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Old 07-23-2013, 08:32 PM
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Default Remora OWB and tucked IWB holsters

I've owned dozens of OWB holsters over the years - probably still own a dozen or so. I tend not to like them for real use. There's something about an IWB rig that just suits me: everything's tightly cinched-in and controlled, and easy to hide so as not to scare the gentle folks I encounter. I believe I've only ever carried in OWBs twice for any decent period of time: the first was an Uncle Mike's belt-slide in which I wore my 439 for a couple years in college between my belt and jeans beneath a cover shirt and the second was a Bianchi #111 Cyclone crossdraw that I wore often in the gun store with my 4" Model 13 on board. Except the second one kinda got in the way, clonking into everything, and after a few months I wound up just clipping a J-frame into my rear jeans pocket instead.

You've heard me say here before how I wish that Remora Holsters had been around when I started carrying in the mid-'80s. I was an early adopter of the great Remora utility holsters: they're essentially sweatproof, they stay put, they're available for a range of handgun sizes, they are inexpensive and they protect the gun. I've got a couple dozen of them in various sizes and models, and I recommend them wholeheartedly. (The only thing they're not is pretty, but that's essentially never a concern of mine for carry.) Well, when I was intrigued but skeptical when Alan Bogdan (owner of Remora and all-around good guy) sent me a tuckable IWB and an OWB for my 3" SP-101 a few months ago. After shaking them down pretty seriously now, I can report that they both work amazingly well . . . and that they've actually gotten me to carry the somewhat awkward to holster 3" SP a whole lot more. (I note that several people on this board have recently said the SP-101 is not really a concealable gun - in the context of explaining why it didn't conceal well with another holster. I hope the following pics are illustrative of how it can be concealed pretty well.)

The tuckable is the standard kind of model for tucking: a minimalist IWB holster with an offset clip (the shirt is tucked between the clip and the holster - a little attention to blousing, and it looks fine). The Remora's external sticky material proves great at holding the gun from moving around behind the tucked shirt, but the clip is visible. Other than that, you'd not know the rig was there - and it's actually comfortable to wear (at least part of this is the fact that the sticky holster stays put through activity). I've had other tuckables before, but this is the one that I've turned out to use the most.











I'm not surprised I like it - I like IWBs. I am surprised at how useful the tuckable feature is, tho I'm still more of a cover garment guy.





The OWB, though, has proven a total surprise: I really like it for my walks up Bear Canyon behind the house. The Remora OWB has a giant velcro flap to allow the wearer to situate the holster at whatever angle feels best, tightly held between the belt and the pants. It works like a dream (protects and holds the gun), and the pressure of the belt makes retention of the gun assured even when I do a headstand (I tried, just for kicks). I've worn this thing all over for a few months now, and it's gotten to be my favorite way of carrying the little SP (which is one handy trail gun, typically stoked with .38 +P+ handloads throwing 158-gr Tennessee Valley Bullets hardcast LSWCs at 1212 fps from the 3" tube). This Remora OWB really took me by surprise.













Anyhow, thought you might be interested in seeing these.
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Old 07-23-2013, 10:13 PM
GerSan69 GerSan69 is offline
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Very nice review, Erich. Thanks!
2d look at Remora coming up!
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Old 07-24-2013, 12:07 AM
The Big D The Big D is offline
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Default Good review...

...but see no purpose whatsoever for an OWB Remora. I have been carrying all summer with a Remora IWB. (One of two I own.) With the heat, I am rocking a Remora with a sweat shield for my 642/60.

Many better options for OWB, IMHO.

Be safe.
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Old 07-24-2013, 09:12 AM
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HEY !! IS THAT A RUGER ???
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Old 07-24-2013, 09:50 AM
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Shh, Jimmy: you'll make it feel bad!
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Old 07-24-2013, 01:14 PM
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Interesting and informative review, Erich.

Thinking of an IWB for myself, and will definitely give the Remora a look, thanks to your endorsement.

A question: did you have to go up a pants waist size to accommodate the holster? That's one of the considerations that has been bothering me about IWB, as I don't want to have to invest in a new wardrobe of slacks....
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Old 07-24-2013, 03:42 PM
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Thanks for the kind words. I didn't, but I usually only IWB with a holster (discounting clips on the gun's frame and beneath-the-pant belt/holster combos) in dungarees . . . it's going to depend on how you dress, though. My suit pants are cut on the roomy side, so they would work fine. My dress slacks tend to be tailored to me, and I'd not likely IWB with a Remora in them: I could do it with my Kahr or my Bond Arms derringer (two of the many guns I have Remoras for), but not with my Rhino or P90, for instance.
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Old 07-25-2013, 10:49 PM
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Erich: Thanks for the review. I was looking at the tuckable IWB holster on the Remora website (I have several of their "regular" holsters) and could not quite figure out how it worked. Alan (what a nice guy he is on the phone!) should use your photographs to show how it works as the website is a bit vague. Now that I know, I will order one (or two or three) myself!

By the way, I'd love to see your review of the Rhino. I've just seen them in gun stores and would like your take on just how much of an improvement they are on the standard revolver.
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Old 07-26-2013, 07:41 AM
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Thanks for the kind words, Jeffrey: here's a thread on the Rhino -

Charged a Rhino - Handguns and Ammunition Forums
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Old 07-26-2013, 04:07 PM
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Thank you for the Rhino review link Erich!

Looking at the Remora website, I see that they have a sweat guard available for their holsters. (I'm not sure that they were available when I ordered my Remoras when they first arrived on the scene and I don't have them on my Remoras.)

From your photos, I see that your tuckable holster does not have one. Is this something that you have considered, or tried? Given your massive collection of Remoras, would you recommend a sweat guard on one of their tuckables? I ask not because I want to avoid sweat on my guns, but rather to increase the comfort of something softer than a gun against the side of my body.

On the other hand, I have generally avoided sweat guards as they sometimes make the gun harder to draw. I wonder if the reinforced mouth of the Remora obviates potential for fouling the draw.

This all occurred to me just before I hit the "buy" button on another three holsters!

Thanks again!

Last edited by jeffrey; 07-26-2013 at 04:16 PM. Reason: I forgot to say something.
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Old 07-26-2013, 06:13 PM
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That's going to be a personal choice thing, Jeffrey. I have a couple with sweat guards, and I have at least a couple that I wish had sweat guards. Honestly, mainly for the reason that you mention, which is comfort during carry: the FN-140DA (Browning BDA/Beretta 84) .380 that I'm wearing as I type this has a spur hammer that can easily dig into my belly if I don't situate it correctly (and I'm reasonably trim). A sweat shield on this holster (which, BTW, is the Remora-hyde leather-lined kind, my favorite for regular carry) would have been a good thing, just to protect me from the gun's hammer.

I do not find that the sweat shields on the Remoras that I have foul the draw. But YMMV . . .
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Old 07-26-2013, 07:51 PM
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Thanks Erich!
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Old 07-27-2013, 04:16 PM
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My pleasure, amigo.
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Old 07-27-2013, 10:03 PM
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I had a tuckable IWB Remora for a J frame that fit marvelously with my PPS. First time I tried it for ****s and giggles, it felt perfect. Hid the PPS under my t-shirt, was secure, comfortable, etc. Now I tried it again, I can't get it to conceal worth a damn. I'm chasing the dragon for that first fit man.
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