Double Review: Southwest Arms and AlienGear Holsters

[CIBOIF]

First, I have to give thanks and offer support for Thunderjohn and Southwest Arms. I have been a loyal customer going on 3 years now. Many great purchases from him. Great service, great price, and great person.

My latest purchase was a Sig Sauer P229R in 9mm. I love my striker fired guns but fell in love again with the Sig. This one was a little different as it was the Special Configuration in the cardboard box not the commercial plastic case like usual. I suspect this is the way law enforcement receives their firearms from Sig. It came with 3 magazines and Siglight Night Sights, which are excellent. I have been enjoying breaking it in and now has replaced my XDs and PPS as daily carry, which brings me to the holster.

The holsters by Alien Gear are so superb. Comfortable, well made, inexpensive (about $35 shipped for the average) and most important, the best warranty around. Check them out at http://www.aliengearholsters.comDelivery times are around 4 weeks. I ordered my latest holster on 2/18 and it was delivered today 3/13.

Here's a photo of my P229R styling in it's new ride. Thanks John for another great firearm!

[gun_fan111]

Nice!

I've been debating about roughing up the back - anybody has done that?

[Deputyhiro]

Huh. I just ordered one of those holsters for my SRC9 a few hours ago... Good to hear!

[Deputyhiro]

Can you sit / drive a car fairly comfortably with it on?

[CIBOIF]

I have not "roughed" up the back, don't know why you would need to as it's very comfortable and doesn't slip. Sits great on the belt and I like mine to sit a little lower and use the deepest setting. This is tuck-able and completely disappears under a simple button down shirt tucked over it.

I have worn my other two daily for months rotating my PPS and Glock 30. This one for the Sig is just as awesome and works great in the car, walking the pooch, working around the house etc. Sitting is fine and driving is no sweat. Good holster.

[Deputyhiro]

Good to know. Now, I play the waiting game…...

[Ranger01]

How thick/stiff is the leather? I currently use a SHTF ACE-1 and the leather likes to fold over and prevent easy holstering/reholstering, and more importantly it knocks the safety off...

[CIBOIF]

Leather is good high quality tanning and finishing process. Good stiffness but not uncomfortable and 1/8 inch thick.

[MWAG]

I've had my Aliengear for about 6 months now. Great, thick leather. No folding on this one. As for roughing up the back? The back is already on the rough side, and has stayed put. I see no reason to mess with it. I've got mine set on the low setting as well and is very comfortable at 5:00. The only thing that I can say bad about it there, makes it a bit hard to dig out the wallet sitting so low. I tried it at 3:30, and it does dig in a little when sitting. Glock 26

[Ranger01]

I've had my Aliengear for about 6 months now. Great, thick leather. No folding on this one. As for roughing up the back? The back is already on the rough side, and has stayed put. I see no reason to mess with it. I've got mine set on the low setting as well and is very comfortable at 5:00. The only thing that I can say bad about it there, makes it a bit hard to dig out the wallet sitting so low. I tried it at 3:30, and it does dig in a little when sitting. Glock 26

Have you tried swapping your wallet to the other side? I started carrying my wallet on the left side when I started carrying, makes it easier to get in and out and prevents... misunderstandings...

[Deputyhiro]

I've had my Aliengear for about 6 months now. Great, thick leather. No folding on this one. As for roughing up the back? The back is already on the rough side, and has stayed put. I see no reason to mess with it. I've got mine set on the low setting as well and is very comfortable at 5:00. The only thing that I can say bad about it there, makes it a bit hard to dig out the wallet sitting so low. I tried it at 3:30, and it does dig in a little when sitting. Glock 26

Have you tried swapping your wallet to the other side? I started carrying my wallet on the left side when I started carrying, makes it easier to get in and out and prevents... misunderstandings...

Bingo. I thought I was the only one who did that.

[Uffdaphil]

It looks like your R is the same as my Enhanced Elite except for the beavertail. Does the rail drag at all when drawing?

The factory grips look terrible when they wear. Love the Hogue G10 Piranha replacements. What's with the Sig grip removal tool? They just pop out via finger up the mag well.

[MWAG]

Have you tried swapping your wallet to the other side? I started carrying my wallet on the left side when I started carrying, makes it easier to get in and out and prevents... misunderstandings...

Wow, that's going to take some time getting used to.

Also, I've attached a few pics for all to view in case they had questions.

[CIBOIF]

The P229R is pretty much the same as your enhanced elite with the exception being mine does not have the extra beaver tail and no short reset trigger. I am going to add the SRT. The rail does not drag at all when drawing or reholstering. It is really a nice holster and like my other AlienGear holsters, they work, are comfortable, and well made.

Yeah, no need for the grip tool for the E2 grips. I like the new grips they work well for me, although those Hogue G10's look pretty sweet.

[Deputyhiro]

Got my Alien Gear holster for my Ruger SR9C last week. Been carrying with it for a few days now. I have to say, not bad. Adjustable, comfortable, and deffinately affordable. Would recommend.