Mission First Tactical’s series of Guardian holsters have one of the most distinctive methods of handgun-holster retention. Whereas most holsters grip the gun’s frame, trigger guard or even the attached tactical light (if applicable) via friction, the Mission First Tactical Guardian series uses the force of rare-earth neodymium magnets to secure a pistol. Also called “neo magnets”, neodymium magnets are the amongst the strongest commercially available permanent magnets. They’re used in various technical and industrial capacities, but when it comes to firearms, neo magnets have a very high affinity for the steel in a handgun barrel or slide.
Mission First Tactical Guardian OWB MHP LB Overview
The latest member of the Mission First Tactical Guardian holster product line is the MFT Guardian OWB Modular Hole Pattern Light Bearing Holster. This new product is primarily meant for 9mm Glock-pattern handguns built around 4-inch barrels and slides. This naturally includes models like Glock G19/G45 and the Ruger RXM. 9mm Glock clones and facsimiles should also fit this Guardian holster provided their slide profiles and barrels fall in line with the default dimensions for that type of Glock. Mission First Tactical specifically acknowledges Ruger RXM compatibility, and I also tried it for myself at home: It worked perfectly. For other Glock clones, it’s best to verify their fit on an individual basis.
Because this holster relies on magnetic force and not shape-specific friction, it has the innate ability to accommodate a variety of compact tactical lights including models like Streamlight’s popular TLR-7 series, Surefire’s XC series, the Nightstick TCM-550XL and the Inforce Wild 1. The light bearing channel is wide open. There is no interior material that the light can inadvertently snag on.
This holster is equipped with a medium height sweat guard. The top portion is wide open and easy to draw from and to re-holster. Like many other modern holsters, this MFT Guardian also includes plenty of clearance for taller back-up iron sights that are oftentimes found on red dot equipped pistols.
The Effects of Magnetism
This holster’s neodymium magnetic system is formally known as the Mission First Tactical ILMRS (In-Line Magnetic Retention System). In addition to the actual magnet, this Guardian holster also includes a polymer integrated barrel stabilizer insert. The stabilizer serves as a guide point and pedestal that centers the Glock’s muzzle where it needs to sit in order to receive the full force of the magnet. I found that it pays to reholster Glock pistols deliberately in order to ensure that the muzzle makes contact with the barrel stabilizer. Once the gun is properly seated, it clicks into place as the magnet “grabs” it.
Because the new OWB Modular Hole Pattern Light Bearing holster is an outside-the-waistband belt holster, it comes equipped with a slightly stronger 15-pound magnet, compared to the 11-pound magnets that Mission First Tactical Guardian concealment holsters include.
Thanks to the rare-earth magnet, there is hardly any friction from the Guardian OWB MHP LB’s external polymer shell on the draw. Magnetic force is the only thing that needs to be overcome when drawing. This also means that the Mission First Tactical Guardian OWB MHP LB Holster’s retention is not adjustable. It’s fixed to the strength of the magnet. This wasn’t a problem, but while drawing a pistol with it, I found that it pays to scoop-up the pistol swiftly in order to smoothly overcome the magnet’s force.
Another nice aspect about this holster is that the combination and strength of the ILMRS and stabilizer insert also allows the carrier to use this holster without a tactical light attached to their pistol: The light-bearing functionality is completely optional.
The Modular Hole Pattern
The three-hole mounting pattern found on this Mission First Tactical Guardian holster can be originally attributed to Safariland’s holsters. Many of Safariland’s OWB holsters have been using this three-hole scheme for a long time. Given this company’s size and popularity, this pattern emerged as an industry-standard OWB holster mounting pattern in its own right.
A range of holster hangers and belt-attachment parts work off this three-hole pattern, and relevant products covers duty, tactical and competition-oriented gear. This includes accessories from not only Safariland itself, but also Blade-Tech, Tek Lok, G-Code and more.
The MFT OWB MHP LB Holster includes a 1.5-inch-wide polymer high ride belt attachment. In conjunction with the three-hole pattern, end-users can adjust it for cant and holster presentation angle. When worn on a belt, it keeps the holstered firearm fairly close to the body. I strongly recommend using a proper 1.5-inch-wide gun belt that’s snugly fastened around the waist. Combining a belt of the proper width along with reducing its slack will translate to a smoother draw, otherwise there is a chance of the holster “following” the gun while trying to draw.
Out of the box, I think this holster is perfect for competing in IDPA, and it should work for USPSA as well as training classes which require an OWB holster. Thanks to the modular hole pattern, the sky is the limit when it comes to mixing and matching attachment hardware or holster hangers.
The Mission First Tactical OWB MHP LB Holster retails for $124.99. Visit missionfirsttactical.com to learn more.
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