I've come to the conclusion I don't really like IWB holsters...most uncomfortable to me and hard to get pistol out and then back in without two hands. The only other viable alternative is OWB but then it's not going to be "concealed" unless it's winter and you have a jacket/coat on. What's a guy to do? I do like the CQC-S Holsters by Alessi.
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IWB Holsters Uncomfortable
- Thread starter ColColt
- Start date
Moonman
Well-known member
Have you ever tried a SUMMER SPECIAL?
Poodle Soup
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I carry a fnx9 in a crossbreed supertuck with 0 problems. What IWB holder were you trying? And where were you wearing it?
I haven't tried the Summer Special but have tried the VMII and a Don Hume H715 holster. Being right handed I tried wearing it between 3-4 o'clock. They seem to fit so tight against my hip that getting the pistol out and then reholstering is all but impossible without using two hands.
seagill
US Veteran
I carry either a S&W 908 or a Ruger LCR, both OWB. I have no problem concealing with an untucked shirt.
Stu Honea
Well-known member
It's uncomfortable for me too.I don't have any fat rolls or love handles and I'm still miserable.I found my answer with AIWB,but you have to mentally prepare yourself for it,and I'm sure you know why.
This is an extremely fast position for me for the draw.Of course, the all important trigger finger discipline is doubly important here,but if it works well(with practice) for a klutz like me,it can work for anyone.
People used to lose their minds over this,but it has become more mainstream in the last couple of years.
Sometimes I have to laugh. Things I did in the sixties and seventies are suddenly being discovered,named,and marketed. And I didn't get one red cent from it.
This is an extremely fast position for me for the draw.Of course, the all important trigger finger discipline is doubly important here,but if it works well(with practice) for a klutz like me,it can work for anyone.
People used to lose their minds over this,but it has become more mainstream in the last couple of years.
Sometimes I have to laugh. Things I did in the sixties and seventies are suddenly being discovered,named,and marketed. And I didn't get one red cent from it.
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I used to carry IWB but after a while it became too uncomfortable, hot and required an undershirt which I usually do not wear. I now carry either OWB or Pocket Carry. How some guys say they carry an N frame or a 1911 IWB all day is beyond me!
Chief38
Chief38
Hill_Country
Well-known member
Chief38, I hear what you're saying about uncomfortable and needing an undershirt (not allowed in South Texas).
I had Tucker Gun Leather make their CoverUp Plus with a full sweat shield, smooth leather inside and out and without deep boning on the body side. With a single (tuckable) belt clip I can move it around if I need to. This rig is good for all day.
And the nice part is the same holster fits my 6906, 908 or CS9.
I had Tucker Gun Leather make their CoverUp Plus with a full sweat shield, smooth leather inside and out and without deep boning on the body side. With a single (tuckable) belt clip I can move it around if I need to. This rig is good for all day.
And the nice part is the same holster fits my 6906, 908 or CS9.
PeterCartwright
Well-known member
What's more subjective than perceptions about holster comfort? I'm 6'2" and 50 lbs. overweight. I've been wearing Wranglers a bit on the large size with a 4" K frame and Rob's Sourdough Pancake with IWB loops. The pancake shape tucks in behind my hip and I just forget the gun is there. It's been 13 hours today and I'm still quite comfortable. I feel pretty much the same way with my Sig P series guns in a VMII. In both cases, I've started using a pair of Perry suspenders. THAT makes all the difference in the world for me. 'Spose it's also important to concede I live in a climate where sweaters are normal attire eight months of the year.
PC
PC
Stu-I just can't bring myself to use an AIWB holster. I ain't got much but what I do have I aim to keep.
I've also discovered in a short period of time that after about 8-10 presentations the leather has scuffed the finish on my 4516-1, mostly the sides and top. Maybe a nylon holster....
It's pretty warm down here and especially the past year or two where winters last about two months, if you want to call them winter as we didn't have such a thing this year. I'm on three blood thinners so, I wear a T-shirt most of the time except when it gets 85+ like in July-August. maybe I'll find the right combination-everybody does sooner or later. I just want something comfortable, a holster I can draw and reholster with fairly easy and one that won't scratch, mar my pistol. Maybe such a thing doesn't exist.
I've also discovered in a short period of time that after about 8-10 presentations the leather has scuffed the finish on my 4516-1, mostly the sides and top. Maybe a nylon holster....
It's pretty warm down here and especially the past year or two where winters last about two months, if you want to call them winter as we didn't have such a thing this year. I'm on three blood thinners so, I wear a T-shirt most of the time except when it gets 85+ like in July-August. maybe I'll find the right combination-everybody does sooner or later. I just want something comfortable, a holster I can draw and reholster with fairly easy and one that won't scratch, mar my pistol. Maybe such a thing doesn't exist.
Last edited:
Ltlbear
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A few point there Colcolt
1. Its a carry gun not a safe queen. It will get wear.
2. If you want less wear, get stainless and coated aluminum. Wears better than blue. I have carried in a VMII for 8 years with minimal wear on a stainless and aluminum 1911. I have never had an issue with 1 handed reholster with the VMII
3. Any and all holster put wear on a gun. About as good as it gets is rough in leather holster.
4. When it gets hot, I just have to go to pocket carry. A T-shirt under a cover shirt is too hot. J frame does the trick.
5. A few make a holster that goes between the belt and he Pants OWB. Holds it in tight and covers as easy as IWB but any quality OWB should do the same thing. Just need to watch reaching over your head and how long a cover shirt you wear.
6. You may end up with the drawer full of holsters, most of us did until we find what works the best.
1. Its a carry gun not a safe queen. It will get wear.
2. If you want less wear, get stainless and coated aluminum. Wears better than blue. I have carried in a VMII for 8 years with minimal wear on a stainless and aluminum 1911. I have never had an issue with 1 handed reholster with the VMII
3. Any and all holster put wear on a gun. About as good as it gets is rough in leather holster.
4. When it gets hot, I just have to go to pocket carry. A T-shirt under a cover shirt is too hot. J frame does the trick.
5. A few make a holster that goes between the belt and he Pants OWB. Holds it in tight and covers as easy as IWB but any quality OWB should do the same thing. Just need to watch reaching over your head and how long a cover shirt you wear.
6. You may end up with the drawer full of holsters, most of us did until we find what works the best.
stacy06
Active member
This is an honest question.....Why the concern about re-holstering? Is this really an issue with a CC gun? If I pull it, my last concern is how many hands it takes to put it back in the holster. All I care about is, How does it wear.
IWB holsters are an aquired "taste". The key is a good holster.
I too have a spare tire around my middle. But I have no problems with IWB holsters. I did at first but got used to it.
I like the wide IWB holster which distributes the weight over a greater area. Reholstering is not a concern.
I wear an untucked shirt. Drawing takes practice. I admit that it's a little slower. But that's one of the trade off's that we deal with.
If we could carry long guns, this wouldn't be an issue.
I too have a spare tire around my middle. But I have no problems with IWB holsters. I did at first but got used to it.
I like the wide IWB holster which distributes the weight over a greater area. Reholstering is not a concern.
I wear an untucked shirt. Drawing takes practice. I admit that it's a little slower. But that's one of the trade off's that we deal with.
If we could carry long guns, this wouldn't be an issue.
smitret
Well-known member
IWB problem
If you still have the VMII try holstering the pistol in a plastic sandwich bag overnight.
My Summer Special instructions suggested using the bag the holster was shipped in.
The slight stretching will make drawing and reholster much easier.
Good Luck
If you still have the VMII try holstering the pistol in a plastic sandwich bag overnight.
My Summer Special instructions suggested using the bag the holster was shipped in.
The slight stretching will make drawing and reholster much easier.
Good Luck
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
appendix carry
Stu Honea
Well-known member
Stu-I just can't bring myself to use an AIWB holster. I ain't got much but what I do have I aim to keep.
I've also discovered in a short period of time that after about 8-10 presentations the leather has scuffed the finish on my 4516-1, mostly the sides and top. Maybe a nylon holster....
It's pretty warm down here and especially the past year or two where winters last about two months, if you want to call them winter as we didn't have such a thing this year. I'm on three blood thinners so, I wear a T-shirt most of the time except when it gets 85+ like in July-August. maybe I'll find the right combination-everybody does sooner or later. I just want something comfortable, a holster I can draw and reholster with fairly easy and one that won't scratch, mar my pistol. Maybe such a thing doesn't exist.
I completely understand.It's not for everybody and there are certain body types that it just doesn't work for,like any other form of carry.
smitret's suggestion may help with the holster.I did this with a tightly boned FIST holster,and it eventually loosened to the point where the draw was fine but still held the gun securely. Also,Mitch Rosen's holsters are very well boned,but don't start out so tight that you can't draw the pistol.
They are expensive,though,but to me worth it for a gun you'll be carrying a lot. Good luck,you'll find what you need,just may take a little time and trial and error.
I mostly use the AIWB in the summer months.With a jacket it's usually OWB at 3:30.
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The Sarge
Well-known member
A good, double thickness gun belt not only fully supports the gun and related gear but the stability it provides actually makes IWB carry more comfortable. Wear time is also important. With time you don't "feel' the gun IWB as much and a comfort level is reached. I use a lot of the Comp-tac gear and it works very well for me. They have lots of options, 3 day production time and fast shipping. No hassle 30 day return policy. Bill
ogilvyspecial
Well-known member
ColColt, I can't carry inside the waistband (IWB) due to a bad
back so I have relied on cross draw in both summer & winter.
My primary carry gun is a 2.5" M66-2 but when things get really hot I usually
switch over to a J Frame, since they tend to conceal a little better under just a t-shirt.
I've used a number of different cross-draw holsters but my
main type is the Mernickle, shown below with 2 & 3-inch J Frames.
back so I have relied on cross draw in both summer & winter.
My primary carry gun is a 2.5" M66-2 but when things get really hot I usually
switch over to a J Frame, since they tend to conceal a little better under just a t-shirt.
I've used a number of different cross-draw holsters but my
main type is the Mernickle, shown below with 2 & 3-inch J Frames.
Dress around the gun. In summer down here (100+F and high humidity)that will often mean shorts, a T-shirt and a loose, unbuttoned shortsleeve shirt over the T if carrying OWB. With a well designed OWB holster such as LOBO's Enhanced Avenger, I have done it many times.
