Can you carry a full size pistol IWB?

Today I carried my SIG M17 Bravo in a Milt Sparks Criterion with one spare magazine. I am not sure what the difficulty is other than attitude.

Here's my Valor Commander in a Criterion. If you match it up against a Glock 17, it's about the same size. It carries fine.

The rail on the mag is for a Mantis X10 dry fire unit.

Here's my P220 and Glock 21 in Milt Sparks holsters. Again, IWB with enough forward cant to assist in concealment.

The P220 rides in a Versa Max 2 and the 21 in a Criterion. Again, no issues in concealment. The magazines for the G21 are huge and everything gets tight IWB at the waistline. Losing some weight would help



The SIG P220 is in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2. The rear loop has been replaced with a rubber strap to increase forward cant to around 25 degrees. A regular Versa Max 2 has around 18 degrees of cant. It too carries well and doesn't suffer from fat mags. Then again single stack mags are always easier to carry.

Here's the King of Big: S&W 629 4" with Herretts Stocks Jordan Troopers. It carries fine in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2. It too suffers from "fat ammo" and the Split Six loader holders are the best compromise.

Successful carry requires:

1) Proper holster with good forward cant, split loops, sweat shield, and adjustable retention.
2) Gun belt 1.5" wide or more, thick enough to hold the weight with a good buckle. Belts wear out and start allowing the gun to tilt. Replace as needed.
3) Good magazine carriers. IWB and OWB as needed. IWB will tuck the mag in closer. OWB will likely be more comfortable for single stack mags.
4) Proper covering garment

I sometimes carry my full size PX4 in a Tagua Leather holster with no issues.

tomrkba said:

The magazines for the G21 are huge and everything gets tight IWB at the waistline. Losing some weight would help

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I feel ya. When I carried a Glock 21 the spare magazine printed more than the actual gun in many instances, even in a pocket it's a honking fat rectangle that doesn't want to hide.

JTQ said:

Using the Glock family as an example, from the G26 to G19 to G17 to G34 to G17L, they are all the same thickness and would all pretty much have the same comfort IWB. The difference is you could probably carry the G26 OWB in something like the Mitch Rosen Upper Limit https://mitchrosen.com/products/holsters/belt-holsters/ because there is very little that would extend below the bottom of the belt, and the slide is so short, there would probably not be an issue with drawing from such a high riding, straight drop holster.

Conversely, in an OWB holster a G17 or G34 would extend below the bottom of the belt quite a bit and require a much longer cover garment. IWB, those bigger guns could be conceal carried much easier.

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I just got a Vedder paddle, OWB holster for my ‘tighter’ pants(like most of them now, pandemic bulge-)...and since it rides on the belt, sits pretty high. But could easily carry G26 and can easily carry G48...length and width not an issue, IWB. With proper belt and holster and over garment...easy to carry ‘full sized’ HG, imho.

I carry an officer sized 1911 IWB nearly every day and don't feel it at all. I can switch to a full size 1911 in the same DeSantis holster and the only difference is I move it to about 3:45 instead of 4:00 because the slide bottoms out in the seat of my Jeep otherwise.
About 2 weeks ago, I listened to an amusing story from a gun counter worker, explaining how 1911's are too big for concealed carry. The customer seemed genuinely disappointed at this news and reluctantly started looking at smaller ones. I try to mind my own business, but I couldn't ignore the blasphemous statement the worker made. I said "hang on a minute" I'd like to show both of you something and retrieved a Galco IWB 1911 holster off the shelf. Then in the least patronizing way I could, I asked why such a renowned company would make such a useless holster.

Some people are just not built to carry full size guns. If you are V shaped with broad shoulders it’s easy. I carried a Glock 21 IWB for several months, 16 hours a day. I realized my draw times were slower than a Glock 17 frame size so I changed to either a 17 or 22.

FFGColorado said:

I just got a Vedder paddle, OWB holster for my ‘tighter’ pants(like most of them now, pandemic bulge-)...and since it rides on the belt, sits pretty high. But could easily carry G26 and can easily carry G48...length and width not an issue, IWB. With proper belt and holster and over garment...easy to carry ‘full sized’ HG, imho.

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Paddle holsters usually aren't very good concealment holsters ( https://www.vedderholsters.com/prodraw/ ), and they really aren't designed to be. They are geared towards LE, where there is a need to put on and take off the holster frequently, and competition shooters who may need to position a holster along the belt line regardless of where a belt loop may fall. Most are pretty good for accessing the gun as they usually sit away from the body and many are straight drop holsters. However, concealment is not their strong suit.

The downside to the typical paddle holster is the lack of a trailing loop which is one of the key characteristics of a good OWB concealment holster. Admittedly, little guns like the G26 or the G48 have very short grips, but one of the hardest things to conceal on a holstered gun is the grip. Without a trailing loop, the grip typically sticks out like a diving board, which is good for access, but bad for concealment. With a trailing loop, the grip is pulled close to the body and improves concealment.

Two basic OWB concealment designs with the trailing loop would be the Bruce Nelson designed #1 Professional and the Roy Baker designed Pancake. Note the loops aft of the trigger guard on both designs which will pull the gun grip close to the body, which are missing on the typical paddle holster. A couple of examples

Nelson #1 Professional - Milt Sparks 55BN (BN for Bruce Nelson) https://www.miltsparks.com/products-55-bn.php

Pancake - Simply Rugged Cuda https://www.simplyrugged.com/ecomme...aled-Carry-Holster.cfm?item_id=407&parent=669

I have never cared much for IWB. Haven't come up with a set up that is comfortable for both being up and moving and for sitting, and by the end of the day it becomes uncomfortable. That said, I find longer barrel guns are much easier to IWB carry. The ultra small guns either don't go far enough below the belt to be stable, or don't stick up above the belt enough to get a full grip.

one winter I carried a Series 70 MkIV .45ACP in a style I called "Improved Mexican" someone was selling a nickled belt hook that went under the right grip panel and you just stuck that sucker in your waist band and the hook over the waist band helped prevent it from falling out off or into your trousers.

Wore a light wind breaker, zippered sweat shirt, or winter coat (lined levi coat...hey its Florida) over it.

kept a spare mag in my left rear pocket.

Hey it worked....

-kBob

“Carry” is the easy part. I have carried handguns as bulky as N-Frame revolvers IWB. Depending upon one’s physical structure, and the health of one’s shoulder, arm, and hand joints, the draw may not be so easy, especially as one ages, as a longer weapon does not clear leather (or Kydex, etc.) as readily.

Relative to my height, I have a short waist, and long arms. This means that my aging right shoulder has to be having a good day, to have enough range of motion to quickly clear leather, with a duty/service-sized weapon, from IWB.

Full size 1911 IWB, holster has forward cant, grip doesn't print even if I'm seated, as pictured.
Cover shirt with stripe, print, or plaid helps break any slight bulge.

I've carried a Glock 17 and 92FS IWB, both are about the same size or bigger than the P-10F. The grip is always the trickiest part to conceal when carrying. Find a holster and belt combo that works for you and carry on.

I am currently 5'10" 165 lbs. I have carried a 1911A1 and an H&K USP in inside the waistband (IWB) holsters.

What will fit IWB comfortably does depend a lot on on your physique.

Even "one size fits most" is not "one size fits all".

I test out a holster by wearing it all day about the house, out working in the yard.

From my perspective... it's just too much weight to have slung to my hip all day. I can only care full sized steel framed guns on my hip with a pancake.... and even then, 4-6 hours tops.

Shoulder carry is the only way I can hack that much weight all day.

CDW4ME, that’s some tiny chair your perched on. I carry a P220 in a Sparks Summer Special, or sometimes even Magnum P.I. style. I am V-shaped but with enough love handles to secure it like foam in a Pelican case.

Fiv3r said:

I'm sure you can. Many do. I hate IWB carry. It does not agree with my nerves at all. I can sometimes carry a Shield 45 IWB when wearing my stretchy jeans, but I'm more of a pocket pistol kind of guy.

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Yep. Same here. Try as I might over the last 30 or so years, I just cannot get it to feel right and work right for me. I’ll stick to OWB and occasional pocket carry.
I also don’t like sporting pants much larger than my true size just to support a pistol, because sometimes .... I know it’s blasphemy .... I might have to leave the house and stick the snubby in my pocket instead. Like some said earlier, you gotta adjust your clothing size for IWB accommodation. I prefer that pant between me and the gun, hence OWB.
To each his own and YMMV. Carry on, gents. Enjoying the discussion and seeing the variety. That is the really great thing about this group.

For those of you having trouble with IWB, this cheap holster is strangely comfortable. They sell on eBay under the name “FoxX.” It’s fake leather and kydex. I’ve tried a few big name brands that don’t come close in the comfort department. Of course you’ll need to trim and adjust it to fit you. I painted the rivets and screws because they’ll corrode, stainless would be better but more expensive. Glock 17 in these pictures

Hartkopf said:

For those of you having trouble with IWB, this cheap holster is strangely comfortable. They sell on eBay under the name “Fox.” It’s fake leather and kydex. I’ve tried a few big name brands that don’t come close in the comfort department. Of course you’ll need to trim and adjust it to fit you. I painted the rivets and screws because they’ll corrode, stainless would be better but more expensive. Glock 17 in these pictures View attachment 958256View attachment 958257

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Its funny you mention the Fox holsters. My wife got me one that was made for the Shield 45 last Christmas, and I will admit that it certainly comes close in terms edc comfort. I still need to wear my jeans with the elastic stretch built into them (I jokingly call my big boy toddler pants) in order for it to be comfortable, but the Shield is thin and light enough that it can be worn IWB.

Still can't get on board with a full size gun IWB because it hurts my back bad enough my leg goes numb if I don't wear pants that feel like they were designed to go over pull up diapers. I've regulated myself (and my tucked in shirt and well fitted jeans) to a sure and violent end at the hands of statistically certain roving gangs of evildoers/looters/boogeymen/crack addicted ninja bears or whatever we have been told we are supposed to worry about this week who will surely overpower me as I cry anguish to sky, my 5 rounds depleted in my .38 snub

I'm mostly just jealous of folks who can pack more.