Urban Carry has just released their new REVO Modular Holster System, which they’re hoping will revolutionize the holster market in more ways than one. TTAG got our hands on a near-complete kit ahead of the release so we could check it out, test it out, and otherwise put it through its paces to bring you more than a press release can offer.
That said, this is not a full review. Frankly, your humble TTAG scribes recognized some personal biases that would make it hard to give this setup a fair shake. It just isn’t our cup of tea. It may be yours, though, so we’ll outline the features, benefits, and perceived drawbacks here. And stay tuned, as this entire GLOCK 17/19 REVO System will be up for grabs in a contest or giveaway soon.
As the “REVO” name implies, the holster is revolutionary in a fairly literal fashion. Each “shell” (the actual holster into which your gun goes) is attached to each “rig” (the myriad gun-carrying backings) via a circular Velcro disk so it can be rotated 360 degrees.
Infinite possibilities exist for firearm orientation. Forget the 15° “FBI cant” or zero cant or a small range of cant adjustment. You clearly can’t count the copious cant choice capability here.
In the center of the photo above, those two leather “wings” secure the shell to the rig. Pivot them open on the rivets, attach the shell, then pivot the wings over the shell and snap them in place. Urban Carry says the REVO will surpass 100 lbs of pull force without the shell separating from the rig.
Current shells include holsters for over 100 firearms, plus single and double magazine holsters and other accessory carriers. They’re also planning on releasing a duty belt with REVO attachment points all over it for the carrying of a full law enforcement loadout — magazines, handcuffs, radio, mace, Taser, firearm, etc.).
![](https://cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171017_150304-600x337.jpg)
At current, as seen laid out above, rig options include three sizes of IWB backings including an appendix carry rig, a shoulder holster system, an ankle rig, an OWB rig, and a drop thigh rig.
Holsters (shells and rigs) are stitched in the U.S. of A., as in this short video, from saddle grade leather and quality nylon thread. Shells are nicely and accurately molded to a given firearm model, offering positive retention and sufficient clearance for a full grip in most cases.
On the back of the IWB and ankle rigs is plush, ventilated padding.
Wider than the leather layer, it offers cushion across the entire back as well as protection from the leather’s edges. I found this padding to be extremely effective at increasing comfort and reducing trapped heat. It really does exactly what it’s supposed to, and seems to do it very well.
Though I migrated away from large-footprint, dual-clip holsters some years ago, the REVO reminded me that they can be quite comfortable. Especially with a heavy pistol, the large backing and twin belt clips does a bang-up job distributing the gun’s weight over a large surface area, greatly reducing pressure points and pull on the wearer’s belt. As these sorts of systems go, the REVO’s design is one of the more comfortable options available.
Unfortunately, my positive feedback more or less ends at this point. Some of that is personal and subjective, as I’m not usually much of a fan of leather holsters, particularly for IWB use, but some of it is more objective.
For instance, the REVO is thick. If I’m shopping for an IWB rig one of my dominant objectives is to add as little width to that of the firearm as possible. It’s going between my pants and my body, after all, with the ultimate goal being concealment.
With a padded plush layer under a leather layer plus a Velcro layer plus another Velcro layer plus another leather layer plus another leather layer plus another leather layer — thick leather, too — the REVO practically doubles the width of this GLOCK 19. A slimmer gun, for instance one of the various ~0.9″-wide single stack options, would still receive the same number of equally thick holster layers.
Again, surprisingly comfortable. But it’s a fat package that bulges my pants out more than an IWB holster has to (a fat package may be more attractive in the appendix location). My go-to GLOCK 19 IWB holster adds 0.16″ to the width of the gun, and I could even opt for thinner Kydex that would add only 0.12″. The REVO adds, what, 0.75″ at the belt line and more at the double layer-reinforced mouth?
Good thing these are stretchy jeans, and my Klik Belts 2-Ply belt is easy to let out a couple inches. Though I didn’t really wear the REVO enough to soften up the leather and get it broken in, it still conformed to my body nicely.
And, despite what might be assumed, it concealed perfectly well under a one-size-up shirt. Which, really, is par for the course for me if I’m going to carry a G19-sized gun.
Ultimately, I’d use the REVO OWB rig. I definitely see the utility in infinitely-adjustable shell rotation on the shoulder rig (which was quite comfortable, by the way). Plus, I’m more on-board with leather as the material of choice for those two applications.
But I find the IWB options too thick and the ankle rig too large and thick. Additionally, even sub-compact guns will end up using the same size shell Velcro and the same size rigs, which means the footprint is excessive for a small gun and the increase in the gun’s thickness is even more extreme.
Of course, the one shell and many rigs concept is a good way to carry a handgun multiple ways in multiple locations without breaking the bank. It isn’t really perfect or “best of breed” in any configuration, but the REVO comes with positive, utilitarian trade-offs that will make it the right choice for some consumers.
To find out more about the REVO Modular Holster System, visit Urban Carry’s website here: https://urbancarryholsters.com/revo
Seems unnecessary, bulky and overly complicated.
“Clusterfuck” may be the word you’re searching for.
Check out the Alien Gear “Shapeshifter”. Does all of that except the shoulder rig but without leather.
Finally.
A shoulder holster.
I don’t know what all those other parts are for.
Some kinda new-fangled knee pads?
Looks like some things I once saw in a…specialty…shop.
Called a “strap on.”
Yeah, nope.
Looks like a 4th-wave feminist sex toy collection.
slips easily into any pocket. red lipstick not included.
Before you use it, unload the gun and see if you can rip it off the shell when attached to you belt. “100 lbs of pull force” is not a lot, anyone can generate that by statically putting their weight on it. Actively push down on it it will be a LOT more. As for the shoulder rig. Have you actually carried conciliated that way. Bulk is NOT your friend.
Look at the review on YouTube. Yikes
Yeah, Johnny’s thoughts basically mirror mine. The big thing worth mentioning here though is that Urban Carry updated the design since folks in the industry got these product samples and what they changed is how solidly the shell is held to the rig. While I can rip my shell off easily like he showed, the versions that will be shipped to customers take like 4x the pull strength to separate (over 100 lbs). This won’t prevent a determined bad guy from ripping your holstered gun off, but that isn’t a big concern for most concealed carriers. It’s a huge problem, though, that needs to be addressed for their duty belt. At least if they want the gun to be attached with this system, too. I don’t see an issue for the accessories really, but no LE agency would allow a gun holster system that could be ripped off the belt.
My question is why didn’t they just go with a MOLLE set up to attach the shell to the backing and some sort of locking slider for cant adjustments? Would’ve been thinner (maybe), simpler, and more secure. Plus with Murphy’s Law being inserted into the equation you will eventually get that rig caught on something and manage to detach your gun while making a very loud ripping noise as the Velcro separates, and more than likely it will be during a time when you really really need to be quiet.
The key advice in here was buried, stretch jeans are just awesome. Try them and you won’t go back
I like leather holsters. That sure looks like a lot of stuff to mess with. It might be the ticket for law enforcement though, I like looking at all the stuff cops hang on their belts, they need more stuff
Looks almost as terrible as their other holster.
I’m both astonished and disappointed that the 100+ shells don’t include any that fit an S&W M&P 9. This is not an exotic special snowflake gun so why don’t they have a holster for it?
Can we get that Israeli model to model JUST this?
I MIGHT have had an interest for one specific application…
However, judging from their web site they’ve decided to ignore ten percent of the population.
There’s no holster, even for common items like a 1911 or S&W 642, available for left-handers. There’s not even a selection box for that feature.
Oops.
While I like the idea, it reminds me of a saying: “Jack of all trades, Master of none.”
While I’m sure the kit gives you every carry option under the sun, I suspect it does not do any of the individual options particularly well.
Looks like total CRAP!
If they live they will do better on the next version. I am with Jeremy liking it for setting the angle for shoulder holster carry. Getting a shoulder holster set right is hard. This might make it easier.
Using thinner leather and Kydex would solve a lot of problems as would making a simple belt slide with reversible belt clips.
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