"Wedge" for AIWB Holster

[Onomea]

A year or so ago I took a two-day class in which the instructors and most of the students were carrying AIWB. I was using a traditional leather OWB pancake, but on the second day the instructors set me up with a different gun using an AIWB holster, and something called a "wedge," with which I was unfamiliar.

I had always thought that for me AIWB was impractical, as I am overweight, specifically pot bellied. I am 6'2", and weigh about 230 (although I have been in the past as high as 265, so small victories!) I found the set up, and especially the use of the "wedge," surprisingly comfortable.

I thought I would explain a bit about it here for folks who are not familiar with the concept: The idea is to attach a wedge, typically foam cut from a yoga block or similar, thick side toward the bottom of the holster, so as to push the bottom of the holster, and the barrel of the gun, away from the body. This both makes the gun more comfortable, and safer in the sense that the gun is not pointing directly at your vitals.

Here are some photos of a wedge that I have constructed for my newly purchased Phlster Enigma Express. (The Phlster Enigma is quite a topic in itself. It's a system for carrying AIWB concealed without relying on your pants belt. It requires a fair amount of trial and error, fiddling and tweaking, to work well, but, when it works well, for many, it is a great solution. I've been trial and erroring for about two weeks now, and think I am close to having it dialed in.)



Phlster sells two sizes of wedge. I found the large too large, but the small, when I added a piece I cut from a piece of polyethylene foam, just right. Had to experiment a bit with the size of the polyethylene foam piece. I think most guys just make their own wedges. The velcro is easily cut to size, and has a sticky side so easy to attach.

 

[Cphobes]

Congrats, AIWB is very comfortable for me, we're of similar size and weight too. Wedge, ride height and cant on the holster all play a factor in comfort. I'm not a fan of the Phlster Enigma but I know a lot of people enjoy and use it. But like most things YMMV.

I tried to make my own wedges from a yoga block and wound up just throwing it out. Way too crumbly. I purchased a few off Amazon and have found a few good ones that fit for me.

 

[Onomea]

Cphobes, I'd be interested in seeing your set up if you care to post a pic, and hearing an explanation of what it is, the different elements, and how in combination they work for you.

E.g., ride height, with the holster on a belt, must be a function of how you wear your pants, or the cut of the pants, it seems to me... And I'm thinking the importance of cant must be about accommodating, taking advantage of, the inguinal crease.

AIWB is new to me, and I am interested in learning more. I don't think I will switch to carrying AIWB exclusively, but if comfortable and safe, as I am learning it can be, it's a good option for some situations.

 

[65-2x2]

I couldn't use an AIWB because of my "overhang" but even if I could, I don't like the concept. Carrying at the 4:00 position, inside the waste band means that a negligent discharge would shoot a hole through the fleshy part of my butt or perhaps through the back of the leg. Carried in the front, you could lose the family jewels, or take out the femoral artery and bleed out before you can say, "Don't do it." I realize that is what the purpose of the wedge and this post is about, but my purpose for IWB carry is to conceal my firearm. To make it stick out even more seems contrary to that goal. Of course everyone is different and I am not saying that the AIWB concept is wrong, it is just wrong for me.

As far as comfort, I just don't know what could be more comfortable than carrying in a holster similar to the Galco King-Tuk. (not a plug for Galco, everyone makes the type now) In my old age, I have transitioned from a full size to a compact, but I carried a full sized 1911, in comfort, and well concealed for decades.

In my opinion, a hoster that has to be altered to be safe, shoud be left on the shelf.

 

[Onomea]

6, thanks for comment.

Regarding concealment, and "make it stick out even more seems contrary to that goal," consider someone with a protruding stomach with a waistline and belt around the equator — or with the Enigma system perhaps even above the equator — a wedge to push the bottom of the holster out, away from the body, so that it becomes perpendicular to, or nearly perpendicular to, the ground does not really make the gun more conspicuous because one's trousers — assuming one is not wearing yoga pants or tight Levis — tend to fall, to drape down from the waist, like a curtain behind which the gun remains concealed.

The wedge, the thicker it is at its base, increasingly directs the muzzle of the gun away from the body, increasing safety in the event of an ND.

However, there's this:

I carry a P365. When sitting, with the AIWB rig I describe above, the muzzle is pointed at my leg. I do not like this, of course, but, my dislike is mitigated in that my pistol has a manual safety, and is in a tight fitting kydex holster which completely covers the trigger guard.

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I am not sure if the "a holster that must be altered to be safe" comment is on target. Some AIWB holsters, for example, have built in wedges. I think these fit some people well, but given the number of different body types, a good fit is more likely achieved by adjusting wedge size. The point of the wedge is to create a custom fit for an AIWB holster to a particular body. It's not like slapping on a pancake OWB at 3:30 strong side. (Which is my usual method of carry.)

 

[Cphobes]

Cphobes, I'd be interested in seeing your set up if you care to post a pic, and hearing an explanation of what it is, the different elements, and how in combination they work for you.

E.g., ride height, with the holster on a belt, must be a function of how you wear your pants, or the cut of the pants, it seems to me... And I'm thinking the importance of cant must be about accommodating, taking advantage of, the inguinal crease.

AIWB is new to me, and I am interested in learning more. I don't think I will switch to carrying AIWB exclusively, but if comfortable and safe, as I am learning it can be, it's a good option for some situations.

I’ll try to put something together this week. Been busy but don’t mind sharing.

The terms pot bellied and overhang are really “tactical shelf’s”. Keep it positive!

 

[URIT]

Concerns about accidental or negligent discharge when using a AIWB rig can be moderated by having the pistol in condition three. To do so, may just be an exchange of concerns, but safety might trump others.

 

[Cphobes]

Concerns about accidental or negligent discharge when using a AIWB rig can be moderated by having the pistol in condition three. To do so, may just be an exchange of concerns, but safety might trump others.

I always carry with a round in the chamber, took me about three days after I got my LTC and first pistol to realize that I needed to have confidence in my tools and training. But everyone has to carry in whatever manner they believe is comfortable for them.

Just train in the manner in which you carry. Did I mention training?

 

[Cphobes]

I couldn't use an AIWB because of my "overhang" but even if I could, I don't like the concept. Carrying at the 4:00 position, inside the waste band means that a negligent discharge would shoot a hole through the fleshy part of my butt or perhaps through the back of the leg. Carried in the front, you could lose the family jewels, or take out the femoral artery and bleed out before you can say, "Don't do it." I realize that is what the purpose of the wedge and this post is about, but my purpose for IWB carry is to conceal my firearm. To make it stick out even more seems contrary to that goal. Of course everyone is different and I am not saying that the AIWB concept is wrong, it is just wrong for me.

As far as comfort, I just don't know what could be more comfortable than carrying in a holster similar to the Galco King-Tuk. (not a plug for Galco, everyone makes the type now) In my old age, I have transitioned from a full size to a compact, but I carried a full sized 1911, in comfort, and well concealed for decades.

In my opinion, a hoster that has to be altered to be safe, shoud be left on the shelf.

Adding to a holster and customizing it for retention, cant, height, padding and style of attachments are all alterations and unless they impact the construction of the holster itself (speaking of kydex and specifically the trigger being covered) there is no issues.

I mean not every holster comes exactly as you want it from the factory. I've changed from loops to clips and back several times trying to find the right combination of comfort. Retention takes time to adjust as well. AIWB depends heavily upon a claw and padding which are added to suit the person carrying it.

All of these adjustments do nothing to the integrity of the holster itself and the security of the pistol being carried.

 

[Cphobes]

Cphobes, I'd be interested in seeing your set up if you care to post a pic, and hearing an explanation of what it is, the different elements, and how in combination they work for you.

So, I actually have carried this ALL day without any complaints AIWB. I can carry AIWB or strong side with this holster though I prefer AIWB. I've tucked it under a dress shirt with no over garment (jacket) and carry under an untucked shirt. I always wear an undershirt as well which goes between me and the AIWB hoslters.

Firearm: S&W Bodyguard 2.0
Holster: Vedder LightTuck Kydex IWB
Belt Clip: 1.5"
Claw: Added during order
Wedge: Added during order

So, this is a pretty "stock" AIWB holster including the claw and wedge. I like the vedder belt clip enough that I purchased additional ones that have a different length for another holster, so that helps with the ride height and cant adjustments.

This is a SMALL holster, since its a SMALL firearm.

I carry this "low" on my belt (using higher holes) which means that the grip of the pistol is very close to my belt. This does mean it takes more effort to draw from the holster, but this is for deeper concealment. My only complaint is that this has limited height adjustment, but with this pistol I don't see that as a problem.

I've found their wedge to be ok in size, I tend to like them slightly thicker on my heavier Shield Plus in AIWB but this works fine with the lighter BG2.0 and holster combo.

It is not cut for an optic, but at the time I don't believe they offered it (Jan, 2025). If I were to get an Optic mounted I understand I'd have to cut away enough keydex along the top (non-critical portion) to get it to seat correctly. Would require about 1/2" along the top to be removed.

It does have a full sweat guard and the claw is far enough away that it doesn't scrap my knuckles on drawing.

There are MANY other manufacturers that have similar setups, I'd like one that has more adjustments for height. Where the holes are on the holster dictates which loops and clips you can use with which holsters. I have a bunch of holsters and parts!

While the mag release is exposed, I've never accidentally activated it, I carry only 10rds (not 10+1), so there's one in the chamber and the mag has 9 rounds in it.

Hope that helps!

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, Cphobes. I appreciate the explanation and the pix.

When you say you've "tucked it under a dress shirt with no cover garment," do you mean you've worn it with a dress shirt tucked in? If so, the clip on the belt is then all that can be seen by an unusually observant observer?

Is the exposed clip a problem, do you think, or maybe no one is ever that observant to notice?

And hard is it to draw like that? (I'm thinking the tails on a dress shirt are pretty long, and snatching the front of the shirt up and away could be difficult...)

Does Vedders offer different thicknesses/sizes of wedges and claws, and the customer experiments until he/she gets it right?

 

[Cphobes]

Hello, yes dress shirt tucked in. I usually roll that edge a few times so it tucks neatly behind the clip.

The clip is visible, and against a brown belt it is noticeable to an observant observer. Though they’d be staring at your belt buckle or crotch to have to notice it. The shirt can be slightly baggy at that point to help with not printing. I don’t think this is an issue and most often I’m wearing a jacket but it can work without the jacket.

When drawing yes, you will need to clear the garment which will take more effort. The low height and garment will make for longer draw times. Though with adrenaline etc I don’t see this as prohibitive. You might damage the dress shirt with over exuberance but again not prohibitive.

I don’t know what else Vedder offers, though any additional components will be at a cost. I think they offer different wedges though not likely claws on a small holster. I buy parts on Amazon and not all are interchangeable. I’d go to their website and look. Their customer service was very helpful when I contacted them.

 

[Hawg Rider]

A "wedge" or "cushion" is a big help when carrying AIWB. It tends to put the grip at a better angle for drawing and re-holstering and makes the holster more comfortable to wear and tight to the body. I put a Clinger Cushion on my CrossBreed AIWB holster for my PC Shield Plus 9mm. I noticed that my "dunlop's disease" (my belly done lopped over my belt) was beginning to interfere with my EDC, and the cushion definitely helped with that. I have dropped about 15 lbs. in the past few months and it's even more comfortable now.

 

[Onomea]

Haw Rider, looking at the positioning of the wedge in your holster, it looks to me like you set it up to push the grip of your pistol away from your body (and avoid that belly droop interfering with your grip that you mention).

If you add an additional wedge, as you can see in my pix in post #1, I think it would move the muzzle out from your body as well, which might be more comfortable.

 

[walkin' trails]

AJ frame is about the most I can carry AIWB comfortably. For semi autos, I use a JM Custom Kydex holster versions of the Milt Sparks SSII. I have tried the wedge on several occasions and haven’t found that it improves carrying a semi AIWB comfortably. I know there are rigs better designed for AIWB, but I also prefer the KISS principle.