Tell me what holster I need.....

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viking499

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Since I don't want to end up with a drawer full of holsters I don't use, already have enough of those, I am looking for some advice from the THR crowd.

I am looking for a leather IWB, right hand, rotatable single clip holster for my Shield or 43. I can not do IWB holsters that drop straight down inside my pants because it is too uncomfortable and digs into the sides of my hip. Looking for something that I can cant a little or a lot to suit what I need to make it comfortable. Going to ride somewhere between 3:30 and 5:30.

I have considered OWB, but would like to be able to conceal the single stack IWB if I can do it with some comfort.

My thinking is that If I have to go OWB, I mean get as well carry something bigger than a Shield or 43. Am I wrong in thinking that or do a lot of you let a single stack ride OWB?
 
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For an IWB, Milt Sparks VersaMaxII, all day every day. I've tried others, and none compare.

Mine has carried a steel-framed 4.25" 1911 for 10 years.
 
viking499 said:
I am looking for a leather IWB, right hand, rotatable single clip holster for my Shield or 43.
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Tucker "Cover up" https://tuckergunleather.com/cover-up-holster/ . Tucker has some other options in the same category.

There really is no way around the "box full of holsters".

Carrying a gun is less comfortable than not carrying a gun. Folks go on forums and see all the holsters all the other folks are using and think, "that must be better than the holster I'm currently using, I'll try that". It may be better, or not, but you'll always see something that you'll think will make it as comfortable as not carrying a gun. It won't happen, but we'll keep trying.
 
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viking499 said:
My thinking is that If I have to go OWB, I mean get as well carry something bigger than a Shield or 43. Am I wrong in thinking that or do a lot of you let a single stack ride OWB?
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I think most folks use IWB to allow themselves to carry a bigger gun rather than the smaller gun as you seem to think. It's all about how big a cover garment you need.

IWB means less cover garment as most of the gun is hidden inside your pants, you just need to cover basically to the belt line whether you're carrying a Glock G26 or a G34. However, if you're carrying OWB you need your cover garment to cover below the bottom of the holster. A G34 OWB needs a pretty long cover garment, while a G26 may not need much more cover garment than the same gun IWB.
 
viking499 said:
My thinking is that If I have to go OWB, I mean get as well carry something bigger than a Shield or 43. Am I wrong in thinking that or do a lot of you let a single stack ride OWB?
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I generally carry my Kimber Micro 380 OWB. I don't think you will find much smaller. I agree with the comments that IWB allows for a larger pistol than OWB.
 
I understand the ability to carry a larger firearm IWB and it is easier to conceal. But, for my body size and structure (short and thick), I carry my PCR, 19 or M2.0 OWB. I am wanting to carry my Shield or 43 IWB for better concealment. I need an IWB holster with either an adjustable cant or maybe even with the FBI cant. Never tried anything with a 15 degree plus cant , but I do know that 0-5 degrees does not work for me.
 
PCR's are my preferred carry gun and I have two of them. In the winter I carry them in a TT Gunleather High Ride Snap. In the summer a Sparks VM2.

My holster selections based solely on comfort.
 
frogfurr said:
PCR's are my preferred carry gun and I have two of them. In the winter I carry them in a TT Gunleather High Ride Snap. In the summer a Sparks VM2.

My holster selections based solely on comfort.
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I really like my PCR. Had one or two for years and really liked them. But after I got one with some CGW magic, it made me fall in love.

I am trying to find something suitable and functional for my "mid-size" (43 and Shield) gun. That one that falls between my PCR (OWB) and BG 380 (pocket).
 
A quality leather pancake holster will conceal a smaller gun OWB just about as good as anything IWB and is much more comfortable to me.

However if you're determined to stick with IWB there are plenty of options that allow for cant, as others have mentioned.
 
For me OWB is more comfortable than IWB. In the winter, when I can wear a coat for cover, I do OWB. In the hot summer months it's IWB. Buying two types of holsters for the same gun for seasonal wear can get a bit expensive.

My OWB holsters get the most use during the year and if I could only afford one it would be OWB.
 
I will agree that OWB is more comfortable. I just don't like always having to wear longer uppers to cover everything.

This is hoodie/carhartt pullover weather for me. And my hoodies all ride right at belt height or just a little below.

Do some holsters ride higher than than others? Special name for those I need to look for?
 
viking499 said:
Do some holsters ride higher than than others? Special name for those I need to look for?
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Some do, but they still won't conceal as easily as IWB, but with little guns, the bottom of the holster won't be much below the bottom of the belt.

The Mitch Rosen Upper Limit (Full Detail and Express models) is specifically designed for carrying little guns OWB.

Mitch Rosen https://mitchrosen.com/products/express-line/

The Milt Sparks 60TK is a high rider, though I don't know if they make it for your gun.

Milt Sparks https://www.miltsparks.com/products-60-tk.php

Mernickle PS6 http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ps/bwcc_6a.html
 
viking499 said:
Do some holsters ride higher than than others? Special name for those I need to look for?
Click to expand...

I have a veritable collection of holsters and 2 of my favorites are Galco Highrise and Miltsparks Versamax. I’m a big guy and the Galcos are so comfortable I forget that I’m wearing one sometimes.
 
I have more than one drawer of holsters.....Way more. From 200 dollars down to uncle Mike's. From fobus and blackhawk, to gould and goodrich, desantis, bianchi, safariland. Iwb, with clips, with belt loops , owb, tuckable, shoulder holsters, drop holsters, high rise, sob (seemed good in theory but probably the least usable of all) crossdraw, FBI cant,........anyway, For iwb I carry in a crossbreed supertuck delux. It has two clips but the can't is adjustable. With my Glock 27 its fine. Ive probably tried 20 holsters since, but I always go back. If it were perfect I suppose I would stop looking, but ive found nothing any more comfortable.

My body type is about the opposite of yours though, at 6'4 and 185 I'm tall And lanky. So ymmv
 
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