BULLET
POINTS
G-C ODE HO L ST E R S
PHOTOS & ARTICLE BY: BRODY KENNEN
In early 2013, Haley Strategic Partners teamed up with G-Code Holsters
to develop a top-of-the-line, Inside-the-Waistband holster. From my
understanding, this collaboration came of insights in difficult and disruptive
environments training. I had been following Travis Haley’s work since the
earlier days of my involvement with firearms. I had been interested in finding
a properly hidden IWB holster for use at the 4-o’clock position, but no luck was
had until the release of the INCOG holster.
Other companies lacked in several key aspects: overall shell design to
minimize signature, belt mounting systems for proper retention, and overall
comfortability. Several other companies were considered, purchased from,
and tested; but they weren’t appeasing. Concealability is an important aspect
when you lack a wider, more muscular physique. For those who are also on the
skinnier side; concealing a Glock-17 under a t-shirt was easily done.
The original INCOG featured a dual clip system.
INCOG
The INCOG is a dual-clip, IWB holster featuring a modest selection of color
combinations for the fuzz / Kydex, as well as a lengthier list of color options
for the MOJO mount. There are a multitude of firearms options which come in
both left- and right-hand models, two clip lengths and shirt guards, and even
an option for a magazine caddy.
I did not order the INCOG with a magazine caddy. Originally, I ordered a
Glock-17 model, black-on-black features, and ran both a G17 and a G19 in it. I
even noted that a G26 would fit, with a lighter amount of retention (no matter
the torque). The dual clips prevented any shift in the holster and is aided by
the fuzzy exterior of the shell itself. Depending on the chosen shirt guard,
the holster could potentially be felt higher upon: if the shirt isn’t tucked in.
The fuzz felt perfect against the skin and didn’t become too sodden during
muggier days.
Unfortunately, in my case, the holster did not sit well in every given
positioning. I prefer 3- to 4-o’clock carry, assuming I’m carrying right-handed
that day, and the overall length of the holster hindered that to a degree. After
a year or so, I found a remedy for this. Some had made their own “pre-Eclipse”
models by removing the forward hook. Others went further still by removing
the forward clip attachment section altogether with a dremel. It was quite
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creative, in my mind, but I decided to simply remove the forward hook and
leave it at that. A little more play was allowed as the body moves around and
this was still within acceptable bounds.
The INCOG served me well in the early years of concealed carrying. What
absolutely did not work for me was appendix carry. Unless I was running
around in a colder climate, it was too obvious that I was running gear in
the front due to an overly thing profile. It would require so much additional
clothing that it would hinder a draw if a situation became volatile. Not too big
of a deal anyway because I’ve never been big on appendix carry in theoretical
settings. However, it works for other people.
Three and 8-o’clock carry were the perfect ballparks. Most of the year, it’s
a single shirt layer to pull aside during the draw. The winters don’t often call
for anything more than a hoodie, which meant the shirt was usually tucked
in. Doing so also eliminated grip texture burns while sitting. I utilize the back
of my thumb to hook the clothing out of the way while the remaining fingers
hoist the handgun free of the holster. It works wonderfully after quite a bit of
practice.
Paired with a GDM Kydex Pistol Magazine Caddy, the carrier has plenty of
ammunition on tap.
The one complaint that I had with the original system was the lacking
amount of retention that could be applied to the handgun itself. If you were
dumped on your head, the handgun would slip free of the holster. I attempted
to get around this by using a longer set screw, but it didn’t help. It may be a
simple issue with mine early model exclusively, but I recommend doing some
testing and avoiding the tactical rolls while utilizing the INCOG.
The INCOG can also be purchased with a removable, side-riding magazine
caddy and there are INCOG Shadow light-bearing models, as well. The light
selection revolves around Surefire, StreamLight, and INFORCE.
A left-handed Ecllipse for the SIG-Sauer P320.
INCOG Eclipse
Roughly a year later, late-2014, the Eclipse was announced as another
collaborative piece between HSP and G-Code. Upon seeing the first pictures
of the system, it was apparent that the development team took all the
complaints and suggestions into account for the update.
The first thing to note is the elimination of the front-end belt-clip assembly.
With the additional development of the SuperMOJO stand-off mount (the
purple device in the above photo), they were able to pull the rear belt-clip more
towards the center of the shell itself. Due to the elimination and rearranging
of the belt-clip mounting sections, the holster became more streamlined. A
couple of other noteworthy points include a raised spine for suppressor-height
sight usage and a less prominent shirt-guard option.
The belt-clip is at a sharper outward angle than previous clips: this is due to
the more defined angles of the shell. Unfortunately, it meant that you couldn’t
use the old clips on the SuperMOJO itself. With the newer clip, it made the
whole package very thick and it pressed against the body uncomfortably. This
may have simply been due to the P320’s shell. The P320 is a shade thicker than
Glock due to the takedown lever. I have entertained the idea of purchasing a
couple of standard MOJOs to alleviate this issue, but I haven’t gotten around
to it just yet.
I purchased two Eclipses for a very specific purpose: two left-handed P320
models for my gal and I to use. I didn’t end up carrying the P320 all that often
and once I decided that I wanted a standard MOJO mount, I disassembled
mine and then forgot to get back to that project. The older INCOG was taken
up and I moved back to a Glock-19 while I reviewed the P320 itself. Overall,
the shell itself had remained much unchanged and was comfortable to wear.
As far as mounting hardware goes, not much changed between the INCOG
and the Eclipse. The set screws and belt-clips were interchangeable. The clips
themselves come either with three or four mounting holes with the latter
being for deeper carry. The MOJO faces themselves have a 3x3 mounting
pattern which is nice for someone that wants to mount the belt-clip at an
offset angle as opposed to a conventional inline. The belt-clip, on the purple
SuperMOJO, was set to kick the grip of the P320 forward against the body as
opposed to having to draw it straight up-and-out (as I like to run mine).
The Eclipse ended up being the 2nd-Generation of offered IWBs and was
focused on concealability. Without the front-end attachment points, there’s no
option magazine caddy for it. However, G-Code does offer a Shadow Eclipse for
those who still wish to concealed-carry with a light attached.
prior to a reveal and that had me hold off on buying another Eclipse. I knew I’d
have to wait a bit regardless due to their facility having been hit by Hurricane
Florence in mid-September. Was it worth the wait… Absolutely.
The PHENOM is a strikingly new design compared to the preceding INCOG
series. The older and skinnier belt-clips were replaced with a single wide-
band, adjustable clip which sits higher on the frame of the holster itself.
The Stealth comes with a “MoClaw” device, which keeps the holster tighter
against your body to prevent printing. If you needed a replacement belt, due
to flimsiness, it would also prevent holster pitch while transitioning through
different positions of stance. The PHENOM sits at about the same depth as
the older INCOGs with the 4-hole belt-clips. Due to the retention that the
MoClaw puts on the inside of one’s pants, there is no serious movement when
changing stances. That said, it also doesn’t prevent movement when situation
demands it.
Unlike the older INCOG holsters, G-Code lined the interior of the shell with
their “Tactical Fuzz”. This model is called the Stealth for a reason. Needless
amounts of noise need not apply while referring to this holster. There is a
slightly audible click when the handgun comes into full-retention, but the
sound is negligible. The retention point is firm and requires a decent amount
of pull to remove the handgun from the holster itself. I don’t worry about it
slipping free randomly.
The original I
NCOG with two
PHENOM
Stealths
(Glock-19 and
Glock-26).
The outer portion of the shells are somewhat specific to the firearm you
order them for. For instance, you can utilize a Glock-26 in a Glock-19 shell, but
not the Glock-17. This is due to the curvature at the end of the slide’s portion of
the shell. The conforming piece did not preclude the use of a threaded barrel.
In the future, I assume that we will see PHENOM variants with light-bearing
capability. Modifying the body of the shell, where the Mo-Claw sits, doesn’t
look like it would be an issue. We could possibly see a modified Mo-Claw or a
different attachment point. Due to the orientation and curvature of the shell
though, we may not see appendix magazine caddy models, as we have with
the previous lines.
Closing
I have never been disappointed with any of the G-Code products that I
have had the opportunity to run. Product quality has never diminished over
time and the finer points of the newer lines have been sharpened based on
consumer input. The absolutely consistency of the products produced are
The PHENOM Stealth for the Glock-19.
continuously impressive and G-Code offers their holsters for a modest number
of different handgun types. One wish-list item that I do have is a CZ P-10C
PHENOM Stealth
Suppressor Ready specific holster or a Glock-19 / P-10C compatible holster.
Generation-3 came out in November of 2018. The PHENOM series was
I highly suggest picking up one of their holsters. As with purchasing
offered in two lines: Speed and Stealth. The latter retained more of the older a proper grade of firearm to use, you must also pick the higher-end and
pattern that had been seen prior; retaining the tactical fuzz, but also covering somewhat more expensive ancillary equipment to compliment the firearm.
the interior of the shell with it as well.
An Uncle Mike’s simply isn’t going to cut it, in my opinion. Buy quality one time
I chose to replace my original INCOG, for the Glock-19, with a PHENOM and you’ll never go back to anything else you had before.
If you want to see extended versions of these articles, then visit www.
Stealth. It is my everyday carry gun and the INCOG was overdue for a
thearmednovelist.com.
replacement. G-Code had sent teasers of the new holster out for several weeks
Questions or comments? Email [email protected].
www.thunderroadslams.com | July 2019 | Thunder Roads® Magazine LA/MS Gulf Coast 17