This past October, Mission First Tactical launched its new Guardian Duty Holster. It’s a fully-featured modern duty holster that accommodates and protects service pistols with mounted red-dot sights and tactical lights.
Currently, Mission First Tactical Guardian Duty Holsters fit double-stack 9 mm Glock models including the Glock G19, G45, G47, G49 and G17. Mission First Tactical also has the Zev OC9Z as a fit option as well. For lights, the Guardian OWB accepts Streamlight TLR-7 series lights. However, thanks to Mission First Tactical’s neodymium magnets and internal geometry, this holster allows for the safe carry of a loaded handgun without a light.
Mission First Tactical Guardian OWB Holster Overview
As an OWB Duty holster, the Guardian’s primary role is to protect the holstered handgun along with its mounted accessories. Its function follows its form as the holster has the archetypical “bucket” profile, made from impact-resistant polymer. The Guardian Duty Holster’s shell uses carbon fiber rods in place of traditional screws for extra security. Likewise, the external shell is shaped to be snag-free so it doesn’t inadvertently get caught on seatbelts, furniture or other common items.
The Guardian Duty Holster smartly incorporates the Safariland three-screw hole “mounting” pattern. In the world of modern holsters, this pattern has become a universal standard. It helps to think of it like the M1913 Picatinny rail of holster mounts. Industry-wide, there are a wide variety of accessories that interface with holsters based on that pattern. This means that end-users have a wide selection of aftermarket belt-attachment accessories and peripherals.
Mission First Tactical ships this holster with a mid-ride belt attachment bracket that includes the same universal corresponding three-hole surface to connect directly to the holster. Additionally, the belt bracket includes a sliding bar with a thumb-screw that adjusts in order to accept belts of various widths, from the typical 1½-inch gun belt to the 2¼-inch duty belt.
Besides accepting Streamlight TRL-7 series tactical lights, Guardian OWB Holster accepts some of the most popular red-dot sights on the market including the Aimpoint ACRO and COA, the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, the Trijicon RCR, RMR and RMR HD and the Holosun 507, 508 and 509.
Intuitive Locking System
Active retention mechanisms are some of the most crucial features in modern duty OWB holsters. The Guardian includes Mission First Tactical’s proprietary Intuitive Locking System (ILS). The ILS takes a unique approach to retention, its various parts scaffold over the holster’s mouth and are mechanically linked and actuated by a thumb-activated paddle. The ILS’ parts cover the rear portion of the slide via a sturdy crossmember with a tab on its end that locks into a slot directly on the holster shell. Part of the linkage also connects to a pivoting “trapdoor” that serves as an optic cover. The “intuitive” part of the system refers to the fact that without a gun present, the mechanism remains mechanically open until the handgun is holstered. As soon as the user inserts the gun, the system locks up behind it.
A Brief Evaluation
I have a Glock G19 holster, and I tried the holster with two different pistols: my original Glock 45 and my Ruger RXM with the Shield Sights OMSsc that I recently reviewed. Mission First Tactical’s product page mentions that the Guardian OWB holster is contoured to promote a natural master grip on the draw. I had no problem building a master grip and drawing with either pistol. The holster itself didn’t interfere with the draw, nor did I detect needless friction between the inner walls or either handgun. Like due to its specific dimensions, the Ruger RXM seemed to draw more effortlessly. I experienced some friction between the ILS and the rear of the Glock 45 on occasion, which increased the pressure needed to actuate the thumb paddle. I’m certain that carrying out multiple repetitions will smoothen and wear-in this part.
On top of the holster being contoured to make a master grip easy, I do appreciate that Mission First Tactical also did a good job of covering up the trigger guard areas, as this is another critical point for safety reasons. The ILS retention system looks very promising and it is easy to work with, but being new to it, I’d be interested to see how it holds up over time.
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