Recently I received an MD-5 model holster from Sticky Holsters for review. At first, I wasn’t overly excited about it, as the holster is…well, it’s rather simple and unassuming. But hey, I figured, sometimes simple is good. After all, aren’t I a simple guy?
Initially, I had thought that the Sticky holster was just for inside-the-pocket carry. However, I read the directions and discovered that it can also be an Inside The Waistband (IWB) holster as well. Being able to carry the holster in two different modes is kind of like getting two holsters for the price of one, to me, and I like that.
This particular model of holster is listed as fitting 26 various revolvers (talk about versatile!). I won’t list every model, but they included Colt’s, S&W, Charter Arms, Ruger, and Taurus. Overall, Sticky Holsters probably has a holster to fit your small handgun, as they make holsters to fit several dozen handguns. For this article, I used a Smith & Wesson 642 in .38 Special equipped with Crimson Trace Laser Grips. This revolver is light and super concealable.
Sticky Holsters claims that body heat and use conform the holster to your gun. As I use the holster more, I can see where they are accurate with that, it really does work. Being compressed in a pocket with your body heat actually does compress the holster around your firearm better.
In The Pocket
The MD-5 is listed to fit J-Frame and similar-sized revolvers with barrel lengths up to 2.25 inches. The holster covers the S&W 642 trigger guard nicely. When I drop the rig into my pocket, the revolver seems to disappear; the outline is totally broken up and it is secure.
The holster weighs a whopping 1.2 ounces. It’s like it’s not even there. The outside of the holster is covered in a material that is rather tacky, or sticky (aptly named), and resembles a sort of foam-like material. It appears to be substantially durable and should last for a very long time. Part of the holster is double-stitched, and the stitching appears to be very well done.
When I reach in and pull out my revolver, the holster stays in my pocket. Thanks to its sticky exterior, it seems to adhere to the inside of the pocket. At the same time, it’s easy enough to pull the holster out. As a matter of fact, Sticky recommends pulling the holster out of your pocket if you plan on re-holstering the handgun so that there are no accidents. It’s a lot safer than blindly trying to shove the handgun into your pocket.
Just out of curiosity, I slipped my S&W CSX 9mm pistol into the MD-5 to see how it would fit, and it actually seemed to fit very well, holding it securely and covering the trigger guard. I haven’t tried carrying it in the holster yet, since it’s not officially made for it, but it seems as though it would work well.
Inside The Waistband
It’s a simple matter to slide the holster into the waistband of your pants, where it is held securely. I recommend wearing a belt if you plan on using this mode of carry. Overall, though, it worked admirably and added to the holster’s versatility. Actually, it was extremely easy to re-holster in this mode of carry. You do have to spread the mouth of the holster out somewhat, as the holster has nothing to stiffen the mouth for holstering.
I carried this holster in the Appendix IWB position, so when it was time to re-holster, I had no issues doing so. However, if you carry it in the 3-o’clock position to the small of the back, you might have a challenge to re-holster it, and removing the holster will be a good idea so that you can accomplish the feat. For IWB carry, I’d recommend AIWB as the best mode because you can re-holster easily that way. Your mileage may vary.
Given the soft nature of the holster, it’s extremely comfortable. It’s quite unlike Kydex, which can dig into the body and skin uncomfortably. This has none of those qualities. Also, as there is nothing on the outside of the holster to attach to the belt or pants, you just have to adjust it around to the point where you’re comfortable with how it fits. I found that to be an easy and quick thing to do.
Other Products
Sticky makes more than just holsters. They also make wallets, magazine sleeves (single and double magazines), and even a belt slider holster. They have a belly band and an extender if you should happen to need that. There’s a travel mount that attaches to anything that has hook and loop attachments. And there are adhesive strips with hook and loop in case you want to attach the holster to other surfaces. They also have a holster that looks like a cell phone case.
Bonuses
Aside from the versatility and effectiveness of the holster, there are added bonuses. The first is that every Sticky Holster product is 100% made in the USA. To me, that means a lot these days. Another bonus is the lifetime warranty. This company stands behind its products.
In my opinion, the MD-5 holster from Sticky Holsters is a great deal on a high-quality, versatile holster. If you’re after deep concealment and good quality, I suggest checking out the Sticky Holster lineup.
Have you used one? Let us know what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
