Inside-the-waistband holsters like the Comp-Tac Infidel Ultra Max absolutely have to have three things: comfort, retention and concealability. Just like removing fuel or oxygen from a fire puts it out, taking away any of those three elements makes a holster unwearable and unusable. A lot of holsters get two elements right—typically retention and concealability—but not all three, making them less desirable and relegating them to the back of your holster box. If your box is anything like mine, there are a few back there that you forgot you had, the ones with years of dust and very little use.
The Comp-Tac Infidel Ultra Max should find its way to the front of the box. Better yet, keep it on your dresser for everyday use.
Comp-Tac starts with a backer of two layers of soft, yet strong, cowhide for added strength and comfort. On the front, the company affixes a Kydex shell custom fit for your gun. For added strength, the front edge of the shell is screwed in between the backer layers, making a clean finish that won’t snag or rub on the inside of your pants. The backer extends beyond the muzzle, adding an extra inch of leather for additional comfort, as it prevents the muzzle from digging in as you sit or walk.
Retention-adjustment is even simpler, using the same hex key on the retention screws just below the trigger guard cover.
A single polymer clip holds the Infidel Ultra Max holster secure to the your belt and is adjustable to either the 15-degree “FBI” cant set from the factory or straight up and down by removing one clip screw with the included hex key, pivoting the clip to the new hole and reinserting the screw. Super simple. Comp-Tac offers another belt-clip option, the leather-and-snap Infidel Belt Loops, but the standard polymer clip is by far the company's most-popular setup.
One advantage of leather and Kydex hybrid holsters is if you change guns (because you bought a new one, not because you sold one—who does that?). You can swap out the shell and not have to replace the entire holster. So instead of paying for a whole new holster, you only pay for a new shell to match the new gun.
For smaller guns, such as the Smith & Wesson Shield and smaller Glocks, the muzzle end of the shell is mostly open, with a small lip on the end that serves as a little bit of retention. For larger guns, such as the Glock G17 and other full-frame models, the end is fully open in the “slide” configuration that allows the muzzle to stick out the bottom and not have to ride higher up top. This lets the gun sit lower in the holster, reducing the chances of the larger frame printing too much.
When I first received my Infidel Ultra Max more than 18 months ago, I was bothered by how high the gun sat above the edge of my belt line. I was concerned it might print too much, even though I was sure the designers at Comp-Tac had to have thought of this already. So I tried it for a couple of days and discovered my fears unfounded. Not only does the height not matter for printing, it also does not significantly alter my other fear: clearing a cover garment. My draw didn’t change enough to matter wearing the Infidel. And the holster is darn comfortable! It’s a regular part of my EDC rotation.
Now, a word of caution for appendix-carry fans. The Infidel is probably not for you. I’m not saying don’t try it. Maybe you’ll be fine. But when I tried it, I found the extra inch or so of leather designed to make strong side concealment more comfortable was a nuisance in the appendix position, as it extended too far down my leg. Maybe you won’t have that problem. Try it and see.
The Infidel lists on Comp-Tac’s site for $80.99, with replacement shells at $25.99 and is a sturdy and comfortable holster with most of the features concealed carriers are seeking. Add this to your list of go-to EDC options.
