Newbie here: 1st holster? I've narrowed it to 3.

[cmbconcretefire]

In no particular order I've done my homework and have settled on picking one of these:

Crossbreed mini tuck. (talked to a rep there today who told me the standard size would be overkill for my Shield 9mm...as I suspected)

Stealthgear IWB mini (mini for the same reason as above)

Hidden Hybrid.

Correct my if I am wrong, but my research on GUNS led me to buying the Shield 9mm over the Glock 43, even when I didn't really want to like the Shield. The math and logic won the day.

Stainless mags vs plastic mags. Stainless sights vs plastic sights. Higher capacity vs lower capacity. Excellent track record vs fairly new and untested (all things considered) AND the Shield was $100 cheaper, and I shot better with it. That pretty much equaled a no brainer decision and I'm very pleased with my purchase. VERY PLEASED.

In the same regard, I've done my homework on these holsters and I believe no matter which one I pick, I really can't make a bad choice. **BUT** , I've never carried before. So I come to you for your wisdom on what you would choose if you were me.

In order to do that, I think you need to know a little bit more about me and my intentions. I'm 5'11" , 230 lbs. A little on the chubby side. I live in NC so we have hot and humid summers.

My intentions are literally to carry from the time I put my pants on in the morning until I take them off at night, including carrying inside the house. That may sound silly, but none of us can "pick and choose" when danger will present itself.

Now, if I'm carrying in the house on the weekends or at night, I'll probably just have it in my shorts pocket so the holster wouldn't be in play. I'm NOT allowed to carry at work, however, I don't really like the idea of sliding my holster off and on at the start and end of each shift. To be honest, I'll probably just take the gun out and put it in the glove box and leave the holster on. (if some of you scoff at this notion, tell me why, because I don't know) I work a desk job and don't really do a whole lot of driving. Although I do , do a lot of sitting.

I do have to say though that I DO like (very much) that the hidden hybrid can be used IWB or OWB as I plan to open carry from time to time. But it's not going to be the deciding factor by any stretch.

Ok, that's it. Help. Oh, one more thing....I plan to carry at about the 4 o'clock position. Just behind the hip bone, unless I can wear it at 3 o'clock and the hip bone isn't an issue. By instinct, I want to carry as close to 3 o'clock as possible.

 

[Holmes375]

The StealthGear will be the most comfortable - love their material. That said, you can't go wrong with any of those three choices. All good makers with top notch reps.

 

[Ranger17]

I too have not carried and am beginning my own Shield holster research so following these threads can be helpful. I did though want to toss in my 2 cents on the glove box thought.
Too often one hears of break-ins whether a visible parking lot, driveway, etc so if a gun has to sit in a car (esp for a long unattended period) i would consider a lockable storage set up that is secure. A glove box is not. Best to consider all options to keep it safe and out of someone else's hands.

Just thinking out loud.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I live in NC so we have hot and humid summers.

I'm in SC (hot and humid also) , and have found the Neoprene lining on the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck, allows me to IWB carry without an undershirt. The leather IWB's irritated my skin without an undershirt, and another layer of clothing was not desirable. Also, the Neoprene is moisture proof, a good feature for me, around here.

 

[dben002]

Before you decide and I did not pick up if you wish to carry OWB or IWB but you may wish to research Alien Gear Holsters and Foxx Holsters. In the past I have had two of the ones you are considering and I now have the Alien and the Foxx and they receive full time usage

Just ordered a new Foxx for my. Shield 45.

To each his own but these two deserve a close look by anyone looking for quality, comfort, durability.

 

[BigDog48]

I have a box full, and Stealthgear is my favorite. I have aliengear and crossbreed for other pistols and they're no where near as comfortable as the stealthgear.

 

[kmanick]

Another Stealthgear fan here. I have an Onyx and a Flex for my shield, a Flex for my XDM 3.8C .45
and a 'mini" incoming right now for my 9C.
N82 pro was also really comfortable but the retention system did not
work for me. I've tried alien gear twice, both times the cut away in front of the grip on
my shield was so small that it hurt to draw. On a full size gun, I don't think it would be an issue.
I had to send them back.

 

[cmbconcretefire]

Alien Gear has been ruled out by me. I have several reasons and I don't want to piss anyone off. Even as a Newbie, I know everything is very subjective to each individual user. I'll cover some points on why AG is not an option for me.

1) It's the hot new thing. All the buzz..... when the majority of a "crowd" starts heading in one direction, I tend to take pause and then go the other way. Reason being is because I think a majority of people are idiots. So a hot trend sends up a red flag for me by nature.

2) The marketing. Here, I cannot knock AG. Their marketing is fantastic. Lifetime warranty, swap shells for life, etc. They have their marketing covered.

3) Reading what's on the surface is never enough for me. I always dig to the next level. The fine print. AG is actually overpriced for the materials used. It's just not quality stuff. I refuse to debate anyone about it. The info is out there.

If it works for you and you love it, GREAT! I'll pass. Also, way too much kydex for what is needed to get the job done.

Now the Foxx, I might look into.

 

[CATI1835]

Don't be surprised if you go through a dozen holsters in your search for the perfect one. Most of us have. There is no one size fits all, unfortunately. I actually have three that I use, depending on the situation - dress requirement, activity, environment (friends house versus public outing, e.g.), weather, etc.

 

[NoogMan]

I have a box full, and Stealthgear is my favorite. I have aliengear and crossbreed for other pistols and they're no where near as comfortable as the stealthgear.

Same here....I've had every brand imaginable....Stealthgear is the clear winner. From my Shield to my P320 compact, I don't even know it's there.

 

[berudd]

NC here as well. Be careful about just putting your pistol in the glove box. As a CCW permit holder in NC we can drive on places like school campuses with a concealed firearm but must transfer it to a locked compartment attached to the vehicle before we open the door to get out. Some glove boxes do not lock so that may not meet the requirement. I'm planning to get a small lockable cases that I can attached to the bottom of the storage under the middle front seat in my truck.

 

[Ballistic147]

NC here as well. Be careful about just putting your pistol in the glove box. As a CCW permit holder in NC we can drive on places like school campuses with a concealed firearm but must transfer it to a locked compartment attached to the vehicle before we open the door to get out. Some glove boxes do not lock so that may not meet the requirement. I'm planning to get a small lockable cases that I can attached to the bottom of the storage under the middle front seat in my truck.

This is incorrect. The firearm must be stored in a closed compartment which would include the glove box or the center console if you exit the vehicle and the vehicle must be kept locked except to enter or exit. Here's the statute:

i.
A person who has a valid concealed handgun permit, or is exempt from obtaining a
permit, who has a handgun in a closed compartment or container within the person's
locked vehicle or the handgun is in a locked container securely affixed to the person's
vehicle. A person with a valid concealed handgun permit may also possess the
concealed handgun on his/her person while in the locked vehicle on school grounds.
This individual may unlock the vehicle to allow another person to enter or exit the
vehicle provided the firearm remains in the closed compartment or on the person at
all times and the vehicle is locked immediately following the entrance or exit of the
vehicle. It would be lawful for a concealed handgun permittee to remove a handgun
from a vehicle on school grounds if done so in response to a life threatening situation;

To the OP, N82 Tactical is a local NC company and they make a great holster. My Shield rides in one every day and it's very comfortable. Definitely worth a look. I know several guys around here with the Stealth Gear and they seem to like them as well.

 

[berudd]

Yeah, you're right. It doesn't require it to be locked. Its another example of how vague (or poorly worded) some of our laws in NC are.

"in a closed compartment or container within the person's
locked vehicle or the handgun is in a locked container securely affixed to the person's
vehicle"

Now, if I take that literally it means as long as the car is locked when I get out I can put my gun in a tupperware container and I'm good. Also, I can leave the car unlocked as long as its in a locked and affixed container. I'd rather have a bit more security and I'm not 100% comfortable that if took the tupperware route I'd come out OK if someone got their hands on my gun and I was facing charges.

 

[Bonephish]

Like many who carry every day, I've collected a lot of holsters that I'll never wear. My every day IWB holster is a simple kydex sleeve with FOMI clip. My favorite style is by Rubicon Tactical because the holster covers all of the slide and controls.

I also highly recommend Blue Line Concealment. I have his holster for my 1911.

 

[Ballistic147]

Yeah, you're right. It doesn't require it to be locked. Its another example of how vague (or poorly worded) some of our laws in NC are.

"in a closed compartment or container within the person's
locked vehicle or the handgun is in a locked container securely affixed to the person's
vehicle"

Now, if I take that literally it means as long as the car is locked when I get out I can put my gun in a tupperware container and I'm good. Also, I can leave the car unlocked as long as its in a locked and affixed container. I'd rather have a bit more security and I'm not 100% comfortable that if took the tupperware route I'd come out OK if someone got their hands on my gun and I was facing charges.

Agreed! If they would stop writing this stuff in lawyer talk and just use plain english things would be much simpler and the average guy could understand it better. Of course, that's not the goal when they write it.

 

[jake1945]

I prefer leather gear. Desantis cannot be beat for quality and looks. I have the Speed Scabbard for my M&P 45 with their double mag pouch that holds my 2 extra double stack mags. Both in tan leather. Their Sky Cop cross draw holster is awesome too. I use it for my 1911 full size pistol.

 

[gwpercle]

You can use math and logic to buy a gun ?
I usually go with the old gut instinct and that little voice in my head , when the gun calls out..."take me home....you must have me, don't worry about what the wife will say...I'll take care of her ! "
Then I buy ....logic....that's no fun. I wouldn't own many guns then.
Gary

 

[TX-Dennis]

I'm using a hybrid IWB holster from Everyday Holsters. It's very similar to the Crossbreed in terms of construction and materials. I have found it very comfortable and secure for my LC9s (very similar in size to the Shield). So I think you'd be happy with the Crossbreed. Sorry, I'm not familiar with the others.