Aliengear Shape Shift Holster

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  • jrumann59

    DILLIGAF
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 17, 2011
    14,024
    Does anyone here own the Shape Shift Holster from Alien Gear? It looks interesting but kind of chunky. It can switch between OWB Belt, IWB, Appendix Carry, or OWB Paddle.

     

    johnkn

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 27, 2012
    2,113
    IMO, trying to find a holster that does everything well only ends up in a holster that does nothing very well.

    Good luck


    .
     

    jrumann59

    DILLIGAF
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 17, 2011
    14,024
    IMO, trying to find a holster that does everything well only ends up in a holster that does nothing very well.

    Good luck


    .
    I am not looking for a holster that does everything, just curious about experiences. Otherwise I will look at their updated IWB holster.
     

    [Kev308]

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 23, 2020
    3,797
    Maryland
    I got one of these. I am not allowed to carry so I can’t speak to that aspect of using it on a daily basis. (I just think it’s important to be able to use your gun and carry it if need be)

     

    Darkemp

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 18, 2009
    7,808
    Marylandistan
    Does anyone here own the Shape Shift Holster from Alien Gear? It looks interesting but kind of chunky. It can switch between OWB Belt, IWB, Appendix Carry, or OWB Paddle.

    I own one, never used it. Looked better in concept than it fared when I wore it. If you’re new to the CCW game, you’ll likely try a lot before you figure out which work best. I’ve got a Sterilite bin full of looked or sounded good but only a couple that see regular wear and use.
     

    E.Shell

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 5, 2007
    10,244
    Mid-Merlind
    ...If you’re new to the CCW game, you’ll likely try a lot before you figure out which work best. I’ve got a Sterilite bin full of looked or sounded good but only a couple that see regular wear and use.
    Very true, a rite of passage and I too have a box full of exciting new useless holsters. I tried for years to make various IWBs work and finally found a nice OWB that really holds the gun close and tight - easier to conceal for me than a most IWBs. Sometimes, I look forward to selling a pistol so I can dump all the holsters I had for it too.
     

    jrumann59

    DILLIGAF
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 17, 2011
    14,024
    I own one, never used it. Looked better in concept than it fared when I wore it. If you’re new to the CCW game, you’ll likely try a lot before you figure out which work best. I’ve got a Sterilite bin full of looked or sounded good but only a couple that see regular wear and use.
    I was just wondering, I liked their Kydex Holster. The shape shift just looked chunky and looked like you would need more than 2 inches extra on your waist band. I think I may go with their Generation 3.5 Kydex holster.
     

    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,643
    PA
    Have an early model somewhere in storage mixed in with probably 100 other random holsters. It's bulky, it's kinda flimsy, it's gimmicky, and like Johnkn said doesn't do anything well. After I started carrying Appendix IWB there is no going back to 4:00, it's superior in every way for me, but requires the thinnest, least bulky holster to be comfortable. I do occasionally carry OWB when hiking, and more frequently pocket carry. I frequently run or work out in shorts/pants without a belt, and even when I do have a belt HATE having to take it off to remove a holster. Carrying all the time, there are a lot of times I have to pick my kids up from school or go to the post office, and would rather just pull a clip or paddle and toss it in the glove box instead of trying to deal with belt loops.

    Outside of range or competition, I have carried this P365 or CW380 daily in one of these holsters for the last few years. Most are Muddy River tactical, but have made a couple myself for the Kahr, being there aren't a lot of choices. P365 in the pocket holster in my jacket when riding my motorcycle. P365 AIWB 90% of the time, it's my primary carry rig. P365 OWB with 12rd mag in a paddle for hiking, or at the range. For the CW380 the Ulticlip holster works great in shorts and sweatpants, the clip holster for when I have a belt, and my minimalist pocket holster for hot weather, or when I'm slacking and want the easiest least intrusive carry setup I have. All in all not a ton of money, and some of my setups are kinda specialized for what I do. For most that just carry a single pistol, an AIWB with a single sturdy clip is the best to try first. Figure all 3 P365 holsters work better for the purpose they are intended, and all 3 can be had for about the cost of the Aliengear kit that is only paddle OWB, loop OWB, 4:00 IWB, AIWB.
     

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    johnkn

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 27, 2012
    2,113
    I am not looking for a holster that does everything, just curious about experiences. Otherwise I will look at their updated IWB holster.
    Understood, my point is that AG advertises that holster to suit many conditions, which is generally a compromise in many. . good luck.....

    .
     

    jrumann59

    DILLIGAF
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 17, 2011
    14,024
    Understood, my point is that AG advertises that holster to suit many conditions, which is generally a compromise in many. . good luck.....

    .
    My concern was the single point mounting which adds more depth to the holster plus the shielding to both sides of the trigger.
     

    Darkemp

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 18, 2009
    7,808
    Marylandistan
    Have an early model somewhere in storage mixed in with probably 100 other random holsters. It's bulky, it's kinda flimsy, it's gimmicky, and like Johnkn said doesn't do anything well. After I started carrying Appendix IWB there is no going back to 4:00, it's superior in every way for me, but requires the thinnest, least bulky holster to be comfortable. I do occasionally carry OWB when hiking, and more frequently pocket carry. I frequently run or work out in shorts/pants without a belt, and even when I do have a belt HATE having to take it off to remove a holster. Carrying all the time, there are a lot of times I have to pick my kids up from school or go to the post office, and would rather just pull a clip or paddle and toss it in the glove box instead of trying to deal with belt loops.

    Outside of range or competition, I have carried this P365 or CW380 daily in one of these holsters for the last few years. Most are Muddy River tactical, but have made a couple myself for the Kahr, being there aren't a lot of choices. P365 in the pocket holster in my jacket when riding my motorcycle. P365 AIWB 90% of the time, it's my primary carry rig. P365 OWB with 12rd mag in a paddle for hiking, or at the range. For the CW380 the Ulticlip holster works great in shorts and sweatpants, the clip holster for when I have a belt, and my minimalist pocket holster for hot weather, or when I'm slacking and want the easiest least intrusive carry setup I have. All in all not a ton of money, and some of my setups are kinda specialized for what I do. For most that just carry a single pistol, an AIWB with a single sturdy clip is the best to try first. Figure all 3 P365 holsters work better for the purpose they are intended, and all 3 can be had for about the cost of the Aliengear kit that is only paddle OWB, loop OWB, 4:00 IWB, AIWB.
    This rig is 99% of the time for me with a spare 12rd mag as backup in my opposite pocket. Simple comfortable and versatile in where along my belt it rides. Best part is tucking a shirt over it, the clip doesn’t attract any attention on a belt.
     

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    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,643
    PA
    This rig is 99% of the time for me with a spare 12rd mag as backup in my opposite pocket. Simple comfortable and versatile in where along my belt it rides. Best part is tucking a shirt over it, the clip doesn’t attract any attention on a belt.
    yes, probably a dozen companies and countless small businesses copy that same AIWB "taco" design, it's that good. The single clip doesn't really add bulk to it, but I do like to index my finger on the clip when I draw. The models with 2 clips on the sides tend to add bulk, and the single offset clips can allow it to rock around a little. The Ulticlip is a good solution though, keeps it in place well, and for small pistols works great IWB with pretty much any drawstring pants/shorts
     

    jrumann59

    DILLIGAF
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 17, 2011
    14,024
    my spare tire limits AIWB and the size of the gun I like to carry. I have been interested in the We The People pull out holster that puts things down the leg beneath the front pocket.
     

    Bullfrog

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 8, 2009
    15,156
    Carroll County
    my spare tire limits AIWB and the size of the gun I like to carry. I have been interested in the We The People pull out holster that puts things down the leg beneath the front pocket.

    Do you mean the 'Urban Carry' holster? I would think that would make things worse.

    That holster looks like a disaster waiting to happen... you're only going to get it out quickly if all of the stars line up perfectly. You basically have to draw twice, once for the holster and once for the firearm, and you need two hands to do it.

    See all the arguments about not carrying without a round chambered, because they also apply to not carrying with this holster (assailant grabs you by the arm, injury to one arm, etc).


    In addition, if you have a bit of a belt overhang, how is the pistol going to slide easily from below the belt, under the belt and out of the top of the waistband? I wouldn't even consider it unless I were built like a gymnast.... which I'm not.
     

    Darkemp

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 18, 2009
    7,808
    Marylandistan

    ADR

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 17, 2011
    4,171
    I carry concealed 99% of the time off duty and honestly the best (for me) and also about the cheapest holster has always been the Slim Tuk line.
     

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    Harrys

    Short Round
    Jul 12, 2014
    3,362
    SOMD
    Very true, a rite of passage and I too have a box full of exciting new useless holsters. I tried for years to make various IWBs work and finally found a nice OWB that really holds the gun close and tight - easier to conceal for me than a most IWBs. Sometimes, I look forward to selling a pistol so I can dump all the holsters I had for it too.
    I did not go through the buying of usless holsters. I prefre shoulder holsters, especially when driving. I made my own out of #6 leather, custom fitted to me. I wear a T shirt under it and then covered by a loose fitting Hawian shirt. Very comfy holds my Kahr CM40 or my K40 with spare mag.
    sh.jpg
     

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