I have been searching for a way to more effectively conceal a larger caliber handgun in business casual attire for quite some time. After much debate, I ordered a Galco SkyOps holster for my Sig P239 (.40 S&W) earlier this week. The holster came highly recommended from a friend that carries a Springfield Armory XD-SC (9mm) in his. Upon discovering the UPS package on my front porch last evening, I was eager to get it out and try it on.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Galco SkyOps, here is the bit from Galco’s website:
My Review
Finish
The holster is made of good quality leather and, while manufactured, is well constructed. The leather is dyed black which, while not my favorite color (I prefer brown leather), is inconsequential since the holster is of the deep concealment style. No one is ever going to see it.
Fit
As most leather holsters are out of the box, this holster is extremely tight fitting. I believe the retention to be very good unless the holster begins to stretch the more it is in use. The version of this holster made for the Sig P229 comes with a retention screw but all other models lack this characteristic. I would prefer to have the screw installed, but there is no way to add one.
The holster is very comfortable. While designed to be worn behind the hip, I find that my body contours require that the holster sit right at 3 o’clock. The Y-hook is very concealable and hardly noticeable. I prefer brown leather, as stated above, so I think finding a belt with some tooling and black dye would make the Y-hook clips all but disappear.
Performance
The holster performs very well for its intended use. You won’t win any speed drawing awards with it, nor is the holster designed for easy re-holstering. It is extremely concealable and works well with either a tucked or un-tucked cover garment. The Galco SkyOps will spend most of its time with me deployed as a deep cover option for business casual attire. I travel often and was ultimately looking for a holster that will perform well in either slacks or jeans with a tucked button down shirt. With it on and the shirt tucked and bloused ever so slightly, I can hardly tell its there.
Overall, I give the holster a rating of 8.5 out of 10. While not important to its performance, I wish it came in brown. I also wish it came with the same retention screw standard on all models. I would certainly recommend this holster.
ETA: Photo
[This message has been edited by Todd 02 (edited 1/8/2010 9:18a).]
For those of you unfamiliar with the Galco SkyOps, here is the bit from Galco’s website:
quote:
You need to carry a full-sized pistol behind your hip, you don't want to wear a jacket or your shirt tail out, you want stationary holster placement, and you want total concealment.
That's a lot to ask, but one Federal LE agency and many CCW customers asked. Galco delivered, with our SkyOps™ tuckable concealment holster.
The challenge was to design a belt attachment that provides secure carry at the desired angle while remaining inconspicuous. With a J-Hook or C-Hook, the holster can tilt and dive. While a pair of loops on either side or a single, wide loop around the belt can provide stability, they can also advertise "Gun!" to observers across the room. The solution is the patented Galco Y-Hook™, premiered on our SkyOps holster. The Y-Hook grips as securely as a full loop, yet disappears to all but the most trained eye when worn on a black belt.
The SkyOps will not win the competition for easy on-and-off, nor for quick draw and re-holstering. But when it's all about stealth, and wearing a jacket is not an option, the SkyOps sets the standard against which all others are measured. Constructed of premium saddle leather, the SkyOps fits belts of 1" and 1 1/4" width.
Made for semiautomatic pistols, the SkyOps is ambidextrous and available in black finish.
My Review
Finish
The holster is made of good quality leather and, while manufactured, is well constructed. The leather is dyed black which, while not my favorite color (I prefer brown leather), is inconsequential since the holster is of the deep concealment style. No one is ever going to see it.
Fit
As most leather holsters are out of the box, this holster is extremely tight fitting. I believe the retention to be very good unless the holster begins to stretch the more it is in use. The version of this holster made for the Sig P229 comes with a retention screw but all other models lack this characteristic. I would prefer to have the screw installed, but there is no way to add one.
The holster is very comfortable. While designed to be worn behind the hip, I find that my body contours require that the holster sit right at 3 o’clock. The Y-hook is very concealable and hardly noticeable. I prefer brown leather, as stated above, so I think finding a belt with some tooling and black dye would make the Y-hook clips all but disappear.
Performance
The holster performs very well for its intended use. You won’t win any speed drawing awards with it, nor is the holster designed for easy re-holstering. It is extremely concealable and works well with either a tucked or un-tucked cover garment. The Galco SkyOps will spend most of its time with me deployed as a deep cover option for business casual attire. I travel often and was ultimately looking for a holster that will perform well in either slacks or jeans with a tucked button down shirt. With it on and the shirt tucked and bloused ever so slightly, I can hardly tell its there.
Overall, I give the holster a rating of 8.5 out of 10. While not important to its performance, I wish it came in brown. I also wish it came with the same retention screw standard on all models. I would certainly recommend this holster.
ETA: Photo
[This message has been edited by Todd 02 (edited 1/8/2010 9:18a).]