QuickDrawMcGraw

I'm usually not one to go on the boards and write a review but I like this one so much, I just wanna tell everyone!

About a month ago, I got a Brigade M-11 for my HK P30. At first I thought it was a hell of a big and wide holster, however the fit and finish was remarkable and the optional double row brown stitching on black leather looked really sharp. I gave it a try and at first, my 1.5 inch belt would not go in the loops coz it was too tight so I used my 1.25 belt instead. I called Troy at Brigade and he told me this was probably due to the fact that the double stitch loops are made w/ 2 layers of leather stitched together and agreed to send me a set of the regular single layer loops for free! Great customer service!

First thing I noticed was how tight the grip of my gun rode against me. It did a superb job of concealing my larger firearm and I could carry in pretty much any shirt or upper garments that is just slightly loose. It was better than another well-known offset/split loop holster that I own. Also, the extra leather "stabilizer" past the muzzle of my gun helps a lot in term of comfort too. No more digging against my thigh and a lot less pulling down of my pants due to the weight of my gun.

A few days ago, I try my 1.5 inch belt again on the double-stitched loops and this time it fit, albeit with a little bit of tugging to get them through the loops. Wow, what a difference that extra .25 inch made! The gun felt even lighter on my hip and the downwards tugging effect was even less! What a comfortable rig!

Besides the fact that I love this holster, there are a few minor things that I didn't like but they should be non-issues, they don't affect concealability or comfort, it's just me nitpicking.
1. To put the holster on, you HAVE TO pull your belt through the loops. This is per Brigade instructions. You cannot unsnap and try to close the loops after you put them under your belt, it's just way too tight.
2. The acrylic coating used over the leather seems rub off a little too easily, making it easy to nick or scuff the top coat. Don't mistake this for poor or soft leather, the leather is top notch, it's just the top coat of acrylic that seems to be too light.

Besides these two minor things, I recommend this holster to anyone looking for a comfy carry rig.


BTW, I plan on posting pics so if anyone here can tell me how to put pics in the post -not by attachments, I'm looking to post pics directly on the thread itself just like most people here. If I have to sign up for a picture hosting service, so be it but I wanna learn how to do this. Thanks in advance!

southbound

Nice write up!!!!

To get pic's to work you need to host them somewhere like photobucket

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Then just copy and paste the link to the pic in your post...

Good luck....

T Bone

Very nice review. Must be a a great holster, their site now lists a 40 week wait! I am guessing the other holster referred to is a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2? If this one outdoes that, that'll make it about the best of the best!

+1 on Photobucket, and to clarify, once you open the free account and upload some pictures, you will see several "tags" below each pic (for different types of access, email, forums with HTML, forums without HTML, etc.). You just click on the correct tag, then paste it into your post, and presto! Instant pics in post.

__________________
Regards, T Bone.


"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Benjamin Franklin

QuickDrawMcGraw

Thanks for all the help guys! Here are the pics:

southbound

That is just so

I love the two tone makes the whole rig for me.

How long was the wait?

looks like it was worth it...

JerryM

Is it good enough to wait 40 weeks when Sparks waiting is 25 weeks?
That is just a question if you have seen both, and not meant to take away from Brigade.

Regards,
Jerry

QuickDrawMcGraw

The wait when I ordered was around 4-6 months but it took 6 months since they did not have a P30 mold yet. I could've gotten it sooner if they had the mold.

I've never seen a VM2 in person. 40 weeks is a bit long, but I really like the closed bottom of the M-11 vs. open bottom VM2 so I'd probably still go M-11 if I had to order another holster. If MS just made a closed bottom option for the VM-2.....

JerryM

Thanks for the response, QDM. The holster does look really good in the photos.

I have no preference as to the open vs closed end. Out of curiosity why do you prefer the closed muzzle end?

Best,
Jerry

Prvt. Toter

QuickDrawMcGraw....

Nice review... I think that extra leather BEYOND the barrel end actually helps with stability, I also agree with the top coat comments. I really like mine, but noticed my loops do not have the sitching at all.. I guess I ordered the standard package... seeing yours makes me wish I would have had a longer conversation with them...that brown on black does look good....
Here is mine...

I can not remember the specifics of the order but I did a full review and side by side comparision with a VMII here.... http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...-delivers.html

I went with the M11 simply due to the fact that Tony did not have a blank to make me a VMII for a micro compact with rail... In the end I found another good holster maker that will get more of my business... Thanks again for posting your comments...

__________________
If your not packin' your slackin'

Its better to have and not need than to need and not have, keep it safe but keep it loaded!

USN : Desert Storm

T Bone

Nice pics! I have heard other good things about these. Since the Versa Max 2 is not the other one you referred too in your initial post, would you enlighten us as to which one you have that you feel this one tops? Thanks in advance.

Hmm... 40 weeks is not so bad, after all, I already have 4 Versa Max 2s to tide me over.....

__________________
Regards, T Bone.


"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Benjamin Franklin