Out of the Ashes

Personal tragedy triggered a creative spark.

Versacarry is a Texas-based manufacturer of a wide variety of concealed-carry holsters. It also makes carry belts and magazine pouches. Justin Sitz, a native of Texas, has always been a firearm enthusiast and inventor and the proud father of two, Rayleigh and Gunner, who have already started learning to shoot. He founded Versacarry after losing all his belongings when his house burned down twelve years ago. The tragedy, however, led to the spark of innovation that fueled his first patent, the Zerobulk holster. His revolutionary new holster jump-started the company, and Versacarry has been growing ever since.

SHOT Business: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the industry in the next five years?
Justin Sitz: Obviously, new gun laws and efforts to take away more firearm freedoms are always concerning and need to be confronted by the industry; however, I believe the largest looming threat is anti-gun censorship. The continual screening of content from any firearm-related business stands to only hurt our industry. I do believe as an industry we will rally together and overcome this obstacle, just as we have previously overcome countless other challenges.

SB: What opportunities do you see?
JS: The opportunities I see for our industry are for us as a community to come together and continue to help each other. The most exciting new marketing strategy has been to partner with affiliates and creators. These passionate people have a voice that gives pro-gun enthusiasts a new way to access a wealth of industry knowledge. Through these partnerships our community can take steps toward overcoming anti-gun censorship.

SB: When you get up in the morning, what gets you excited about working in the industry?
JS: I’ve always been passionate about design, and I am happiest when we are knee deep in prototypes and patents. No matter what role I play at the company, I continue to find myself drawn toward R&D. I’m still amazed I can build a growing business, employ hard-working Americans, and work in an industry I love.

SB: How will you meet the expectations of your customers?
JS: We’ll do it just as we’ve done for years with three simple steps. It all begins by listening to our customers and understanding their needs. Learning to listen to customers helps us create products people can get excited about. Once we get feedback, then the fun begins with development. With long nights and a lot of passion, we can create a product we are proud to brand Versacarry. The final step is bringing quality, American-made gear to market at an exceptional value. Following this tried-and-true formula has been an effective strategy since the creation of Versacarry over a decade ago.

SB: In a very competitive world, how does Versacarry stay ahead of the pack?
JS: We stay ahead as a company through a process of continual innovation. Our gear pushes the envelope of the industry through design, material selection, and style. Our different designs and variations give customers a wide variety of options and allows them to choose the holster that is perfect for them. Offering these Texas-made products at an exceptional value makes sure our customers are happy and come back for more.

SB: What inspired you to create Versacarry?
JS: After losing everything in a house fire, you might think your first purchase would be a new toothbrush. It might not be normal, but my first purchase was a firearm. I quickly realized there were no great solutions for easy, concealed carry. It was during the rebuilding process that I tinkered with several options and eventually came up with the patented Zerobulk holster. I instantly knew this holster was revolutionary, so much so that I diverted from rebuilding my house and focused all my time and funding into building Versacarry instead.

SB: As mentioned, your first holster was the Zerobulk. It’s still in the line. What is the enduring appeal of this design?
JS: I still use the Zerobulk almost every day. I love hearing from people that the holster that started it all is the one they’ve been using for years. It remains one of our more popular holsters because of its simplicity and longevity in the market.

SB: Comfort and concealment are high on the list for most concealed carry users. How does Versacarry meet both of those needs?
JS: We do this by eliminating unnecessary mass and combining novel materials to create cutting-edge designs that emphasize both comfort and concealment. These industry-leading attributes can be best seen in our Comfort Flex Deluxe and Comfort Flex Custom lines of holsters. The Comfort series of holsters continues to lead the way for the combination of comfort and concealment.

SB: How have you seen the popularity of hybrid holsters grow for Versacarry?
JS: We have seen that if a holster isn’t comfortable, people won’t carry it. Some of our top-selling holsters, such as our Comfort Flex Custom, are hybrid combinations. I think that is a big reason we have seen our hybrid line continue to grow and be successful; people are looking for comfort. Our padded hybrid holsters combine a custom-molded polymer front, durable water buffalo leather, and a pillowed foam back. The combination of these materials securely holds the firearm in place for confident draws, but allows for more comfort in all day wearing.

SB: Polymer holsters are very popular right now. But leather holsters still seem to appeal to some CCW users. What are the benefits of each?
JS: Some of it does come down to preference. Leather holsters tend to be more comfortable, personable, and unique. No leather holster is exactly the same, because no two leather hides are the same. Polymer holsters by nature are more rigid in design and allow for easy re-holstering and more retention adjustment. As opposed to leather, which has a much more hand-built feel, polymer has a more modern and industrial characteristic. Although we offer either option, our hybrid holsters combine the best elements from both types of materials to create the best of both worlds.

SB: IWB and OWB holsters dominate the market, but you still offer shoulder models. What’s the appeal of this design to your customers?
JS: Someone who has never worn a shoulder holster might be surprised by how comfortable they are. This comfort can be enjoyed in a variety of settings, from a black-tie event to mending a fence on the ranch. Currently, we offer two shoulder holsters, one with an all-leather construction, one with a hybrid-polymer construction. These options offer both comfort and value, which is why our shoulder holsters are so loved.

SB: How important is it for Versacarry products to still be made in the USA?
JS: Having quality, American-made gear is of the utmost importance. By doing all our manufacturing in Texas, we are able to oversee every aspect of the production process. This allows us to maintain and hold the highest standards and employ honest, hard-working Americans. (versacarry.com)