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Product Test...The
Original Clipdraw
As you probably already know, the
"M-1911 Pistols Home Page" is sponsored by Skyline Technologies
Inc., the makers of the original "Clipdraw".
Some days ago, I received a sample of this device, for testing and
evaluation. Here are my findings:
Clipdraw is an ingenious idea. It is a very inexpensive device,
which when attached to your M-1911 pistol, allows you to carry it
Mexican-style (i.e. in your waistband, without a holster), safely
and securely. |
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Clipdraw is made of spring steel and
comes either in blue steel, or in nickel plated versions. It
consists of a metal plate , which is shaped exactly like the bottom
part of the right grip panel of your gun (with two properly aligned
holes to match the grip bushings on your pistol) and a protrusion
which aligns itself with the slide of the pistol (more or less, have
a look at the attached photo). In order to install Clipdraw, all you
have to do is unscrew the right grip panel, |
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insert it
on the right side of your pistol, and screw the grip again on top of
it. You are now ready to put your gun inside your waistband. The
protruding part of Clipdraw is supposed to ride above your trousers
and belt. There, you are now ready. Walk, run, jump, do whatever you
like, the pistol will stay put, where you want it.
So how well does the Clipdraw works?
Well, some days ago, I had to rush out for some errant, and I put my
bigmouth in my waistband, at the small of my back. I had to return
to my desk to get my mobile phone, at which time the elevator
appeared. I had to rush to it, in order not to miss it. Oooops! I
just managed to catch the pistol, just before it started its way
down my pants! I tried the same exercise with Clipdraw installed.
Guess what? The pistol stayed there, no problem at all. So as a
secure means to carry your pistol inside your waistband, without a
holster, the answer is "yes, Clipdraw works".
Some more thoughts on this item. First, what are its advantages?
Well, for one, it is always attached to your gun, so you do not have
to bother looking for the holster or a string (a popular way to
carry Mexican-style) or even bother to move your holster from one
pair of pants to another. Second, the device is very inexpensive, so
cost is not an issue. Three, it is virtually indestructible. Four,
it can be attached and removed very easily (just unscrew the two
left grip screws). Five, it does not interfere with the controls of
the gun (well, almost, part of the slide gripping serrations are
covered by Clipdraw, for people with large fingers, that can be a
slight problem). Six, the tension of the protruding edge of the
device together with your belt, is enough to hold the gun positioned
where ever you put it, while in the same time not hindering a quick
draw.
Disadvantages? I can think of a couple. After you install the device
on your gun, usage with other holsters is not always possible,
without first removing Clipdraw. Some models might work, some others
simply cannot be used. Not a big disadvantage per se as you do not
actually need a holster with this thing attached, but one that
should be noted. Also, when Clipdraw is attached to your M-1911, the
front of the barrel is canted upwards a bit, when the gun is left on
a flat surface, like on a table with its right side down. This is
not a problem itself, except that in this position, the gun is a bit
more difficult to grab in a hurry, since the pistol's rear end is
closer to the table than before. Of course, this does not happen if
the left side of the pistol is facing the table. Other minor
criticism concerns the fact that Clipdraw can not be used with a
pistol which uses an ambi thumb safety. Again, this is a minor
issue, as this can be easily corrected with a little filing of the
device, at the area where the ambi safety's tongue is moving. And of
course this is not a problem if your safety uses the sear pin to
secure the right part of the safety, instead of the tongue moving
under the grip panel (a much better approach in my opinion).
Overall, Clipdraw seems to be an ingenious, cost-effective device,
which can help you carry your pistol safely, if you favor the
Mexican style. |
Clipdraw for Glocks | Clipdraw for 1911
Standard/Compact | Clipdraw for Smith & Wesson Revolvers
Universal Clipdraw |
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