Best Holster for the XD-S Mod.2 OSP?

By Justin Opinion

I recently talked about the new Springfield Armory XD-S Mod.2 OSP 9mm, and how it has helped change my stance on carrying a handgun with a mounted red-dot optic as an everyday carry setup. However, another equally important consideration when looking at making the move to concealed carry optics is a holster that can accommodate a pistol topped off with them.

Not every holster will accommodate your mounted optic or insure a snag-free draw along with the ability to easily re-holster. This can be greatly compounded when you’re talking about a brand-new product offering like the XD-S OSP. So what options might I have with this interesting little pistol, topped off with the optional Crimson Trace CTS-1500?

Chasing Our Tails?

It typically takes the holster industry a few months to catch up to new handgun models. In the meantime, you can find yourself with places to go — but not all dressed up. If you have a friend who makes holsters in his garage and you like his work, you’re in luck because you can loan him your pistol for a day or two and get it back with a holster that fits.

For the other 99.5% of us, we have to try and find one on the open market. This often means an Internet search that quickly becomes an exercise in frustration. There will always be that little company you’ve never heard of that claims to have a holster for your gun — but it is never in stock, they want your money up front, and there is very little confidence in what you’re going to get (weeks later) if you order one.

This is a cycle I’ve been through many more times than I care to count. And what I have learned over the years is to start my search with Blade-Tech. Yep, I know that sounds exactly like a sponsored sales pitch, but I assure you it’s not. What it is, is me making my years of holster-buying knowledge available to you.

The reasons I generally make Blade-Tech my first stop are simple and selfish: 1.) They have been making quality injection molded holsters for years and I can trust the quality and fit, and 2.) they have availability for a vastly wide variety of handguns — even some obscure models — that are almost always in stock. 3.) Their prices and buying choices — Blade-Tech keeps the prices very reasonable on their products, and you can even find most of them on Amazon. Who doesn’t like getting the holster for their new pistol with quick two-day delivery?!

My Choice

The Ultimate Klipt model from Blade-Tech incorporates a newly designed tension device just behind the belt clip. This odd-looking device is intended to increase the level of concealment of your handgun by drawing the grip closer into the body. I didn’t buy it for that feature, and frankly was a bit skeptical about it being anything more than a gimmick. But, I have to confess that it does do what it claims.

And, while designed primarily as an appendix style IWB holster, I wanted to test it as a traditional IWB riding at about 4 o’clock. I figured the tensioner could be removed if necessary to facilitate that. But I was pleased to find that it works great in that position just as it is!

There is some learning curve with the device — the emphasis being on “curve”. This new tensioner pushes your belt and waistband outward just behind the clip. This sort of “holster isometrics” completely eliminates that floppy feeling that a single-clip holster can have, holds it firmly in position and most notably draws the butt of the gun tighter into the body.

The bonus prize is that this holster just happens to be ideal for the brand new XD-S Mod.2 OSP. Because it is injection molded, the two sweat-guard tabs can be easily and gently flexed to accommodate the slightly extra width of an optic without adding any noticeable friction. On my model, topped off with the optional Crimson Trace CTS-1500 offered by Springfield Armory, I found that the ambidextrous sweat-guards also act as protection for the mounted optic.

They accomplish this by riding high up the sides of the red dot and forming a shield against snagging or bumping it. And because it’s a Blade-Tech product, the fit of the handgun is perfect and the retention is excellent. It is also fully ambidextrous, and if you don’t like the tension piece, it can be easily removed. And you get all this for $39.99. If you’re picking up the new XD-S Mod.2 OSP (a wise choice for CCW, if you ask me) — Blade-Tech has you covered.

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Blade-Tech Ultimate Klipt IWB

9^mm

XD-S Mod.2® OSP™ Series