10 Years of the Magnetic Holster: How JM4 Tactical Changed Concealed Carry Forever
Ten years ago, a husband-and-wife team in Abilene, Texas sat down with a simple but powerful question: Why should you have to change how you dress just to carry?
That question became the foundation of the JM4 Tactical Magnetic Holster  — now one of the most recognized patented magnetic retention holsters in the concealed carry market. A decade later, the answer they built is still changing the way people carry every day.
The Problem That Started It All
In January 2016, JM4 Tactical Co-Owner Chad noticed a gap that millions of carriers were silently dealing with like his wife, Shawndalyn, most people don’t wear belts every day. Athletic wear, casual outfits, beltless pants — real life doesn’t always come with a belted waistband. And traditional holster clips? They damage clothing.
According to the  National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) , concealed carry permit holders have grown significantly over the past decade — yet comfort and wearability remain among the top barriers for everyday carriers. Standard IWB holsters and OWB holsters were designed around belt-dependent carry. That left a huge portion of the carry community — especially those in athletic clothing or everyday casual wear — without a reliable, comfortable option.
So, he built one.
“Chad started building the Magnetic Holster because I needed a way to carry that worked with how I actually dress day-to-day. Athletic clothing and beltless outfits are part of real life for a lot of people. We wanted a solution for me that felt secure, drew cleanly, and didn’t require changing my entire wardrobe.”— Shawndalyn, Co-Owner, JM4 Tactical
From Prototype to Patented: The Birth of a Better Carry Solution
Early 2016 was spent prototyping, testing, and dialing in the exact right level of magnetic retention — strong enough to hold securely, smooth enough for a clean draw. After filing a provisional patent application with the  U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) , JM4 Tactical officially launched the Original Magnetic Holster on March 15, 2016, at a local Abilene gun show and through social media.
The first release was simple: one style (known today as the Original), one color (natural tan), two sizes (small and large). But what it offered was anything but simple — a beltless concealed carry holster that worked with real life.
The Market Responded Immediately
The demand was instant. In the first 16 days after launch, JM4 Tactical recorded $3,504 in gross sales. The numbers kept climbing:
End of Q2 2016: $98,283 in gross sales for Q2
End of Q3 2016: $261,256 in gross sales for Q3
End of Q4 2016: $313,537 in gross sales for Q4
The magnetic gun holster had struck a nerve. Carriers across the country were looking for exactly this — a comfortable concealed carry solution that didn’t compromise security or require a wardrobe overhaul.
Growing to Meet Demand: A Texas Success Story
The growth wasn’t just in sales. JM4 Tactical scaled fast to keep up:
July 2016 — Moved from the garage into an 800 sq ft office and hired first employees
November 2016 — Expanded to a 1,700 sq ft office
February/March 2017 — Surpassed $1 million in gross sales just 11 months after launch
August 2019 — Moved into a 4,000 sq ft facility and opened an on-site firearms training center
By the end of year one, JM4 Tactical had already expanded to 12 sizes in five color options. By June 2017, new Magnetic Holster styles — including the High-Ride and the Roughneck — were added to the lineup, expanding sizing and carry options even further.
Where JM4 Tactical Stands Today
Ten years in, the JM4 Tactical Magnetic Holster isn’t a niche product — it’s a proven carry system trusted by everyday carriers, law enforcement, and firearms instructors across the country. The  United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) recognizes that responsible carry starts with gear that fits your lifestyle — a principle JM4 Tactical has built its entire product line around.
Today’s lineup includes five Magnetic Holster styles, most available with or without optic cut accommodations, across five color options and 30 sizes — built to fit a wide range of handguns and carry preferences.
Every holster is still made in Texas, built with the same commitment to comfort, security, and real-life wearability that started it all in 2016.
Why the Magnetic Holster Still Stands Apart
After a decade on the market, the core advantages of the JM4 Tactical Magnetic Holster remain unmatched:
No belt required — works with athletic wear, casual clothing, and everything in between
Magnetic retention — secure hold with a smooth, natural draw
No clothing damage — no clips, no snags, no marks
Made in the USA — every holster crafted in Abilene, Texas ( why American-made matters )
Patented design — original, proven, protected
10 Years. One Mission. Carry Comfortable.
JM4 Tactical was built on the belief that comfortable concealed carry shouldn’t require compromise. Whether you’re heading to the gym, running errands, or spending a day at the range, your everyday carry holster should work with your life — not against it.
That mission hasn’t changed. And after 10 years, neither has the quality behind every holster JM4 Tactical ships out of Abilene, Texas.
Ready to carry the way you actually live? Explore the full line of JM4 Tactical Magnetic Holsters.
JM4 Tactical is a Texas-based manufacturer of patented magnetic retention holsters, traditional leather holsters, and tactical accessories. All products are made in the USA.
