Holster help Please!!

[sportsman70004]

Never CC before but ordered a Shield and need info on holsters..What is the benefits of the IWB like the Theis where it has the leather alot wider then just the gun compared to a McCabes holster that is just a little bigger then the gun??

Sorry don't know how to post pictures yet...

 

[VPNAVY]

Well little grasshopper - so much to learn (and spend)!

All kidding aside - prepare yourself to buy a few different holsters until you find one you really like.

 

[fourXfour]

I have bought a lot of holsters. I would definitely recommend Raven Concealment's Phantom for outside the waistband. It holds tight to the body. As for inside the waistband the Vanguard 2 is great, but only available for Glocks right now.

The next runner up would be Comp-Tac with their M-Tac for IWB. Leather for comfort on the inside and kydex on the outside to help with re-holstering.

Good luck!!

 

[chief38]

I'll give you my advise, but you'll have to figure it out on your own anyway as it is a personal preference.

Just so you know I carry a 5 shot J-Frame Revolver.

For the RARE times that I still carry IWB I use an old fashioned soft suede holster with the clip re-positioned so it's NOT over the cylinder - cross draw at the 9 o'clock position.

OWB I use a Kramer Horsehide Belt Scabbard on a Horsehide Kramer 1 1/4" belt.

Pocket carry I use a DeSantis Nemises Pocket Holster.

Chief38

 

[Gunnersalley]

No matter how many suggestions or advice that you get on this topic, it's going to come down to some trial and error on your part. Given all the different variables in the aspects of CCW, what works absolutely fantastic for me, may not work worth a darn for you.

This is one of the reasons that most CCWer's end of with the proverbial box of holsters.

 

[RevTracy]

As previous posters have said, you'll end up with several holsters. I have a Sigma 9mm (although plan to purchase an SD or M&P by the end of the year). I am also new to CC and I've already bought 3 holsters. My current favorite is an Old Faithful IWB holster. It is pretty comfortable for an IWB and conceals very well. In fact, I've worn it around the house for days and the family has no idea I'm carrying it. Just my 2 cents worth....but you'll have to do what everyone else does...trial and error ending in a box of holsters...

 

[MichiganScott]

It's claimed that the Shield is small enough for pocket carry. I don't have one, so I don't know if it's true or not. Pocket carry is my preferred method for my 642.

I carry bigger pistols in tuckable hosters, but I use them as normal IWB holsters with a cover garment because I find that there is no way to draw a tucked pistol in a hurry. The extra leather of a tuckable holster keeps the pistol from digging in to my body.

 

[dereksfl]

Trial an error till you get it right. Be careful not to have more holsters than your wife has shoes. Don't need her getting jealous, that could cost you.

 

[cluznar]

N82Tactical makes a comfortable IWB holster.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

+1 on the Desantis Nimises DeSantis also makes a reasonable IWB holster often on sale at Midway.
Often these IWB holsters have a number of adjustments, before you scrap one, experment with varius positions. Moving an IWB 1911 officers model to the rear 1 inch made all the differance in the world, a higher or lower ride will change everything. Summer vs. winter has a big effect in areas where that matters. Padded nylon are very bulky, but cheap (under a coat may not matter). Galco makes 2 wonderful holsters for if you are on your feet alot: The small of the back (***) and the middle of the back (MOB), the differance is the direction of the handgun grip. I like the ***, as the muzzel dosen't sweep me when drawing, for full sized autos(1911&Sig220,226)
There is nothing wrong with buying used if you can, or if someone will let you, borrowing their surplus.
Lastly, I buy every used leather holster I find under a price point, you never know what gun you might buy next, or who you can swap with or help out; and even if it is a junky example-it tells you if you want to spend big bucks on a chamis lined shark skin model.

 

[smokey04]

Holsters are like jockey shorts or boxers you're going to have to decide for yourself. There is no cheap way to the perfect holster,try some you think will be right until you find the one that suits you.I wish I could give you the "majic pill" so that you would only have to buy 1 or2 holsters but, I'm SO experienced that after 50 years of packing professionally I still am trying to find the perfect solution. Yeah, go buy a plastic storage tub at Wally World if you persue this intelligently you're gonna have some to sell later. Nick

 

[Quarterhorse]

I have several Crossbreed IWB holster for different guns. I always go back to them it seems.

 

[Donn]

The Shield is compact enough for pocket carry, with the short mag. I'm able to use the same pocket holster for it and my snubby. I have two IWB, an Old Faithful and a Kusiak Leather. The OF's most comfortable, but even the Shield prints too much when wearing just a T-shirt. The Kusiak allows carry anywhere from appendix to 4 o'clock, whichever prints less.

 

[Neumann]

The Shield is small enough for pocket carry. The Galco front pocket holster (PH286) for a G26 is just the right size for a Shield or SA XDs. IMO, the molding on the Galco is a little overdone (typical Galco), so I have one on order from Ryan Grizzle made to fit. In a questionable situation, you can put your hand in your pocket without looking agressive.

You have to be careful with an IWB holster that the grip is not too close to your belt line. A Sparks VM2 is just right, if available for a Shield. High Noon Holsters have a high ride IWB which is ready to go for the Shield (and XDs). I wouldn't advise a tuckable holster if pocket carry is an option. Wide holsters are two piece, like pancake holsters, for a lower profile. That helps keep the gun in place and distributes the weight - important for a full-sized pistol, not so much for a Shield. Folded holsters are usually much narrower. Clips centered on the slide, or behind the trigger guard work equally well. The former is somewhat less likely to bind in lieu of a steel reinforcing band, the latter makes less of a bulge and is easier to tuck (if that floats your boat).

With such a short gun, OWB is not that hard to conceal, and there are a lot of choices equally suitable. The same caveat about grip height applies.

 

[charlie9280]

Here's my $0.02. I bought a Southern Comfort IWB from S&W for my M&P 40c a couple years ago. It is made by Galco with S&W logo. It has pretty good reviews, but most important, I like it. Only regret is that it is not "tuckable". When I got my Shield 40 a couple months ago, I didn't have a holster for it. So on a whim I tried the Southern Comfort and it fit real good. It's not snug, but with IWB, my belt holds the pistol tight.

Wish Galco would come out with a Southern Comfort specifically for the Shield. Until then, this works for me.

Others have posted satisfaction with the Crossbreed for a tuckable solution. You might want to look into that as well.

 

[blujax01]

The McCabe (and others like it) place a single clip in front of the scabbard, making a smaller footprint. But everything comes with a cost. The rig is thicker.

The Theis holster (and others like it) places two clips outboard of the scabbard making the rig thinner. But that slab of leather holding the Kydex looks pretty massive, doesn't it?

One tip - I tried a clip-on IWB with a 2" M64 and found the single point of contact not to be enough to keep the holster from jacking around on my waist. Standing and sitting allowed it to get "whopperjawed". But it was a $10 cheapie from Uncle Mike's and that no doubt made a difference.

I just ordered a belt loop style IWB from Lobo. We'll see how it works out. If not, it goes in the "holster box" along with the others!

 

[Quarterhorse]

The Theis holster (and others like it) places two clips outboard of the scabbard making the rig thinner. But that slab of leather holding the Kydex looks pretty massive, doesn't it?

I thought the same thing until I bought my Crossbreed. It's my standard holster for a CC rig.