FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Ordering & Lead Times

What is the difference between Quickship and Custom holsters?
Quickship holsters ship in standard black within 5 business days. Custom holsters offer color and pattern options and ship within 15 business days. Both are produced from the same GEN6 CNC-machined molds (0.003" tolerance) and are fit-tested before leaving the shop. Shop QUICKSHIP | Shop CUSTOM Read our QUICKSHIP vs CUSTOM guide.

How long do orders take to ship?
Quickship orders typically ship within 5 business days; Custom orders within 15 business days. Lead times exclude weekends and holidays. Orders over $99.99 ship free within the United States. We also ship to APO/FPO addresses.

Are you open over Thanksgiving?
We're closed Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving. You can still order online that day. Orders placed on Thanksgiving are processed when we reopen on Friday, November 27 (Black Friday), and ship within our normal lead times: Quickship typically within 5 business days, Custom within 15 business days.

When do I need to order for Christmas?
Order Custom holsters by Tuesday, November 24 and Quickship holsters by Tuesday, December 8 for Christmas delivery. Free ground shipping applies to US orders over $99.99. Ordering later? Paid shipping upgrades are available at checkout.

Do you ship internationally?
We do not currently ship directly outside the United States. International customers can contact Varusteleka. UK customers can contact ODIN Group.

Fit & Compatibility

Will a holster for one model of my pistol fit a different barrel length or frame size?
Not reliably. Small dimensional differences (barrel length, slide length, width, or grip height) change how the pistol seats and where retention occurs. We use dedicated molds for specific configurations. Always confirm the exact model, generation, optic, and light on the product page. See our model-specific guides (examples: Springfield Echelon, Walther PDP, Glock 19/43X/48/45).

Do your holsters fit the Glock Gen 6?
Yes. Our 9mm Glock holsters fit the Gen 6 version of the same 9mm model. For a G19 or G45 Gen 6, order our GLOCK 19/23/44/45 holster. For a G17 Gen 6, order our GLOCK 17/22/47/49 holster. For light-bearing holsters, Gen 6 fits all our light-bearing 9mm Glock holsters. Our GEN6 name is our mold generation, not the Glock pistol.

Do your holsters work with red dots and suppressor-height sights?
Most GEN6 holsters are optics-ready and include a tall sight channel. The optic cut clears common footprints (RMR, RMSc/Shield, etc.). Note larger optics (such as an SRO) in the order comments. An optics-ready shell will generally accept the same pistol with the optic removed; the reverse is not true. Optics-ready fit details

Can I use a light-bearing holster without the light, or a standard holster with a light?
No. Light-bearing (TACTICAL) holsters index on the specific light body. Removing the light or adding one to a standard shell destroys consistent retention. Match the exact light model listed on the product page. Light-bearing guide

Product Lines

What is the difference between IWB COVERT and IWB ALPHA?
COVERT is the standard IWB shell. ALPHA adds 1.75" CNG spring-steel belt clips and a Dark Wing for improved belt stability and grip tuck. Many models are ALPHA-upgradeable. Compare COVERT/ALPHA

What is the MOD1 sidecar system?
The MOD1 is a GEN6 appendix (AIWB) sidecar with an integrated spare magazine carrier, flexible hinge, and ALPHA hardware as standard. It was developed in partnership with Jamey Caldwell of 1 Minute Out. MOD1 collection | MOD1 vs MOD1-LIMA guide

What is the TRINITY system?
TRINITY is our GEN6 OWB belt-mounted platform designed for duty, training, and open carry. It supports multiple mounting options and optional Level 2 retention. TRINITY collection

Concealment & Setup

How do I reduce printing with an IWB or AIWB holster?
Use a concealment wing (claw) and wedge together, set proper ride height, and pair the holster with a rigid gun belt. The wing rotates the grip inward; the wedge manages muzzle angle. Details are in our Concealment Wing & Wedge guide and AIWB Holster Guide. Gun belts | Gun Belt Sizing Guide

Warranty, Returns & Care

What is your return and exchange policy?
Quickship holsters come with a 30-day trial. That includes Quickship holsters bought on sale or with a discount code, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday orders. If it's not right, contact us within 30 days of delivery and we'll help you exchange it for another Quickship holster of equal or lesser value (or you can pay the difference for a higher-priced item), or start a return. Returns need all original hardware (clips, screws, and attachments), the original packaging and your order number. No tags or receipt are needed. Test-fitting with an unloaded firearm is fine. As long as it hasn't been carried or worn, it still counts as unused for the 30-day trial. Orders placed on Amazon are returned through Amazon's return process and aren't covered by our 30-day trial.

Made just for you: Custom holsters are built to order for your gun, so they can't be returned. If there's ever a manufacturing defect, we'll make it right. International orders (shipped outside the US) are final sale too. APO/FPO military addresses count as US orders. Every holster, Custom and international included, is still covered if there's a manufacturing defect. Gift cards can't be returned.

If your order arrives damaged, defective or wrong, contact us right away and we'll make it right. Full details: Refund Policy.

Who pays for return shipping?
You pay the cost to ship your return to us, except for defective items, where we cover return shipping. Original shipping fees are not refunded.

What is your warranty?
Products made by C&G Holsters carry a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. That includes Custom holsters and international orders. Third-party products carry their manufacturer's warranty. If something goes wrong, contact us and we'll make it right. See Warranty Information and Shipping & Returns for details.

How do I maintain my Kydex holster?
Clean the interior periodically, adjust retention screws in small increments, and check hardware tightness. Use blue (removable) threadlocker on retention screws if desired. Full guidance is in our Kydex maintenance guide.

GEN6 Engineering

What does GEN6 mean?
GEN6 is our sixth generation of holster mold design. The shells are formed from custom aluminum molds that are CNC-machined to a 0.003" tolerance. The molds do not rely on foam tooling that can compress or wear between cycles.

After thermoforming, each holster is finished, assembled, and fit-tested with the listed firearm configuration before it ships. The process is intended to produce consistent retention geometry (audible click) and a clean draw path across units of the same model. Optics-ready cuts and light-bearing channels are engineered into the mold rather than added later.

Both Quickship and Custom holsters use the same GEN6 molds.

About C&G

Are C&G holsters made in the USA? Are you Berry Amendment compliant?
Yes. All C&G Holsters are handcrafted in the USA (outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) by a team that includes veterans and law enforcement officers.

We are Berry Amendment compliant. Our CAGE/NCAGE code is 247U8.

Founder Christopher J. Burns is a former Engineer, retired Law Enforcement Officer and Master Firearms Instructor. Every holster is CNC-machined from custom aluminum molds to 0.003" tolerance and fit-tested before it ships.

Still have questions?
Contact us or call 724-858-2856 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET). Many fit questions are resolved by checking the specific product page notes.