Adaptability is the name of the game these days. While there is a certain charm to specialization in your EDC tools, there is also something to be said for adaptability. While in the past an adaptability approach could mean a sort of dilettantism with a “master of none” result, things are clearly changing.
Take for example the Springfield Armory Echelon. A duty-grade, full-size 9mm pistol, the Echelon is designed to offer a remarkable amount of adaptability, while not cutting any corners on performance or capability.
[Don’t miss the Springfield Echelon 9mm review by Massad Ayoob.]
For example, it features the Central Operating Group, a serialized chassis system that can be easily swapped between available grip modules offered in a range of sizes and colors. In addition, the Echelon’s Variable Interface System allows users to direct mount more than 30 popular optics and features self-locking pins that eliminate variance and left/right movement. The result is a highly adaptable optics system with minimal parts and extreme stability.
The Right Partner?
Obviously, what you pair with your handgun can be every bit as important as the pistol itself. Quality ammunition, for example, will help ensure reliability and performance. Likewise, a well-designed holster will secure your EDC when not needed while offering acceptable comfort for all-day carry.
So, is there is a holster as adaptable as the Echelon, and therefore a potentially good partner for it? What we are considering today is an offering from N8 Tactical, the MultiFlex IWB/OWB Holster. Designed for concealed carry, is the MultiFlex up to the task?
First, let’s talk a bit about N8 Tactical itself. The company is a sister company to Crossbreed Holsters, a well-respected holster maker likely well-known to many of you. Both N8 and Crossbreed are under the MTC Holsters family of brands.
At its most basic, the N8 Tactical MultiFlex is an open-top, concealed carry holster. Its shell is made of polypropylene and is cut to be compatible with red dot optics. The key feature of the MultiFlex holster is that it is designed to fit a range of different pistols.
In fact, the company claims it fits more than 275 different handguns. The list of fits includes the Springfield XD, XD-E, XD-M and XD-M Elite lines. It also fits the Springfield Echelon, the pistol we are talking about in this article.
A notable feature of the rig is that it can be converted from inside-the-waistband (IWB) to outside-the-waistband (OWB), depending on your needs. The IWB belt clips are metal with a single attachment point. The single point attachment allows you to tuck in a shirt over the top of your pistol, though the size of the gun you put in it is likely to determine how well it will conceal.
Fitting Choices
“The MultiFlex holster is the result of innovation with purpose,” said Nathan Engelking, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at N8 Tactical and CrossBreed Holsters. “Rather than employing a generic shape to fit a lot of different guns, our design allows the user an incredible amount of adjustment so that each firearm has the perfect fit as well as retention to match the user’s specific carry needs.”
No one could accuse N8 Tactical’s ambitious MultiFlex of lacking options. The holster is offered in two primary configurations — basically large and small, with the former for full-size pistols and the latter for compacts. The MultiFlex comes with both IWB clips and OWB loops, and you are given the option at the time of ordering to have the configuration of your preference pre-installed.
In addition to being adaptable to IWB and OWB carry, the MultiFlex holster has a total of nine adjustment points, with screws spread out around the body of the holster that can be adjusted to find the best fit for your gun. Simply tighten down or loosen the screws to ensure the holster fits your pistol, adjusting it until you get the “audible click” on engagement as well as no side-to-side movement of the pistol.
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The holster comes preset with a 12-degree cant — but, as should come as no surprise, this is adaptable. If you prefer a forward cant or a more neutral position, you can adjust the MultiFlex to your preferences. In addition, the MultiFlex is designed to work with any 1½” paddle, further adding to its adaptability.
Real-World Application
Regarding the Echelon, I found cranking down the screws delivered a good level of “friction” for a solid hold. Personally, unless you are planning on swapping out the type of gun you carry in the holster regularly, it might be a good idea to apply a bit of Loctite Threadlocker once you get the fit you want.
[Don’t mistake a friction fit with defense against a gun grab. Read What Is a Retention Holster for additional details.]
The fit of the MultiFlex on the Echelon was good, with no perceptible movement from side-to-side. It did have a trivial amount of front to back movement that did not impair my ability to safely carry or draw the pistol.
Due to the multi-fit nature of the design, the MultiFlex has an open-muzzle design. Obviously, this is necessary to fit a wide range of pistol sizes. Just be aware of this as it can allow the front sight to snag on clothing during a draw — particularly in IWB mode. Just be sure to test it out with your particular gun and clothing choices.
During my testing, I found the MultiFlex was comfortable to wear. I personally prefer IWB rigs, so I was particularly interested in how a holster designed for both IWB and OWB would work in this mode. The polypropylene material used in the holster seemed ever so slightly softer to the touch than the many Kydex holsters I have used. This helped raise its comfort level. It also proved to be comfortable and easy to use in OWB mode as well.
Closing Thoughts
The MultiFlex is clearly a very ambitious design concept. Attempting to design a one-size-fits-all holster that can fit somewhere near 300 different handgun types through a wide range of adjustment points and two basic sizes — full size and compact — is a tall order.
The N8 Tactical MultiFlex takes on this challenge, and does it all at an amazingly reasonable price point of $49.95. The ability to fit a wide range of handguns and simultaneously offer a wide range of adjustment for the pistol — or pistols — of your choice at a sub-$50 price point is remarkable. The MultiFlex does indeed break the mold when it comes to designing a multi-purpose holster for today’s EDC needs.
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