Giving up on IWB

[BaaBaa]

Well I am officially giving up on IWB holsters. I was thinking that with summer it would be easier to conceal but after trying many different holsters (thank you LGS for allowing my to take them home to try) and buying and returning a number of different pairs of pants I've given up.

There is just no way to get enough room inside a pair of pants for my hips and a gun and not have the other side look totally baggy. This makes it completely obvious that there is something on the gun side that is hidden. The exact opposite of what I want for concealment. So I'll stick with my OWB 4-5 o clock position holster and work on getting better summer style cover garments.

I am a very curvy, short somewhat overweight person. Small waist, large hips and bust. It's bad enough finding holsters that don't make parts of the gun poke me in sensitive places but there is no way to do it IWB that I've found.

Iv'e tried IWB with both the 640 revolver and the M&P 40 and neither can be made to fit IWB and be comfortable and concealable.

Just thought I'd pass it on for other women shooters.

 

[doc84]

Have you tried carrying IWB in the 1:00 or appendix position? Several of my female friends, who are built as you describe, carry comfortably there. One carries a 5" 1991 without issue. The others carry J frames or a shield. Just wondering...

 

[snubbyfan]

Pocket carry?

 

[KevinCH]

I prefer to carry OWB; I will carry IWB but only a small gun with a very thin profile: my 3" 1911 & maybe my Shield 9 once I've run enough ammunition through it to be trusted. I've a KelTec P32 that's easy enough to conceal & be comfortable with IWB carry.

The 3" 1911 is carried in a Sparks VMII.

I'm not saying it would work for you or not, but a gun with a very thin profile might work out better than a revolver or double stack semi-auto.

 

[forrestinmathews]

You may try the appendix carry suggestion. I carried there only when I first got my permit. It just worked more me. I suggest 4" and shorter autos and the closer to centerline the more comfortable you will be.

I would not give up on anything when it comes to concealed carry. Just the other night I ended up carrying a PPK/S in my pocket in lieu of my normal 360M&P. There is no catch all solution. People that only have one carry gun likely run into a lot more carry/don't carry dilemmas. I just find he right thing and go with it.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

If you wear a lot of skirts or dresses a garter/thigh holster is a pretty good option.

 

[Maze 686]

I bought my wife a belly band holster, it was the only type she liked.
She is 5 foot and size 10.

 

[gwpercle]

This advice also can apply to guys as well. I tried IWB carry with a good holster, I'm NOT slim and for my build, 6 feet tall and 205 lbs, there is just not enough room for my waist, gun and holster even with one size larger pants and belt. It is just not comfortable. I started carrying it in my front right pocket. That works for me. I will trade that IWB holster for an OWB holster as soon as the right deal comes along.
IWB doesn't work for me either....Gary

 

[Smoke]

Flash Bang?

 

[Waywatcher]

I gave on IWB too. Wasn't fond of getting different size pants and belts than normal. It also felt quite uncomfortable, to put it politely.

OWB or Pocket carry for me.

 

[snubbyfan]

I gave on IWB too. Wasn't fond of getting different size pants and belts than normal. It also felt quite uncomfortable, to put it politely.

OWB or Pocket carry for me.

What he said.
It's pocket or owb for me also.

 

[ikor]

Back in my younger and slimmer years, I always carried IWB if off duty...usually with one or another Colt Lwt Commander. These days I find OWB much more comfy, but I still sometimes CCW a G19 in an MTAC, which works fairly well, all in all.

 

[Mcwsky09]

I am planning to get an IWB holster from Comfort-Tuk - tried one on at the lat gun show - very comfortable - would have bought one then but all my funds were allocated to reloading supplies. Need to order one online or wait for the next show. Will definitely get one for my BG380 - not sure which other(s).

 

[SJshooter]

IWB takes a lot of trial and error. I have some pants it just does not work for. And I think one size up is not enough. You need to be able to go into a place with a patient sales person and lot of variety. Some of these jeans places had 6-7 different cuts of jeans. I've always been just an off-the rack jeans guy, and had no idea they had so many styles. A lot of places will also do free alterations if you ask. You can go in and have them take in the baggy side for a few bucks. You combine that with trying one 1, 2, and 3-inch differences above your current waist size (with a serious gun belt) and you will eventually find one that works. And you might also have to try different guns. K-frames are very hit and miss with me IWB. But on the other hand a Glock 19 is perfect in almost everything, yet not that different in size.

Final comment: what you think is no concealing is probably concealing just fine. I have gone out with embarrassingly bad cover and/or egregious printing at times. Nobody notices. Nobody.

 

[SMSgt]

I gave up IWB for OWB long ago. I always wear my shirt tails out so covering is a piece of cake. It's so much more comfortable and accessible.

 

[mbliss57]

I just quit trying to carry IWB about a month ago. I'm 5'6" and 190#. Some is older man fat but most is just my square build. I have tried all sorts of IWB with revolvers and semi auto. I can get a few to work pretty well. MY 3913 in a Galco Summer Comfort works ok. But I have found by changing my dress a bit I can carry OWB which is more comfortable and the gun more accessible. I find myself much more likely to leave the house carrying in that configuration. I carry J frames in pocket or ankle. But I feel much more armed with a good semi auto strapped to my side.

 

[gfy1960]

I carry IWB exclusively! I'm 6' 360lbs. (please don't pass that around). It took some trial and error, but I found an IWB holster at the gun show by Winthrop. They are local to me so I wanted to keep the money in my community. I wore it twice and then started to forget it was on. I could lay down and be comfortable.

Winthrop Holsters, LLC Home Page

 

[mustangman]

I'll come in from a little different angle. I carry a Shield 40 in a leather OWB RH crossdraw at about 10 O'clock. That puts it right in front of the left hip bone and the handle close to 10:30, 11. For me being in a "chair" it works great, readily available to draw. It also works great driving, you don't have to worry about seat belt, and its right there in you lap. Just thought I'd share a little different perspective. If interested in this style of carry, I had Clark Fork Leather adapt his Avenger for me. Right now he has a 6 day lead. Another option is Wright Leather "Regulator" if you have a little longer.

Avenger Holster | Clark Fork Leather

Regulator? Cross Draw Holster | Wright Leather Works LLC

 

[Marie13]

Well I am officially giving up on IWB holsters. I was thinking that with summer it would be easier to conceal but after trying many different holsters (thank you LGS for allowing my to take them home to try) and buying and returning a number of different pairs of pants I've given up.

There is just no way to get enough room inside a pair of pants for my hips and a gun and not have the other side look totally baggy. This makes it completely obvious that there is something on the gun side that is hidden. The exact opposite of what I want for concealment. So I'll stick with my OWB 4-5 o clock position holster and work on getting better summer style cover garments.

I am a very curvy, short somewhat overweight person. Small waist, large hips and bust. It's bad enough finding holsters that don't make parts of the gun poke me in sensitive places but there is no way to do it IWB that I've found.

Iv'e tried IWB with both the 640 revolver and the M&P 40 and neither can be made to fit IWB and be comfortable and concealable.

Just thought I'd pass it on for other women shooters.

Baabaa, I'm built like you are. I have something of a stomach, as well. IWB, appendix, about one o'clock works perfectly for me and my Shield. It's the only way I can carry on body. I don't post pics of myself online, but it works very well with a slim IWB kydex holster from the Well Armed Woman website.

Carrying behind my strong side hip is not an option as I don't have the hand strength to manipulate the clip on my holster to get it onto my belt.

Have you tried jeans with a bit of stretch, but in your regular size? Kathy Jackson, on the Cornered Cast website/book, said that sometimes fabric with some stretch to it is all you need to have room to carry IWB. Works for me.

 

[Bartman3562]

Alien hybrid at 4 o'clock holding a sig 938. Most comfortable setup I have tried yet. If you want to balance sides out, wear a spare mag on off side. The wife purse carries another 938.