Most comfortable/concealable G17 OWB holster

[TheNewbie]

I’m looking for the most comfortable/concealable OWB holster for a Gen 5 G17. I’ve read through several of the threads here and looked at several holster makers. There is no preference in regard to leather vs kydex. Whatever does the job the best is what I’m interested in.


What do you all like for OWB G17 at this time? I’m looking at both Mitch Rosen and JM, but I’ll listen to whatever suggestions.


Is the wilderness instructor belt recommended with a leather holster?



I almost always wear an undershirt and a button up shirt over it. Unless I’m at the house working outside, but otherwise I’m wearing the two shirts 95% of the time that I’m not at home.


Thanks!

[RJ]

Comfort is a pretty broad term, you might get suggestions as to what works for others. In my case, I've used a MR Upper Limit for a Glock 26/19 (fits both) and it was very comfortable. I swapped from that to an RCS Perun, which I liked a lot better (lighter weight, more positive fit, ambi out of the box, and affordable). I took my last class with Tom Givens with my G19 in the Perun, in fact.

RCS does make one for the G17.

https://social.rcsgear.com/perun-glock-17

[Rex G]

JMCK OWB.

Kramer Vertical Scabbard, preferably horsehide.

For quick gratification, the Galco Avenger is quite good.

If the cover garment allows, I would rather have zero degrees of cant, and wear the weapon a bit forward of 0300. Some cover garments, and some situations, dictate that the weapon be worn just behind the hip, with minimal cant. The “FBI Cant,” of 15 degrees, will jab the rear of some auto-pistols’ slides into my ribs.

[NH Shooter]

JMCK #2 OWB

https://i.ibb.co/8s5CD9d/ppq-15.jpg



https://i.ibb.co/Zx1mBwQ/ppq-14.jpg

[Grouse870]

I have a raven concealment perun for a Glock 17 with a tlr1. I don’t typically carry owb but I do use it to and from work with my duty gun. I like it. It’s pretty comfortable.

[HeavyDuty]

JMCK #2 OWB

https://i.ibb.co/8s5CD9d/ppq-15.jpg



https://i.ibb.co/Zx1mBwQ/ppq-14.jpg

I know I sound like a broken record, but this.

[TheNewbie]

Comfort is a pretty broad term, you might get suggestions as to what works for others. In my case, I've used a MR Upper Limit for a Glock 26/19 (fits both) and it was very comfortable. I swapped from that to an RCS Perun, which I liked a lot better (lighter weight, more positive fit, ambi out of the box, and affordable). I took my last class with Tom Givens with my G19 in the Perun, in fact.

RCS does make one for the G17.

https://social.rcsgear.com/perun-glock-17


Thanks!

How do the Raven and JM OWB 2 compare?


Do you all find a comfort difference in leather or kydex? What about concealability?


Honestly I have been pretty lazy by either pocket carrying a small auto or LCRx with a speed strip. In the past I carried a G26 in a Glock Sport holster using a tenicor belt and that actually worked decently, but I no longer have the G26.

[1911Nut]

Another vote for the JMCK OWB #2

And the Kramer vertical scabbard (preferably in horsehide) for leather

Excellent, excellent holsters

I think I may be the only person on earth with no Perun holster experience

[Willard]

RexG& 1911 nut nailed it. Kramer vertical scabbard in horsehide.

[Larry T]

Thanks!

How do the Raven and JM OWB 2 compare?


Do you all find a comfort difference in leather or kydex? What about concealability?


Honestly I have been pretty lazy by either pocket carrying a small auto or LCRx with a speed strip. In the past I carried a G26 in a Glock Sport holster using a tenicor belt and that actually worked decently, but I no longer have the G26.

I have both. The Perun is lighter, ambi, and cant-adjustable. The JM OWB 2.0 feels sturdier and more solid. Mine has the 10-degree cant with full guard. With comparable setup, they both conceal about the same. I only use it when carrying OWB concealed under a sport coat or suit jacket. I usually carry a G26 and both holsters are fine. But when I carry a G19, the JM just feels more secure and solid.

[vcdgrips]

Kramer vertical scabbard in horsehide=Nature's kydex.

I rarely OWB a 1911 anymore. When I still do, it is in a Kramer. If OWB is your jam and you are considering a non polymer holster, you can do not better.

https://www.kramerleather.com/products/vertical-scabbard

[HeavyDuty]

Kramer vertical scabbard in horsehide=Nature's kydex.

I rarely OWB a 1911 anymore. When I still do, it is in a Kramer. If OWB is your jam and you are considering a non polymer holster, you can do not better.

https://www.kramerleather.com/products/vertical-scabbard

I have one on order for my DW ECP - great holsters.

[ViniVidivici]

I have found the Blade-Tech Total Eclipse to be outstanding in this role.

Its modularity allows you to get just the right cant on the rig, with the way the belt loops and accompanying "wings" can be attached.

I have found them to be very rugged, and they are light, and concealable.

I've often used it under a suit, and am wearing it right now with shorts and wife beater, holds very tight to the body, yet yields excellent drawreupholster, and has great retention. I have hiked quite a bit with it also.

I'm carrying either a G17 or 19 in it.

[JTQ]

Other options to look at

Dale Fricke Gideon Elite https://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/gideon-elite-holster/
- I have one for a 1911. It is surprising how well it conceals for a straight drop kydex. It pulls the grip in like my Ritchie Vertical Speed Scabbard https://www.ritchieholsters.com/catalog/p-100001/vertical-speed-scabbard-vss

I haven't used one, but the Aholster Belt Holster has always looked like a good design https://aholster.com/belt-aholster/

[JTQ]

Is the wilderness instructor belt recommended with a leather holster?



The combination has worked well for me.

[4given]

Highride OWB holsters cause the pistol grip to dig into my ribs. While you do sacrifice a bit of concealability I prefer a lowride holster.

You might want to check out Tueller Holsters. He makes lowride OWB holsters. Small shop, very high quality hand made leather holsters very reasonable cost. I love mine. Three week turnaround. Here is a link:

https://www.tuellerholsters.com/owb-holsters

[JTQ]

JMCK #2 OWB

https://i.ibb.co/8s5CD9d/ppq-15.jpg


I should have asked earlier, but could you explain the features of this holster. I'm familiar with the JM Custom line-up, but wonder what you selected when you ordered.

- Quick Ship or Custom?

- What cant does it have?

- What sweat shield, none or half?

[NH Shooter]

I should have asked earlier, but could you explain the features of this holster. I'm familiar with the JM Custom line-up, but wonder what you selected when you ordered.

- Quick Ship or Custom?

- What cant does it have?

- What sweat shield, none or half?


Custom

10 degrees

No shield

RDS cut (holster rides slightly higher)

[Trukinjp13]

Now how about with a x300u attached besides the raven? I had a tenicor owb that was non light bearing and was damn good. Do not know how much of a ride height difference with a light.


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[03RN]

I don't find the Kramer vertical scabbard that concealable. Same with any of "avenger" style. I love them for carry when I don't care if I print and wear them on my days off.

If I wanted to not print with owb it would be with a Kramer pancake. I carried a 4" redhawk for a year in one. Next would be a legacy raven phantom.

[MDFA]

In leather Milt Sparks 55BN.

[03RN]

To illustrate
93234

The rear sight is not tucked in very tight

[HeavyDuty]

To illustrate
93234

The rear sight is not tucked in very tight

My, er… circumference is bigger than yours, so I get good tuck and concealment with this style holster. I think TheNewbie is more your build, so he should probably try first.

[BillSWPA]

The best OWB holster I have used is a Kramer Belt Scabbard. However, I have not worn an OWB holster in years, since I find that IWB is better for my needs.

Glock’s Sport/Combat holster is surprisingly good for the price.


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[Cool Breeze]

I have had a love hate relationship with OWB carry for almost a decade and have amassed a number of OWB rigs. I have found a few things to know before engaging in a holster search.

1) Decide where you want to carry 230, 300, 330, 4, 430, 500. Open button down shirts and suit jackets blow open in the wind and don't conceal 230/300 as much as I would like.

2) The size of your waist. If you are smaller waisted like me (I'm 32-33 pant) and you want to wear around 230 or 300, you have to find a holster that can really bend around the waist. Not many do. Pancake style are awful and and you will have major gaps in your belt because the holster won't bend. Raven Perun and the JM OWB 2 (small waisted version) configured in straight drop falls into this category for me - the butt of the gun is sticking out so bad. There was a company that made an "offset" style construction in straight drop (Andrews Leather) that was the best I've found for comfort and concealability for a g19 but I didn't like other things about it. I wish this design of holster was more prevalent to have more options but its the only one I've found. Offset construction is not only more comfortable but also more concealable as it kicks the but of the gun in. The JRC SSA was also pretty good but he just announced he is no longer making holsters. I have a straight drop Milt Sparks 55BN which is amazingly made but just doesn't conceal well at 230/300

3) Cant - Anything for me at approximately 3:00 to 5 I need cant. You have may have to articulate your wrist more for the draw than you want for the specific location though which I hate (for example I want straight drop at 300 but I need cant at that position to conceal it). If you are ok with cant and around 4/430 the Raven Perun (configured for cant) is a no brainer for the price. It conceals pretty well and is comfortable. A bunch of the OGs on this forum like SLG and the Louisiana troopers raved about the Mitch Rosen 5JR for comfort and concealability back in the day. They also make an "offset" construction of it called the president which I imagine is even more comfortable. Galco makes a similar offset construction (they call it forward molded) called the concealable belt holster. I've never tried them as I am not sure they make it for optics on a G19. I also have an old Raven with standard belt loop up front and pancake in the back that is awesome - I never use it anymore because it doesn't really fit a gen5 with optics and I am not sure I want to mod it.

4) Rib cage - getting the part of the gun below the beavertail where the web of your hand goes positioned so that your rib cage fits in there will help with the poking issues.

5) Rear belt loop - I haven't searched for OWB recently but if you need to tuck the butt of the gun the rear belt loop on the holster is key. The raven pancake and the JRC SSA where the rear belt loop is is in line with the center of the pistol (and not really curved at all) makes a world of difference in concealing the butt of the gun. I wish the perun had that option but it sadly doesn't. Most pancake and avenger-style leather holsters **look** like they will work but they are actually too curved or have so much leather in the loop that it just kicks the gun out too far.

Hope this helps you. Report back what you decided and how it works. I'm always looking for new solutions to this problem.

[TheNewbie]

Ended up with a JMCK OWB 1. Looks great but I haven’t had time to try it yet but I look forward to doing so. I’m sure this won’t be my last OWB holster for the Glock.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Look forward to some leather gear at some point as well.

[JAH 3rd]

The problem with holsters is that they accumulate in a box, a grave yard of holsters that I thought were a good idea at the time. I look in that box occasionally and chuckle. At the same time, it is a time capsule of products no longer made. I have discovered that my Sam Browne duty belt has shrunk with decades of non-use. Funny how leather does that.

One of the holsters in my collection: Mine was the Bianchi model 2800 plain leather, non-swivel. They definitely aren't made for quickness of draw in a seated position.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220605230629/https://revolverguy.com/fighting-leather-the-breakfront-part-ii/

[CraigS]

I like Crossbreed combination holsters. I get this one in horsehide because it has the largest piece of leather. The horsehide is stiffer and stronger than the other leather but it still ends up conforming itself to my body. I cut the leather down to fit me and the pistol best. You can cut it w/ almost anything and then smooth the edges w/ some 100grit sandpaper.
https://www.crossbreedholsters.com/superslide-owb-holster.html

[Trukinjp13]

Ended up with a JMCK OWB 1. Looks great but I haven’t had time to try it yet but I look forward to doing so. I’m sure this won’t be my last OWB holster for the Glock.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Look forward to some leather gear at some point as well.

Interested in your findings.


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[TheNewbie]

Interested in your findings.


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I like it a lot. The quality of it is obvious and it carries the G17 well.


That said, I really need to get a Wilderness belt. The garith (sp?) I have is good for a G26 or LCR, but is not the best for the G17. Additionally I have lost a decent amount of weight over the last 6 months. By cutting out all wheat and peanut products, and eating a bit less, I’ve lost around 15 pounds without even really trying. Didn’t even really plan to lose weight as I wasn’t all that pudgy in the first place.


The upside is I feel better, the down side it seems to effect how the gun feels on my waist. Hitting the bone a bit, but that can be overcame I believe. Just trial and error.


I need bigger shirts as well. I’m no buff dude, but I lift enough that even large shirts are affected by my shoulders and chest. Just a little longer and all would be well.



The holster is top quality, and will conceal well given the correct garments. A guy not much bigger than I would have even less issues, and a G19 or G26 would be a non issue.


The holster is a quality purchase, I just need to get a better belt (simple fix) and figure out my shirt situation. When I go hiking (about the only time I open carry) and I finally get my wilderness belt, the holster will be a great asset.

[JonInWA]

Kramer's #3 horsehide gave me yeomanry service for years.

Currently, Olen's kydex and Privateer Leather would be my recommendation.

But, as mentioned previously, the Glock Sport/Combat is a surprisingly effective OWB, and dirt cheap, at about $15 'Murrican. Good retention, and it really effectively snugs the gun into your side, minimizing printing. There are only 2 sizes, though, one for a G17, G19, G26 and similar, and the larger one for the G21/G30 G20, etc. I've got two that are at least 10+ years old, if not older, and they've held up superbly. Same for the Glock single magazine carriers. also available in 2 sizes.

Best, Jon

[BK14]

Normally not my cup of tea as a kydex company, but has anyone tried the trex ironside yet?

[jellydonut]

Tenicor ARX.

[RhinoJM]

Tenicor ARX.

Just bought the Tenicor ARX a couple weeks ago.

Since this holster is stiff kydex, the holster decides where it wants to be carried on your waist.
In the ARX's case, that position was 3:30-4:00.

Horribly uncomfortable if you don't have enough torso and/or buttocks to prevent the butt of the gun from pushing against every backrest.
That being said, it conceals very well. Still returning it.

I'm now leaning towards something like the Galco Avenger, Sparks OM-1, or MR Upper Limit.
In TX, I don't need to prioritize printing above all else. So, I'm willing to sacrifice a smidgen of concealability for a significant increase in comfort and ease of draw.

[ECVMatt]

I have an ARX SOL and will agree that it is stiff. Mine works great for me though and it is my go to holster for when camping, out in my rural property, or when I am wearing a flannel type over shirt. I can comfortably carry my 17 with an X300 all day with comfort. The holster hugs my body and does a good job of concealing the gun. Holsters are a very personal thing and what works for one might not work for another. I think this is why we all have the mythical "Box O'Holsters" somewhere in closet or gunroom.

ETA: I agree with JonInWA that the Kramer is great as well as the Glock S/C holster.

[CarloMNL]

Just bought the Tenicor ARX a couple weeks ago.

Since this holster is stiff kydex, the holster decides where it wants to be carried on your waist.
In the ARX's case, that position was 3:30-4:00.

Horribly uncomfortable if you don't have enough torso and/or buttocks to prevent the butt of the gun from pushing against every backrest.
That being said, it conceals very well. Still returning it.

I'm now leaning towards something like the Galco Avenger, Sparks OM-1, or MR Upper Limit.
In TX, I don't need to prioritize printing above all else. So, I'm willing to sacrifice a smidgen of concealability for a significant increase in comfort and ease of draw.

The ARX works for me but I agree with your observations. The curvature and width of the holster will work with your body shape or not. I think JM Custom's OWB1 with the Skinny Guy mod might be more accommodating of different body types.