Review: BlackPoint Tactical Mini Wing IWB Holster
December 6th, 2023
7 minute read
Finding the correct holster for your carry gun is a personal decision that often comes down to a balance of comfort, cost and concealability. In today’s Black Point Tactical Mini Wing IWB holster review, Mike Humphries examines a hybrid rig that blends traditional materials with Kydex to offer something that just might appeal to many readers.
I will own this right up front. I have been a leather holster guy for a long time. Now, don’t take that to mean I only carry a 1911, or even some dusty old wheelgun. I enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge design and have been carrying polymer-framed pistols with red dots for many years now.
For me, there was always something comforting and familiar about the feel of a leather holster. I also always liked the style of them. But, I have been reconsidering my position on this and have recently modernized my carry system for my Hellcat Pro. I’m learning that change is the only constant upon which we can all rely.
A New Foundation
When the Hellcat Pro 9mm launched in early 2022, I immediately knew I needed to get one. As someone who had been happily carrying a Hellcat OSP with a Shield RMSc red dot, I knew the Hellcat platform was a great EDC. Add to that the fact that I tend to favor larger pistols over smaller ones for CCW, and the new Pro was just about irresistible.
Once I had picked up my own Hellcat Pro and topped it off with a Shield RMSc, I immediately fell for it. Slim and compact, yet packing 15+1 rounds of 9mm in a flush-fit magazine, the Hellcat Pro combined the ease of concealment of a small pistol with the performance and capability of a much larger one.
But what holster would I carry it in? A quick perusal of the Springfield Armory Store located a BlackPoint Tactical DualPoint 2.0 inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster in left hand for $89.99 in black. I decided that it was time for me to transition away from leather to a more modern material.
Designed with appendix IWB (AIWB) in mind but also adaptable to strong-side carry, the Kydex DualPoint 2.0 did a wonderful job of concealing my optics-equipped Hellcat Pro. I also learned to appreciate the benefits of Kydex — namely lightweight construction and a tight “snap” fit to retain my firearm when it clicked into place.
Familiar Ground
As someone who used to exclusively carry strong-side IWB, I found the transition to AWIB carry interesting. There are a lot of benefits to this mode of carry, hence its extreme popularity these days. The DualPoint 2.0 is also an exceptionally well-made holster.
However, I found myself wanting to transition back to dedicated strong-side IWB carry. And while the DualPoint 2.0 is adaptable to this style of carry, I wanted to see what else BlackPoint had to offer. So, I did a little digging around on their website and spotted the Mini Wing IWB holster for $98.99 and ordered a left-handed one.
Designed as an extremely minimalistic holster, the Mini WING drew me in through its slim and petite dimensions combined with its ruggedly solid feel and construction. I could immediately tell that this holster was designed to not only help make a gun practically disappear on your waist, but would also securely grip and retain it.
The Details
There is also one other unique aspect to the Mini WING, and one that was of particular appeal to me. In addition to its primarily Kydex construction, the Mini WING also features leather “mini wings”. These are incorporated into the holster to allow it to wrap around the contours of your waist, as well as offer flexibility as you move throughout the day.
I was immediately won over by the fit and feel of the Mini WING. Its combination of Kydex and leather made for a holster that has the benefits of both. I got the slim dimensions and “click” of the pistol in the holster you get with Kydex, and I also had the comfort and flexibility you get with leather. Also, unlike leather, there was no break-in period.
The holster features two widely spaced steel belt clips that are designed to snap over your belt to allow for ease of removal and fitting. Their wide spacing also makes the holster extremely flat and easy to conceal on your waist. I also noted that the holster has numerous adjustment points for adapting not only its height but its cant. As with the DualPoint 2.0, the Mini WING IWB is designed to be usable in a range of positions around the waist, from appendix on back.
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I recently fitted out my Hellcat Pro with the newest version of the Shield RMSc, which features a scratch-resistant glass lens as well as upgraded electronics and improved battery contacts. However, it still features the same overall size and footprint. I noted that the Mini WING had plenty of clearance for the mounted optic.
Support Tools
As having spare ammunition is always a good idea, I also ordered an outside-the-waistband (OWB) left-hand single “Spare Magazine Pouch” from BlackPoint Tactical for $43.99 to go with the Mini WING. While one of their IWB units would have been lower profile, I personally don’t like having both an IWB holster and IWB mag pouch on at the same time.
Offered in single and double variants, the magazine pouch features solid Kydex construction. I also noted that it has a curvature to its body that makes it fit comfortably against your body, rather than a flat body with curves at the edges. The single pouch that I acquired has fixed retention, while the double magazine versions offer adjustable retention with an adjustment screw. Fixed belt loops ensure the pouch remains solidly on your belt.
To support both the Mini WING holster and the Spare Magazine Pouch, I needed a belt. Since I had upgraded from classic leather to something more modern for my holster, I decided my belt choice might deserve the same treatment. I had recently seen an advertisement for Kore Essentials belts and was intrigued. I selected the Kore Essentials 1.5” Gun Belt in black leather with an “X3” buckle in “gunmetal” dark gray for $59.95. All in all, a very handsome belt.
Offered in a wide range of colors and buckle styles, these belts are extremely low-key looking yet have a very innovative feature. Specifically, they feature a ratcheting micro-adjustable locking system that allows you to precisely fit the belt to your waist.
It accomplishes this through a reinforced “Power-Core” center with a toothed track. The ratchet system in the buckle interfaces with this track to allow you to adjust the belt precisely to fit your waist. However, the outside of the belt — with a buckle with a fake belt notch prong — looks like any other “normal” belt. Also, the belt is adjustable to a wide range of waist sizes, from 24” all the way up to 54”. I found the belt made tuning the perfect amount of tension for my holster and spare mag pouch extremely easy.
And lastly, I picked up two Ammo Armor magazine protectors. With these, I can easily carry two spare mags in my pocket, protected within the Ammo Armor polymer cases. If you have not used these, they are convenient and low-profile means for carrying back-up mags. Simply draw, place it in the crook of your primary arm (while keeping the pistol pointed in a safe direction) and strip out the fresh mag. And at $9.95 each, they are extremely affordable.
Conclusion
I couldn’t be happier with my new EDC rig. With the solid foundation of the Hellcat Pro and Shield RMSc Glass Edition, I now have a means to comfortably carry the whole system along with either one or up to three spare magazines — and all quite discreetly.
While a few years back I would have been carrying a 1911 in a leather rig with maybe two spare magazines, I now have an ultra-modern and red dot-equipped 9mm pistol in an equally modern and advanced carry set-up. It looks like the only constant we can count on truly is change.
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Mike Humphries
Michael Humphries is editor of The Armory Life. He has worked for nearly two decades in the firearms industry, serving on the editorial staff of American Rifleman with the National Rifle Association as well as holding editorial positions with publishers such as FMG Publications and GunsAmerica.com. He currently lives in Iowa with his family and enjoys trying out new guns and gear whenever possible.
