A few weeks ago, Crossbreed Holsters released a new version of their modular bellyband holster, so I decided to give it a try. 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’s not going to 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 has 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 even cause a nasty negligent discharge.
Belly bands have their own safety problems. Chief among them is the lack of a hard shell over the trigger guard area.
Crossbreed came up with 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” that you can stick the holster to that will 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.
One other particularly interesting thing they offer is an L-shaped board for a purse, so that you can reach in and always find a holstered gun in the same spot. The bottom part keeps the board from falling over inside the bag.
The New Belly Band Design
Common complaints I’ve heard about their older modular belly band design include that it wasn’t wide enough to be stable, and that it 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, and it’s now constructed using a very comfortable, but grippy material. It doesn’t roll up or allow the gun to tip, and it keeps itself from moving up or down on your body as long as you strap it on snugly.
The other thing that I noticed was the addition of rubbery material here and there along the band. This keeps the band from moving from side to side.
For trying different carry positions, this makes it a little harder (as you can’t just slip it around), but once you know where you want the gun to be, it’s not going to slide away from that spot, which is more important than struggling to find the best position.
The Purse Board
The modular purse board design also works really well, but only if you’re willing to pack things into the purse around your gun. Like the belly band, it’s going to require some 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 definitely a little bit of passive retention, too, from the molded Kydex shell so you don’t have to worry about a gun falling out easily at all.
This security also helps with using the gun defensively. It means that 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 keeps your gun always in the same spot, which is a good thing as long as you test the other things you carry and make sure nothing else gets in the way.
In my case, I have two small pockets in my purse that my fingers would get caught in during draw attempts. Safety-pinning those little unused pockets closed fixed the problem, but sewing in some velcro is going to be a better long-term solution.
Final Thoughts
My experience so far with the modular system has been great. It’s a versatile system, and fits many (but not all) situations. Like any carry method, you have to work around the gun for safety, draw speed, and concealment, but this system gives you some good options to cover those needs.
It’s a hunert an ten in the shade.
Seems like that would be a little to hot to wear for me right now.
I like all the options.
that sounds too hot for clothing.
belly band works for suits and sweats.
But don’t all marsupials use “pouch carry” for packing their iron? 😆
Male possums don’t have a pouch. What our Possum does is he gets a lanyard. He attaches one end to his pistol and the other he ties off to his nuts.
Really looks funny if he’s trying to climb a tree.
:>)
Thanks for the visual, genuine guffaws did ensue. XD
does it have space for spare mag
Belly bands are usually warm/hot to wear. So for summer months, yeah probably too hot for most people and possums.
“…aged and wore out.”
given enough stress cycles, kydex will crack. i’ve used hybrids since before ’10 for sure and have had no such problems; they just don’t flex that much going in or out, and my edc pretty much remains in unless range/ clean obv. this is true of the half dozen i’ve gifted also.
Mrs. Haz and I go jogging a lot for exercise during the cooler half of the year. I’ve been looking for a belly band and might give this a closer look. It’s surprising how many people don’t keep their large dogs secured in their yards as you run by.
I’m hip – unrestrained dogs are a definite problem. Their owners just don’t get it – keeping your animal under control is as much for the animal’s safety as it is for others’. I really, really don’t want to pepper spray or shoot your dog but I will and as much as I find the thought of doing so distasteful while typing this sitting at home I won’t have a moment’s regret doing so out on the trail. Been lunged at more than once after being reassured that “Fido is a big softy – wouldn’t hurt anyone!”.
It’s a major problem. At night, I can usually keep a loose dog away with a strobe, but having a plan B is always good.
A small palm-sized air horn is usually my go-to. Scares most dogs away, and perks up nearby neighbors so they’ll look your way and become eye witnesses if things go sideways.
Unfortunately, we once had a full grown Rottweiler come racing out of its yard into the middle of the street, beelining for Mrs. Haz. The owner called it off just in time. Air horns don’t work on every animal.
Squirt gun full of ammonia solved a bad dog problem for me decades ago.
“Air horns don’t work on every animal.”
“…having a plan B is always good.”
I second having a plan B. Air horns don’t always work, and hollering owners don’t always work either. Ammonia or tincture of Carolina Reaper in a squirt gun would work, in place of the air horn, until you got sued for vet bills if there aren’t any honest witnesses. Try the belly band, and if you find it’s too floppy while exercising, swap it out for a Phlster Enigma. Yeah, you’re adding to the pile of old holsters, but once you find the one that works, you’re more likely to think that pile wasn’t so costly after all.
Not surprising at all if they are anything like the typical pitbull owner from Baltimore to Boston. Great breed for protection and all but be damned if more than 1/4 of the owners bother with training.
Yup. Been close to being assaulted by two pit bulls. I walk in a park and it’s funny to watch the pit bull drag the 120 lb female owner who can’t control it. GA actually has a law that pit bulls have to be leashed at all times or behind a fence. With that much adrenaline, I’d want something far more potent than a 9mm with me.
I got jumped by a dog last night, however I was walking.
I didnt want to shoot it so I threw a rock at it and it took off.
Running does trigger a dogs response to attack. So shooting might be the only option. I’d rather shoot the owner. Most dogs only weigh 25 to 50 pounds, a human is much bigger and Dad always said you eat what you shoot. So if I have to shoot somthing its gonna be worth the bullet, and feed me a little longer. Eating dogs, it ain’t that bad if you add a bunch of pepper and mix it with rice , but anybody can cook a human and make it taste good. Plus humans are easier to skin.
“Like any carry method, you have to work around…”
My belly.
No can do at this point.
I’m really diggin’ the “Purse” Board idea (Bag Board might be a better descriptor, though)- being wheelchair bound allows me the option of hanging bags all around me. One of my challenges, however, has been finding a way to properly secure a holster inside the generic bags/packs that I ziptie to my wheelchair.
I’m going to have to take a serious look at Crossbreed’s modular “Bag” Board- it appears to be exactly what I’ve been searching for for safe and reliable concealed carry in a bag. Thanks, Jennifer!
They have both purse boards (L-shaped) and “pac boards” which are flat.
Good to know… I like the L-shaped board because it allows for proper draw angle while providing internal/external rigidity to bags with lighter denier.
Now I just hope their CZ P-10F holster fits the .45 ACP model…
Their CZ P-10F holsters are molded from the .45 ACP model- so I’m good to go. I just placed an order for two Crossbreed Modular holsters and a Defender Panel for off-body carry on my wheelchair. Thanks for the tip, TTAG!
My Crossbreed holsters arrived today… they are OUTSTANDING. I will start carrying with them tomorrow.
Again- THANK YOU, TTAG!
I use a Pac Mat board in a backpack for my BUG and a couple additional mags. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting another board and securing it to my desk near my legs. The velcro gives you a lot of options.
Very interesting. I like to carry up high around my ribs but don’t like something too wide. I’ll have to check it out.
@Jennifer
Does it slip/ride down after wearing it for a while?
“purse board”
Uh, no.. I carry purses like most people carry the bag full of dog leavings they picked up.
At full arm extension, grasped by two fingers only with somewhere between a “this shit ain’t mine” and “Gah, I might puke” expression plastered all over my face.
/s
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Hells yeah, Brah! We gotta get our Gov to implement an emergency shutdown and enforce immediate mandatory vaccinations so us men don’t all fall victim to the dreaded Cooties.
😉
Dynamo Hum
The material isn’t the best for hot weather conditions I guess but the rubbery material inside is a cool idea. Since I do not like to keep my pretty tight it will hold just perfectly.
I’ve never found a belly band to adequately deal with the grip sticking out; you need something like a wing/claw to press the grip back into your torso.
Interesting article,
I’ve used a Crossbreed Holster “hybrid” type (never heard it described that way, but okay – always called it the CBH Supertuck as they call it) carrying my SR9c for years without an issue – and I snug my belt down to keep the gun stable on my waist. I like their products enough that when I bought a Max-9 not long ago I ordered their newer Reckoning model without a second thought. Not saying this failure issue isn’t real or that CBH is immune, only that my experiences have been all positive.
The belly band is an interesting idea. Not sure if it’s for me, but still an interesting idea.
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