[matsaleh]

I like to think I'm special in general, but I can't honestly think I'm the only one who has this problem.

I have carried daily since I got my CHL in May of this year. I'm still experimenting with carry modes, and I haven't yet found a mode I'm really happy with. I carry at work, where there are people who have known me for years, but who do not know I carry at the office. I would prefer to keep it that way because, although we have no policy against carrying at the office, it's more likely that nobody has thought about it yet. Because of this, I don't think changing my mode of dress is a good idea - I wear jeans and T-shirts mostly, and people notice when I don't.

I believe IWB is the best option for me, at least in theory. However, I can't seem to find a way to carry with standard IWB so that when I bend to sit or pick something up, I don't get a nice print of my piece under my shirt.

At 3 O'clock, with a significant forward cant looks like it might be an option, but I can't afford an expensive holster to find out it doesn't do the trick.

At 4 or 5 O'clock, it's comfortable when standing with no cant or slight cant, but even a slight bend at the waist pushes the gun way out under my shirt.

The very best way that I have tried seems to be IWB in the small of my back, upside down with the grip toward my strong side. In this position, I can make almost any body movement (carefully) without detection. I use an Uncle Mike's cheapo holster that fits well and is held in place with just friction. As far as the fit goes, it's great. But eventually my pants or belt stretch, and the gun sometimes starts to drop lower down than it should (what's that bulge in your pants, bud - you have an accident or something?)

I would love an IWB that would let me holster in the small of my back in this position, but I've never seen anything like this. I fear a custom job might be an expensive experiment.

Oh, I'm 6'0", 205 lbs with a bit of a spare tire that is barely visible under my XL shirts and does not really interfere with my movement.

I would love to hear your suggestions on this. Thanks in advance.

[pax]

I use an Uncle Mike's cheapo holster that fits well and is held in place with just friction. ... ... I fear a custom job might be an expensive experiment.
Bad news for you, matsaleh. You are going to have to make an expensive experiment.

Good news is, the expensive experiment isn't the one you're thinking of.

You've already found out that Uncle Mike's isn't going to work for you in the standard positions. That doesn't mean that you can't carry in the standard positions; it means that you can't carry Uncle Mike's designs in those positions.

But holsters are all different, and a quality rig makes so much difference that it is hard to describe. So even though I hate to say it, the truth is you are probably going to have to shell out some bucks for a really good holster. Not a custom job, just something sturdy and well made, that you won't have to worry about.

Then you will have to go buy a really good sturdy wide belt. Again, not custom, just well made and stiff.

If you make those two changes, I bet you will suddenly discover that you really can wear your gun IWB without nearly as much discomfort and worry as you have been experiencing.

pax

[sm]

6' 170# I prefer forward cant, carry at 4 o'clock ( strongside).
8 o'clock for weak. Full size 1911 my preference for CCW- year round.

FWIW I do same for OWB except more"high and tight", especially revolvers.
Many quailty holsters, from many of our own
-http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/
-Tuckerleather
High Noon ( my Down under is similar to a Galco that Tamara uses I noticed)
Milt Sparks
Alessi
Galco
etc.

In my experience shooters are friendly bunch, ask to try a holster from a shooter whom will allow. Everybody will advise to spend the money for quality. I don't sacrifice on quality ammo , or anything that my butt is on the line with. I have one in expensive holster, it is used for range work for students whom don't have a holster...that is all I use it for.

[swampertwo]

Matselah, You might try http://www.defensetactics.com/dandd.htm
This is Dave Workman's site (he's an editor for
gun Week magazine and part of the SAF staff).
He manufactures some really great IWB.
Best Jeff

[techmike]

But I promise it will go better for you if you get some good leather. I've been carryinbg for about 16 years and I did much the same as you for probably the first eight. I then "discovered" how much difference a quality rig makes. Like you I am a big guy with a spare tire, with a Milt Sparls SS2 I can carry a fullsized 1911 with only a t-shirt as cover.

Good Luck!

[boing]

On a budget, I guess "smaller gun" isn't a useful answer.

Crossdraw? You can hide all sorts of things under that spare tire there. Ask me how I know. :)

[matsaleh]

Thanks all for the suggestions so far - please keep them coming if you can.

Additional info - I carry the following 3 guns:

1) Steyr S40 (most recently) - compact 10 round 40 S&W, about 5.5" x 6.5" x 1.2". This is my preferred daily carry now.
2) S&W 6906 (most extensively) - compact 12 round 9mm.
3) Makarov (alternately and less frequently) - compact 9x18mm, slightly smaller and measurably narrower than the S&W.

Thanks again!

[synoptic]

Ever think of carrying a small revolver in your pocket or a mouse gun on your ankle? I realize a new gun can be fairly expensive, but after all your testing and then buying a nice expensive holster it my come out to be close to the same. Just a thought...

[Ford]

See if you can get a VM2 for one of your guns. I have only tried 4 other IWB holsters but this one has the lowest profile. It is thinner I think because it is more spread out. I guess what I am trying to say is that the loops are not right on top of the gun. Anyway this is the best IWB holster that I have found so far. I am very happy with it.

[matsaleh]

I accept the wisdom on this board that we shouldn't skimp on quality, but I've lived long enough to know that you don't always have to pay top dollar to get it (but bottom dollar will rarely, if ever, buy quality).

That said, I'm hoping for some recommendations that seek this balance between price and quality. I'm afraid $100 is over my budget for now, but $40 or so is about right. Maybe that is still "bottom dollar", I don't know.

I saw the FIST #1 or #1A in leather or Kydex here (http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/holster/1A.htm), and it's priced right. Also, I found the Hidden Ally at High Noon Holsters (http://highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/Hidden_Ally/hidden_ally.html). Are either of these of sufficient quality to serve me well? Can anyone recommend others in this range that I could rely on?

Thanks much again!

[Preacherman]

I strongly second Ford's recommendation for the Milt Sparks Versa-Max II. I don't think there's a finer IWB holster on the market today - and you can order "tuckable" belt clips, so that you can tuck in your shirt over the gun. It's far and away the best I've ever used. However, it'll cost you a bit over $100 (including shipping), plus an extra $15 for the clips.

A more budget-conscious solution, which I also use, is the Blade-Tech Kydex IWB holster.


http://www.blade-tech.com/multimedia/multimedia_2954_1068228690472.JPG


It's about $60, and is very stable and secure (and fast on the draw!). They also make their "Ultimate Concealment" tuckable holster for only about $5 more:


http://www.blade-tech.com/multimedia/multimedia_3046_1067635686630.JPG


See www.blade-tech.com for more information.

Other than that, I don't know any IWB holster at a lower price that I can honestly recommend. I've tried dozens - scores! - of holsters over the years, and have learned the hard way that "cheap is expensive". Spend the money on something really good, and it'll serve you for many years. Spend less on a cheap solution, and you're unlikely to get long service or great satisfaction out of it. YMMV...

[Jack19]

A second for Milt Sparks.....http://www.miltsparks.com

[chevrofreak]

http://www.threatsolutions.com/holsterindex.html

The only way to fly

[WhoKnowsWho]

I'm in the same boat as you. I am still using my $22 Don Hume holster (similar to that Hidden Alley, but not with Glove Leather) for my Para Carry C6.45. Talk about a cheap holster and an expensive gun... So far, it has worked okay for me, but yes, it moves a little bit sometimes, so I continue to look at other holsters.

I want to try Kydex, but am scared that I will not like the feel at all. Leather is always good, but $80 plus for a piece of leather or kydex is a lot in my mind.

Maybe when I finally do it, I will realize I should have done it a long time ago. FIST is attracting most of my attention, through www.gunnersalley.com they have that #1A for $7 less, that pays for shipping! I want to try the Kydex K1... but as I am a procrastinator... I wish there was a shop with all the holsters available on line, usable for a demo for a day or something.

Good luck making your decision. At the very least, if you pay for a good holster and then don't like it, you should be able to get most of your money back by selling it on here.

edit: chevrofreak: That threat solutions holster looks tempting, but I want something with a sweat guard... I'll see what they say about that.

[chevrofreak]

They have a sweat guard, but not a full length one.

I know of only one person who did not like the UCR, and they switched to a pos Uncle Mikes soft IWB, go figure.

[Skunkabilly]

Blade-Tech is good but the wait sucks. I like the ultimate concealment when I must tuck my shirt.

[techmike]

It's well worth it.

[Series 70]

Similar to the VM2 is the Milt Sparks Watch-Six. Kydex clips are not available for it, and there is no reinforcement of the mouth of the holster. It does have the same wide design with the loops to the sides and is amazingly comfy with a full-size 1911.

The price is better, too - $57.50. Has to be one of the best buys out there.

[Hot brass]

Milt Sparks VMII is the way to go. If not go for the Summer Special. I own one of the plastic holsters. Noisey. UHHHHHH!!!!! Holstering the weapon clunk, clunk. Removing the weapon, clunk, clunk. I retired the plastic early warning piece.

[Ringer]

Based on repeated praise of the VM2 I took delivery of mine just last week. While I'm still tweaking the carry position for comfort I am very impressed with how the gun all but disappears under a shirt (btw I'm close to your size at 6'1", 200 lbs). I started carrying earlier this year as well. The experienced ones here give good advice regarding quality holsters AND belts. Compared to what you spend on a gun, training, ammo etc... is an extra 50 bucks on the holster really significant? I didn't think so, just my $.02
Similar to the VM2 is the Milt Sparks Watch-Six. At $57.50 this seems to fit your budget.
http://www.miltsparks.com/images/Photos/WS1_large.JPG

I would love an IWB that would let me holster in the small of my back in this position, but I've never seen anything like this. I fear a custom job might be an expensive experiment. Don't know anything about it but Galco makes this Small of Back holster but it's not IWB.
http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/normal/SOB.jpg

[Safety First]

www.wildbills.com :D

[JCM298]

I think this is Wild Bill's site:

http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/index.html

John

[Okiecruffler]

I use a Don Hume IWB and I'm perfectly happy with it. Under $30 and has held up for over a year of 7 day a week carry.

[CumminsPower]

Love my Texas Heritage IWB with tuckable clips for my Springfield XD 4" Service model from Tucker Gun Leather. Very comfortable.

http://www.tuckergunleather.com

[stevelyn]

DeSantis Cozy Partner or Inner Piece.

http://www.desantisholster.com

[matsaleh]

Thanks all for the continued great suggestions!

I've been looking at the various holsters suggested in this thread, and many of them do not offer a version for my Steyr S40 (some do offer for the M40/M9, which will probably work since the S40 is about 0.5" shorter in length and grip length, but otherwise has the same dimensions).

Is there another common handgun model that comes close in form to my Steyr S40 for the purpose of holster fit? I'm thinking Glocks might be the closest because of their squared off cross section, but I don't know - I've never handled a glock in earnest.

I think SIGs are probably too high in the slide area.

S&Ws seem to be a little too irregular in cross-section.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

[Big Mike]

Another recommendation for Blade-Tech. My IWB for my 6906 and 6946 should be here any day. I carried a Beretta Brigadier in an IWB BT holster and cannot recommend it more. Also, there is always a little bit of compromise when carrying, and I have found that nothing is perfect. Good luck and try Blade-Tech. Mike

[Trebor]

There are several things you have to coordinate to find a truly comfortable, secure and discrete method of concealed carry. They are the gun, the holster, the belt, the carry location and the cover garmet. Change one variable and you wind up with a whole new set of options, some better and some worse. The more variables that are "locked in," the fewer choices you have for the remaining variables.

Based on your circumstances, here's my suggestion:

Try carrying the Makarov in a clip-on IWB in the "appendix carry" position , in front of the right hip, at about 2:00.

The Makarov is the smallest and slimmest of the three guns you listed and works extremely well for me in this mode of carry. I used a cheap generic "small frame auto" clip-on IWB holster I bought from www.Makarov.com for about $10-$15. I clip the holster right to my jeans, in front of the rigth front pocket with the barrel running along my right leg and pointed slightly outboard. The gun is very comfortable in this position and conceals very well under a overlarge T-shirt. The butt doesn't stick out when I bend over either.

The holster is cheap enough to buy and try without spending a lot of money. The only disadvantage is that the generic holster isn't as secure as a purpose built Makarov would be, but once you've settled on a carry location and holster, you can save up to invest in a better fitted holster.

If you really have to carry one of the other two guns, I'd reccomend a Milt Sparks VM II. I have one for my CZ 75 and it works well for that heavier gun. It does need a larger cover garmet than a T-shirt though, and the larger gun is more likely to print than the Makarov, which is why I usually carry the Mak and leave the CZ at home. BTW, I'm 6'1", 200 pounds.

Good luck,

Rob

[Safety First]

John, Thanks for correcting me on Wild Bills web site, I think I was like in a really big hurry when I did that ...

[JCM298]

Safety First,

No problem.

John

[CMcDermott]

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet, but the small of the back is NOT a good place to put a pistol. Put your gun there, then sit on the floor and slowly rock backwards onto your back - feels good doesn't it. Now imagine what would happen if your slipped, were pushed etc and fell backwards onto your gun with all if your weight. Keep your gun somewhere where you have some "internal padding" (muscle or otherwise) to protect yourself if your gun would be driven into your body for some reason.

[garrettwc]

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet, but the small of the back is NOT a good place to put a pistol. Put your gun there, then sit on the floor and slowly rock backwards onto your back - feels good doesn't it. Now imagine what would happen if your slipped, were pushed etc and fell backwards onto your gun with all if your weight. Keep your gun somewhere where you have some "internal padding" (muscle or otherwise) to protect yourself if your gun would be driven into your body for some reason.

CMcDermott is correct on this one. Avoid SOB holsters. If you end up on your back, the gun will be driven into your tailbone with the same force as your weight hits the ground. You will end up with a "stinger" that would make an NFL linebacker proud, and will be out of the game before it starts. Also, it is impossible to draw your gun if you are sitting on it.

I carry a full size 1911 under a t-shirt and jeans all the time. About 3:30 on my belt. It's nearly impossible to get a gun that won't print, unless you carry something very small llike a Glock 26 or a Kahr. What you learn to do is bend at the knees instead of the waist, or face with your gunside away from people when you bend and let your body shield their view.

If you want a top drawer holster with the features of the Sparks VMII, but on a kydex budget. Try Comp-Tac (http://www.comp-tac.com) . They make a top notch product and have some IWB holsters with the same features as the leather Sparks model.

[hnm201]

Try a smartcarry. (http://www.smartcarry.com)

I love mine. :D

I also own a steyr. Great gun, few accessories. Try www.highnoonholsters.com (http://www.highnoonholsters.com)
for Steyr holsters made of leather. Comp-tac for steyr kydex holsters.

Also consider a Kel-Tec P-11. Pistol is $200 to $250. Belt clip is a $15. I combined with an el cheapo Uncle Mikes sidekick IWB to come up with:

http://dombosco.home.insightbb.com/ktp-11_clip_2.jpg

and

http://dombosco.home.insightbb.com/ktp-11_clip_1.jpg

The Uncle Mike's holster is less than $10. I removed the clip from the holste and use the clip mounted to the gun because it offers better retention and sits lower in the waistband. It adds almost not thickness to the gun, provides a comfy breathable barrier and most importantly, keeps that trigger guard covered.

check out KTOG (http://www.ktog.org/vbulletin/) for more info on Kel-Tec pistols.

[WhoKnowsWho]

Try a smartcarry. I love mine.

Okay, I will! I just ordered it, since if I don't like it, I am only out shipping since they have a money back guarantee.

I figured, no matter what type of IWB holster I purchase, I almost always going to be expecting it to poke the grip out when I bend over or bend sideways etc.

I'll post a review when I get it and test it out.

If it doesn't work, I'll try the Threat Solutions holster, since that one has a money back guarantee too!

[A Johnston]

IMO, the best IWBs on the market are the Sparks Summer Special and the Alessi/BCP GWH. Both are well made, rugged, and concealable rigs that are well worth their cost.

[dairycreek]

I have several. Some for revolvers and some for autos. In each case they have performed exceedingly well. I recommend them highly. However, don't forget that you still have to have a good belt for best results. Despite their relatively modest cost they are a high quality holster. Good shooting;)