3-4:30 IWB HOLSTERS

[UNK]

Im out of touch with whats recommended for 3-4:30 IWB and OWB. For IWB I think Id prefer offset loop but Im not 100% on that. For the slim 9’s and J Frames.

[BillSWPA]

I have gone entirely to JM Custom Kydex IWB #3 with a 10 degree cant, full sweat guard, wide hole spacing, and pul the dot loops.


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[Shoresy]

I have gone entirely to JM Custom Kydex IWB #3 with a 10 degree cant, full sweat guard, wide hole spacing, and pul the dot loops.


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Same.

[03RN]

I don't like kydex iwb. Aiwb yes. But not behind the hip.

Milt Sparks summer special 2 or vm2. Other companies make similar ones like Ryan Grizzle.
81483

[Jared]

I have gone entirely to JM Custom Kydex IWB #3 with a 10 degree cant, full sweat guard, wide hole spacing, and pul the dot loops.


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Either this or something leather. Leather is honestly my real preference when carrying in this position, but JMCK IWB3 is easily the best Kydex holster I’ve ever tried for 3:00-4:30

[4RNR]

I use Galco King Tuck

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[BillSWPA]

Most of the leather holsters I have tried are either thin and non-rigid, or require a reinforcement around the mouth of the holster to keep the holster open once the gun is drawn. In the latter case, the holster adds considerable thickness to the total thickness that must fit within the waistband and which must be concealed. Kydex has the advantages of being both thin and rigid, which for me provides the most comfort and most effective concealment.

[UNK]

Most of the leather holsters I have tried are either thin and non-rigid, or require a reinforcement around the mouth of the holster to keep the holster open once the gun is drawn. In the latter case, the holster adds considerable thickness to the total thickness that must fit within the waistband and which must be concealed. Kydex has the advantages of being both thin and rigid, which for me provides the most comfort and most effective concealment.

I agree a thick holster defeats the purpose of a thin gun.

Has anyone tried the Raven Concealment Vanguard models that attach to the trigger guard. Not sure how well they would work with a 3” barrel

[revchuck38]

I have gone entirely to JM Custom Kydex IWB #3 with a 10 degree cant, full sweat guard, wide hole spacing, and pul the dot loops.


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This is what I use for my full-size guns (PX4 and M&P) but with a 25-degree cant. I don't have a slim 9 and use a Harry's Icon for my J frames.

[RJ]

Topical thread.

I've been carrying lately (P365x+407k) in a JM CK Kydex, IWB3 15 cant, with PTD loops behind the hip.

81488

I have been experiencing some minor discomfort at the point of my hip. Enough that I'm trying various pads; this week I have the Melody Lauer holster hack in place (Dr. Scholl's Women's Gel Heel Pad). It's helping a bit.

81489

Since I took this picture, I flipped the gel pad 180; it was pushing the grip out too much the way it was.

I remembered that previously I carried a G19/G26 as well as a HK P30SK LEM in a Mitch Rosen Upper Limit Express (OWB Leather high riding straight drop). The position I had it was around what's normally Appendix, so I called it my "AOWB" holster. It actually worked pretty well, since in general driving the truck I would slide it back a bit seated, then skosh it over standing or walking. I don't tuck shirts and am usually in an XL Polo or T-shirt, so printing wasn't an issue, much.

I'm about ready to order another one for my P365x. Picture of a previous rig for reference:

81487

[BillSWPA]

Regarding cant, while some cant helps conceal the end of the grip, too much causes the back end of the slide to print with guns having a long back end like Glocks. I have not yet carried a gun with an optic, but could imagine too much cant increasing optic printing. Also, too much cant requires a less comfortable wrist position when grabbing the gun.

My carry position is about 3:30, making 15 degrees the absolute maximum that will work well. Zero cant can work well in that position for a subcompact semiauto. I really appreciate a 10 degree cant option, which for me is perfect. Ten degrees works well with everything from a P365 to a Glock 19 for me. I have not carried a full size 1911 in years (it was never an everyday choice), but 15 has worked well for that gun.


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[Chuck Whitlock]

I have gone entirely to JM Custom Kydex IWB #3 with a 10 degree cant, full sweat guard, wide hole spacing, and pul the dot loops.

^^^^ For kydex, absolutely this. I have LH + RH versions for my Kahr K9. (mine might be 15 degree cant)

For leather... Milt Sparks, Sam Andrews, Kramer, TT Gunleather, or Privateer.

[RJ]

I have not yet carried a gun with an optic, but could imagine too much cant increasing optic printing.



FWIW, I have experience carrying the same gun, with and without an optic, over the past two years (Glock 19, Glock 48, P365x), and I'd have to say adding the optic has zero impact on printing.

[BillSWPA]

One other characteristic I want in an IWB holster is sitting as deeply in the pants as possible while still allowing a full firing grip. A holster that sits higher than necessary will print more as the wearer bends at the waist.


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[Cool Breeze]

While I can't speak to function of iwb holsters in that position as I don't carry like that I can speak to quality leather. I think Milt Sparks' Summer Special and SS2 basically owns this category historically from a leather standpoint. I have a 55BN and it clicks the gun into the holster better than some kydex. It is amazingly crafted - however, the leather wrapped reinforcement is a bit thicker than I would like. I would also look at JRC Leather as he uses super thin horsehide (very rare in holsters - at least as far as I know). His IWB-SS looks like a carbon copy of the Milt Sparks but perhaps thinner because of the horsehide.

If you are willing to go OWB - I use a Raven Perun as 4:00-4:30 suit carry and its fantastic for that purpose. Super concealable (if canted), thin, and cheap. I found that the straight drop loops have terrible concealment though.

[xtrtsqrt11]

I really like wide spread belt loops that you will find with many holster makers. I like leather myself. Milt Sparks is the gold standard, I also have holsters from TT Gunleather, Privateer.

The belt loop on top variety are still pretty good. Again, Milt Sparks (SS and SSII), as well as Kramer #2 are in my experience.

If you want quick receipt of a holster, Milt Sparks is available at Brownells (SSII)-you can get one, if you don't like it they will take a return no questions asked. Also Top Gun Supply (VM II) and Lightning Arms Sports has a pretty good inventory. I have purchased from all three of these, very good service in the experience.

I personally carry at 3:30 IWB (mostly) or OWB and have for 30 years.

[Rex G]

With leather rigs, the Milt Sparks VM 2 really, finally, provided the comfort equation that I had been seeking, for years, especially for the carry of serious-sized auto-loaders. The flexibility of the front wing seemed to be the final, vital ingredient. Notably, I like to wear a behind-the-hip IWB rig as close to the point of my hip bone, as possible, because I have a short torso, but long arms, which requires considerable shoulder, elbow, and wrist articulation to reach behind the hip.

I think that all of my Kydex IWB rigs are AIWB, so, cannot be helpful regarding Kydex IWB.

[Duelist]

Im out of touch with whats recommended for 3-4:30 IWB and OWB. For IWB I think Id prefer offset loop but Im not 100% on that. For the slim 9’s and J Frames.

JMCK IWB #3, zero cant, full guard, G26. Mine has the plastic clip for off/on ease. I’ve used that one for years and really like it, have a 15* cant G19 IWB #3 with no guard I don’t like as well with the G26 (partly due to the sharp-edged rear sight on that gun) but works okay for the G19X. I have a lefty G26 IWB #3 with fixed loop that does well. G42, I have a lefty and righty IWB#3 that disappears those little guys.

I also have one for an M64 heavy barrel 4” Kframe with fixed loop with about 10* of cant (love it - is there a theme going on here?). Works very well to both support and conceal such a thing, but not what I would choose to carry every day given a choice.

Jframe rigs for IWB are a Zulu Bravo that works well AIWB, but also disappears a steel or Airweight J at 3:30 just fine, and I just got a DSG Apollo that I haven’t used yet, but appears to be very popular from the number of them I saw at the Revolver Round Up being used appendix and 3:30-ish.

[KevH]

IWB:
1st Choice: Milt Sparks VM2 (by far)
2nd Choice: Alessi/Ritchie PCH
3rd Choice: Milt Sparks Summer Special (not the 2...I like the original)

OWB:
1st Choice: Milt Sparks 60TK (again..by far)
2nd Choice: Rusty Sherrick SIS (doesn't play well with RDO's)
3rd Choice: Tie between Alessi/Ritchie Vertical Speed Scabbard and Milt Sparks 55BN

I just acquired a Milt Sparks OM-1 for my Staccato P. While the jury is still out on the gun, I really really like the new optic friendly holster design.

[JSGlock34]

IWB:
I just acquired a Milt Sparks OM-1 for my Staccato P. While the jury is still out on the gun, I really really like the new optic friendly holster design.

Hadn't even heard of the OM-1, thanks for mentioning. I've been contemplating a VM2 for my Staccato P DPO...

[vcdgrips]

In Kydex- JM is tearing it up good.

In Leather- I remain a huge fan of Kramer in horsehide as that is nature's kydex when done well.

My other IWB leather maker has faded to black -The Leather Arsenal. Supposedly, a guy who worked at Sparks, went out on his own, added a "fin" to the design at the bottom of the rough out holster body (it helps turn the gun into the body aiding concealment on many) and had holsters purpose designed based on how deep they would ride along the beltline.

Bought new, sold and re-bought one (used on ebay) for a 5 inch 1911. Bought new and sold one for my G34/35 when I went AIWB. That was a mistake.

[NH Shooter]

My "slim 9" has been riding in a JMCK #3 for about eight years now, all day every day. The thought of trying something different never enters my mind;

https://i.ibb.co/ThKcLHP/edc-11.jpg


A 5-inch double-stack is no problem either;

https://i.ibb.co/X3wHpxp/PPQ-10.jpg

[ViniVidivici]

I certainly intend to acquire more JMCK in the future, as their AIWB rigs are serving me well.

With what I have on hand, were I to again carry IWB with a G19 or 17 (as I did for years), I'd use a Blade-Tech Ultimate Klipt for the G19, or a Blade-Tech original (which has since been retrofitted with a Klipt style clip).

Light, compact, secure.

[Casey]

Another JM fan here. Before making the switch to AIWB, my go-to for several years was an IWB3 with pull-the-dot loops. I liked 15-20° of cant for a VP9; 15° was sufficient for the G19 I carried before moving to HK. I probably have a half dozen in my holster drawer at this point in different colors, cants, and with and without light compatibility.

[Clay]

Kydex - JM Custom Kydex, by far. iWB #3, wide spaced pull the dot snaps, 20 degree cant.

Leather - Kramer horsehide.


I've been carrying full size guns IWB on a daily basis for 20 years, FWIW.

[psalms144.1]

My answer to every IWB question is the FIST #1K (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1K) , slight cant, ultrathin kydex. Every other kydex holster I've tried has added too much bulk for my tastes. Leather IWB is more comfortable, but since I'm a sweaty sweat hog, not a great solution for either holster or pistol.

[frozentundra]

JM Custom IWB 3 is a really good holster. I think I have one for pretty much every pistol I own. I currently have a custom light bearing one in queue. They have quite a few quick ship models, but if you have to order a custom (non-quick ship) configuration, I consider it worth the fairly long wait times.

The DCC metal clips are an interesting and extremely low-profile attachment method. However, I've had trouble with them snagging occasionally on thin shirts, making for a disastrously fouled draw. I seem to always revert back to the good old pull-the-dot loops. I wish I didn't have the occasional need to disarm inside my car, or I would probably just use fixed soft loops.

If you can get away with fixed soft loops, you can run an IWB 3 on the inside or outside of pants, but still inside of belt, if that makes any sense. It's kind of a hybrid of IWB and OWB carry. In certain ways, this is actually my favorite OWB carry method, because the gun stays put really well without wanting to roll outboard. You don't have to worry as much about your undershirt trying to bunch up and migrate into your holster at the range when doing a lot of draws and reholsters. And your draw index position doesn't change at all. However, the gun does tend to ride lower than with a traditional dedicated OWB, so the concealment may not be as good depending on the cover garment. I do this at the range with pull-the-dot loops from time to time for training purposes. I've never had a snap come loose, and I've even tried it while jogging before, but I still wouldn't trust it for EDC purposes with snap loops. This approach obviates my need for a dedicated OWB for much of what I do with pistols.

For a dedicated OWB, I think the Raven Perun is a really good value if you are lucky enough to have one available for your pistol configuration. Unfortunately, there isn't a large variety of configurations supported.

[revolvergeek]

I don't carry behind the hip much any more, but when I do I have multiple Milt Sparks Nexus holsters sized for any of the autos that I would carry there (5" 1911, Glock 19, Glock 43).