Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2: Minimalist IWB Holster?
When it comes to inside-the-waistband (IWB) concealed carry options, one of the biggest factors that come into play is concealability and how much printing is visible. Unfortunately, if you have a passion for shooting sports, firearms, and the ability to carry (depending on the laws in your state), you probably have a drawer or box full of holsters lying around. The question becomes, will the Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2 be the last IWB holster you’ll ever need?
Disclaimer: I purchased the Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2 with my own money. This product was not supplied to me by Raven Concealment Systems, they did not pay me or compensate me to speak about their product, and the opinions on this product are solely mine and my personal experience with their minimalist IWB holster.
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Getting the Right Holster Can Be Like a Challenge
We all have different body types. My body type is different from yours, and yours is different from the next guy or gal. A holster that I absolutely love may not work for you and vice versa. We have varying peaks and valleys around our waist that can make finding the perfect holster extremely frustrating.
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I’m one of those people who have a box full of holsters I never use. I learn of something new, try it out, find it doesn’t work for me, and in the box it goes. I’ve tried holsters from G-Code, Bravo Company, CrossBreed, Raven Concealment Systems (various models), and many more. When I purchased another holster from Raven Concealment Systems, this one being the VanGuard 2, my intention wasn’t to use this as my everyday IWB holster, and I’ll get into my reasons shortly.
What is the Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2?
Anyone who knows even a little bit about the VanGuard holsters available, you probably know that they are minimalist IWB holsters. In fact, the only thing this Raven Concealment Systems (RCS) holster covers is the trigger guard. This is both a pro and a con depending on what you’re looking for (more on this shortly).
The Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2 is the second iteration of the VanGuard holster system — with the main difference being that it includes the RCS Claw (you may also purchase it as the Standard Kit without the RCS Claw or as the Lanyard Kit that comes with a lanyard to tether the holster to something).
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The RCS Claw is an excellent addition to the VanGuard 2 and serves a very important purpose. The RCS Claw is placed on the holster to make contact with the inside of your belt and help pull the butt-end of the grip closer to the body to help prevent printing.
All in all, one would think the VanGuard 2 checks all the boxes you’re looking for in an IWB holster (and it may), but it’s not the ideal holster for me — but that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
Is the VanGuard 2 the Best IWB Holster?
The best IWB holster? No, not even close, in my opinion. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t serve a purpose.
Personally, I love the original VanGuard holster that comes without the RCS Claw. Why? Because the minimalist holster can be tethered to just about anything, allowing for multiple carry options (including off-body).
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I have multiple VanGuard holsters set up in various bags so that I can carry a firearm in just about any bag I walk out the door with. But when looking strictly at the VanGuard 2, there are some pros and cons.
Let’s first look at the pros of the VanGuard 2:
- Minimalistic IWB holster
- Easily concealable
- The RCS Claw helps with concealment
- Comes with a tuckable strut
- Easy to take on and off a belt
- Covers the trigger guard
- Solid retention
- Is adjustable
- Is made for various Glock, Sig Sauer, and Smith & Wesson firearms
The cons of the VanGuard 2:
- Only covers the trigger guard
- The retention is extremely tight
- Drawing the firearm consistently without sticking is hit or miss
- No way to change the retention on the holster
- Must take the holster off the belt to reattach to the trigger guard
- Not ideal for training at the range
- No slide/sights protection
Just looking at the pros and cons, there are more pros. However, let me explain my opinion as to why I don’t like the Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2 as an everyday carry option.
Purposeful Flaws in Design
Again, I fully understand the purpose of this IWB holster is to be as minimalistic as possible, and it checks every box in that regard. However, there are some non-negotiables for me that prevent this from being my everyday holster.
For starters, I very much dislike the fact that the only thing being covered is the trigger guard. Yes, it’s made to be easy to slap on your belt, and off you go, but when you’re running suppressor-height sights on your carry options, those puppies are sharp. If you carry appendix, you clearly understand where I’m going with this.
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Next, training with the VanGuard 2 is a pain (literally). Not only do you need to take the holster off the belt to reattach, but after running some magazines, your barrel is hot, and there’s nothing between the barrel and your skin/clothing. Needless to say, you risk getting some burns in areas you don’t want to burn (aka the twig and berries).
And one of the biggest negatives for me is the inconsistency with draws. I have found that the retention on the holster is tight, and when you go to draw the firearm, even with a good belt, the gun doesn’t want to come out of the holster. This is a major issue if you actually need to draw your firearm in a self-defense scenario.
It should also be noted that if you live in an area that gets hot, the VanGuard 2 offers zero sweat protection against the firearm. That means sweat all up on your slide and potentially even getting into the internals of the firearm (not good).
May the VanGuard 2 be the best option for you, and you find none of these to be issues you face? Absolutely, but these are my experiences. And again, this is part of the reason why most people have a box full of holsters they don’t use — it’s all personal trial and error.
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So, how do I use the Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2? Let’s dive into that now.
How I Use the VanGuard 2
Even though I keep ALL my firearms locked up in safes, I put a VanGuard on them to further prevent a finger from falling inside the trigger guard when pulling them out of the safe. Is this an unnecessary step in storing a firearm? Maybe. But I’d rather err on the side of caution and simply remove the holster after taking it out of a safe before putting it in a different IWB holster.
Also, if I’m going somewhere and I’m in a rush, I can simply grab a firearm from a safe, put it on my belt, and I’m ready to go. While this doesn’t happen often, I do wear the VanGuard 2 from time to time. But primarily, it’s just extra protection for when in the safe.
Would I Recommend This IWB Holster?
I’m not going to poo-poo on the holster and tell you not to get it. The minimalist design is fantastic, and it may fit your circumstances and needs exactly.
At the time of writing this, you can purchase the VanGuard 2 (Advanced Kit with the RCS Claw) on the Raven Concealment Systems website for $49.99. Depending on the firearm you plan on putting this holster on, the colors of the VanGuard 2 that you can choose from are between Black and Coyote Brown.
Honestly, for the price, you can’t beat it even if you use it as I do. I’ve spent more than triple that price on holsters before, and guess what? They’re in the box of holsters I never use. So, could this be the best IWB holster and suit your needs? Without a doubt. You’d just have to try it for yourself to find out.
To give you another IWB option and at least give Raven Concealment Systems some big props, I have and use their Eidolon IWB holster and absolutely love it. I highly recommend that holster as it is top-notch and a quality piece of kit. I’m also a fan of the Raven Concealment Systems Pocket Shield, which I talk about in this article.
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And as always, go out and get the proper training needed to be proficient with your firearm(s). I am not an instructor, and I don’t pretend to be one on the weekends. I’m simply someone who seeks knowledge, improvement, and proficiency when it comes to self-defense and the ability to protect my family and those around me. You are your own first line of defense, seek the training of a certified and experienced instructor. If you want to support Raven Concealment Systems, go ahead and pick up a VanGuard 2.
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