Looking to get educated on non-appendix IWB holsters

[huntsman22]

leather lined kydex from Garrett for my DWXc....

crossbreed for the turk hp clone....

 

[huntsman22]

VM-II's for the 1911's and hipowers....

 

[usmcsgt]

My opinions:
1&2 having the belt loops spread further apart is preferable. It keeps the gun more stable and in the same location. I found a loop or loops on the holster body less comfortable, plus it seemed to make the holster thicker.

3 comfort? That should be a top priority for IWB carry. There is no way I want Kydex next to body.

4 your belt tension should provide sufficient tension to keep your gun where it's supposed to be

I have tried multiple designs over the years and settled on this: https://www.ttgunleather.com/product-page/reinforced-iwb-mikes-special

The "sweat shield" up top between the slide and your skin is essential, especially if your pistol has a thumb safety. That tab at the bottom/back helps keep the grip in tight to your body. Snap straps are easier to put on/take off. The steel reinforced mouth for re-holstering is not essential & I think I have only one of those. I do have another Mike's Special as well as IWB holsters from another maker that have all of the other features.

I have tried the plastic clips on a "tuckable" IWB holster but they did not work well for me. Metal clips

All that said, the Milt Sparks Summer Special style is very popular for IWB carry. Mike's Special just works better for me.

Milt Sparks if you have the $ and don't mind waiting a year. Just ordered a new summer special last year for my 1911 commander.

 

[Oldsalt66]

I've been carrying in horsehide Crossbreed Super Tucks for many years and have found them to be the most comfortable and concealable holsters in which to carry and conceal large frame pistols for long periods of time.

Lifetime guarantee too.

 

[Norton 750]

I have used a Milt Sparks inside the waistband holster for decades for a 1911 Commander. At 5 foot five, IWB is the only way I can hide anything. Don't have a picture, but here is my Funeral/Wedding/BBQ rig. (that man in back that asked how to tell a difference between a wedding and a funeral will be dealt with later). Also Brommeland makes a very comfortable rig...one man shop, but uses only the best materials. I do have a picture of it with a S&W Scandium Commander.



Be sure and get one with "wings" to flatten out the profile. The classic "Summer Special" design places the loops at the thickest part of the holster. These hide easier and are very secure.

 

[Norton 750]

Notice this Milt Sparks for a 4516. The loop position makes the whole package thicker....not needed with the 4516! Very comfortable rig however.

 

[Norton 750]

Notice this Milt Sparks made without a reinforcement to keep the holster open. I am not Law Enforcement. One handed re-holstering is not a concern of mine; if I have to draw my sidearm it will stay out until the police arrive. So without that steel and additional leather, it is thinner and lighter.

 

[Oldsalt66]

For the best in comfort and concealability, the ability of an IWB holster to offer adjustments to its cant, as well as its ride hight, is an important feature to look for.

 

[crotchetyoldman]

I imagine I have considerably less experience than many of the respondents, but my two cents: I use a Kydex holster that clips so it's relatively easy to put on and take off (Rounded by Concealment Express). I wear it SOB for a palm-out draw.

 

[qwed]

Trying to educate myself on NON appendix carry IWB holsters (AIWB is NOT for me) and as I have never used one I would like peoples experienced based thoughts on trying to developing a IWB holster list of must haves and must avoids if possible, kind of a 'sure wish I knew that BEFORE I bought that IWB holster. I have to this point for the last 13 years carried my 9mm Gen-1 3" Shield in pocket carry holster only either in my pants pocket or jacket pocket and it has worked extremely well for me.

But now I would like to carry my Gen-2 4" PC Shield Plus and can see I will need at times a IWB holster to do so. I have spent quite a few hours over the last two months looking at every IWB holster manufacturer who comes up on my internet searches for IWB holsters made by most if not all of the most well regarded of IWB Kydex holsters that all seam, at least to me to be more similar than different.

I do understand you have to determine how your clothing, time of year and ones body type play in choosing a IWB holster as well as the size and weight of your CC HG and I also understand I will if need be make compromises in my wardrobe and I already have several VERY high quality 1.5" CC specific belts. I have already accepted at least a mild degree of discomfort may be unavoidable in a IWB holster.

After looking at likely every CC holster company (at least that appeared in my searches) out there I have a few questions I hope someone can answer for me or tell me they don't matter that much in a CC holster selection.

#1-Does the number of and belt clip design matter that much and how does one decide what type of clips your CC holster should have and is one belt clip design inherently more secure than another.

#2-Are there any clear cut advantages or disadvantages to a more compact holster who's belt clips are attached to the body of the holster VS larger holsters that use additional materials to extend its belt clips away from the main body of the holster. Based on the shear number of more compact holster designs VS ones at least 1.5-2x larger footprint, I am leaning towards there are likely some advantages of smaller IWB compact holsters VS the larger ones, but I don't have the knowledge to know for sure.

#3-Do hybrid holsters made from a combination of rigid synthetic materials and leather have any ligit significant advantages over 100% rigid synthetic holsters other than comfort.

#4-How much retention should a Level-I IWB holster have to be judged safe. I do not plan on doing any extreme levels of physical activity while carrying IWB, if I do I will switch over to my Safariland level-II ALS or GLS OWB concealment holsters.

As I stated, I have three dedicated CC hand guns, a Gen-1 3" Shield, a Gen-2 3" Shield Plus and a 4" Performance Center Gen-2 Shield Plus and looking for a single IWB holster that will accommodate both the 3" and 4" versions of my shield Plus.

I really do not know all that much about what makes for a VG to great IWB holster (if such a IWB holster even exists) VS what makes a IWB holster only so-so hoping to some help here in correcting that.

Check out Aggressive Concealment Holsters. They make excellent IWB holsters for a wide variety of guns, including those with lasers. Very inexpensive, but can be used anywhere on your belt because they have fully adjustable cant and retention. They also make OWB.

 

[ddhartma]

Love my Falco Model A112 Hawk IWB for my S&W 686+.