JM Custom Kydex Wing Claw 2.0 Review: The Perfect AIWB holster?

Upfront, I am a fan of JM Custom Kydex. I have used their standard AIWB holster with good results before. When it came time to find a holster for a new blaster, JMCK was high on my list of holster makers to look into, but I wanted a different flavor than before. The Wing Claw 2.0 with DCC clips was the change I was looking for. A slimmer overall profile, and a wing to aid with concealment. I had also heard that for bigger guys, longer holsters tend to conceal a little better, so I opted for a Glock 34 length holster to test the theory for myself.

Build Quality

The Wing Claw 2.0 is built to the usual standards of JM Custom Kydex, the best in the business. The edges are well finished; the fit of the holster is excellent. The gun “clicks” into the holster securely. The Wing Claw 2.0 is available with a couple of different clip options. In standard form, it comes with RCS clips. More recently, JMCK has started to offer the DCC clips as an upgrade option. They are worth the upgrade, and I am glad that JMCK offers them. Assuming correct sizing, they attach to the belt very securely. Just as important, they are as low profile as any belt attachment is going to get. They essentially add nothing to the thickness of the holster and facilitated better concealment. Build quality isn’t the full story, though, because there are plenty of well-built holsters out there. The real story is in how well the holster design works to conceal the gun and do it while maintaining comfort.

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Using the Holster

In use, I found the holster to work exceptionally well. Not only did it conceal the Glock 19 I was carrying in it very well, but it was also very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time under varying conditions. Even with the extra length since the holster is for a Glock 34, I had zero issues with holster comfort, whether standing or sitting for long periods of time.

What helps the holster work so well is the positioning of the clips. The forward clip is mounted on the sight channel of the holster, making it conform better to the shape of the gun. This positioning keeps the clip from printing through clothing because it doesn’t create a sharp edge. The other clip is actually mounted with the ModWing, maximizing the distance between the two clips. The spacing between the clips also makes the holster very stable on the belt. This can be a bit of personal preference, but the holsters stability on the belt facilitates quicker access to the gun because the grip of the gun is always in the same position. Sometimes with holsters that allow a bit more flex of the holster, they will be more comfortable, but the draw is less sure, and a bit more fumble prone. My preference is stability, and a better draw. And the Wing Claw 2.0 certainly delivers.

One of my concerns when I first got the holster was the security of the DCC clips, and whether or not they would snag clothing on the draw like some other metal clips I have used. Fortunately, the DCC clip does seem to be as good as people say it is. The holster is very secure and stable on the belt, and snagging was never an issue with various types of concealment garments. The ends of the clips are low profile enough that they should not snag, even on tighter fitting clothing. The DCC clips also allow for very fine ride height adjustments. Those fine adjustments I have found are critical to getting the most out of an AIWB holster.

The One Flaw

The one thing about JM Custom Kydex holsters that I am not a huge fan of is the neoprene wedge that they use. Neoprene wedges tend to be pretty “grippy” and can cause hot spots. They also compress and take a set very quickly. In my experience, neoprene wedges are good for about a month or two. After that, they are much less useful. The neoprene wedge is still the industry standard, though. And just now are we seeing viable, good alternatives. Specifically, the Dark Star Gear wedge. While it is an additional cost and has to be ordered separately from the holster, I would order the JMCK holster without a wedge, saving a few bucks, and spend those bucks on the Dark Star Gear wedge.

Conclusion

The downside to a good holster is that they are rarely “cheap.” And the Wing Claw 2.0 is no exception. The holster, as configured for this review, will cost about $100. Is it worth the $100? Absolutely it is. But for some that is a significant hurdle to get over. If you want to buy a holster that will allow you to carry a gun concealed really well, then this is worth it. The Wing Claw 2.0 does an exceptional job, and this holster will last for a long time. If it makes it easier to drop a Benjamin on a holster, consider it an investment in capability that will allow you to carry the gun longer and in more places because it will conceal better, and be comfortable while doing it. Is it the perfect AIWB holster? Close. Really close.