BORELLI CONSULTING: Tactical Equipment Reviews

Hide-Away Holsters
13 August 2007

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A long time ago in a galaxy far away... no wait; wrong story. Not THAT long ago I received an off-duty holster system to test and was surprised to find that it was essentially a belly-band with a shoulder strap for support. Shortly thereafter I was given another off-duty holster system that was essentially a belly-band with two shoulder straps (like suspenders) for support. Being a little more round in the middle than I used to be, hiding such holster systems under a t-shirt isn't as easy, but I gave it my best try and here's how they both did.

The first one I received is the Kangaroo Industries Off-Duty / Undercover holster. The easiest way to describe this holster - shown right - is as a mix between belly band and shoulder holster. The system is designed to be worn around the chest directly below the pectoral muscles - just below the curve of your chest. This is significantly higher on your body than a belly band and to keep the system from sliding down and/or being pulled down by the weight of your weapon, there's a shoulder strap designed in.

The entire holster system is actually quite comfortable. Once you get used to the feel of the shoulder strap going up and over - especially if you're already used to a belly band - the holster is not binding or agitating. The holster itself is a soft pocket of material cut to fit revolvers or pistols with frame sizes being specified when you order. There is no security strap to keep the weapon in, but as high on your body as the system rides, it's pretty difficult to get the gun up and out of the holster unless you're doing jumping jacks.

Just because I'm not fond of such holster systems directly against my skin (the hair on the front of me ALWAYS gets pulled) I tested mine wearing it over a tank top and under a sufficiently large t-shirt. I carried my Glock 19 for a couple of days in it, under my left arm as if wearing a shoulder holster. Again, once I was used to the feeling of the shoulder strap, the holster system became quite transparent to my notice. My wife actually hugged me (she does that in rare moments) and was surprised when she felt the gun under my arm.

Obviously, if you're going to wear a holster like this it helps to be built fairly well. Those of us who are approximately equal around the waist and chest aren't going to hide guns so well with any type of belly band (or similar) system. Still, even with the reduced difference between my chest and waist I managed to hide the gun for that couple of days without anyone noticing that I had one. Again, my test gun was a Glock 19. To find out more about the holster, or to order one for yourself, visit Kangaroo Industries online.

The second hideaway holster system I tried recently is the Tactical Retention Undercover Suspension System, or TRUSS for short. Shown to the right, the TRUSS is more than a holster system, but affords enough space to become a backup equipment belt of sorts. After measuring me for proper fit during a recent conference I attended, the representative determined I needed a Large TRUSS. Even in the medium size, though, the TRUSS will carry a pistol, two pairs of handcuffs, two extra magazines, a knife, a flashlight and a small friction-lock baton. Like I said, it's more of a backup equipment belt than a holster.

Again using my Glock 19 for testing, I had to get my wife's help to originally size and fit the TRUSS. The first time you put it on there is some adjusting that has to be done to get it to fit you properly - and proper fit is of ultimate importance when it comes to carrying this much stuff around your middle concealed under a shirt. The TRUSS is worn slightly lower on the body than the Kangaroo holster system is, and has two shoulder straps - almost exactly like suspenders - to help keep everything from falling around your waist.

Once you have it fit and adjusted it's quite secure. Because of how snug the system fits around you the pouches for each item are naturally tight and hold onto the items due to pure friction. However, just to be sure about your magazines and pistol, additional security straps are designed in. You CAN do jumping jacks with this on and loaded without fear of losing anything.

The TRUSS system can be set up for strong side or weak side (cross draw) carry; comes in black or white; and does carry an amazing amount of stuff for a "hideaway" holster system. That's all good. Once again I put on a tank top, the TRUSS, loaded up and covered it all with a t-shirt. I typically wear an extra-large t-shirt, but with the TRUSS I had to wear a XXL to keep things from poking out. Comfort was good although it takes a little bit of time to get used to having that much stuff around your ribs. That's not a criticism of the TRUSS - it's just a reality. We're not typically used to having all of the gear on our duty belt around our ribs. Once I got used to the feeling of the handcuffs, knife, magazines, light and pistol pressed against my body I was able to think about the comfort of the system. It does quite well.

Now, here's my subjective outlook: I don't work undercover. I have no need to carry all this stuff with me covered by only a t-shirt. I've proven it can be done, but I don't need to do it. If YOU work undercover and need this equipment all on you at the same time, THIS is an excellent and comfortable system. If you are simply so motivated as to want all of this with you off-duty when you are wearing a t-shirt, then I admire and respect you. I enjoy having my knives in my pockets, spare magazines around my middle somewhere and my gun on my hip (usually). That XL t-shirt I mentioned earlier does me just fine, and if I want to carry my Government Model 1911 pistol with three extra mags, a flashlight and a baton then I'll have to put on the XXL t-shirt anyway.

For me, where the TRUSS will really shine is in the fall and spring months when a sweatshirt is ideal. Wearing a tank top underneath and the TRUSS to carry my kit, I'll be happy to be armed, have two spare mags, a light, a knife and a pair of handcuffs. With a properly fit sweatshirt the TRUSS won't be noticeable and thanks to the temperatures I won't be sweating under it through the tank top.

To get more info or to purchase your own TRUSS, visit SpecGear LLC online.

BE SAFE!!!

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Don't forget to check out our Recreational Equipment Review about Brad Thor's newest novel, "The First Commandment".

This week's Training Article about the evolution of SWAT after the Texas Tower shootings in 1966.

For a listing of all reviews in chronological order, GO HERE.

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