Hey guys, new here and I need help. I have a shield 9mm for CCW. I am looking for opinions on a holster for OWB. I have seen Alien Gear which looks good but not sure of many others. Am I better off with Kydex or leather? I would do IWB but I'm about 230lbs. Also I sometimes wear dress shirts so not sure how concealed that is, but I'm a realtor and need to carry in some of the areas I go to. Thanks for your help. Melmann

I use a Don Hume 721OT, a versatile pancake design with a body protector. I ordered for a Shield 9, and find that a Walther PPS and a Glock 26 also fit fine, although I'd guess that one ordered for a Glock would probably fit even better on that gun. You can get the same holster with a thumb strap in model 721.

The Don Hume 710 is a simple belt slide model that less expensive and holds a wide variety of guns. I also have several of the Hume JIT models for various snubnose revolvers and they are very good values, but do add an extra layer of leather thickness to your overall package due to placing one of the belt loops behind the gun. Neither of these models has a body protector, which I have found to be a desirable feature in warmer weather when there may be fewer, thinner (or even no) layers of clothing between the gun and skin.

Don Hume holsters tend to be readily available, although Hume does not sell directly. I look for mine first on Gunners Alley, and if they don't have what I want in stock there's always ebay. (At leasts one of my JITs came from an ebay seller, and the 721OT may have too.)

Look at the DeSantis Mini Scabbard Holster. Very concealable and comfortable to wear all day.

MINI SCABBARD HOLSTERS, Keltec Holster, Concealed Holster, DeSantisHolster.com

It's really personal preference between Kydex and Leather. Leather is traditional and functional with an artistic quality. Kydex is functional and low maintenance with a positive retention. I prefer leather, I make my own.

For any of my carry guns I usually have three holsters. A leather OWB (handmade by me), an IWB (Alien Gear) and a Remora for either IWB with no belt and/or general storage.

A bit of trial and error is inevitable, and since you may need to make adjustments to your wardrobe to be successful, your determination to carry is important.

If your in business casual with only a dress shirt for cover, with a heavy frame body type, you need pocket or tuckable IWB or fanny pack. Bear in mind, while the Shield is a slim compact frame, there is the smaller sized sub-compact frame firearms that might work better within your limitations.

For reference, my husband is a big and tall man. When he decided to carry, he needed larger and higher waist pants and looser fitting shirts, as well as a good IWB holster and holster belt. It took some effort but he can now carry a double stack compact with a tucked dress shirt and not print.

Good luck.

Bravo Concealment. Hands down the absolute best. Otherwise a Bladetech eclipse, or CompTac Flatline.

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I use the stealthgear ventcore mini with my shield .45 and it is tuckable and very comfortable. It also wicks the sweat away from your pistol . Alot of it will come from your belt too.

I prefer leather for OWB - just a preference. I have a DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard and like it very much. With a sport coat on, it conceals well. And it's economical - under $60.00

This question seems to get asked quite a bit.....and unfortunately we (as a collective group) can not answer that question.....Why ?

Well it all depends on your personal preference, what works for me may not work for you......Do you want Kydex, Leather, kydex/leather combo, at what position do you plan to carry, what cant do you want your holster to have (if any cant at all)..how do you want the weapon to ride on your belt (high up/lower down) ????

Getting my drift...just to many variables to address and only you know the answers.......Lots of great holster makers and lots of great models to choose from....as one poster noted....lots of trial and error.....

First thing to do is go to Wal-Mart and get one of those large plastic storage containers to hold all the ones you purchase that don't quite work right for you......don't laugh...it happens........

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Hipcocked & Locked

I'm about 30lbs north of your weight and my favorite holster is a IWB holster made by Safariland/Bianchi. It's very comfortable and is tuck-able when you should need to tuck your shirt in. It has a very comfortable mesh covered foam backing and has some very discrete belt clips that almost disappear on a black belt.

For an OWB holster they also have their models 571 & 7371. They'll require a cover garment, such as an untucked shirt or light jacket. Both can be ordered with a paddle belt attachment for quick on and off. Plug in your pistol info in their "Holster Finder" and it will show you all of the holsters available for your Shield.

Good luck and WELCOME!!!

Carry my Shield 9MM in a Wild Bill's Concealment, Fusion Paddle Holster. Wild Bill's Concealment is out of NC and has a website. Check them out. Best OWB paddle type holster I have found. It is leather.

Carried a Glock 23 in one for a number of years while working. Went trhough several holster before I found a paddle holster that was comfortable. When I retired I bought one for my Shield 9MM (a retirement gift from my officers and staff).

Check out Foxx holsters out of Michigan. I've been CCW'ing my G-19 in one for the past 6 months and really like it.

Hey guys thanks for all the great tips. I'm going through them as we speak! I appreciate it.

So on that 7371 how do you or any of the guys find that ALS locking system to be? Is it a hindrance or a great plus?
Thanks

My thumb swipes the ALS button as I obtain my shooting grip, I don't even really know I've released it. Same with the 571 GLS only with my middle finger.

The alien gear is a good choice. I have one for my glock 43. I did find that the kydex shell was too wide and flat, so heated the sides where the mounting screws are and angled them inwards at approx 25 degrees. It is now very (very) comfortable and concealable. I'm sure this voids the warranty on it, but I don't care, they sell new shells.

For a single clip kydex. I have several clinger stingray holsters that I like very much. Less expensive options are concealment express, which I found to be decent. Out of curiousity I also bought a wethepeople holster for my shield ($25 w/coupon code) - not great quality, and the fit was ok.

Welcome to the forum.

I like leather. As someone else mentions, check out the DeSantis Mini-Scabbard.

I carry the .45 Shield in one. The holster fits belts up to 1.75-inches wide (no matter what their website says), and has a belt loop cutout on the back of it. The holster has no retention strap...has the tension screw to adjust the holster to your pistol. The holster is unlined, but you're carrying a dime-a-dozen polymer-frame pistol...who cares about holster wear on it? I sure don't.

It's a good little holster...not too cheap, not too expensive, and carries the Shield very unobtrusively OWB.

My Rawdog is perfect for IWB (non-tuckable).
It has a leather back, kydex shell, single clip design. It is not very bulky and holds its position well at about 4-5 o'clock which is my preferred CCW position.

I recently decided that I want to carry while wearing tucked in shirts. I looked at Alien Gear but was turned off by the bulk of a 2-clip design and also some complaints that the material was becoming unhemmed. I am looking closely at a Vedder RapidTuck, which is very similar to the Rawdog, however it is a little more bulkier from what I see in the pictures.

If Rawdog made a tuckable holster (they don't - I asked), I would have purchased it already. So, I am still undecided - I am trying to find a Leather / Kydex, single clip, non-bulky, tuckable holster, with good warranty.

Excellent owb from Fobus. It's what I use at work (a LGS).

Fobus SWS E2 Paddle Holster Black Polymer RH for Walther PPS/S&W Shield | eBay

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Sorry, my reply was taking the thread way off the OWB course the OP put it on. I'll stick with my original OWB suggestion, which is the only personal experience I have to offer for the Shield.

Oops, sorry, I didn't even notice.
Back to OWB discussions

Winthrop Holsrers is worth a look as well.

i wear mine iwb in the small of my back! works perfectly.

Stay - on - target.....stay - on - target....<boom>

The Little Foxx really fits the bill for me, the horsehide one in particular. I have one for every carry pistol I have. Excellent customer service as well.

Foxx Holsters Little Foxx IWB Hybrid Holster -HORSEHIDE
http://

I just checked out the new Alien Gear Shapeshift holster combo. I'm leaning towards that as it gives OWB and IWB. Anyone here have any hands on with that?

tag.......

Either one of these, depending on if you need quick on/off capability, would do well...

COMBAT MASTER BELT HOLSTER: Belt Holsters | Galco Gunleather

SSS SIDE SNAP SCABBARD (GEN 2): Belt Holsters | Galco Gunleather

Both are readily available and of good quality.

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Centennial Every Day

I like all kydex:
Conceal Express and Vedder holsters.

My wife likes the Raw Dog hybrid holster better since it is more comfortable.

The most comfortable for me was Remora, but I prefer all kydex. Concealment Express is almost as comfortable but more secure, easy to reholster, a faster draw, and easier to get on and off. I also love the way the trigger is protected with Kydex.

3 holsters that have not been mentioned:
1. Blackhawk Serpa Sportster - OWB and Paddle in one
2. Tucker Gunleather - Take your pick all of their holsters are great OWB, IWB, leather, leather Kydex mix etc.
3. El Paso Saddlery - some of the finest HANDMADE leather - used by Border Patrol and numerous LEA, military, etc.
My recommendation comes from many years, 20+ in some cases, of use with these holsters for everything from revolvers to semi-autos in every shape and caliber.
Just plain great holsters.

Sorry don't know how to do hyperlinks here.

Watch this video, it might help.

I am using a DeSantis Inside Heat Holster for my Shield45 and it fits much like their Mini-Scabbard. They also make it for the Shield9 and right now are On Sale at Midway USA.

DeSantis Inside Heat Inside the Waistband Holster - MPN: 127BA5EZ0

Holsters are like opinions, everyone has their own, this is just mine.

I agree with you Watchdog with the exception that I'm using the Inside Heat model with my Shield45. The look and feel are very similar in looks and hold the firearm very securely. I've gone with Blackhawk Serpa holsters for all of my other pistols but they are mostly for range/field work.

JMHO

I carry mine in an Azusa leather 2 slot belt Holster with sweat guard. I like the mini scabbard mentioned unless it is under a tee shirt and the slide will contact the body so a sweat guard is more comfortable. I have a Don Hume for my Sig and love it also.

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USN Ret-M&P 9 M2, 9C, Shield 9