Comparison of Ctac and Raven Concealment IWB holster

pbanbury · January 14th, 2008, 09:01 PM

Hey gang, first post here...
I want to pass along my observations on these 2 holsters. I carry IWB, usually tuckable, usually at 3:30, sometimes at 2:00 (appendix). Yeah, it is asking alot for a holster to work both ways, and it is a compromise to be sure. I do this when I am on a road trip, or wearing clothes that print the butt of my pistol.

I like the Ctac, it is a high quality holster, and the company is great to deal with, under promise and over delivering on service. I liked this holster at 4:00 and it is a good choice. Strong suit is adjustability- you can get it to just the right height and depth with the system they use. It was pretty comfortable, wearing it 10-12 hours a day.
Comp-Tac : Products

After seeing that the Ctac left some printing on my shirts and pants due to the fact that I have no butt I guess, I started searching for a better idea. A poster showed photos of his Raven Concealment systems holster, and it appealed to me. After a call to Jay at Raven, I was even more intrigued and ordered one, with a couple of additional belt hook-ups. Raven has several ways to attach the holster for IWB, OWB, paddle, tuckable. You should check the Raven website to see their approach that makes this flexibility work for CCW.
Raven Concealment Systems

Anyway, when it showed up I set it up the way I wanted and mounted it right away. What I noted: The Kydex molding is the best I have seen, very very accurate. I like thin Kydex, I think the material is all but bullet proof, so doesn't need a lot of thickness to hold up. The mounting systems are solid and beefy, and the approach of using 2 sides riveted and molded to a body's shape makes for a thinner holster overall. Retention is a bit tight, but solid, no wiggle here. Printing is even more minimal than the Ctac, because it pulls in tight at the top without having to sink it too deep in my pants to get a good quick grip, and the way the holster rounds around my hip is great- no gap in between my belt and body as it goes around the holster at the front and rear corners. It is very comfortable, even at 2:00, though the mounting loops aren't ideal, as this is not the intention. If the folks at Raven start to make an appendix carry mounting option I will be first in line! In short, this is my choice for EDC at this time.

Paul

Edward Nigma · January 14th, 2008, 09:47 PM

It looks great. Unfortunately they don't make it for my pistol.

pbanbury · January 14th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Yeah, that's a problem. Have you called them to ask? They seem accommodating, but are a small outfit. They had just added my gun recently.
Paul

skvinson · January 15th, 2008, 12:34 PM

I've been thinking about a Raven holster. I wondered how well it could work with "add ons" vs. a holster that had a dedicated design. Also, I don't believe the cant is adjustable.

pbanbury · January 15th, 2008, 02:23 PM

SKVINSON,
You are right, the cant is not adjustable, though they will work with you on that, they told me. Adding stuff on is a strength of the Raven system, you can daisy-chain together mag holders, light holsters, etc. They all work to wrap around a body, with some flex, so you can build a nice set of carry gear.

Paul

CCWINNC · January 15th, 2008, 02:27 PM

Pics of your rigs being worn?

And Welcome to forum.

ev239 · January 15th, 2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbanbury

SKVINSON,
Adding stuff on is a strength of the Raven system, you can daisy-chain together mag holders, light holsters, etc. They all work to wrap around a body, with some flex, so you can build a nice set of carry gear.

Paul

Oh now I can see someone going to the extreme carrying 3 guns and 9+ mags completely encircling them. I want to see a picture of that!

skvinson · January 15th, 2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCWINNC

Pics of your rigs being worn?

Yes, I would love to see some pics - of you wearing the rig and of the add-ons themselves. Raven's site is not very strong in that department.

pbanbury · January 16th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Yes, I am signing up now for Photobucket- aaarrrgghhh! Then I have to re-shoot my lousy photos- aaaarrgghh! But it will be worth it, photos are cool aren't they? Stand by for a few hours till I get back to base.

aus71383 · January 16th, 2008, 07:16 PM

Here's a couple of questions for you:

What is your primary carry gun?
Where did you get a tuckable IWB? The only holsters on that "RCS" website appear to be OWB - unless you are supposed to rig something up with parachute cord.

I don't have a CTAC - but chances are good (I'd give 95%) that if you wear a good belt and adjust the position, you will be able to conceal (whatever) you are trying to.

Maybe I'm just untrusting of a new product that is totally unproven, made by a company I've never heard of, on an unfinished website. JMO....

Austin

January 14th, 2008, 09:01 PM	#1
pbanbury Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 27	Comparison of Ctac and Raven Concealment IWB holster Hey gang, first post here... I want to pass along my observations on these 2 holsters. I carry IWB, usually tuckable, usually at 3:30, sometimes at 2:00 (appendix). Yeah, it is asking alot for a holster to work both ways, and it is a compromise to be sure. I do this when I am on a road trip, or wearing clothes that print the butt of my pistol. I like the Ctac, it is a high quality holster, and the company is great to deal with, under promise and over delivering on service. I liked this holster at 4:00 and it is a good choice. Strong suit is adjustability- you can get it to just the right height and depth with the system they use. It was pretty comfortable, wearing it 10-12 hours a day. Comp-Tac : Products After seeing that the Ctac left some printing on my shirts and pants due to the fact that I have no butt I guess, I started searching for a better idea. A poster showed photos of his Raven Concealment systems holster, and it appealed to me. After a call to Jay at Raven, I was even more intrigued and ordered one, with a couple of additional belt hook-ups. Raven has several ways to attach the holster for IWB, OWB, paddle, tuckable. You should check the Raven website to see their approach that makes this flexibility work for CCW. Raven Concealment Systems Anyway, when it showed up I set it up the way I wanted and mounted it right away. What I noted: The Kydex molding is the best I have seen, very very accurate. I like thin Kydex, I think the material is all but bullet proof, so doesn't need a lot of thickness to hold up. The mounting systems are solid and beefy, and the approach of using 2 sides riveted and molded to a body's shape makes for a thinner holster overall. Retention is a bit tight, but solid, no wiggle here. Printing is even more minimal than the Ctac, because it pulls in tight at the top without having to sink it too deep in my pants to get a good quick grip, and the way the holster rounds around my hip is great- no gap in between my belt and body as it goes around the holster at the front and rear corners. It is very comfortable, even at 2:00, though the mounting loops aren't ideal, as this is not the intention. If the folks at Raven start to make an appendix carry mounting option I will be first in line! In short, this is my choice for EDC at this time. Paul __________________ Exechobo

January 14th, 2008, 09:57 PM	#3
pbanbury Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 27	Bummer Yeah, that's a problem. Have you called them to ask? They seem accommodating, but are a small outfit. They had just added my gun recently. Paul __________________ Exechobo

January 15th, 2008, 02:23 PM	#5
pbanbury Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 27	SKVINSON, You are right, the cant is not adjustable, though they will work with you on that, they told me. Adding stuff on is a strength of the Raven system, you can daisy-chain together mag holders, light holsters, etc. They all work to wrap around a body, with some flex, so you can build a nice set of carry gear. Paul __________________ Exechobo

January 15th, 2008, 02:27 PM	#6
CCWINNC Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NC Posts: 180	Pics of your rigs being worn? And Welcome to forum. __________________ CCWINNC HK P2000 .40SW Para Ord Tac 4 .45acp XD 9 Service XD 9 SC Taurus 651 .357 mag

January 16th, 2008, 06:29 PM	#9
pbanbury Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 27	Pics Yes, I am signing up now for Photobucket- aaarrrgghhh! Then I have to re-shoot my lousy photos- aaaarrgghh! But it will be worth it, photos are cool aren't they? Stand by for a few hours till I get back to base. __________________ Exechobo

January 14th, 2008, 09:47 PM	#2
Edward Nigma Ex Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: that is the question Posts: 66	It looks great. Unfortunately they don't make it for my pistol.

January 15th, 2008, 12:34 PM	#4
skvinson Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 124	I've been thinking about a Raven holster. I wondered how well it could work with "add ons" vs. a holster that had a dedicated design. Also, I don't believe the cant is adjustable.

January 16th, 2008, 07:16 PM	#10
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,863	Here's a couple of questions for you: What is your primary carry gun? Where did you get a tuckable IWB? The only holsters on that "RCS" website appear to be OWB - unless you are supposed to rig something up with parachute cord. I don't have a CTAC - but chances are good (I'd give 95%) that if you wear a good belt and adjust the position, you will be able to conceal (whatever) you are trying to. Maybe I'm just untrusting of a new product that is totally unproven, made by a company I've never heard of, on an unfinished website. JMO.... Austin

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