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Hidden Beauty
Tucker Gunleather

    
   

I’ve never been a big fan of inside the waistband holsters. Like a good friend says, “I’ve got a hard enough time keeping myself inside my waistband!” Be that as it may, I have always wanted to like them; for concealment they’re a great option. Even a fairly short tee shirt can conceal the butt of a handgun flat against your hip or the small of your back. I’ll admit to occasionally sticking my gun inside my waistband without a holster, but I don’t recommend it. There not much there to keep the gun from falling out of (or into) your pants.

  
 

Have It Your Way

Recently, I was on the Web searching for holster info and I read a review, which went on and on about how comfortable the Tucker “Cover Up IWB” holster is. After a little checking I found Tucker Gunleather makes some great gear, but I need to see for myself, so I called Tucker’s shop and talked it over with manager Rob Longenecker. I got an idea of what I wanted and ordered it through their online process. There was no question about the options available and what the costs would be. If I had a question about options, I just called Rob and he explained the pros and cons. Even on the simple Cover Up, there are options for roughout or smoothout, the leather, clip styles, belt widths, left versus right and gun model. The holster is made to your specs.

  
   
Form, Function And Stealth

The Cover Up gets its name from the clip, which attaches the holster to the waistband/belt on your pants. It’s attached low on the holster so you can tuck your shirt down between the gun and your waistband, “covering up” the gun entirely. It works great and a quick tug of the shirt with your off hand exposes the grip for an easy full hand grip on your gun. It’s really quite genius.

I got Tucker’s Cover Up for Springfield Armory’s new EMP 9mm 1911 and have been carrying it every day. It’s absolutely outstanding — thin enough I can stick it inside the waistband of any pants and it’s secure. The height and cant of the holster are adjustable and it has a very useful sweat shield protruding up on the inside of the holster putting a piece of leather between you and your gun keeping it from poking you let alone preventing sweat from ruining your finish. It can also help reholstering. The Cover Up has rapidly become my most worn “off duty” holster and I already have plans for more Cover Ups for my additional carry guns.

  
 

The Pretty Sister

In addition to the Cover Up, I got one of the most amazing holster rigs I’ve ever seen from Tucker. It’s the HF1 Belt Holster in Black Cherry color with a full swirl cut stamp and a silver and gold star concho. Not only is it a work of art, it’s one on the most functional and well made belt holsters I’ve ever seen. Although I may not have too many opportunities to wear it on duty, I am already ordering a plain black version to wear with my uniform when I’m not wearing my duty belt. And you can bet I’ll be wearing this baby to the occasional BBQ.

For More Info: www.tuckergunleather.com

 

  

 

First published in the March/April 2008 issue of American COP.

    
   
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