I remember listening to a podcast back when I first became a gun owner, and one of the hosts jokingly claimed that when you become a concealed carrier, you are almost guaranteed to have a drawer full of holsters at some point. Sure enough I can support that claim now that I have multiple handguns, each of them needing a holster for inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB) carry. Add in a mounted weapon light, and thats another set of holsters. The good news is many other gun owners have the same problem, and kydex holster companies have attempted convertible holsters that can easily be swapped between OWB and IWB.
One such holster is the RTT Holster from
Bravo Concealment. Available in a combo pack that includes both IWB and OWB belt clips for either training or competition use, or carrying concealed inside the waistband. The combo pack also includes kydex magazine holsters, either as two single mag pouches or one double mag pouch. The RTT holster is designed to fulfill most of the requirements for a defensive pistol class setting, all for one solid price.
The RTT Holster gets it's name from Range Time-Tactical Shooting, LLC. You maybe more familiar with their
YouTube Channel of gear reviews and training promo vids. The RTT Holster Combo Pack is marketed as the gear package ideal for taking a RTT Defensive Pistol Class. Bravo Concealment offers the RTT holster separately as a lightbearing or plain standalone holster for $74.99 if you already have mag pouches you prefer to run in the classroom or competition, as well as the standalone magazine holsters as either double, or two single magazine pouches.
In wearing the RTT holster and mag pouches around the farm for a week with my Smith & Wesson M&P357c w/ Streamlight TLR3, I really appreciate the robust construction and the hand-fitted care that when into the components. The inward curve of the belt loops on the holster and pouches fits the natural curve of the body as well as provides good friction against the belt, so your rig wont be sliding around your waistline all day.
The advantage to selecting two single mag pouches is the flexibility on the belt, you can either place both side by side on the support hand side, just one, or mix it up to fit your training scenario. There is an option to have the bottom edge of the kydex pouch cut slanted to allow for better mobility during pronating or crouching exercises. Another great feature Bravo Concealment puts into these mag pouches is a tensioning screw just to the right edge of the magazine that can be tightened or loosened with a screwdriver. Most holster makers will tell you to heat up the kydex to be pliable enough for manually reforming, but its nice to see this maintenance step simplified into the engineering of the mag pouches. Logically they will be used more frequently that the main handgun holster during courses of fire (unless your only practicing your drawing mechanics) so its nice to able to adjust the tension on the fly.
The RTT holster itself is an all around good OWB holster. Strictly speaking, outside the waistband kydex holsters all sort of look the same. The key differences between them to me are the cut and the clips. By cut, I mean the top opening of the holster. There's a balance thats needed in order to protect the trigger guard yet expose the magazine release, as well as leaving adequate clearance for the gripping hand's fingers to get a full, firm purchase on the handgun's grip... especially under duress. Several draw-strokes under standing, sitting, and kneeling positions were all positive in my testing.
The clips, or belt loops in this case, are what I would consider and great choice for OWB carry and training scenarios. Instead of using actual clips that would allow the holster to be attached or removed without unfastening the belt, Bravo uses polymer injection molded belt loops. These require the belt to be threaded through the loops at the same time as your pant belt loops, unless you run an exterior tactical belt which of course is possible by selecting one of the 1.5" - 2" belt width options on the Bravo concealment website. These loops are really ideal for heavy duty drills and generally harder use than other style clips, as they will withstand more stress from drawing and reholstering forces. I've seen other OWB kydex holsters on the market with thinner belt loops cut from the same kydex sheet and I was never really impressed by their thinness and sharp edges. Also a note: Bravo offers
pancake-style belt loops separately.
This brings me to the IWB capability of the RTT Holster, which for me did not go well. My real only issue with this holster as an IWB option is it was very uncomfortable for a shooter my size. I carried it in the 4 o'clock position like I'm accustomed to carrying with other IWB holster types, and just feels like a huge hard object not conforming to my hip at all. For context. my build is north of 220lbs, and the holsters I usually wear for CCW are leather backed with a half kydex shell. I've tried adjusting the RTT to an appendix carry position, and an almost 5-6 o'clock position to reduce the direct pressure on my hip with some relief, but still just not feasible for me unless 5.11 decides to make tactical sweatpants.
Now take note, if you have a slimmer body type, this holster should ride better on your hip. However with that said, I also found difficulty with the IWB soft clips themselves as they interfere with the drawing hand. Even with the clips mounted at their lowest position on the holster's grommets and adjusted for a 1.25" width belt, there wasn't enough clearance for my fingers when drawing the weapon, and I by no means have sausage fingers! My second grievance is they are tricky to loop under the belt and snap with one hand or without looking. I'm not sure why the button snaps themselves were so difficult either, but I wasn't able to figure out how to snap them correctly in one attempt. These are just not working for me, but it is worth noting that Bravo Concealment also sells
polymer injection molded IWB belt clips that would be preferable in my opinion over these soft belt clips.
All in all, I would certainly recommend getting the RTT Holster Combo Pack if you wanted a starter's kit for training courses or competitive shooting events, especially if you wanted to retain a mounted weapon light on your gun using an outside the waistband holster. If your class / competition requirements include a IWB holster and you are confident this style of holster will fit inside your pants, I would say get the 1.5" or 1.75" IWB belt loops instead of the soft clips. The gear is solid, and the customer service at Bravo Concealment is on point. Now get your gear and hit the range!
Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame: The RTT Combo Pack provides everything needed to attend an Range Time Tactical Defensive Handgun Class. Whether you are a casual shooter or a serious RTT enthusiast, the RTT Combo Pack will help you purchase everything you need at a discounted price.
Target Market: CCW carriers (OWB or IWB), Handgun Training Classes, 3-Gun competitors
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
- Kydex RTT Holster available with or without pistol light.
- 2 Single Mag Pouch *OR* 1 Double Mag Pouch
- IWB Soft Belt Loops/ IWB Belt Clips
- Designed for outside the waistband carry, but can easily be converted to inside the waistband by switching out the belt loops.
- Thinner profile and 0° cant allowing the ability to add more gear to your belt.
- Hand molded holster for solid retention of weapon.
- Robust 1.5” or 1.75” injection molded belt loops.
- Adequate room for a positive grip thus enabling a smooth draw with solid weapon retention.
- Belt loops are adjustable to create a desired cant for greater concealment.
- All edges on holster are rounded for comfort.
- Kydex .08 thick
- Bravo Velcro Patch
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Black, OD Green, Flat Dark Earth, Coyote Brown.
What others are saying?:
"I bought the RTT holster to support the Indiana company it was named after. I carry the G19 and love the holster. High quality, thick kydex. I bought the holster along with a single mag holder. Perfect retention, plus I love the fact that there is a cutout for the index finger so I can get a FULL grip before drawing. I did have to wait 3 months to get it, but it was worth it for me. I don't buy a lot of gear, but what I do have I like to spend the extra time and money to get the best I can afford. I feel like I made a good decision. I would not hesitate to purchase again from them." DefensiveCarry.com Forum User
"I recently picked up the ‘RTT Holster’ from Bravo Concealment and wanted to share my thoughts on the holster. Let’s start with customer service. The fit and finish on Bravo holsters are stellar. I was very impressed with the quality and attention to detail that was evident in the holster I received. My holster was free of sharp edges and rough spots throughout. Not to be disappointed, function follows fit and finish with everything Bravo makes. My holster was for a Glock 17 and the retention was excellent. My Glock clicked into the holster and stayed in place until I wanted it out. The ‘RTT Holster’ is designed primarily as an OWB holster and that’s how I use it. Given the way the holster curves around the body and the way the belt loops pull the holster close in, the holster conceals quite well. Options are available for IWB use if you’re interested. I’ve run the Bravo Concealment ‘RTT Holster’ through two handgun classes and use it for concealed carry on a daily basis and I couldn’t be happier with how it performs. Having purchased my holster for the Glock 17, I actually got a bonus feature in the since that the holster also works very well with the Glock 19 & 26." Shanes Gear Thread
Price point:
- Retail: $142.99 -10% using coupon code RTTCOMBO10
I need it now! Availability: Brave Concealment Website
Our Rating:
Pros:
- Convertible from OWB to IWB using supplied clips
- RTT Holster is well made with solid retention
- Hardware are common screw heads instead of hex or torx
- Mag pouches available as two singles or one double pouch
- Slant cut on mag pouches for better mobility / shooting positions
- Mag pouches have tension screw for user adjustability
- Holster and mag pouches are adjustable for cant
- Injection molded belt loops are tough and rugged
- If your pistol has an RMR or other micro red dot, Bravo will cut a recess for clearance
Cons:
- Concealed IWB carry is not as comfortable as other IWB only holsters
- Soft belt clips hinder clearance for drawing hand
- Price still higher than separate components on the market
Score: 7.5 Good
Featured FFL:
For FFL services I choose Promised Land Firearms in Toulon, IL.
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Hunter of Design
The design of the holster would make it very useful for everyday carry, IDPA, hunting, or any other thing you might want an outside the waistband holster for. The belt loops supplied fit my 1.5" belt nicely. The loops are also kydex, and are very deep, meaning that a really thick belt, or one of the double competition style belts, will fit through the loops. The loops can also be adjusted up or down on each side. This way, the holster can be lowered, raised, or adjusted for cant. Being that it is for a 1911, the inside sheet of kydex came up just to the safety lever. The outside piece is a little lower to help you get a good grip when drawing. This model OWB holster also covers the trigger guard completely. It is also molded around the mag release button so that it can't be hit accidentally. Some of the owb models have adjustable retention, this one does not. I didn't find this to be a problem, as the holster retained the firearm nicely. The draw stroke is also very smooth. Upon reholstering, you do get a good "snap" as the holster locks the gun in place. I did notice that it took a few draw strokes to break in the holster, as it was very snug when I first received it.
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