*Update, 10/21/22:  Formidable Force is no longer in business–links to their site have been disabled*

A little over a month ago, I received an OWB Recon holster from Formidable Force Holsters for Wilma, my Gen 4 G19.  I’ve worn the holster off-duty for that time, and I’ve found it to be an excellent choice for OWB concealment.  With excellent retention, comfortable wear, and a fast presentation, the Recon is a holster worth considering.

Like the other holsters I’ve reviewed, retention is the first aspect of a rig I look at.  As second-in-command at my department, I’d have a lot of explaining to do if my blaster hit the deck while off-duty.  Not that I get in foot-pursuits routinely off-duty or perform spontaneous calisthenics while grabbing a bagel on a Saturday, but I’ve got to know the holster I use will keep Wilma wear she belongs.  The Recon excels in retention, with one of the most satisfying clicks of any holster I’ve used.  There’s no doubt my Glock is staying put, but with the adjustable retention screw, I also won’t have to wrestle with both hands to get the gun into a fight.

Any holster could retain a pistol like a fat kid with a donut, but I’m not going to wear it all day off the job if it feels like a jagged sheet of plastic on my hip.  The Recon is most certainly comfortable.  On my most recent trip to the Mayo Clinic, I wore the holster for over 14 hours without any complaints.  It was comfortable while seated in the car for over 7 hours on the drive to Rochester, Minnesota, and I was able to keep the gun on even after we got to our B&B.  There were no hot-spots or pinching from the holster.  It’s certainly apparent that the holster was designed by people who carry a gun every day, as all of the edges are smooth and rounded, with no rough spots to create any problems.

Finally, a concealment holster should be able to hide well and still allow a quick draw.  The Recon rides high on the hip, and is adjustable for cant.  I adjusted mine for a zero-cant draw, and the rig conceals well under a button-up shirt or a vest/jacket.  Since it’s coat weather in Missouri, I’ve had no issues concealing the holster.

The Recon conceals well on my Regulation Tactical Glide Belt.  My Neckr from JRs Knives and a spare mag ride on the opposite side.

My only small complaint about the rig is the use of different belt loops.  The standard loop up front paired with the pancake loop in the rear helps to bring the butt of the pistol in towards the body, aiding in concealment, but at times it seemed to also push the front of the pistol out.  It really isn’t much of an issue, unless someone with a very small frame wore the rig.  I wonder if pancake loops on both ends would bring the holster’s profile down even further, though.

Here you can also see the Perry Suspenders I wear most days, helping to take some weight/pressure off my waist and hips. 

My Blackhawk mag pouch prints more than the Recon.

Drawing from the holster is smooth, as I was able to position the holster in almost the same spot as my duty holster, only higher on the belt line.  During dry-fire and range drills, the holster presented no obstacles to a fast presentation or safe reholstering.

At $75, the OWB Recon is priced comparably to other quality kydex holsters.  Check out their quick-ship IWB holster for only $30–it looks a like a solid option for appendix carry.  If you prefer custom kydex rigs from quality companies, Formidable Force should be in the running for your next holster.  Ran by two LEOs from Georgia, it’s a small company worth supporting.