StealthGear ONYX IWB Holster for Springfield XD 40 Sub-Compact Review

Overall, I am very new to the concealed carry scene, purely due to the fact that I live in Illinois, and up until 2 months ago it wasn't an option. However, those days are over. I was like any other person that was new to concealed carry in the fact that I was overwhelmed with the amount of holster choices available to me. IWB? OWB? Kydex? Leather? Hybrid? The list goes on and on. My daily carry gun is a Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact, so this is what I was looking to conceal. I ended up with a StealthGear ONYX IWB Holster. Based on my overall satisfaction of this holster, I don't think that I could have gone with a better first choice for a holster, right out of the gate!

The heart of the StealthGear ONYX IWB is its revolutionary VentCore TM breathable platform. StealthGear claims that "this innovative ventilation system allows moisture to rapidly dissipate away from your body, leaving you dry and comfortable, all day long. No other holster will keep you drier! StealthGear ventilated holster platforms are built with a unique combination of synthetic non moisture-absorbing materials and stainless steel hardware. You will not find a tougher, lighter or more comfortable IWB holster on the market today." Personally, I cannot find fault in any of their claims. I have virtually worn this holster every day for the last two months, and find this to be very comfortable. During my normal day job, I am unable to carry my firearm. However, I choose to continue to wear this holster...it is that comfortable that I do not even notice it or find it bothersome.

As far as the rest of the features go, everything else is of pure quality. The function and fit are great. I have positive retention between the holster and gun at all times, and in many different positions. The feel of this holster, even against bare skin is vey comfortable, not just between layers. The ride height and the cant are both adjustable to your liking as well. Like I stated before, this is the first holster that I started to carry with (I have since had others purchased for one reason or another for this gun and others), and I think that I was lucky finding the best one. With that being said, it took me a week or two decide what combination of position, along with ride height, and cant worked best for me. This StealthGear ONYX IWB holster allowed me to find that perfect combination with ease.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Extreme comfort and ultimate concealability, all while being combat ready.

Target Market: Conceal Carry.

FNBs (features & benefits of this product):

• Ideal for concealed carry
• VentCore TM ventilated platform keeps YOU dry
• Integrated condensation (or moisture) shield keeps your WEAPON dry
• Built with non moisture-absorbing synthetics
• Stainless steel fasteners
• Designed for rapid combat presentation
• Adjustable for cant and depth
• Tuckable
• Tough .093 mil KYDEX shell with adjustable retention screws
• Full coverage of muzzle for extreme protection
• Lighter weight than leather or hybrid holsters
• Strategically-placed padding for maximum comfort
• 3/32" hex key and extra screws included
• Lifetime warranty
• Hand-Built in the USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:

• Black Only
• J-clips available for those that want less exposure of the clips (I have recently ordered, but have not received yet)

What others are saying?: 

• "Initially, I just chalked up the proclaimed comfort to the similarity in design to the Crossbreeds I was so accustomed to. After all, the Crossbreed holster is by far the most comfortable IWB holster I have used, that is until now. - Thebangswitch.com
• "What it boils down to is this: it’s light, airy and feels great. Really great. I’ve been giving it a go for most of this summer. I just about always wear a t-shirt between any holster and my baby-soft skin and with that intermediate layer – yes, even in the summer – the ONYX is about as comfy as an IWB rig can be. - TheTruthAboutGuns

• MSRP = $99.99

I need it now! Availability:  Available online at the StealthGear USA site. Currently a 3-5 week waiting period. A longer wait period than most would understandably want, but worth it when you get the finished product.

Our Rating:

+ Most comfortable holster that I have tried

+ The quality, fit, and finish are second to none

+ Quality stainless steel fasteners

+ Excellent weight distribution

- 3 to 5 weeks can be a tough wait when you are so darn eager to get something

Score: 9.0 

Crosman - Duty Calls Full Metal M4 Airsoft Gun (DCR75F)

In order to get a better perspective, I have reviewed the various parts of the Crosman Duty Calls Full Metal M4 Airsoft Gun (DCR75F), with the pro’s and con’s, if any.  The muzzle comes with your standard orange tip and is in great condition.  It did not hinder the accuracy of rifle shots during testing.  The charging handle can be pulled back, but is there only to allow access to the hop-up.  Other than that, it is mainly to give the rifle a more realistic feel to it.  The stock on the rifle is adjustable which makes it more versatile in different environments (outdoors or indoors).  No matter the arm length, you can rest assured that you will be able to adjust the stock for comfort and not have to sacrifice accuracy.  It is always nice to be able to enter a room or clear a corner without hitting something with the barrel of your gun.  There is a safety on the left side of the rifle which has the safety and two fire modes:  semi and auto.  I tend to be conservative with my shooting, so I found myself using the auto mode very little.  Many of the airsoft games that I have participated in would have a “semi only” restriction, so I have gotten used to that.

The trigger of the Crosman Duty Calls Full Metal M4 Airsoft Gun (DCR75F) is one of things that I found to be a little funky as far as operating properly.  When firing in “semi” mode, the rifle works just fine.  The BB’s fire with each trigger-pull without missing a beat.  However, when I tested the rifle in “auto” mode, the rifle would sometimes fire consistently and other times it would fire a single shot as if in “semi”.  It could be a wiring issue in this particular rifle that is causing the problem.  The magazine that came with the Crosman Duty Calls Full Metal M4 Airsoft Gun (DCR75F) is a nice 300 round high-capacity mag.  It has the wind-up wheel at the bottom that feeds the BB’s into the ready tube.  Unfortunately, this is another part that I found to

have issues.  When I loaded the BB’s and wound-up the wheel, the bb’s would not fire consistently.  Sometimes, I would have to pull the trigger 5-10 times before a bb finally shot out.  At first, I was thinking the rifle itself was jammed so I cleaned the barrel to make sure.  I still had issues firing BB’s.  When I switched to one of my mid-capacity magazines the rifle fired shots just fine.

The Crosman Duty Calls Full Metal M4 Airsoft Gun (DCR75F) also has front and rear-sights to assist with accurate shooting.   I have to say that this rifle is quite accurate.  The groupings of the shots were overall very consistent since the rifle is electric-powered and has no recoil.  I did not have to adjust the hop-up at all though the option is there if you want to adjust the distance of your shots.  Take note, however, that this rifle already shoots at the 300 FPS range (out-of-box).

As far as air soft rifles go, I have found the Crosman Duty Calls Full Metal M4 Airsoft gun DCR75F to be a nice, well-rounded weapon.  It has a good firing distance and the fire rate is quite good when I was able to get the “auto” mode working properly.  Other than the hi-cap magazine not feeding properly, this is a rifle that can hold its own with the other airsoft rifles out there.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Full metal throughout, Gen II gearbox + reinforced metal gears, hop-up chamber, stock tube and machined aluminum barrel are the basis for a platform to lead assaults into enemy territory.

Target Market:  Experienced Airsoft player. Professional grade rifle.

FNBs:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• Model Number  -  57004
• Velocity  -  Up to 400 fps
• Weight  -  3.75
• Length  -  30
• Battery  -  9.6 volt 1400 mAh
• Mechanism  -  Full/Semi-Auto
• Power Source  -  Electric
• Caliber  -  6mm
• BB Reservoir  -  300
• Front Sight  -  Removable Fixed Post
• Rear Sight  -  Removable/Adjustable
• Safety  -  Selector
• Material  -  Metal
• Color  -  Black

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  N/A

What others are saying?:

great gun!!! 2014-01-22 17:03:38 This is truly a great gun!!! you can hit an enemy at 200 feet easy if you raise the muzzle a little and use auto and the rate of fire is great. Good battery life. Shoots far. Accurate. Good sites. Very durable.

-Anonymous review from Crosman website

Price Point:

• MSRP = $299.99
• Retail = $174.48

Similar Model: U.S. Army DCM4AW Elite Electronic Airsoft M4 Rifle

I need it now! Availability: Online Dealers or Local Gun Shops. However, it is now a recently discontinued model and may be harder to locate.

• Walmart
• Pyramyd Air
• Airgun Megastore

Our Rating:

+ Adjustable stock + Can switch between “semi” and “auto” firing modes + High capacity magazines are metal which allows for easy release + Front and rear-sights for more accuracy + Full-metal rifle for more realistic feel + Hop-up system to adjust the distance of shots

- The magazine that came with this rifle had problems feeding BB’s - “Auto” fire mode did not work consistently - No recoil (which makes it less realistic) - Charging handle has no functionality other than allowing access to hop-up (again, less realistic)

Score: 7.0 Good