Sof-Tuck Available at Amazon

The Sof-Tuck is available on Amazon.

Product Review: DeSantis Sof-Tuk

Photo reproduced with
permission from DeSantis.

At the time of this writing, DeSantis still does not have a Sof-Tuk holster specifically designed for the M&P pistol, full-size or compact.  I had been perusing all the popular gun magazines and internet forums when I decided that, for the price, this holster was exactly what I was looking for to hold my M&P40 compact.  With a retail price of $25.99 and made from no-slip suede with a reinforced saddle leather mouth, you're unlikely to beat this value in an IWB (In-the-Waist-Band) holster anywhere.   So I made an educated guess and bet my money on a holster that fits a similarly sized Smith & Wesson.  The fit is perfect, though it was initially quite tight, as many leather holsters are.


One of the main features I was looking for is tuckability, and this holster has that.  Like many of you, my shirts and T-shirts don't all have very long tails, just enough to hang a bit past my waist.  Oftentimes when I'm out and about, I might bend down to pick something up off of a lower shelf, or to pick up my small daughter.  I can say from experience that it's a bad feeling when you break concealment by merely bending over.  I thought a tuckable holster would help this situation and I must report that over the last 4 months or so that I've been using the  DeSantis Sof-Tuk daily, it has really helped me stay concealed, as well as comfortable.  It's also helped my overall appearance, since I can now tuck in my shirts again, which has been a source of joy for my loving wife.  While she's not what you would call a fashionista, there are times when a guy should tuck in his shirt.  Now I'm ready and armed at even the most formal of occasions.


For those of you not familiar with a tuckable IWB holster, it's a simple arrangement.  While there are several answers to the same problem, the Sof-Tuk answers it like this:  you slide the clip directly over the waistband of your pants.  This leaves the holster and pistol inside the pants and a small metal J-clip outside the pants.  Make sure your belt goes over the bottom of the J-clip so it will stop at your belt when you draw your weapon.  I always wear a belt, but I have a good feeling that the non-slip suede material of this particular holster would remain inside your waistband either way.  This holster clips very securely to the waistband of my pants and I have had no slippage issues whatsoever.


Perhaps the most innovative feature of the Sof-Tuk is its adjustable cant capability.  It has two torx screws where the J-clip attaches to the holster.  Loosening these screws allows you to adjust the cant for virtually any possible scenario.  At first I implemented appendix carry, with the holster placed right around 1:30.  The holster can quickly be adjusted to accommodate this position.  More recently I have moved to carrying right at 4:30, so more of a small of the back position.  One quick adjustment of the screws and you have a perfect cant for this position as well.  The Sof-Tuk is touted to accommodate a cross-draw cant as well, though I have not tried it myself.  The cant adjustment screws can be adjusted either with the appropriate size torx head, or with the appropriate size allen key.  An allen key was included with the unit.  When I first began wearing the Sof-Tuk, I knew I wouldn't get the perfect cant by merely experimenting with the holster in my living room.  Real world bending and moving tend to show you how well an IWB holster is placed.  Fortunately, the included allen key fits easily in the coin pocket of a regular pair of jeans.  A quick stop in the restroom is all that's needed to adjust the cant of this holster in the field.  The screws, and therefore the cant of the holster, have not slipped or moved at any time.  They are rock-solid.


The reinforced mouth is yet another value-added feature of the Sof-Tuk.  Having used much cheaper holsters in the past, I have grown to appreciate more and more the ability to re-holster one-handed.  I can't foresee any situation in the future where I would buy a holster that did not have this handy feature.  The only thing the Sof-Tuk might be lacking is a protected sight channel.  Many people look for this in a holster and I can see why it might make sense, even if it doesn't seem like a necessity for me.  This holster is for my EDC (Every Day Carry) weapon, which will not really clear the holster very often.  Additionally, I keep rugged combat sights on my carry weapons and they have never been affected adversely by riding on my hip in a holster that did not have a sight channel.  Competition guns, sights and holsters are a completely different thing. While I absolutely see the need for a protected sight channel on a competition holster where your weapon will clear the holster thousands of times, a sight channel on your IWB holster is unnecessary.  Don't get hung up on it.

In closing, the Sof-Tuk includes all the features I look for in an IWB holster and spares all the useless, fancy stuff.  It is ruggedly-constructed and dependable.  It does what it needs to and never tries to be something it's not.  My recommendation:  if you need a good IWB holster, this one is really hard to beat.  Buy it.


P.S.


Here are some pics to show the actual fit on my MP40c.

As you can see, there is a very slight gap between the top of the holster and the trigger guard.  The trigger is not accessible.  I have not had to modify the holster in any way.  I should also note that the same holster fits my MP9 full-size just fine, too.  The muzzle does stick out a bit, and the front sight remains just barely covered. 

You can follow the continuing conversation about this holster over at The High Road.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7172238#post7172238

MP40c

MP40c

MP9 full-size

MP9 full-size