In today’s article, Dylan Casey reviews the DeSantis T.B. Vengeance holster. This leather concealed carry rig is a three-slot belt holster designed to carry your pistol outside the waistband. Equipped with a thumb break for increased retention, the holster tested was fitted for the Springfield Armory Echelon pistol. The company provided the holster to the author for review.
Leather holsters are a thing of functionality, class and beauty. They are often, at least in my mind, associated with many timeless heroes from the silver screen and television of the past. As time is always advancing us forward, our leather holsters of today have advanced as well. This is important to remember when considering the DeSantis T.B. Vengeance Scabbard.
In particular, I tested the DeSantis T.B. (Thumb Break) Vengeance Scabbard for the Springfield Echelon. It’s a leather pancake holster, and you might notice that the one I am testing is designed to fit an Echelon 4.5F fitted out with a SureFire X300 weaponlight. It is also offered in a version for fitting the Echelon and the Streamlight TRL-1. Both are offered in right- and left-hand versions.
So not only can you carry a duty-grade firearm in the Echelon, but you can pair it with a duty-quality light. Let’s examine some of this holster’s other standout quality features and see if it’s worth the price tag of $110.99, as available on the Springfield Armory Store.
Features and Quality
First, the build quality of this American-made holster is immaculate. The color, finish, and double (and even triple) stitching in high-use areas are all fantastic. Plus, the three belt loops — which allow you to choose the cant of the holster and work with belts up to 1¾” wide — are a great feature. Furthermore, it is made of native U.S. full-grain steer hide.
It has an adjustable tensioning device that allows for a custom retention level, and the wraparound band at the top of the holster provides additional strength for easy reholstering. The custom retention level device is located right by the section of the holster where the light fits and is adjusted with a flathead screwdriver. The holster also has been designed to allow room for a red dot optic.
Specifically, this holster works with the Echelon 4.5F with either the Surefire X300U-A or X300U-B, or there is also a version that can work with the Streamlight TLR-1 or TLR-1HL weaponlight.
Retention Performance
Aside from the holster’s actual build and physical form is the question, “How does it perform?” Well, I’m pleased to say this holster’s exceptional quality puts it off on good footing for its performance. When a product has impeccable quality to start, it’s already a leg up.
This holster was extremely easy to break in to get a comfortable draw yet still have great retention. I followed the manufacturer’s instructions to break in the holster, wrapping my Echelon and X300 Surefire in a thin sock and then sticking the gun in the holster with the sock still around it. Per the instructions, I left it like that for a little over a day. Now, I have a really smooth draw and an easy time putting the gun in the holster.
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The manufacturer specifically warns against using any sort of leather softening oil. The reason for this is that those oils will actually break down the structure of the holster, meaning it will lose the shape of the Echelon and attached light.
In Use
To get the most out of this holster, you are going to need a good, stiff belt. This holster would be fantastic for wintertime concealed carry with a large pistol and light like this set-up. Of course, this holster will really shine in any open carry situation.
It really is a beautiful holster, and it looks very clean and neat. It is also very comfortable to sit down with while wearing. I had no problems riding in the truck or sitting in my favorite chair with it and the gun and light.
A holster is made or broken by how it allows for you to draw. It can be the most beautiful holster in the world, but if it’s hard to draw from then it might as well be reduced to the status of a paperweight.
This holster partly relies on a retention technology known as a “thumb break.” If you are unfamiliar with what it is, it’s as straightforward as it sounds. There is a longer retention strap with a male button connector that comes over the top of the lateral side of the holster and connects to a female button on the medial side of the holster, closer to the body.
When you go to draw the firearm, your thumb is meant to push the medial side of this device inward toward your body, breaking the button seal and allowing the gun to be drawn.
On this particular holster, as I’ve said, I’ve followed the instructions to break it in and I’ve practiced with it. As a result, I am now able to draw it very easily, breaking the thumb break quickly. It does take practice, but that’s true of anything that’s worthwhile doing.
Conclusion
I can assure you that this holster puts you in a great position to have a quality holster that, if taken care of, will last and perform for years on end.
I can say that if I were a rancher, farmer or anyone else who regularly worked outside, this is a holster that I would carry every day on my person. There is just something about a quality leather holster that feels right, and this one is a great example.
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