What Is A Holster Mount And How To Use It

Holster Docking Station - Introducing the Alien Gear Holster Mounting System

Alien Gear Holsters equipment reflects the fundamental values of American craftsmanship -- innovative ideas should always be put through the paces of an honest day's labor.

are painstakingly crafted to fulfill a need: accessible off-the-body handgun storage on compatible surfaces with a holster that has comprehensive, rigid trigger guard coverage.

The ShapeShift Holster Mount and Cloak Dock OWB and IWB Holster Mounts are mounting stations designed to anchor a compatible holster to any location one wishes -- be it inside the car, on a desk, by one's bedside or anywhere else.

The ShapeShift Holster Mount is compatible with the ShapeShift Holsters' Shift Shells in their full-shell configuration.

The Cloak Dock OWB Holster Mount is designed to work with our Cloak Mod OWB paddle holster, while the Cloak Dock IWB Holster mount is compatible with the IWB holsters we offer.

Custom Handgun Mount Systems Made For Multiple Surfaces

There are a number of handgun mount systems out there, but almost all are as generic as possible. Many are a mere strap to mount a generic pouch holster to some surface, such as a car or furniture.

There are also magnetic mounting systems, which are strong magnets mounted to a surface that hold onto a gun. While certainly stronger than the former, the latter often requires the pistol be attached to the magnet without the holster attached. Again, they are plenty strong...but not everyone likes a naked handgun on display for all to see.

Additionally, many of these systems are made for only one mounting surface. Some are just for the home and/or around the bed area, just for the office or just for the car.

Alien Gear, however, is all about product evolution as well as modularity. As a result, we have designed our holster mounts to work on any surface they can be secured to.

As a result, they can be utilized in any room in the house, in your car, the office desk, and indeed anywhere else.

Holster Mount System Can Be Installed In Minutes

Installing the Cloak Dock or ShapeShift Holster Mount is easily done in minutes. The only required tools are a screwdriver and a power drill. Instructions and a mounting template are included with each, which will walk you through the steps of installation.

Simply mount the brackets to the surface of your choice - either a wall, nightstand, dresser, desk or automobile interior - and install the docking bar.

Once mounted and assembled, the Cloak Dock is ready for use.

The is a single component designed for the full Shift Shell configuration. The Shift Shell is secured to the mount with the spline attachment at a single point. The holster can be canted a full 360 degrees.

It comes with all the required hardware (it only needs four screws) and literature needed for installation.

The is designed to be used for the Cloak Tuck series, and features two individual pieces that are separately installed.

This is to account for the holster's forward or backward cant, if that's how you carry.

The mounting brackets have a clip platform for the Cloak Tuck IWB Holsters to slide into.

is designed for use with the Cloak Mod holster with the paddle attachment only -- it will not work with any other holster, including our other OWB holsters. The paddle slides over the docking bar and clicks into place. The retention lip of the paddle provides tension.

Don't worry about the strength of the ShapeShift Holster Mount, the Cloak Dock IWB Holster Mount or the Cloak Dock OWB Holster Mount -- they're made from a neigh-indestructible polymer compound.

We designed each to last for decades of service.

While in any of the holster mounts, your pistol can be drawn from the holster normally. The retention lip holds the holster in place in the Cloak Dock, allowing the pistol to slide free from the holster as normal. The spline attachment in the ShapeShift Holster Mount is the same system used in the ShapeShift OWB Paddle Holster, and it securely holds the holster while the firearm is pulled out.

Should you wish to retrieve the holster from the Cloak Dock OWB Holster Mount, simply pull the paddle retention lip away from the docking bar, and lift the holster up and out from the Cloak Dock.

Similarly, pull the IWB clips away from the bracket to disengage the IWB holster from the Cloak Dock IWB mount.

It's that simple.

The ShapeShift Holster Mount requires a single button to be engaged to release the Shift Shell.

The Cloak Dock can mounted either to have the shell side or paddle side of the holster facing out. It will also still work with the Cloak Mod when the holster is set for forward or rearward cant.

Perfect For Use As Wall Mounted or Bedside Holster

You'll notice a variety of hardware like wood screws and drywall anchors with the Cloak Dock and ShapeShift Holster Mount; this is so each can be used as a bedside holster mount or wall mount. We also include an Allen key for attaching the docking bar and a 1/8 " drill bit for pilot holes.

Simply use the included wood screws to mount to wooden furniture, or select the drywall screws and anchors for wall mounting. For drywall mounting, however, we recommend using a 1/2" drill bit to drill pilot holes for the drywall anchors.

Please follow the included instructions for mounting.

The Cloak Dock or ShapeShift can be mounted close to the bed, for those who want to be able to rise from a prone position and draw in response to a threat, or mount the holster higher on the wall - out of the reach of tiny hands.

Keep guns out of reach of children.

That cannot be emphasized enough. If there is one universal way to prevent firearms accidents involving children, it is keeping guns secured and out of their reach. Should you mount an Alien Gear Holster Mount in your home, ensure that there is no way for a child to reach it.

The included wood screws can also mount to any other wood furniture, such as a desk, dresser or anything else one might consider. It can be mounted to metal furniture as well; the hardware pack includes four sheet metal screws with self-guiding tips - no need for a pilot hole.

The Most Secure Vehicle Holster Mount You're Likely To Find

These holster mounts are also employable as a vehicle holster mount - the most secure that you're likely to come across. Many car holsters are merely generic nylon pouches with additional straps; the Cloak Dock and ShapeShift Holster Mounts allow you to firmly mount each compatible holster to any surface in your vehicle.

Simply select an appropriate location, such as the side of the center console or under the dash, and mount the Cloak Dock or ShapeShift Holster Mount with the appropriate, included hardware.

However, if planning to mount to wooden trim, seek therapy. Don't even think about it. If you drive a nice enough car to have wood paneling, find plastic somewhere and mount it to that. There have to be SOME standards.

For those who don't like to wear a waistband holster while driving, you aren't likely to find a better-fitting, more secure car holster system.

Otherworldly Value for a Holster Mount

Other holster mount systems may be reasonably priced, but they won't work nearly as well as either the Cloak Dock or ShapeShift Holster Mount. Since each works specifically with their respective holster, no other gun mounting system will be as secure.

They also won't look as cool.

The Cloak Dock is available for $14.88 as a stand-alone purchase. However, if you wish to get a Cloak Mod to dock with, you'll save $4.88 on the Cloak Dock, as the Cloak Mod and Cloak Dock combo is available for $57.88.

The Cloak Dock is $11.88, but when coupled with either the Cloak Tuck or Cloak Tuck 3.0 we'll automatically deduct $4 from your order.

The ShapeShift Holster Mount comes free with the ShapeShift Core Carry Pack, but is priced at $9.88 if one purchases individual ShapeShift holsters.

The Cloak Dock and ShapeShift are some of the first holster mounting systems to ever work with a holster, rather than without one - and at a serious bargain to boot. You aren't likely to find a holster mount that works as well anywhere else.

About The Author Born in southeastern Washington State, Sam Hoober graduated in 2011 from Eastern Washington University. He resides in the great Inland Northwest, with his wife and child. His varied interests and hobbies include camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time at the gun range as often as possible.