The handgun whether it be a pistol or a wheelgun is a classic tried and true defensive tool. From conceal carrying citizens to the street cop walking the beat, the handgun has had an important role in self defense for hundreds of years. There’s always a lot of debate over what handgun maker is the best, which caliber is the most effective, are steel frames better than plastic and so forth. While most of the arguements are just personal preference, what we can all agree on however, are the accessories we use with our handguns. Bad quality magazines and ammo can make even the most renowned pistol little more than a pretty paperweight. Likewise, an uncomfortable and restrictive holster can make carrying your handgun a burden.
EDIT: They can now be purchased from Amazon.com with Free Shipping.
We’ve also updated our review below after using the product for almost 4 years.
Enter the Versa Carry holster, made out of durable molded Kydex and a plastic rod at the base, it’s a simple as simple gets. To use the Versa Carry holster you simply insert the plastic rod in your pistols barrel, slide the pistol between your pants and waist and secure the clip onto your paints or belt. I’m a fan of keeping things simple, and the Versa Carry holster does just that.
At first look you would assume your gun will easily slip out of the Vesa Carry holster while carrying it. The slight angle of the barrel rod keeps the holster attached firmly to the gun and once the holster is up against your waist and clipped onto your belt, it is held snuggly and securely. There’s no need to adjust tension, angle or height like with other holsters. Just slide the holster into the gun (as opposed to sliding your gun into a traditional holster) and that’s it. It also works very well for carrying on the small of your back. Speaking of other holsters, the Vera Carry is tiny, about 75 percent smaller than most other holsters on the market. That means less weight, more ease of movement and better deep concealment, which is very important when conceal carrying your pistol. And like many other holsters, there’s no fumbling around trying to put your holster on or take it off, no need to remove your belt, it clips on and off in seconds.
A few other key benefits to the Versa Carry holster over your traditional paddle or waistband holster, it’s fully ambidextrous and works with almost any gun of the same caliber. The Versa Carry holster is Available currently in small and medium lenth models for 9mm and .380 with .25acp, .32acp, .40S&W and .45acp available soon and revolver models in the works. They retail at just $19.99, more than 50 percent cheaper than many other holsters on the market.
There are a few drawbacks to the Versa Carry holster however. The biggest drawback is you can’t carry your handgun in the Versa Carry holster with a round chambered, well you can but it certainly isn’t recommended. If you already use the “Israeli carry” method of carrying your handgun loaded but without a round chambered, then this really isn’t a drawback to you. Otherwise the few seconds needed to rack the slide and chamber a round may be the difference between ending a confrontation or being a victim. Because of this I’ve started doing chambering drills to help me rack the slide and chamber a round much quicker while using the Versa Carry holster.
Another drawback is there is no protection of the trigger. This is where the warning of no live chamber may come from. Because of the simple compact design of the Versa Carry there is nothing covering the trigger, and the gun actually is resting right up against you. While the trigger may snag against your underwear, undershirt etc, there’s no way it can snag on your belt or pants as the Versa Carry holster rests against it. To test if this drawback may be the Achilles heel of the holster, I used the 9mm Medium and Small Versa Carry models with different handguns (and different types of clothing).
Along with a snap cap chambered I tested the holster with my SigPro 2022, Glock 19, Para Hawg 1911 (not a 9mm but it’s the most compact pistol I currently own), S&W Sigma and even a Walther P1. After unholstering it with the holster clipped in different positions at least 20 to 30 times per gun I didn’t have single snag that pulled on the trigger, or a snag at all really. I would still however heed Vera’s warning and carry it without a chambered round.
Final Thoughts
The Versa Carry Holster is the lightest and smallest holster I’ve ever used, and while it may not be for everyone, I’ve started to use it when I carry. It does have it’s drawbacks, but where it shines it shines very brightly. The small lightweight design gives you less restriction and more movement and just makes it plain easier to carry your handgun. It’s universal and ambidextrous, no need to buy a holster for a certain gun or for left handed or right handed shooters. One holster to carry them all. And finally, it’s inexpensive at just $20 each, that’s more money for mags and ammo.
Pros
– Very small and light
– Comfortable to wear and doesn’t restrict movement
– Ambidextrous and works with almost all handguns
– Easy to attach and detach from your belt
– Affordable at just $19.99
Cons
– Doesn’t cover trigger
– Can’t use with a chambered round
They can be purchased from Amazon.com with Free Shipping. For more info or to buy a Versa Carry Holster, check them out at VersaCarry.com.
UPDATE: Vera Carry is working on an attachment that will cover the trigger guard and still remain ambidextrous. It’s available now Amazon.com with Free Shipping.
REVIEW UPDATE 5/15/2015: So I’ve been using the Versa Carry on and off over the past three and a half years and it seems to be holding up very well still. I also upgraded to the new Versa Carry holster that includes a trigger guard. So far I’m still happy with the holster, especially if you want something light and discreet.
Check out more pics of the Versa Carry Holster below
Check out all of our past reviews at our Reviews Page.
why no chambered round?
I have one for my ruger lc9, been using it for over a year with a round chambered. Carry it in multiple places iwb with no trouble. So far it’s the best iwb holster I have found.
I have had this holster for two years. I carry it very day with a round in it and the safety on. Were are you getting the idea you can’t carry with a round in it? I was in law enforcement for 30 years and carried off duty and never had a better holster.
The manufacturer states that it should not be carried with a round in the chamber
If you really want to follow the “no round in the chamber” rule then you shouldn’t even be carrying a gun, just get a paperweight and put it in your waistband, it will have the same effect. now if you are cautious of a round in the chamber because the lack of trigger protection, my suggestion would be carry it with a gun that has an external hammer and an external safety( thumb Safety, etc.) For example the FNH FNX(comes in 9mm,40sw,45acp) you can carry the gun decocked with the safety on. All you would have to do to shoot the gun is disengage the thumb safety(gun is ambidextrous) and pull the double action trigger,( with that gun your follow up and any other shots taken will be signle action with the hammer in the cocked position. You could also carry any of the XD series(has a trigger safety, grip safety and internal safety)
I purchased one of these “holsters” to try it out with a Glock 26 9mm. Upon reading the fine print regarding not carrying a round in the chamber, I wanted to research this and determine if it was just “legalese” or a legitimate concern. After using the holster the question is, “What is this device really good for?” Concealed carry without a chambered round and not being able to easily re-holster your pistol using this device are two serious strikes against it. This “device” is being returned to the store ASAP. It puts an individual into an unacceptably dangerous position in the event he/she has to legally and quickly put their weapon into action.
Have had 2 for about 8 months, for a 9mm compact and full size 1911. Have tried to like them, but either can’t get used to them or find ’em impractical. Can’t be used as OWB, IWB draw snags on clothing/underwear. Go “commando” and get a sweaty slide. Belt snap way too tight. No reholster capability. No loaded chamber. No flex or cushion from firearm for an active person.
A better option would be the MIC holster from Glocktech. It’s a simple kydex clip that covers the trigger guard and part of the frame, with a lanyard that loops around your belt. It’s much less bulky because there’s nothing to clip onto your belt, and you can safely carry a round in the chamber because you don’t have to worry about your finger hooking onto the trigger. The only drawback is you’re pretty much limited to appendix carry.
Sounds like a cool system, Ken. This is the reason I prefer firearms with manual safeties. It allows me to carry, safely and confidently, with a round in the chamber. Ex, the Ruger SR9C. It takes almost no time at all to do a thumb sweep, and with training, can be deployed with no extra time at all. One could argue that it’s an unnessecary addition/step, but it’s A LOT quicker to do a thumb sweep than to have to rack a round on a weapon without a safety, such as a glock.
I picked up a Gen II model recently for my Glock 26 and in conjunction with the trigger guard I’ve been utilizing the Saf-T-Blok. This combo allows me to carry with a round in the chamber. The Saf-T-Blok pops out the instant I put my finger on the trigger adding no time to from drawing my weapon until engaging the target. I’m still evaluating it and I will have to conduct some more live fire drills to get completely comfortable with this set up.
I cannot beliver what I am reading. Carrying without a round chambered smacks as the wisdom of someone who has never fired a shot in anger. I would like to see how you rack that slide when someone suddenly punches you in the face and you find yourself grappling with the guy. Try to grab your gun and rack it then. If you cannot draw and fire within 3 seconds then you need to practice as any competitive shooter will tell you that not only can you draw in that time but also hit 5 targets as well. I guess this holster is being marketed to the very inexperienced gun carrier as it is a joke to everyone else.
I’ve been carrying with one of the versa carry 380 unit for about a month now and find it really nice. I agree who carries without a round chambered, that is legal crap that almost every manufacturer is forced to put on their products. Read the warnings that come with most guns, they don’t sound much better. For a woman it is hard to find a way to carry a gun on you, without having to up size your clothes. This allows my LCP to travel with me in my normal sized jeans.
Really? Who carries without a round in the chamber… A knife wielding attacker in full sprint at 15 yards will stab you before you can draw, let alone draw, rack and aim. And if you’re in your car or need to move your loved ones out of the way or any other situation where you need one of your hands, then what?
Exactly. I have one of these for my LCP, and although the concept is cool, the holster is never used due to the lack of trigger protection. The condition of your weapon while carrying must be consistent, no matter the holster system. Switching between 2 different systems, one of which requires racking and one that does not is dangerous. Muscle memory takes precedence over mental memory in times of stress. Whatever you are used to, keep it that way or else you will make a fatal mistake, taking time to rack a slide when you don’t need to, or pulling the trigger and hearing snap instead of bang.
I got a chance to try one of these in person at my local gun shop and the retention was really impressive. I picked one up for my glock 26 and so far so good.
I’ve got one of these for my LCP and think it is great. I’ve been using it for about month, and I just ordered one for my .45. Well worth $20 bucks.