Crossbreed Super Tuck carry holster, extended wear review

[dburkhead]

Crossbreed Super Tuck holster

What I got: The Super Tuck holster in black cowhide with optional J clips.
For: Taurus PT1911AR, a full size 1911 with an integral Picatinny rail.
Price: $69.75 ( +$15.00 for natural horsehide) $5.00 for the J clips.

First impressions: Nice build quality. Four holes on either side to adjust the holster height and angle. Molded kydex scabbard to hold the gun. The scabbard is form fitting and recesses slightly into the trigger guard for retention. The instructions that come with the holster explain how to use a blow dryer to soften the kydex to adjust retention or one can send the holster back to Crossbreed for adjustment.

One of the problems I had with finding a good holster was the rail on the Taurus 1911. The rail is wider than is typical on other railed 1911s and finding a holster that fit, between cheap "Uncle Mike's" or "Gunmate" holsters and very high-end custom gunleather was quite difficult. A quick email to Taurus got a prompt response that they were aware of the issues with the Taurus and could provide a holster to fit.

Crossbreed Super Tuck Front (fully broken in after about 6 months wear)

Rear

Wear and use:

I tried several different positions with this holster and gun, from 1:00 to 5:00. For my body size and shape, carries in front tended to pinch when I bend. 3:00 was comfortable but the handgrip on the pistol jutted out and printed badly. Most people probably wouldn't notice, but I did and really preferred better concealment.

When I wore the holster in the 4-5 o'clock position, however, the situation changed dramatically. The holder was quite comfortable in that position. The gun was held flat against my back and didn't protrude. Worn with a shirt untucked or tucked between the holster and the pants it didn't print.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaWyS3cTMHA"]YouTube - Crossbreed SuperTuck - Untucked & Tucked[/ame]

In this early period when I was trying it out I did, however, encounter several problems.

Problem 1:

While the leather completely covers the space between my body and the pistol, the kydex only covers a portion of the gun. The slide and frame extend out from the front of it. As a result, the finish on the gun is subject to wear as one moves and the clothes rub against the pistol. Personally, I don't consider this a downcheck. A carry firearm is not a show piece. If one is worried about wear or scratches, better to leave that gun in the safe and carry something a bit more utilitarian.

Related to the coverage problem, I had a problem where the edge of the kydex would wear holes in my pants. This was definitely troublesome. Wearing out my pants in short order is not something I want a holster to do.

I contacted Crossbreed about this (one thing I can say about Crossbreed holsters is that, in my experience, they have great customer service) and received this response:

While I certainly understand your concern, to be honest there have only been a handful of folks who have had this issue that I am aware of. The vast majority of our customers do not experience this and we have well over 40,000 holsters delivered to date. To be honest I suspect when this does occur it's more of an issue with the individual user. Perhaps it's the angle you carry your holster/gun at or more likely, how tight you wear your pants. I don't know these as to be certain answers as I personally have never experienced this issue and know no one personally who has. As far as folks who have reported on this issue, it's less than 6 or 7 that I can think of. Even if it were 10 or 20 folks, out of over 40,000 that is not enough to blame the design of the holster but rather a time to look at each individual situation for the cause. It is easy to think that if it happens to you it must surely be happening to everyone else, but such is definitely not the case.

While that answer could be self-serving, I don't think it is. To be honest, after the first few weeks of wear the problem went away. It could be that I had been wearing older pants that were really too tight (I've gained a few pounds over the years) and the new ones fit properly and therefore don't rub so hard, or maybe their was a bur or something at the edge of the kydex that smoothed off with wear. In any case, I am not having the problem any more so while this is something to be aware of, I don't think it's any more than a break-in problem, at least not for me.

Problem 2:

I would remove the gun from the holster and find the that safety was off. On further investigation this turned out to be a training issue. When reaching back for the gun I was, without noticing it, brushing the ambi safety on the 1911. A simple change in how I reached for the gun corrected this problem. I suspect I would have had the same problem with any holster worn in the same spot unless it actually covered the safety.

Problem 3:

Sometimes on drawing the gun I would see that the magazine was not locked in place. This usually happened when I had been wearing the holstered gun in my car. This was certainly disconcerting and would have been unconscionable in a holster for defensive carry if it were not resolved.

The clue to what was happening was that it happened when I was wearing the holster in my car. The gun and holster were pressed tight against my back in that position and apparently the pressure was enough to depress the magazine release. When I inspected the holster, I discovered that there was a small dent corresponding to the location of the magazine release.

I continued to try the holster for a while and gradually, that problem went away. Still, I was experimenting with a holster and this problem was potentially serious enough that I would not be able to recommend it if it were left unresolved.

I contacted Crossbreed about this issue too. My proposed solution was to drill a hole in the leather where the magazine release rests to relieve the pressure on it. Their response was as follows:

This is a bit more common, we hear of this issue maybe 10% of the time and the solution is very simple. Instead of cutting a hole in the leather, just moisten the back of the holster in the area where the mag button hits. Do this in an area about the size of a quarter, then using your thumb or a blunt tool, form a divot in the front of the holster where the mag button hits. Once this dries it'll hold it's shape and prevent the mag button popping issue, this has not ever failed to cure the problem as far as I know. We don't do this as standard practice because again, it's not a common problem, however I might add this tip to the instructions we send out with our holsters.

At a 10% occurrence rate, I would certainly recommend that they warn users about this particular problem and provide the correction instructions.

And that's really been it. The holster is comfortable, comfortable enough that I'll generally use it when I'm Open Carrying as well as when I conceal--just tuck the shirt behind the holster rather than between it and the pants. It conceals well. Drawing is easy and is facilitated in that you can adjust the height and angle of the holster. Reholstering one-handed is easy, even in the rather awkward position that works best for me. It's available at a modest price from a company with excellent customer service. Highly recommended.

 

[Archaic_Entity]

I've had my Supertuck for almost 4 months now, worn it multiple times without issue. I also purchased their lovely belt.

I must say, I agree with you in highly recommending them, they're solid.

I carry a CZ P-01, just for info.

 

[r6vr6]

Love mine. I use it with a Colt Defender 1911 @ about 7-8 o'clock (I shoot left handed) Very comfortable and conceals well. There is a 10% discount for NRA members, LEO, and military just look at their FAQ for instructions. I have not noticed any of the findings you've had so far.

 

[wtfd661]

Great review, thanks for posting it. I have the MTAC which is really similar to the Crossbreed Super Tuck and I can say that style of holser (Kydex/Leather hybrid) is a very comfortable holster to wear.

 

[g00n24]

Thank you for this review. I just picked up a duo-tone taurus 1911 and am looking to get a CB supertuck for it. The only thing I am apprehensive about is the wear the kydex might cause. I know it is a Taurus and going to be a working gun, but it's my first 1911 and I'd like to keep it looking decent until I can afford some others. Ill probably still go with the supertuck to see why everyone likes 'em.

 

[Interloper]

Thanks for the review. It is great to hear from someone with a lot of use.

 

[tyler34]

I have a supertuck in horsehide(I highly recommend) for my sig pro 2022 and LOVE it. I'm kinda built like an out of shape linebacker and it's very comfortable. the only issue I have had is the rail catching on the bottom of the kydex making it nearly impossible to draw but I took a smoothing iron to the lip at haven't had the issue since.

 

[Interloper]

I have a supertuck in horsehide(I highly recommend) for my sig pro 2022 and LOVE it. I'm kinda built like an out of shape linebacker and it's very comfortable. the only issue I have had is the rail catching on the bottom of the kydex making it nearly impossible to draw but I took a smoothing iron to the lip at haven't had the issue since.

OK, dumb question... What is a smoothing iron? Thanks for the input on the SP2022. As long as I can find and use a smoothing iron, it looks like I will be set.

 

[dburkhead]

OK, dumb question... What is a smoothing iron? Thanks for the input on the SP2022. As long as I can find and use a smoothing iron, it looks like I will be set.

You'll find smoothing irons in the "hair care" area of your local department store (Meijer, Walmart, Target, what have you). It's a gadget that uses heat to flatten curly or wavy hair.

You can also use a blow dryer after covering the parts you don't want to heat with a towel or something. Basically, anything to warm up the area of the kydex you want to reshape. You just want to make sure you have some control over what parts of the plastic you heat and how hot you get it.

 

[tyler34]

OK, dumb question... What is a smoothing iron? Thanks for the input on the SP2022. As long as I can find and use a smoothing iron, it looks like I will be set.

well it's an attachment that goes on my soldering iron that is just a nickel sized circular flat piece of metal used for smoothing solder.

 

[dburkhead]

well it's an attachment that goes on my soldering iron that is just a nickel sized circular flat piece of metal used for smoothing solder.

Ah. Two different items with the same name, normally used for completely different things, but both would work for the application here.

 

[Interloper]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help!

 

[55spartan]

I have had three Crossbreeds. One for my G36, HK 45, and XD40. I have sold two of my guns and the holsters separately but still have my G36 and Supertuck. Love the holster and highly recommend it. The only problem I had was the plastic belt clips they had when they first made them. They will eventually break, get the J-clips.

 

[IndyGunSafety]

Problem 3:

Sometimes on drawing the gun I would see that the magazine was not locked in place. This usually happened when I had been wearing the holstered gun in my car. This was certainly disconcerting and would have been unconscionable in a holster for defensive carry if it were not resolved.

I have had the same problem, but only if worn in the 4-5 O'Clock position. At 3 it's fine, which is where I like it anyway. As soon as I saw the first pic you posted I could tell you also had this problem as the mag release button has imprinted on your holster.

 

[dburkhead]

Problem 3:



I have had the same problem, but only if worn in the 4-5 O'Clock position. At 3 it's fine, which is where I like it anyway. As soon as I saw the first pic you posted I could tell you also had this problem as the mag release button has imprinted on your holster.

Fortunately, it's a correctable problem and doesn't (now that I know the "fix") require a long "break in" which is what did it for me. Thus not a downcheck for the holster.