BODY HUGGING KYDEX

Generally speaking, I carry metal pistols, mostly 1911’s in leather. A pancake style holster does a superb job of concealment, hugging the pistol super close to my side.
I generally carry a polymer pistol IWB Kydex, all day, with just an untucked shirt, every day, at the office, with the excellent Vedder IWB.
BUT, my question is, do any of you use an OWB Kydex holster that hugs your body as well as a leather pancake?
Maybe it’s not out there, but if it is, please tell me. It will be carried at 3:30-4:00.
Thanks,
Skip

I seem to be transitioning back to leather for OWB carry. I carry in the same position and it just works better for me. That said, I carry IWB in Kydex probably 80-90% of the time.

Phlster Summit?

I’m quite happy with how a JMCK OWB2 conceals.

I have several of the JMCK OWB-1 and it is simply a Kydex pancake.

As others have stated, JMCK is probably your best bet. I see the original Raven Concealment Phantom is available at the moment - a great choice, but probably not worth the extra money over JMCK.

Another vote for JM Custom Kydex. I carry a P365 in an OWB2 and love it. It's a "taco" design rather than a pancake, like the OW1, but the loop design wraps subtly, and works very well. I suspect the OWB2 works better for lighter pistols than heavier, but takes up less belt real estate than the OWB1.

The only OWB holsters, other than a duty holster, that I have are an older Tenicor ARX and a PHLster Summit.


Tenicor ARX:
Attachment 117405

Attachment 117406

PHLster Summit:
Attachment 117408

Attachment 117409

I have JMCK Rough Dogs for my semis. Works for me.

Personally, I have never found traditional leather pancake holsters in straight drop to be very body hugging at all. The loop slots simply don't bend enough for my body. The 55BN addresses some of this with a slot behind the gun vs. a belt slot in front of the gun.

Re: Kydex - for cant - I have found a simple raven perun to be very body hugging. The straight drop loops for the perun are awful though.

For straight drop, you need a loop in the front and the wing in the back to pull the butt of the gun in. I've had to mod holsters myself with aftermarket hardware to get it right.

The phlster summit looks awful - the front of the loop that is still kydex has to be 45 degree or more bent to make that hug your body or you will just have a hug piece of kydex sticking out before the tygris material bends (unless you are like 45+ waist)

I have searched high and wide for a leather-equivalent kydex OWB, including most of the outstanding holsters listed above, and still use leather exclusively for OWB carry. Kydex inside the belt, leather on it is what works for me.

I do have kydex OWBs for my main "shooting" pistols for range use, just to keep from soaking nice leather with my terribly caustic sweat. For that purpose I've been using JMCK OWB2s, mostly. Great holsters, but they don't hug as tight to my hip as comfortably as leather.

Upper Hand holster is the most body hugging kydex I have found. It's outer molded with more of the gun in the outside of the kydex vs a traditional pancake where it's 50/50. It's very similar to a Mitch Rosen Presidential.

I have had to add the loop in front and also bend the circled portion in using a heat gun. Not ideal but it's now "custom fit."

Attachment 117415

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Originally Posted by skipper49

Generally speaking, I carry metal pistols, mostly 1911’s in leather. A pancake style holster does a superb job of concealment, hugging the pistol super close to my side.
I generally carry a polymer pistol IWB Kydex, all day, with just an untucked shirt, every day, at the office, with the excellent Vedder IWB.
BUT, my question is, do any of you use an OWB Kydex holster that hugs your body as well as a leather pancake?
Maybe it’s not out there, but if it is, please tell me. It will be carried at 3:30-4:00.
Thanks,
Skip

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In the same manner you reference, I can conceal an M45A1 with a Tap-Rack-Bang holster (also sold under the First Spear brand). It's just a generic Raven Phantom copy, like so many others. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to conceal your 1911 with any of the thus-far mentioned kydex holsters from Raven, Tenicor, JMCK, etc.

Ive had decent success with the original Raven Concealment Phantoms with a G19 or even a VP9. The other one that has worked well for me and my pear shaped body was the JMCK OWB #1.

I've been happy with an OWB from Comp-Tac. The no longer make the model I have, but their Warrior holster is similar - https://www.comp-tac.com/warrior-holster . Which is similar to the RCS Phantom. Comp-Tac also has a 20% off deal going, I believe. Code - SAVE20 (at least they did as of yesterday, unless it's expired).

I got few different brands. Tenicor ARX lux for 19 is the must close to my body and it's built like a Tank.


Simong.

Back in 2022 I was looking for an OWB holster for my Beretta 92A1, molded for a Surefire X300 Ultra. Pickings were slim so I reached out to P-F members for advice. Forum member "medmo" suggested I look at Black Rhino Concealment. He said he had 5 holsters from them and was a satisfied customer. One holster was for his Beretta PX4. I did and now I am a satisfied customer. I'll provide a link below to the holster I bought. I got a straight cant holster with a full guard. There is no tension screw, but the Beretta is held very securely. Lots of options available for fitting the holster to your specs. I am thoroughly satisfied with this holster. This holster holds the 92A1 close to my side. Now if I could do something about those love handles, but that's not the holsters fault.

https://blackrhinoconcealment.com/tc...retta-tcs.html

Another kydex option, the Aholster belt holster

https://aholster.com/belt-aholster/

It was a favorite of the late Tiger McKee. They even offer a "Shootrite Training Holster" option.

https://shootrite.wordpress.com/2010...rite-holsters/

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Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

Upper Hand holster is the most body hugging kydex I have found. It's outer molded with more of the gun in the outside of the kydex vs a traditional pancake where it's 50/50. It's very similar to a Mitch Rosen Presidential.

I have had to add the loop in front and also bend the circled portion in using a heat gun. Not ideal but it's now "custom fit."

Attachment 117415

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Is this just their standard OWB?

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Originally Posted by JTQ

Another kydex option, the Aholster belt holster

https://aholster.com/belt-aholster/

It was a favorite of the late Tiger McKee. They even offer a "Shootrite Training Holster" option.

https://shootrite.wordpress.com/2010...rite-holsters/

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I carried a G19 in one of these for about 12 years until the kydex finally cracked. It was the only OWB I’ve ever used that was actually concealable.

I haven't found a better OWB kydex than a raven phantom. They seem to be back in full production now. When they weren't available for newer guns JM kydex was the choice.

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Originally Posted by msstate56

Is this just their standard OWB?

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Yes... But but it comes with two closed loop wings. I modded the front wing to the loop and it acts very much like what guys were doing with the phantom back in the day (loop up front and wing in back). It carries similar to my old school phantom except it's in straight drop and can accommodate Gen 5 optics cut. I also like the added benefits of it being slightly outer molded vs. 50/50.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

Yes... But but it comes with two closed loop wings. I modded the front wing to the loop and it acts very much like what guys were doing with the phantom back in the day (loop up front and wing in back). It carries similar to my old school phantom except it's in straight drop and can accommodate Gen 5 optics cut. I also like the added benefits of it being slightly outer molded vs. 50/50.

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I’m going to have to try one. I have a heat gun and mod almost every holster I have already. I think the offset molding could really make a difference.

Thanks to everyone for several excellent choices. I’m researching all.
Just like most of you, I sadly have a LOT of holsters, always searching for
“Perfect”.

Skip

I don't have any first hand experience with this holster, but I wonder if Blackpoint Tactical's Leather Wing OWB holster might be what you're looking for. https://blackpointtactical.com/shop/leather-wing/

I recently got a light Bearing Tenicor holster. And it has been great so far. My next favorite to the RCS Phantom


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Can anyone with a recent production Raven Phantom confirm that there is a slight forward cant? The photos seem to show one, with no option to order zero cant as of old. Maybe I should just call them…

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Originally Posted by stomridertx

I don't have any first hand experience with this holster, but I wonder if Blackpoint Tactical's Leather Wing OWB holster might be what you're looking for. https://blackpointtactical.com/shop/leather-wing/

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I tried one of these several years ago. Hated it. It tended to roll out and not stay tight against my body. They accepted my return and gave me a refund.

The one I ordered for a staccato was straight drop.

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Originally Posted by Le Français

Can anyone with a recent production Raven Phantom confirm that there is a slight forward cant? The photos seem to show one, with no option to order zero cant as of old. Maybe I should just call them…

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