Isn't The Waistband Carry Terribly Uncomfortable?
- Thread starter Phriend
- Start date
- Status
It all comes down to right gun, right holster. A size bigger pants isnt required but I do find that it can help a little. Also many will say a good gun belt. I have never bought a "gun belt" but I did buy the thickest firmest one I could find at a local department store since I have never seen one in any of the gunshops here.
brett30030
Member
....unless you want to be comfortable
The Lone Haranguer
Member
There is always a feeling of pressure, but a good holster and belt will minimize the poking and prodding from the edges and corners of the gun. I got used to it.
If your pants stay up firmly about your waist without a belt, they will be too tight when you add a holster and gun. You may want to add an inch to the waist size, or purchase pants with an elastic waistband. I also always wear an undershirt to keep the gun's butt and exposed frame parts away from my bare skin. If your handgun has a protruding safety or decocking lever, you may want a holster with a body shield to keep said lever from rubbing on you.
If your pants stay up firmly about your waist without a belt, they will be too tight when you add a holster and gun. You may want to add an inch to the waist size, or purchase pants with an elastic waistband. I also always wear an undershirt to keep the gun's butt and exposed frame parts away from my bare skin. If your handgun has a protruding safety or decocking lever, you may want a holster with a body shield to keep said lever from rubbing on you.
jwxspoon
Member
Some holsters are terribly uncomfortable. I spent $$ on a kramer IWB holster and found it to be unbelievable uncomfortable - even gave me a bruise after wearing it for one day.
On the other hand, there is a holster made by crossbreed holsters called the 'supertuck' that is simply amazing, I can even forget I am carrying until I lean against something.
jw
On the other hand, there is a holster made by crossbreed holsters called the 'supertuck' that is simply amazing, I can even forget I am carrying until I lean against something.
jw
Technosavant
Member
You know, I REALLY don't want to know how you figured out the latter.
But yeah, it's all in the holster, belt, and pants size. If you wear tight pants, you'll need ones a size larger, you need a REAL gunbelt (you can't buy these at retail unless you have a specialty leatherworks nearby), and you need a high quality holster. DO NOT skimp on the belt or holster.
I can haul my 1911 around IWB all day long in my Milt Sparks VM2 without a problem. Sure, it feels nice to take it off when I get home, but if I ever lost some weight, that would be fixed.
JesseL
Member
I've found that wearing a tucked in undershirt, keeps my gun from getting too uncomfortable with IWB carry. A whole day of rubbing from sharply checkered grips can really start wearing your hide.
45crittergitter
Member
#1: SD handguns are supposed to be comforting, not comfortable.
#2: They work for me, more so with a flat auto than a round revolver.
#3: I'm much happier with 1" or so larger waisted pants when carrying IWB.
#4: Careful placement and orientation (not on the hip bone, etc.) helps a lot also.
#2: They work for me, more so with a flat auto than a round revolver.
#3: I'm much happier with 1" or so larger waisted pants when carrying IWB.
#4: Careful placement and orientation (not on the hip bone, etc.) helps a lot also.
The Bushmaster
Member
You must be easy to bruise...I carry a compact 9mm X 19 at 4:00 in a #3 Kramer IWB holster and after the initial "gettin' use to it" I sometimes have to remind myself that I'm armed. It's a good thing that my carry gun has some weight to it or I would forget...If it's any help. I'm 5' 7" and 145 lbs.
spwenger
Member
Comfort May Be Relative
I carried in an IWB holster for many years ago. About a dozen years ago I decided to carry a J-frame revolver on each side, Even though I had had limited experience with occasional left-hand carry in an IWB holster, when I added the left-hand holster to my daily carry I experienced pain under it. I examined the area carefully and confimred that the new holster was not pressing against any bony prominence and was not over any major nerve.
I did the grin-and-bear-it routine for three days and the pain went away. I comfortably carry two J-frame revolvers in IWB holsters on a daily basis. If I didn't, I'd be buying pants with a 32" wasit instead of a 34" waist.
I carried in an IWB holster for many years ago. About a dozen years ago I decided to carry a J-frame revolver on each side, Even though I had had limited experience with occasional left-hand carry in an IWB holster, when I added the left-hand holster to my daily carry I experienced pain under it. I examined the area carefully and confimred that the new holster was not pressing against any bony prominence and was not over any major nerve.
I did the grin-and-bear-it routine for three days and the pain went away. I comfortably carry two J-frame revolvers in IWB holsters on a daily basis. If I didn't, I'd be buying pants with a 32" wasit instead of a 34" waist.
IWB carry works great for me.
I'm one of those guys that just does not have an ass. Add to that a couple of extra pounds around the middle, and I have trouble keeping my pants up without suspenders.
Once I found the right holster, I found that both my S&W Sigma and my Beretta P4X were both comfortable. With the gun on my strong side, riding right above the hip bone, it helps keep my pants from sliding down.
I'm one of those guys that just does not have an ass. Add to that a couple of extra pounds around the middle, and I have trouble keeping my pants up without suspenders.
Once I found the right holster, I found that both my S&W Sigma and my Beretta P4X were both comfortable. With the gun on my strong side, riding right above the hip bone, it helps keep my pants from sliding down.
Mad Magyar
Member
I never could see the value or advantages of IWB...My opinion, please.
I've seen some of the worst holsters in that variety, especially the ones with the cheap metal clips that want to unholster in the most inopportune times.
It's enough to carry the weight of your firearm, but to have it so close-up against your body isn't for me. Like it has been mentioned, if you go that route, acquire a good-secure holster...No, but it should be bearable....I need to talk to Clint Smith about......
Here is MY devalued-2-cents of the American dollar:
IWB is something for people who prefer to do it to conceal the gun barrel length, while covering the handle and such with a short-waisted jacket, vest, or other outer garment.
OWB with a pelvis-curved pancake style holster is my final resting spot on comfort and carry.
The new Galco Concealable, and newer versions of the Fletch Glaco copy some custom makers' design of the flat, curved side to the body, and the contoured, molded shape of the gun on the outside. I love this style for pure support, balamce, comfort. The FBI forward cant really balances the gun weight, and my bending and stooping motions.
I have a bin full of IWB holsters, and I have not gone back to them. Same with the shoulder rigs, Small of Back, Cross Draw, thigh rigs, paddles, clips-ons, roto-tilt, etc.
By the way, I use the new contour Fletch to carry a Bobtail 1911 everyday, comfortably. I have even done the same with a more bulky gun, such as the HK USP45.
The only guns which barely worked IWB for me, are the slim slides like the 1911, Kahr, and similar thickness guns. The thin but stiff materials like bullhide and Kydex worked best for me.
IWB is something for people who prefer to do it to conceal the gun barrel length, while covering the handle and such with a short-waisted jacket, vest, or other outer garment.
OWB with a pelvis-curved pancake style holster is my final resting spot on comfort and carry.
The new Galco Concealable, and newer versions of the Fletch Glaco copy some custom makers' design of the flat, curved side to the body, and the contoured, molded shape of the gun on the outside. I love this style for pure support, balamce, comfort. The FBI forward cant really balances the gun weight, and my bending and stooping motions.
I have a bin full of IWB holsters, and I have not gone back to them. Same with the shoulder rigs, Small of Back, Cross Draw, thigh rigs, paddles, clips-ons, roto-tilt, etc.
By the way, I use the new contour Fletch to carry a Bobtail 1911 everyday, comfortably. I have even done the same with a more bulky gun, such as the HK USP45.
The only guns which barely worked IWB for me, are the slim slides like the 1911, Kahr, and similar thickness guns. The thin but stiff materials like bullhide and Kydex worked best for me.
Myrdhyn
Member
+2 with a P85
A man with a gun!
Member
Years ago I had the same question about IWB. comfort. An old salt suggested that I try placing my wallet inside my waistband at the 3:30 position and go that way for awhile. Simple test, it convinced me.
Winter weather (With jackets and such) I still carry OWB but once the warm weather arrives it's IWB. baby.
Winter weather (With jackets and such) I still carry OWB but once the warm weather arrives it's IWB. baby.
Mainsail
Member
I wear OWB almost all the time now. I rank comfort much higher than concealment.
I've never really had a problem, other than the one time I sat down in the van without pulling my Crossbreed a little forward to accommodate the seatbelt buckle. It pushed the magazine tightly up into the mag well, and pinched me pretty good. It left a 3/4in long blood blister on my side, and got me a weird look from my GF when I started cursing. I wear a tucked-in undershirt now, even when I'm just wearing casual Ts. But I've always bought jeans and shirts an extra size large, I just don't like tight fitting clothing.
I think IWB is uncomfortable and I'm a thin guy, and I wear relatively loose fitting pants. I prefer OWB in a belt holster with a sweater or untucked shirt hiding the pistol. I just don't like the gun digging into me no matter what holster I use.
- Status
