My editor sent me a PHLster Floodlight OWB (Outside the Waist Band) holster to evaluate. Typically, I’m not a fan of the “one size holster fits all” concept because the “jack of all trades, master of none” usually doesn’t seem to work out great. So how did the PHLster perform?
Keep reading to find out!
When the holster arrived, it was packaged in a plastic, resealable baggie (a new concept for packaging holsters, at least to me). I tore off the top and noted the Ziploc-type apparatus for resealing the bag (obviously this was to keep the contents fresh in the event I were to need to reseal the bag).
Some Assembly Required
The next thing I noted was that there is “some assembly required.” The joy this news brought me was on par with having Vlad the Impaler perform at my next birthday party. I am not mechanically inclined and absolutely, positively despise assembling even the simplest things. To top it off, there was no instruction sheet included within the resealable Ziploc baggie (though had there been, I could have been assured of keeping them fresh and crisp, had I resealed them).
Okay, I figured, let’s get on with this, expecting it to be an utter calamity. I checked the PHLster website, and lo and behold, there is an instruction page! Within a few minutes, even considering my woefully pitiful “construction” skills, I had the holster together. To be fair, it’s not as terrible as it sounds. There are three baggies (also resealable, thank goodness) with three sets of screws and rubber washers of varying thicknesses to accommodate various sizes of handguns.
It’s versatile!
I thought, “Okay…they put some thought into this.”
I checked to see which models of handguns the holster would accommodate, and the list was voluminous: 1911, Glock 19/17/34 (and .40 and .357 variants), S&W M&P and SD Series, H&K MP9, VP40, and P30, FN 509 and FNS, CZ P10, P07, P09, 75 SP01, Sig P226, 229, 220, and P320, Walther PPQ, Polymer 80, Beretta 92, M9, PX4, APX, and XD/XDM series. How’s that for versatile?
Additionally, it is designed to accept weapon lights (TLR1, TLR-1 HL, and X300). The Nightstick TWM-30F that I have on my Glock 19X also fits very well.
This is exceptionally convenient for shooters who have a host of pistols and want something that will accommodate all of them in one fell swoop. Aside from convenience, it is a huge money-saver for folks, as they don’t have to buy several holsters.
The holster also is offered in a variety of colors: Black, OD Green, Tan, and Wolf Grey.
As if this rig is not already versatile enough, they made it compatible with Blade-Tech, G-Code, and Safariland attachments, and it is also ambidextrous. A Blade-Tech belt attachment is included as the method of mounting to the belt, and it works well. It’s adjustable for various different belt widths.
The Floodlight also accommodates slide-mounted optics, suppressor sights, and muzzle devices. This holster is good for the range, training, duty, competition, and daily carry. Although it can be used for concealed carry, be aware that it sticks out from the body substantially, so a bulky cover garment is going to be the order of the day if the user elects to employ it in that capacity. To be fair, I suspect that this was not its intended role at all.
Glock 19X & Nightstick TWM-30F
The holster held my Glock 19X with weapon light securely while still permitting a smooth, speedy draw. Understand, as I’ve mentioned, this is not a streamlined, custom rig; it is a large, one-size-fits-all affair. That’s not a dig on the holster, since that is basically its entire mission, and you realize it when you’re ordering it on their website.
Since I don’t own a myriad of handguns, I normally buy a purpose-fitted holster that is specifically made for the couple of pistols that I
have.
I like streamlined holsters that are built just for my pistols. Considering, though, that my 19X currently has a weapon light mounted, this holster makes sense. I will be getting a custom-fitted holster, but I also like the option of having this one from PHLster because it has the ability to holster my pistol with the light installed.
So, is the PHLster Floodlight OWB any good?
Overall, I like what this product does and provides, which is versatility in a huge way. It functions well and holds the pistol securely while still allowing a smooth, quick draw. As long as we keep in mind what this holster is meant to accomplish, I’d say it does what it set out to do very well. I’ll also add that the holster seems to be sturdily built and will likely absorb some abuse.
At the time of this writing, the PHLster Floodlight holster sells at GunMag Warehouse for $113.99. PHLster also offers a number of other products, including pouches and other carry options. PHLster’s products seem to be a good value for the quality that the consumer receives.
