POLL: Which IWB Holster do you use & why.

I have done a bit of research for myself and have settled on one of these...

http://stealthgearusa.com/

Ordered but not yet received. The reason it twofold. They kydex seems to be cut better, and the core/pad looks like it will breathe keeping it as cool as possible.

It is more expensive than some out there, but for me cost is lower on the list than comfort.

IWB's suck IMHO. Own two hate em both. Rather have the goiter look ...

I wear OWB almost always these days but I've logged a bunch of miles carrying a Colt Government in a Summer Special. Highly recommend it for a full size pistol.

I also have an old Lou Alessi Talon Plus for a J-frame made by the man himself back in the day. It's superb and I still use it when fashion dictates but one caveat; the currently produced Alessi products aren't up to the old man's standards. A REAL Alessi is the only clip-on holster I'd recommend.

All that said, I prefer a leather IWB to Kydex; more comfortable and durable.

I have an OWB Alien Gear holster that I bought strictly for range use with a G21. The good is they're cheap and have a good warranty. The bad is the shell molding is just OK, the quality of the materials is reflected in the price and, at least with my one example, care MUST REALLY be taken when re-holstering because the leather backing tries to sneak into the trigger guard. It fits my needs but I wouldn't use their product for serious use.

BTW, IWB is tough on Kydex because the pistol torques toward the body under the pressure of the belt. Cheap Kydex won't last long and good Kydex will give up before leather.

crossbreed supertuck

I got a horsehide crossbreed supertuck for my ruger SR9c. It is awesome. Very comfortable and suprisingly fast.

I've been using a Blade-Tech IWB holster for years. I like it because it's light, thin, sturdy enough, and has a full sweat guard / body shield between the gun and my skin. They don't appear to offer the precise model I have, but you can check out their wares here: http://shop.blade-tech.com/index.php?cPath=1_13&osCsid=3fd3cdbnbgltrklaoi92sb61t7

Ive used Blade Tech IWB's for years as well. They make great stuff, and at reasonable prices. Got my first back in the 90's, and its still as serviceable today, as it was when I bought it, and I used it daily for over 10 years. I originally got it because the leather holsters all would sweat through and it was hell trying to keep the rust at bay. Kydex stopped all that.

If you dont have sweat issues, Milt Sparks Versa max II's are good holsters and would be my choice in leather.

These days, Im using one of Blade Techs AIWB Klipt Ambi holsters, and have been very happy with it. I wish now Id switched to apendix carry years ago. If you havent tried it, I highly suggest you do.

IWB carry takes a little getting used to, but once you find your sweet spot, and your body gets used to it, I think youre going to find its very comfortable, and about the best way to conceal a handgun, especially the larger ones.

High Noon Bare Asset. Comfortable, cheap, and on and off quickly.

If you dont have sweat issues, Milt Sparks Versa max II's are good holsters and would be my choice in leather.

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That's what I use for IWB, and I have more leather from Simply Rugged (4" XD45) and White Tiger Leatherworks (XDS45) for OWB, which is mostly what I use now. Also have a Galco Miami Vice II shoulder holster and it works well.

I have probably tried a dozen different IWB holsters and never liked any of them. I mainly pocket carry or occasionally OWB now, I gave up on IWB.

Comp-Tac Infidel. Most efficient and comfortable kydex I've found. I like leather but have never found any as comfortable as this. I have to think whether I have my G30S on or not. Quick on and off also.

Kydex is cheap. I have a crossbreed IWB I have used once or twice in three years.

If you're not cheap, get a Milt Sparks VersaMax. I have one for my P239 that's comfortable and secure. I seldom carry IWB though, maybe once or twice a year. I don't see any point to it when OWB is so much more comfortable.

I've got a Tucker hybrid (The Answer) that's the only IWB that I've found somewhat comfortable. I prefer OWB by a far margin, too.

Kydex is cheap. I have a crossbreed IWB I have used once or twice in three years.

If you're not cheap, get a Milt Sparks VersaMax.

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Kydex tends to be cheaper, but its also a better value over time, and it protects your gun a lot better, especially in the moisture department.

I used to go cycle through two Galco Royal Guard holsters a year, at $75 a pop. The $50 Blade Tech that replaced them, is still going strong, 20 years later.

Rugersteve;

I've got a Milt Sparks Exec's Companion IWB. I bought my first one in 1996 or 97 I think. It only lasted about 16 or 17 years. That's pretty much everyday wear wear also, When it finally wore out, I got another one, figured I wasn't going to do any better. It's just as comfortable as the first one. It's leather, lasts, and is easy to wear, what more could you want?

900F

DeSantis Sof-Tuck for an IWB holster.

Bianchi 3S Pistol Pocket.. Leather. Adjustable cant. Thumb break. Dual snaps over belt. On a good belt you can danged near stand on your head doing jumping jacks. Reasonably comfortable for me .... Ymmv...

I have used them in S&W J frame, Beretta 84, and WaltherPP/PPK configurations for over 30 years now. Old school,...but very effective.

I like Don Hume pancakes....

nicely made, fit to form to provide good retention.

affordable.

available.... usually in stock at Gunner's Alley

They make nice thick belts as well.

My wife ordered me a Crossbreed for Christmas a few years ago and I love it. I carry my gov't and commander model Colts in it comfortably.

This is every holster I own.

•Five Galco holsters - Two 'Concealable Belt Holsters' (OWB), one Royal Guard (horsehide IWB) and two Summer Comfort (leather IWB's).
•Three Blade-Tech - two IWB kydex holsters (one Nano and one Phantom...the Phantom is more comfortable than the Nano despite being similar in design) and one Klipt IWB appendix holster.
•Two Bianchi's - a 19L (leather OWB thumb snap) and a composite nylon/kydex holster with a popping strap.
•One Kydex Custom IWB by Lyon Defensive Concealment
•One Custom Leather IWB (forget the guy's name) with a clip.
•One Kramer Horsehide OWB
•One DeSantis mesh composite pocket holster
•One Tagua leather IWB clip holster
•One 'Pager Pal' IWB/clip type holster (remember those in the 90's?)
•A dozen or so soft nylon Uncle Mikes - some OWB, some pocket, some IWB.

Out of the IWB's the Galco Royal Guard is the most comfortable, followed by the Summer Comfort's, then the Blade-Tech Phantom, then the Lyon Defensive Concealment (that's with a Glock 20 too in an IWB), then the unnamed custom leather clip holster (has a biohazard symbol and SCT on it), then the Blade-Tech Klipt, then the Tagua, then the Uncle Mikes and then the Blade-Tech Nano (that thing is horrible) and then the Pager Pal (do they even make pagers anymore other than the larger business/EMS type?)

IWB carry isn't too bad even with a full size gun just so long as it's in a good holster/belt combination.

Here's the rig I use:



This is probably the most comfortable holster I own. It is actually MORE comfortable than some of my OWBs.

The long slits on either side of the holster pouch allow the shirt tail to be drawn down in between the gun and the inside of the pants, while the holster "wings" and belt straps stay outside the shirt.