First IWB Holster . . . I hate it.

I have one Versacarry holster, an OWB. I have never used it beyond trying to see if my gun would fit. It came completely flat - no molding whatsoever - and I needed to pry apart the front and back halves and force my gun into it. It is stitched vaguely in the shape of a semi-auto. Mine also has the built-in magazine holder - also flat, same problem using it. The leather is probably quality, but it is very stiff. The "holes" that seem to be for making it conform to the general shape of the gun seem to me to be lint traps. NOT one I'd recommend.
That's why I suggest that the OP try a "better" IWB instead. There are a ton of holsters better suited to try if you're so inclined. Sorry you got what's IMO not a very good item.
I have one of those G&G holsters just like yours that I got from Robertson Trading Post a few years back for a 3" K-frame, and it's like putting on an old shoe. Like so many, though, it's in the Box O' Holsters instead of on my ready line. I do use a G&G IWB holster for my 3913, 6906, 4516, Walther PPS, and pretty much any other semi in that size range.
Another good choice is the Remora IWB. They had a sale recently, 1/2 price on certain models. I bought one for a J-frame and one for the 3913 series. All I can say is, Wow! VERY comfortable, VERY easy to draw, and they aren't kidding that their material "sticks" to whatever you're wearing without clips or loops. I've worn both extensively and they do stay put! Pretty amazing. And the J-frame model fits in my cargo shorts' pocket, so it doubles as one of those. They do have a model with the traditional metal clip if you aren't ready to trust them. :D I highly recommend them. Good luck with your holsters.
 
Been carrying IWB since about 1984. Walther PPK , 3" 66, S&W 3913 and 6906 to full size Sig 220 or Beretta 92 Centurion. I'm 5'8" 165 lbs.

Since about 1988 holsters are almost always Milt Sparks Summer Specials or Executive Companions at 4-5 O'clock.

It takes about a week to get use to ......... That holster looks uncomfortable to me.. with an empty gun try "Mexican carry" around the house to find your comfy spot.

I will admit my first IWB was the Walther PPK as my "suit gun". On weekends it was a 3" 65 in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket.
 
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I've been carrying IWB since 1989. Tried the less expensive types, but when you get a top shelf manufacturer they can be quite comfortable.
Clint Smith said that "carrying a gun is comforting, not comfortable", and while I largely agree with most of what he says, I feel that with a good holster you can be in pretty good shape.
Try this Milt Sparks, if you don't like it, Brownells will take the return no questions asked. It's a bit spendy but it is a fantastic holster.

MILT SPARKS HOLSTERS SEMI-AUTO SUMMER SPECIAL 2 | Brownells

ETA, they are in stock, if you ordered today you would probably have it in hand by the weekend or the first of next week.
 
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Good subject. There's no right answer here, just what works for you. I am about 5 11, 200. I like carrying a medium size CZ pistol in a cheap kydex IWB. I prefer OWB, but it's too visible for a lot of the work I do. I have to go to IWB to be fully concealed. I carry about 1 o'clock appendix carry.
 
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Just got a Sig Sauer P365/P365XL Trigger Guard Tuckable IWB KYDEX Holster from Concealment Express. Minimal bulk, fully covers the trigger guard and the clip for attachment is secure and very well designed.
 
It's most likely not the holster. That versamax looks about as comfortable as any. A good belt and the right amount of room in your pants are just as important. But if it feels foreign to you in your pants, no holster will fix that.
 
CrossBreed

HenryT said:
I now have a 44" waist. IWB was last comfortable when I had a 34" waist, about 35 years ago.
Click to expand...

I have a 50" waist and my EDC is a Wilson Beretta Centurion in a Crossbreed SuperTuck supported by an elephant hide belt from The Beltman.
On in the morning, off at bedtime.
Super comfy.
Best,
Gary
 
Univibe said:
Even worse is appendix IWB. It inherently violates the Second Rule of safe gun handling. If the gun is discharged, and you hit the femoral artery, nothing and nobody can save you. You'll have one minute to regret your choice of holsters as your life-blood pulses away.
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I wonder if shoulder carry and the various cross draw rigs had these same concerns. Any discharge in a holster is unacceptable, and thankfully the AIWB crowd (myself included) doesn't seem to be unintentionally blasting anything any more than the others. I don't blame anyone for having those concerns but for those that are comfortable with it it's am excellent way to carry.
 
AIWB, IWB, 4o'clock, pocket carry, ankle holster, semi-auto,revolver and on and on.
Concealed carry is a very personal choice. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another. Too many different body types and temperaments.

Most of the people who have carried for a long time have discovered what works for them.
Most people try different things till they find that thing that works for them.
There is no wrong answer, just the right one for you personally.
That being said here's what works for me, at this time. 😎
5'9" 140# the dreaded AIWB. Mostly the Sig P365XL.



 
You are not alone. In my experience (43 years making holsters for customers in all 50 US states and 33 other countries) about half of all people cannot tolerate IWB carry for extended periods of time.

If such a thing as the "perfect holster" existed there would be no need for anything else to meet any requirements. There is a similar explanation for the many different handgun designs in regular use.

Every holster design involves compromises among the 4 basic factors of comfort, accessibility, security, and concealment. Emphasizing one factor requires compromises in the other factors. Each user must decide which factors are most important for their needs and how much compromise is acceptable.
 
Lobo:

I totally agree. Also, when it comes to fit and comfort, it is best that the customer/wearer be personally fitted. I've done this for a few friends and have had no complaints.

As I am not a commercial maker, cost is "good will" and "down the road" reciprocation.

Works for me.
 
Having carried concealed for nearly 50 years, I found IWB carry uncomfortable at first, but once I got used to it, it became quite comfortable.

In my case, all it was was getting used to it.
 
When I'm not pocket carrying I carry IWB. Always have carried IWB except in the field. I can handle almost any compact handgun IWB and I've been overweight for years!

I always suspected that that Versacarry wouldn't work for me so I never tried one. Tonight I carried my M649 in a Kydex IWB holster and I carry my 9mm in a Kydex IWB as well. I also have a Galco Summer Special or whatever they call their leather IWB that they copied from Milt Sparks. It works equally as well as the Kydex.

That's my two EDCs but for the guns that I MIGHT carry I can't even begin to count the number of different holsters that I have for them but most of the concealment holsters are IWB. It just takes getting used to.....
 
I carry my 2" 686P in an azula holster AIWB, I couldn't do it years ago at 265, I started to eat keto and went to 210. At 20 years as an LEO, I spent 10 years in CID and that packed on the pounds. Now as a Sergeant on patrol and 55lbs lighter the kids have a hard time keeping up with the "old sarge"
 

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stanmerrell said:
"There's no right answer here, just what works for you."

Pretty much sums it up. If you want to try a different brand, go for it, that sometimes makes a difference. But I know a lot of people that absolutely hate IWB carry. It has worked fine for me for over 30 years, but that is me. Go with what works for you.
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deputy584 said:
I carry my 2" 686P in an azula holster AIWB, I couldn't do it years ago at 265, I started to eat keto and went to 210. At 20 years as an LEO, I spent 10 years in CID and that packed on the pounds. Now as a Sergeant on patrol and 55lbs lighter the kids have a hard time keeping up with the "old sarge"
Click to expand...

Congrats on the weight loss! That's also a good point, IWB but especially AIWB is really impacted by a person's weight. If you've got a gut or love handles for your pistol to jam into, you're going to have a way different experience than you would if you shed the pounds (in case any of us need another reason to get to being healthy).
 
Since they changed the law on 'accidental printing' to no longer being grounds for having your concealed carry permit pulled (Texas), I've completely gone to OWB. I'm pretty trim, no belly roll, but it just isn't worth being uncomfortable. I have them for J frame, small automatic etc. And....looks matter. I look for the Tom Threepersons design OWB holsters. Available for almost everything. Pancakes are good too (but not as traditional / cool to me).
 
IWB vs OWB

I do not like the looks of the versacarry, I also know a major key for me is to carry the gun deep so the grip is just above the belt. You can get a full grip, but have to practice. I have been carrying daily for 14 years always IWB tucked under a shirt during the work week and occasionally OWB on weekends and evenings. About 5-6 years ago I decided to carry a S&W Shield and did so in a handmade copy of the Mitch Rosen "The Workman" a friend made for me at 4:00...definitely the most comfortable holster I owned for a number of years. I started having low back pain and watching the AIWB videos and decided to try AIWB with a Sig365 in a Vetter single clip, AIWB kydex holster with strut. I have never looked back, AIWB is easily the most comfortable position for me 5'6" 230lbs (big bones)! I went back to the S&W Shield PC 9mm because it is lighter and slimmer, in a locally made Kydex AIWB, tuckable holster. Carry at 1:00.
 
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