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Eric
16 August 2013, 01:17
I'm a Glock guy. I carry one on duty and typically carry one version or another on my own time. But then I happened across a great deal on a Smith & Wesson M&P Compact 9mm. Crap. Time to buy another holster.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Blade-tech/IMG_4664.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Blade-tech/IMG_4664.jpg.html)

I knew that I wanted a Kydex holster, due to the ease of maintenance, gun specific molding and shape retention which allows for easy re-holstering. There are numerous sources that are producing Kydex holsters, but I went with a company that has been making Kydex holsters since the mid 90's (1995 I think). Blade-Tech (http://shop.blade-tech.com/index.php) made my first Kydex holster, as well the one for the new M&P. They're a local WA State company and well know among LE for cranking out holsters and carriers for all kinds of gear. I was in a bit of a hurry to get a holster for the M&P so I called ahead to ensure they had one in stock. It turned out they were out of stock at the moment, but saved the day by making one for me before the close of business the same day!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Blade-tech/IMG_4665.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Blade-tech/IMG_4665.jpg.html)

Blade-tech has a standard OWB (Outside the Waist Band) (http://shop.blade-tech.com/owb-holster-c-1_23_24.html#.Ug3nrr7n_IU) which I have used in the past. This time around, I went with their Eclipse OWB (http://shop.blade-tech.com/eclipse-holster-c-1_23_26.html#.Ug3oBr7n_IU) holster.

Positive Lock Trigger Guard™ with Level 1 Friction Fit with an adjustable tension screw.
•It is interchangeable with Precision Fit Belt loops that are available for 1 ½” & 1 ¾” belts
• Made of thinner.080 material it highly concealable being contoured for comfort to reduce hot spots when carried over long periods of time.
• Pancake Style Holster that offers a smooth, quick draw from concealment that will not collapse, making sightless (low light) re-holstering quick and easy.
•Full length sweat guard prevents direct firearm to body contact while still allowing for a full combat grip.
• FBI Cant only

Cost was $69.99 minus the 10% LE/Mil discount. I added a Revolution mag carrier (http://shop.blade-tech.com/revolution-double-stack-p-226.html), since I always carry a spare mag.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Blade-tech/IMG_4667.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Blade-tech/IMG_4667.jpg.html)

The M&P Compact and the Eclipse holster are a great combination. Placed at about the 4 o'clock position, it sits flat against the body without digging in. The edges are void of any sharp edges and appear to have a light bevel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Blade-tech/IMG_4673.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Blade-tech/IMG_4673.jpg.html)

I've become accustomed to acquiring a specific grip while the pistol is in the holster. I found that the full length sweat guard rises above the top of the slide and comes to the edge of the grip tang, which contacts my thumb on the draw. This is minimal and probably not an issue for most folks, but for me, it would work better if this area was relieved a bit. The holster is molded for an external right side thumb safety, which my model did not have. It would be nice to have an option to delete this feature from the holster.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Blade-tech/IMG_4669.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Blade-tech/IMG_4669.jpg.html)

The adjustable tension screw in addition to the well formed molding retains the pistol well, but allows for a rapid and smooth draw.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Blade-tech/IMG_4681.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Blade-tech/IMG_4681.jpg.html)

If you're in the market for a well made, easy carrying, concealed carry holster, the Blade-Tech Eclipse should be on your list.

Eric
19 August 2013, 07:34
A bit of a correction to add. After I posted the information about Blade-tech Kydex holsters, I vaguely recalled that Blade-Tech had actually updated the material they use. Today that was confirmed with Blade-Tech and I learned that the new material is a polymer blend called Boltaron, which has been shown to withstand higher temperatures than just Kydex, without losing its shape. I also noticed that it appears to be thinner than my older Kydex holsters.

Eric
15 February 2014, 02:54
A few months ago I happened across a local retailer that was running a discount on all Blade-Tech holsters and ended grabbing another Eclipse holster, this one for the Glock 19. It was essentially configured the same as the one for the M&P Compact, with a couple variances noted. The sweat guard's height and width was formed to perfectly match the contour of the top of the slide, whereas the M&P version protruded a small amount. On the muzzle end the material was wrapped around to form a nearly closed end, unlike the more open end of the one for the M&P. Same great concealed carry, with secure retention and a solid lightweight design.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Blade-tech/IMG_5100.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Blade-tech/IMG_5100.jpg.html)