My biggest concern with the Hellcat Pro was finding the right holster.
When the Hellcat Pro launched, there were some very good carry holsters available immediately.
One of those was the Mitch Rosen 5JR Express Holster.
Part of the Express line, the author found the 5JR holster demonstrated all of the craftsmanship that the Mitch Rosen name represents.
Let me tell you about my experiences with it.
Also new at the time was a startup holster maker in New Hampshire known as Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather.
I recall reading gun magazines of the era and seeing folks like TheArmoryLife.coms ownMassad Ayoobreviewing the Mitch Rosen rigs.
The author found the Mitch Rosen 5JR Express holster was a great carry option for the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro.
Those reviews included glossy color photos of the beautiful holsters.
Fast forward a few decades, and the Mitch Rosen company is still making gorgeous custom holsters.
It seemed like the perfect time to try out one of the Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather holsters for myself.
The 5JR Express rig used high-quality stitching that suggests it will last for a lifetime — or longer.
What many people dont seem to realize is the company also offers an Express Line of products.
In my opinion, one of the best options in this line of products is the 5JR Express.
For additional information, check out my article on holster retention.
Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather stamps the leather of each holster. Not only are the markings crisp and clear, they help ID the proper rig if you own more than one.
My 5JR Express was a rich black color with a pleasant shine across the entirety of the leather.
All of the edges had a smooth rounding I did not expect.
Typically, a value-price holster eliminates some of the nicer features that take more time and money to add.
The author found the 5JR Express holster pulled in tight against the body to improve concealment under a jacket, sweatshirt or other cover garment.
Likewise, the stitching on this holster appeared neat and seemed very rugged.
I find it easier to draw the gun from this angle when I carry just behind the strong-side hip.
This position also minimizes printing, so I consider it to be ideal for my needs.
The 5JR Express is cut to allow for mounted red dot sights. The author tested this with several optics.
Also helping to minimize printing is the shape of the holster.
Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather molds the 5JR Express with a curve that matches the roundness of the hip.
I found the rig tucks in nicely against the body when worn with a properly sized belt.
For OWB carry, the Mitch Rosen 5JR Express is the author’s favorite carry rig for his Hellcat Pro.
I cant emphasize this enough: buy a good quality gun belt if you carry a pistol.
A floppy belt or one that is too thin doesnt offer a stable platform for the holster.
A thicker, stiffer belt is much more comfortable than you would think.
Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather designed the 5JR Express to fit the Hellcat Pro with a red dot sight mounted.
I wore the Hellcat Pro and 5JR Express combination extensively at work.
I found them to be comfortable for all-day wear.
Unfortunately, I spend a lot of time behind a keyboard.
Seated positions can cause the biggest comfort issues with some holsters.
Final Thoughts on the 5JR Express
Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather creates amazing gear for the armed citizen.
Even the products in the companys Express Line are of very high quality.
The bonus, of course, is the very reasonable pricing.
Did I forget to mention that?
Its only $85 in theSpringfield Armory store.
If you ask me, this is a bargain.
Go to forum thread
Mitch Rosen5JR Express Holster
HellcatPro Series
