Vanguard 2 Advanced Kit
VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit
The VanGuard 2 covers only the trigger guard. The RCS Claw drives the grip into the body. What remains is the most concealable carry configuration the platform produces.
The Advanced Kit adds the RCS Claw — maximum grip concealment for AIWB and IWB carry without adding bulk, shells, wings, or wedges.
Made in USA | Unconditional lifetime warranty | Used by plainclothes professionals operating where concealment failure has consequences
Key Features
- Covers trigger guard only — adds no width to the pistol
- RCS Claw drives grip closer to the body — eliminates printing
- Supports AIWB and strong-side IWB carry
- Tuckable — shirt tucks over the pistol entirely
- Clears all slide-mounted optics
- Threaded and extended barrel compatible
- Fully ambidextrous — no modification required
- Adjustable ride height and cant
- Administrative loading and unloading with pistol holstered
- Does not include lanyard — see Standard Kit or Lanyard Kit for off-body carry
- RCS Claw compatible with all VanGuard 2 shell models
- Made in USA | Unconditional lifetime warranty
- $49.99
What Is the VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit?
The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit is Raven Concealment Systems' maximum-concealment configuration of the VanGuard 2 minimalist trigger-guard platform. At $49.99 it adds the RCS Claw — a purpose-built attachment that levers the pistol grip closer to the body to eliminate printing — along with both 1.5" and 1.75" tuckable overhooks and support for an optional tuckable strut with soft loop. The Advanced Kit does not include the lanyard. For tethered or off-body carry, see the VanGuard 2 Standard Kit or VanGuard 2 Lanyard Kit.
Best For / Not For
Best for:
- Maximum grip concealment in AIWB and strong-side IWB carry
- Deep concealment under tucked dress shirts and professional clothing
- Carriers whose primary concealment challenge is grip printing
- Optics-equipped pistols without weapon-mounted lights
- Carriers whose clothing or environment makes a full-shell holster impractical
Not for:
- Pistols with weapon-mounted lights — see VanGuard 3
- Carriers who require tethered or off-body carry — see VanGuard 2 Standard Kit or VanGuard 2 Lanyard Kit
- Carriers who require one-handed reholstering inside the waistband
- Sig Sauer P365 Macro
- Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ / Equalizer
- Carriers who prefer a full-shell holster
Choose Your Kit
| Lanyard Kit | Standard Kit | Advanced Kit | VanGuard 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.99 | $39.99 | $49.99 | — |
| Shell | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Lanyard | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| Tuckable overhook | No | 1.5" | 1.5" + 1.75" | — |
| RCS Claw | No | No | Yes | — |
| Supports off-body carry | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| Weapon-light compatible | No | No | No | Yes |
| Optics compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Tethered + off-body | Full IWB + tuckable | Maximum grip concealment | WML carry |
| Bundle savings | — | Saves $5 | Saves $15 | — |
Choose the Advanced Kit if maximum grip concealment is the priority and you do not need tethered or off-body carry.
Choose the Standard Kit if you want the full VanGuard 2 carry range — including tethered and off-body carry. See VanGuard 2 Standard Kit PDP for full platform overview.
Choose the Lanyard Kit if tethered or off-body carry is your primary use case.
Choose the VanGuard 3 if your pistol carries a weapon-mounted light.
Quick Scan
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Carry Position | AIWB / IWB (Appendix and Strong-Side Compatible) |
| Compatible With | Full-size, compact, and subcompact pistols |
| Fitments | See compatibility table below |
| Optics Ready | Yes — clears all slide-mounted optics |
| Light Compatible | No — See VanGuard 3 PDP |
| Threaded Barrel Compatible | Yes |
| Tuckable | Yes |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Ride Height / Cant | Fully adjustable |
| Price | $49.99 |
| Kit Includes | RCS Claw, 1.5" tuckable overhook, 1.75" tuckable overhook |
| Lanyard Included | No — See VanGuard 2 Standard Kit PDP |
| Optional Attachments | Tuckable strut with soft loop; additional belt attachment options — See VanGuard 2 Accessories |
| RCS Claw Compatible With | All VanGuard 2 shell models |
| Colors | Black, Coyote Brown |
| Made in USA | Yes |
| Lifetime Warranty | Yes — unconditional, follows the product |
The Standard
The VanGuard 2 is built around a single design decision: cover only the trigger guard, and add nothing else.
A pistol tucked beneath a dress shirt. A firearm carried safely with a round chambered. A carry solution that works in clothing and contexts that defeat every conventional holster.
Conventional wisdom says a holster has to enclose the pistol.
The VanGuard 2 does not enclose the pistol.
It covers the trigger guard — the critical point of mechanical discharge risk — and stops there. Everything the typical holster adds beyond that point is bulk the VanGuard 2 refuses to carry.
Injection molded from a proprietary polymer blend engineered for long-term use, the VanGuard 2 delivers consistent fitment and retention from unit to unit and year after year.
For more than two decades, Raven Concealment Systems has focused on a single problem: carrying serious handguns discreetly and predictably in the real world.
Good gear disappears from behavior.
The RCS Claw
Every IWB and AIWB holster contends with the same geometry problem: the grip of the pistol is the widest, most visible part of the firearm, and it sits at the point of the body where clothing is under the most tension.
Conventional holsters manage this with wings, wedges, and cant adjustments — geometry that pushes the muzzle away from the body to lever the grip inward. These approaches work, but they add bulk, add width, and require a holster shell large enough to accommodate them.
The RCS Claw solves the same problem with less.
It attaches directly to the VanGuard 2 shell and uses the belt or waistband as a fulcrum — as the carrier moves and the belt exerts inward pressure on the Claw, the grip is driven closer to the body. No wings. No wedges. No additional shell geometry. The Claw levers the grip in using the same force the carrier's movement generates naturally.
The result is a pistol that rides closer to the body than the VanGuard 2 already achieves on its own — with a smaller footprint than any wing or wedge system can deliver.
The RCS Claw is compatible with all VanGuard 2 shell models. Carriers who already own a VanGuard 2 Lanyard Kit or Standard Kit shell can add the Claw ($19.99) without replacing the shell.
What Makes a Minimalist Carry System Work
| Requirement | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Trigger guard coverage only | The trigger is the critical point of mechanical discharge risk. The VanGuard 2 isolates it without enclosing the entire pistol — covering more than the trigger guard adds bulk without adding safety. |
| Zero added width to the pistol | The firearm's own geometry becomes the concealment envelope. A minimalist system that increases the pistol's cross-section defeats its own purpose. |
| Optics clearance | Modern carry pistols increasingly use slide-mounted optics. A trigger-guard system that conflicts with them forces a compromise between the carry solution and the pistol configuration. |
| Adjustable ride height and cant | Body type, clothing choice, and carry position preference vary significantly across users. This becomes especially important in AIWB carry, where small changes in ride height and grip angle can materially affect both concealment and comfort. |
| Tuckable design | The most demanding concealment situations — formal dress, professional environments, close social contexts — require a system that allows the shirt to tuck over the pistol entirely, with only the belt attachment remaining visible. |
| One-handed deployment regardless of tether status | A carry system that cannot be cleared with one hand creates a failure mode the carrier may not discover until the worst possible moment. |
| Clear, unambiguous reholster protocol engineered into the product | Minimalist carry requires a deliberate reholster process that prioritizes safety and consistency over speed of reholstering. |
The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit was built around those requirements from the beginning.
The Minimalist Carry Compromise
Every carry method is a negotiated compromise. Minimalist carry gives up one-handed in-waistband reholstering, the body shield protection of a full holster shell, and the consistent indexing geometry of a full holster mouth. What it gains is a level of concealability and comfort that full-shell holsters cannot reach — and a range of carry contexts they cannot enter.
The VanGuard 2 is reholstered outside the waistband — seat the VG2 on the pistol first, then return both to the waistband together.
This is the intended use, not a workaround.
What minimalist carry gives back is access to clothing, situations, and environments where conventional holsters stop being practical. Dress clothes cut without extra room for a gun. Waistbands where every added layer matters. The choice that has historically been between carrying nothing and carrying something that prints through everything.
It also gives back speed. The VanGuard 2 can be donned or removed in seconds with far less adjustment and bulk than a conventional holster. It delivers most of the convenience and immediacy of simply tucking a pistol into the waistband, while preserving the trigger protection and retention that unholstered carry completely lacks.
Because the VanGuard 2 covers only the trigger guard and leaves the rest of the pistol fully accessible, administrative loading and unloading can be performed while the pistol remains holstered — something impossible with a conventional full-coverage holster. The magazine can be inserted or removed. The slide can be cycled. The chamber can be visually and physically verified clear. The trigger remains protected throughout.
Minimalist carry is not a lesser choice. It is a more demanding one.
The Profile
The VanGuard 2 minimalist holster adds nothing to the width of the pistol it carries. The shell seats over the trigger guard only, leaving the grip, slide, and muzzle fully exposed and the pistol's cross-section unchanged.
Most carry systems impose their geometry on the pistol and then on the body. The VanGuard 2 imposes nothing. The pistol rides exactly as it would without a holster — same profile, same width, same weight distribution — with the trigger protected and an overhook as the only interface to the carrier's clothing.
This becomes especially noticeable in AIWB carry, where even small increases in thickness and geometry compound quickly below the beltline. The RCS Claw compounds the advantage further — driving the grip inward so the pistol's already-minimal profile disappears against the body rather than projecting away from it.
Two Ways to Carry
The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit supports two primary carry configurations.
Full IWB with overhook
With either the 1.5" or 1.75" tuckable overhook attached and the RCS Claw engaged, the VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit becomes a stable, deep-concealment IWB holster — adjustable for ride height and cant, tuckable beneath dress clothing, and fully ambidextrous without modification. The Claw levers the grip close to the body as the carrier moves, reducing the grip printing that defeats concealment in close-quarters environments.
Tuckable strut with soft loop
The Advanced Kit supports an optional tuckable strut with soft loop configuration — a belt interface that provides different attachment geometry suited to specific carry positions, clothing types, and body configurations. Soft loop not included; available separately at VanGuard 2 Accessories.
One platform. Two carry modes. Both optimized for maximum concealment.
Note: The Advanced Kit does not support lanyard or tethered carry. For off-body or tethered configurations, see the VanGuard 2 Standard Kit or VanGuard 2 Lanyard Kit.
Select your pistol above to view available configurations.
AIWB, Tuckability, and Deep Concealment
The VanGuard 2's tuckable overhook changes what concealment means in practice. The RCS Claw changes it further.
A conventional AIWB or IWB holster, even a well-designed one, cannot be tucked over. The clips, wings, wedges, and shell geometry sit above the beltline and remain visible no matter what the carrier wears over them. In formal dress, professional environments, or any context where visible carry hardware is unacceptable, the conventional solution eventually runs out of answers.
The shirt tucks over the pistol entirely. The overhook sits beneath the fabric. The Claw drives the grip inward as the carrier moves. The belt attachment remains visible at the waist. For carriers who have spent years negotiating between concealment, comfort, and professional appearance, this is where that negotiation ends.
Built for Professionals Operating Where Concealment Matters
The VanGuard platform earned its reputation in environments where the consequences of discovery extended far beyond embarrassment, inconvenience, or violating a workplace policy.
It was built for situations where printing was unacceptable, conventional holsters were too bulky, and maintaining complete visual discretion was inseparable from the task itself.
Over time, the platform found favor among personnel operating in plainclothes, surveillance, protective, and other discreet professional roles where a conventional belt holster often created more problems than it solved.
Its minimalist architecture made it particularly effective for deep concealment, non-traditional carry methods, and environments where even minor visible carry hardware could compromise freedom of movement, access, or the mission itself.
The VanGuard was never intended to be theatrical gear.
It was built for people who needed to carry a fighting pistol in places where they were not supposed to be armed, not supposed to be noticed, and sometimes not supposed to be there at all.
The VanGuard 2 in the RCS Ecosystem
Raven Concealment Systems designs and manufactures professional-grade concealment holsters, accessories, and carry systems for military, law enforcement, and civilian concealed carry markets.
The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit is the maximum-concealment configuration of the VanGuard 2 platform at $49.99 — same trigger-guard shell and fitment compatibility as the Standard and Lanyard Kits, with the RCS Claw and expanded belt attachment options added. The Advanced Kit does not include the lanyard.
The VanGuard 2 Standard Kit ($39.99) adds the tuckable overhook and includes the lanyard for tethered and off-body carry.
The VanGuard 2 Lanyard Kit ($24.99) is the entry configuration — shell and lanyard only, upgradeable with the tuckable overhook ($19.99) or RCS Claw ($19.99) at any time.
The VanGuard 3 interfaces with the weapon-mounted light — currently the SureFire X300 and Streamlight TLR-1 — rather than the trigger guard. For light-bearing pistol configurations, the VanGuard 3 is the correct platform.
The VanGuard 2 platform is not hardware-compatible with Phantom, Perun, Jake, or Copia attachment systems.
The RCS Claw is compatible with all VanGuard 2 shell models. Carriers who already own any VanGuard 2 shell can add the Claw ($19.99) without replacing the shell.
Optics Compatibility
The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit is a non-light-bearing minimalist holster. For weapon-mounted light configurations, see VanGuard 3.
The VanGuard 2 trigger-guard shell clears all common slide-mounted optics including:
- Trijicon RMR
- Trijicon SRO
- Trijicon RCR
- Aimpoint ACRO P-2
- Holosun 507C
- Holosun EPS
- Holosun 509T
- Steiner MPS
- Leupold DeltaPoint Pro
The open design accommodates threaded and extended barrels with thread protectors installed.
Firearm Compatibility
The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit is currently available for Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 26, 31, 32, 42, 43, 43X, 43X MOS, 48, 48X, and 48X MOS pistols; Sig Sauer P320 X-Frame, P320C, P320F, M17, M18, P365, P365X, and P365XL pistols; and Smith & Wesson M&P Full Size, M&P Compact, and M&P Shield 9mm and .40 caliber pistols. The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit was designed to support the primary duty, concealed carry, and service pistol platforms currently in professional circulation across law enforcement, government, and civilian defensive use.
| Firearm Brand | Compatible Models | Exclusions & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glock | 17, 19, 22, 23, 26, 31, 32, 42, 43, 43X, 43X MOS, 48, 48X, 48X MOS | No exclusions within listed models |
| Sig Sauer | P320 X-Frame, P320C, P320F, M17, M18, P365, P365X, P365XL | Does not fit P365 Macro |
| Smith & Wesson | M&P Full Size and Compact, M&P Shield 9mm/.40cal | Does not fit M&P Shield EZ or Equalizer |
Additional fitments available. Select your pistol above to confirm compatibility.
Current RCS Customer Note
The VanGuard 2 platform supports a range of optional belt attachment configurations available separately. Note: Phantom, Copia, Perun, and Jake attachment hardware is not compatible with the VanGuard 2 platform. Current VanGuard 2-compatible attachment options are available here: [LINK: VanGuard 2 Accessories].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RCS Claw and what does it do?
The RCS Claw is an attachment that mounts to the VanGuard 2 shell and uses the belt or waistband as a fulcrum to lever the pistol grip closer to the body. As the carrier moves and the belt exerts inward pressure on the RCS Claw, the grip is driven inward — reducing printing without adding wings, wedges, or additional shell geometry. The RCS Claw is compatible with all VanGuard 2 shell models and is available separately for $19.99.
What is the difference between the Lanyard Kit, Standard Kit, and Advanced Kit?
The VanGuard 2 Lanyard Kit ($24.99) includes the shell and lanyard — the foundation of the platform. The VanGuard 2 Standard Kit ($39.99) adds the tuckable overhook for full IWB and tuckable carry, saving $5 versus buying components separately. The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit ($49.99) includes the shell, tuckable overhooks, and the RCS Claw for maximum grip concealment, saving $15 versus building up from the Lanyard Kit. The Advanced Kit does not include the lanyard.
Is the VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit a real holster?
Yes. The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit covers the trigger guard, supports on-body carry with a round safely chambered, and performs the essential safety and carry functions a holster is required to perform. The VanGuard 2 does not enclose the pistol — that is the design decision, not a limitation. The trigger is the critical point of mechanical discharge risk, and the VanGuard 2 isolates it without enclosing the entire firearm.
Can the VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit be used for AIWB carry?
Yes. The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit is purpose-built for AIWB carry. The RCS Claw drives the grip closer to the body as the carrier moves, addressing the grip printing that is the primary concealment challenge in appendix carry. The VanGuard 2 is reholstered outside the waistband — seat the VG2 on the pistol first, then return both to the waistband together.
Can I add the RCS Claw to my existing VanGuard 2 shell?
Yes. The RCS Claw ($19.99) is compatible with all VanGuard 2 shell models — Lanyard Kit, Standard Kit, or Advanced Kit shell. Carriers who already own any VanGuard 2 shell do not need to replace it to use the RCS Claw.
What holster works under a tucked dress shirt?
The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit was designed for deep concealment beneath professional clothing and tucked dress shirts. The shirt tucks over the pistol entirely — the overhook sits beneath the fabric, and the belt attachment remains visible at the waist. The RCS Claw drives the grip inward as the carrier moves, so the pistol's profile sits against the body rather than projecting away from it.
Can I carry a full-size pistol with the VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit?
Yes. Because the VanGuard 2 adds nothing to the width of the pistol, full-size pistols carry with the same cross-section they would without a holster. The RCS Claw's grip-levering effect is particularly noticeable with full-size pistols, where grip printing is the primary concealment challenge.
Is the VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit optics compatible?
Yes. The VanGuard 2 shell covers only the trigger guard and clears all common slide-mounted optics. Supported optics include the Trijicon RMR, SRO, and RCR, Aimpoint ACRO P-2, Holosun 507C, EPS, and 509T, Steiner MPS, and Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. Optic-equipped pistols carry and draw without modification.
Is the VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit left-hand compatible?
Yes. The VanGuard 2 is fully ambidextrous without modification. Both overhook configurations and the RCS Claw function identically for left- and right-handed carriers. No additional hardware or adjustment is required.
Can I reholster the VanGuard 2 while it is in my waistband?
No — and this is by design, not a limitation. The VanGuard 2 is reholstered outside the waistband — seat the VG2 on the pistol first, then return both to the waistband together. Attempting to reholster with the VG2 inside the clothing is not recommended under any circumstances.
Does the Advanced Kit support off-body or tethered carry?
No. The VanGuard 2 Advanced Kit does not include the lanyard and is not compatible with tethered or off-body carry configurations. For off-body carry in a bag, purse, briefcase, or vehicle console, see the VanGuard 2 Standard Kit or VanGuard 2 Lanyard Kit.
Can I perform administrative loading and unloading with the VanGuard 2 holstered?
Yes. Because the VanGuard 2 covers only the trigger guard and leaves the rest of the pistol fully accessible, the magazine can be inserted or removed, the slide can be cycled, and the chamber can be visually and physically verified clear — all while the pistol remains holstered. The trigger remains protected throughout. This is not possible with a conventional full-coverage holster.
What is the difference between the VanGuard 2 and VanGuard 3?
The VanGuard 2 interfaces with the trigger guard of the pistol and supports standard and optic-equipped configurations without weapon-mounted lights. The VanGuard 3 interfaces with a weapon-mounted light — currently the SureFire X300 and Streamlight TLR-1. If your pistol carries a weapon-mounted light, the VanGuard 3 is the correct platform.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 |
| Carry Position | AIWB / IWB |
| Material | Injection-molded polymer |
| Optics Compatible | Yes — clears all slide-mounted optics |
| Light Compatible | No — See VanGuard 3 PDP |
| Threaded Barrel Compatible | Yes |
| Tuckable | Yes |
| Ride Height / Cant | Fully adjustable |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Kit Contents | RCS Claw, 1.5" tuckable overhook, 1.75" tuckable overhook |
| Lanyard Included | No — See VanGuard 2 Standard Kit PDP |
| Optional Attachments | Tuckable strut with soft loop; additional belt attachment options — See VanGuard 2 Accessories |
| RCS Claw Compatibility | All VanGuard 2 shell models |
| Colors | Black, Coyote Brown |
| Warranty | Unconditional lifetime warranty |
| Country of Origin | USA |
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