S.W.A.T. Magazine

As featured in S.W.A.T. Magazine
In some circles, discussions about whether Kydex or leather is the best holster material have almost reached the same level as the .45 vs. 9mm debate.

What if you could have the best of both worlds?

I recently received a new holster from Garrett Industries called Silent Thunder. The holster has a Kydex shell, but is lined with Hermann Oak, 2-3 ounce leather. The advantage of this design is that you don’t have to worry about the outside of your holster being scarred, while the leather lining will generate less wear on a firearm’s finish. The leather lining also eliminates the annoying clicking noise typical of Kydex holsters when a firearm is drawn or holstered.

When I mentioned this to some acquaintances while evaluating the Silent Thunder, one said, “I like the ‘click.’ It let’s me know my gun is holstered!” Folks, if you don’t know whether your smokepole is securely holstered you may want to choose another vocation or hobby. It is also not inconceivable that one may find oneself in a situation where a stealthy, noiseless draw may be called for.

While evaluating the Silent Thunder, I found it was not any slower than either a Kydex or leather-only holster. If anything it may be slightly faster due to the rigidity of the Kydex combines with the leather lining. There are two tension adjustments on the holster, allowing an individual to create more or less tension as he desires.

The Silent Thunder has many options in regard to how it can be worn, due to a novel mounting system called the Quick Mount. The Quick Mount attaches whatever mounting system the individual chooses by simply removing a small 360 degree retaining plate held in place with 4 screws. The test holster came to me with a belt slide, easy on-off ‘J’ hooks for a belt carry and a MOLLE compatible attachment on a tactical vest. A paddle attachment is also available, all with 360 cant ability. With the exception of a shoulder and ankle carry, this holster can truly do it all, depending on which attachment is chosen. This is one rig that won’t end up on the island of Misfit holsters.

Certainly, the Silent Thunder line fills an empty niche in current holster design. They have serious, practical attributes, for both the professional operator, as well as the daily CCW crowd. They afford advantages, heretofore unrealized, in terms of concealability, rapid deployment and weapon protection.

With either the Quick Mount, or the belt loop attachment, there is no illegal off-set and the holster is designed to be used with the "Hi-Low" belt attachment, which places the breech face at precisely the center of the wearer's belt. IDPA rules state that:

"A. Must be designed for concealed carry and suitable for all day continuous wear."

and...

"D. Holsters designed and/or marketed as "competition models,"may not be used."

Hence, as the Silent Thunder Champion meets all IDPA criteria, it also works as a concealed carry holster and will not be marketed as a "competition model". The use of dual tension adjustment screws, allow the user to create the precise amount of retention desired, whether for competition, or everyday carry. As on all their holsters, the sweat shield is optional. On holsters where it's a necessity, such as the IWB, it is standard. On the Champion, not so. There's no charge either way. It's a brilliant and well considered design, which affords the competitor every possible advantage, without fear of scrutiny. Indeed, the Champion is the best IDPA holster I've used.

Now, we come to some real innovation and ingenuity. The Silent Thunder belt holster touts real, new engineering. At first glance, you simply see two, pretty standard-looking belt loops. However, when you flip the holster over and look at the affixment, you see something really new. The holster shell, attaches to a revolutionary, 150 degrees cantable, belt attachment. It is held and positioned with two, high quality, stainless steel screws and a proprietary Kydex double washer system. This configuration allows the wearer to, "dial-in" the perfect amount of cant, for whatever the circumstances demand. If you're an IDPA shooter, looking for the fastest draw, set the cant to vertical. If you're an IPSC shooter, turn it back, muzzle-forward, to where ever you like. For concealed carry, set it to the perfect, 4 o'clock, FBI cant, and go.

Cantable Kydex holsters are nothing new. But, what really is new about the design, is that it is so, incredibly, low profile. When looking, cross-section, there is no daylight, whatsoever, between the wearer and the gun. It lies nearly as close to the body as the best leather loop holster. For training venues, like IDPA, this is a must.