I've been carrying a 1911 in a milt sparks VM2 for 8 years now, but I'm switching to something a lot lighter in a shield.

What are some good IWB holsters for the shield?

I'm hearing a lot about the alien gear cloak tuck 3.0. Any experience with that? It looks a lot bigger than a VM2, but how comfortable is it?

very comfortable that you will forget it is there.


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M&P 9, Shield9.

Carry mine daily in a stealth gear USA mini


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Mine is on, er, IWB, right now. Carrying in a Barsony nylon holster. Good holster great price.

Another vote for the AlienGear . Mine is very comfortable and holds the gun secure.

Cliff

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Cliff
Shield 9mm

Another for alien gear. Wear mine all day with no problem. Delivery time for anything I ever ordered has been quick.

I've got an Alien Gear 2.0 for mine. The problem I had with it is the grip would rub me raw if I didn't have some sort of undershirt tucked in behind it. Outside of that it was very comfortable. Haven't used it in well over a year.

The IWB holster I wear all the time is a N82 Tactical Professional model. These guys are local here in NC and make a great holster. This one prevents any part of the gun from touching your skin. The draw stoke is a little awkward at first because it takes a slight twist to remove the gun from the holster but with a little practice it becomes very quick and the retention is far better than the Alien Gear. It's also a single clip which makes it easy to get on and off but is still very secure.

I do carry at the 3 to 3:30 position which could cause the problems I had with the AG holster.

I don't have a Shield, but carry a Kahr Cw9 in a Milt Sparks SSII it's very comfortable, and I'd expect the same with the Shield. In fact, I already have one because I plan to buy a Shield, and Sparks' wait time is several months, so I ordered early. I also have the Milt Sparks Executive Companion for the Kahr. It and the SSII are identical in feel from my perspective.

I rarely carry my Shield iwb, but when I do it's in a WhiteHat Max Tuck!

i carry mine in a PJ holster

I love my Foxx holster. It's the full size hybrid. $40 includes shipping.
David.

I guess I carry my VM2 at about 3:30 - 4, but a smaller gun will give me a little more room to change that if I need. I never wear without anything tucked under the holster, that drives me crazy (my 1911's grip is 100% steel checkering-- not something you want on your skin).

I think what I'll do is try the alien gear, and sell it if I don't like it and get on the waitlist for another sparks holster. I paid $$$$ for my VM2 at a time when they weren't being made anymore after Milt died, and even then, it was worth every single cent. It's rare to forget you have a gun, it's way rarer to forget you're carrying a nearly 50oz 5" gun with a magwell.

As far as I'm concerned, the holster is next only to the gun in importance for CCW.

How do you carry it the rest of the time?

I'd like to try something other than IWB. I was hoping for pocket carry, but that's not happening with jeans and a shield.

I've been carrying a Shield in an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 for nearly a year now. It does take up a good bit of space around my belt line, but I can tell you that it is the most comfortable IWB holster I've ever worn. I like it so much that I ordered a finished shell to fit the holster body so that I could also carry my .45 ACP Shield in the same holster. It takes a bit of getting used to and to find the exact place on your waist line where you wish to wear the holster. It's not easy to take off or install with your pants on, but I hardly ever find the need to do that. I like that it stays pretty much in place once I have it installed, and I like that if it's necessary for me to remove my gun (in the Post Office, etc), the outer kydex portion does not collapse and I can wear the empty holster just fine till I'm ready to load up again. I'm a big guy, and in the warm time of the year, I'm a heavy sweat producer. The body side of the holster give me good protection from the exposed portion of the gun except for the grip area, but the holster allows for an excellent grip on the gun to remove it. By moving the belt clips to the three positions available for each clip, you can set the holster to your preference for gun cant, higher or lower on your belt, and with the option to order other finished kydex parts to fit a mulitude of guns, it's easy to make one holster back work for several different firearms if you wish to do so without having to buy a complete new holster rig.

The company has been excellent to do business with. I have asked several questions on their on-line contact section and I have received good and complete answers very quickly. They ship quickly and they offer a very excellent guarantee for their products. We are all different and like different things, but I have recommended this holster to both my sons and about three of my good friends and each of them have also found them to be very good gear. Plus it doesn't cost a lot of money to own this gear to begin with and it doesn't take long at all to have the gear in your hands. Adjustment of the holster for wear and for gun retention to fit your needs is easy and quick. I am very pleased with my Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0.

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So long ... Ken

Add another for the Alien Gear. I've been carrying IWB for years and it is the most comfortable I've worn.


Alan

I tried to like the Nate squared - just could never get used to the "Twist Draw" thing. It now resides in the box of unloved holsters. I wish they would make a holster without the twist. It's really comfortable to carry.

Crossbreed Supertuck for my .45 Shield.

PJHolster for my Shield 9 and for my Shield 45 as well.

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I bought the N8 and liked the full sweat backing but I too wasn't going to do that "twist" to pull my Shield. I considered that as the same problem with a manual safety.
I took my Dremel and cut out that round area right in front of the trigger. The trigger is still not touchable but no "twist" is needed.
Here in the Tucson area T-shirt and shorts is almost formal wear
during our summers.
The holster keeps the entire pistol away from your skin and the backing is super comfortable.
As long as yours in "the non-use holster" box, what have you got to lose by trying what I did?
It made mine a very acceptable EDC with just a T-shirt on.
G'luck
Poli Viejo

I have found Adamsholsters.com to be the most comfortable and stable IWB's. I also like that they are leather instead of kydex, I prefer not to scratch my weapons. They have many options from plain to exotic, IWB is his primary line, though, OWB, hip holsters, shoulder holsters, matching mag pouches are available. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

I carry mine IWB in a Bianchi 100. It has a piece of leather that keeps the pistol from rubbing you raw. Comfortable once it's broken in.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I use Remora holsters for all my guns. I find they are very comfortable and they keep the gun close to my body with very little printing.

King Tuk does the trick for me.

+1 on the Alien Gear and the Stealthgear ventcore. Both very comfortable. The stealthgear is a little more comfortable, for me, I like the padding, but price and availability (they don't make them for al guns and accessories, and the design makes it harder to customize yourself) can make it prohibitive and not possible.

I work in Florida year round and outside for at least part of every day (hotter it is the more I am outside). I always wear a Tshirt, and a good belt...only way to make concealed carry work for me. Wardrobe is cargo shorts, and polo type shirt.

I've been using the Alien gear cloak tuck and cloak tuck 3.0, and very comfortable, and the customer service is excellent. I spoke with their customer service about a one off, and although they said they can't do it, when I said I would modify it myself, they said it would still be warrantied without my even asking. I thought that was impressive, that I could dremel, and reform the Kydex and they'd still cover it.

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Something really smart

DeSantis 028 X7, designed by Red Nichols who is on this forum.

I carry my 40c in a Comp Tac Infidel Ultra, it's fine I guess, I carry my 45 Shield in a Alien Gear Cloak 3.0 iwb, very very comfortable!

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I've got a crossbreed supertuck for my 1911 as well, but I only wear it on the super rare occasion I need to tuck in my outer shirt (I think that's been like 3 times, ever). Comfort wise the supertuck isn't on the same planet as a milt sparks VM2.

I did order the alien gear holster for the shield. If that doesn't work out, I'll get on a long wait for another VM2, I suppose.

I really wish gun shops would run "holster dressing rooms" where you could try lots on before you buy. It's a pipe dream, I know...

DITTO, my thoughts exactly!

One vote for Concealment Express's nicely made Kydex IWB.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9MM/.40 IWB KYDEX Holster | Concealment Express

Although I own an Alien Gear Tuck 3.0, I never use it because it is such a pain to put on and take off. The compact kydex CE is a very easy to take off to put in a glove box or door panel (for long drives). It was a little over $30 and is top quality.

If you want a Kydex holster with some flair, check out Clearwater Tactical's dual layer and clear kydex, tuckable and non-tuck.

Clearwater Tactical | Facebook

http://stores.ebay.com/Rubicon-Tactical

Stingray Holster | Clinger Holsters

Try it...you'll be glad you did!

Are they even in business anymore? Their site has been down since early November and they have zero products on eBay.

Even their Facebook page looks dormant.

My choice is a Galco Tuck-N-Go carried AIWB. It's not the best holster out there, but it's discreet and works surprisingly well for my needs.

I have a holster coming from him, now in transit. He's very busy. Contact him at:

[email protected]

Concealment Express for my full size M&P-9 & a Concealment Express for my Shield-9

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Picking a holster is very subjective and depends a lot on body type, where u carry and what type of clothes u wear. I think most here have built up a
drawer full to pick from. Personally, I've found the cheapest holster I have is what I use most. It's a desantis sof tuck. I think it was less than 20 bucks. I did replace the cheap
Plastic clip though with a metal one which made it much better. I carry cross draw at about 11 o'clock I'm fairly fit and can carry that with shorts and a tee shirt with no real printing.
Good luck

Love the AG CT3 as well, but lately have been keeping mine in a We The People kydex....it's very similar to several others mentioned here. It's just easier to take off and put on, for car trips, or at work I usually pull it off and it goes in a drawer next to me.


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I will give my nod to the N82 Holster.

As stated above you have to get use to the release catch (or as some have done grind it off) but it is the most comfortable.

Have one for a Shield and Glock 43 and while I am a little portly I hardly notice the gun is there.

I've got a CT3.0 for my P238 and love it. I ordered the shell for the Shield and it didn't seem quite right. Not much room for my finger between the shell and the grip, kept scratching me up a bit. I believe that would have been different if I ordered the CT3.0 FOR the Shiled first and got a shell for the P238. Anyway, the holster is great and very comfortable.

I also picked up a FOXX for the Shield and I like that as well. Now I don't have to swap shells around either. And I got it at my LGS for 20 bucks.

Another great one for quick trips is the Blackhawk aiwb, soft rubbery thing, reversible, again around 20 bucks and very convenient.

I'll add the Bianchi/Safariland Model 135 to the "most comfortable holster" list.

I have one for my 40c and my Shield 40 and have been using them almost exclusively for over 4 years now.

It has a mesh covered padded backing that is very comfortable and cool in hot weather. The C-Clips hold the holster securely on the belt and are very discreet, they almost disappear on a black belt.

I have a all kydex single clip IWB but never wear it because it's not as comfortable against my hip.

I just ordered my first Alien Gear yesterday. I got the cloak tuck 3.0 and am looking forward to giving it a whirl. Once it's here and I've sufficient time to try it out, I'll post up my thoughts. :-)

Milt Sparks VM II:

If I go milt, then I'm thinking of going with the Nexus for a little additional cant. If I ever have issue with my VMII on my 1911 it's because the butt can stick out too far when bending over, etc... I think the nexus and a itty bitty shield would completely eliminate that issue.

Ok, so I got the alien gear yesterday, and there's things I don't like about it already:

1. Gun rides high.
2. Really hard to get on and off. This may be a deal killer, but that neoprene makes it so you can't just slide the holster in and out. I probably do that 10x a day, so this is important for me. I'll give it a try for a while before giving up.
3. The nylon clips are really hard to release, esp on my wilderness tactical belt. Like I had to pull the belt through to get it off.

However, this may be a great t-shirt (against the skin) holster, so I may keep this one no matter what for long hikes, etc... in the woods (I spend about 50% of my free time out in the woods).


ALSO, I went and picked up the DeSantis "Cozy Partner" mentioned above, and it is much better getting in and out, but it sits wider on the pants (belt loops are on top of the gun). So there's a bigger waist bulge, and the belt needs to be looser. I got this locally I'll try it a day or two, also. Build quality is not in the same ballpark as a milt sparks, but this is a little gun, so the thinner leather may be fine.
Edit: some more on the DeSantis after a couple of hours: The whole holster cants because the clips are in one spot, and the loop snaps either engage fully or not enough at all (good snaps you can engage at an angle so it's easy to get the off again).

I also saw the Bianchi 100 mentioned above, and thought about that as well, but the prominently stamped "MADE IN MEXICO" sorta turned me off... If I return the DeSantis I'll probably try the bianchi anyways.

Any of you guys carry appendix? Wonder if anyone who uses a AIWB can tell me if they holster would still work if you wanted to carry at 3 O'clock or if there are holsters out there that are designed to use either way?

FYI, I've read some good things about the Stealthgear Ventcore holsters. they make both AIWB and a more standard Hybrid version.

Here's the AIWB model:

You do know you can raise the clips to make it sit deeper. Also, I don't think it's meant to take on and off all day.... it's meant to carry.. set and forget. But I do agree their newer clips are hard to open up, but they loosen a little over time. I like the fact they are snug and stay put. If you have to take off and on many times during the day, I suggest a standard kydex with a single clip like Many shown here.



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I have both an Aliengear 3.0 and a Stealthgear holster for my PC Shield 9 and I prefer the Stealthgear. I got the 3.0 first and thought it was the most comfortable holster ever. I then ordered the Stealthgear to give it a whirl and it was even better!

Which stealthgear model?

This is my favorite.

Amazon.com : S&W M&P Shield 9/40 IWB Holster Veteran Owned Company - Made in USA - Made from Boltaron - Inside Waistband Concealed Carry Holster : Sports & Outdoors

It's similar to some of the others in this thread. What I like about them is they are very easy to get on, get off, and reposition. It's easy to slide from 5 o'clock for walking around, to 4 o'clock for sitting and driving. I find the double clip holsters overkill for a gun of this size. My full size 39 oz. 1911 definitely needs a double clip holster.

The Ventcore IWB Mini.