A few weeks ago, Crossbreed Holsters released a new version of their modular belly band holster, so I decided to try it. I also decided to give another part of their modular system, the Purse Board, a try as well. It’s a well-thought-out system, but like most concealed carry options, it will not be useful for every person in every situation.
I purchased these items myself, so you’ll get a very honest review here that’s not influenced by getting anything for free to review.
Crossbreed’s Modular System
I first used a Crossbreed product way back in 2009. I found that, at least with pants and a loose-fitting or fit-and-flare shirt, the hybrid holster worked well even for a full-sized 1911. Since then, the cooler kids of the concealed carry world have moved on to hating hybrid holsters, largely because they’ve caused problems as they aged and wore out. At worst, a cracked shell or sweat-logged leather backer could cause a nasty negligent discharge.
Belly bands have their safety problems. Chief among them is the lack of a hard shell over the trigger guard area.
Crossbreed devised a creative way to solve these problems: combine elements from both systems to create a safer belly band. By making a miniature hybrid holster (with thick leather and a thick shell) and adding some high-strength Velcro to the back of it, they created a holster that can stick to any surface with a Velcro loop field.
In the case of the belly band, you strap the band around you, stick the holster to the band, and then take an extra flap of band material and cover the hybrid holster.
That same little Velcro-backed holster can work in a variety of other contexts. Crossbreed offers a “Pac Mat” to which you can stick the holster to keep it upright in a backpack or other bag, while the little holster keeps errant objects away from the bang switch. They also offer a board that has a “leg” that wedges between a mattress and a box spring, allowing you to keep a gun holstered to your bed.
The New Belly Band Design
Common complaints about their older modular belly band design include that it wasn’t wide enough to be stable and could slip around on your skin, allowing the gun to move with activity. Crossbreed addressed both of those issues.
First, they made the band wider, now constructed using a very comfortable but grippy material. It doesn’t roll up or allow the gun to tip and keeps itself from moving up or down on your body as long as you strap it on snugly.
The Purse Board
The modular purse board design also works well, but only if you’re willing to pack things into the purse around your gun. Like the belly band, it will require trial and error to figure out what works best for you, but it’s worth putting in the time.
The most important element — safety — is well taken care of. The rigid shell of the holster keeps loose items in the purse or things that might bump into the outside of the purse from getting to the trigger. There’s a little passive retention from the molded Kydex shell, too, so you don’t have to worry about a gun falling out easily.
This security also helps with using the gun defensively. It means you can keep a round chambered, and you don’t have to add more time on top of an already long draw from a purse. The Purse Board always keeps your gun in the same spot, which is good as long as you test the other things you carry and ensure nothing else gets in the way.