holster was right handed only..

so being the lefty, right brained person that he is.. He called Springfield.

They drop shipped him a left handed paddle holster free of charge


Gotta love a company that takes care of its customers..

That's great to hear. I wonder if I could get them to do that with the holster that came with my XD40SC? It is not a paddle, but it is a OWB holster that goes on the belt.

[Purplehood]

I have no problem with my XD .40 paddle holster. I only wear it with coats or jackets, but it is definitely comfy.

[stratgolfer]

Hey TxLobo, did your brother get an XD or an XDM? I'm a lefty that's had my XDM for about a year and Springfield keeps telling me they don't make the XDM left-handed holster yet. I just called them and they said "maybe" another 6-12 months. Great site btw, I'm a newbie and intend to get my CHL this year.

[rmr1923]

i recently trade my XDm .40 but did use the paddle holster while hunting (i've always carried a sidearm while hunting, not sure why) and it is indeed comfy. my only complaint was that the cant wasn't adjustable, but then again i never intended to use it for concealed carry. if you like the feel of a paddle holster for OWB carry, and are considering a compact XD in the near future, check out the Blackhawk Serpa (you'll be able to carry both the full-size and compact in the same holster). i have one for my M&P 40c (it's made for the full-size but will accommodate both) and love it. it comes with two mounting options - paddle or belt - and has 5 different angles of cant that you can play around with to find what's most comfortable and/or concealable. it holds the gun closer to my body than my XDm paddle holster ever did also, i can wear it at about 4:00 and even a light jacket will conceal it very well.

[thr_wedge]

I have a similar paddle holster and I like it for early morning walks, but for concealment I find it very lacking without some hefty cover garments. It beats sticking it in your pants though and the paddle does a nice job holding everything in place and distributing some of the weight.

[ErnieP]

I carry with the standard XDM(40) holster most of the time. You do have to be careful with length of covering, but it is virtually never a problem with a long, light weight jacket when the temperature is 70 or below. Now, Summer is another matter....:)

[bigred90gt]

Brother in law just purchased one of those last month.. After he oooooo'd and awwwww'd over the thing for a couple of days, he realized that the paddle holster was right handed only..

so being the lefty, right brained person that he is.. He called Springfield.

They drop shipped him a left handed paddle holster free of charge


Gotta love a company that takes care of its customers..

That's great to hear. I wonder if I could get them to do that with the holster that came with my XD40SC? It is not a paddle, but it is a OWB holster that goes on the belt.

Just to update, I called them up, they requested the SN of my handgun to confirm I actually had one, and told me I should be receiving it in a few days. About 6 days later, a left handed paddle holster showed up on my door, all for the grand total of $0.00. I must say, that kind of customer service is convincing me to make my next purchase (another 1911) a Springfield. I was considering others, but I may just stick with Springfield on that one.

[MojoTexas]

i recently trade my XDm .40 but did use the paddle holster while hunting (i've always carried a sidearm while hunting, not sure why)

I had an XDm 40 for a while until I recently sold it, but I never cared for the paddle holster. I think I used it once. I had a Crossbreed Supertuck for mine...much easier to conceal and much more comfortable.

Also, I always carry a sidearm when hunting too. Feral hogs, rutting buck deer, coyotes and mountain lions have all been known to attack hunters when wounded and/or cornered. It's reassuring to me to know I have a backup weapon in case my hunting firearm is out of ammo/jammed/dropped. Plus sometimes my sidearm (typically a .45 1911 or a .357 revolver) is more appropriate for self-defense if I'm hunting smaller game like rabbits, squirrels, doves, etc.

MojoTexas