During my revolver excursion earlier in 2024, I began wearing two revolvers before that revolver-oriented trip and, for various personal reasons, for several months after.
The “primary” – if you could call it that – was the excellent Kimber K6XS. Since I had no holsters for such a small, six-shot snub, I went in search of both legacy and more modern carry solutions. A pair of the modern types will be called out here. In alphabetical order, they were IWBs from Dark Star Gear and Harry’s Holsters.
Both are known for modern and well-thought-out designs. Apparently, they also don’t believe that they can’t reach outside their own company to add items – particularly attachment hardware. There’s less ego and more “get the job done” from both makers.
Since the alphabetical mention goes one way, the evaluation will head in reverse order.
The road trip holster was the Icon 2.0. Made by Harry’s Holsters, it’s a thoughtful revolver IWB holster that shows concern for comfort and concealability. I had legs of the trip of 3-4 hours behind the wheel while wearing the Icon. It was all but unnoticed. A feature of the line from Harry’s Holsters is that there are no sharp edges on the holster – it’s all carefully rounded. The only sharp edge is on the DCC Monoblock, the very popular spring clip system that keeps the rig secure on the belt.
There’s a low profile built-in “wing” that’s pressed in by your belt. It moves the rather large Hogue stock of the K6xs into the body, to minimize “printing.” Adjustment in the holster is simply accomplished; for more information, take a look at Harry’s Holsters’ video presence online. They’re not shy about providing instructional videos for their holster lines.
I found it to be a good fit for both gun and shooter. As I have the holster adjusted for best fit on my person, the holster is just a little high where my middle finger tries to close around the grip. The end of the DCC Monoblock unit, the only sharp part of the holster, abrades the knuckle. Otherwise, the holster is about as perfect as can be. I wear it immediately in front of the hip and, with that short a gun, it's just right. I wore the K6xs there for five months with a spare revolver in the left front pocket to “balance the load.”
I also made considerable use of the Apollo holster from Dark Star Gear. Like the Icon 2.0, it was made for the feathery Kimber K6xs revolver – the DSG holster in fact is made for any three-inch Kimber K6s revolver. The longer holster prevents the top-heavy nature of the short revolver in a belt holster to tip out, a benefit. Like the Icon 2.0, the Apollo was designed primarily for front-of-the-hip carry.
The Apollo is likewise quite comfortable. It takes some getting used to for wear while seated and adjustment has to be made. That the holster is long enough for the 3” guns, while it helps press the holster body out and the gun butt back into the body for concealment, it’s long enough to interfere with bending at the hip – to sit, for example. A bit of fine-tuning of height adjustment and placement of the holster helps to alleviate that. Attached to the waist with a Discreet Carry Concepts HLR Series Mod 4 Universal clip, it’s sure and secure while still allowing “easy-off” convenience.
For me, these holsters are from “new makers.” For the younger set, they recognize the names as established businesses. I was happy with the products and with the interaction with folks from both companies.
If you’re looking to fill any synthetic holster needs, these are a pair of makers worth looking into.
— Rich Grassi