LEATHER Optic Friendly AIWB Recommendations -Glock 17

[vcdgrips]

Title say it all.

Right handed.


Less wait time is always a good thing. I continue to "snap" my "full" sweat guards on my Kydex holsters after several months of daily wear.

I do not not claim any defect in play, simply that perhaps with my body and wearing habits, a leather holster might be more durable


Perhaps my 20+ year run with Kydex is done.

Thx in advance

[JTQ]

Palmetto Leather https://www.palmettoleather.com/collections/appendix-holsters/products/glock-17-22-30-leather-appendix-holster

[Clusterfrack]

I’ve gone to medium or low sweat guards on my Kydex holsters.

Leather might have the edge in durability, but I don’t like the way guns draw from leather.

[EVP]

The SME can be made with a optic cut.

[vcdgrips]

Thx so far.

CF - I hear you and that is a thought. I like the high guard re protecting dress shirts. Mayhaps it is simply the cost of doing business.

Re the SME- IIRC the present wait time exceeds a year. I understand but that is too long for me. YMMV and I respect those who can wait for such a fine product.

[wvincent]

I believe the TT gunleather AIWB will work with an optic, maybe call or email to be sure. 5-6 week turnaround time right now. I have had 3-4 of his AIWB and have been extremely happy with them. I think DB and some other folks had a hand in the design, probably why it works so well.
https://www.ttgunleather.com/product-page/appendix-carry-reinforced-aiwb

Good luck Sir.

[J0hnny]

It's worth the wait, I have several SMEs. But @johnralston has been saying "It's on my bench! Shipping out next week!" for a lot longer than that :rolleyes:


Thx so far.

Re the SME- IIRC the present wait time exceeds a year. I understand but that is too long for me. YMMV and I respect those who can wait for such a fine product.

[theJanitor]

Thx so far.

CF - I hear you and that is a thought. I like the high guard re protecting dress shirts. Mayhaps it is simply the cost of doing business.

Re the SME- IIRC the present wait time exceeds a year. I understand but that is too long for me. YMMV and I respect those who can wait for such a fine product.

You might find better luck messaging Ralston and asking if a batch is upcoming and if you can piggyback on the run. I know a couple people who have done that this year with holsters arriving within a few weeks. He also posts when he makes an extra, or what I'm guessing is a cancellation. My buddy got an SME this way a few months ago

[Up1911Fan]

I believe the TT gunleather AIWB will work with an optic, maybe call or email to be sure. 5-6 week turnaround time right now. I have had 3-4 of his AIWB and have been extremely happy with them. I think DB and some other folks had a hand in the design, probably why it works so well.
https://www.ttgunleather.com/product-page/appendix-carry-reinforced-aiwb

Good luck Sir.

I likes Tim's work, but that particular holster appears to have zero AIWB features other than lowering the ride height and changing the cant.id like to see a wing or build up wedge behind the belt loop to tuck the butt in.

[Sig_Fiend]

Palmetto Leather https://www.palmettoleather.com/collections/appendix-holsters/products/glock-17-22-30-leather-appendix-holster

I have one of these coming in probably 1-2 weeks for a P2000. I was planning on getting pics of it since I haven't seen many elsewhere. Seems to have a lot of nice features with the sewn loops and claw.

[Irelander]

I have one of these coming in probably 1-2 weeks for a P2000. I was planning on getting pics of it since I haven't seen many elsewhere. Seems to have a lot of nice features with the sewn loops and claw.

Very interested to see what you think when you get it.

[wvincent]

I likes Tim's work, but that particular holster appears to have zero AIWB features other than lowering the ride height and changing the cant.id like to see a wing or build up wedge behind the belt loop to tuck the butt in.

I'm curious which handguns you've used this holster in. I've had it for M9A3, Stacatto C, G45, and one other that is right on the tip of my tongue. They all worked fine, were comfortable in a variety of activities, and concealed well. "Is that a colostomy bag or are you just happy to see me" are words which have never been uttered when using this holster.

First holster I have not had to add a wedge to, or anything else for that matter.

DB's short write up on said holster, not really a review but some decent pics,
https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/optimizing-appendix-carry/

[camel]

Body type and aiwb usually matters most. Leather makes it easier. Leather
I have found are more comfortable. Kydex just gets in the way with age and time.

[Irelander]

I have one of these coming in probably 1-2 weeks for a P2000. I was planning on getting pics of it since I haven't seen many elsewhere. Seems to have a lot of nice features with the sewn loops and claw.

Just curious if you got your hands on this holster yet.

[Sig_Fiend]

Just curious if you got your hands on this holster yet.

I did. Haven't taken pics yet but will try to in the next few days. Just wearing it a bit around the house and getting a feel for it. My initial feeling is I don't like the sewn loops. The way they're sewn kind of forces them to have sort of an outboard angle to them. This is also evident on most of the pics of that holster on their Instagram page. I wish they would have sewn them with sort of a molded relief such that the loops sat flat on the holster body at rest and might also do so on the belt. Even on the belt, the outside half of the loops are still sort of angled outward (or at least the bottom of the loop has an exaggerated curve), so the loops print a bit more than they should.

I have seen pics on their Instagram of at least one other attachment method that looks detachable; a riveted split belt loop. I think I might contact them to see if they offer or could accommodate any other options, like DCC clips.

The holster body is nice, and the fit to the gun is okay, though I think it could be a little better (take my words with a grain, I almost always think this ;)), particularly around the top half of the slide. Re-holstering seems to require a lot of force. At least quite a bit more so than the few other leather IWB holsters I have left. I have the gun in a thick bag, breaking it in, and have let it go for a couple days.

It does have a section of hook and loop sewn on the back for adding pads, so that's nice. What I was hoping for with this one is effectively a leather version of the JMCK WC 2.5, since I love those holsters and that general format. This certainly mirrors that format more closely than any other leather holster I've seen. It also conceals well from the claw of course. I think the attachment method could use optimizing but, I'm not sure if I'm just nitpicking considering it's been quite a few years since I last used a leather IWB for any length of time.

[camsdaddy]

The Glock Condom from SOB tactical may meet your requirements. The Glock Condom appears to be a slim and trim leather AIWB holster. I know folks who have used them. I have never used one personally .

[Irelander]

I did. Haven't taken pics yet but will try to in the next few days. Just wearing it a bit around the house and getting a feel for it. My initial feeling is I don't like the sewn loops. The way they're sewn kind of forces them to have sort of an outboard angle to them. This is also evident on most of the pics of that holster on their Instagram page. I wish they would have sewn them with sort of a molded relief such that the loops sat flat on the holster body at rest and might also do so on the belt. Even on the belt, the outside half of the loops are still sort of angled outward (or at least the bottom of the loop has an exaggerated curve), so the loops print a bit more than they should.

I have seen pics on their Instagram of at least one other attachment method that looks detachable; a riveted split belt loop. I think I might contact them to see if they offer or could accommodate any other options, like DCC clips.

The holster body is nice, and the fit to the gun is okay, though I think it could be a little better (take my words with a grain, I almost always think this ;)), particularly around the top half of the slide. Re-holstering seems to require a lot of force. At least quite a bit more so than the few other leather IWB holsters I have left. I have the gun in a thick bag, breaking it in, and have let it go for a couple days.

It does have a section of hook and loop sewn on the back for adding pads, so that's nice. What I was hoping for with this one is effectively a leather version of the JMCK WC 2.5, since I love those holsters and that general format. This certainly mirrors that format more closely than any other leather holster I've seen. It also conceals well from the claw of course. I think the attachment method could use optimizing but, I'm not sure if I'm just nitpicking considering it's been quite a few years since I last used a leather IWB for any length of time.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I wonder if the loops will "break in" with more use.

If you have a chance to post a pic or two, I would be interested in seeing it.

[vcdgrips]

CD

I have the SOB of which you speak.

It is workable but not optimal as it carries the gun a bit too low for my tastes and impedes me acquiring a full firing grip relative to the kydex holsters I have used by CCC, Graith/Mastermind Tactics and as a beta tester for Keepers.

[Irelander]

I'm curious which handguns you've used this holster in. I've had it for M9A3, Stacatto C, G45, and one other that is right on the tip of my tongue. They all worked fine, were comfortable in a variety of activities, and concealed well. "Is that a colostomy bag or are you just happy to see me" are words which have never been uttered when using this holster.

First holster I have not had to add a wedge to, or anything else for that matter.

DB's short write up on said holster, not really a review but some decent pics,
https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/optimizing-appendix-carry/

I tried a TT Gunleather AIWB for my P2000SK. It was ok but the holster was sooo tight even after a week of sitting with my gun in it wrapped in a plastic bag I still could only get the gun out with extreme force. The loop printed a bit as well. I asked if TT could do rough out and a DCC Monoblock but they said no.

The one I had was an early sample with a straight drop, not the reverse cant. I might try another one sometime.

[Irelander]

Bitterroot Gunleather looks like they have some interesting AIWB options.

[Irelander]

107011
From Bitterroot Gunleather Instagram

[EVP]

I don’t have any experience with this company but it looks promising. I would like a few different features but I am sure it could probably be ordered the way one chooses. I wish there was more options then just the SME.

https://www.mtrcustomleather.com/product/deluxe-aiwb-holster/


At this stage I am happy with my JM holsters and don’t feel like tinkering with anything anymore.

[TicTacticalTimmy]

I don’t have any experience with this company but it looks promising. I would like a few different features but I am sure it could probably be ordered the way one chooses. I wish there was more options then just the SME.

https://www.mtrcustomleather.com/product/deluxe-aiwb-holster/


At this stage I am happy with my JM holsters and don’t feel like tinkering with anything anymore.

Anyone have experience with this product, or at least with the company?

$100 for a leather AIWB holster seems very reasonable to me. The selection of guns they cover is huge. If these are quality it would allow me to holster a few guns no one makes a quality AIWB for.

[03RN]

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?57588-5-Shot-Leather-Sentinel-Concepts-SCA-AIWB-Holster(s)-G17

[Irelander]

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?57588-5-Shot-Leather-Sentinel-Concepts-SCA-AIWB-Holster(s)-G17

107107
Are there any AIWB specific features of this fine looking holster?

[rathos]

I have one of their belts and an IWB for a glock with an optic. They are both pretty good products. I am not a fan of ulticlips, so not sure I would use that option, but I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.


Anyone have experience with this product, or at least with the company?

$100 for a leather AIWB holster seems very reasonable to me. The selection of guns they cover is huge. If these are quality it would allow me to holster a few guns no one makes a quality AIWB for.

[Irelander]

Overland Gunleather does a good AIWB holster. I let mine go because the leather loops were too bulk for me. Later I did ask them if they could do a Monoblock and they said yes. Something to consider.

[J0hnny]

@johnralston Received my SMEs. Thank you sir for the gift, I’ve never received anything like this before. It was worth the wait! (I’d add a pic but the system isn’t letting me upload)