Versacarry The Minimalist Holster

Posted in Other Gear & Gadgets by with 61 Comments
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It’s that time of year again when spring is approaching and we start thinking about warm weather. Of course warm weather means a change in holsters and sometimes the guns we carry.

With that in mind I thought there was no better time to talk about the Versacarry holster and its minimalist design.

Versacarry started several years ago after the designer’s home burned to the ground! When his insurance paid for his home he used a good deal of the money to start the Versacarry company. That’s a pretty gutsy decision considering the circumstances. In hindsight it was the right decision.

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The Versacarry design is about as simple as they come. Even so this holster can accommodate about any handgun you care to name. The holster starts out with a vertical piece of polymer that goes inside the waistband. At the top of the vertical it bends over with a built in hook securing the holster to a belt. At the bottom of the vertical piece it takes a 90 degree angle of about one inch. In this “L” shaped part a hole is drilled and a sized and color coded delrin rod is fixed in place as you see in the picture below. These delrin rods are made in many sizes to fit the internal dimensions of various caliber barrels.

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An upgrade to the original design is a trigger guard. Again, it’s simple and easily accommodates an ambidextrous carry option. The trigger guard is show below. It fits into a slot that runs through the vertical piece allowing it to be moved from one side to another. It does fit securely so no worries about it coming loose. Simply pull the part out and put it on the other side—that’s it.
Now some may hesitate to have a gun secured by placing the delrin rod in the gun barrel and I understand that. As long as you don’t force the rod into the barrel it draws easy. Delrin certainly won’t hurt the barrel.

Sizing is simple. You choose the gun you want it to fit and you get a holster that matches the height and width of the gun with the appropriate size delrin rod for the caliber of gun your using. If you have two identical guns with the exception of caliber the delrin rod can be changed out to accommodate the new gun.

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The cost for any holster is $25, which is a bargain price for a holster that works.

Now I do have a couple of concerns. The first is one I mentioned. You absolutely cannot push the gun barrel hard over the delrin rod and get it stuck. Even though the rod has a natural lubricity you can still overdo it and possibly break the rod off. The screw that attaches the rod to the holster is the weak spot. The second thing is once drawn you have to remove the holster in order to re-holster. It is possible to re-holster without removal but it’s difficult to do and takes less time to remove and re-holster. That’s not a big deal in a critical situation because you’ll not re-holster until things are resolved. This is not the type of holster you take to the range to practice drawing!

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Overall it’s good holster for its intended purpose of deep concealment.

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Phil White

Retired as a police officer after 30 years. Firearms instructor. Senior writer, moderator and writer coordinator for TFB. Test and evaluation manager also for TFB.
I’m also an all around gun nut!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1320593345 Jake Bullard

    Holster that doesn’t enclose my trigger? No.

    • 032125

      I have one. It does cover my trigger with a reversible plate. Unless I sprout a finger on my hip, there is no way the trigger is going to be depressed until the pistol comes out of the holster. It’s not a perfect system, but it is safer that you are imagining.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bryan-Spiegel/100000495796324 Bryan Spiegel

        Your hip might not spout a finger, but its not just fingers that press triggers.

        I agree with the “No thanks”

        • Anonymoose

          My thoughts exactly. I can see this holster gaining a reputation for NDs, especially with Glocks and other guns that don’t have a DA trigger pull or a manual safety lever.

          • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

            One thing I noticed with the revolver holster is that it does have two sides which covers the revolver trigger pretty well.

          • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

            No ND’s I could find so far.

          • HSR47

            Presumably because the vast majority of the people who buy these don’t actually use them.

        • Dustin in Texas

          That is true, it isn’t just your finger that can pull a trigger. If you’re carrying in the two-o’clock position, you’re penis just might hit the trigger.

          Very sad.

          • jason

            at least your penis won’t get blown off then…

        • 032125

          What else on your hip is going catch the trigger? the side that faces the world is covered by a hard plate. What, pray tell, is on the other side?

          • noob

            Your shirt tail? an errant piece of your jacket?

    • logan epps

      I agree, a holster that does not cover the whole trigger doesn’t satisfy me. What if your boxers got caught in the trigger well?

      • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

        I guess anythings possible but the Glock users would argue the point I imagine.

        I agree the design has some things to consider before purchasing.

  • http://twitter.com/blakedotfr Blake

    strange sizing chart; 380ACP & 9mm Parabellum are the same diameter… I guess maybe they both fit 9mm bbls?

    • Ian

      They probably do, but if you look at the lengths it’s a bit more representative of the size of the weapons on the market.

      • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

        Very true–

      • http://twitter.com/blakedotfr Blake

        Good point. My CZ-83 isn’t exactly the same size as a 9mm 1911, so they’d certainly need different frames.

    • gunslinger

      i’m betting you can use either. the smaller one has to fit a .25 so it might not work as well on a .45 but a .380 and 9mm should fit on the 9mm/45.

      it’s just a guess.

    • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

      Yes they do. The 9mm may fit a small amount further down over the rod than the ,380 but it’s essentially the same for practical use.

  • noob

    hmm any chance the plastic rod may break and then end up as a barrel obstruction?

    • Mystick

      I was just thinking that. In cold temperatures, plastic becomes brittle and bad things might happen. Not only do you have a barrel obstruction, But good odds are you’ll lose the gun, based on the design of the holster.

      • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

        Here’s a link for you concerning the properties of Delrin and temperature variations.

        http://www.sdplastics.com/delrin/delrin1.pdf

        • Mystick

          That document doesn’t appear to address tensile properties at lower temperatures, nor does it specify at what temperature the mechanical properties were benchmarked at. Those properties change in materials over a wide(hopefully) range of temperatures. I’m sure we’ve all seen things get brittle and break at lower temps. My experience is that plastic goes before metal.

    • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

      I don’t see how it could break. Delrin is some tough material. The rod is secured by a hole drilled in the bottom and a screw holding it in place. I would advise anyone to use some Loctite so the screw won’t back itself out over time.

  • 2wheels

    Half the reason I use a holster is to secure the firearm.

    The other half is to cover the trigger guard.

    So I won’t be buying one of these ever…

  • CrankyFool

    “This is not the type of holster you take to the range to practice drawing!”

    That seems … unfortunate.

    • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

      It is indeed since any one with a new holster should practice with it. You can practice but it would be time consuming removing the holster,placing the gun in the holster and putting it back IWB.

  • Mike Saldivar

    It would be great if you guys had an editor proofread your articles for clarity. The quality of writing is frequently so poor that I cannot be certain the author means what he wrote.

    Why is it a concern that “You absolutely cannot push your gun barrel hard over the delrin rod and get it stuck.” I assume you wouldn’t want it to get stuck, right? So why is it a problem that you cannot push it hard and get it stuck? Does he mean you cannot push it hard, BECAUSE it will get stuck?

    Regarding the holster, I’d think summer is the worst time for this sort of holster, because it presses the entire bare gun against your bare skin & undies. Skin and sweat are bad for metal.

    • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

      Well Mike as far as clarity you’re way over thinking this. The line you mention is what it says and nothing more. Many would wonder if the rod would stick inside the barrel. I said no it won’t. It’s just plain common sense you don’t want to try and draw a gun and have it stuck to the holster. There’s no hidden meaning.

      • Anonymous

        You need to rephrase that sentence, because I couldn’t understand it either.

        • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

          I don’t see it but if you guys want it re-phrased then it’s done. We aims to please:-) Read it again if you will.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=562482800 Jeremy Star

        He’s not looking for hidden meaning, the sentence is unclear. It’s as simple as that. Any college English professor would take points from your grade for that.

        Let’s eat Grandma! Let’s eat, Grandma!

  • Wheelgun

    I have had one for over a year now. I really like this holster system. The rig is light and lean. No bulk at all. Perfect for bulky guns like Glocks. I do not see where the Delrin rod could break off in the barrel. It is very thick and would take a saw to cut. Additionally the trigger guard is well covered. If you are carrying a gun for CC that has such a light trigger that your underwear could potentially set it off I would seriously reconsider carrying that gun for personal defense! I have not encountered nor do I personally perceive of any potential dangers of accidental or negligent discharge with this rig. Anyway, to each his own, if it doesn’t suit you carry in a standard rig and stay safe!

  • http://www.facebook.com/seth.greer Seth Greer

    I have one for my Ruger SR9. I like it for short term carry, but it gets uncomfortable quick. I would only use with a pistol with a manual safety (SR9) or double action trigger (Sig, HK, CZ). I would not use with Glocks, M&P, or XD.

    • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

      Agreed Seth and a 1911 would also fit in that category

  • TangledThorns

    I bought one for my Beretta PX4 subcompact and because of how the slide is at an angle it would push the pistol into my side. I think this holster would be better for squared off pistols like the Glock for example.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bryan-Spiegel/100000495796324 Bryan Spiegel

    Another concern… this does not look like a holster that you can re-holster with without.. some unfortunate adjustments.

    (New training concept, speed re-holstering while partner un-does pants and covers your… um… 6. )

  • Chucky

    Sorry, but no. One primary function I want my holsters to do is protect the gun itself. Particularly so for IWB carry because of all the sweat it could be swimming in.

    • HSR47

      I don’t disagree with you on this carry device (I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a “holster” because it really isn’t one), but I’ve found that protecting a gun worn IWB from sweat is practically impossible.

      I’ve been working as a contractor since early 2010, and I’ve been carrying on the job since the fall of 2010. In that time, I’ve found that my crossbreed holsters (leather/kydex hybrid) are the most comfortable and durable. I’ve also found that the leather backer piece is not a significant barrier for sweat when I’m working outside for the 1-2 months at the peak of summer (85-100+, with extremely high humidity).

      This is actually the reason why I stopped carrying my XD (pre-melonite) and got a Glock: I got tired of having to clean rust off the thing every single night.

  • balaclava

    what do these two sentences mean?

    “You absolutely cannot push your gun barrel hard over the delrin rod and get it stuck. Even the rod has a natural lubricity you can still overdo it. “

    • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

      It means you can’t ram the gun down over the Delrin post and prevent the gun from being drawn. You can still overdo the force used to reholster. Such as the screw I mentioned earlier which could benefit from some Loctite. You holster hard enough and you could damage that screw loosening the rod.

      • CraigDanger

        I think the missing word is “though.” It would be clearer if it read: “Even though the rod has a natural lubricity you can still overdo it. “

        • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

          I’ve already changed it:-)

  • david

    Useless POS for the ignorant.

    • Finkler

      Useless comment from the self-important.

      • david

        You must the the ignorant that I spoke about. Thanks for IDing yourself for us all.

        • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

          Ok guys be civil please—–

          • David

            But HE started it. I’m telling Mommy.

  • CraigDanger

    Are you sure the trigger guard is movable? I seem to remember on mine, it indicated that once the trigger guard was seated, it was no longer removable. (Now, you probably could yank hard enough, but I reckon you’d flatten the retaining divot in the polymer.

    • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

      I’m not sure about changing it often but during my testing it wasn’t a problem. It sill locked in just fine. I imagine they say that for those that constantly change them

  • KR

    There’s already been one self-inflicted GSW with the VersaCarry. http://doodieproject.com/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=3454It's the gun, not the holster, that is the big bulky thing that makes carrying “inconvenient”. The Versacarry is more complicated than a traditional holster, prevents the user from easily reholstering, leaves most of the user’s gun touching clothing or skin, where it can snag, gouge, soil and burn the user. But hey, it’s $25. Who wants to spend $50-80 on a traditional holster recommended and used by instructors at major gun schools or top competitors (Comp-Tac, Blade-Tech, Raven, Milt Sparks, etc.) when some unproven gadget recommended by some blog writer is available? It’s not like your life depends on it or anything.

  • sharpie.david

    So it’s a “Jamacian” holster?

    I made one for free out of an old coat hanger, I think I’ll pass on this.

  • Mr. Fahrenheit

    “An upgrade to the original design is a trigger guard.”

    So the earlier version didn’t even have the trigger guard that this one has? WTH? People will buy anything. I wouldn’t trust this holster with the trigger guard that still leaves one side of the trigger exposed – never mind the original design.

    • Mr. Fahrenheit

      The more I study this thing the more confused I get. I just watched a you tube video. Are you really sweeping one finger, at least, when you insert the rod into the barrel? No ‘effin way?

      • http://www.thefirearmblog.com/ Phil W “Senior Writer TFB”

        The Delrin rod is actually leaning in toward the vertical (holster) piece. You have to use a finger or something to pull the rod away from the holster to “holster” the gun.

  • Mike Knox

    A “holster” that holds it only by the muzzle using a high visibility grip component, might as well say “free gun”..

  • waq

    If you’re mildly interested you can make a basic version of this out of quarter inch steel rod from election or contractor advertising signs, Just bend it once for a belt hook and then much lower down bend it again to fit up into the muzzle. Wrap the whole thing with electrical tape to prevent scratching the inside of the barrel or outside of the gun. Can save you the $25.