Blade Tech Eclipse
The Eclipse is ambidextrous and can be worn IWB or OWB.
I’m a connoisseur of holsters, so I was eager to put Blade Tech’s new Eclipse to the test. This adaptable holster promises to be everything you need for IWB and OWB carry. After more than month of living with the holster, I like what I’ve s
As someone who carries all the time, I have my favorite styles. When I’m carrying concealed, I like close fitting, strong-side carry. I’m most comfortable when I’m wearing a jacket. My uniform of choice is an old ratty Carhartt field coat. It is wool lined and made of heavy canvas. As such, it covers well, moves easily, and doesn’t print.
When I do have to get formal, I may put on a sports coat. When I do, I typically go for an IWB holster. As I carry a sub-compact in the warmer months, and a full-sized pistol when it is cold, I’m already switching holsters frequently. At least two different guns, and four holsters. It is a bad habit. I firmly believe that you should minimize the changes. In a perfect world, I could carry one gun, in one holster, in one location. But it isn’t a perfect world–why I carry in the first place.
With the clips added in place of the belt loops, the holster is transformed.
The Eclipse Straight Drop Ambi Holster, from Blade Tech, is about as good as it gets for a one-and-done solution. This holster has OWB loops for those times when comfort and/or cover are easy. With a few simple steps, the holster can be changed into an IWB holster. In this way, one holster will satisfy both needs.
The whole rig is finished well. This one is, somewhat obviously, built for the 1911. I’ve got another for a GLOCK 19, and both are exacting fits. There are adjustments points, as you’d expect in a rigid holster like this. They allow the tension to be adjusted a bit. Out of the package, the holster held fast. It is all but impossible to shake the gun free.
The belt loops and clips are thick and hold tight. The spacing is such that the loops only provide part of the tension that holds the holster down. Because the loops span a larger portion of the belt, the pants and belt, both, have more surface area to interact with the holster. This design also saves on the width. Where some holsters have loops behind the holster, making them thick, the Eclipse puts them to the sides, which allows the back of the holster to be in direct contact with either the pants or you, depending on which way you’re wearing it.
The holster is available for a variety of guns: Sigs, GLOCKs, Springfields, Smith & Wessons, and 1911s. And it can easily be configured for right or left handed wear. Strong side, weak side, appendix. The placement of the loops can even vary the height. The result is a very flexible holster.
Everything attaches with small bolts and nuts.
I’ve been carrying this one as weather permits. It is the dead of summer, and I typically shy away from a 5 inch 1911 in the summer months, but I’ve worn this one, mostly in the waist band, enough to speak of its comfort. The edges are all softened, just enough that they don’t rub. I’ve worn it outside at the range, and put is through its paces. The gun draws easily. The extra ambidextrous safety mold is generous for those who carry 1911s. The holster is tight and snug, especially over the trigger, but guns go in easily and come out even easier. There is ample room around the safety and the front sights, the two places where contact can pose a problem.
It isn’t going to help if you’re changing guns, but there are options to minimize the changes. Many companies, like Springfield Armory, Beretta, and now GLOCK offer full sized pistols and sub-compact models with the exact same controls and features. With two similar guns, and two Blade Tech Eclipse holsters, you could have four possible carry styles that would all function in close to the same fashion.
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It would be difficult to find a holster with a thinner profile.
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The Eclipse holds the gun very close to the body and can be raised up or lowered.
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The trigger is well protected.
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The flat black of the Eclipse is the only color currently available, but it looks good with most guns.
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The loops and clips ride off of the holster like wings.
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The Eclipse even has a space for the ambi safety on a 1911.
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The holster is open on the side, which lets debris out, but may also let debris in.
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The IWB keeps the gun angled into your back.
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For such a large holster, the Eclipse is very comfortable. And very effective.
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A t-shirt may not be enough to keep a big 1911 from printing.
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There is almost no branding on the Eclipse. Only the paired gun logo of Blade Tech.
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Each of these holes is an option that allows the holster to be fit perfectly.
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I can’t find exact information anywhere as to whether or not this fits 1.75 in belts. Anyone have experience or knowledge about this?
I currently own two of these holsters, one for a Springfield Micro Compact 1911 and another for my Springfield XD-S .45. I alternate between these two guns and as a State Trooper carry literally every single day. I forget how I every came across this model holster in the first place but I can testify to its comfort, fit, quality, retention and functionality. I purchased the IWB conversion kits for both models when I originally bought them and have only used them as OWB on one or maybe two occasions as I feel that concealabilty is my utmost priority. Far too many companies market “concealment” holsters to a basically clueless public that rarely has any understanding how difficult it can be to actually conceal a handgun and even less an idea of how truly uncomfortable doing it right can be. Ive owned more holsters over the years than I care to admit to but I recommend this one to anyone and have done so to my colleagues regularly. The wide range of adjustments available with this model make it extremely user friendly and do well to accomodate different body types. I stand 5’9″, weigh 190lbs and I can easily carry either of my guns in IWB configuration wearing only a t-shirt and its safe to say I dont wear large, baggy or messy looking clothing. I was extremely impressed with the retention of this holster about a year ago when I was involved in a motorcycle crash at approximately 50 mph during which time if was both thrown from the bike and rolled multiple times. Afterwards not only did my XD-S remain safely in the holster it was basically protected from damage aside from a small ding on the rear sight where the holster offered no protection to begin with. Blade-Tech make an excellent product and has impressed my each and every time Ive dealt with them. One minor suggestion for this holster is to order a set of snap loops instead of the static type belt loops which greatly increase the ease with which the holster can be taken on or off.
I have owned several of these Blade Tech holsters for a while now, one each for 1911, XDM45 and Glock 20. I am very satisfied with them. Comfortable daily carry holsters for full size pistols. retention is adjustable, and reliable. I have not owned or worn them long enough to judge their durability.
Thanks for the review David. I “found” this model while holster shopping for the G42 last weekend and have one in-bound. What sold me on it was the flexibility you mention in your review. With the option of IWB appendix, or OWB behind the hip carry I felt confident I could make the holster work for me.