At Modern Day Marine we got an opportunity to check out G-Code’s entry for the US Army Improved Modular Holster System program courtesy of MilitaryHardware.com.
Their entry consists of the XST holster along with Duty Drop Leg, H-MAR adapter for vests and MOLLE belt mount. The Kydex XST features an two forms of retention; the Over the Top, Power Assisted, Retention Canopy as well as their Adjustable Pro-Safe Tensioning. It is also outfitted with G-Code’s RTI (Rapid Transition Interface) which allows the user to securely move their holster from mount to another.
Tags: G-Code, Military Hardware
G-Code is top quality gear.
these are nice holsters. I used one on a deployment to AF. Unfortunately the spring loaded hood habitually seized after getting hit with helo rotor wash. The mechanism couldn’t take the dirt. I still use the holster on the range.
That is some good intel. Perhaps you could write a little something up and forward that to G-Code. If others have had that experience, I am confident they will work to figure it out.
Overall, the G-Code holsters are very nice. I like the RTI system, but my team has had issues with the hood as well because the screws tend to walk out with use, effectively locking your pistol in the holster. Keep an eye on the screws.
I last used a G-Code SOC holster in 2008, and very quickly found out that mine and at least fifteen other unit-issued holsters had a bad problem with the hood spring-loaded mechanism failing to operate properly after exposure to dust storms common to Iraq.
The screws also backed out for several Marines, requiring application of Loc-Tite to remedy the problem. I shitcanned mine and replaced it with a different vendor’s product, using an adapter to allow it to lock into the excellent RTI panel (the only good thing about the G-Code system).
I have not handled a G-Code holster since I got rid of mine, but the spring-loaded hood mechanism I dealt with on the SOC does’t appear to have changed in the XST, based on the pictures from the Edge Works website.
Caveat Emptor.
This is the first I have heard of such problems after many thousands of rigs down range and more than a decade of use and testing in real world (mostly sandy) environments. We will however; look into it as we are always looking to improve and provide only the best gear available. Your feedback as always is the best starting point. Can you send me the holster?
Some information and background on the holster’s mechanism and the thinking behind it.
The SOC and XST mechanisms are Identical. They were brought to market via the direct feedback of our military customers and request by them to solve specific problems. Development took years and testing was extreme with many changes and evolutions along the way.
Among the many other features to the holsters the retention devises were designed looking forward with this problem of sand and dirt as a possibility in certain environments. That is why this mechanism was made with the ability to be dissembled in the field and cleaned if necessary. With a SOC holster or XST no matter how bad you foul it you can still clean it and return to full function. The moving parts are open and visible with no covers to specifically reduce the trapping of dirt and sand and a total jam up of the parts. Such a circumstance is an extreme event but normal PM habits as with all your gear will prevent many potential problems. Keep in mind if you are exposed to the direct force of the rotor wash not only should you check your holster but your hand gun and anything else that has moving parts as well.
In addition to being able to disassemble our mechanism on the XST and SOC (two moving parts connected with a spring) debris can flow out through pre-engineered channels. These were incorporated into the design to enable dirt to work out of the unit on its own or to allow the operator to quickly flush the unit with water. Again; this is a feature not available on any other holster in this category. Also; for Military units there are armorer kits with spare parts.
Competitive holsters in this category are not maintenance-able and cannot be disassembled…. Once jammed with dirt they are done. In addition; other popular holsters with retention devises can be jammed in such a way as to lock the weapon in the holster. The SOC and XST canopy can be manually forced forward even if completely fouled and you are always able to remove the firearm from the holster.
Certainly we can build a holster that totally covers the weapon and locks out all the sand. Life however; is a tradeoff. In doing so you sacrifice speed; the SOC and XST series holsters were designed to enable the operator to acquire and deploy the weapon as quickly as possible.
From my personal experience in the Marine Corps and from the input of many others over the years I would recommend the following: After being exposed to rotor wash in a sandy environment, at the first appropriate opportunity check all weapons and related gear. If the hood or release button on the holster was fouled with dirt then function it manually moving the button up and down and the canopy forward and back. This should force the dirt out through the channels. If this does not work then flush the unit with water and repeat the manual manipulation. Last if the other options did not work; I would dissemble and clean the unit. (Removal of a single screw is sufficient to do this). Also: the holster is form fitted with a tension adjuster. You can carry the weapon securely and safely with the retention canopy open and have no issues at all. If you experienced problems with rotor wash in the past then enter the LZ with the retention canopy open. The XST will hold the firearm securely. Finally; with the fine sand combined with the sheer volume and velocity of dirt in a rotor wash no mechanical devise can remain completely unaffected. You need to be familiar with your gear (all your gear not just your holster) and how it functions so you can be operational in moving forward despite difficulty. On our end you have our commitment that we will continue to develop to improve performance, reliability and quality in our products. To this end we need your feedback and always welcome it.
In my case, I ditched the holster long ago.
If the G-Code hoods can be maintained that easily, and you make mention of those procedures in the packaging, then that’s good.
I did not receive any care and maintenance packaging when mine was issued, and I was not about to try disassembling it downrange, only to have springs flying all over the place, thus my choice to discard it when another brand made it to me.
As for the issue of loose retention screws, I don’t know how that didm’t come to your attention, since it was happening all over the place in AFG after the armories made all sorts of bulk buys. Call me unreasonable, but I don’t think a holster body should require Loc-Tite on the screws to keep them in place, especially if they’ve never been adjusted.
I second what JC said: I personally know 4 people that called G-Code (months apart) explaining the issue, and they all got the response “this is the first time we’ve heard about it.”
I’m not out to trash them, I personally like their equipment and still use their other models.