Streamlight TLR-7 and Desantis Speed Lite review for M&P2.0 9mm

[Macchina]

I've been looking high and low for an OWB light-bearing holster for my M&P2.0 and went with a Kydex one a couple months ago. I never really liked Kydex and again this one was loud, flopped on my belt, and seemed to stick too far off my body. I recently saw that Desantis is going to start making their Speed Scabbard for Glocks with the TLR-7 (called a Speed Lite) so I asked them if the M&P would follow soon after. Unfortunately they said no so I bought the Speed Lite for the Glock 19 and waited through this snowstorm for UPS to finally arrive. The fit was extremely tight at first, the last 1/4" of insertion pulled the pistol out of battery and the thumb break wouldn't snap. After sitting for a few hours inserted I would put it in a little farther at a time and applied a bit of Lexol to rehydrate the leather. This worked very well and I now have a perfectly snug holster that snaps easily and prevents any activation of the light. I wore the pistol all yesterday and you forget you're wearing it sometimes. With the Kydex holster it was falling away from me with a strong gun belt on and never comfortable (as an OWB should be). I have a few Desantis pancake holsters and this one is no different in that it carries very well and smooths the profile of a pistol to your body. You're still carrying a duty-sized pistol so concealment would be very difficult in a T-Shirt but a sweater or flannel easily conceals the M&P2.0. Sorry for the bad pictures, it's -1° outside...

Aside from the holster, I am really liking this configuration. The light is a perfect fit and snugs within .005" of the trigger guard with the right key. Activation is no problem for me. I own mostly sub-compacts and revolvers but do shoot Rugger Mark III pistols often and this is my first auto that comes close to the accuracy of a 22 pistol for me. It's very easy to shoot very well and in my opinion they really nailed all the proportions on this gun and light, a great combo!

 

[JTQ]

With the Kydex holster it was falling away from me with a strong gun belt on and never comfortable (as an OWB should be).

You should compare notes with forum member Zerodefect, who has the opposite opinion.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/please-define-a-“quality”-holster.846483/

Leather gets too floppy for me. Doesn't hold tight to my body for concealment.

 

[Macchina]

You should compare notes with forum member Zerodefect, who has the opposite opinion.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/please-define-a-“quality”-holster.846483/

Interesting read. He doesn't give much background (what leather holsters he's used) but I find that in general people that complain about floppy leather are buying either cheap holsters or light duty IWB holsters designed to be soft so the belt gives you your retention.

A quality leather holster from Bianchi, Desantis, Galco, or many custom makers will stay stiff for decades of occasional use and in my experience they wear in much better than Kydex to be very comfortable. I've tried 3 custom kydex holsters from different makers for autos and revolers and can never get them to hold as tight to the body or wear as comfortably as quality leather.

I have bought cheap leather holsters that I have been disappointed in for sure! On the other hand I have quality holsters from 10 years ago that I've used on a few week long hunts in the rain and they hold as tight as day 2! I'm not saying Kydex won't do the same but in my experience leather always does it in a more comfortable way.