The Crossbreed Freedom Carry Holster

I have recently “commandeered” my wife’s Glock 19 and have been carrying it pretty regularly in my Alien Gear Cloak Tuck IWB. I’d heard a number of good things about CrossBreed, but had never bought one, so I was definitely interested when Phil told me I would get one in for a review, specifically the Freedom Carry model that CrossBreed has “recently” come out with.

CrossBreed bills the the Freedom Carry as being able to be “worn in several positions without sacrificing comfort” and is currently the most versatile holster in their lineup. Due to it’s shape and fit you can carry larger firearms in the appendix position, which is a challenge for most of the other hybrid holsters I’ve encountered.

Pretty simple. But definitely comfortable to me.

The Freedom Carry is available for more than 300 different firearms (311 if you count the available options in the selector on their order page). This includes full size guns, guns with lasers, guns with red dot sights, and even some lights (and it looks like they will accommodate the new Glock MOS). It can be bought for both left and right handed configurations and it is available in three different colors: hand-dyed black cowhide, premium cowhide, and natural horsehide. The starting price is $64.50 with up-charges for the different materials and retention clip options.

The kydex portion of the holster is oriented vertically on the holster, setting it up for a straight draw with no modifications. The versatility comes from having an adjustable position on the upper clip mount. The bottom bolt is mounted in a fixed position, and the upper is in a slot allowing for the clip to lock at a number of angles. This flexibility allows for the wearer to carry in any number of positions: appendix, cross draw, strong-side, etc.

The upper retention bolt of the clip allows for side to side adjustment making it simple to cant it to your preference.

The leather is cut in such a way as to put material between your body and the slide. But it does not have any extra material, giving it a very slim profile.

Observations

I received the hand-dyed black cowhide (with the standard clip), right handed, configured for Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 31, 32 (obviously the same mold pattern).

The first thing I did was to take it out of the package, stuff the Glock 19 into it, and put it on. I was currently wearing my Lenwood Leather Belt, and the holster worked perfectly with it, the clip seating firmly around the belt. I have to say, this was one of the most immediately comfortable “inside-the-waistband” holsters I have had the pleasure to wear. I went about my day, including running some errands and some work in the back yard, and I never felt the holster digging into me, nor was I really “aware” of it.

Skin side of the leather. Very smooth and comfortable.

It has a pretty smooth draw from the holster and I have done bunch of dry fire training with it. There is not a huge lip of leather to have to contend with so re-holstering has not been an issue, though that is certainly a concern as this gets more broken in over time.  The clip itself stayed firmly attached to my belt–I’m always a little leery of clips that you do not thread the belt through.

Just enough kydex to lock the gun in place.

CrossBreed holsters come with a “Two Week, Try it Free Guarantee” and a lifetime warranty. Personally, I was able to tell within a day, which surprised me from a leather holster—normally I’d expect at least the couple of weeks (they offer) of break in with daily wear.

The benefit of the holster only having enough leather to protect from the slide is that there is less to break in, and the shape lends itself to easier form fitting to the wearer’s body. And that is exactly what happened with mine.

The holster does a pretty good job of retaining the pistol (at least the Glock 19; other models could be different) when the holster is not currently being worn (contrasted to the Alien Gear which is a little bit looser off the body; though very tight when being worn so not a big deal in my book).

The Freedom Carry does a god job of retention. Unless I shake the holster aggressively, the pistol will stay in the holster.

Another contrast with the Freedom Carry (against the Alien Gear) is that the kydex is not interchangeable. So if you have a couple of different guns, you will need to order a separate holster for each (whereas you can get different shells for the Alien Gear and change them out with the screws).

My biggest complaint is that they do not appear to have a molding compatible with my new Surefire XC1 (though in all fairness I don’t think many manufacturers do yet). I suppose it is possible that one of the other accessory moldings could work—I just don’t have one.

The CrossBreed has some of the best molding I have seen.  I wish they would make one to accommodate the Surefire XC1.

Conclusion

I now have a difficult choice, having to decide between my Alien and this Crossbreed holster as my preferred choice for a hybrid holster. Fortunately I have a shell for my XDs for the Alien so I can make my choice based on that.

I don’t think there is anything that beats a well-made leather holster for comfort, though the downside is that some well broke in holsters can get a bit of sag to the leather making reholstering difficult. That said I’m generally not one to holster/re-holster while it is on my body—if I take it off (aside from worst case scenario) it will be still inside the holster.

If anyone here has a CrossBreed Freedom Carry for a gun other than the Glock, please comment and let us all know how it works for you. I know I’d certainly be interested to find out how it does with other weapons.

For more information, go to CrossBreedHolsters.com.