Burk Cornelius
Regular guy
Background: I am always searching for the next best thing in holsters. I typically carry IWB but have always wanted to find a good OWB holster that works with my gun (Glock 26) and my body style (skinny). I decided to try a Blade-Tech Eclipse holster so I headed down to H&H Shooting Sports in Oklahoma City to pick one up. Low and behold; none in stock. The very next day I get an email from Blade-Tech saying that I had won their giveaway drawing on Facebook. What did I win? An Eclipse holster of my choice! Two weeks later, a package arrives from Puyallup, WA with my newest “acquisitionâ€
First Glance: I wasn’t sure what to expect because I have seen some of the Blade-Tech holsters that are injection molded plastic instead of Kydex. I was pleasantly surprised; the holster body is made of 0.08†Kydex. Only the belt loops are made from injection molded plastic. All of the hardware is black round head phillips screws that do not protrude from the body of the holster.
The molding of the holster is “boxy†which isn’t to say it’s bad. It just isn’t what you see in other handmade holsters where the boning is subtle and the lines of the gun less defined. That being said; the initial look of the Eclipse is that of high quality. I also noticed that the holster has a sweat guard on both sides of the gun. As an OWB holster I didn’t really care for this but I am presuming that it is designed for ambidextrous wear (IWB or OWB) so it is a necessity in that aspect. Since I am a righty, I might remove the outside sweat guard for a little more ease of reholstering.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find that they had included in my package, the clips to convert the Eclipse into an IWB holster. The existing belt loops are secured with the aforementioned Phillips screws and must be removed to attach the IWB clips. Not something you want to do every day so it would be best to decide which one you like and go with it. I chose the Eclipse mainly as a OWB belt holster so I will review in that capacity and then later make the conversion and review it in that configuration
Holster Quality: I am a holster snob. I used to be a leather holster snob, then I became a Kydex holster snob. After carrying and shooting for a while, I came to the realization that Kydex was the most suitable material for a holster that gets used and carried a lot. That’s only my opinion. I have Kydex holsters from some of the best holster makers around and I have an affinity for a handmade custom holster. The Blade-Tech Eclipse is clearly not a handmade holster. However, even though it is probably molded by machine it doesn’t mean it isn’t quality. The molding is pretty square and somewhat boxy but not to the point that it will cause a problem in OWB mode. I will wait until I have reviewed the IWB mode before making any statements regarding comfort in that regard. The muzzle end of the holster is squared off probably allowing other small frame Glocks (19/23) to be carried in the same holster. Since this was specifically made for a G26, I would rather have had the ends wrapped around the muzzle a little. In OWB mode, I don’t think it matters much but when I convert it to IWB we will see if the edges around the muzzle create any issues
Firearm Fit: The firearm goes into the holster with a very distinct “click†when the trigger guard is engaged by the Kydex. The retention is adjustable, so I can’t see a situation where the gun would not be secured until it is needed. I like a holster that has a click. It tells me (without looking) that the gun is properly seated in the holster
Holster ride/comfort (OWB):
As soon as I got the holster out and did a quick assessment, I put it on in OWB mode. I wear a Kydex lined Looper leather belt in 1-1/2†width. The very first thing I noticed after my belt was adjusted to the proper tension was that I could feel the gun pressing into my side above my belt. As mentioned above, I am skinny by most standards. With the absence of a spare tire, I often find that OWB holsters do not pull the holster into my side sufficient for my liking. Often they flop around, especially if the gun has a short barrel like a G26 and the gun has more weight above the belt line than below it. The Eclipse does not flop around. I am not saying that the gun digs into my side by any means but being able to feel the slide of the gun against my side is more that most OWB holsters offer so this was a good sign. The Eclipse also rides relatively high on the belt. Maybe because this version is for a Glock 26/27. With that small of a gun, about the only way it can ride is high.
The Eclipse I received is a straight drop (0º cant). I normally prefer a slight cant but since this gun is very compact it really doesn’t affect conceal-ability. However, if you were carrying a larger gun like a G19/23 or a G17/22, you might want to consider a slight cant (15º) to avoid the grip printing. I looked online at blade-tech.com and didn’t see an option from a straight drop on the G26 holster, so maybe this is a new option. Another reason I don’t mind a straight drop is that when I convert this to IWB, I am going to experiment with it in the appendix position (AIWB). A straight drop is necessary for this position
Holster ride/comfort (IWB): Review to follow
Overall Impression: I have been wearing this holster OWB daily for about 2 weeks now and haven’t really had any issues with concealing it. I have had my issues with OWB holsters and the Eclipse hasn’t disappointed. I have worn it while working around the barn and with a variety of cover garments, from a t-shirt to a loose fitting button shirt. Because it rides high and so close to the body, none of these scenarios have presented any printing issues. Overall, I give this holster a 4.5 / 5 hollowpoint rating (my own rating system). The dual sweat guard is the only possible down side. I will add a review of the IWB feature at a later date.
First Glance: I wasn’t sure what to expect because I have seen some of the Blade-Tech holsters that are injection molded plastic instead of Kydex. I was pleasantly surprised; the holster body is made of 0.08†Kydex. Only the belt loops are made from injection molded plastic. All of the hardware is black round head phillips screws that do not protrude from the body of the holster.
The molding of the holster is “boxy†which isn’t to say it’s bad. It just isn’t what you see in other handmade holsters where the boning is subtle and the lines of the gun less defined. That being said; the initial look of the Eclipse is that of high quality. I also noticed that the holster has a sweat guard on both sides of the gun. As an OWB holster I didn’t really care for this but I am presuming that it is designed for ambidextrous wear (IWB or OWB) so it is a necessity in that aspect. Since I am a righty, I might remove the outside sweat guard for a little more ease of reholstering.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find that they had included in my package, the clips to convert the Eclipse into an IWB holster. The existing belt loops are secured with the aforementioned Phillips screws and must be removed to attach the IWB clips. Not something you want to do every day so it would be best to decide which one you like and go with it. I chose the Eclipse mainly as a OWB belt holster so I will review in that capacity and then later make the conversion and review it in that configuration
Holster Quality: I am a holster snob. I used to be a leather holster snob, then I became a Kydex holster snob. After carrying and shooting for a while, I came to the realization that Kydex was the most suitable material for a holster that gets used and carried a lot. That’s only my opinion. I have Kydex holsters from some of the best holster makers around and I have an affinity for a handmade custom holster. The Blade-Tech Eclipse is clearly not a handmade holster. However, even though it is probably molded by machine it doesn’t mean it isn’t quality. The molding is pretty square and somewhat boxy but not to the point that it will cause a problem in OWB mode. I will wait until I have reviewed the IWB mode before making any statements regarding comfort in that regard. The muzzle end of the holster is squared off probably allowing other small frame Glocks (19/23) to be carried in the same holster. Since this was specifically made for a G26, I would rather have had the ends wrapped around the muzzle a little. In OWB mode, I don’t think it matters much but when I convert it to IWB we will see if the edges around the muzzle create any issues
Firearm Fit: The firearm goes into the holster with a very distinct “click†when the trigger guard is engaged by the Kydex. The retention is adjustable, so I can’t see a situation where the gun would not be secured until it is needed. I like a holster that has a click. It tells me (without looking) that the gun is properly seated in the holster
Holster ride/comfort (OWB):
As soon as I got the holster out and did a quick assessment, I put it on in OWB mode. I wear a Kydex lined Looper leather belt in 1-1/2†width. The very first thing I noticed after my belt was adjusted to the proper tension was that I could feel the gun pressing into my side above my belt. As mentioned above, I am skinny by most standards. With the absence of a spare tire, I often find that OWB holsters do not pull the holster into my side sufficient for my liking. Often they flop around, especially if the gun has a short barrel like a G26 and the gun has more weight above the belt line than below it. The Eclipse does not flop around. I am not saying that the gun digs into my side by any means but being able to feel the slide of the gun against my side is more that most OWB holsters offer so this was a good sign. The Eclipse also rides relatively high on the belt. Maybe because this version is for a Glock 26/27. With that small of a gun, about the only way it can ride is high.
The Eclipse I received is a straight drop (0º cant). I normally prefer a slight cant but since this gun is very compact it really doesn’t affect conceal-ability. However, if you were carrying a larger gun like a G19/23 or a G17/22, you might want to consider a slight cant (15º) to avoid the grip printing. I looked online at blade-tech.com and didn’t see an option from a straight drop on the G26 holster, so maybe this is a new option. Another reason I don’t mind a straight drop is that when I convert this to IWB, I am going to experiment with it in the appendix position (AIWB). A straight drop is necessary for this position
Holster ride/comfort (IWB): Review to follow
Overall Impression: I have been wearing this holster OWB daily for about 2 weeks now and haven’t really had any issues with concealing it. I have had my issues with OWB holsters and the Eclipse hasn’t disappointed. I have worn it while working around the barn and with a variety of cover garments, from a t-shirt to a loose fitting button shirt. Because it rides high and so close to the body, none of these scenarios have presented any printing issues. Overall, I give this holster a 4.5 / 5 hollowpoint rating (my own rating system). The dual sweat guard is the only possible down side. I will add a review of the IWB feature at a later date.
