Pancake holsters....

Not only will it conceal well, but it will be much more comfortable than an IWB holster.

I think you won't go wrong with a pancake. I just took this one off my belt to take the pic to post for you.

I'm carrying a full size 5" steel framed 1911 and can hardly tell it's on. The holster is one of the old original Roy's Leather Pancake Holsters. The belt it's now back on is a Rafter S 1.5" concealed carry gunbelt.

The combo makes for as comfortable OWB holster as I've found. I've also got a Roy's Leather Pancake (without basketweave or lining) for a 3" S&W J-frame revolver. That rig feels like a gnat on my hip.

If you are willing to add extra layer to your clothing a pancake holster will work great.

I pretty much wear only a short sleeve shirt year round, and rarely wear a coat, so OWB gets tough to conceal.

Steve

I still have 2 of Roy Baker's pancakes, one for 4" K frame and 1 for S&W 39. Had one for a Colt 70 series that I let go with the Colt when I sold it. All mine were black. Only the K frame is basketweave. Most comfortable and best concealing holsters I've ever worn. Carried the 39 holster a lot on duty and off duty. Roy made his holsters to ride just a bit higher than what you find today with pancakes. He made his so the trigger guard was above the belt. His also tucked the butt well into you so it didn't stick out.
A lot of companies copy Roy's design but I've yet to find any which work as well. Wish Roy was still in business.

I use a Bianchi pancake for my commander size daily.

It is the most comfortable method of carry for me.

Good Luck

Holsters

You might also take a look at Tucker's holsters....

www.tuckergunleather.com

There is a 3-4 week wait, but worth it.

I've only tried high noon and desantis speed scabbard, but i suppose thats a good thing... Now i buy a speed scabbard for anything i want to carry OWB.

Well...a good pancake is my favorite cooler weather style of carry.

Keep in mind...you can have a pancake that keeps the gun very close to the body, just like a good IWB will. But due to the rest of the gun being outside of the pants, you obviously need a much longer cover garment.

With IWB the retention of the gun is split up between the molding on the leather and the belt/pants pressure put on the gun.

With a pancake its solely on the holster. So with a thumbbreak....you dont need that much retention. Without one...look for a maker that offers the right weight of leather and sufficient molding.

And they can look really really good to.....

Shoot well and god bless

Holster

I can suppoort what you have said. My Tucker has such rugged and thick leather that the molding allows for a belt to pass through and be buckled as tightly as possible and still not put any added difficulty in drawing the gun.

Just one funny note if I may.

Many years ago, (back when very few considered autoloaders good choices for defense,) I ordered one of Roy Bakers original pancake holsters for my Smith and Wesson Model 27, 3inch, .357 magnum. It was a cherished rig and I committed I believe a mortal sin by wearing a good deal of beautiful S&W factory high polish blue off of a few fine big framed Smiths!

As sometimes happens with old Marines the steak and potatoes seem more comfortable collecting around our waists as we get older, which apparently made drawing the revolver more difficult. And after a particularly good evening’s meal, I had the unfortunate experience of having to draw my firearm to subdue an evil-doer and found myself uttering ‘Freeze, or I’ll shoo... Halt or I’ll shoo… Stop or I’ll be forced to throw my handcuffs at you!’

Fortunately, the bad guy found it too humorous to make good an escape. And I do note more recent offerings are usually designed more pragmatically for such occasions.

A good deal of practice (even a practical application of a smooth draw between parked cars,) might be a healthy regimen as well.

Hope that brought a smile!

~The ol’ fat guy~