The RELIC Series Appendix Carry Holster is a Boltaron hard-shell AIWB holster with Grade A Full Grain U.S. Steerhide leather sewn through the exterior shell to line the interior — a construction method protected under U.S. Patent No. 12,540,791 that no other manufacturer can legally replicate. Designed for appendix inside the waistband (AIWB) carry, it delivers a tactically silent draw in both directions, a non-collapsible shell for safe one-handed re-holstering, and a Boltaron exterior that holds its retention and shape through years of daily carry. The leather interior is the only material that ever contacts your firearm — protecting the finish on every draw and every return.
Key Features & Benefits
- Patented Leather-Through-Boltaron Construction (U.S. Patent No. 12,540,791). The RELIC Series is built on a process we invented and hold utility patent protection on: the leather is not glued or placed inside the holster — it is sewn through the Boltaron shell itself. This binds the two materials into a single structural unit, eliminates interior movement, and ensures the lining never shifts, bunches, or separates over time.
- Rigid Boltaron Thermoplastic Exterior Shell. The exterior of the RELIC is Boltaron — a high-performance polymer used in commercial aircraft interior panels for its heat resistance, impact strength, and dimensional stability. It is stronger and more temperature-resistant than Kydex and holds its shape under conditions that cause Kydex to warp or deform. Your holster will not change shape in a hot vehicle, in summer heat, or under sustained body contact.
- Grade A Full Grain U.S. Steerhide Interior Lining. The interior leather is 100% Full Grain Grade A U.S. Steerhide. It protects your firearm's finish on every draw and re-holster, eliminating the scratching and abrasion that bare polymer interiors cause over time. It also contributes to the tactically silent operation of the RELIC.
- Tactically Silent Draw and Re-Holster. The Boltaron exterior and leather interior combination produces no audible noise on draw or return. In a defensive or low-profile scenario, silence is not a comfort feature — it is a tactical requirement. The RELIC delivers it on both strokes.
- Non-Collapsible Shell for Safe One-Handed Re-Holstering. The rigid Boltaron shell holds its mouth open at all times. You can re-holster with one hand without looking down and without using your support hand to hold the holster open. This is a critical safety feature — holsters that collapse require attention and manipulation that creates unsafe firearm handling in a dynamic situation.
- Adjustable Retention, Cant and Ride Height. Appendix carry is highly position-dependent, and every body is different. The RELIC lets you dial in your preferred retention, cant angle and ride height so the grip sits exactly where you need it for your draw stroke, your clothing, and your body type.
- Available for Hundreds of Firearm Models. The RELIC Series is fitted to your specific firearm at the time of order — not a generic shell. Whether you are carrying a Glock 43 with a TLR-6 light, a Sig P365XL, or a full-size duty pistol, we fit the holster to your gun.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty. We back the RELIC Series with a limited lifetime warranty. We make this holster in Texas and we stand behind every one we ship.
The Boltaron Advantage
Boltaron outperforms Kydex in every measurable way that matters to a carry holster. Boltaron is a higher-grade thermoplastic polymer — the same material used in commercial aircraft interior panels — that maintains structural integrity at higher temperatures, resists impact better, and retains its molded shape over longer periods of use. Kydex is widely available and inexpensive, which is why most holster manufacturers use it. We use Boltaron because it does not warp in a hot vehicle, does not soften under sustained body heat, and holds retention tolerances more consistently over time. If you have ever pulled a Kydex holster out of a hot car and found it slightly deformed, you understand why the material choice matters. Boltaron does not do that.
FAQ
What is appendix carry?
Appendix carry is a method of inside-the-waistband (IWB) concealed carry in which the holster is positioned at the front of the body — typically between the 12 o'clock and 1:30 positions on the waistband, roughly in front of the hip or just to the side of the navel. The name comes from the anatomical position near the appendix. Appendix carry, also called AIWB (appendix inside the waistband), places the firearm in a location that is naturally covered by most clothing, allows a fast and consistent draw stroke, and keeps the gun accessible while seated. It has become one of the most widely adopted concealed carry positions for both everyday carriers and trained defensive shooters.
Is appendix carry safe?
Appendix carry is safe when practiced with a quality holster designed for the method and when the carrier follows fundamental firearm safety rules at all times. The most important hardware requirement for safe AIWB carry is a non-collapsible holster shell — one that holds its mouth open during re-holstering so the trigger guard is fully covered and the firearm cannot make contact with the trigger during the return stroke. The RELIC Series AIWB holster is built on a rigid Boltaron shell that does not collapse, making one-handed re-holstering safe and repeatable. As with any method of carrying a loaded firearm, dry-fire practice and consistent technique are essential.
What is the best holster for appendix carry?
The best appendix carry holster is one built specifically for AIWB carry with a rigid, non-collapsible shell; a leather or smooth interior lining to protect your firearm's finish and enable a quiet, friction-free draw; and adjustable cant and ride height to fit your body and carry preference. The JM4 Tactical RELIC Series appendix carry holster meets all of those criteria and adds a patented construction method — leather sewn through the Boltaron shell (U.S. Patent No. 12,540,791) — that no other holster manufacturer offers. It is custom-fitted to your specific firearm model and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
What is the difference between Boltaron and Kydex?
Boltaron and Kydex are both thermoplastic polymers commonly used in holster manufacturing, but they are not equivalent materials. Boltaron is a higher-performance polymer developed for applications where dimensional stability, impact resistance, and heat tolerance are critical — it is used in commercial aircraft interior panels because it holds its shape under demanding conditions. Kydex is a more widely available, lower-cost alternative that is adequate for most normal-use applications but is more prone to softening and deforming under sustained high heat — such as a holster left in a hot vehicle in summer. JM4 Tactical uses Boltaron exclusively in the RELIC Series because it maintains retention tolerances and structural shape more consistently over time and across temperature conditions than a Kydex holster.
Is an IWB holster good for concealed carry?
An inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster is one of the most effective options for concealed carry because the holster and firearm are positioned inside the waistband against the body, where they are naturally covered by a shirt, jacket, or outer layer without requiring a dedicated cover garment. IWB holsters — including AIWB appendix holsters — reduce printing compared to outside-the-waistband carry and allow comfortable all-day wear. The primary trade-off is that IWB carry requires pants with approximately one inch of additional waist space to accommodate the holster. A quality IWB appendix holster like the RELIC Series, with adjustable cant and ride height, allows the carrier to dial in a position that is both comfortable for all-day wear and optimized for a fast, consistent draw.
The RELIC Series Appendix Holster is custom made to order in Texas. Please allow 10–14 business days for your order to ship. Because every holster is built specifically to your firearm model and configuration, RELIC Series holsters are not eligible for exchange or return. Verify your firearm make, model, and any attached accessories or light/laser configurations before placing your order. If you have questions about fitment, contact us before ordering.
