RDR "The IWB Holster" Review

     On my long quest to find my perfect carry system I have come to a true crossroad and the RDR Holster is solely responsible. If you have read my review of the Peach State Concealment holster you will know I prefer the appendix carry method. If you haven't read the review, you now know. When I got my new RDR I immediately put it on in my normal 1 o'clock position and was heartbroken. However that's where things get really interesting and where some of my favorite features of this holster really presented themselves. But first......

The Facts:
     The RDR IWB is a fold over design using a single .08 thickness kydex for the body and .125 kydex for the single belt clip. The holster is clamped together with a single rivet. The standard cant on RDR's IWB holster is 10 degrees but upon request they can put up to a 15 degree cant or even a neutral cant.

Construction:
    This is one solid and damn near perfect holster. The construction is very solid and the finish is flawless. The single .125 clip is a big time winner for me. It is very sturdy and provides for extremely stable hold on your belt. There is very little wiggle but it is not so tight that it is tough to take on and off when needed. I originally ordered a 1.5 inch belt clip with mine but when it came in it did not fit either my 5.11 Casual Leather belt or 5.11 Double Duty belt. Both belts are measured at 1.5 inches but I could not get the clip to clip over or slide onto either one. After shooting an email to RDR I was amazed to actually get a phone call from them to address my problem. Jeff informed me that sometimes the thickness of certain belts can cause potential issues with the 1.5 inch belt clip and that he would send me a new holster with a 1.75 inch clip as a replacement. Talk about great service. When I got the new holster and shipped the old one back I was very happy with the result. The 1.75 inch clip goes over both of my belts with no issues. After taking some measurements you can see that the fold on the back side of the clip goes back onto itself a little; therefore reducing the size belt that it will actually fit over.

Comfort:
     The holster is extremely comfortable. I find that the .08 kydex is a good thickness when it comes to comfort. It's extra thickness makes for a smoother exterior to the holster while still giving a good enough mold to the firearm to provide good retention. Thinner kydex takes a more detailed form of firearms, with the result being a holster that has more bumps and edges pushed against your body. Another thing that makes this holster so comfortable is it's ride height and the angle at which the kydex is cut and comes together at the bottom at the firearm. The holster puts the vertical center line of the gun almost perfectly even with the top of your belt. This results in less bulk and pressure points in your waistline and allows for a perfect firing grip to be acquired. When used in the appendix position it also fits perfectly into your pelvic area without pushing too far down onto your "junk" or the bend in the front of the hip when sitting. The cut angle of the kydex is just enough to allow for the single rivet to make it's connection. There is no unneeded material to push into your legs or cause discomfort. It also means that the need to adjust or pull your belt up a little when sitting is greatly reduced. This is where we go back to my heartbreak.

Concealment:
    To be fair, I do not think this holster is designed for appendix carry. RDR offers an appendix carry holster on their website and it is quite different than this holster. The ride height that works so much to it's advantage in the comfort department causes the holster to ride a little too high and ends up being pushed out by MY stomach. Of course this will vary greatly with different people's body types so take this with a huge grain of salt. I am 6 feet tall and weight 205 lbs. I normally wear a large size in shirts and between a 34 and 36 size in shorts just to give you an idea of my perspective on concealment. Being in Texas, I also am in tshirts and shorts most of the time. If you are one to wear baggier shirts you will not have a problem at all using this holster in the appendix position. Where this holster really shines for me in in the 3 and 4 o'clock positions. Even with my more form fitting tshirts, my gun disappears. Below is a picture with the holster being worn on my hip.

And now in the appendix position. I'll even admit that on camera and probably to the general public, it is also very well concealed in this position. However from my view looking down, it just sticks out a little too much for my preference. It is possible this will change as I get more experience with concealed carry.

Conclusion:
     I am very happy with my purchase of the RDR IWB Kydex holster. It is a simple, clean, and sturdy design that allows for easy on and off. I can honestly say that this is the most comfortable holster I own so far. Without a doubt it will be my carry option during winter months when I am more layered. Even with my summer attire, I am having a very hard time convincing myself it prints too much for appendix carry. The guys over at RDR were extremely helpful and it made entire purchase that much better. Shipping time was about 4 weeks but the holster is worth the wait. RDR offers a large range of products so I encourage you all to visit their website. My holster cost $49.99 and I feel that I got my money's worth. I would confidently recommend this holster to anyone looking for a high quality IWB holster; especially if you carry on the hip.

http://www.rdrholsters.com/