Sharp as a Marble - I wonder how these are?

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I wonder how these are?

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Comp-Tac has a new line of holsters out call the Minotaur. I love my C-TAC holster and am going to be in need pretty soon for a new one, and I'm looking at the Minotaur Spartan.

Comp-Tac Minotaur Spartan

They have a 'finished' version where the leather is all pretty, but I'm too utilitarian to really care about how an IWB holster looks, and $20 is $20.

The one thing that can be a little frustrating with the CTAC is that because it's only held on by those clips, going 'potty in public' can be a little difficult since the holster requires your body to keep the pistol upright. This looks like there'd be a slight bit more hold in that area.

Anyone have any experience with these? I'm picking one up nonetheless as I've had and heard nothing but positive experiences with Comp-Tac gear. Just would like to know if anyone has tried this particular flavor.

posted @ 7/11/2010 10:12:11 PM

Comments

D says:

on 7/11/2010 10:38:17 PM

I've got one of the regular Minotaurs. I really like it: it's more comfortable and more stable that my CTAC. The only downside is that it's leather and soaks up sweat. On really hot days I go back to the CTAC.

Scrape up the extra $16 for the regular version if you can. I found that the leather molded to fit comfortably very quickly. I tried a holster similar to the Spartan, the Crossbreed, and found the thicker single piece of leather didn't mold itself as easily.

If you're not carrying a heavy gun, check out their velcro clips. With a matching belt there's nothing at all showing.

Patrick says:

on 7/11/2010 11:43:53 PM

A few guys at work use these and love em. I have a tucker answer for my xd and a homemade mix which is a cross between the comptac, answer, and supertuck for my 1911. Living in Texas it is hot and humid. I really like the suede lining on the inside of the tucker and used it. I would probably say the lined comptac would be better in hot months. I use the velco clips on both and no problem. haven't had any problems with either in the restroom.

alan says:

on 7/11/2010 11:51:48 PM

I'm very wary of a leather IWB. My C-TAC is drenched in sweat when I take it off in the summer (Texas summer is from March to October) I don't see that much leather surviving long.

sevesteen says:

on 7/12/2010 12:31:29 AM

I've got an original Minotaur, and is my favorite commercial holster--I would still wear it if I had not started making my own holsters. My holsters are all leather, but my basic design is roughly similar--a nearly flat back with the same sort of clips. (in fact, on my personal one, the exact same C clips moved from my Minotaur)

I had a Crossbreed before the Minotaur. Mine was before Crossbreed offered the Combat Cut, and he has improved the clips--both areas that needed improvement on mine. Still a good holster, but they don't withstand a 250 pound oaf stepping on them.

Spammy Hernanzed says:

on 7/12/2010 12:47:36 AM

I had a Minotaur, and I didn't like the clips - the bottom of them poked and "printed".

I sold it and got a DM Bullard Dual-Carry - all leather OWB/IWB/Tuckable, with metal springsteel clips, and optional leather snap/straps. I find it very comfortable, with excellent retention and concealability.

Those are my $.02

Tony says:

on 7/12/2010 12:48:27 AM

Do note that the spartan version does not cover any of the metal parts on the rear side of the holster. If you have nickel allergy, you will soon find out... Also, if the screw tips poke out, you'll soon find out that too. I would definitely pay the extra $20 - in fact, did.

It is quite a bit more comfortable holster than the rigid kydex C-T.A.C. And no, it is nowhere near as floppy. The retention level of the holster is very much dependent on how snugly you tighten your belt - not a problem with a Wilderness belt, but I don't know how well that'll work out with a more traditional one. I discovered it to be rather loud, squeaking all the time. Duct tape around the lower part of the belt clips seems to have finally gotten that in check. The kydex part of the holster seems to rub the finish of the slide during draws, if that matters to you - personally I consider such things to merely give the gun a little character, none of mine are safe queens. (And I've never met a holster that did not mark the gun sooner or later.) I am a little disappointed that the new style of belt clips is so much narrower, as it seems they can be bent sideways easier - but I suppose replacement clips are easy enough to get. I'm a little skeptical over the idea of swapping the kydex part of the holster to fit different guns, too, as the leather does shape itself somewhat to the gun, but never tried it myself so what do I know?

All in all, very comfortable and adjustable holster. The squeaking may be an issue, but try duct tape around the belt clips where they rub against the leather and see if that helps. The design does take up quite a bit of belt real estate, but then coming from the C-T.A.C. you already knew that. A very good holster.

Tony says:

on 7/12/2010 12:59:18 AM

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that you said something about the MTAC having "pretty" leather. I would definitely disagree. The Minotaur is one friggin' weird looking critter, no matter which version we are talking about. :) "Pretty" is one quality this holster does not have.

Oh, and on what Spammy said: I haven't noticed any printing myself, but adjusted high there is quite a bit of extra lenght of belt clip poking down. If that is a problem, could one not just cut the excess off?

Spammy Hernanzed says:

on 7/12/2010 1:11:48 AM

Tony,

You're right - I could've cut off the ends of the clips, but wasn't thrilled enough with the rig to keep it and modify.

Whitebread says:

on 7/12/2010 3:13:51 AM

I wear a regular MTAC every day. Well, I did, until I became an Only One. But before that I wore the same one for two years with a G19 in it. I sweat. A lot. The original treated leather hasn't caused any problems. I can't say I'd say the same about the Spartan. Also, the original has leather covering the backs of the metal hardware, but the Spartan does not. Looking at the way mine has shaped and formed over the years... yeah, pay the extra and get the original, or it may suck and you'll always wonder if you should have spent the $16.

I loved my MTAC so much that I bought another identical model. It sits in the retail bag in my closet, waiting for the day that something real bad happens to my much-loved first one. I also keep spare hardware which can be ordered from Comp-Tac. It was my only commonly used non-only-one holster, and now it's my only off-duty holster.

I'm 6' 230 lbs, and I conceal a G19 just fine under a T-shirt. My G27 vanishes, and I have gone on many a long road trip with a G22 under a camp shirt.

Get it.

George says:

on 7/12/2010 8:32:41 AM

I use my MTAC every day to carry my M&P, and I'll echo the earlier points. Spring for the extra $16.

aczarnowski says:

on 7/12/2010 8:49:57 AM

I run my PM9 in a Crossbreed Supertucker which is similar in concept. Great idea in IWB.

My only issue is the leather backing flexes and sometimes engages the magazine release. Something to keep an eye out for, though my issue is obviously my body/holster/gun/position combination.

Jake says:

on 7/12/2010 12:28:14 PM

I have the Crossbreed version for my Taurus, and it works pretty well, though it does depend a bit on how tight your belt is for retention. Supposedly that can be adjusted using a hair dryer (it comes with instructions), but I haven't tried that since I don't have a hair dryer. I would still definitely recommend it for anyone looking for an IWB rig.

Sweat doesn't seem to be an issue for me with the finished leather, although I do normally wear an undershirt anyway to pad all the other crap on my belt. I would recommend the "combat cut" if you went with the Crossbreed version - I don't really have trouble with my draw without it, but it seems like it would make it a little easier.

Kevin Baker says:

on 7/12/2010 2:38:11 PM

I have one for my Kimber Ultra CDP II. I went for the clips with velcro hooks, and a Beltman belt with the corresponding velcro loop material sewn onto the inner side of teh belt. It's as secure as glue, never moves. I want to get another set up for my full-size Kimber, and eventually one for my Hi-Power.

Robb Allen says:

on 7/12/2010 3:22:13 PM

Kevin, did you get the Spartan or the full blown model?

ExtremeTolerance says:

on 7/12/2010 8:25:33 PM

I have two Minotaur. LOVE them.

Put a full size gun on your belt and you are going to have problems when you open your belt. Don't really see a way around it.

Can't say enough good things about these. Basically my build and attire is not conducive to stuffing a full size XD or 1911 in my pants, but this works out great.

Kevin Baker says:

on 7/12/2010 10:11:51 PM

The full-blown MTAC one. And I see they don't make a Hi-Power version. Dammit.

hecate says:

on 7/12/2010 10:55:44 PM

I have a Minotaur Spartan for my bobtail Commander 1911. It's a great holster that can be adjusted for height and cant as well as carry position. I am considering replacing the leather with a differently-shaped piece that will better protect the thumb safety and magazine release.

mike w. says:

on 7/13/2010 4:45:40 PM

Robb - I posted a review of the Spartan recently and came to the same conclusion as several of the folks here. Good holster, but the MTAC is worth the minimal extra cost.

http://anothergunblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/comp-tac-spartan-review.html

mikee says:

on 7/13/2010 7:56:31 PM

My CTAC works ok in the "pants down for bowel relief" mode when (and only when) I am wearing a gun belt that is as rigid as possible (thanks, Don Hume!) and the holster is clipped correctly around my pant belt loops. No unholstering required, just care when depantsing and repantsing, say, a thumb over the holster to keep it lined up right when the pants are going up or down.

It is the details of life that I find most interesting, not the generalities. Until I started wearing a gun belt in order to wear concealed, I never knew how comfortable a really good belt could be.

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