Yawn. It’s a plastic inside the waistband holster with a clip. Who cares, right? Before you click the back button, hold on a minute. Because the JM4 Tactical RELIC Series Tuckable holster isn’t like the other IWB concealed carry rigs you’ve seen.
First, the RELIC (Reliable, Easy, Light, Individual, Carry Holster) isn’t made of Kydex. Like a growing number of holster makers, JM4 chose to go with Boltaron for this thing. What’s Boltaron, you ask? Unlike Kydex, Boltaron is a US-made PVC-acrylic alloy.
So? So that means it’s more heat-resistant than Kydex. If you happen to leave a Boltaron holster in your car on a summer day (try not to) you’re less likely to find it cracked or in a puddle under your gun than you will with a Kydex rig.
The other aspect of the RELIC that makes it less-than-typical is its leather lining. JM4 uses grade A, vegetable-tanned steer hide to line the RELIC. The sewn-in leather makes the holster much easier on your carry gun’s finish and virtually eliminates any sound when you draw your pistol or re-holster it. If that’s a consideration for you.
With warmer weather here in the Lone Star State, I’ve been carrying OWB less often, opting for a more concealable IWB rig that’s not only more concealable, but tuckable, too. The RELIC fills that bill nicely.
The RELIC’s raised sweat shield sits comfortably between you and your pistol. That keeps perspiration off your carry gun and gives you a tad more room to slip your thumb in for a good grip on the draw.
The RELIC’s clip comes with three screw holes to adjust for you preferred right depth. I liked the middle position best and clipped off the excess part that extended below. The clip can also be adjusted and tightened down to give you some forward can’t if that’s your thing.
Like a number of other holsters, the RELIC has a screw and rubber gasket arrangement on the retention screw so you can fine tune the grip it has on your gun. My relic had an almost death-grip on my GLOCK 43 at first, even on the loosest setting. But a little time spent leaving the pistol in the holster and some more time on the hip as it fitting just right now, with just the right retention without inhibiting my draw.
The holster’s nicely stitched and finished. The leather fits the interior impressively well. And for the price, it should As you’d expect from a holster that features two top quality materials carefully blended together, the RELIC doesn’t come cheaply.
In short, this the JM4 RELIC IWB Tuckable Holster is a first-rate rig for everyday carry. If you don’t mind emptying your wallet a little more, you’ll have yourself a great, concealable holster that will keep your gun looking good for years.
Specifications: JM4 Tactical RELIC IWB Tuckable Holster (GLOCK 43 version tested)
Height: (shell only) 6.125 inches
Width: 3 inches
Depth: (shell only) 1.25 inches
Weight: 3.6 oz.
Colors: Black or coyote tan
Price: $94.97
Ratings (out of five stars):
Comfort: * * * *
With the Boltaron and leather sandwiched together, it’s a tad thicker than competing rigs, but not so much that you’ll notice. In fact, you’ll probably forget you’ve got in on.
Concealability: * * * * *
That depends on the gun you’re packing. My G43 is virtually undetectable. If you want to stuff a FNX-45 inside your waistband (they’ll make a RELIC for any one of dozens of handguns) your mileage will most certainly vary.
Value: * * *
The RELIC isn’t cheap. At all. Then again, how important is not only stealthiness, but also protecting your carry gun’s finish?
Overall: * * * *
Top quality materials assembled with an eye for detail. And you can get one for damn near any semi-auto gun made. Recommended.
For that level of detail and apparent quality, I was expecting the “high” price to be higher. A bit less than $100 seems fair to me for something with a leather liner.
I mean, yeah, $100 is $100, and that’s a lot for a non-custom holster, but seems like you get a lot, too.
For better or worse, it seems like the majority of people are using the nylon type things these days (I’ve had about 10 people suggest the N8-Squared holsters to me, but feel no real urge to “upgrade” from my Comp-tac Infidel).
From that perspective, $100 is rather a lot. For those of us accustomed to $60-80 holsters, notsomuch.
Do they make one for a Hi-Point? Asking for a friend.
I dig this concept. I do have to add that I am not sure why drawing or holstering sounds should ever really matter as I have seen mention of that in other article’s comments sections. the kydex “snick” noise is usually only on holstering so threat is gone anyway, and removal noise seems innocuous-but even if it is not stealthy, does this matter? Presumably the threat is either already focused on you visually or in an active shooting situation where any noise is literally “in the noise”. I mean, unless your day job is as a hit man? anyway, that question aside I dig the idea of leather lined anyway…less wear possibly on your finish.
I have a pile of holsters, haven’t found one that is perfect yet.
This one seems well-designed. I like the profile and the leather lining. Sweat guard looks about right. Tuckable and adjustments for cant and depth are plusses also. Some custom features are available, but not many pictures at the website. Price is not unreasonable compared with other lined synthetic holsters.
Maybe better if the belt hook was a “J” rather than an “L” perhaps, to grab the belt more securely. (I hate when the holster comes up with the pistol.)
Not sure if Boltaron is better than Kydex but I’m willing to take your word for it.
The quest continues….
Ahh now come on. Who is going to pay $110 for that holster. I mean really? It had my interest piqued, I was tentative about the stitching as it appears to me that it will separate after some years of use. Then I saw the price. I was thinking more like $25-30. No Way, it’s a good product but it’s overpriced
$100.00 ain’t what it used to be. Figure in man hours for build, materials, profit etc… and before you know it there you are.
Indeed, I could not build this product at mediocre sales and make a profit. Besides what you’ve stated there is the cost of the molds to produce the carbon polymer and the carbon polymer fiber used in its manufacture. After the initial investment in that however, it would be just materials, labor and shipping. At volume I could market this and make a profit at $30 using min wage labor
Several things I want in a holster. Ride height adjustable. Leather lined (would have rather had suede). Cant adjustable (but will it stay put). $100? Maybe.
I just had my accountant run up some numbers. I’m wondering what’s happening to all the hides of the market livestock. I know the processing plants do not throw anything away. Leather is a renewable environmentally sound option to polymer. This global economy,shheeesh, hard to track anything down, but tons of potential leather is being shipped somewhere
A holster is just as important as ammo IMO.
I don’t mind spending money for quality kit. Then again I carry a weapon for a living not to look cool.
Great review with good information.
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