IWB/OWB which is more trouble?

[Springfeildkid585]

I really prefer OWB in a good holster. More comfort, quicker access, etc.. The problem is in going inside somewhere and wearing a jacket or cover garment where its warm. Not easy to take the holster off but you look kind of strange wearing a coat inside.
Least comfortable is IWB. If its not perfect, its not comfortable. If its not comfortable, you tend not to do it all the time.
I've found Remoras to be the best as far as IWB comfort goes. I would still prefer it in a holster.
What do you all do? Grin and bear it? Keep your coat on and burn up?
I try and dress and carry dependent on where I plan on being, but you know how plans go. A paddle holster is nice for versatility but not the best for concealment.
Just thinking out loud here and know some fine ideas will surface with this group.

I wear a loose, unbuttoned short-sleave shirt when carrying my .45 owb. It does the job.

 

[Steely Dan]

I'm trying appendix, but so far have not found it comfortable when sitting.
So far the remora at 4:00 has been best up to a compact semi. It really stays put.

I carry appendix as well for my LCR (my favorite carry method)

Crossbreed at 5 o clock with the MP40 only with a jacket or untucked loose shirt

If I have a loose shirt, the revolver rides in a Galco

If I have a polo shirt tucked, I use a deSantis that has a clip allowing me to actually tuck the shirt with no issues.

Out of sight, and covert

 

[mule69]

Most of the time I use a Crossbreed for my Colt Commander. Other times I use a "Sticky" holster for my PPK.

 

[gwpercle]

It's a personal preference thing. For me the answer is twofold. 1.) Weekends , pocket carry. It gets hot in the South and T-shirt and shorts are usually worn.
2.) Dillon Day Planner for during the week , going to work, out and about where I'm not casually dressed. Dress pants and dress shirt, no coat and tie...too hot for all that.

Gary

 

[Jaysq]

During the summer I wear shorts and a Wilderness Instructor Belt with one of Hanes Light Weight Tees, that come in assorted colors. I wear it tucked in and cover with a button type shirt left unbuttoned and untucked. This covers my OWB with no problem. I did not find this to be any warmer than just wearing a beefy-tee.

In the winter and cooler months you can do the same with a long sleeve shirt and when it is a bit cooler I wear a fleece vest as a cover. Most places are not too warm for the vest.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Depends on your age and the social setting, particularly the latter. There are plenty of places where if you are dressed properly, including a tie, you'd look stranger taking a suit jacket, or even "sports coat," off than leaving it on. Just leave it on! OTOH, I am at at the age (70) where I dress for myself, not for an employer or to attract young girls. Given my total appearance, I have had NO trouble with a "shoot-me-first" vest. It not only works well enough in the summer, it has enough pockets to carry a lot of stuff I like to have around, like my cell phone, a 6P, wallet where I don't have to reach behind myself for it, and much more.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I take my coat off.

Most don't notice that there's a gun on my belt and the ones that do notice don't care.

OWB is the most comfortable. If you live in a state where OC is legal then by all means OC. If you had an artificial limb you would get the same looks. Just make eye contact and they will find something else to look at.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I like IWB so much that I've pretty much given up on OWB. I find IWB to be much less trouble than OWB.

I wear untucked shirts almost all the time. While they're long enough to conceal a high-riding OWB holster I worry about it less with IWB since most of the gun/holster is inside my pants. I can reach up to the top shelf to get something at the store. I can cross a parking lot on a windy day without worrying that a sudden gust will lift up my shirt-tail and expose the bottom of a holster. I can take my jacket off without exposing my gun.

I also found that, for me, IWB is more comfortable than OWB because my gun/holster is pulled into me. The few times I wore OWB it always felt like the gun was pulling away from me even when I cinched my belt tight, which left it feeling somewhat unstable.

Oh, and did I mention I can use my right hip pocket? OWB always made that difficult at best.

My preference is for leather VM2-style holsters, but I also have an offset clip-style holster that works well with my 642 (I'm not sure I'd use one for a bigger/heavier gun, though). I think it's also helpful that the pants I wear are relaxed fit jeans that are a size bigger.

While I can OC, I choose not to. For me the costs/risks outweigh any benefits. I have no problem if it works for other people, though.

Of course, each individual is going to have different preferences depending on body type, wardrobe, environment, etc.

 

[BaaBaa]

I
What do you all do? Grin and bear it? Keep your coat on and burn up?

Being female I haven't found an IWB holster that works so I keep a coat/jacket on. Possible options, lighter weight canvas shirts left untucked as a jacket, also lots of lightweight cotton jackets over a think silk or lightweight wool t-shirt are fine and not too hot. Natural fibers will be a lot cooler than synthetics and silk is the best warm in winter cool in summer, followed by wool then hemp and cotton a distant 4th place.

 

[shouldazagged]

Pocket carry the year around, except for extremely rare occasions when I go with OWB. I've considered trying a pancake holster that holds the gun in high and tight, but my build in my old age complicates that a little.

 

[hard nose street cop]

I find that IWB with my 64 (2 inch) or 15 (2 inch) very comfortable worn on my weak side (cross draw) with a large or loose fitting polo or dress shirt all year round.

 

[fredj338]

OWB competition & IWB for carry. IWB gives me so many more dressing options. If I can't hide it I probably won't carry it. A proper holster & the right gun carries IWB with little effort. Polo shirt, jacket, even. Dress shirt with a tuckable rig. Of course if you are really fat, IWB is a no go.

 

[AGoyette]

Being female I haven't found an IWB holster that works so I keep a coat/jacket on. Possible options, lighter weight canvas shirts left untucked as a jacket, also lots of lightweight cotton jackets over a think silk or lightweight wool t-shirt are fine and not too hot. Natural fibers will be a lot cooler than synthetics and silk is the best warm in winter cool in summer, followed by wool then hemp and cotton a distant 4th place.

BaaBaa,
I would look into a holster made by N82. N82 Tactical
They are by far the most comfortable holsters around. Nothing to poke you, sweatproof, easy to put on and off, excellent retention. I have a n82 for my 9c. For my Sig 938, a remora with the sweat shield. The darling husband is talking about getting me a n82 for the Sig for my birthday. Everyone who has tried them has LOVED them. BTW, I am not skinny, and I carry AIWB.

 

[Rick_A]

20150212_133937 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

The top two guns are what I'd rather carry daily. The N frame requires a thick cover garment. A dark button up shirt works fine.

The 1911 can get away with layered T shirts but it's not as comfortable and it will get rust by the end of a sweaty day.

The J frames get carried most as they are just easier to get by with. The 649 is not the most comfortable IWB but it sure makes it easy and there is little fear of harm to the finish. The 442 is always in backup mode in the pocket or on the ankle. The 649 has been pocket carried in a pinch but it's a bit big and heavy for the part.

 

[BaaBaa]

BaaBaa,
I would look into a holster made by N82. N82 Tactical

They don't make one to fit my gun, a S&W 940 j-Frame revolver

 

[ContinentalOp]

They don't make one to fit my gun, a S&W 940 j-Frame revolver

I checked it out and it lists J-frame as an option.

 

[Biggfoot44]

But seriously , this whole conversation is 90% about clothing , and 10% about holsters.

* For me * my worktime attire and equipmet is specified for me. On my time , I start at casual , and can move down to looking like I just shoveled out a barn. On those infrequent occasions that I dress up , I just wear the sport coat.

Even for the proveral hot and humid I would go in public in just a pair of speedos . ( Those who know me would laugh or gag at the thought of that.). An untucked short sleeve work/ camp/ Hawaiian shirt over a moisture wicking T shirt works just as well with jean or cargo shorts as with jeans or cargo pants. So if you haven't guessed , OWB(s) work fine for me.

Of course most IWB feel like a torture device to me. But even with my one exception , I would be dressed around it similarily anyway , only difference would be having a 5in 1911 instead of typical 4-4.25in bbl when doing a semi.

Other people who are actually comfortable with an IWB that doesn't involve half of a dead cow inside their pants may CHOOSE otherwise , but OWB is definately a fully viable option.

 

[vito]

Personally I prefer OWB. With a more than ample gut, I find IWB uncomfortable even with good holsters like the N82 Tactical. But what I find I do more than anything is pocket carry. Depending on what I am dressed in, I take my 642, my Ruger LCP or my Ruger LC9s in a pocket holster and then stop worrying about it. With a decent belt, either OWB or pocket carry is easy unless you are carrying a really heavy handgun.

Pocket carry has the advantages of never losing concealment no matter what you do, including reaching for something on a high shelf or bending over, both of which can cause you to reveal if carrying OWB with an untucked shirt. Plus, as noted before, if you are in what may be a dicey situation you can slip your hand into your pocket and ready yourself for a quick draw without having to commit your intentions to anyone around you.

 

[Tony twist]

I find appendix carry to be uncomfortable when sitting or getting in and out of vehicles. Any good quality holster at 3:30 4 o clock position does it for me as far as comfort and conceal ability. I can make a full size 1911 disappear or almost any model with just a t shirt.

 

[BaaBaa]

I checked it out and it lists J-frame as an option.

hmm It says airweight j frame which mine isn't. Or I guess you could interpret the note to be both airweight and J frame but I sure didn't' read it that way.