Holsters 4
RIP Mark Craighead
My good friend and industry Leader, Mark Craighead passed away today. Mark owned & operated Crossbreed Holsters with his family and friends. I received the news today from. the family and they asked me to pass on their thanks for the thoughts of the firearms community and their assurance that things would continue as expected at Crossbreed. We have lost a great asset today.watch full Spy film
Mark quickly became a leader in the industry as his incredibly innovative Crossbreed Holster design and company quickly become respected for quality and function. He and I worked together on many projects over the last few years and have had the pleasure of hearing from many of his customers in my courses who greatly appreciate his efforts and his company’s efforts to meet their needs. Mark would often ask me what people were saying about the products and how they held up in class and he was always very proud to hear the great reports. He was also very eager to find ways to better serve his customers, the firearms community and the industry as a whole.
Approximately 3 weeks ago, Mark had a heart attack after a successful outpatient surgical procedure and had a very bad few days. We all believed that he had come through it and was on the road to full recovery. Earlier today, he had another massive heart attack and we lost him.
Outside of work, which he very much enjoyed, Mark was both a dedicated family man and a bit of an adventurer. One of his biggest hobbies was motor sports. He had some very impressive vehicles that he enjoyed driving/riding when time allowed. He even ran his beloved Lingenfelter Cadillac CTS-V in the Cannonball Run last year and had planned to try the Vegas to Reno Desert Race in 2013.
One thing that truly stood out about Mark was his commitment to friends and family. As Crossbreed Holsters grew, he continued to bring more and more of both into the operations to share in his success and in fulfilling his commitment to excellence. I have yet to meet anyone in the industry who had a bad word to speak of him and doubt sincerely that I ever will.
Rest In Peace, Brother.
REVIEW: Alessi Holsters Ankle Rig
Background:
Alessi Holsters Ankle Rig
There exist numerous methods for concealed carry of handguns and with each method come a number of manufacturers, materials and types of of holsters. I am a fan of very few methods of carry for personal protection and admittedly NOT a fan of ankle carry for a primary handgun. Unfortunately, things don’t always go the way we want and the time comes when we have to explore options outside our comfort zone or personal preferences i.e. ankle carry/CCW.
In 2009 I had the opportunity to meet and train with a couple guys from Alessi Holsters located in Cheektowaga, NY. Anyone who carries a handgun on the job or off has probably at one time or another heard of Alessi and their reputation in the industry is well earned. Founded in 1974, Alessi holsters was primarily know for producing custom hand crafted holsters for the US Government and several foreign military agencies. In recent years Alessi has opened up production to citizens, undercover LE and security professionals who carry a gun every day.
One of the guys from Alessi approached me and showed me his Alessi ankle rig commenting on how I was pocket carrying my Smith & Wesson 642 backup. As stated above, I was not a fan of ankle carry due to the difficulties associated with accessing the handgun from that location and comfort issues I had experienced with previous ankle holsters I had evaluated for my personal use. Upon seeing the Alessi rig I immediately saw the difference in design quality, durability and comfort. Jeff allowed me to use his Alessi ankle holster for the remainder of that day during the class consisting of approximately 7 hrs on my feet shooting and moving. I will admit that I forgot I had that ankle rig on. The holster was so comfortable that I didn’t want to give it back and, if I recall correctly, I offered to buy his from him right there on the spot. Upon returning home that night I got online and purchased an Alessi ankle holster via the Alessiholsters.com web store for my SW642. Over the last year and a half I have found myself presented with several occasions where carrying my full size guns was a no go such as weddings, formal meetings and other such events. The Alessi ankle rig has been with me each time.
Alessi Ankle Holster
Alessi Ankle Holster
Specifications:
I received my holster in just less than 3 weeks and immediately started utilizing it for my backup gun. Made of russet leather and felt this holster is extremely durable and most importantly to me, comfortable. If a holster is not comfortable for 8+ hrs of extended wear I won’t wear it. It measures 5.25 inches in height and under 2 inches at its thickest point (cylinder). The 2 inch wide wrap around secures via Velcro and is extremely robust and secure. When I first received it I did a little jog test on the treadmill for about half a mile with no shifting or retention problems. Since that time I have had occasion to sprint short distances and grapple in combatives classes while wearing this holster with similar results; retention is excellent.
Ankle Carry Considerations:
Alessi Ankle Holster
- Accessing handgun from an ankle holster requires the shooter to either 1) Take a knee; which is not recommended in a combative environment since you are immediately limiting mobility 2) Be seated; in car, at desk or table where once again mobility is generally very limited 3) Balance on one foot while raising the other leg to the hands; not recommended. All of these methods require extensive practice.
- Depending upon physical make up, bending forward at the waist to access a handgun from an ankle holster may be extremely difficult.
- Shoe selection is an important factor; I do not wear my ankle holster with any type of mid or high boot because of thecircumference of my ankle/calf since I cannot wrap the holster and secure it properly.
- Dress shoes and low top shoes may allow the holster to slide downward and expose the base of the holster, thus care should be taken when sitting due to this factor.
- While the holster may be secure the rounds in the chamber of a revolver will make noise when moving giving off a noise and or target signature.
- As with ANY holster it is recommended you dress around the holster to limit printing and unintended exposure.
Alessi Ankle Holster
Alessi Ankle Holster
Conclusion:
The Alessi ankle holster has changed my opinion of ankle carry as an option when circumstances dictate non-traditional primary carry. I now appreciate the positive reviews and recommendations for this holster I’ve received from LE undercover officer friends and Federal Agents I have had the pleasure of interacting and training with. To top things off Alessi offers a (3) day return policy and free lifetime holster repair for common wear damage. I will continue to utilize my Alessi ankle holster and if you are in the market I encourage you to check them out, you won’t be disappointed.
Alessi Ankle Rig: $165 + Shipping
Contact Alessi Holsters: http://www.alessigunholsters.com/
Blade-Tech Founder Retires
PUYALLUP, WA: Blade-Tech Industries, a leading manufacturer of tactical and thermoplastic products announces the retirement of its founder, Tim Wegner.
Tim Wegner started Blade-Tech Industries with the idea that there was a need in the market for high quality thermoplastic knife sheathes and holsters. His dream started in his garage hand making each piece. As demand grew, Blade-Tech Industries grew. Today Tim’s vision has developed into one of the best known high quality holster manufacturers in the United States.
In 2005 Tim hired Steve Avila, formally of Boeing, as CEO to take the company and vision to the next level. Tim watched as his son, Bryce Wegner, took over as President of the company and his longtime friend and co-innovator from the first days in Tim’s garage, Tom Crawford, became COO.
With this new administration in place, a foundation was set that allowed Tim to start curtailing some of his executive responsibilities and work with the new team to focus on developing the right product for Blade-Tech’s ever growing customer base.
Tim is one of the pioneers of utilizing thermoplastic to make practical products that can be worn by law enforcement officers, military personnel and civilians alike. His hard work helped forge techniques that are now widely used across the whole holster industry.
Over the years, Tim has designed many of Blade-Tech’s best selling knives. In the early years of the company he oversaw the introduction of some of Blade-Tech’s most popular products and helped to chart a course that aided in leading Blade-Tech into many venues including the world of competitive shooting. Blade-Tech is still one of the most used brands of gear across all of the shooting sports.
With the plethora of holster companies on the market today, Tim helped Blade-Tech secure its reputation of being a consistent provider of durable holsters that have an unsurpassed fit. Reliability is the foundation of Blade-Tech Industries’ success; a success that continues to grow even in the backdrop of a recession.
Though Tim will no longer be working on a day-to-day basis at the Blade-Tech facility, his legacy will continue on through the leadership of his son and the hard work of the whole Blade-Tech team. Blade-Tech’s future will continue on the path of innovation and quality, always honoring Tim’s contribution as its founder.
GEAR REVIEW: Crossbreed Holsters SuperTuck Deluxe
Crossbreed Holsters – SuperTuck Deluxe
By Chris Fry
Several months ago I noticed a different holster design a student in a class was utilizing. Brofro is a member of a couple N.Y. based firearm forums and a good guy and shooter so I approached him and inquired about his holsters unique design and how much leather there was for the sweat guard. He told me the holster was the SuperTuck from Crossbreed Holsters out of Missouri and commented on how comfortable it was. In retrospect, I realized I had seen advertisements for Crossbreed in gun-rags such as S.W.A.T. and on a couple internet forums. The next day I got on the Crossbreed website and ordered one of the SuperTuck Deluxe inside the waistband holsters for my Glock 19 every day carry handgun.
Read the rest of the review here:
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