These lightweight universal holsters are built of nylon webbing and velcro, and after a couple of years of use we find most suitable for small frame, light weight semi-auto pistols like the small frame or “baby” Glock. We sew a 2″ strip of fuzzy velcro on the chosen pocket flap location in a regular or crossdraw position, and re-inforce the connection with 2 HD brass snaps.
Choice of location is based on the hunter’s dominant hand for shooting, and is recommended on the opposite side pocket from the one most used for shotshells. For example, as a right hand shooter who loads shells from the right side pocket, we use a crossdraw position on the left side pocket, to be drawn with the dominant right hand. Hunters with mixed dexterity and shooting styles will have to think this out.
We have use the holster as an occasional accessory in the off season when exercising dogs in areas we’d normally have a shotgun. We pop off the holster from the pocket flap and store it with the pistol until needed. Some trial customers choose to carry it as a backup to a small gauge or double gun in varmint country. We’ve had no complaints from the ten customer trials we’ve run but the holster is not as secure as a belt mount, so in extreme conditions and heavy cover be aware of this.
On the 2 largest vest sizes there may be enough 2″ belt exposed to mount a Yaqui Slide or other low profile holster. Paddle holsters we’ve tried have not been very comfortable but we are interested in hearing about other ideas that might work well on the vests.
These holsters are available only on the standard 5″ Wingworks Vest pockets, and this option can be added to new vest orders by purchasing here.
Wingworks’ Removable Vest Holster Option $20.00
Here is a retrofit option for Blaze Vest owners who want a sleeked-down profile for hunting in thicker forested areas. Grouse pockets measure 9″ x 9″ square, and can be worn a bit further forward than our longer standard pockets. The Grouse Belts can retro-fit into standard vests of similar sizes by simply replacing the existing belt. Instead of the standard long pocket flaps, Grouse pockets have a a slanted fold-over flap that fastens with a one-handed snap configuration. This seals out debris and water often picked up in open top pockets. Pocket access isn’t as fast as the standard pockets, and they lay flatter and lack the overall capacity. For the sleekest vest downsize for small profile, and easy on/off we recommend using these pockets without the water holsters, and replacing the Cam Buckle with the Side Release style buckle.
This shotshell holder is from the tactical shotgun world and currently available only for 12 ga. shells. For those of you who shoot a 12, this holder has two flanges that take 1/8 pop rivets, usually with a washer on one side on soft goods like coats or vests. On webbing and nylon fabrics an awl can be heated up with a torch to melt rivet-sized holes. We like to put the washer on the outside to allow the smooth part of the rivet against the body. Made of rugged molded plastic, it holds shells well enough that we have mounted these upside down without problems. We’ve used these on the WingWorks Sternum Harness on the Hypalon patch left side for right handers, right side for lefties. It’s an easy grab across the body for two shells aimed at the proper angle to easily release from the holder.