Review of the P365XL IWB Holster By Black Label

Fans of ThruMyLens are probably eagerly awaiting my review of the SIG P365XL.  I got mine back in July, and I have been testing it.  The hold up on releasing the review is that I was hoping to review it and the as yet unreleased Romeo Zero red dot optic.  The ability to mount a red dot optic to the P365XL was a main driver for me to acquire it in the first place.  But the other big reason which I believe the P365XL is attractive is as an optimal choice for “inside the waistband” (AKA IWB) appendix carry.  In fact, it may well be the best firearm available for this particular purpose.  So I decided that I should pick up a kydex holster designed for IWB appendix carry of the P365XL.  I haven’t tried carrying appendix before, so this would be an entirely new venture for me.  I did a bit of research online and found a recommendation for Black Label Holsters – US based company.

I’ll admit that I dread having to purchase a holster.  Doing so usually involves making several critical decisions about what you want.  The key being “what you want.”  If you’re a first-time (or infrequent) holster buyer (and this would be my first IWB holster for appendix carry), you may require a bit of hand-holding when it comes to making those decisions – you simply may not have any sort of frame of reference to truly know what you want.  And herein lies the rub:  many holster makers are extraordinary craftsmen that make excellent products, but stink at communicating with their customers.  Many don’t make it easy to ask questions, don’t return communications (emails or calls) and if they do, they lack professionalism…and in some cases just basic manners.  More often than not, it’s a painful process.  I’m pleased to report that my ordering experience was the exact opposite in working with Black Label Holsters, and could not have been more pleasant.  All my email communications were returned expeditiously.  The communications were always pleasant – even when (admittedly) I wasn’t smart enough to know the answer to several of the questions Black Label had.  I always feel extra special stupid in choosing the color and look of my concealed carry holster.  Why I should care about the appearance of something that (if I’m doing it right) won’t ever be seen, I’m not entirely certain.  But I do, so I went for the black carbon fiber pattern kydex…because I think it looks cool.  Black Label helped me with choices like, “do I like a flat or angled clips?”  Angled clips were recommended because “they helps push the longer guns in to the belly a little more.”  Who knew?  I also had questions of my own.  “Will the holster accommodate a red dot on the P365XL?”  Yes.  Again, answers came quickly and professionally.  Very impressive.  I was also given the opportunity to purchase a magazine holster with my P365XL holster, which was also set up for IWB carry, which was great.

The gun and magazine holster were produced and ship within one week.  You read that correctly.  One.  Week.  Extremely impressive.

Both the gun and the magazine holster were very well designed and constructed.  The retention is adjustable, and the directions that acompany the holsters recommend finding the amount of retention you want, as well as the clip placement, then applying the included “thread locker” to mitigate the screws backing out, which is smart.  The belt clips on both holsters allow for the holsters to be removed without taking off your belt, which is great for those times when you need to run in somewhere that a gun isn’t allowed (which should be nowhere, but that’s another discussion).  The holsters were both extremely comfortable to wear – far more so than I was expecting.  Maybe there’s something to this whole appendix carry thing.

It’s easy to find makers of bad holsters.  It’s not hard to good ones.  But finding a good, quality holster make that provides good pre and post sales support is extremely difficult.  Black Label Holsters is a diamond in the rough that I whole-heartedly recommend.

Here’s a video supplement on the IWB P365XL Holster from Black Label Holsters: