Today we have the privilege of announcing a new holster to the market, the X-FER from Armordillo Concealment.
What is the X-FER?
The X-FER is a patent pending, minimalist inside the waistband (IWB) holster that is designed to allow you to carry a handgun with a weapon mounted light concealed. Think Raven Vanguard 2, but with a SureFire X300 attached.
The X-FER is being released initially for the SureFire X300, with other weapon lights like the Streamlight TLR-1 coming soon. At the time of writing, the X-FER is being sold for $54.99.
Features
- Weapon light specific, not handgun specific
- Minimalist design
- Works in any IWB position
- Ambidextrous
- Adjustable for ride height and cant
- Patent pending
- 100% made in the USA
What makes the X-FER unique?
If you’re familiar with the Kydex holster market, you’re probably wondering what makes the X-FER special. There are a lot of Kydex shops that will mold a custom rig for your handgun and weapon light – but it will only fit that specific gun. This is what makes the X-FER different. The X-FER is molded to the X300, and generically molded to the rest of the handgun. This means you can buy one holster, and run it on virtually any full-size handgun: 1911, Glock, Smith & Wesson, XD, XDm, etc.
Initial Impressions
I’ve only had the X-FER for a few days, but so far so good. When Armordillo Concealment initially told me about the design concept, I thought it sounded too bulky to be practical. Well I was wrong. I’ve been carrying my Glock 19 with SureFire X300 in the appendix position for a few days now, and I haven’t had any issues. In fact, I’m wearing it right now as I type this.
The additional bulk added by the X300 really doesn’t amount to much in practical terms, and that surprised me. Retention is good and so is my draw, the gun comes out cleanly without any hold ups. You can also re-holster with this system, which is very different from the Raven Vanguard 2 that I reviewed a while back.
I will continue to test this holster over the next few weeks and follow up with a more detailed review, but so far I’m impressed.
Video
Here’s a nice video from Matt and Ian over at Down Range Firearm Training.
Wrapping Up
The Armordillo Concealment X-FER is a unique, minimalist design that allows you to run multiple light bearing handguns in the same holster. If you’ve ever wanted to run a light on your concealed carry rig, this is definitely something you should look into.
Here’s a high resolution photo of the Armordillo Concealment X-FER.
I love the idea and concept, but the thing I’m most worried about is retention. Too loose and you have a firearm dropping out of your pants. To tight and your dead before you can draw. I know that most retention is personal preference, just wondering if it fits between those guidelines!
Retention is very good Jonathan. It’s no different from any other IWB Kydex holster that I own actually, in fact, in some ways it’s better. I will have more details in my full review, and I’ll probably have to do a video to explain why I think it’s better in some ways as it’s hard with no visual aid. But I’m very pleased and impressed with the level of retention.
Good to hear! And I can’t wait to see the video.
Wow that is BADASS! I was very critical of the RCS Vanguard line how it doesn’t allow you to reholster, I’m glad to hear you this isn’t a problem with the xfer. I can’t wait for the TLR-1 version.
I’ve never really considered carrying a weapon light IWB before, but now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense as long as it’s not too bulky. I would be more interested for the new Inforce pistol light personally. It looks smaller than the X300 which is a beast.
You know I thought the same thing, but it’s really not that much different in practical terms.
I’m excited about this option, I have a OWB from Armordillo that can run my G17 or G19 with SFX300, but OWB limits concealability.
This looks like a great option for ccw but I don’t know about re-holstering a hot weapon in a holster like this.
I will definitely be testing re-holstering very thoroughly, but so far I haven’t had any issues. I just re-holster slowly.