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I recently did a First Look of a Versacarry Compound Custom Essential series holster. I’ve had the holster for a few weeks and have worn it at least part of almost every day, so I’m ready for a full review.
I have a couple other Versacarry holsters: the Element and the Commander. I was impressed with the quality of the leather and stitching of those. And they’re both very good at what they do, which is one size fits many, but I wanted to try something more tailored from the Versacarry line.
Versacarry’s been making Kydex hybrid holsters for a while now, and I wanted to try one. I happen to have a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield that I could use to test a new holster, so I ordered one.
They actually make several different holsters with similar names; it’s slightly confusing. They have one called the Compound Essential. Then there’s the Compound Custom. And finally, the one I bought, the Compound Custom Essential.
Table of Contents
Versacarry Compound Custom Essential series
It’s an IWB Kydex/leather hybrid with a metal clip that holds it to a 1.5″ belt. Pretty standard stuff, really.
In any event, as you can see, it really fits that “essential” description. It has exactly what it needs to securely carry a gun and nothing more.
The good parts
There’s a lot to like here. As I said, it’s pretty basic, so what matters is the execution. The execution is excellent.
First, it’s not going to weigh you down.
Second, while it’s lightweight, it feels heavy in the appropriate places.
The leather is thick, stiff, and well stitched. My other two have had zero stitching problems in the time I’ve had them and I don’t expect this to be any different.
The clip is solid. In fact, I have to work just a bit sometimes to get it over my belt. Which does have a steel core, so it’s not the easiest belt to clip things to. And once it’s clipped on, it’s staying on. And it’s not moving around, either, which is something that single clip holsters have been known to do for me.
I mentioned the stiff leather. During the time I’ve worn this, the top, smallest part of the leather has barely moved. I have a couple other hybrids where that upper part has folded down a bit onto the slide. It’s not a problem, just something that needs to be kept in mind when reholstering.
Versacarry was smart enough to, as I said, make thick leather. They also made it just past the length of the slide, so there’s not the inch or so hanging I’ve seen in other holsters.
It’s not perfectly straight, but it’s pretty close.
A not so good part
The only adjustment you have is for retention. The screw right next to the trigger guard, as I’m sure you’ve figured out. As for the clip, it screws in. That’s it. The little rectangular piece is a spacer.
I’m OK with the cant, but would honestly like about a 1/2″ or so more ride height. It would make getting a firing grip a little easier.
Of course, that’s me, wearing my pants, with this particular gun/holster combination. You may or may not have a similar issue.
Conclusion
As I said, it’s pretty basic. I mentioned the Compound Custom, without the “Essential” part. As near as I can tell, since I don’t have one, is that the regular one has an adjustable cant. The page doesn’t mention ride height. The non-Essential one is also $10 more. That may or may not be worth it to you.
The one I do have, the Essential, is working well for me. It’s going to be my go-to for my Shield for a while.
If you’re looking for something simple, effective, and inexpensive, it’s hard to do better. You can get one here.
