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After I bemoaned the width of the Comp-Tac Minotaur AIWB holster, Tiffany at Comp-Tac was quick to send out their Two O’Clock model for review. I have to say, after a few days toting the Two around, I’m almost an AIWB convert. I’ll give credit where credit is due, the appendix position is wicked fast. As I’ve stated countless times, Kydex is the fastest material I’ve had the pleasure of putting hands on. Put the two together, and you have possibly the fastest drawing holster a little bit of money can buy.

The Two O’Clock is a no frills Appendix IWB holster specifically fitted for your carry piece. For this review, I used my EDC Springfield XD(m) 3.8 Compact 9mm. One of the biggest gripes folks have with the appendix position is the barrel digging in on the fleshy part of the thigh in a seated position. The secret I have found is to position the holster in such a way as to get the barrel to sit between the jewels and the thigh while seated. The Minotaur was just too wide to facilitate this on my relatively small frame (32-34 inch waist depending on jean maker). The Two O’clock is significantly narrower which allows the holster to be positioned almost in line with the navel.

Speaking of positioning, the Two O’Clock doesn’t sport the same adjustability that the Minotaur does for ride height. My hope is that future iterations will allow some sort of adjustment. I found the ride height to be just about perfect. Given that there is only one clip for support, this might have been a compromise between stability and comfort. Your mileage of course might vary.

A quick note on stability. You can see in the video right around the 1:02 mark, I turn to face the camera and wiggle the holster back and forth. For EDC, I don’t think this is a huge issue. The clip keeps things pinned where they belong, and the holster has retention detents around the trigger guard. I never worried about losing my gun during day-to-day carry.

While it was a bit disconcerting to have things wiggling around that close to the goods, I got accustomed to it. If this were a competition rig, I’d probably have some Velcro sewn to the inside of my pants that would match up with a corresponding piece attached to the shell of the holster. This wiggle seems to help the barrel find that magic groove between thigh and male bravado.

The only other slight issue I had was that aggressive draws resulted in my undershirt becoming untucked. This is simply a byproduct of having the entire grip exposed. As I wrapped my dominant hand around the grip, I’d pull more and more of my shirt up as my practice sessions went on. For competition or long term sessions, I’d recommend going with some sort of slick, form fitting undershirt from the likes of Under Armour.

Now that I’ve gotten my nitpicking out of the way, I want to make very clear the advantage of this holster and its position. Kydex is fast. Say what you will (and I know you will), I’m a Kydex fan because of how effortless the draw is. Once unclipped, my gun is coming out quick and fast.

I don’t care about how it looks or if it mars my gun (it doesn’t). My primary need from a holster after safety is speed. And Kydex does that in a way that leather just can’t. Mix that with the fact that the appendix position is freaky fast and you really do have the best of both worlds when it comes to bringing your piece to bear as fast as possible. If you are willing to be an absolute stickler about trigger discipline, this is a fast, concealable, and fairly comfortable holster to add to your drawer.

Specifications: Comp-Tac Two O’Clock Holster

  • Type: Tuckable IWB Appendix Carry
  • Materials: Kydex
  • Adjustment: You can pick between a Standard or J-Clip
  • MSRP: $60.00

Ratings (out of five stars)

Fit and Finish * * * * *

Absolutely top notch work from Comp-Tac. This holster is hell bent for stout and built to last just like all the other gear I’ve seen from them.

Customization *

The only customization available to you after your intial order is tightening the two screws that control retention, and changing clips.

Comfort * * *

Physically, this is fairly comfortable. Naturally, it isn’t as nice as my OWB Paddle Holster, but for a day of walking and standing, I’d choose it over my IWB MTAC holster from Comp-Tac. For a day of sitting and driving, though, I’d probably look for something else. Having the barrel of my gun pressing between my thigh and unmentionables is only bearable for so long.

Concealability * * * * *

Say what you will about nestling a gun next to the goods, appendix carry is a printaphobe’s dream. Nobody knows you’re carrying a full size gun unless they hug you or you blow out your femoral artery. I’m giving extra points for how narrow the Two is. No ugly wrinkles mean less printing and an easier time at the urinal for the stand up guys out there.

 

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29 COMMENTS

  1. ooooh plastic and a clippy.

    review something else Tyler, please?

    I read a really cool Leupold scope review you did a long time ago, you got anything good like that anymore? Or is it going to be black plastic all day and all night?

    • How about some black plastic slappy things? Will there ever be an update on the plastic magazine torture test?

      • Actually I’m pretty unimpressed with the Comp-Tac OWB holster I just got. The loops are adjustable, so I can make them bigger, but they don’t even come close to fitting on a 1.5 inch belt that they were ordered for without getting a screwdriver and fixing it. And that’s not even trying to get it on a reinforced Comp-Tac belt that is very thick. I love the belts BTW. The fit for the gun I ordered it to hold is also pretty lacking compared to almost all holsters I’ve used before. If you have never tried a Blade Tech holster you will be impressed. They run about the same price point and are top notch. Blade Tech is the way to go, especially if you’re a competitive shooter.

    • Thanks for the review, Tyler. This is a topic that interests me a lot.

      If it didn’t interest me, I could not read it and not comment on it. If I wished to be positive, I could suggest a topic that interested me, and still keep my mouth shut about what didn’t.

    • Well, he’s specically doing a series on kydex holsters right now, and not everyone shares your leather fetish. In addition, he gave specific reasons why he preferred kydex over leather. A lot of us like kydex holsters for various reasons and are interested in these posts, and while I don’t think you should be censored, it’s a bit tiresome to raise the exact same objection every time there’s a review of a kydex holster.

      • Wow, I offered to buy you a holster last time there was an issue with this and your all offended to my reaction to ugly black plastic?
        Real fun loving people on TTAG. Thanks Carlos, you’re a real gem.

        • In all fairness I didnt know he was doing a series of reviews particularly on kydex holsters, so sorry for any offensiveness pertaining to that, but its what I know tyler kee for now. Black plastic on dirt, sure sign of Kee’s work.
          -A sincere thank you for tyler for the review, work did go into it, im just a jerk about kydex I guess.

        • Not offended, just bored. We get that you prefer leather to kydex. Posting almost the same comment every time about it is repetitive.

          As for your offer, as I said that time, I’m not in the market for a new holster, and prefer kydex over leather anyway.

    • Not much. That video should show me unbuttoning to place it. If you don’t want to do that, and you have space in the pants, its a breeze to drop in. As our in house Appendix guru, you should buy this holster. Shoot me an email if you want Tiffany’s info.

      • Tyler:

        You pointed out a couple points worthy of re-mentioning in appendix carry.

        1. Sitting, the barrel goes into the crease of the thigh. I have no trouble sitting for hours in the car this way.

        2. A little motion in the holster is desireable and much more comfortable. It looks like Comp-Tac got it right. I have been looking for something tuckable and this might be the ticket.

        Also, be careful muzzling your hand when holstering off body. Probably not an issue, but why take a chance. And, be extra, extra careful with any re-holstering. Always slowly, and visually if possible.

  6. AIWB is a good choice for women like myself whose hips are so curvy that they have trouble carrying in any other position at the waist. I might have to check this holster out!

  8. I tried an appendix holster once; the issue was not barrel length but belly girth. REsult: not a printaphobes dream, but more like a nightmare.

    • Looks like a decent holster. I like the “Centerfold” model a little better on paper. Too low puts the grip behind the belt which I don’t particularly like.

      I just ordered a tuckable Fricke Archangel and will report on findings in few weeks.

  10. Tyler,
    I recently just purchased a 2 o’clock holster and sent it back shortly after. I am left handed and had an issue with getting a combat grip on the pistol. My knuckles kept hitting the clip. I carry a S&W M&P 9c. I have tried many holsters and many places to carry on the body. I have tried appendix, small of back and 9 o’clock. I have taken some tactical training and decided to concealm my pistol where I have trained with it for consistency. I will say returning the product was easy. You are required to pay shipping if the product doesnt work for you. Have you ever had an issue with carrying your pistol in different places? Carrying on the hip for training and aiwb for concealment? Thanks for the review and your time.

  11. I read the review and watched the video. Found myself wishing I had a 32″ waist instead of a 32″ thigh (I just checked and confirmed the dimension). Interesting holster, but I think a flat stomach is required from what I see. Unfortunately I suffer from doolaps desease, because my belly “do lap” over my belt. On the plus side, being 6′-3″ and 295 lb, gives me a lot more areas to stick a full sized firearm that an average sized guy couldn’t do as well. I tend to prefer the small of my back during warm weather, and a shoulder rig if dressed for winter.

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