Can someone explain this to me. The offset clip looks like it wouldn't be as sturdy as a holster that has the clip smack dead in the middle. Does anyone know the purpose of this or have any experience with the offset style. here is the DeSantis flex tuk it is offset. Just don't look right to me. Thanks.

I thought it was to try to keep excessive thickness from the cylinder area.

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Frosty
S&WCA # 2816

The off-set belt clip in an IWB holster decreases the thickness of the rig by the thickness of the clip. This can help in comfort. It shouldn't have any negative effect on the sturdiness of the holster. That would be inherent to its general construction and quality. I have one by a different maker (Lobo) and think it is more comfortable than other models

WildBill - the reasoning sounds right but I would agree with you it doesn't look right and may not be. To me from my limited experience it would allow the gun/holster to rotate more than they already do. I have a DeSantis Sof-tuck and it shifts even with the cant adjusted to put the gun COB (center of balance) right behind the clip. Still moves at will as I move and reposition myself. But it is easier to tuck than the double clip of AG. AG is very comfortable, however.

Thank you both for the responses. I'm used to carrying autos and did not even consider the bulk of the cylinder. Not that it's a huge deal on the 642 I just purchased because of its small size already. It's still something to think about. Now I have no idea what to get.

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Thank you as well. Shifting was also a concern. I have a hybrid style holster for my glock, but really don't want one for the little 38, looking for something I can easily and quickly take on and off, especially if I'm relaxing after work in mesh shorts or sweat pants. The clip on your holster is Def not going to work for my purpose, I'm going to need a wider clip and I think a molded holster would help if I'm not wearing a belt.

If anyone has experience with both types of clips and holster suggestions for either I would appreciate hearing about it.

The M&P .40 is way to heavy for any elastic shorts/sweats I have even with the tightest elastic waist band or being tied. I could do it just to run down the road but would hope I didn't need to do much walking. 14 round loaded clip doesn't help either and I only carry the one in the gun.

The DeSantis does have a nice deep/tall clip for tucking.

The best technique for tucking I've found is:
- Tuck in the shirt like normal.
- Put the holster/gun on the waistband.
- Get the jeans/belt into location
- Pull the shirt out just enough to lift over the gun grip and fold the bottom slightly
- Pull the shirt down over the gun grip
- Buckle the belt and zip

The AlienGear isn't much different just a little more difficult with 2 clips.



Still sometimes have to do this twice to get it to look right.

I've got and used both. Both are on sturdy leather holsters. My off set has the clip nearer the trigger guard. I could see where you'd get the movement on a softee holster as the softee doesn't have the same support as a stiffer leather. The offset on a sturdy leather doesn't move. Much more comfortable carry with the offset and it reduces the thickness a bit. One might not thing just the thickness of the clip and attaching leather is much but moving it to the rear makes it a lot easier to conceal.

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183rd FBINA

I only use offset clips since they reduce bulk...but mine have the clip slightly to the backside of the holster...so it is pretty stable...I wear all mine at 3:30/4:00 but the one above looks a bit radical...seems like it would be better for crossdraw....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I spent well over a year working on the Offset Belt Clip IWB model. Early in the development work I found that the belt clip itself was very important in optimizing holster performance. None of the clips available from my suppliers provided either the required strength or design (contour, dimensions, etc).

I contracted with a manufacturer to make clips to my specifications, sent payment, and was given a production date. That date passed without performance, then I was given another production date. That date passed, and they stopped responding to e-mails or phone calls.

Several months later I located a manufacturer that actually produced what I wanted. Clips made of tempered (spring) steel with positive lip to lock on the belt, opening sized to accept most standard trouser belts plus the trouser waistband material and still grip securely (actual opening size 1.70" X 0.25", which works nicely with just about any thickness of belts widths of 1.5" or 1.25"). That manufacturer has proven reliable on several repeat orders and we continue to deliver several hundred of these holsters every year.

Offsetting the belt clip away from the bulkier parts of the handgun (semi-auto slide, revolver cylinder) effectively reduces the bulk of the holstered handgun. This also reduces the tendencies of the clip to snag on clothing, furniture or auto upholstery, etc.

One downside remains, which deserves mention. Offsetting the belt clip makes the weight of the handgun less stable. The larger and heavier handguns are more likely to shift in position during normal activities. For this reason I offer this holster model only for the small to medium (size and weight) handguns.

Everything in holster design involves compromises among the 4 basic factors of comfort, accessibility, security, and concealability. Whenever one factor is emphasized there will be compromises among the other factors. There is no perfect holster for every user or circumstances.

IWB-style holsters emphasize concealability by keeping the bulk of the holstered handgun inside the trousers. The compromises come in reduced accessibility (both in ease of draw and ease of reholstering) and in comfort (many people simply cannot tolerate the bulk of a holstered handgun tucked into the waistband).

With IWB carry the overall size of the handgun makes a great deal of difference. Enough of the handgun must be contained within the holster to provide reasonable security (retention) and the weight and weight distribution (including ammunition load) have to be low enough for the belt to stabilize the holster. The smaller and shorter the handgun is the more accessibility will be compromised. Probably the worst IWB candidates are the subcompact polymer-frames large-capacity semi-autos; but those are exactly the handguns that many people wish to carry in this manner.

Thank you all very much for the replies. I'm now getting much closer to what I'm looking for for the 642. It will be an offset from a quality holster maker.

Lobo Offset Horsehide. Rock solid platform. Look no further.

Very good assessment of the pros and cons of holsters. This is why we have so many. I already have 4 for 1 gun

Forgot to mention. Mine is the same in black...so is my P2000 holster...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Here is another vote for Lobo Gunleather! This is a very well made Offset Clip Belt holster that is very comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time. I usually carry my 642 at 3-4 o'clock, and it disappears.

Ordered a Lobo this evening, thank you for the responses. Will post pictures when it gets here.