Holsters: Conceal, convenience dilemma

Status
Not open for further replies.

blue_ridge

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2009
Messages
222
I've carried various handguns in various holsters. Other than pocket guns and mouse guns, I believe it is quite difficult to find an ideal rig for medium to full size guns. Please let me know if you've found a solution to the below issues I have:

1) Most good rigid, durable holsters which also conceal well are NOT easy to put on. To me, the most important issue is ease of putting on and to a lesser extent, taking off.

Why? Because the most important aspect of CCW is that I have the gun on me as often as possible. If it's a pain to put on, then it does me no good. I'd rather have a holster that's easy to put on and take off, but prints under my shirt than a really well concealed rig that takes 10 minutes to install for a 2 minute errand into a convenience store.

Also, like most people in this country, I don't carry at the office. (most employers have a policy against this anyway) When I leave the office, I put the gun back on again in my truck. With some IWB rigs, this process might look something like two raccoons trapped in a sack together! Passers by might dial 9-1-1 thinking I've been attacked inside my truck. Not good.

2) IWB designs with belt loops usually don't snap together very well.

3) IWB designs with clips usually take the jaws of life to open the clips over the belt. If there are two clips, you have to fit get one on at a time.

4) IWB designs with a big leather side plate or wide pancake are hard to slide inside the belt when sitting inside a vehicle.

5) All OWB designs I've tried either are not overly stable on the belt, require taking my belt off or don't conceal worth a hoot.

At this point, I carry a Ruger LCR in a pocket holster 90% of the time because it is so superior to anything I've found for larger guns. I slide it into my pocket in 2 seconds. This means, I'm carrying when I get out to pump gas, mail a letter, unload groceries etc. I'd rather have five 38 specials all the time than twelve 40 S&W's some of the time. So the search goes on for a IWB holster for mid to full size pistols that is easy to put on while inside a vehicle.
 
Last edited:
Everything is a compromise. The little pocket pistol is easier to carry, but harder to shoot. If you want to carry a bigger gun, you're no doubt going to have to compromise on the ease of carry issue.

IWB designs with belt loops usually don't snap together very well.
Most use "pull the dot" snaps. If the loops are very tight on the belt, that can be a problem, but usually if you know how they operate, they work pretty well.

IWB designs with a big leather side plate or wide pancake are hard to slide inside the belt when sitting inside a vehicle.
And the dual clips models you mentioned earlier, are not the good choice for somebody that is putting on and taking off their holster many times a day.

All OWB designs I've tried either are not overly stable on the belt, require taking my belt off or don't conceal worth a hoot.
I don't know what your perspective for comparison is, but there are a lot of pretty stable OWB holsters available. Admittedly, none of them will conceal as easily as a pocket holster, and most will be more difficult to conceal than an IWB holster.

For easy on/easy off IWB, I'd look for a kydex holster, as they will most likely slide in and out of your pants easier.

Blade-Tech has the snap on Nano http://shop.blade-tech.com/nano-holster-c-1_13_16.html#.UpjTQKWvvHg

Garrett has the Silent Thunder with a clip http://www.giholsters.com/silent-thunder-iwb-sale-on-olive-drab-kydex-20-off/

For OWB, have you tried something like the Alessi CQC-S with snaps? http://www.alessigunholsters.com/cqc-s-1/

None of those options will most likely be as comfortable or as concealable as an LCR stuck in your pocket. However, only you can decide if the trade offs are worth it.
 
It's funny you mention Silent Thunder from Garret Holsters. I have three of them. They are the best I have found and that is after trying 15 other holsters for 1911's, Sig P226 and P228 and others. However, their standard clip, while very strong and solid connection to the belt, is very hard for me to slide on and off. I FORGOT they offer lots of other clips and loops which are interchangeable on the Silent Thunder. :what: I'm going to give their slim clip a try. I love their holster but had given up on the standard clip design. Maybe this will be my solution. Thanks for jogging my memory!
 
For me the Remora holster addressed all the issues you mentioned in your post. No clips to pry open, infinitely adjustable and mine has become more comfortable with use. I've worn it in many situations and never felt the gun was anything but secure. For maximum comfort I'd recommend the carry side sweat shield WITHOUT the reinforced top. If it's not the answer for you at least they're not too expensive.
 
The Remora looks interesting. I may try one, although re-holstering looks to be an issue. That would make practice drawing a lot more difficult. Still might be a better mousetrap if it does everything else well.
 
I carry in the appendix position and haven't found it hard to reholster but then comfort and the ability to draw has been most important to me. The reinforced top is suppose to make reholstering easier but a bit less comfortable, this they say on their website. I carry a SR9c and can forget it's there. If you try them I hope it's what works for you, it was for me.
 
My convenience holster is a Beltster. It's part of the belt, so no problem getting it on and off. To reholster, you have to loosen the belt and spread the two layers of leather, but not quite the ordeal you describe.
 
I was leery about trying a clipless holster like the Remora but I'll be darned if it isn't the most comfortable and easy to use IWB holster I've tried. I currently carry a SIG SP2022 w/good comfort and no retention problems.
While reholstering one-handed isn't a consideration for me, Remora does make a version w/a reinforced top (RFT, IIRC) that makes reholstering easier.
For me it's the Remora in warmer weather w/my shirt untucked or a good shoulder holster in colder weather.
Tomac
 
Just received a new slim clip from Garrett for my Silent Thunder IWB. It does make it easier to put on and take off. It seems plenty sturdy as we'll. this change will encourage me to carry my 1911 all the time, even when getting in and out of the car often.
 
I have a small automatic on me all the time. Normally in an ankle holster, or in a "pocket holster" when wearing shorts.

In cooler weather I carry a larger gun in a shoulder rig when it's cool enough to wear a heavy shirt or windbreaker.

Armchairs and seat belts make a waistband carry more hassle than I'm willing to put up with.
 
As much as we all would like to pontificate about how we always carry a full size 1911, you're exactly right. If I know I'll be carrying everywhere, all day.... I'll put the belt through the CS sidewinder with the p239. If I need to be more inconspicuous and have time to drop my drawers, I'll put the 239 in the Crossbreed. If it's grab-and-go, I drop the 642 in the Desantis in my waistband and go about my errand.
 
Same problem here.

I've been carrying for a few years and went first with the S&W j frame, then to the pt 709, and then to a sig p238. Have stuck with 380 for concealment and comfort but a bit small bullet wise as I like a 45acp. I love my full size 45s and as others, bought some holsters but don't liked them. I took a chance on the Crossbreed super-tuck and surprise...., I like it and now carry my 5" 45 on most occasions. I'm old retired military, I guess, 71 but found comfort and ease with the crossbreed. I purchased a Spfld XDS 45 about 6 mths back. I just bought another crossbreed for it.

The 5" does have its drawbacks at times so to stay with my 45 preference, I carry the XDS. Deal is you have to practice with any setup. I practice monthly with every carry I use so if, God forbid, I have to use my weapon, it's reflexive and efficient than fumbling like an idiot that could cost my love ones harm or their lives. Learned reflexive behavior in the Marines, I did....

Oh yes I do have five holsters from http://dmbullardleather.com
Check them out I do like their products for concealment of my aforementioned weapons.

Have a great day.
 
A belt slide holster like a Galco Yaqui or Don Hume JIT is pretty easy to live with. Only have to take the belt out of the first loop to slide it on. My JIT holds my Glock tight up against me, is very comfortable and if you leave the gun and just keep the slide on your belt, it practically disappears.
 
I've tried Milt Sparks, Crossbreed and a few others but keep coming back to Uncle Mikes inside the pants tacky holster for my Shield and G27.
The tackiness of the holster keeps it in place but is backed up by a belt clip.
 
I've been wearing a foxx holsters iwb hybrid for my mp shield. For those times when I need to disarm, I just remove the gun and wear the empty holster. You don't even realize its there. I wore the empty holster all day on Saturday while doing some plumbing work at home. Was barely noticeable.

Www.foxxholsters.com
 
I also may not carry into the office where I work. So my G29SF is un-holstered in the car and locked in a box inside the center console. I remove the empty (slide type) holster at my desk and put it in my backpack. At the end of the day I put the holster back on while my computer is shutting down. When I get to the car I re-holster the gun either by standing at the driver's door or while seated.
 
1) Most good rigid, durable holsters which also conceal well are NOT easy to put on. To me, the most important issue is ease of putting on and to a lesser extent, taking off.
This is an issue with many of my CCW holsters. Since I can't even leave a gun in my car at work, I don't face that daily on-off-on issue and other than work, if I can't carry there I don't go there.

2) IWB designs with belt loops usually don't snap together very well.
I've got a couple of holsters like this that are an absolute PITA to snap or unsnap while wearing the holster. I generally end up treating them like fixed belt loops and thread the belt through. Much less handy but the impossible snaps kill the ability to use them as intended.

3) IWB designs with clips usually take the jaws of life to open the clips over the belt. If there are two clips, you have to fit get one on at a time.
No real experience with belt clips. I'm more a slots or loops kind of guy.

4) IWB designs with a big leather side plate or wide pancake are hard to slide inside the belt when sitting inside a vehicle.
I don't see much point to those "tuckable" holsters since I don't wear my guns under a tucked shirt.

5) All OWB designs I've tried either are not overly stable on the belt, require taking my belt off or don't conceal worth a hoot.
Your second point is very valid, although I have not had problems with the other two points. I've got OWB holsters for three of my guns, and as long as my cover garment is long enough I have no more trouble concealing with these than with IWB holsters.

Of course, there is always the option of just removing the gun when you have to enter a prohibited place and leave the holster where it is. For a quick run into the post office or something similar that seems the easiest way to do it.
 
If I'm in too much of a hurry to fuss with a pancake or other belt holster I grab my SP101 or S&W 442 in a small Kydex appendix clip-on, IWB of course. And a speed strip.

I'm ready to go in about 3 seconds. It's really not that difficult.
 
I also like the Don Hume JIT Slide. If you want a snap on, you might want to look at the Galco Matrix holsters. They are both affordable.
 
"The little pocket pistol is easier to carry, but harder to shoot."

At six or seven feet -- average gunfight distance -- who is going to experience the difference in accuracy between a 6" adjustable sight gun and a 2" snubby? No one.

And what gpjoe said. +1
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top