AllOutdoor Review – Bravo Concealment LINKed IWB Gun Holster
Eve Flanigan 03.06.23
As a longtime wearer of the Bravo Concealment Torsion holster, I was interested to test the company’s latest product, a concealable, linked gun holster and magazine pouch. These are of course products that Bravo Concealment has made as separate products for a long time. The Linked design, as the name implies, puts them together on one Kydex package intended for appendix carry inside the waistband (AIWB).
The Torsion holster, outfitted with Bravo Concealment’s wing attachment on the dominant-hand edge of the holster, is the foundation for the Linked system. It is gun-specific and, like many custom holsters, available for the most popular carry guns. Left-handed models are offered. Retention and the ability to get a solid firing grip to draw and then safely re-holster are all excellent with the Torsion. It and the magazine pouch have retention screws that allow for adjustment to personal preference. Having an optic on the gun is no problem; the Torsion’s low profile accommodates it while also guarding against sweat.
Normally the Torsion can be worn with one or two belt clips. The Linked combo eliminates one of the Torsion’s clips but includes a second clip on the magazine pouch. Both clips are necessary to keep this fairly wide platform level.
Most mag pouch/holster combos do not offer functionality where reloads are concerned. This one is different. The gun and extra mag are sufficiently separated to allow swift and procedurally correct handling of the magazine by the support hand, whilst keeping the mag within reach of the primary hand as well should that become necessary. Retention for both mag and gun is adjustable with a screwdriver. As with any adjustable Kydex system, treating the retention screw with a threadlocker product is very much recommended, as these inevitably come loose with time and at the most inconvenient times if not treated.
Placing the Linked onto my belt is labor-intensive compared to the single-clip Torsion I normally wear. The clips are rock-solid, with hooks to catch the belt from the underside. When properly installed, it’s impossible for this rig to come loose upon drawing or at any other time unless the entire belt is lost. In terms of retention on the body, it doesn’t get any better than this. A company representative informed me there are plans for less-stiff clips in the works. If a consumer needs longer clips for a wide belt, those are available for separate purchase.
Those clips, incidentally, are tuckable, meaning there’s space between the clips and holster to tuck a shirt in. For people who must wear business attire, this is a big advantage that many AIWB rigs don’t offer. I did find the 1.25-inch clips difficult to secure on my nylon web carry belt. I think the clips would be better off a little longer, i.e. 1.5 inches. A longer clip would be easier to don and accommodate a greater variety of belt widths.
This combo is gently curved to match the body. I was surprised to be able to get it inside snug jeans with a Glock 19 and mag, when I’m accustomed to the diminutive P365 with no extra mag on my waist. I wore the holster walking, driving four hours straight, and around the house. No hot spots resulted until the day I tried wearing my belt buckle between the hip and 10-o’clock belt loops, which made bathroom visits easier and my profile a little less bulky.
Concealment is good but for me could be made even better with the addition of a wedge under the muzzle end of the gun. The grip pokes out a bit, especially when I sit, but an inspection in the mirror proves that it’s not as obvious as it feels. A wedge would push the grip end closer to my body for a more unremarkable side profile. Of course, garments make a huge difference. When I don a plaid shirt or generously sized scarf, the gun becomes undetectable even though it feels like the grip is protruding a lot.
Bravo Concealment holsters always deliver in terms of great access to a solid, firing grip while the gun is still holstered, and this is true with the linked system. Draw speed is a fast as I can go from concealment, and re-holstering can be done safely. I am a fan of their holsters for these reasons, and this rig is no exception. Likewise the magazine is instantly ready and manageable right from the pouch. With a couple minutes of practice, I was indexing and drawing the mag almost as quickly as I do from my usual nine-o’clock mag position.
The Linked setup can serve anyone who wants to be sure to have plenty of ammo on board and accessible while keeping their armed status a secret. In roles where other people are in close proximity, the gun can easily stay undetected. I see the Linked system as ideal for trained school or church security volunteers who need to maintain a low profile while staying prepared. It’s available for not only Glock pistols as shown here, but for many other popular models from HK, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, and Shadow Systems. Light-bearing holsters are available, too.
Bravo Concealment’s presence recently expanded to include numerous retail outlets. Since their holster fits are gun-specific, it’s often easiest to order direct from their website, where the Linked IWB Gun Holster is listed on sale for $63.39 as of this writing.
Now if this company would make a concealable tourniquet pouch, I’m pretty sure I’d be all in.
