The current issued sidearm for the Belgian Armed Forces is the FNH FiveSeven. The pistol is a real upgrade from the ancient FNH GP ( High-Power). I had one, made in 1952.
The 5.7 has some negative points that I’m not going to discuss here, but one of them is finding holsters.
We are issued a dropleg holster made by RADAR Holsters. It works, but it is a drop leg and this isn’t 1980. I changed the mounting so that I can use it as a Mid-Ride holster.
Due to operational reasons I needed a concealable holster for the 5.7. It needed to be OWB, fit the FNH 5.7 MK II and be able to be carried on a belt and on a MOLLE platform.
In comes the FN FiveSeven MK II Sidewinder Holster by KYDEXHOLSTER.NL.
Overview
From their website:
**Special Item for The Belgium Army**
This is our flagship, our standard and first designed concealment holster to be worn on the outside of your waistband.
It is designed to be as flat as possible, to ensure as much concealment as possible for a OWB holster.
-This holster comes with Injection molded belt loops.
-Our holsters are made of Kydex (made in: USA).
Kydex is a thermoplastic, when we heat this up to the right temperature, we can mold it around your pistol of choice. When it cools, it will keep it’s new shape, making it fit like a glove around your weapon.
When Kydex is cool, it’s hard, which ensures the holster will keep it’s shape without the weapon inside. Which will ensure you can re-holster your weapon just as easy as taking it out either in or outside your waistband.
About Kydexholster.nl
Kydex Holster is a sister-company of MILE Gear, a Dutch veteran-owned gear company.
Lennart Peeters, a NLD Royal Navy veteran that saw the shortcomings of the tactical gear that some European armed forces are issued. He countered this by starting MILE Gear, stocking quality brands such as HSGI, Haley Strategic, Ferro Concepts and several others.
Now he also started Kydex Holster, making several types of kydex holsters for handguns, but also for magazines and the awesome M320NTH.
Ordering
The current estimated time for delivery is 5 to 8 weeks. This because the company is getting a lot of orders from Belgian units and service members, civilians (they can also make holsters for specific airsoft sidearms) and the KCT ( Korps Commando Troepen, the Dutch Special Forces).
Because I needed the holster fast because of operational reasons, they put my order as one of their priorities. After ordering the holster at 1900 Hrs on day X, the holster was shipped on day X+1! Talk about service!
I do need to make clear that this was because they make exceptions in some cases. An airsofter has less need for a holster than lets say, a member of KCT (not hating on the plastic pewpew guys).
Options
When ordering the holster, you can choose several things, this because every holster is a custom item.
You can choose between the following colors of Kydex, for the inside and outside:
– BLACK
– GREY
– FOLIAGE GREEN
– FLAT DARK EARTH
– COYOTE BROWN
– EMT RED
– WOODLAND DIGITAL
– DESERT DIGITAL
– URBAN DIGITAL
– MULTICAM
– CARBON
– CLEAR/TRANSPARENT
The holster is available in a light-bearing version. Current available lights are:
- Inforce APL
- Insight M3
- Streamlight TLR-1
- Surefire X200/X300
- Surefire X300U (A & B)
- Surefire X400/X400U/X400V
So all the most popular handgun lights.
The holster can be made with a 5° and 10° tilt if needed and with a high or low-cut. Mine is a low-cut version.
Mounting options include 1.5″, 1.75″ and 2″ belt loops or 2″-3″ Malice Clips or 3″ MOLLE Lok.
I ordered the Malice clips and belt loops.
As you can see in the pictures, the holster as a screw in the center. This screw allows you to adjust the retention of your sidearm in the holster. This system works perfectly!
You can adjust it from as loose or tight as you want it. It is adjustable to a level that you won’t be able to get the pistol out.
My thoughts
After first holding the holster I was amazed at how lightweight it was! This was probably because of the thin Kydex that was used.
Because of how thin the Kydex is, the holster is very concealable when used with an EDC belt under a jacket or shirt. I hope it is strong enough to withstand use and abuse, but I doubt that this will be an issue.
The option to mount the holster with the Malice clips or with belts loops is something I really like. It mounts perfectly on my HSGI SureGrip belt.
Word of caution: mounting it to the belt makes it ride high, thus being somewhat impractical for use with a full plate carrier. But hey, it’s a concealed holster!
My 5.7 fit perfectly in the Sidewinder. The retention was adjustable to my liking with a simple turn of the screw.
I am very pleased with this holster and the customer service of Kydexholster.nl.
I also ordered a sidewinder for my Glock 17 with Surefire X300U-B in black and it’s a beauty as well. I will post some pictures on my IG after some use.
Conclusion
The Sidewinder is a very good solution for operators, soldiers, LEO’s and civilians that need a OWB holster. Furthermore it is the BEST solution I have seen for Belgian personnel that need a OWB concealed holster for their FNH 5.7 MK II!
Go check out these holsters on:
Material Disclosure
I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.
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