SHTF ACE-1 IWB Holster for Glock G43

THE BASICS:

• Adjustable Retention
• Exclusive Comfort Curve Design
• Adjustable Carry Height and Cant
• Lifetime Warranty, 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
• Proudly Made in the USA

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

“SHTF Gear ACE (Always Combat Effective) holsters provide the perfect combination of comfort and rapid deployment for concealed carry. That’s because each of our holsters is precision molded for your specific gun and built by hand. The new ACE-1 Gen 2 holster includes our proprietary Comfort Curve: a unique feature developed over months of testing that provides superior comfort. This is achieved by molding the Kydex so that it creates a curve in the back of the holster. This curve allows the holster to fit the body more closely, increasing comfort and bringing the grip closer to the body for better concealment.

SHTF ACE-1 IWB Holster for Glock G43 Adjustable Tension Feature

SHTF ACE-1 IWB Holster for Glock G43 – An Excellent Product for All Pistols

Other new features of the ACE-1 Gen 2 include user-adjustable retention for greater reliability, thicker Kydex for maximum durability, increased Kydex coverage for a more secure fit, higher density leather for improved wear, and a flared opening for easier holstering. While this second generation holster offers several design changes, it maintains all of the unique features that made the original ACE-1 a leading hybrid holster: durable Kevlar stitching, precision-formed Kydex, premium American leather, beveled edges, adjustable carry height and cant, sweat guard cut for a full grip, and availability for over 200 different handguns.

Based out of northern Utah, SHTF Gear produces American-made equipment to support those that live ready to defend family, community, and self. SHTF Gear started in 2010 and is a leading manufacturer of hybrid holsters.” – SHTF Gear

Let’s dispense with all of the promotional stuff and get to the review.

BEYOND THE BASICS:

I became acquainted with SHTF Gear holsters when I ordered one for my Springfield XDs, which has been housing the XDs for some time now. The quality of the holster need not be touted, but I will anyway; it is a very comfortable and affordable IWB holster.

One thing that I like about it is that I did not have to pay extra for a “Combat Cut” that removes material or have to wait a long time to receive it.

SHTF Gear has made several improvements over the earlier version. In the early version, the Kydex shell was fully stitched and riveted to the backing. This made for a very strong scabbard in which to carry your favorite PPA (Personal Protection Assistant). The Gen 2 version of the ACE-1 follows (or leads) other manufactures of hybrid holsters by incorporating adjustable retention. Adjustable retention simply means that the shell is supported around the trigger guard of the pistol by one or more spacers and tension screws. This means that the user has more control over the tension of the holster against the pistol. For those who don’t have much meat on their bones, and due to a greater curve around the body, the fit of the pistol in the holster may be too tight. For those who make a Samoan Wrestler look tiny, the lack of bend in the holster may make for a loose fit.

Included with the holster are two rubber spacers that are thicker than the ones shipped on the holster. Like a shoulder holster, it might take a bit of effort on your part to get the correct holster -to-firearm tension that you desire. Also, as the holster wears in, a quick adjustment of the holster-to-firearm tension is possible with the provided hex head wrench. Two extra screws also ship with the holster.

Although I never had a problem holstering the XDs with the Gen 1 version of this holster, the GEN 2 version has a flared entry point for the pistol. I welcome anything that aids the pistol being holstered safely.

The Kydex shell on the GEN 2 version is definitely thicker and all edges are finished nicely; nothing rough going on here. Note also how the trigger is fully protected by the Kydex shell.

Although there is an obvious opening in the trigger side of the Kydex shell, due to the tension adjustments, there is enough Kydex material to adequately protect the firearm, and more importantly, the trigger. The indent in the trigger guard material is adequate to hold the pistol in place and comes no where near the trigger, which is where I want it.

I need to insert a note here about pistol-to-holster fit. Follow the directions that are provided with the holster. “Dry” fit your pistol to the holster first; this means unload and safe the firearm. Then, slide the pistol into the holster without first donning the holster. SHTF Gear recommends that you verify that the holster fits properly and does not activate the trigger. Also, ensure that the holster does not deactivate any safeties – especially when worn. The Glock G43; however, has no external safeties and this will not be a concern.

The sweat guard prevents the back of the slide and frame from contacting the body and there is plenty of clearance for obtaining a full grip on a small pistol like the Glock G43 (and others). Unlike some other hybrid holsters of this type, the top of the sweat guard is only slighter higher than the back of the slide and while body shapes bends the top of the sweat guard inward, it exerts force against the pistol, which only helps the retention of the firearm. There’s no “floppy top” with this holster.

The holster was ordered with metal clips, but plastic J-hooks can be requested (or bought separately) depending on what vendor is selling the product. Personally, I prefer the metal clips as the holster and firearm are supported by the belt and not the top of the trousers. The metal clips on this holster are strong with no sharp edges; the holster is securely attached to the belt, which can be up to 1.5” inches wide.

A feature of the SHTF ACE-1 for the Glock G43 holster that I like over “other” holsters of this type is that indentations for the pins of the Chicago nuts have already been stamped into the holster. This feature eliminates the pins from folding inward when you change holster height and cant positions. I can’t tell you how many times I have flattened Chicago nut pins on those “other” holsters, but the times have been many.

The backing is made from dyed black cowhide with a thickness of about .15 + inches. It is said that horsehide is better than cowhide in hot and humid climates for keeping perspiration getting to the firearm. I reside in Georgia and have had no issues with cowhide IWB holsters; I wear a T-shirt between the holster and my body. I have paid extra for a horsehide IWB holster and I felt milked by the vendor when doing so.

I prefer a greater than 15-degree cant in a holster and the SHTF ACE-1 IWB Holster allows me to quickly adjust the holster cant to my liking. Unlike the SHTF ACE-1 for larger pistols like my XDs, the SHTF ACE-1 for the Glock G43 comes with three adjustments points for holster height and cant. I found that the depth of the holster, as received, was near perfect (IMHO) as the top of the Kydex shell was level with the top of the trousers. I did adjust for cant by raising the front holster adjustment by one hole (the uppermost limit) while leaving the rear adjustment as it was received.

The holster is tuckable in that spacers are placed in between the clips and the backing to allow a shirt to be tucked in while still providing concealment of the firearm and holster. In this sense, the J-hooks are less conspicuous than are the metal clips. I have never had much luck with tucking a shirt with an IWB holster. If I am to tuck in my shirt, I do so behind the IWB holster and wear a suitable outer garment (sport coat, jacket, vest, etc.). If I need to snatch my EDC out of its holster, I want to be able to do so quickly.

The width of the SHTF ACE-1 leather backing for the Glock G43 is the same as for my Springfield XDs, which means that there is plenty of holster real estate to ensure that the holster stays in place. The major difference is the height of the holster, which again, is just high enough to clear the back of the slide.

Because of the tension adjustment points, the flexing of this holster is minimal. Flexing is something that I am going to be watching out for. Because of the change to holster tension adjustment points over the fully-stitched earlier version, it will be interesting to see if there is any strain at the holster tension adjustment points due to flexing of the leather.

The muzzle of the Glock G43 just peeks past the bottom of the Kydex shell and the front sight is well protected.

SUMMARY:

I am very happy with the SHTF ACE-1 for the Glock G43 hybrid holster. The G43 is virtually undetectable when I carry just behind the right hip. The compactness of the G43 aids in concealing a powerful little package and is a much lighter carry than the Springfield XDs. The combination of the SHTF ACE-1 for the Glock G43 and the G43 itself makes for a comfortable carry and concealment package.

Now that I have an excellent means to carry spare magazines by modifying a Remora double-pouch magazine carrier (see https://guntoters.com/blog/2015/08/09/remora-dual-accessory-holder-iwb-modification/ when you finish this article), I am feeling even more confident carrying the Glock G43.

I have to inject a final note. If you have been carrying a larger pistol than the Glock G43, regardless of the holster, you will need to practice the draw stroke with the G43. Since I had been carrying a Springfield XDs, I had developed some muscle memory in locating the handle of the pistol. Initially, and with the G43, I had found myself over-shooting the grip of the G43 because it is quite different (smaller) than the grip of the XDs. Of course, practice with an unloaded firearm. I should not have to state this but I feel better in doing so.

I also found that using a G43 magazine with the extension made it easier to locate and “hook” the grip when attempting the draw stroke. I would recommend using this magazine over the flush mount version and use the flush mount magazine for spare ammunition.

UPDATE:
As mentioned in the article, I had adjusted the cant of the holster to provided a little more cant than what the “standard” adjustment provided (15 degrees). However, and after practicing the draw stroke from this holster, I have reverted back to the original cant setting.

I realized that I was placing too much strain on the holster when I used too much of a forward cant and that my hand was at too great an angle when trying to get a good purchase on the butt of the G43. The short barrel of the G43 allows the barrel to clear the holster quickly, and in this case, too much of a forward cant was detrimental to my drawing the pistol from the holster. While I don’t have a problem with larger pistols that have bigger grips and longer barrels out of a “more than normal” forward cant, the small grip of the G43 dictates that the pistol be drawn more upward than forward – at least to me.

SOURCES:

Glock 43 IWB Hybrid Holster with Adjustable Retention and Comfort Curve, SHTF Gear ACE-1 Gen 2: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UXX9YTW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00