Is Comfortable IWB Carry An Oxymoron?

[Gunmeister]

Let me explain, I very badly want to IWB carry my Model 66-2 w/2.5" barrel in the worst kind of way. Why? I shoot it extremely well, six rounds better than five, tack driving accuracy at combat range, intimidating look and I love the dam thing. The problem, it's a little heavy, a little thick and a little long in the grip. I have bought and borrowed numerous types of IWB holsters, none have made it possible for me to conceal my favorite revolver. Don't want to carry a Glock or 1911. I'm an old school wheel gun man.
I find that carrying outside the waistband but under the belt seems to be better that stuffing the 66 in my already tight trousers. But I have to cinch the belt up too tight. I tried suspenders and a looser belt but t-shirt is required to prevent shoulder chaffing and hot here in the Gunshine state. Yep, I'm a tad bit rotund but I've found with other pistols that a fat roll makes a great hiding place for a small handgun, not so with my 66----dam!
I like to try to hide the piece under a loose t-shirt or golf shirt, unsuccessfully up to now. I realize a concealed piece isn't always comfortable but is always comforting. But it shouldn't be torture.
Anyone have a suggestion or recommendation for an IWB holster that would work for a kinda short, slightly overweight old man? I know OWB would be more comfortable but is way too bulky. Believe it or not, I have an un-named pocket holster that carries the 66 in a pair of cargo shorts or loose pants with big pockets but I hate pocket carry, poor access when sitting.
Comments pro and con very much appreciated.

 

[philmontscout]

Not at all. Check out Don Hume Holster website..... excellent iwb holsters

 

[18DAI]

+1 to Don Hume holsters. You might also try a Hogue Bantam grip too.

Makes the snubby 66 easier to hide, for me. Regards 18DAI.

 

[MoPoPo]

I personally prefer milt sparks. The only bad thing is, is that it will take 6 months to get one of their IWB holsters. Their are plenty more out there and you might want to even try kydex for now. Blade-tech makes good ones. Regardless of what holster you get, pick yourself up a good double lined gun belt. That will aid in comfort so much more and you won't have to tighten your trousers up so tight due to the stiffness of the belt.

 

[jeffsmith]

+1 on using a purpose made Gunbelt
I like it so much I use one even when I am not carrying

 

[amd6547]

I carry a Model 19 2.5" in a simple Bianchi clip-on IWB holster, worn in the crossdraw position. I'm 5'11", and have a bit of a spare tire...no problem concealing. I do use the OEM wood grips and Tyler T combination. I've used the Hogue Bantams, and they conceal fine also.

 

[RHINOWSO]

Tucker Silent Thunder holsters works great w/ my M640-1 and M65-3, 3". A good belt is a key of course...

 

[ab4ka]

I carry my 2-1/2" 686 in a Simply Rugged Sourdough with IWB straps and it's quite comfortable for me. The belt makes all the difference...mine is from Looper's and has the kydex insert.

 

[TNDave]

I carried various K frames IWB from age 19 until I was about 40. I had Milt Sparks or Kramer holsters and good belts. I carried a gun all day every day for those years. One day I couldn't do it any more. It took me a while to figure it out but it was love handles. I had always been fit running and lifting but the 40's got to me some. I still am not fat but any love handle at all seems to preclude IWB carry.

You can carry outside the belt no problem with a good belt and holster. There is a huge difference in a quality holster and something like a JIT slide that I am carrying a 2" Model 10 in right now. The JIT slide lets the gun lean away from you while a Kramer keeps the gun tight against you. You get what you pay for.

 

[Pisgah]

Gunmeister, my first bit of advice is one I need to heed better myself -- lose some weight. It is just an uncomfortable fact that a bellyroll makes IWB problematic for many.

Second, get pants 2" bigger in the waist than you usually wear. This alone can make a tremendous difference in carry comfort. And don't forget that a good, stiff belt is a must for any type of waist carry, IWB or OWB, and the bigger the gun the better the belt needs to be.

 

[Moondancer]

I personally prefer milt sparks. The only bad thing is, is that it will take 6 months to get one of their IWB holsters. Their are plenty more out there and you might want to even try kydex for now. Blade-tech makes good ones. Regardless of what holster you get, pick yourself up a good double lined gun belt. That will aid in comfort so much more and you won't have to tighten your trousers up so tight due to the stiffness of the belt.

Call Sparks tomorrow morning. Order a gun belt and Versa-Max II. Wait the 6 to 7 months it will take. You'll never need another CCW holster again. (They only take orders the first few days of the month until they get enough orders to take one month of production. Call them tomorrow. Keep trying until you get through. Thank me a year from now.)

 

[Shooting Padre]

Comfort plus

Cross Breed spells comfort. Best I have ever worn, bar none. Give them a try free for 30 days and see what you think. Good luck in your search.

 

[MoPoPo]

Call Sparks tomorrow morning. Order a gun belt and Versa-Max II. Wait the 6 to 7 months it will take. You'll never need another CCW holster again. (They only take orders the first few days of the month until they get enough orders to take one month of production. Call them tomorrow. Keep trying until you get through. Thank me a year from now.)

True. They are well worth the wait. I forgot to add, I have a summer special on order for my 3" barrel 686+. It will be one of my off duty weapons. I can't wait!

 

[2hawk]

Good suggestions, so far...

but if you haven't chosen yet, you might want to talk to Ray at Lobo Gun Leather - Home

He's a member here, and has always seemed very knowledgeable about what works for different people.

Good Luck!

 

[Guevera]

Cross Breed spells comfort. Best I have ever worn, bar none. Give them a try free for 30 days and see what you think. Good luck in your search.

Yup, the Crossbreed holster looks like hell and I am not sure how long they will last, but they certainly are the most comfortable holster I have ever seen. And this comes from thirty years of buying and discarding holsters. Combined with the stiffest Beltman belt you can buy means effortless and comfortable carry.

 

[skeete]

Pants will always have to be 2" larger for a comfortable IWB carry. I have used both the Milt Sparks and Kramer horse hide IWB but for me the truth is that nothing is more comfortable than a good OWB holster with the correct GUN belt. I currently carry a SW 329 in a Kramer OWB and Kramer belt and find it very comfortable.
I have to agree with you about liking the revolver in dangerous situations as it is 100% reliable. My custom Colt 1911 has jammed once in about 800 rounds and that was enough for me. It might have been I did not have a firm enough grip on it but still that will not happen with a revolver.
I find the OWB just as concealable as the IWB holster but more comfortable.

 

[NE450No2]

skeete is correct. I have been carrying a 1911 or a S&W N Frame iwb for over 35 years. Started out with "Mexican Carry", ie no holster at all, befrore I know better... However once I discovered Milt Sparks, that is what I use.

As skeete stated you must buy all your pants 2" bigger in the waist.

Also with a loose enough shirt, with the "tail out" or a "photographers vest" a gd OWB holster will work as well.

I was one of the first in the USA to start using a vest I got from Banana Republic to cover my gun...

My mistake was to use it when teaching and going to various "schools" across the USA...

So after several years, "most everybody" was using one... Even General Swartzcoff's [sp] bodyguards, as seen on TV, were wearing them...

Still they work today. Filson makes a light weight "travelers vest", as do some others. 511 makes a nice one as well, with "pockets" designed to securely carry guns and ammo, etc.

 

[dirtygrunt95]

I have to second lobo gunleather. I have 3 IWB holsters of his. I to am sporting some extra weight in the mid section so I feel your pain, but I find his holsters even more comfortable than the crossbreed.

 

[Gunmeister]

For those who recommended Cross Breed. This thread was about a Model 66, K-Frame. Cross Breed's web sight shows their holsters for J-Frames only, no K-Frames

 

[Old cop]

Have you tried appendix IWB carry? I'm not chubby but am past 60, which means a bit of a paunch. I've carried appendix IWB for over 40 years and the only limitation is the length of the barrel or the weight of the gun (I'm a wheel gun guy too).