Crossbreed holster retention - The Firearms Forum

simon1 · 06-03-2012, 10:03 AM

Hi all, first post.

I just received my Crossbreed Super Tuck for my Colt Officer's ACP and I have to twist the grip in toward my body a bit to get the trigger guard retention to let go. Otherwise the holster won't release.

Is this normal or do I need to adjust the tension a bit?

norahc · 06-03-2012, 02:39 PM

The nice thing about Kydex is that with a little judicious application of heat, you can adjust the tension of the holster. I don't have the same problem with mine, so it is possible your's just needs a minor adjustment.

jeffadaklin · 06-03-2012, 06:11 PM

THere is a method to the madness- if the pistol simply slid right out it would be too easy for someone to slip up and take it. It's ddesigned, to a point, to make you pull a certain direction to draw, and after a day or so of drawing you'll get to be an expert. If it takes two hands, or serious manipulation, then it probably is too tight, but at the same time, while practicing a few days, it will loosen up a tad, too/
I would say if it remains too tight after a week, go to Crossbreed's website, click on Contact Us, and shoot them an email. They are really the most cooperative folks I've ever dealt with. They will eithe rhelp figure it out, tell you how to adfjust it, and offer to send it back and they'll do it for ya. No kiddin', you won't do business with nicer folks- and quick to respond, as well. Enjoy yours, I and my friends do.

simon1 · 06-04-2012, 08:16 AM

Thanks guys. I think it's having my belt tightened up and curving the leather (I have good belts, I'm a firm believer in good leather) is what's putting it in a bind; it works fine when I'm not wearing it and put the gun in and then draw it. If I pull the leather by the trigger guard back and curve it like when it's on me it will also bind up.

I'll wear it for awhile and see what happens. If it doesn't straighten up I'll email Mark to make sure how to adjust it right. Probably just need to heat the Kydex and twist the grip outward just a tad.

I'm used to Mexican carry under a shirt in the summer so the only things I don't like about it are the extra bulk and not being able to wear it with some pants that I can wear using Mexican carry. I do like the retention and comfort of the holster, and it is well made.

Since I'm not running the streets wrestling bad guys and getting into armed confrontations anymore the retention is not that much of an issue to me when I'm just sitting at the office doing background checks or writing reports. Although I do have to go to the bad parts of town at times to do interviews and such; good retention at those times is a good thing. And I do like being able to just unhook the belt clips and take everything off if I have to go into the courthouse, post office, etc. instead of taking the gun out and wearing an empty holster.

Here's a pic. of the Colt I had Bill Wilson tighten and tune for me several years ago:

Slide fitted to frame

Throated and polished

Extractor adjusted

Heavy duty ejector

Skeleton trigger

Duty trigger job

Ambi safety

Bo-Mar Lo-Mount sights

Full length guide rod

Match barrel bushing

I also got a Wolff recoil spring tuning kit and played with the springs until I got if functioning like I want with 230 gr. Speer Gold Dots.

PanhandlePop · 06-08-2012, 06:53 PM

Nice 1911! FWIW, my CBST loosened up rather quickly after some belt time. I really think it was more the leather getting broken in than anything. If that doesn't work, a hair drier and a little manipulation of the kydex with do the trick. I think they probably included instructions with the holster on how to adjust the fit--if not, just email them for the how-to.

simon1 · 06-09-2012, 06:37 PM

Thanks Panhandle, this 1911 is my most carried one...besides a DAO AMT .40 in the pocket.

The holster does seem to be getting a bit better, but I haven't worn it a lot since I only have about 2 business casual pants, and blue jeans, that I can wear it with. I went back to mex carry for every day for now until I can get it functioning well...one "false" draw could have serious consequences. I did saddle soap the leather real well and I'll see how that works after wearing it at home for awhile.

Mark did include instructions for adjustment with the order...I really like the customer service attitude that they seem to project.

I also really like the leather I got from El Paso Saddlery for the .45 several years ago, and I emailed them recently asking about the specs. on one of their belts and never got a reply...has Tio Sam's legacy gone to crap on customer service?

So... I ordered a 1 1/2 belt from the Beltman and I really like it; it's almost as good as a 1 3/4 basket weave one I have that has no maker stamp on it and I forgot where I got it. The only reason it doesn't carry as well the basket weave is that it's not as wide, but it's just as thick. Good belt for business dress wear when a wider belt won't fit the belt loops.

As for getting used to the holster, I went to the range quite awhile back with a Constable that I used to work with at the police department, and another Constable was there with a plastic holster where you pushed your trigger finger on a button to release the weapon when you draw.

He had SEVERAL "false" draws...hung up on him. I saw him at the Courthouse the other day but didn't look at what he was carrying now.

Personally, I'd rather adjust the holster to the muscle memory that has developed over many years than try to adjust muscle memory to the holster.

That being said...I'll work with the Crossbreed for awhile. I like it except for maybe having to buy new pants.

06-03-2012, 10:03 AM	#1
simon1 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: N.E. Texas Posts: 3	Crossbreed holster retention Hi all, first post. I just received my Crossbreed Super Tuck for my Colt Officer's ACP and I have to twist the grip in toward my body a bit to get the trigger guard retention to let go. Otherwise the holster won't release. Is this normal or do I need to adjust the tension a bit? -->

06-03-2012, 06:11 PM	#3
jeffadaklin V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SC Posts: 137	Re: Crossbreed holster retention THere is a method to the madness- if the pistol simply slid right out it would be too easy for someone to slip up and take it. It's ddesigned, to a point, to make you pull a certain direction to draw, and after a day or so of drawing you'll get to be an expert. If it takes two hands, or serious manipulation, then it probably is too tight, but at the same time, while practicing a few days, it will loosen up a tad, too/ I would say if it remains too tight after a week, go to Crossbreed's website, click on Contact Us, and shoot them an email. They are really the most cooperative folks I've ever dealt with. They will eithe rhelp figure it out, tell you how to adfjust it, and offer to send it back and they'll do it for ya. No kiddin', you won't do business with nicer folks- and quick to respond, as well. Enjoy yours, I and my friends do. __________________ Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

06-04-2012, 08:16 AM	#4
simon1 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: N.E. Texas Posts: 3	Re: Crossbreed holster retention Thanks guys. I think it's having my belt tightened up and curving the leather (I have good belts, I'm a firm believer in good leather) is what's putting it in a bind; it works fine when I'm not wearing it and put the gun in and then draw it. If I pull the leather by the trigger guard back and curve it like when it's on me it will also bind up. I'll wear it for awhile and see what happens. If it doesn't straighten up I'll email Mark to make sure how to adjust it right. Probably just need to heat the Kydex and twist the grip outward just a tad. I'm used to Mexican carry under a shirt in the summer so the only things I don't like about it are the extra bulk and not being able to wear it with some pants that I can wear using Mexican carry. I do like the retention and comfort of the holster, and it is well made. Since I'm not running the streets wrestling bad guys and getting into armed confrontations anymore the retention is not that much of an issue to me when I'm just sitting at the office doing background checks or writing reports. Although I do have to go to the bad parts of town at times to do interviews and such; good retention at those times is a good thing. And I do like being able to just unhook the belt clips and take everything off if I have to go into the courthouse, post office, etc. instead of taking the gun out and wearing an empty holster. Here's a pic. of the Colt I had Bill Wilson tighten and tune for me several years ago: Slide fitted to frame Throated and polished Extractor adjusted Heavy duty ejector Skeleton trigger Duty trigger job Ambi safety Bo-Mar Lo-Mount sights Full length guide rod Match barrel bushing I also got a Wolff recoil spring tuning kit and played with the springs until I got if functioning like I want with 230 gr. Speer Gold Dots.

06-08-2012, 06:53 PM	#5
PanhandlePop V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 254	Re: Crossbreed holster retention Nice 1911! FWIW, my CBST loosened up rather quickly after some belt time. I really think it was more the leather getting broken in than anything. If that doesn't work, a hair drier and a little manipulation of the kydex with do the trick. I think they probably included instructions with the holster on how to adjust the fit--if not, just email them for the how-to.

06-09-2012, 06:37 PM	#6
simon1 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: N.E. Texas Posts: 3	Re: Crossbreed holster retention Thanks Panhandle, this 1911 is my most carried one...besides a DAO AMT .40 in the pocket. The holster does seem to be getting a bit better, but I haven't worn it a lot since I only have about 2 business casual pants, and blue jeans, that I can wear it with. I went back to mex carry for every day for now until I can get it functioning well...one "false" draw could have serious consequences. I did saddle soap the leather real well and I'll see how that works after wearing it at home for awhile. Mark did include instructions for adjustment with the order...I really like the customer service attitude that they seem to project. I also really like the leather I got from El Paso Saddlery for the .45 several years ago, and I emailed them recently asking about the specs. on one of their belts and never got a reply...has Tio Sam's legacy gone to crap on customer service? So... I ordered a 1 1/2 belt from the Beltman and I really like it; it's almost as good as a 1 3/4 basket weave one I have that has no maker stamp on it and I forgot where I got it. The only reason it doesn't carry as well the basket weave is that it's not as wide, but it's just as thick. Good belt for business dress wear when a wider belt won't fit the belt loops. As for getting used to the holster, I went to the range quite awhile back with a Constable that I used to work with at the police department, and another Constable was there with a plastic holster where you pushed your trigger finger on a button to release the weapon when you draw. He had SEVERAL "false" draws...hung up on him. I saw him at the Courthouse the other day but didn't look at what he was carrying now. Personally, I'd rather adjust the holster to the muscle memory that has developed over many years than try to adjust muscle memory to the holster. That being said...I'll work with the Crossbreed for awhile. I like it except for maybe having to buy new pants. Last edited by simon1; 06-09-2012 at 06:52 PM..