Stellar Rigs Model C Kydex Holster Review

[Labadie]

I have to say that I am extremely pleased with my Stellar Rigs Model C Kydex Holster I have purchased for my Ruger LCP. It has solved my pocket carry issues. The main gripe I have had with carrying my pocket guns is with carrying the extra magazine. I feel that I should have at last 1 extra mag when carrying. I stumbled on to Stellar Rigs while browsing the internet and decided to give it a try. Problem solved! I have been carrying the new holster for 1 month today and I am completely satisfied with it and its function and quality. I loved it so much I just placed and order for the same model that fits my KAHR PM9. I have included some pictures for reference.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Looks interesting, maybe a dumb question but how do you draw the pistol without the holster coming out with it?

 

[Labadie]

Looks interesting, maybe a dumb question but how do you draw the pistol without the holster coming out with it?

Not a dumb question. What I have learned is that you put two fingers between the mag and the grip and slightly push down against the spare mag and the pistol releases from the holster and slide right out . Practice a couple and times and it becomes second nature.

 

[olivs260]

I'm more interested in how you get the spare mag out to perform a reload. Do you carry this in your front, strong-side pocket?

 

[Labadie]

I'm more interested in how you get the spare mag out to perform a reload. Do you carry this in your front, strong-side pocket?

I have practiced that by shooting the first mag using my normal two hand grip(right hand dominant), After I have fired my final round of first mag I then maintain my grip on the gun with my left hand as I retrieve the mag in the holster with my right hand and insert the second mag. Not perfect but much better for me. I have carried for a long time with my spare mag in one of my other pockets or in a mag holder. I just didn't like any of those mag locations alternatives for my pocket gun spare mag.
I carry this current setup in my right front pocket of any of my pants.
I also carry an M&P shield IWB with extra mag IWB but for those days when in shorts with polo shirt or when I am going to a tame part of town I carry my LCP loaded with Hornady Critical Defense. I may begin carrying my KAHR PM9 in my front pocket with the Stellar Rigs if i can stand the size difference in my right pocket. The 9mm would offer a better caliber for all around. And also the Kahr slide remains open on last round with I like because it make mag changes easier to chamber round after switch and most of all i like being able to know when the first mag is empty without counting rounds. The LCP slide does not lock back after last round fired. I have dry fired many times on the LCP after the last round due to losing count of rounds while target practicing.

 

[Leadfoot]

Not a knock, but it looks like the kydex is molded way too snug for the draw to be easy.

 

[Labadie]

Not a knock, but it looks like the kydex is molded way too snug for the draw to be easy.

I was worried about that issue as well that is why I chose the model with the adjustable tension screw. Works well for me.

 

[olivs260]

How fast can you draw like this?

And so to reload you- shoot till empty, dry fire a few times till you figure out what's up, release the mag with your strong hand, transfer grip to your weak hand, reach back into your pocket, seat mag using your strong hand, then transfer grip back to your strong hand and run the slide?

Not knocking, but that seems horribly inefficient and there are more opportunities for failure than I care to think. Have you tried running this setup in a stressful scenario?

 

[Labadie]

How fast can you draw like this?

And so to reload you- shoot till empty, dry fire a few times till you figure out what's up, release the mag with your strong hand, transfer grip to your weak hand, reach back into your pocket, seat mag using your strong hand, then transfer grip back to your strong hand and run the slide?

Not knocking, but that seems horribly inefficient and there are more opportunities for failure than I care to think. Have you tried running this setup in a stressful scenario?

I understand you concerns and have thought a bunch about similar concerns. First the LCP slide does not lock back after last round . This concerns me under pressure because even after practicing 1000 round counting shots with it I every now and then lose track and miss count . So under pressure of life and death I am sure I might miss count and that is why I am switching to a gun that the slide that locks on last round so that I have an obvious indicator of last round. Regarding the hand movements : After last round I drop the empty mag with strong hand still engaged and in shooting position before moveing to the new mag. Then grab the new mag and insert and rack . Not as optimal as maybe having a mag available for the weak hand but lets be real hear. The average number of shots fired in self defense is 2. So with that said if I am getting to the point where I have to change mags I better be looking to remove myself from the situation if possible and with a .380 to boot I bet I am outgunned by a "Thug" with a full sized 9 down his damn pajamas. If there is a FTE,FTF or whatever requiring clearing, my ass is still in a crack because the average self defense time is seconds. I would rather have a extra mag with me regardless then none at all because I cant stand it in an alternative pocket or in a IWB mag holder that doesn't work well with some type of cloths I may have on for the day. See some data presented by Claude Werner: Firearms Safety Training LLC that I have used to make some of the claims of rounds fired in self defense.

Author:
Claude Werner
Firearms Safety Training LLC

The Armed Citizen – A Five Year Analysis The Armed Citizen – A Five Year Analysis
OVERVIEW OF SURVEY
For the period 1997 - 2001, reports from "The Armed Citizen" column of the NRA Journals were collected. There were 482 incidents available for inclusion in the analysis. All involved the use of firearms by private citizens in self defense or defense of others. No law enforcement related incidents were included. The database is self-selecting in that no non-positive outcomes were reported in the column.

DATA ANALYSIS
As might be expected, the majority of incidents (52%) took place in the home. Next most common locale (32%) was in a business. Incidents took place in public places in 9% of reports and 7% occurred in or around vehicles.

The most common initial crimes were armed robbery (32%), home invasion (30%), and burglary (18%).

Overall, shots were fired by the defender in 72% of incidents. The average and median number of shots fired was 2. When more than 2 shots were fired, it generally appeared that the defender's initial response was to fire until empty. It appears that revolver shooters are more likely to empty their guns than autoloader shooters. At least one assailant was killed in 34% of all incidents. At least one assailant was wounded in an additional 29% of all incidents. Of the incidents where shots are fired by a defender, at least one assailant is killed in 53% of those incidents.

Handguns were used in 78% of incidents while long guns were used in 13%; in the balance the type of firearm was not reported. The most common size of handgun was the .35 caliber family (.38, .357, 9mm) at 61%, with most .38s apparently being of the 5 shot variety. Mouseguns (.380s and below) were at 23%, and .40 caliber and up at 15%.

The range of most incidents appears to be short but in excess of touching distance. It appears that most defenders will make the shoot decision shortly before the criminal comes within arm's length. Defenders frequently communicate with their attackers before shooting.
The firearm was carried on the body of the defender in only 20% of incidents. In 80% of cases, the firearm was obtained from a place of storage, frequently in another room.

Reloading was required in only 3 incidents. One of those involved killing an escaped lion with a .32 caliber revolver, which was eventually successful after 13 shots.

Multiple conspirators were involved in 36% of the incidents. However, there were no apparent cases of getaway drivers or lookouts acting as reinforcements for the criminal actor(s) once shooting starts. At the sound of gunfire, immediate flight was the most common response for drivers and lookouts.

When multiple conspirators were involved, the first tier was a two man action team. If another member was available, he was usually the driver of the getaway car and remained in the car. If a fourth conspirator was involved, he was stationed immediately outside the target location as a lookout for the police or other possible intervening parties. The outside conspirators do not generally appear to be armed. It does appear that the trend over the period has increased from one weapon in the action team to two weapons.

The largest group of violent criminal actors was 7, a group that committed serial home invasions in Rochester NY. An alert and prepared homeowner, who saw them invade an adjacent home, accessed his shotgun, and dispatched them (2 killed and 1 seriously wounded) when they broke in his door.
Incidents rarely occurred in reaction time (i.e., ¼ second increments). Most commonly, criminals acted in a shark-like fashion, slowly circling and alerting their intended victims. The defender(s) then had time to access even weapons that were stored in other rooms and bring them to bear.
The most common responses of criminals upon being shot were to flee immediately or expire. With few exceptions, criminals ceased their advances immediately upon being shot. Even small caliber handguns displayed a significant degree of instant lethality (30 per cent immediate one shot kills) when employed at close range. Many criminal actors vocally expressed their fear of being shot when the defender displayed a weapon. Upon the criminals' flight, the "victims" frequently chased and captured or shot the criminals and held them for the authorities.

CONCLUSIONS
1) Even small caliber weapons are adequate to solve the vast majority of incidents requiring armed self-defense.
2) Mindset of the potential victim was far more important than the type of weapon used. All the victims were willing to fight their opponents in order to survive. Although not common, in some cases bridge weapons, such as pens, were used to gain time to access the firearm.
3) Frequently, the defenders were aware that something was amiss before the action started and then placed themselves in position to access their weapons. Awareness of the surroundings appears to be a key element of successful defense.
4) The defenders had some measure of familiarity with their firearms. Although perhaps not trained in the formal sense, they appear to be able to access a firearm and immediately put it into action. At least one defender learned from a previous experience and made the firearm more accessible for subsequent use.
5) Training or practice with a firearm should include a substantial amount of accessing the firearm from off body locations, such as drawers, underneath counters, etc.
6) This analysis does not present a view of the totality of armed self-defense in that non-positive outcomes were not available for inclusion in the database. The analysis may, however, be useful in helping to describe a methodology for successful armed self-defense. This methodology might be described as: 1. be aware, 2. be willing to fight, 3. have a weapon accessible, 4. be familiar enough with the weapon to employ it without fumbling, 5. when ready, communicate, both verbally and non-verbally, to the attacker that resistance will be given, and 6. if the attacker does not withdraw, counterattack without hesitation.

Data Tables
Location of Incident
Home 52%
Business 32%
Public 9%
In or around Vehicle 7%

Shots Fired
Type of Location No Yes
Business 33% 72%
Home 25% 75%
Public 29% 71%
In or around Vehicle 35% 65%
Grand Total 28% 72%

Number of Shots Fired
Average 2.2
Median 2
Mode 1
Max 20

Gun Type
Handgun 78%
Long Gun 13%
Unknown 8%

Body Carry
Type of Location No Yes
Business 69% 31%
Home 94% 6%
Public 49% 51%
In or around Vehicle 65% 35%
Overall 80% 20%

Multiple Assailants
Type of Location NO YES
Business 76% 24%
Home 72% 28%
Public 62% 38%
Retail Business 52% 48%
In or Around Vehicle 49% 51%
Overall 64% 36%