OWB vs IWB for concealed carry?

[kurtiss]

On most days, I usually carry a G26 IWB. I really have never carried OWB. However, the other day at a friends house, I put on his OWB rig. Wow, what a tremendous difference in comfort! So now it has got me thinking. Can I pull off concealed carry with an OWB holster? I live in Florida and usually wear shorts and a button down shirt untucked. I'd like to hear from you guys that conceal OWB every day. What are your holster recommendations? Has anybody gone from IWB carrying to OWB carrying? Do you find you can conceal as well? Thanks for any intel you can provide.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

The difference in comfort between owb and iwb is huge in my opinion. I can see where iwb is necessary especially when your cover garment is shorter. If your untucked shirts are long enough then you will be fine especially with a G26. Do a search regarding the Glock Sport Holster and see what people think. It's fairly cheap (about 15 bucks) and can be found everywhere. You can customze it's ride (low or high) and if you don't like OWB carry your only out 15 bucks. Many people just stick with this holster from what I read but even if you want to move to a different one you only risk a little money to see if OWB carry even works for you.


Side note: I'm sure you have a good belt as is always recommended but if you don't I have found I can get away with a cheap belt with IWB carry but not OWB so make sure you have a good belt before testing OWB.

 

[csmkersh]

Odd. I don't find my IWB holsters uncomfortable. Maybe you need to buy your pants one size larger and a longer belt.


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[Standing Wolf]

Outside the waist band holsters with paddles are the best, in my admittedly slightly less than humble opinion.

 

[romma]

I am an IWB guy when not pocket carrying. I worry too much about blowing concealment.

 

[armoredman]

OWB can work quite well. I used to OWB with a Galco pancake rig and Witness 40, but had to wear a long covering garment, usually XXL t shirt in AZ heat. I like IWB, using an HBE COMIII rig now with the much lighter CZ P01, and covering it is easier. But it can be done.

 

[jrfoxx]

I have used OWB holster almost exclusively for years now, as I find them WAY more comfortable, most IWB holsters have no retention strap, which gives me the willies, persoanlly (YMMV), and I find a gun in an OWB holster is, for me, WAY faster and easier to access, even when it,s concealed with clothing, than an IWB holster under clothes.Also, and OWB holster is a lot easier to shift foreward or back slightly when needed for comfort to avoid the seatbelt latch when driving (or sitting in a chair/couch where the arm would press on it), then shifted back to the preferred position when not. Shifting an IWB holster just isnt as fast or easy IMHO.

That said, I carry either open, or "sloppily"/minimally concealed here in OR, so I dont need to worry about the little extar difficulty in avoiding the bulge that many OWB holster are more likely to give. I grant that IWB holster are a lot easier to use for when you really want to minimize the possibility of anyone knowing you are carrying though, and on the super rare occasion I want that, I do use an IWB holster with my small S&W m637. Otherwise, its the 1911 in an Uncle Mikes "duty" style retention holster OWB, or very occasionally the S&W in an old leather S&W OWB holster with retention strap.

 

[1911 guy]

I use both when the situation warrants. I find my OWB to be a bit more comfortable, but the IWB conceals a bit better. When I can wear whatever I want, it's an untucked shirt and OWB. When I think I need the extra concealment, I use the IWB and nicer shirts.

 

[Frank Ettin]

IWB is more concealable. I can see with a something bulky like a Glock, OWB would be a lot more comfortable. I find IWB very comfortable for either a 1911 or my H&K P7M8 -- both rather thin guns.

 

[Flame Red]

I am an IWB guy when not pocket carrying. I worry too much about blowing concealment.

+1 - a lot of this is subjective, so do what works for you best.

 

[ColinthePilot]

+1

I even worry about concealment when carrying IWB. I find myself constantly hoping the grip hasn't caught my t-shirt, and pulling my shirt down.

 

[JesseL]

I don't worry about maintaining perfect concealment much (I often open carry) and prefer the comfort of an OWB holster. I think it's more important to have a gun than to make sure your gun isn't seen. If your rig is too uncomfortable, you'll be less inclined to wear it all the time.

Most people won't notice your shirt hanging funny or a bit of leather poking out below your shirt.

Based on my experience so far, most people won't notice an chrome Desert Eagle with blinking lights on the grips carried in a tactical drop holster.

 

[Goblin]

I like my IWB because I can clip into my right front or right rear pocket. My shirt covers it fine.

 

[lazyeye]

My IWB holster has started collecting dust since I got my Blackhawk Serpa and my Bianchi m82 Carry-lock.

OWB is SOOO much more comfortable and easier to draw from. With slightly longer shirts they conceal OK (although I don't care a whole lot since I open carry a fair amount).

 

[kurtiss]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

 

[yeti]

For comfort I'll take the OWB, but here also, concealment isn't an issue.

 

[redneckrepairs]

Like many here i carry both ways tho primarily iwb . My rule of thumb is that i will carry an owb if i have 2" of shirt tail below the lowest point of the holster/handgun . That way casual shoulder movements wont expose the firearm and i can kneel to pick up objects ect .

 

[SSN Vet]

"flip" to a pancake and you'll be soooooo happy.

I sure am....

fleace vest or sweater in the winter (that's September to May up this way)...

Camp style shirt untucked over a t-shirt in the summer.

When it's really hot I can put the clip draw back on and go Mexican.

 

[AdamSean]

I used to carry IWB until I discovered the comfort of OWB. Like you I need a holster that conceals well with my active lifestyle. I recommend a high ride belt slide. I am ordering a Don Hume H721 OT.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I alternate depending on weather.

 

[Paragon]

For me, IWB works great in the summer in shorts/tee shirt. In the winter, I'll use an OWB that I can cover up with my jacket (Don Hume Open Top). Recently, though, I've just been using either my Don Hume or a Galco kydex paddle holster I bought for IDPA to OC, because it's so much easier!

 

[PakWaan]

I'm not a big guy (5'9 and fairly thin) and I carry a commander-size 1911 OWB here in Florida. I can't stand IWB, so that option was out. I normally wear an untucked t-shirt and a lightweight casual shirt over top, unbuttoned and untucked.

I used to have some printing issues, but made 2 changes which solved the problem. I switched to thin grips, and a Galco Concealable OWB holster. I carry at about the 3:30 position, and the Galco has a more aggressive cant (carrying angle) than most other OWB holsters - so the gun butt is angled up more towards my armpit, which did wonders to reducing printing.

 

[Eric F]

I live in Va along the coast. So the heat and humidity are similar to Florida. Fall and winter I use a Blackhawk serpa for my 1911. Then I wear some sort of over shirt like a button bown shirt or a jacket. Spring and summer I carry iwb right up front with no holster and an untucked loose fitting t-shirt, it works for me. I am a large type guy and "big" guns are easily concealable for me. I have a fewer smaller friends that can not get away with it like I can.

 

[Mark K. C.]

If you like the OWB , which I also prefer, try a shoulder rig on for size. It will be easier to conceal on a hot day. At least that is my experience.

 

[willbrink]

I have carried a government or commander 1911 in all weather OWB for years. Where there's a will - and a good rig and belt - there's a way...