Need an IWB EDC holster for G43 that does not require a belt

[rxk124330]

Hi there. I've lurked for a while and tried to find what I'm looking for by reading previous discussions but simply haven't been able to come to a decision. Quite simply, I'm looking for a holster for my Glock 43. I know a lot of people are probably going to recommend just wearing a belt, but I'm planning on carrying in athletic shorts, yoga pants, and potentially skirts (depending on the occasion/demands for that day). I'm a 5'8" female with an athletic build, and while I'll be able to wear a belt with jeans, I'm in athletic wear almost 40% of the time and need to be able to carry without the use of a belt.

I've been most attracted to the retention of kydex holsters, and have specifically looked at both the Vedder LightTuck Kydex IWB holster and the Dark Star Gear G43 holster, but if anyone has any other recommendations of holsters that I should look at, I'll definitely take the time to look them up!
The specific question I have concerning these two holsters is: does anyone know how well the Dark Star Gear or Vedder holsters work without belts? I know that the Dark Star Gear holster has an extra bump at the bottom of the metal clip to provide some additional "bite" to stay on without a belt (and they mention success with board shorts and gi pants), but I was curious if anyone had any personal anecdotes about how well they worked?

Thank you in advance for any help!

[Gray222]

A standard metal clip won't work as there is no bite.

A reverse toothed metal clip (like dsg) will work well, it's one of my go to clips.

Also look into the utilclip as an option as the 43 is a small gun.

[The Apprentice]

The darkstar gear works great on my basket ball and mma shorts but they both have thicker waistbands. Don't know if that helps any I know womens atletic clothing is designed differently and tends to have less of a defined waistband.

[Gray222]

Just to add, a female friend is about your build and wears same type of clothing (mostly yoga pants) she cannot carry AIWB as she prefers tight shirts, and carries SOB (small of back) it works for her.

If you don't mind wearing slightly baggy shirts you can carry AIWB. The metal clip works really well for her, she carry's a 43 this way.

[GJM]

My wife has a similar build, and just can't make appendix work to her standards under thin clothes, as she says it makes her look lumpy in front. She uses either a Glock 42 or 43, depending on what she is wearing, just behind the hip IWB with either a JM Universal or CCC IWB Quick Cover. The Quick Cover is the thinnest.

[orionz06]

Also look into the utilclip as an option as the 43 is a small gun.

I'd stray from the Ulti-Clip. The few that I have had and the few that a friend have had have not been able to securely hold knives or guns in place in a manner that most here would find useful. Mine did not hold well in FoF.


As for the clip I (DSG) use, it has done quite well and this far there haven't been any that have popped off in training. I suspect this is due to the amount of gathered fabric under the clip. There is a lot more to drag on and a lot more cloth to gather. The Ulti-Clip has only a small amount.

The XL is out now and I hope to get a few and get some in service with some folks who will grapple. If they do what we want they'll be added for sure.

[Wyatterrp]

Have you looked at jm4tactical.com? I have one for my G43 (with and without TLR-6) and p320sc. So easy to use and very secure. Likely will add one for my VP9SK.


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[octagon]

I would suggest the Ulticlip. I have been using mine for a couple years now with no issues. I use it clipped to jeans with belt to conceal the clips. It locks on so tight getting them off is the issue most challenging where getting them on or keeping them on is easy. For $10 it is worth the try on thinner clothing. I just went through a course where we worked with partners attempting to foul our draw,disarm and fight over the gun in and out of the holster and the Ulticlip worked fine for me. I was using a Hybrid style holster similar to a Crossbreed (Whitehat to be exact) and the instructor has pointed out the weaknesses he has seen in their use in previous instances (Greg Ellifritz "Don't Dig the Rig section of his blog) and here there were no issues. They also allow tuck-able function for added benefit.

[Chance]

This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but you might want to consider a Smart Carry (http://www.smartcarry.com/) lower thoracic holster. I doubt it will work well under yoga pants, but it is a good solution when you want to carry from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock without a belt.

[Paul D]

Look at Keepers Concealment Errand. I have one for the Shield and it works without a belt.

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[Trajan]

Dark Star Gear for sure. I've used them in gi pants and mma shorts without a belt fine.

Anything with elastic will fail due to the weight of the gun however.

[psalms144.1]

I have a FIST #1 Kydex for my G43, and it holds in the waistband of non-belted athletic clothes just fine; the metal clip is hellastrong.

On another "plus" note, the holster adds as close to no width to the pistol as possible - it's darned near Mexican carry thin.

[OnionsAndDragons]

A holster like the DSG or JM Universal that uses the large toothed spring steel clip. This is the most versatile clip, and it works without a belt.

The only other option that has tested well for me is an attachment called the FabriClip. It is very secure on just fabric, and has a little less potential to damage clothing than the tooth clip, but not as good with a belt. I believe the company that sells them is Warfyter.

If the Fabriclip looks interesting to you, it can easily be added to a holster set up like Tom's at DSG. Two small holes for mounting.

For a full-on purpose built solution, the Runcible Works YP rig. But last I checked he had a pretty real wait time as it includes constructing a bespoke harness for the holster.


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[Doc_Glock]

I have a FIST #1 Kydex for my G43, and it holds in the waistband of non-belted athletic clothes just fine; the metal clip is hellastrong.

On another "plus" note, the holster adds as close to no width to the pistol as possible - it's darned near Mexican carry thin.

I have tried this holster as well and it will work for what you are trying to achieve.

I also have tried a Raven VG2 modified to take an Ulticlip. I like it, but the Ulticlip is sort of flimsy and loses grip strength over time. I don't trust it.

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[Caballoflaco]

runcible is a member here, you might want to check out his stuff.

https://m.facebook.com/RuncibleWorks/

[ssb]

If you decide you want leather for comfort reasons, another option is the clip used by High Noon Holsters. I've used it with board/gym shorts and gi pants with success. FIST holsters also uses the same clip Dark Star Gear uses IIRC. My preference is for the retention provided by a fitted leather holster (constant drag vs. click-in). I also find the draw to be a bit better as the gun's more willing to move without jerking the waistband up significantly. Having said that, I use a Dark Star Gear holster currently as my lounge-around holster.

Concur that you will have a difficult time AIWB if your shirt is tighter fitting. If it has a bit of drape the problem's solved, but it's probably not.going to work if your shirt is hugging your stomach.

A female coworker is using a Smartcarry with good success using her Shield. She's about 5"4, runner's build, and prefers pantsuits for work attire.

[Gun Mutt]

Look at Keepers Concealment Errand. I have one for the Shield and it works without a belt.
Wife loves hers for her G42...even in yoga pants or BJJ gi.

[runcible]

For a full-on purpose built solution, the Runcible Works YP rig. But last I checked he had a pretty real wait time as it includes constructing a bespoke harness for the holster.

O&D,

Appreciate the plug, and I apologize for the leadtimes. My dayjob has been pretty all-consuming for the last year, and I've had to abdicate a good bit of my personal life to handle my responsibilities. The good news for me is that with a new regulation in place, it's much more difficult for work to justify that sort of individual effort, so I'm finally getting some redundancy in functions, and the resulting wealth of free-time is helping me knock out orders. :)

[tanner]

Another recommendation for the DSG holster. I use them for snubs all the time and I have one for my 43 as well. No issues with gym shorts and no belt.

[OnionsAndDragons]

O&D,

Appreciate the plug, and I apologize for the leadtimes. My dayjob has been pretty all-consuming for the last year, and I've had to abdicate a good bit of my personal life to handle my responsibilities. The good news for me is that with a new regulation in place, it's much more difficult for work to justify that sort of individual effort, so I'm finally getting some redundancy in functions, and the resulting wealth of free-time is helping me knock out orders. :)

Been there, dude!

Glad you are rolling along at a pace you are happier with now. I always subscribed to there being no reason to apologize for the time spent doing a job right as long as it's understood up front.

If I get the Amish guys two counties over to make my dressers, they tell me it's going to be 4-6 months with their process and workload. But my unborn grandkids will have Amish dressers one day to give to their kids.


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[zuplex]

I used the Vedder Light Tuck for a Beretta Nano for a little while...until the clip broke off when I was practicing. I do not recommend it. Stick with the recommendations given here.