SHOT Show 2019: Alien Gear Holsters breaks out more innovation
Eve Flanigan 01.22.19
At SHOT Show 2018, Alien Gear Holsters made quite a splash when they unveiled the world’s first concealed carry holster with a fan to keep the wearer cool. While their new products at this year’s show weren’t quite as over-the-top, they still reflect the original thinking the company is known for.
Pocket carry is a popular mode of staying armed, and is safe when the gun is securely sheathed. But, drawing is a disadvantage as the user has to fish the handgun’s grip out of the pocket before obtaining a firing grip. The company now has a pocket carry expansion pack which attaches to the pocket carry aspect of its Shape Shifter product. The little device makes the holster behave as if It were much wider at the top, in effect holding the hip side of a front pocket open enough to make drawing faster and easier. The Pocket Carry Expansion pack retails for approximately $25; the pocket holster alone is around $50.
Classic shoulder harness carry has seemingly faded away along with Starsky & Hutch. But Alien Gear has an updated take on this old and often-talked about but seldom seen carry method. With a figure 8 design of leather or vinyl, the company is re-presenting the shoulder holster for a new generation of gun carriers. The rig carries a pistol under the support side arm and up to two magazines on the opposite side. The Shape Shift Shoulder Holster retails for $133.88.
Alien Gear’s approach to the concealed carry market is one that respects that no one, or even three, carry systems are ideal for every different human and gun combination. These new products are more evidence that the company continues to take risks to find ways to please almost everyone who carries a concealed, holstered gun. As far as this writer knows, they’ve been careful along the way to ensure proper trigger guard coverage as well as adequate retention, making them a safe holster choice assuming the gun user exercises muzzle and finger control.
