Anybody OWB your M&P?

[ABPOS]

Just curious if you do and how you do it. Clothes included. I'm thinking about trying it this winter but every time I look at an OWB holster, they all look like they make the gun stick out like 10', and I don't see how it's possible. But I'm sure I'm not looking at the right holsters. It's like the ones on the shelves at most gun stores. And for some reason it always seems like gun stores carry the dumbest holsters.......

 

[RubenZ]

I only OWB. I can't stand IWB. A good Gun Belt, with a curved slim OWB holster will be just as thin as IWB. Think about it, Nothing Changes when switching between OWB or IWB. you still add the same amount of material, etc. Only difference is IWB your hiding the barrel portion. With that being said, I usually use a Kydex holster because they are thin and a regular Polo shirt thats long enough to reach at or below my crotch.

 

[redwood0_7]

I carry my M&P9 fs in a Desantis owb holster summer and winter. T-shirt in summer, long sleeve shirt in winter.

 

[Jaysq]

I only carry OWB and have no problem concealing. Stay away from Generic holsters and only go with quality dedicated holsters for your gun. Mine is a Predator made by Wright Leather Works
Concealed Carry Leather Holsters - Wright Leather Works LLC

This holster is a top notch high quality dedicated holster. The fit and retention are spot on. With the proper gun belt it is tight against my body. I wear a Hanes thin tee tucked in and a button type shirt unbutton and untucked. in cool weather you can cover with a fleece vest.

[/url]S&W Shield 003cf3 by Jerry Jaynes, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[MSG Glenn]

As a basic policy I IWB in the warm months when wearing just a t shirt & OWB in the cool months with sweat shirts. At times I OWB with t shirts & still have adequate concealment. It depends on my mood or preference that particular day.

 

[ABPOS]

I only OWB. I can't stand IWB. A good Gun Belt, with a curved slim OWB holster will be just as thin as IWB. Think about it, Nothing Changes when switching between OWB or IWB. you still add the same amount of material, etc. Only difference is IWB your hiding the barrel portion. With that being said, I usually use a Kydex holster because they are thin and a regular Polo shirt thats long enough to reach at or below my crotch.

What kydex holster do you use? I'm interested in one.

The ones I've tried seem to not keep the grip of the gun as close to the body. And some of the OWB holsters are made more like duty holsters and just hang that thing way out there. So.... no, it's not the same as IWB. I'm not sure why you think it is...... Not trying to be rude, but just the thickness of your pants, the holster and belt alone are enough to move the frame away from your body by just that much. And then if the holster doesn't allow it to tuck back into your body, it might have a tenancy to actually angle further away. More than likely the ones I've seen and tried just aren't good enough, and that's why I'm asking.

 

[RubenZ]

What kydex holster do you use? I'm interested in one.

The ones I've tried seem to not keep the grip of the gun as close to the body. And some of the OWB holsters are made more like duty holsters and just hang that thing way out there. So.... no, it's not the same as IWB. I'm not sure why you think it is...... Not trying to be rude, but just the thickness of your pants, the holster and belt alone are enough to move the frame away from your body by just that much. And then if the holster doesn't allow it to tuck back into your body, it might have a tenancy to actually angle further away. More than likely the ones I've seen and tried just aren't good enough, and that's why I'm asking.

Totally understand. Probably my most easy to conceal and comfortable OWB was the CrossBreed Snapslide: CrossBreed

its very minimal which I liked and with a good gun belt it held tight to the body. The Horsehide version has better leather obviously so its a little tougher.

My other all kydex Holster is from Forest City Tactical and is this one:

FCT Delta

 

[JMichaelTX]

Just curious if you do and how you do it. Clothes included. I'm thinking about trying it this winter but every time I look at an OWB holster, they all look like they make the gun stick out like 10', and I don't see how it's possible.

You might consider the Alien Gear Cloak Slide OWB Holster.

I did a lot of research prior to buying and I did not find any negative reports on Alien Gear. Almost everyone I talked to that owned one had high praise.

I just bought it in a combo deal of their Cloak Tuck 3.0 and the OWB model. Both conceal a M&P Shield very well with just a t-shirt, and are comfortable. However, I have not worn the Alien Gear OWB while using the gun at the range. The draw seems fine.

 

[Mark40]

I carry my 40c in a Black Dog Concealment OWB with the optional belt slide loops. Holds it very high and tight. Conceals fine under a t-shirt, as long as you don't wear them too tight. There are lots of good kydex holsters out there.

 

[micocyco]

In summer or should say with very lite shrit I only pocket carry LCP.
When I can wear over shirt it is m&p9c out side with good belt but cheep holster.
Keep saying I'm going to get a better holster , but this one works.☺

 

[Yankee Bill]

I usually carry IWB in the summer and OWB in winter. However, this summer, due to lower back problems I've been carrying OWB. I usually wear an un-tucked button down shirt and don't have any printing issues. Just make sure your cover garment is loose fitting enough.

As was previously mentioned, get a holster specifically designed for your model gun. Personally, I prefer Leather over plastic and there are plenty of fine Holster makers out there to pick from. If leather is your choice as well, you don't necessarily have to splurge for a custom made one to get a decent quality holster.

I have several custom made holster's from some top name holster makers and they are great. I also have some Don Hume H721 OT OWB holster's Don Hume Holster s w M P Shield RH Blk H721 OT Belt Holster | eBay that I love. They are well made quality holsters that will retain their retention factor. And at less than half the price of my customs they are a great value for the money IMO, and many times can be found in retailers inventory ready to ship.

Hope this may be of some help.
YB

 

[walkin' trails]

When I carry that way, I use either a Milt Sparks Improved Nelson pancake-style, or a G-Code paddle. The Milt Sparks keeps the pistol pretty close to my body and doesn't print terribly bad. The G-Code is more for training or competition. Like RubenZ said, a good belt is essential to waist-level concealment, regardless of the pistol being in an IWB or OWB rig.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I carry OWB because it's more comfortable for me. I agree, a quality holster & belt are a must.

I've great success w/ Wes at Privateer Leather. He's made me several high quality holsters at a reasonable price and short wait time.

Drop him a line- don't think you'll be disappointed.
Privateer Leather

 

[pigbike]

I agree a good pancake type holster and a good gun belt. I use a Desantis mini slide and a Aker b22 belt. I carry a Glock 43 in this with no problems. I don't think they make a mini slide for the Shield, but they do have a model that is almost the same for the Shield, it's just called something else. You can get the belt and holster for around 100 bucks total.

I see you are concerned about clothes also. All I every really wear are t-shirts and shorts as I live in Florida. Just buy T-shirts that are big for you and kind of baggy. No tight fitting shirts and you will be fine. Remember many people now wear their cell phones on their belts, and have their shirt over them. That looks about the same as the grip on my Glock if their is any printing.

 

[justicetyme]

If you don't mind the cost and the wait you may Consider the Mitch Rosen 5JR.





I've had many holsters (IWB & OWB) over the years and for comfort and ease of concealment I've never found anything equal.

I'm 5' 7" at 160 and with a loose polo or T the 5JR easily hides the Colt Stainless Lightweight Commander XS or my 4053 in another 5JR.



As has been mentioned a good quality gun belt is also essential.

For IDPA I used a Kydex but for daily carry it's a 5JR for me.

I'm currently considering a M&P 4.25 Pro in .40 S&W and if I go with one a new 5JR will be ordered for it.

James

 

[ABPOS]

Lots of great suggestions, I really appreciate it!!!!

Any of you ever wrap your belt around the outside of the holster? It looks like this one is designed this way, but it seems like you could do this with some of the designs and maybe it would help keep it closer to your body......

 

[jacmac422]

Looks like a lefty holster on the wrong side

 

[hardluk1]

I you do that you might want to pick a kydex holster so it will stay open for reholstering so you can practice how you carry . You will be more limited to position carry'n then done that way but it is your choice . That would work with any number of single clip iwb too .

 

[Bluebear3669]

Hello,
I prefer only OWB holsters, I guess I just got used to them when a LEO. Now I prefer the Fobus which I have for my M&P full size 40 and Shield both 9mm & 40 cal. Same holster for both calibers in the shield. When I work the range I use a Black hawk Serpa level 2 retention holster. All of my holsters are made of the Kydex material. These are less likely to produced holster wear on the firearm.
This is what works for me with a slightly oversize button down shirt or pullover wind breaker. Both the Fobus and Blackhawk hold the gun tight to the body with a slight forward cant to minimize someone taking it from the holster from behind.
This may not work for everyone b iut has for me for 40 plus years.

 

[JMichaelTX]

Hello,
I prefer only OWB holsters, I guess I just got used to them when a LEO. Now I prefer the Fobus which I have for my M&P full size 40 and Shield both 9mm & 40 cal. Same holster for both calibers in the shield.

Lots of holsters on the Fobus site. Can you please provide a link to the one you use/like for the Shield?

Thanks.

 

[Rastoff]

I carry OWB only. I've tried IWB and there are just too man issues. Also, I carry this way year-round.

The gun fits and conceals easily even though I have it in this configuration now:

This is a different gun, but it's how I carry:

 

[tursky4]

i carry my shield in an uncle mikes reflex holster.. with the paddle adapter.. very comfortable and it has adjustments for cant and hight.. easily concealable with loose t-shirt.. also use a desantis sof-tuk for iwb but its very rare i feel i have to conceal that deep..

 

[PirateJim]

I carry my Shield OWB regularly. I have a Lobo enhanced pancake, but most good quality pancake holsters are very similar. This conceals well under a button down shirt tailored to be worn untucked so long as if fits fairly loose around the hips. Also great under a sport coat of course, but it's short sleeve weather in Florida most of the time. I have several IWB holsters, and don't love any of them.

 

[Granite Stater]

I traded up for a kydex OWB holster for my full size M&P and I love it. Very comfortable and conceals well. I don't like IWB except for appendix which I only do with my J frame.

 

[Cbollo]

I carry M&P 9 FS OWB in a Blackhawk Serpa CQC holster. I had to have a retention holster for multiple reasons, and this one 'felt' the best. It keeps the gun tight against the body and is fairly well concealable. Keep in mind I've got a little meat on my bones and this is a pretty tight t-shirt, and it still conceals some. Obviously it still prints, even more so when you're moving around doing anything. But, with a fairly baggy shirt, a button down, or light jacket like I enjoy wearing, you can't see it at all.

 

[Ranger17]

As i have not yet picked up my first holster and dont think i am interested in IWB there has been some solid info in this thread. I also figure if i get something for my FS9 it should hold my compact as well. And thanks for adding pix, always helpful to us newbs

 

[evnash]

a good OWB kydex holster will pull the gun into your body and conceal nicely. i prefer my OWB minimal style that doesnt have alot of extra kydex around the muzzle. message me if you want a quote for one of mine.

 

[ABPOS]

That does look nice!

 

[Don 73]

I carry my 9c owb in a Zero9 'yaqui slide' type holster. Snug up the belt a little bit and most semi-loose t-shirts will cover it and any baggy sweatshirt or light jacket will make it vanish. Although I am thinking of converting my current holster to an iwb by changing the belt tabs on the ends.

 

[dnsjo]

I use a Safariland at 12:30 when dressing casual like for the mall or a movie. A pullover that gathers below the waist creates a natural billowing at the gut that hides the pistol. Posture matters too, if you tuck the base of the spine inward like your chiropractor tells you, your gut won't push the pistol forward. 12:30 is very comfortable when sitting and works well when driving.