At last, a holster that works pretty much all the time, everywhere.
In nearly 15 years of carrying concealed, I’ve been through my share of holsters. A little more than a year ago, I found a holster that satisfies what I consider to be every necessary factor for daily carry. The JM4 Tactical Quick Click & Carry models have, to degrees, we’ll discuss here–
- Superb retention, through the magic of magnets. JM4 Tactical actually holds the patent for gun retention with magnets.
- Solid trigger guard protection. Ain’t nothing gonna poke through this sturdy cowhide holster.
- Ready access. Though retention is in place, I can draw and deliver a center mass hit in under two seconds using this holster.
- Comfort. These holsters mold to the gun and body, and can be worn all day.
This holster is elegantly simple because it works. There’s a sheath for the firearm, which rests against the body when worn inside the waistband (IWB) style. On the front of that sheath is a flap that folds over the belt or waistband. Inside the flap is a magnet, about the size of a silver dollar.
It’s attracted to another magnet in the sheath. These magnets serve to anchor the holster securely on pants, as well as keep the gun secure through attraction to the steel of the slide and, if it’s steel, the frame.
Sizes are generic, so people like me who occasionally switch carry guns can use one for multiple guns, assuming they’re around the same size.
Two models to suit yourself
I have tested both the original Quick Click and Carry as well as the newer High Ride model. While I prefer the latter, I have a friend who uses the original and prefers it.
The original was first known as the QCC for the product’s initials but for copyright clarity, the name is now spelled out. It’s said by the company to have better retention, and definitely sits deeper inside the waistband.
I tried the original model and liked it for its concealability and how the sweat guard behind the gun prevented skin/gun contact. However, even with a Glock 42, wearing it resulted in painful jabbing of the bottom edge of the holster against my thigh.
I’m short-waisted, and women’s pants of the last decade are mostly made with a short rise.
Though I loved some things about this holster, especially the retention, the poking was a deal-breaker. A tall and lanky male friend now carries his M&P Shield pistol in it and loves it.
He’s got more real estate than I between waistband and thigh.
When the Quick Click and Carry High Ride was announced, I was overjoyed. Gone was the annoying thigh poke. As the name implies, the gun does ride slightly higher in relation to both the waistband and holster.
This solved my disagreement with the original model, and it has become my favorite, go-to holster for discreet daily carry.
JM4 Tactical is quick to point out that the retention qualities of the High Ride are weaker than that of the original.
However, at least for my sub-compact carry guns, currently a Sig Sauer P365 and Glock 43, the holster still retains either gun without fail in my waistband and, as the photo here shows, even when stuck upside-down on the side of my pickup.
I do think this problem would be more evident with a larger gun/holster combo—these holsters are made for pistols with barrels up to five inches, bigger than I can begin to think about carrying concealed.
The High Ride version of the holster is available in fewer sizes than the original. Nevertheless, the medium size does a great job of holding both previously mentioned subcompacts.
My Glock 42 is an exception, thanks to it wearing a Streamlight TLR-6 light-laser that makes the muzzle end too wide to fit.
An advantage to the High Ride model is that it makes getting a firing grip on the gun while it’s still holstered a little easier. While that’s a selling point, I admit I place the gun a little high in the original version to achieve the same advantage—one I feel is potentially critical in a self-protection situation.
Options galore
This is one of the few waist-borne holsters on the market that can be worn without a belt on many types of waistbands. I’ve worn it with drawstring sweats and tights and it does well. Elastic-only waistbands don’t give sufficient support for this holster or any other that I know of, at least by my testing.
Though I’m not a yoga pants wearer, I suspect a smaller gun in the Quick Click and Carry would work well with tight yoga pants.
Besides the two models shown here, there is a shirt-tuckable version of the Quick Click and Carry, and they make a host of other holsters from polymer to leather, and even have some gun belts.
Matching mag pouches, also of magnetic design, are available. I’ve not tested these.
In addition to having a size to fit virtually every handgun, the Quick Click and Carry line is available in several leather choices and price points.
The Roughneck, made in part from unfinished, split leather, starts the line at just under $55. Standard finished leather choices are available in six colors starting at $75.
Exotic leather is available too, starting at $219.
The only downside
Truly, I love this holster. For my gun and body type, the High Ride version has solved all complaints other holsters raised. Though I try to always be cognizant of the fact that I’m armed, I agree with others who’ve said it’s so comfortable it’s easy to forget it’s there. There’s just one downside, and I’ve solved that too.
The first test models of the regular and high ride Quick Click and Carry holsters I tried are black in color. They bleed dye. They bleed a LOT of dye. It’s a good thing I now wear mostly untucked shirts, because my pants all have a black blotch where the holster rests.
This continues to be true even after months of summertime wear. Though the bleeding of dye onto my skin has stopped, it’s still soaking into my clothing.
Though black seemed like a good idea for discreet concealment, I’m now the proud owner of a High Ride model in tan, which is free of dyes.
It’s my panacea
The Quick Click and Carry design is a brilliant and easy way to carry a gun, one that I’ve finally settled on after years of searching. I am more confident in its retention than equally easy but less secure clipless holsters that stay in the waistband via friction.
I’ve done all sorts of activities wearing this holster and it’s never felt as if it or the gun would come loose.
JM4 Tactical is a Texas-based company and the holsters are made in Texas with American materials. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
By Eve Flanigan