The RELIC Series OWB Paddle Holster is an outside the waistband holster built around a rigid, US-made Boltaron thermoplastic exterior shell with Grade A Full Grain U.S. Steerhide leather sewn through the shell to line the interior — a construction method protected under U.S. Patent No. 12,540,791 that no other manufacturer can legally replicate. The toothed paddle attaches to your waistband without threading through your belt, locks in place under force, and delivers a tactically silent draw every time. The Boltaron exterior protects your trigger and holds retention through years of carry; the leather interior protects your gun’s finish and absorbs all draw noise — two jobs, two materials, one patented holster
Key Features & Benefits
- Patented Leather-Through-Boltaron Construction — Nobody Else Builds It This Way. U.S. Patent No. 12,540,791 covers the specific process of sewing Grade A Full Grain U.S. Steerhide leather through the Boltaron plastic shell to create a bonded leather interior lining. This is not leather glued on or dropped in as a loose insert. The leather is sewn through the shell itself, creating a permanent, integrated lining that cannot shift, bunch, or separate. No other holster manufacturer holds this patent or uses this method.
- Rigid US-Made Boltaron Exterior Shell — The Foundation of Everything. The RELIC's outer shell is molded from Boltaron thermoplastic, the same material specification used in commercial aircraft interiors. Boltaron is harder, more impact-resistant, and more temperature-tolerant than standard Kydex. The shell holds its shape and its retention specifications year after year — in heat, cold, and daily use.
- Grade A Full Grain U.S. Steerhide Leather Interior — Protects the Gun's Finish, Quiets the Draw. The interior leather lining prevents the Boltaron shell from making direct contact with your firearm's finish, absorbs draw noise, and provides a consistent draw surface that does not vary with temperature or humidity. The leather is sewn through the shell — it is part of the holster's structure, not an afterthought.
- Toothed Paddle Retention System — Stays on Your Belt Under Force. The paddle is fitted with mechanical teeth that hook directly onto clothing and belt material. Inferior paddle holsters can be pulled free during a hard draw — the entire holster comes off the belt with the gun, which is a genuine safety failure. The RELIC's toothed paddle physically prevents that from happening.
- Tactically Silent OWB Design — No Sound During Draw or Movement. The combination of the Boltaron exterior and leather interior lining produces a holster that moves quietly. No clicking. No rattling. No polymer-on-polymer noise during daily carry or a draw.
- Adjustable Ride Height and Cant — Carry It Your Way. Set the carry position to match your draw mechanics and body geometry. One holster, configured to exactly how you carry.
- Non-Collapsible Shell — Safe, One-Handed Re-Holstering Every Time. The rigid Boltaron shell does not collapse when the firearm is drawn. The holster mouth stays open. Re-holstering is one-handed, clean, and safe.
- Available for Hundreds of Firearm Models. From the Smith and Wesson Shield to the Browning Hi Power, the RELIC Series is available across a wide catalog of modern and classic handguns.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty — We Stand Behind Every Holster We Build. Every RELIC Series Paddle Holster carries a limited lifetime warranty. Made to order in Texas, built to last.
The Boltaron Advantage
Kydex is the most widely used thermoplastic in holster manufacturing. Boltaron is better. Boltaron is a higher-specification thermoplastic developed for use in commercial aircraft interiors — an environment that demands material stability across wide temperature ranges, repeated mechanical stress, and long service life. Compared to Kydex, Boltaron offers greater impact resistance, a higher usable temperature ceiling before deformation, and improved dimensional stability over time. For a hard shell OWB holster that must hold its retention fit and structural shape through years of daily carry, Boltaron is the correct material. We specify it in the RELIC Series because it outperforms the alternative — not because it is easier or cheaper to work with.
FAQ
What is a paddle holster?
A paddle holster is an outside the waistband (OWB) holster that attaches to the belt using a flat paddle insert rather than loops that require threading through a belt. The paddle slides inside the waistband while the holster body sits on the outside, allowing the wearer to put on or remove the holster without removing the belt. The RELIC Series adds a toothed retention system to the paddle that hooks onto clothing and belt material, physically preventing the holster from separating from the waistband during a draw.
Is a paddle holster good for concealed carry?
A paddle holster can be an effective outside the waistband concealed carry option when worn under a cover garment such as an untucked shirt or jacket. The RELIC Series is specifically designed as a tactically silent OWB paddle holster — the Boltaron exterior and leather interior lining eliminate draw noise — which makes it a practical daily carry option for those who prioritize structure, retention, and draw speed.
What is the difference between Boltaron and Kydex?
Boltaron and Kydex are both thermoplastics used in hard shell holster manufacturing, but Boltaron performs better under real-world conditions. Originally developed for commercial aircraft interiors, Boltaron provides greater impact resistance, a higher temperature tolerance before deformation, and better dimensional stability over long service periods. JM4 Tactical specifies Boltaron in the RELIC Series because it maintains its retention fit and structural integrity longer and more reliably than Kydex under the demands of daily carry.
How do you wear a paddle holster?
Insert the paddle inside your waistband so it sits flat against your body, while the holster body remains on the outside. No belt removal is required. The RELIC Series features mechanical retention teeth on the paddle that hook into clothing and belt material, locking the holster in place during carry and during the draw. Once seated, use the adjustable hardware to set your preferred ride height and cant.
Is leather or Kydex better for a holster?
The question assumes you have to choose one, and the RELIC Series is built on the premise that the better answer is both — each material assigned to the job it is actually suited for. The Boltaron exterior handles rigid retention, structural shape, and heat/impact durability. The Grade A Full Grain U.S. Steerhide leather interior handles finish protection, draw noise reduction, and surface consistency. The leather is sewn through the Boltaron shell under U.S. Patent No. 12,540,791 — it is part of the holster's construction, not an insert or add-on. You do not have to choose between a hard shell holster and a leather-lined holster because the RELIC Series is both.
The RELIC Series OWB Paddle Holster is custom made to order in Texas. Allow up to 14 business days for production and shipment. As a custom made-to-order item, this holster is not eligible for exchange or return — please confirm your firearm model before placing your order. Questions about fit or compatibility? Contact our team before ordering.
Select your firearm model above to get started.
