PUTTING A HEADLOCK ON THE IMPRESSION OF KYDEX

By Patrik Hill

     In the winter of 2011 Derek Hill (no relation to the author), owner and sole operator of Headlock Holsters Custom Kydex in Show Low, Ariz., produced the very first holster for his GLOCK 19.  Like many shooting enthusiasts he wanted more from his gear.  Off the shelf wasn’t cutting it and says Hill, “I couldn’t afford to purchase the custom gear I needed, so I started turning out my own.  I wanted a hobby and I had a passion for the gear, so the progression seemed logical.”

     With no previous military or law enforcement experience he relied on friends and family to see what they would want in their holsters and also what he wanted to see in a custom rig.  So into his shop went Hill and created the working prototype for what is now the Headlock Holster. 

     With a basic holster price set at $55.00, it’s about what you’d expect to pay for quality gear but with the added bonus of not having your wallet vomit out all of your hard earned cash.  Of course this is the base model and with any number of added amenities the price can and does go up slightly, but according to Hill, “The consumer still feels they get a solid value for their investment.”

     “We have a variety of traditional military colors as well as carbon fiber and even pink, purple and zombie green,” says Hill.  “Add on options can include mounted MALICE clips, TEK-LOK, custom belt loops or paddles.  Just about any attachment that exists can be mounted to a customer’s piece.”

     Anyone who has bought high end gun gear knows that this is where the real secret to quality gear lies; the return on investment.  Off the shelf nylon holsters may be great jump off point but the more advanced user is going to alter their gear to suit their particular needs.  Headlock helps to fill this need by providing a wide variety of options to help the user find their perfect piece.  “We really don’t want to limit ourselves to any one group.  We (Headlock) cater to the needs of anyone and everyone that has a specific need.”

     As a shooting enthusiast, when I hear a company make a claim like this, generally the first thought in my mind is, “Challenge Accepted!”  On the one hand, there is my blind consumer belief that if a company is turning out a product it should be a solid product, but I’ve been wrong before.  Regardless I felt willing to attempt a new product and special ordered a holster for my G19, as well as a double mag pouch for 30rd PMAGs, all the while visions of 3-Gun Competitions dancing in my head.

     After only five days my package arrived with my brand new holster and mag pouch.  This was quite a bit faster than the one to two weeks that were quoted me.  Even two weeks would have been perfectly acceptable, in my opinion, for a completely custom, from scratch build.

     Upon opening said package my first thought was not bad, but curious.  The mag pouch appeared to be too short.  I had utter faith in the product but I couldn’t see how something so small could securely fasten two PMAGs.  The holster fit my G19 like a glove, and I was pleased as punch about that, but still I worried about the cut on the mag pouch.  So, like any new purchase, I decided to use it, and see how I could literally abuse it.  Would the products hold up to any significant level of abuse?

     Both the holster and the mag pouch were clearly designed for form and function with no excess material being used, that I could see.  The Kydex is mounted to two MALICE clips, through the rivets, with a total of six Chicago Screw sets on each platform.  There is absolutely no give or play on either the holster or the mag pouch, ensuring a solid mount to any belt or rig.

     I immediately took my new purchase to a remote part of the Gallatin Mountains to see what damage I could inflict upon them.  Staging a mock scenario that I felt I could best test them, I strapped them on a willing actor, Ben, and sent him and a few others, off running, jumping, rolling, and otherwise trying to dislodge or shake loose the loaded mags.  What I saw was nothing short of pure craftsmanship as those mags stayed put, rock solid and tight.  Even with a little new dirt and scuff on the holster and mag pouch, both the G19 and PMAGs were secure.

     As I’ve mentioned in the past, being in the back country and open carrying is one thing.  When you are downtown, in a scenario not conducive to open carry, it can complicate things when it comes to personal carry options.  I decided to see about moving and reattaching the holster, in a covert carry fashion, to test its versatility.  Mounting it to a standard 1” leather dress belt was no problem, and if there was any lingering doubt remaining about the quality of the products, that doubt was immediately destroyed.

     Originally mounted to a generic war belt and suspender set up these items moved and flowed with stable grace and precision.  Underneath an untucked, button down shirt, it was entirely invisible.  Not overly bulky to begin with, the trimmed and formed mass evaporated under the cloth giving a secure ride to the G19 without announcing to the world that a weapon was present.  Even carrying under an ordinary T-shirt proved to be no problem.

     Standing in a busy alley way in downtown no one passing was anyone the wiser as to the fact that Ben had a weapon strapped on.

     “Five or ten years from now, I want to see Headlock as a way to not only supplement my income, but as a way to give customers an option for quality custom gear,” said Hill.  When asked if there was a limit to what Headlock could produce, Hill replied, “No, not yet; maybe in the future, but not right now.

     “Regardless of how the future presents itself,” says Hill, “we will do our very best to accommodate and all requests for custom Kydex.”

     If a special request is made, Hill says that Headlock will make arrangements for your firearm, knife, or any other need to be safely and legally transported to the shop so that an accurate and perfect mold can be made.

     “I may handle your piece more than you do, but I guarantee that your custom piece will be what you need it to be and want it to be.  This, potentially, can be lifesaving because you won’t have to second guess your gear or the craftsmanship of that gear,” said Hill.

     To be sure, Headlock Holsters Custom Kydex has made a favorable impression, with gear that is totally on point, upon the small group of people who have ordered and used their products; everyone from law enforcement and civilian alike to state Congressmen who demand better than average gear.