Like most armed professionals, I have a box of assorted holsters that for one reason or another, just weren’t satisfactory. My latest acquisition however, seems to answer all the previous complaints that I had about the other holsters.
The CAP holster, is part of the Combative Application Product line designed by renowned firearms trainer and author, Dave Spaulding (www.handguncombatives.com). It’s available for retail sales exclusively from Bob Meszaros, the master gunsmith at Templar Custom Arms. (www.templarcustomarms.com)
The CAP holster is best described as a minimalistic design for concealed carry. Hand built and precision molded with a sturdy Kydex, it holds the firearm securely; yet allows the user to acquire an optimum shooting-grip before drawing. I’ve never liked the wide “pancake” style concealment holsters, as different pants have belt loops in different locations. Although it’s maybe just an inch or so, this variable creates a battle between holster location and the missing belt loop. I just find that unacceptable. I also don’t like the excessive space on my belt line being used by the pancake style holster. Furthermore, many of the belt loop design holsters, do not hold the gun against my body as tightly as I’d like, which contributes to “printing” with a thin concealing garment. The unique design and “claw” on the CAP holster eradicates all of these issues.
First, the CAP holster is only slightly wider than the actual vertical distance between the bottom of your trigger guard and the top of the slide. Secondly, the claw goes over both your belt and trouser band, and holds the holster where you place it; regardless if there is a trouser belt loop in the vicinity or not. Thirdly, the claw pulls the gun into your side as closely as physically possible. It also grips your belt and trouser band tightly enough that the typical back and forth rocking that you get from a traditional paddle holster, is eliminated.
For those who insist on a dual-belt-slot attachment construction, the CAP holster is available in a model called the CAP FLAT. Built from the same high quality materials, it has two belt loops and is approximately two inches wider. Personally, I prefer the regular CAP holster, but like many things; holster choice is ultimately up to the consumer. If the regular claw attached CAP holster didn’t exist, I’d likely pick the CAP FLAT over any of the others I’ve worn.
Also available is the CAP magazine pouch; a minimalistic, yet secure-holding single magazine carrier that features a unique concept and design. It covers less than half of the magazine body, which allows for a solid grip on the magazine quickly and easily. It is also designed to allow it to flex outwards during a high stress draw of the magazine, ensuring the magazine’s separation from the pouch with the less than optimal motor skills that occur under stress.
Most of the CAP products are available for the complete GLOCK line, many of S&W pistols (M&P, Shield), and some are available as special order items for other pistols. All the CAP products come with a limited lifetime warranty. Contact Templar Custom Arms for full details. And while you’re on the www.templarcustomarms.com website, take a few extra minutes to look at the firearms that Bob Mesaros builds. Along with other top-tier gunsmithing, he builds the Handgun Combatives package Glock, that Dave Spaulding designed; and that I carry daily.
Dave always told me that “Once I had a gun that was specifically built to fit my hands, I wouldn’t want to shoot anything else.” All I’ll say is, as usual when it comes to firearms, he was one hundred percent correct.
Author and Sergeant Charles E. Humes, Jr. retired from a large Midwestern police department after 32 years of service. Humes is recognized internationally as one of the pioneers of modern, realistic police defensive tactics training. He has taught seminars and instructor certification schools as far West as Alaska and as far East as North Carolina; and has trained police instructors from as far as Hong Kong. Sergeant Humes is the author, director, editor, and producer of a top selling police video training tape entitled DYNAMIC STRIKING TECHNIQUES. It is in use by police departments, training academies, and individual officers worldwide including members of the Anti-Terrorist Unit at London’s Heathrow Airport. With an unwavering personal commitment to excellence and professionalism, Humes’ passion is to give students the best, in no-nonsense, street-proven effective, tactics, techniques and concepts.