How do I carry IWB comfortably?

[Rexster]

The Milt VM II is as good as it gets, for me, behind the hip, but, it is not perfection. This one seems to work best on a stiff, double-layer belt, as Milt Sparks has always recommended. On a good day, when I am not perspiring, I might be able to wear it comfortably for full eight hours, or more. On a hot, humid day, this can be a miserable rig, to wear, for any amount of time.

Blocky, wide-body guns do not agree with me, for IWB or AIWB carry. I have never liked carrying my Glock or SIG duty pistols, inside my trousers, during personal time. I have carried narrower 1911 pistols, and revolvers, comfortable, inside my trousers. Yes, a revolver’s cylinder is wide, but the rest of a revolver is narrow, and things are nicely rounded.

AIWB works better, for many folks, including myself, if the belt has some amount of flexibility. This is notably different that what usually works best for behind-the-hip IWB, and OWB.

I have not yet found the secret to all-day comfort, while carrying AIWB. It can be a very comfortable way to carry, short-term, if I can predict whether I will be sitting or standing. I have better luck with AIWB carry comfort, with revolvers, than autos, positioning the cylinder at the inguinal crease. If I remain standing, this can be notably comfortable, for hours. If I know that I will be sitting, for very long, however, comfort can fall apart, right quickly, as the carry angle which is most comfortable, while standing, differs from the most comfortable carry angle, while sitting.

I am about to start working with a Phlster Nemesis, an AIWB system which has its own belt, separate from the trousers’s belt. It does not allow the carry angle to be changed, but its greater apparent flexibility might well be of help.

Short guns are not always the most comfortable. Some amount of barrel length, within reason, results in more stability.

I do not claim to have all of the answers, as I am still trying to find the nearest-to-perfect IWB solution; carrying since 1984.

 

[James Collins]

This is all good and thanks for the updates- especially if you’re new to iwb and want to look into it more for carrying.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Pants about 1-2" bigger than your actual pant size; plus a thick, steel-lined dedicated gun belt (Bigfoot is my favorite, these things simply last forever and never sag). Bonus for IWB holsters with the majority of the molding on one side. TT Gunleather makes one called the Slim XC that is top quality and very comfortable. It is similar to the Milt Sparks Versamax II, but with most of the leather molding on the outside. However, the Crossbreed Supertuck-style holster made of a thin kydex holster body attached to a flat leather backer is also very efficient in this way and is very inexpensive from several makers.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

The only other bit of advice I can give, beyond that which I already posted, is this:

If you have any friends or relatives who carry, check out what they have and see about trying it on. The only problems with this is whether or not they carry something you have or a holster type similar to what you're looking for.

But even so, you can still glean a lot from trying on someone else's belt/holster/pistol combination. There's value in learning what a good belt actually feels like, for example. And even though a person may not have the same, or similar, handgun as you, or a holster you might not like, if it's a good combination of handgun/holster, you can see what it feels like worn the way it's intended.

Everybody is usually a bit timid on shelling out good cash for an expensive holster, not knowing whether they're going to like it or not...especially for people new to carrying. However, as the majority of those of us who have been around a while can attest to, it's almost a certainty that if you DON'T invest in a good holster to start with, you'll end up buying another one...or two...or three.

It really is a case of "pay me now or pay me later".

If we were nearby, I'd be happy to let you try my rig. It's a Colt 1991A1 in a Milt Sparks Criterion IWB. (Soon I'll be replacing my belt.) Even if you don't carry a 1991 style pistol, you could still learn a lot about fit and comfort.

 

[Pure2nd]

I have always carried a snub 38 in my pocket despite its limitations. With a decent holster, pocket carry is comfy and discreet. I'd like to have the option of carrying something the size of a Glock 19, but it doesn't seem like pocket carry is feasible. I have shied away from IWB because it has never been comfortable to me. Is there a way to do this better so that I can comfortably carry IWB? What am I doing wrong, since I know many carry

I have always carried a snub 38 in my pocket despite its limitations. With a decent holster, pocket carry is comfy and discreet. I'd like to have the option of carrying something the size of a Glock 19, but it doesn't seem like pocket carry is feasible. I have shied away from IWB because it has never been comfortable to me. Is there a way to do this better so that I can comfortably carry IWB? What am I doing wrong, since I know many carry this way?

In response to the op, I've yet to find an IWB that is comfortable and efficient.

My best friend carries a 1911 9mm 5" barrel AIWB religiously, but does not keep a round chambered. Wise IMHO for protecting your junk but provides a huge dissadvantage in needing to rack to employ.

I carry OWB at 3:00 with a 1911 platform(RIA 10MM Gov.) In a retention holster and one in the pipe. I do so because I have practiced at length and my lifetime LTC is not ambiguous...I'm not restricted in my carry preference and I dress accordianly. You dont need to compromise, just fine tune your gear.

 

[tomrkba]

I have always carried a snub 38 in my pocket despite its limitations. With a decent holster, pocket carry is comfy and discreet. I'd like to have the option of carrying something the size of a Glock 19, but it doesn't seem like pocket carry is feasible. I have shied away from IWB because it has never been comfortable to me. Is there a way to do this better so that I can comfortably carry IWB? What am I doing wrong, since I know many carry this way?

I had to stop most IWB due to sciatic pain. I moved the gun outside the pants but behind the belt. You lose about 5-10% concealment but it is extremely comfortable. No more hot spots and sweating! Some guns

I am currently using a Tenicor Certum 3 with Discreet Carry Concepts Mod 4 clips. This is a very secure and concealable setup. I use the same clips on my Key Brand Gear AIWB. I also have JM Custom Kydex AIWB 2.5 with DCC Mod 4 clips. Pull the Dot loops are acceptable but can print. I do wear an undershirt behind the gun, and two shirts over the gun if the gun is larger than a G26.

I carry using a Kore Essentials belt (tactical version rated for 8 pounds) with X7 buckle. This belt gives 1/4” adjustments and is perfect for appendix carry.

Overall, I recommend appendix behind the belt carry as a great alternative to straight IWB.

 

[Rexster]

I am about to start working with a Phlster Nemesis, an AIWB system which has its own belt, separate from the trousers’s belt.

CORRECTION: I am about to start working with a PHLSTER ENIGMA, an AIWB system which has its own belt, separate from the trousers’ belt.

I am not sure whether auto-correct got me, or I had a senior moment, when I typed that earlier post. The Nemesis is a Desantis product, a pocket holster. The Phlster product I am trying is an AIWB rig.

 

[DTL]

I just ordered a Clinger Hinge on their Blac k Friday sale, tried one from a friend & liked it for the full day I carried with it. The deal included their convertable holster and cushion. Will use for my Shield Plus on a Kore gun belt.

 

[SharpDog]

What is AIWB?

That is for when you already have enough kids ...

I tried the wide-winged styles like those from Crossbreed or Alien Ware but they're not as comfortable for me as the narrower styles. Right now I'm going with a narrow profile with a small secondary wing:

 

[Mike J]

I like the minimal design of the single clip Kydex holsters, specifically from Concealment Express. I have been carrying with these on the 4:00 position since 2016. Some other IWB holsters look too bulky to me.
View attachment 1038034

I ordered one of these to try with my M&P 2.0 Compact. I've been using a We The People holster that is very similar but the belt clip doesn't hold as well as I would like. The belt clip on these looks beefier. I also ordered a claw attachment. I thought I'd try it & see how much difference it makes.

 

[Rodfac]

Muzzle pointed at my body parts, safety of re-holstering during practice and the "main event", sweat/body hair & clothing lint on the gun, and as a distant last...comfort while carrying are just some of the reasons I choose not to carry IWB and especially AIWB. Be careful...safety for yourself and for others should be your #1 priority. Dressing around the gun is not troublesome.
JMHO, Rod

 

[tomrkba]

Muzzle pointed at my body parts, safety of re-holstering during practice and the "main event", sweat/body hair & clothing lint on the gun, and as a distant last...comfort while carrying are just some of the reasons I choose not to carry IWB and especially AIWB. Be careful...safety for yourself and for others should be your #1 priority. Dressing around the gun is not troublesome.
JMHO, Rod

Yawn. Carrying strongside OWB still results in pointing the gun at some part of your body.

Safety is not, and never should be, the number one priority. It is a false notion that seduces the weak minded. Managing some risk is useful, but the goal must be prioritized.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Yawn. Carrying strongside OWB still results in pointing the gun at some part of your body.

Safety is not, and never should be, the number one priority. It is a false notion that seduces the weak minded. Managing some risk is useful, but the goal must be prioritized.

I disagree.

Safety is ALWAYS a priority, even the number one priority, with firearms.

The Four Rules are centered around safety, in fact. Safety is to be considered in every aspect of gun handling, from the time you pick it up, to the type of holster/belt combination, to retention methods, to the reloading bench, etc.

Yes, we must weigh the risks in order to make appropriate risk assessments, and this does, by nature, involve balancing safety risks as well. But safety is ALWAYS a huge concern.

Especially since almost all the time we carry a firearm we're in peaceful conditions which do not require us to draw it with the intent to use deadly force.

 

[bdickens]

I don't know by what black magick some people think they will shoot themselves carrying AIWB but not otherwise.

 

[Rexster]

I recently took delivery of a pre-owned Milt Sparks VM 2, made to fit my S&W 3914 LS, and can report that it is an exquisitely comfortable combination, that I can wear farther forward than any other behind-the-hip-bone IWB rig, as the leather “wing” curves nicely around my hip bone. (My aging arm/shoulder joints do not like reaching too far behind my hip, and then pulling upward, to draw a large weapon.)

For reference, the S&W Models 3913 and 3914 are slim-line, single-stack, hammer-fired Third Generation autos. The hammers are spurless. These are less-likely to “print” than striker-fired pistols of equivalent size, because there is no need for the slide to protrude as far to the rear, to enclose a striker mechanism.

 

[Terry G]

OWB for me. I tried the IWB with a CZ82, CZ P-01 and a SA Hellcat. I tried multiple IWB holsters. Too slow for the draw, a pain to re-holster, and doesn't conceal any better than a custom OWB. OK, I know that's just me.

 

[James Collins]

However you carry its better than loose in you pants at the club