Todd Lofgren:Tailgunner-NFS-Rock Steady Review


		Handguns - Gun Buyers Annual 2010 Todd Lofgren Tailgunner, Rock Steady and Need For Speed Review.

	*High Noon Holsters* Thinking I might want to occasionally pack my Hi-Power concealed, I requested a belt and pouch rig and an IWB (inside-the-waistband) holster from High Noon Holsters. The matching black exterior carry rig I received consisted of one of High Noon's Need For Speed holsters paired to one of their Rock Steady Belts. The holster is designed to ride high on the belt and by virtue of its two belt loops, close to the body for good concealability yet quick presentation of the weapon. The holster is reinforced at its top to remain open for one-handed reholstering and includes a tensioning screw for adjustment of draw. It features a 15-degree forward cant and accommodates belts up to 1-3/4 inches in width. The Need For Speed has a sewn-in sight track to avoid "fuzz on the front sight" and is extensively hand boned to the weapon it's made for. Available in tan, black or natural finish in cowhide and in black or natural made from horsehide. The heart of any carry ensemble is the belt, and the new Rock Steady Belt provides the necessary strength and support to carry one's holstered sidearm comfortably for long periods of time. Made from two pieces of 6-to 7-ounce vegetable- tanned steer hide, sandwiched around a special extruded laminate, gives the belt its excellent rigidity, providing maximum support for weapon and accessories. Cut 1-1/2 inches wide and border stitched all the way around, the Rock Steady Belt is a very attractive and integral part of this carry system. Hand dyed, it is a perfect match to the Need For Speed holster it carries. Equipped with, in this case, a solid cast chrome buckle and matching chrome keeper, brass furniture is also available for tan or natural-finished belts. Quick-change snaps are used to secure buckle and keeper and allow for changing of furniture, if desired. This is a quality rig and I found it fit my HI-Power perfectly and carried it securely yet comfortably over the long haul.

Having packed a duty-sized handgun more often than not in an IWB holster of some sort for the better part of the last 35 years, I found the Tail Gunner IWB pouch a pretty good take on this method of carry. It's fashioned of cowhide positioned rough side out for addition stability that also allows for a smooth side lining for minimized finish wear and a smoother draw.

It has a crush-resistant, reinforced opening to aid in one-handed reholstering and a retention screw for adjustment of draw. Like the Need For Speed, it also
features a sewn-in sight track to keep front sights clear and has a side guard to prevent wearer contact with the weapon's slide, hammer and sights. This is a comforting addition to an IWB holster, as nothing is more irritating than being abraded by the rubbing of one's weapon on bare flesh. This holster features a well-designed belt clip that's rounded at the bottom rather than flaring out at this location like the clips on many other holsters do. It's this flare that has caught on more chair arms and car upholstery than I can count, and has been responsible for the drawing of both weapon and holster in tandem on more than one occasion. Many of these crew for clips have been subjected to the hacksaw 5-degree over the years to remove that offending belts lip, resulting in a fastener much like that currently found on High Noon's IWB rigs. The last feature that makes the TailGunner unique and from whence it weapon gets its name is the stabilizing "tail" or or wing that protrudes from its back. This protrusion helps to ensure that the holster and gun remain positioned and keeps it from shifting. It did just that and I found it comfortable carry for my new Hi-Power sidearm.