TexasCHLforum.com

so after a lot of reading and searching....I am officially on the waiting list for K&D holsters to get a Thunderbird Defender. Here are some pictures of it:





you can find it at: http://kdholsters.com/iwb-defend.php

it has the functionality of being an IWB and the clips can be removed and be an OWB. I've heard great things about Kevin's holsters and customer service and can't wait to get mine. Of course...I just started the 14 - 16 week waiting period this past Friday...so it'll be the end of January (right in time for the birthday ) before it gets here.

anyone have any experience with the Thunderbird or with K&D? I ordered the chestnut brown, right handed with sweat guard with 1.5" clips for my M&P .40 full size.

FOM

Nice gun!

I got my Cochise Defender in early September 4 days after I rec'd my CHL. Kevin is great and he will answer any and all questions you may have. I agree the lead-time is long, but the reward in the end is great. My Defender does not have the cut outs to wear it on the outside but with a a clip change that is possible. I don't foresee myself wearing it OWB, but that may change.

The Defender is very comfortable and conceals very well. No problems with retention. I do suggest you get the anti-sweat panel. It’s basically an extension of the holster that comes up beyond the hammer that protects your body from uncomfortable hammer gouging.

Enjoy!

CompVest wrote:Nice gun!

I think so too...thanks for helping me make the "right" decision

RugerP345 wrote: The Defender is very comfortable and conceals very well. No problems with retention. I do suggest you get the anti-sweat panel. It’s basically an extension of the holster that comes up beyond the hammer that protects your body from uncomfortable hammer gouging.

thanks....for the good report. I've read a ton of great stuff about K&D, thier service, and the wonderful holsters they put out. Originally I was just going to get a crossbreed supertuck...but kept running across the Thunderbird. I also heard several reports of the CB causing a wear mark (maybe even a hole) in the back of a couple of guys pants because the muzzle wasn't fully covered....so I decided to give the Thunderbird a try first and liked the fact that I could go IWB or OWB if I wanted to. Honestly, I'll probably have to wear it IWB tuckable most of the time. I did order it with the sweat panel...I figured having something between me and the gun would add to the comfort as well. may at some point still get the CB too, but hope that the thunderbird will live up to the hype I've read about it!

what do you carry in yours? did it take long to break it in? what clips do you use (standard, c clip, j clip or v clip)? do you have any issues reholstering one handed (as far as the mouth staying open)? if you had it to do all over again...would you? I have never worn an IWB holster (actually never worn a holster)...so I'm hoping to avoid the "box o holsters" and I figured if I started out right could hopefully do that. it seems to be a very popular design that many of the holster makers use and that many who CCW like and use regularly. haven't even gotten my CHL yet, but will be doing my class in the next week or so, so maybe it'll all end up here about the same time.

Fisher you've made a good choice you are going to love your K&D!

I posted a few pics in another post and I'm adding them to this one.

RugerP345 wrote:Just receive my holster for my RugerP345 from Kevin Manley at K&D holsters.
I must admit that the lead time was a little long (4 months) but that’s to be expected from custom holsters. The quality and craftsmanship of this holster are supreme!

Kevin is great, and he kept me up to date on the process of my holster throughout the wait. I recommend his products to all. I chose him primarily because no one makes a nice IWB holster for my pistol, not even comp-tac!

The Cochise Defender is very comfortable and my pistol holstered just right the first time, no break in necessary.

Below are pictures of my new custom IWB Cochise Defender.



Close up image of Initals


Armed and Vigilant

fisher_of_man wrote:
what do you carry in yours? I carry a Ruger P345 in .45 flavor

did it take long to break it in? I'd say it broke in after about a week or two of wear. I like many of the other forum members here stay armed all of the time except during showers!

what clips do you use (standard, c clip, j clip or v clip)? I went with the C-Clips. The nice thing is that the clips are made by Comp-tac, and from what I understand, getting different clips from them is easy, ie no lead times. I also saw some Comp-tac clips in my local gun store in case I break these.

do you have any issues reholstering one handed (as far as the mouth staying open)? No problems holstering, the extra piece of leather he adds at the top keeps it wide open. I don't do it often but in cases where I have to disarm for a bit, I leave my holster on, although I would not recommend it for extended periods of time as the holster may deform.

if you had it to do all over again...would you? I have! I've already ordered a pocket holster for my LCP!

I ordered the Thunderbird Defender for my S&W 3913 around the middle of July. I should be getting close to receiving it in the next few weeks.

RugerP345 wrote:Fisher you've made a good choice you are going to love your K&D!

I posted a few pics in another post and I'm adding them to this one.

good deal...actually now that you put those pictures up, I've seen them before...they were actually ones that I used in making my decision! I like the addition of your initials at the top of it. sounds like you are very pleased with your holster. I can't wait for mine! I thought that the clips were comp-tac clips...but glad to have that verified. now I just have to decide on standard, c or v clips to make it all work. are the c clips pretty secure/sturdy?

skennedy wrote:I ordered the Thunderbird Defender for my S&W 3913 around the middle of July. I should be getting close to receiving it in the next few weeks.

wow...I bet you are excited...be sure to send us some pics of it once you get it...you know...to tide me over til I get mine late Jan/early feb.
FOM

Update:

I emailed Kevin this morning and it looks like the holster is still about 4 weeks away. I ordered it on July 17th.

Those denim covered belt clips are a nice touch.

skennedy wrote:Update:

I emailed Kevin this morning and it looks like the holster is still about 4 weeks away. I ordered it on July 17th.

wow...that stinks....I know my order is way off from being ready...and I can't wait. are they just really backed up?? or did they have some kind of problem?

I"m sure you're probably waiting patiently each day for the fed ex/ups truck to pull up in front of your house. I originally thought by the 14 - 16 weeks stated on the website that mine might be here the first of Feb....guess we'll just have to wait and see...in the meantime, I've got a Crossbreed supertuck on the way....should be here monday. Keep us informed and let us know when it get here....of course with pictures maybe they'll tide me over til mine gets here

The Annoyed Man wrote:Those denim covered belt clips are a nice touch.

they are pretty interesting...of course, none of my jeans are really that color (too light)...but there was a guy over on DefensiveCarry.com (I think NCHornet) that had ordered them...when he had his jeans on showing it off...I had to do a double take...even knowing that the holster was there I couldn't see right off because the clips matched his belt loops so closely!! which really...I guess if you had to tuck and had the clips exposed...all you'd have to do is find some kind of adhesive cloth/patch material to color the clips the color of your pants, but it'd be a real pain if you have more than a couple of colors! - i think I'll just stick to trying the velcro option for now though! I'll see if I can find the picture and post it up here.

here they are...




and



they do concel pretty well!

fisher_of_man wrote:
wow...that stinks....I know my order is way off from being ready...and I can't wait. are they just really backed up?? or did they have some kind of problem?

They have moved shop locations which put them behind a couple weeks. Maybe this move will help his future orders with lead time.

Another update:

I got an email this morning regarding the status of my Thundrebird Defender order. It looks like it will be another 14 - 21 days.

skennedy wrote:I ordered the Thunderbird Defender for my S&W 3913 around the middle of July. I should be getting close to receiving it in the next few weeks.

Can you pretty please post pics when you get yours, I own and will probably carry my 3913 when I get my plastic and will be in the market for a holster.

Thanks,
-Cain

wow...sorry to hear that.....I know the waiting is painful....but I have no doubt that when you get the holster it'll of been well worth it! and I can't wait to see it either....keep us updated. at least maybe it'll make it in time for Christmas!