Thumb Release Holster Part

Added thumb release Review by Dean

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For work I need to carry concealed. I started with a OWB holster, but a coworker was using a IWB Alien holster.. I ordered one and loved the way is fit. But, again due to my job, I needed to add the thumb release. When I did I noticed the thumb release part hung over the padded area, causing it to make contact with my skin. the part is a hard plastic. If they would just make the padding a little wider it would fix this problem. Other then that I use it daily and really like it. (Posted on 12/6/2019)

Complaints remedied by a little oil Review by gtbuchanan

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All of the existing complaints are warranted. Out-of-box, the Thumb Release suffers from binding if you don't hit it in exactly the right spot on the center stalk. It feels sort of cheap because of this. Mine also squeaked, likely due to the new spring.

However, I remedied all of these problems by removing the Thumb Release from the holster, applying Hoppe's 9 Lubricating Oil around the insertion points, and operating the release a couple of dozen times until the oil sufficiently covered the internals. After I did that, I get a smooth release no matter where I press it.

This could easily have been done during assembly with oil/grease to prevent the end-user from having to do it. Nonetheless, I am now satisfied with the product and would feel more confident using it in an emergency situation. (Posted on 3/14/2019)

Not a fan Review by DERRIL

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Love the holster this mounts to, don't care for this thumb release at all. This will function fine if you're not carrying for personal defense, so like mounting a fire arm to the underside of a desk or mounted in a car as driver defense where you could have the extra time to properly depress the release.

The lever has too much wiggle and play and binds up easily. If you have to draw rapidly in a high stress situation from your person, the chances of you fumbling with the release are high. A far better solution would be a pull release in which the action is perpendicular to the current axis (ie: the lever pulls towards the base of the grip of the pistol). This is how my duty holster releases and it is far more reliable. (Posted on 1/19/2019)

Thumb Release feels cheap and flimsy Review by Nick

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Ordered the Thumb Release with an AG Shoulder Holster. The thumb release feels like a cheap and flimsy plastic. It extends beyond the holster's material quite a bit (both standard and large releases) and feels pretty flimsy. When it does work, it also gets caught behind the holster and snags a bit. Definitely needs some improvement before I consider it again so I'll be sending it back. The Shoulder Holster is fantastic though! (Posted on 1/2/2019)

Significant Upgrade to the original thumb release Review by Neil

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My major complaint with the original OWB shapeshift was the thumb release. If you pressed perfectly over the shaft of the release, the release would function. However, any pressure placed on the overhang resulted in the guard sticking/
binding and being unable to draw (lubricating did not help). This made it dangerous to carry in any situation where you might be required to quickly draw. The revised thumb release improves upon the problem, However, it still has issues. On the new thumb release, last 1/3" of the overhang causes issues if you do not press STRAIGHT DOWN (pressing straight down is unlikely if you are carrying the OWB with any forward tilt). Instead of releasing the gun, pressing here will cause the thumb release to bend forward instead of sliding down, and the gun will NOT release). Make sure to tighten the screw down TIGHT while pulling back on the body of the thumb release. It helps keep the unit from sliding forward, which causes the issues. Having stated the negatives, I do want to say that this is a welcome improvement. AlienGear - the ultimate fix for this is a third raised dot to hold the top of the thumb release in place against the forward force exerted when the thumb presses the overhang. Place a small hole in the inner shell directly above the inner mechanism for the third dot. Also, increase the width of the hole around the inner mechanism to prevent it from binding when it DOES slide forward. Having said that, I'm sure there will be iterations down the line, but this is a SIGNIFICANT improvement over the original. (Posted on 6/15/2018)

Better...but not great. Review by Red

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Since receiving and installing the updated thumb release i have put a few hundred draw cycles through it. I can say it is most definitely an upgrade over the original. The spring is softer, the button is bigger and the whole unit is about a quarter inch longer. Drawing your firearm is much easier than it was with the original thumb release and feels more natural. I do like it better.
Now for some cons. The new release has more play in it. It wiggles forwards, backwards a lot; enough that it can bind up and make it so it can't be pushed. It just doesn't feel sturdy like the original.
Personally I would like the thumb release to be a little longer yet but beggars can't be choosers. Take this all with a grain of salt.

P.S. Thanks Alien Gear for actually listening and giving us this option.

(Posted on 6/10/2018)

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