Blackhawk Omnivore Review — Handgun Holster Eats Polymer and Steel Pistols

In this Blackhawk Omnivore review, veteran soldier and law enforcement officer Michael Mills evaluates a unique handgun holster that is suitable for a range pistols including your favorite Springfield Armory 1911 and XD-M Elite. But does the concept of one size fits all really apply to firearms gear? The holster in this review was provided by Blackhawk to the author.

Take a trip back to grade school with me and let’s talk about what an omnivore is. For those of us who remember our lessons, an omnivore is an animal that eats plants and meats.

Is the Blackhawk Omnivore Multifit Holster the ultimate one-size-fits-all holster?

Well, the Blackhawk Omnivore Multifit Holster is kind of the same, only with inorganics. It will pretty much eat everything from steel-framed guns to striker-fired polymer pistols. But how does it accomplish this astounding adaptability?

This is a color photograph of the Blackhawk Omnivore holster on the author's duty belt. It is not a thumb break holster, but it still uses a thumb-driven active retention system that locks the gun into the handgun holster. It can be purchased in black or Coyote tan color. — If your pistol can accept a tactical light on a rail, it probably will fit the Omnivore holster.

What’s the Catch?

Technically, the catch is a small piece of polymer inside the holster that locks onto your chosen weapon-mounted light, be it a Surefire X300 or Streamlight TLR-1 or TLR-2. The Omnivore itself is a ruggedly made synthetic holster that can fit more than 150 semi-auto-style pistols with an accessory rail, and it employs a Level 2 retention system that locks the pistol in place.

In this photo, we see the Omnivore holster with an XD-M Elite inserted into it. The internal safety on the firearm works perfectly with this gun. It also works with other brands and models of pistols including those from Glock, the Walther P99, the FN FNS, Beretta M9 and others. It covers the trigger and is compatible with red dot sights and SureFire and Streamlight tactical flashlights. — Mike tried out the holster with both an XD-M Elite Tactical OSP and a Range Officer 1911.

How does it achieve this? The difference in the Omnivore as noted earlier is where its retention locks onto the firearm. Unlike most other active retention holsters that either lock onto the slide or have a closing hood, the Omnivore uses the attached light itself for retention.

Shown in this photo are the Blackhawk Omnivore duty holster, the 9x19mm Parabellum chambered Springfield XD-M Elite that is fitted with a Holosun red dot sight and a Streamlight TLR-1 weapon light. The striker-fired pistol is perfect for police officer, deputy sheriff and others in law enforcement. The Blackhawk holster is a perfect match for the handgun. — The author fitted out his XD-M Elite with a Holosun 507C X2 red dot and a Streamlight TLR-1 HL.

What You Need

All you need is your current duty-style pistol — in my case a Springfield Armory 1911 Range Officer with a Recover Tactical Grip & Rail System and an XD-M Elite Tactical OSP — fitted out specifically with either a Surefire X300 or Streamlight TLR-1 or 2. Those are the types of lights with which the Omnivore is designed to work.

The M1911 semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP pistol cartridge fits perfectly in the Blackhawk Omnivore. During testing, the author tested different guns in the holster and was impressed at how well the holster performed on the shooting range and in dry fire practice. — The Omnivore worked equally well with both the XD-M Elite and the 1911 with the Recover Tactical Grip & Rail System.

Basically, if you have a gun with a rail and you can get one of the aforementioned lights on the rail, you will likely be able to use this holster. There is a list on Blackhawk’s website of over 150 pistols that currently have been test fitted in this holster design.

The holster is offered in black, black and tan, or black and gray. I tried out the latter of those myself for the test with both my pistols and a Streamlight TLR-1 HL and came away very impressed. It locked up tightly, released the pistol quickly, and was a pleasure to use on the range.

Blackhawk Omnivore Specifications and Features

Fits more than 150 different models of semi-automatic pistols using the accessory rail as the locking point
Compatible with both SureFire X300 and Streamlight TLR-1 and TLR-2 weapon mounted lights
Comes with a rail attachment device for use with guns not equipped with a tactical flashlight
Active retention system with height adjustable thumb release
Blackhawk rates this as a Level II holster. See our article on holster retention levels for more information.
Both belt loops and paddle attachments are included with the holster
Suggested retail price of $62.95

Skeleton Key Holster

Look, I get that it’s cool to have a lot of different guns and accessories. I do myself. However, I also like saving money when and where I can. That’s what’s so great about the Blackhawk Omnivore. No more swapping holsters every time to go to the range with a different pistol. Bring all of your toys and in moments go from one pistol to the next in the same holster. Just buy that one holster — which has an MSRP of $62.95 — and you are good to go.

The author on the shooting range testing the Blackhawk Omnivore with his Springfield Armory Inc. pistol. The polymer frame striker fired handgun is available in a variety of calibers including 10mm Auto. The holster works with all of them. — Mike found the thumb retention system of the Omnivore to be quick and intuitive after a short amount of time on the range.

You’ll need to spend some time getting used to the thumb retention, but after a trip or two to the range you will have it down and be drawing your pistol fluidly. And, you’ll have a solid holster that will eat just about anything you throw at it.

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