Finding a holster for most popular handgun models is usually no problem. But throw in a slight wrinkle, and it becomes more difficult. Such is the case with the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 with five-inch barrel, as opposed to the common 4.25-inch barrel.
I had almost given up hope of finding a suitable holster for my S&W M&P M2.0 with five-inch barrel until I had a look at the Alien Gear Holsters website. I have had prior experience with this company (LAWFUL CARRY: Alien Gear Driver Defense Holster, October 2018 S.W.A.T.) and was quite pleased with their products and customer service. I placed an order for a Cloak Mod OWB holster and Cloak Mag Holster (pouch).
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CLOAK MOD OWB HOLSTER
The Cloak holster has a spring-steel flex plate at its core for strength and support, covered with a thermo-elastomer retention membrane between your gun and the steel flex plate.
The holster comes with a paddle attached. What sets this paddle apart from some others is that on the inside of the paddle, it has a lip that keeps it from coming off your trousers when the gun is presented and helps against a possible gun snatch.
Don’t like a paddle and would prefer belt loops? No problem, as the holster comes with a belt loop attachment. Simply swap out the paddle component and replace it with the belt slide.
One caveat is in order: Although I prefer belt loops myself, I wear a sturdy 1¾-inch belt, and the included belt slide only fits up to 1½-inch belts.
My biggest problem with a paddle is that it is easy to take off. If a holster is always attached to a belt, there is a greater chance the pistol will not be worn, though I doubt this is much of a factor for most S.W.A.T. readers.
With that said, a paddle makes it easy to position the pistol for an individual’s optimal draw placement, where the belt loop on the trousers (at three o’clock for a right-handed shooter and nine o’clock for a southpaw) may force the wearer to place it either too far forward or too far to the rear.
Four tension adjustment points are on the holster—two on the front and two at the rear—as opposed to the single tension adjustment found on most holsters.
CLOAK MAG HOLSTER
The mag pouch is the most innovative I’ve come across. This is the only design I’ve ever seen that allows it to be worn either inside or outside the waistband with equal aplomb.
When worn IWB with the belt clip facing outward, a neoprene body shield stops the magazine from coming into contact with skin. When worn OWB, the neoprene shield is removed and the clip faces toward the body.
The interior of the pouch’s body tension can be adjusted for very wide or thin magazines, allowing you to use the pouch for different mags. An included Allen wrench to adjust the tension tucks away into the pouch.
The belt clips, like the holster, have a lip to prevent them from coming off the belt. They are reversible, so the clip can be pushed down over the belt or pulled up over the belt.
Additionally, thanks to a unique sprocket-type clip attachment, the mag pouch can be adjusted for cant a full 360 degrees in 22.5-degree increments. The clips can also be adjusted to ride slightly higher or lower, depending on the user’s preference.
Together or separately, the Cloak Mod OWB holster and Cloak Mag holster represent a very good buy for quality gear.
The Cloak Mod OWB holster has a suggested retail price of $47.88, while the Cloak Mag holster sells for $33.88.
SOURCES
ALIEN GEAR HOLSTERS
(208) 215-2046
www.aliengearholsters.com
SMITH & WESSON
(800) 331-0852
www.smith-wesson.com
