Surefire A2 holster options...

[KentuckyMike]

Hey everyone...

Currently, my E1L has been my #1 favorite, always with me, EDC. That is, until I got an A2. In just a few days, it has replaced the E1L as my bedside light. I've quickly found the wonders of the A2...low-output LEDs for potty breaks....high-output hotwire for bumps in the night...LOVE IT!! I'm now contemplating a way to make the A2 my EDC, but it's a bit too thick to be a pocket light at work (I normally wear khakis), and pretty soon it will be warm to continue wearing a jacket, so I'll lose several pockets for another 6 months...

Currently, I have one of Jeff's woven paracord lanyards on the A2's stock lanyard ring. It's a great set-up, looks good, very functional. But the problem also lies in that lanyard. Wearing lights using their factory belt clips just doesn't work for me. Belly's too big and I move too much...I'm always hitting the light on desks, chairs, seatbelt buckes, etc...which causes the light to auto-fire. But when I need my light, I need it 3 seconds ago...so locking out the tailcap isn't an option.

Does anyone make a good belt holster (I'd prefer horizontal AND vertical options...but I'm negotiable on that) for the A2 that will accomodate bezel down carry? This would allow me to hang the lanyard out of the holster. Alternately, is there a holster wide enough to accomodate bezel-up that would also allow the lanyard to sit next to the body?

I have always preferred bezel-down carry, but the SF factory holsters appear to only work bezel-up. I'm wondering if any of the Maxpedition solutions might work...

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I'd LOVE to get this A2 out into the world.

Thanks!!

~~Mike

 

[GreySave]

I use four and five inch Maxpedition holsters for all of the lights that I carry, including an A2 bezel up. I believe they are only vertical carries. They are VERY tough, although the quality of the materials does make them a little bulkier than other holsters I have seen. They work well for me as I need durability, but they might no be to everyone's taste. You can find them very reasonably priced also (Batterystation.com).

 

[KentuckyMike]

Thanks GS...

The A2 will fit the 4" OR the 5", with adjustments to the flap, right? Which one do you find works best? I'm thinking if I can get away with a 4"-er for the A2 it might work well for the E2E as well (I was afraid the 5" might be a little loose for the shorter, thinner E-series lights). Something that could pull all-around duty for an A2, E2E/E2L, L4, and G2 would be wonderful for the budget (what with all the money I'm draining into lights.... )

Do you think the 1/2" think lanyard would fit next to the body in the Maxpedition, or is the fit too tight?

Thanks again!

~~Mike

 

[sween1911]

Camelback makes an outstanding one with multiple carry options. I bought it for my dad to carry his Minimag. It works okay, but it's really made for the Aviator.

 

[benchmade_boy]

i had John Willis make me an A2 pouch with a side slot for a fisher space pen and 4 1/2 sides and it fit like a charm. my dad also got one from him for his L2. mine cost 25.00 and it is hand made by John willis himself. beleieve me it is top quility work and it will not tear or EVER break, EVER. it has a limtime warranty that you willl never have to use.+ all part come and are made in the good ol USA.


i hope this helps!

 

[Illum]

Dont know if that classifies as "wearing the sheath", but here goes

I use the cheap sheaths from Inova lights...the stretchy part wore out rather quick, so the sheath doesnt hold the light at all, but when the lights in my pocket, with the sheath it doesnt eat through the lining as quick.

 

[KentuckyMike]

Dont know if that classifies as "wearing the sheath", but here goes

I use the cheap sheaths from Inova lights...the stretchy part wore out rather quick, so the sheath doesnt hold the light at all, but when the lights in my pocket, with the sheath it doesnt eat through the lining as quick.

Hmmm....well...if the light fit well originally, we can assume that the stretchy part is stretched out about as far as it will go...? If that's the case, maybe that 1/2" thick lanyard sitting next to the body inside the sheath might keep it tight.... I'll have to look into it.

And a Maxpedition. And probably a camelback and Willis, too.... You guys are killing me! (Though further suggestions are still welcome, of course...lol.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Illum]

Hmmm....well...if the light fit well originally, we can assume that the stretchy part is stretched out about as far as it will go...?

well it was streched out over the years with my XO2 in it for about a year...then as the stretchy part wore out i sorta abandoned it in a box tossed somewhere in the garage...after finding out my A2 ate through the pockets of all my good pants I went to the garage to find something I can use...a inner tire from a bicycle, etc...then I found my old holster...with a fuzzy spider living inside it

 

[MacTech]

Browning sells a holster for their line of lights, just a basic nylon holster, has standard belt loop, but it also has two velcro loops that can be used to mount the holster horizontaly, i use one for my A2, fits great

 

[KentuckyMike]

Hey all, just tried an option that wasn't previously mentioned, so I thought I'd update for the benefit of all.

My better half was at Fort Campbell tonight picking up her brother from the base for the weekend. She knew I was looking for a holster, so she checked the PX, but no dice. I imagine they had something that would have worked, but unless it says SF on it, she can't be sure.

Anyway, before they left town they stopped at US Cav so my brother-in-law could get some supplies. My girl found the SF section, and found the Uncle Mike's cordura holster with a flap. It's designed around the 6P and SL Scorpion/Strion. When she got home she said, "This said it fits Surefire, and I wasn't sure if it would fit your fancy one (what she calls my A2 :laughing, but since it said SF, I figured you had SOME light that would fit in it." (She's catching on to how this all works...lol.)

Anyway, the A2 fits in the holster bezel up or bezel down. Since the flap closes with a snap, it obviously isn't length-adjustable. The holster could stand to be about 0.5 in. longer for the A2 to fit comfortably. As it is, it will work, but there's tension against the tailcap so if you shift wrong while seated the light may fire in the holster and drain the battery. The holster is multi-ply cordura with padding and a polymer belt loop stitched top and bottom to the back of the holster. I'm not sure how well this loop will hold up, but for the price it's worth a try. I ended up thowing a G2 in it, and was very satisfied with the fit. I may do some real world testing with the A2 in the Uncle Mike's to see if it's plausible for EDC with the "fancy light," but worst case I have a new holster for the plasti-light.

--Mike