Tucker Silent Thunder modification...

[AEnemaBay]

Hey all, new guy to the forum but not to firearms or Kahrs. A little background, I'm a former Marine Corps armorer and part time practicing gunsmith while being a full time retail manager.

I've had a few people on other boards ask about my modification to my Tucker Silent Thunder holster for my Kahr PM9. I got this holster in a trade with the PM9 and the clip that comes with the holster sticks out like a badly infected and puffy sore thumb. Tucker offers a "slimline" belt clip but I decided to try out a standard Comp-Tac strut before ordering one and found that it was a lot better at helping conceal holster the under a shirt. But what I was really wanting was Tucker's offset "Slim IWB" Silent Thunder holster. Not wanting to spend $85 for essentially the same holster with a different mounting platform I decided to try my hand at modifying the regular Silent Thunder.

I found a spare Comp-Tac 2 O'Clock clip in my "box 'o kydex" and found that it closely matched the hole spacing on the retention points of the Tucker. Upon sliding the clip over the top of the points I found that one of the holes on the clip would have to be made oblong slightly in order to fit the screws. About five swipes with a round file later and the clip was securely mounted to the holster with no wiggle room. Now in order to use the clip and still have retention I had to use some spare rubber mounting grommets that came with my MTAC holster from Comp-Tac.

Now the holster still retains its easy on/off capabilities while being as low profile as possible without actually getting the purposely built "slim" holster. This configuration also helps to pull the butt into your hip further concealing the pistol. With this set up you can always go back to the original center mounted configuration at any time.

NOTE: THE COMP-TAC INFIDEL SHIRT TUCKER STRUT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT A LOT MORE DRILLING/FILLING. ALSO, IT WILL GIVE THE HOLSTER WAY TOO MUCH CANT (IMHO).

Here's the standard holster:
http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/sithiw.html

Here's the slim holster:
http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/sithsiwb.html

Here's the Comp-Tac clip that will also come with the rubber grommets (at least they did when I ordered it some time ago):
http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=91

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Kahr/IMG_3760.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Kahr/IMG_3762.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Kahr/IMG_3755.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Kahr/IMG_3754.jpg

[OldLincoln]

How much difference did that make in concealability? How is stability? Can you do an "on edge" pic showing the orig mounts vs the new? I really like my ST stock setup but have been curious about the offset.

[dusty10]

I too have a silent thunder for my K9. I am curious as to your statement about your new rig having too much cant. I am wondering if that has to do with the mounting location being so far off center weight of firearm. I have my ST set up as it comes with most possible cant as I find it brings grip more vertical making for easier draw and better concealability.

[AEnemaBay]

I too have a silent thunder for my K9. I am curious as to your statement about your new rig having too much cant. I am wondering if that has to do with the mounting location being so far off center weight of firearm. I have my ST set up as it comes with most possible cant as I find it brings grip more vertical making for easier draw and better concealability.

My statement about the rig having too much cant was in reference to trying to use an Infidel shirt tucker clip as opposed to the 2 O'Clock clip. The Infidel's holes are drilled at different angles than the 2 O'Clock clip.

The weight of the pistol being off center will only affect people who carry with non-carry specific or flimsy belts where the weight will cause the belt to give. With a good gun belt the pistol/holster does not rotate forward on the belt causing more cant.

Using the 2 O'Clock clip gives the holster the same amount of cant as the standard clip when rotated to its furthest point.

[AEnemaBay]

How much difference did that make in concealability? How is stability? Can you do an "on edge" pic showing the orig mounts vs the new? I really like my ST stock setup but have been curious about the offset.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Kahr/IMG_3856.jpg

As you can see the difference is quite significant in terms of thickness. Even with the "slimline" clip from Tucker the holster would still be fairly bulky. And as I stated in the OP with the clip set in the offset position it causes the butt of the pistol to be pulled into the body.

[dusty10]

That last pic has me convinced. I'm going to try it.

[Bawanna]

Significant difference. I like the looks of it.

At the risk of getting on anyones bad side real men don't need cant. I'm a straight up kind of guy. Can't does help alleviate some printing like when just wearing a shirt but I still prefer a straight up draw.

Course 1 or 2 fellas called me weird once too.

I like the looks of your setup alot though. Maybe I'll be a cant convert.

[dusty10]

With me it's all about conceal. The cant does help with that. At least with me, the cant pushes the grip farther into the spare tire so it hides better. :D

[OldLincoln]

I am liking the idea but still curious about the carry. It appears that the new clip raises the holster about an inch higher on the belt. I have my standard clip at full cant and the inside top of the clip (top of belt) is 1/2" below the holster ridge directly above (with the belt clip straight as would be on a belt). The pic of the new clip looks to be a fair amount lower on the holster thereby raising it.

I held a spare standard clip and, at equivalent of full cant, it is too long and would interfere with acquiring the grip in a draw. At a straight vertical position it clears the grip and holster height remains the same. However the gain is only 1/4" in setback depth, not nearly what it appears you get in your setup with the CompTac clip.

So your secret has to be that clip. I may come back to this some day and give it a try. Still fighting the mag release on my Colt right now.

[Bawanna]

What's goin on with your mag release?

[Bawanna]

As many holsters as I have around here I'm seeing one of them Silent Thunders in my future one day. Looks like a good combination.

[OldLincoln]

What's goin on with your mag release?Aww, when I was young, like below the first age of reason, I decided to show off for my cousin by sticking my right thumb in the washing machine ringers. That was before the ringers got a handle to turn them off, so when the washer was going they were too. The ringers won that time and since the wash house was so far out back, it took my cousin forever to get mom.

Bottom line is that it was only my mom's fighting with the docs that kept my thumb attached at all, but it is missing a lot of ligaments and muscles. This prevents me from pushing the Colt's mag release in because the button is to far toward the tip of the thumb. The Kahr is fine because the button falls near the end joint.

I got Wolf weaker springs which help as do slim grips, but I discovered I really need an extended mag release. Not the longer ones but one that extends toward my thumb. I may get the Wilson Combat version (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=36992/sku/Oversize_Mag_Release__Blue) at Brownells, but the one I really want is this one by STI (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=29321/sku/Mag_Catch_Button). Unfortunately, it's only the button and needs a threaded post, which I won't have until I get the Wilson. Another of life's catch 22's.

[Rob Longenecker]

We offer an aftermarket offset mount to convert our standard Silent Thunder IWB to a Silent Thunder "Slim."

Keep in mind that most people do fine with the standard Silent Thunder IWB configuration, but if you want the offset conversion, we have them available for $15. They use any of the normal belt mount clips we offer.

Call or email for details.

Rob

[SpyderTattoo]

Check this out... IWB Razor Series :: IWB holsters :: Blade-Tech Industries (http://www.blade-tech.com/IWB-Razor-Series-pr-1255.html)

[Bawanna]

Check this out... IWB Razor Series :: IWB holsters :: Blade-Tech Industries (http://www.blade-tech.com/IWB-Razor-Series-pr-1255.html)

Nice, I have some blade tech holsters and they work fine but from what I can see not near as nice as the Silent Thunder with the leather lining. As you may be able to tell I've got a Silent Thunder fever I'm trying to get over right now with little success.

[OldLincoln]

The razor pics showed what I'm seeing in my ST. My belly fat pushes the holster tight against my belt with or without a clip setback or not. If measured while wearing, the most that can be saved is the thickness of one side of the clip 1/8" (3mm - half the thickness of my belt).

Sounds like over thinking to me and I'm expert at that.

[SpyderTattoo]

Hey Bawanna, nice to meet you today at the gunshow. It's always cool to put a face to a name. Especially someone you talk to on these forums. Hope you had a good time and didn't empty your wallet.

[Bawanna]

Hey Bawanna, nice to meet you today at the gunshow. It's always cool to put a face to a name. Especially someone you talk to on these forums. Hope you had a good time and didn't empty your wallet.

Right back at ya there Spyder. It was a pretty good show but I didn't have much in the wallet to begin with so I managed to empty it pretty easily. As full as the parking lot was it didn't seem all that crowded inside.???

I tried to track ya down on my way out but didn't see ya no place. Saw your pretty sidekick still at her station.

See ya next month, maybe I'll wear a disguise and see if you can pick me out.

[SpyderTattoo]

There is a swap meet at the other end of the fairgrounds. Many people don't realize they can park inside the fair so they park out there in the front lot and walk to the swap meet.

We had a little incident today while you were there that took my attention. When that was done I looked around for you but couldn't find you. That's cool though. See you next time.