Guns: Comp-Tac Minotaur MTAC review

One of the biggest trends in inside-the-waistband holsters is the hybrid Kydex/leather holster, exemplified by models like the Kholster, Crossbreed SuperTuck, and the subject of this review, the Comp-Tac Minotaur MTAC holster:


The hybrid design tries to combine the rigidity of a Kydex holster with the comfort of a leather holster; in the Minotaur MTAC's case, an interchangeable Kydex shell is attached to a standardized leather backing piece, with Comp-Tac's IWB clips providing two attachment points to the belt. This setup allows the holster to be tuckable, fully adjustable for ride height and desired cant, and adaptable to different body shapes.

Comp-Tac also touts the MTAC's ability to switch out its Kydex half-shells, made possible by the fact that the holster shells are independent of the leather backing. I suppose you could theoretically buy one MTAC holster, multiple Kydex shells, and use it for multiple guns. In practice, though, it's a pain to switch out shells (they aren't cheap, either), and you're probably better off buying one holster for each gun you plan to carry.


As far as wearing the MTAC goes, it's easily one of the most comfortable IWB rigs I've ever used. The holster has a distinct "padded" feel (the leather backing covers the holster's screws and extends to cover your handgun's barrel, preventing them from abrading your side but also adding bulk to the holster). The MTAC capably carried my S&W M&P9C in the traditional 3:00-4:00 right hand position just behind the hip, and concealment, drawing, and reholstering were all pretty straightforward.

The only criticism I can level at the MTAC is its retention system - the holster features an adjustable screw, but, even after adjustment, the gun isn't held very tightly by the holster (a plus or a minus, depending on how much retention you need). Overall, though, if you need to carry a concealed compact or subcompact autoloader, the MTAC should be on your list of IWB holsters to try.