Will b receiving my permit by mail any day now . Iwb is really not an option for me at this time so what design wld b best for concealment for my m&p40c. Love the kydex type holsters and how they click into place but all seem to show too much . Usually where button down untucked shirts or tee shirt. Thinkin maybe a pancake with button snap belt loops and snap for action. Wondering what yall r doing in this situation. Thanks guys and girls

http://www.ravenconcealment.com/hols...odular-holster

"Best" is subjective, but I will be ordering one for my full size M&P9 soon, and then an M&P9c in the future once I get one! It is slim, well constructed, and rides higher on the belt so you don't need long shirts or shoot-me-first vests. The one gripe I've heard is that it doesn't have a lot of retention. So if you are open carrying in a crowd you may want something with a thumb break or retention button like the Blackhawk Serpa. But for EDC OWB carry this should be great.

I have a BlackHawk Serpa CQC for my M&P45 FS. I like the option for Belt loop or paddle. I find paddles to be very comfortable, but sometimes like a belt loop design. The nice thing is the retention and ease of draw. Using the paddle I find it very secure and does not move around at all. I would buy one for my SR9c if they made one. I'm currently looking at other holster options for that. I most likely will go with a Cross Breed Super Tuck for that.

Thanks guys ... Clock , I also like the ravens , like they fit close which is the big thing concealment and also retentsion . (19mnth old daughter) . Looks wide though , wonder how range of movement or sitting is ?
At hole ... looked also at blkhawk but worried bout concealment . I do like paddle for easy removement. But the fobus I tried kept pulling out when I wld draw..???

Leather pancake with thumb break , seemed to have it all but all the plastic style snap in catches my eye.

I have had no such issues with the Serpa. It stays in place no matter what. It's definitely not as close a pancake and for warmer weather when wearing lighter clothing, or no jacket, it may be a problem, But that's when I carry my SR9c or LCP.

Thanks, guess that may b how it will go ..m&p40c for cooler months and my .38m&p for warmer . Holsters r becoming as difficult as choosing the next weapon lol .

The Desantis Speed Scabbard pulls my M&P40 in close. I like the tension adjustment screw to fine tune the fit as it loosens with time. Hard to beat the price @ ~$55.

I agree with the Desantis

Try Jim at www.texasdonkeys.com/holsters I purchased one for a LCP and a M&P357c He makes a great holster.

You might also check out http://pjholster.com

Thanks guys, local gun show had blackhawk leather pancake with thump break for 50.00 new. I jumpd on it. Love it so far but u can still notice I have a weapon soreness at about 4:30 positon. But Damn can't get much closer for owb. Makes me wanna just go open carry . But then i get my senses . Haha too much attention I think. So ill ride this blackhawk for now and post on how it does. Thanks again. Yall have been very helpful as always . love being a member

I use the Personal Security System's (Personal Security Systems Kydex Holsters) kydex holster for a M&P 45c. Holds the pistol into your body very tightly. No retention strap needed.

I just heard about those for the first time a few hours ago. Jumped in line ahead of the Raven I was considering after reading a ton of good reviews. Costs less too!

I daily carry a S&W M&P40c, I did carry a M&P40 FS but when Mass came out with the compact I bought that and now the fullsize is my house gun.

I would say go with a High Noon Holster and Belt.

High Noon Holsters

I have their Sky High Holster and their Rock Steady Belt. Both are great units and I wear everyday and it rides great.

It takes some time to get their better made lined holster but it's well worth the wait. Their "in stock" holster are well made also, they are just not as well made as their "hand molded/lined" holster.

I will be putting an order in soon for one of their "Skin Tite" holsters to use as my "beater holster" for the times around the house when I'm out side working or watching out for the bears or coyotes.

I just bought (well got free with my Cabela points) a Galco KingTuk

Galco holsters; Holsters; Gun holster, pistol holsters, western holsters, shoulder holsters, leather holster and Glock holsters

for the very few times that I have to carry that way, I like it so far but I still like my High Noon better.

EDIT 3/10/2012

As far as me, I'm 6'3", 270 Lb's, to give you an idea of my size to what ever you are.

As I said, I carry all the time and I have had 3 back surgerys and need a 4th that they don't want to do now seeing that they dug into me to pull cancer out. So yes I walk around (barely) all day with this set up.

Here's a few shots to see what it looks like: (OK I was able to load them, take a look)

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NRA & GOAL LIFE MEMBER

The Blackhawk has a hook on the bottom to prevent pulling it off accidentally where as the fobus does not.

I am a bit surprised no one has suggested a $OB (small of back) holster. Otherwise, an ankle holster or a high ride OWB with a shirt over it.

I carry a Kel Tec PF-9 in my RF pocket. I am probably going to buy a 9mm M&P though.

"Small Of Back" holsters are frowned on in many circles due to the increased possibility of spinal damage when/if the wearer falls backwards, and the fact that many people have a tendency to "sweep" their own body with the muzzle when drawing from that position. They're also (imho, anyway) pretty darn uncomfortable when sitting/driving for extended periods of time.

I can't speak for anyone else here, but for me, ankle carry is definitely not going to work with a gun as bulky as a 40c unless I'm wearing bellbottoms...and that's just not going to happen.

The Galco Concealable is a nice all-leather, high-ride OWB holster that holds the gun tight to your side so it just disappears under an untucked t-shirt. Holsters of this type require a sturdy gunbelt, though. Your average leather belt from Target just isn't going to give your holster the support it needs to stay tight to your side.

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPG3.as...3707&GunID=352

Great info. David pic wld b great if u get it goin

I took a gamble and purchased mine base upon reviews. In this case, I hit a homerun.

Check out post # 15, I was able to load some photo's.

I guess S&W Forum had a clitch, saw it in another post.

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Yes Plus 1, I agree, the small of back is not the way to carry, as stasher1 said, plus I have been a driver (in different jobs) all my life and riding with a big chunk of metal (or ploymer) in the middle of your back gets old real fast.

I can't speak for him, but I think the Galco that he is talking about is the FLETCH Holster, I have one and it is a nice holster, I used it as my carry holster till I got my High Noon Sky High.

I now use the FLETCH as my working in the yard, out walking, working on the vehicle holster. Persay my beater holster, as it is not a lined holster and I don't mind if it gets beat up, were my Hign Noon is my daily carry that I keep nice.

Sky High

Galco holsters; Holsters; Gun holster, pistol holsters, western holsters, shoulder holsters, leather holster and Glock holsters

Opps, sorry, there is one called the "concealable", it's like the FLETCH but without the thumb break part.

Galco holsters; Holsters; Gun holster, pistol holsters, western holsters, shoulder holsters, leather holster and Glock holsters

Myself, I have allways worn/like a thumb break holster.

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NRA & GOAL LIFE MEMBER

The Phantom is an excellent choice, the wait time for delivery is the only downside.

Don Hume JIT Slide is really hard to beat. At $30.00 you get a well made holster that carries close to the body. The Desantis belt slide is really nice too but a few dollars more. You can't go wrong with either one.

I'm kinds liking my Tagua Gun leather holster. When I was searching for one, I wanted OWB, but I didn't want to have to feed the belt through it (have a Galco for a P91 like that, excellent holster, but for everyday, didn't want to mess with feeding the belt). It loops around the belt and snaps together. So far it's worked very well, although I think I would prefer one that covered all the way to the end of the muzzle.

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Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

I second that "best" is subjective. "Best" depends on a number of factors, including your build, how you want to carry the pistol, what features you want in a holster, the price and quality. For OWB, I find that a pancake design is the best way to conceal a full sized pistol. An IWB hides the gun better, regardless of its size. In leather styles, a neutral cant sport holster such as the Sparks BN55 or the Alessi DOJ offer a faster draw at the expense of the pistol printing a bit more. I have found that a quality leather holster from a custom leather maker will last many years even when worn almost daily and subjected to sweat, heat, cold, rain, thousands of draws, etc. Kydex and the synthetics have their place, but Kydex does tend to crack so pay attention to the company. Blade Tec has a great reputation. I have a Comp Tac for my 45, and it seems to be pretty well made with a good reputation. Kydex, in my opinion, is great for competetion. In terms of lower end leather or synthetic holsters, you get what you pay for. You might get something that works great, or you might get something that is a dangerous piece of garbage. I see a lot of folks carrying pistols daily who rely on the cheaper holsters because of the price and nothing more. I've seen quite a few of the cheaper paddle designs come out with the pistol during a draw, and requiring the shooter to have to hold the holster in place instead of having that support hand ready at mid-level to establish a proper shooting grip. I am not a fan of belt slides because they may allow the gun to be pushed up out of the holster exposing the trigger when seated. Another thing to take into consideration when buying a carry system is a good gun belt. A good holster's quality is negated when hung on a cheap run-of-the-mill belt.

Here's what I've personally experienced:

Milt Sparks - makes excellent holsters, magazine pouches, and tactical flash light holders. I have Sparks gear for a G23 that is six years old and still in excellent shape, save for scratches. I am waiting for my order of new holsters, mag pouches, and belt for my M&P 45.

Alessi - I have bought several, but currently have two that I still use, a Talon IWB that was bought in 1997-98 and a Heinie DOJ. The others I ended up trading when I traded the pistols they were for. Lou Alessi's (RIP) stuff was most excellent craftsmanship. Don't know how they are today.

Galco - Mostly good. I prefer the fit of their ankle glove ankle holster. I have had one that is over ten years old and worn almost daily for quite a while. The velcro started wearing out. The holster body and snap are just fine. I could have replaced the velcro, but for $20 more, I got a complete holster. Galco's 1 1/4" dress belts are excellent. Their casual carry belts such as the Concealable are good belts, but I'd give the edge to a custom maker.

5.11 - Their nylon belts have been good for wear and support the pistol well, but the only last 2-3 years before the velcro starts to give out. I don't care for their injected holsters made by Blade Tec. Their molle gear is mostly good for domestic LE purposes and is quite affordable. Don't know how it would hold up in Afghanistan.

Blackhawk - I've got a pre-serpa and two of their serpas. They're okay. I'd rank them better that a Fobus, but really don't car for their retention devices. They don't fit as tight to the body as I'd like.

Highnoon - Decent leather with good features, i.e. sweat guard.

Safariland - I like some of their inovation for duty and tactical holsters, but some of their modular concealment rigs are not that concealable. Also, as age sets in, the synthetics do tend to crack.

I make my own holsters, and I patterned mine after a DeSantis mini slide but with a sweat guard like Highnoon does. Real comfy for my .40c and me.

I used Blackhawk's Serpa for several years and liked it a lot. Ordered a Comp-Tac paddle recently for IDPA and was surprised to find it rode close to body, had great retention (adjustable), and the best feature for me was that it stayed put while also allowing it to be removed easily when needed. Oh yeah, presentation was very fast as well. 30 day return policy if you dont like it for ANY reason!

I agree, a don Hume JT slide is what I carried my sigma with and it tucks it in nice and high. Had no problems concealing it with a good shirt.
Now I carry my 9c in a bianchi. This holster is even better than the Hume, and is very reasonable. NO problem hiding the 9c even under just a tshirt.

I have a Ryan Grizzle Elephant OWB holster that I love. I a able to wear my shirts not tucked in at work and this hoster is great. Took about ten weeks to order.
Unfortunately I had an RMR02 Red Dot Sight installed with taller Suppressor Sights. So it did not fit like it should.
I ordered a holster from Don Fricke for teh RMR Sight and it is great. It is a Kydex holster where the Grizzzle holster was leather covered in Elephant.
I carry a 9c. I also had Grizzle amke a belt in Elephant and a double mag holster.
Both makers are excellant. Don made and shipped to me in a week.
Both fit tight. Teh Fricke Holster fits higher and tighter.
I love and prefer the Grizzle but just cannot use it anymore.

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Ted
Les Baer , Wilson CQB

buy the best quality holster you can afford. For many that is a Milt Sparks, Kramer, Alessi, Del Fatti, etc.

BTW, what is the problem with IWB? Many will say it is not comfortable until they try or buy a Milt Sparks VM-2 or similar.

Pretty much you get what you pay for...........Make sure that you use a sturdy belt as well. If you can fold it in half vertically it is NOT up to the job.

Randy