I am used to pocket carrying and fixing to purchase a 45 shield. I am a big guy and looking for a comfortable and concealable holster? I want some type of IWB holster. All suggestions are appreciated!!

I used a couple SmartCarry holsters for a while and still have them. (I now rely on a Pistol Wear Trump Card for this sort of carry, having done some reassessment of gun size that is reasonable for under-the-pant carry.) Honestly, I'd not consider this as suitable for someone who's more heavyset - it works by sucking in your stomach and knife-handing in for the draw (which comes out in a clenched fist through your closed pants over your stomach). It's great if you have a flat stomach, but I'd not think it would work well otherwise.

Maybe consider a bellyband or one of the Pistol Wear Trump Cards worn with the shoulder option?

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I really like the Remoras. Dead simple, stays where you put it, and no snaps straps or other encumbrances. Cheap, too.

I use one with my shield. Under cargo shorts it's invisible

How does it fit with normal jeans? Like I said I'm on the heavy side

There are all kinds of normal jeans - under "mom" jeans, no sweat. Under the tighter jeans that are back in style, someone's going to pay you a compliment . . .

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When I said normal jeans I meant plain common levi jeans.

I like this one; Iwb Holsters | Iwb Kydex Holster | Iwb Concealed Carry Holsters - White Hat Holsters

However, I'm just an average guy!

Remora, inexpensive and simple. The regular is easily tucked in your waist band in just about any position. The first two pictures show the Sticky holster, basically the same as the Remora, different company.









The tuckable version clips over your belt and has a flap which allows you to tuck a shirt over it.



Until I can get actual leather for my Shield .45, the Remora tuck will work just fine.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

I wear Levi 550's and 541's (great carry jeans BTW) with no problem. I can use the smart carry or my Stealthgear Onyx with
these 2 styles of jeans very comfortably. I believe Smartcarry has a 30 day return, give it a try, you can send it back if you don't like it. I actually bought a smart carry for my FS .40 and ended up selling the gun, so I gave the holster to my Sensei and he carries a .45C in it and loves it. That's quite a bit larger than a shield.

+1 For Remora

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Bishop

I don't like soft-sided holsters. There is a point, albeit slim (no pun intended), to being able to reholster your pistol. I see little difference between how a soft-sided holster, no matter what brand, conceals more than most IWB holsters, especially tuckable if you need the extra concealment. My wife bought a smart carry and I tried it with my Shield - I find zero advantage to my other Shield holsters. I am considering, because "extra" DEEP concealment may be a necessity in my future, going with some type of velcro-lined tuckable holster (JM Custom Kydex AIWB Tuckable). This will never print, is more sturdy and re-holsterable, and is as comfortable as any other holster out there (based on my experience with other IWB holsters). YMMV.

I'm also a big fan of Remoras (I have a couple dozen of them for various guns) - I only discussed the SmartCarry supra because that's what the OP asked about. Remora makes a reinforced top holster that allows reholstering (I have a couple).

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Remora here too. Usually wear draw string shorts so I can cinch them up as loose or tight as I feel. Have out bellied my jeans so they're too tight for the remora.

One thing I will say is when I ordered I wanted full sweat shield (Fl) and ordered it wrong.. Totally my fault but Remora not only sent me one I wanted (for no extra cost) but allowed me to keep old one.

. Another thing I did when ordering was ask for can cozies and stickers in comments area of order form.... Got 2 coozies and about 6 stickers

THAT my friends is customer service

So, I don't know that I can comment on the fat aspect...but I've been testing a smart carry for almost a week with a Shield in 9mm, so I can give some thoughts on that. I bought the smart carry as a deep conceal option and possibly a workout bolster. So far it seems to do quite well in these roles. I've been carrying my pistol and a spare mag throughout my activities. I have logged 3 runs with it so far, two 3 mile and a 5 mile, all averaging less than 8:30 minute miles. The smart carry has also been to the gym twice and performed satisfactorily while utilizing all the weight machines there, the only exception being crunches. As I type this I'm wearing the smart carry with 5.11 cargo shorts and a t shirt. The gun in undetectable and fairly comfortable. I prefer to wear it slightly to my left and so that the grip sits directly behind my waste band. I'd say for me it's definitely going to be a good option, but your mileage may vary.

Well, got some extra side meat myself. the bright side is I hide iWb holsters pretty well. When first cc carrying I didn't worry much about reholstering used holsters that collapsed etc just bad but after becoming a tube junkie I decided to adopt the idea of training how you carry. Until that point I hated the thought of kydex.

However, I've changed. Found a company called Dara holsters and love these. I use one for my shield currently and a glock 29. I bought the dual loops to begin with but I like the belt clip. Rides like it was grown there. Give it a shot. Lots of other fine custom makers but Dara offers a good many quick ships and I found that a huge plus.

kusiak leather bearbones holster 36 bucks I really like it

I'm also a large man and have gave up on inside carry. I have a small outside holster for my shield and using a vest completely covers the shield and not printed. I dress for the shield.

I am a big guy and I use a Alien Gear 3.0 at like a 4 o clock position, or a Bladetech Klipt Ambi IWB Holster | Blade Tech | Holsters

I use the Bladetech more as it is easier to take in and out, but not as comfortable as the AG.

Alien gear 3.0 takes some trial and error to get it adjusted initially but worth the effort!! I'm wearing a shirt now that most other methods would be very obvious, 3.0 even my friends wonder if I have it with and they are looking for it!! Any activity you want to do you can with zero issues . I wear a FS M&P 9.

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I know that many people like to carry just wearing a T-shirt. And the only way it can be done is in an IWB holster. After about two hours of wearing an IWB holster, I am wishing that I was pocket carrying. I suggest that the best way to carry a shield size weapon would be in a good belt holster with a un-tuck cover shirt.

Being a fat f'er myself I have found carrying in the 4-5 oclock position the most comfortable. I carry my shield 9mm wiith a Viridian Reactor TL in the 5 oclock position in a basic kydex holster I bought off ebay that has a fomi clip. I always buy kydex with a full sweatguard. I wear an undershirt between my skin and the gun with an untucked tshirt or polo over it. I dont notice it even when driving. I just adjust to make sure my gun is covered when I stand because cometime the shirt lifts while sitting or driving.

I like kydex for the positive retention.

Smart Carry with M&P Shield update:

I've completed several more runs consisting of 3-5 miles with my smart carry setup. My only issue with using this while running is that it will get sweated up if it's hot and humid out. I'm considering ordering a second smart carry due to this, because who wants to put on a wet holster. The holster can get slightly damp during normal use, but not near the extent of what it can get with strenuous exercise. A few more trips to the gym with it have failed to reveal any issues. The smart carry remains undetectable while wearing shorts and an untucked t-shirt. I've even worn it once with jeans and a tucked t-shirt with no issues. It's been pretty comfortable while driving, and the other day I did an interstate drive lasting several hundred miles with no complaints. So far I have found one pair of shorts I own that I don't feel like will conceal properly. Everything else has been good to go, including all my gym/running shorts. This holster resolves the issue of the grip potentially sticking out, and pretty much any worry of this pistol being spotted.

Clinger Atom or Zorn Skinny Rig
Very minimal kydex IWB holsters that don't add a lot of bulk to the gun, stay where you put them, and are very well made.

Alien Gear is way too big and bulky, and the double clips make putting it on a real PITA..........not a fan of them at all. Not to mention that once the leather backing gets worn, the retention falls off and the gun gets loose when holstered.

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S&W Shield 45
S&W 500 Magnum

3.0 isn't leather and has spring steel backer for retention. Neoprene backer, IMO very easy to put on 5 seconds max.

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I use a versa carry. Adds virtually no bulk. Been using one for over 18 months with my shield.

I've used a Hidden Hybrid with my Shield for a few years and found it not only to be a highly concealable holster, but one I can wear all day comfortably. It also doubles as an OWB with it's belt cut outs. Also, may I suggest a good gun belt, it makes all the difference in the world keeping the gun/holster in place, for both keeping it concealed and comfort.

Hidden Hybrid Holsters | Made in the USA | Concealed Carry Holsters | Gun Holsters