Skip to content
Home > INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

12/30/2022

The SwapRig Flanker Shoulder Holster Rig

SwapRig Holsters aims to eliminate the overflowing holster drawer many concealed carriers have with its unique SwapSkin system. The SwapSkin is specific to the gun being carried but is interchangeable across chassis platforms, saving gun owners space and money at only $18.75 each. The all-leather Flanker shoulder holster would be a great rig based on the SwapSkin feature alone. However, there are two other major features that set it apart from all other shoulder rigs.

Handgun Draw Angle

The Flanker’s cant (draw angle) is adjustable to hold the handgun in three different positions. The most efficient draw angle will depend on the user’s physical build.

  1. Horizontally, with the pistol grip facing forward and the muzzle aligned parallel with the floor
  2. At a 45-degree cant, which elevates the butt of the gun
  3. At a vertical position, with the muzzle pointing to the floor for the most secure carry position

Magazine Carrier

The Flanker double-stack/single-stack magazine carrier offers the same versatility as the SwapSkin holster system. The retention flaps have a series of extra snaps, allowing the system to adapt to magazines of varying lengths. Inserts are included to adapt the double-mag sized carrier to single-stack magazines. According to SwapRig, this gives users the ability to carry any magazine from single-stack .380s to double-stack .45s. You should never have to purchase another magazine pouch for the Flanker. Users can also swap out the magazine carrier for a second SwapSkin holster to carry a backup gun. The belt-securing straps also feature a range of adjustments for optimal user comfort.

The Flanker in the Field

Because of shoulder injuries, I can no longer comfortably use most shoulder rigs. I enlisted my friend Bret to put the Flanker through a carry test for me. He used the Flanker with his Glock 27 while traveling out of state.

He reported wearing the Flanker for around 30 hours, testing it under heavy and light jackets, a button-up shirt and a hoodie sweatshirt. Noting that shoulder rigs often require more adjustment than an inside-the-waistband or outside-the-waistband holster, he said it took him several tries to fine-tune it to the perfect fit.

“I carried my Glock 27 with 10+1 rounds along, plus two 15-round magazines in the carrier. This made the entire Flanker rig very well-balanced and gave me plenty of firepower should the need arise. These features would be especially important if I have an on-duty plain clothes assignment.

The draw from under the open shirt or jacket was mastered quickly during (unloaded) practice. The draw from under the hoodie took a bit more practice. In the end, the draw process from the hoodie became just as smooth as a draw from a pistol carried in an appendix holster.

The belt securing straps worked well, but I found the Flanker can be used without them. It is much lighter than other leather shoulder rigs I’ve used.”

Should You Buy the Flanker Shoulder Holster?

The Flanker proved to work for Bret as advertised. It is an ingenious design. My thanks to Bret for giving the Flanker a thorough test. The MSRP of the Flanker with one SwapSkin of your choice is $253.95. It is available in Shadow Black (tested), Coyote Tan and Chestnut Brown colors. SwapRigs offers a long list of SwapSkins that accommodate optics and flashlight/laser sights. SwapRig makes all products in the USA. And if your particular handgun isn’t on the list, SwapRig will try to accommodate your request to make a rig work for you.

Source:

SwapRig Holster: SwapRigHolsters.com


About The Author: Scott W. Wagner

After working undercover in narcotics and liquor investigations, Scott W. Wagner settled down to be a criminal justice professor and police academy commander. He was also a SWAT team member, sniper and assistant team leader before his current position as patrol sergeant with the Village of Baltimore, Ohio, Police Department. Scott is a police firearms instructor certified to train revolver, semi-automatic pistol, shotgun, semi- and fully automatic...





SwapRig Convertible Hybrid Holster

Even as open carry of handguns becomes more common, it is important to properly conceal firearms. While some may think openly carrying shows a person means business, it can also leave the carrier at a disadvantage. Anyone would be able to see the firearm being carried and, if someone believes he or she is faster or stronger than the carrier, take off with that gun. That’s why I prefer concealed carry. And the SwapRig Hybrid inside-the-waistband/outside-the-waistband (IWB/OWB) concealment holster system allows you to conceal your handguns efficiently and comfortably.

About SwapRig Holsters

Located in Mt. Orab, Ohio, all SwapRig holsters are made in the U.S. SwapRig specializes in readily convertible hybrid concealment holsters, pocket rigs, and shoulder and chest holsters. All SwapRig holsters feature a lifetime warranty.

Hybrid OWB/IWB Holster

Overall construction of SwapRig holsters, like most hybrid holster designs, is a combination of a leather or horsehide backing plate. This holds a Kydex sheath molded to fit the handgun. SwapRig has more customer options to select from than most: horsehide or cowhide backing plate, color, light/laser, red dot optic and, of course, the weapon type. Most should be able to find a rig that works as the Kydex holster portion, called SwapSkins, offers more than 350 guns from which to choose.

Customers can order any number of different SwapSkins to add to the backing plate. But the completed rig will ship with the customer’s initial SwapSkin mounted. Ordering additional SwapSkins at $18.75 each rather than additional complete rigs keeps the overall cost down. The SwapSkins are easily changed out, held in place by standard Allen screws rather than permanent rivets.

I simulated an online order for a basic Revolution holster. The Revolution comes with pre-cut 1.5-inch belt slots in the backing plate and removable IWB belt clips that allow tuckable carry. I did not select rail-mounted laser/light or red dot optic options. The order amounted to $137.91. USPS shipping is free on all SwapRig Hybrid Holsters.

Hybrid Holster Test Carry

For test samples, I requested a Revolution holster set up to accommodate my friend Bret Roger’s duty pistol, a Glock 19 with a Streamlight TLR2 mounted. I worked with a Talon Appendix Carry IWB/OWB rig set up for my Smith & Wesson .38 Special M&P revolver with Crimson Trace frame-mounted laser. We wore our setups for two weeks.

For certain individuals, appendix carry can be ideal for two reasons. The handgun is easily reached for rapid draw while in a natural standing position. The gun is also more easily accessed when seated in a car. Second, testing has shown a handgun carried appendix is more easily retained if someone tries to snatch it from the holster since both hands can reach it to stabilize it in place. Small-of-the-back holsters and holsters located just to the rear of the hip bone don’t offer those advantages.

Bret wore the Glock 19 both IWB and OWB. He said the gun fit snugly in the G19 SwapSkin with the TLR2 attached but still drew easily. He really liked the level of comfort provided by the backing plate. The rig did not protrude from beneath his T-shirt and remained secure and concealed no matter what he was doing. He was very pleased.

The S&W M&P .38 is an ideal IWB deep carry gun and rode perfectly in the IWB appendix position. The Talon also has two riveted leather straps on the rear for OWB carry, which it also excelled at. The M&P was secure in the SwapSkin yet the grip could be fully accessed. There was no need to remove the IWB clips for OWB wear. The clips can be adjusted for height. The Talon as tested (IWB/OWB) was $89.95. IWB only is also available for $84.95.

Wrap Up

Bret and I were very impressed with these SwapRig products. The designs of the SwapRig hybrids are innovative and bring hybrid holsters to the pinnacle of current development. While SwapRig hybrid holsters may be more expensive than some designs when initially purchased, savings over the long run are realized by purchasing more SwapSkins. If you tend to trade in handguns on a regular basis like I’ve done, you aren’t out an entire holster; only out a SwapSkin.

Sources:

SwapRig: Swaprigholsters.com


About The Author: Scott W. Wagner

After working undercover in narcotics and liquor investigations, Scott W. Wagner settled down to be a criminal justice professor and police academy commander. He was also a SWAT team member, sniper and assistant team leader before his current position as patrol sergeant with the Village of Baltimore, Ohio, Police Department. Scott is a police firearms instructor certified to train revolver, semi-automatic pistol, shotgun, semi- and fully automatic...



Self Defense Carry
http://sdcarry.blogspot.com/2014_03_01_archive.htm...
SwapRig Holsters Review Self Defense Carry SDCarry

GunBlast.com http://youtu.be/ZQff8mljfZs?t=10m30s
SwapRig Holsters Review from GunBlast.com