How do I carry IWB comfortably?

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Lose weight. Sorry, but it's 100% true. Everything will feel better if you replace pop and beer with water.

Try a thin modern kydex holster. Not a super fat, triple stiched, dancing horse quality, old school leather holster. A Crossbreed Supertuck is as thin as it gets. There's similar others out there. Those custom leather guys make nice stuff, but they've never see a ruler, to measure thickness.

Stiff, steel inserted, leather belt. Bigfoot belts rule.
 
I have always carried a snub 38 in my pocket despite its limitations. With a decent holster, pocket carry is comfy and discreet. I'd like to have the option of carrying something the size of a Glock 19, but it doesn't seem like pocket carry is feasible. I have shied away from IWB because it has never been comfortable to me. Is there a way to do this better so that I can comfortably carry IWB? What am I doing wrong, since I know many carry this way?

I've carried IWB for a LONG time under a floppy T shirt.

1. No rail. (literally rubs me wrong)
2. Soft unlined suede holster (Kydex and lined holsters are too inflexible)
3. Appendix IWB.
4. Barrel 3.75" no longer. (No gonad intrusion)
5. No lights, optics, lasers
6. Reduced frame length (compact style)
 
This is true. Then when you get fit and thin, replace your good quality IWB holsters with good quality OWB holsters and feel even better.

I am plenty fit and I am not obese. At 47 with a desk job, I can hike 10 miles with a long gun and a pack in search of game, cut and split wood all day, etc. Its just that nobody is going to confuse me with twiggy. Like I said, I have tried losing large amounts of weight in the past and I can't keep it off. It isn't diet as I don't touch soda or much in the way of sweets, and I scratch cook everything. Considering that both of my parents are obese, I feel I am doing well. But thank you for the fat shaming.
 
I didnt either, just said there are some who seem overly sensitive about some things. ;)

We seem to have become a very sensitive culture in the 21st century, and it can be hard on us old people who grew up in different times, and seem to have a tougher skin. Must be what happens when you grew up when bullying was normal, and before no one loses, and every one wins a prize.
 
.380 in a pocket holster (LCP usually) for church or etc;

Revolver at 3, or pistol at 3 OWB with a loose shirt, t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc

I could never get used to IWB. At 4 o clock it tweaks my back, at 3 it rides my hip bone, at appendix, it hurts or is difficult when I sit

I gave up on it

A shoulder rig works if you are going to be doing a lot of sitting too.

d
 
I've tried IWB in multiple positions and find AIWB the most comfortable. I carry a relatively short barreled gun ( a Kimber Micro 9, HK P30SK and a Sig P365XL) that all fit comfortably when I sit. I carried an LCR357 that way for years.

My next holster purchase is going to be a shoulder rig. That's strictly a seasonally controlled set up though.
 
Good belt, good holster. Then just get used to it.
I don't recommend a leather belt - regardless of how heavy and thick it is, sizing needs to be infinitely adjustable and a hole for proper sizing won't be in the right place.
I use a 5.11 kydex reinforced belt, it's like a nylon thing but very rigid and the buckle works by friction. Aiwb is only chosen when deep concealment is required and I won't be sitting a lot, I have a flat stomach and have carried aiwb on and off for years- it sucks and is not comfortable while seated- ymmv

I like 4:00, with a holster that doesn't have that weird leather part.

20210319_192517.jpg
This one is from black rhino, it's excellent and is no doubt better than holsters I've paid 2x as much for.
 
I carry a Glock 17 AIWB and have never found it to be a problem or uncomfortable.
 
I carry AIWB my S&W 642 in a Relentless Tactical Ultimate Suede Leather holster. Being skin and bones (5' 8" 130lbs soaking wet) I've found it a very comfortable fit.
 
Good belt, good holster. Then just get used to it.
These are the key points.

Carrying a gun is not as comfortable as not carrying a gun. Usually, carrying OWB is more comfortable than carrying IWB, though carrying IWB usually conceals better. Carrying IWB usually lets you conceal a bigger gun, though a bigger gun is usually not as comfortable as a smaller gun.

You have to decide how big a gun you want to carry and if you need to carry it IWB. If you do, then you need to try some holsters and see if any work for you. Chances of you (or anybody) getting it right the first try are not good. It may take some time and a few different holsters.
 
Let's not go off into claims of fat shaming.

Body geometry is important and there're no two ways around it. And it doesn't have to be "fat". Women are built differently than men and that has a serious impact on the ability to comfortably carry IWB.

Weight adjustments are a possibility, and quite honestly a perfectly valid one. When I dropped nearly 40 pounds, it had a dramatic effect on the comfort level for me carrying IWB.

But you do you. Other than what you volunteer to post, none of us knows what your body geometry is.

THAT SAID... IF I MAY MAKE ANOTHER SUGGESTION:

Since you said you don't rightly remember what was uncomfortable about IWB, get with some people who do carry IWB and ask if you can try their rig.

If I were near you, I'd be perfectly happy to show you mine and let you try it on.
 
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Spend as much as you want, but I've found nothing better than something like this. The soft padded material is thin and comfortable. I've worn a G19 and even a G29 at 3-4 O'Clock in one of these for 10-12 hour days while hiking, hunting or riding an ATV. It never moves, the gun never came close to coming out.

Amazon.com : Black Scorpion IWB Neoprene Holster - Made USA - Fits Glock 19 31 / Walther P99, Walther PPQ/Ruger SR9/SR40/Beretta PX-4 Storm/M&P 9/40 4-inch, S&W Most 5900/4000 - All Similar Handguns : Sports & Outdoors

I have a smaller version that I sometimes use with a G43 or Sig 365. I'll forget the smaller guns are even there.
 
Anyone care to throw out a few ideas as to which holsters I should be looking at?

Ok I love high quality firearms and accessories but when it comes to holsters, what works best for me is a flea bay seller called Foxx. Their kydex/fake leather literally will mold to the shape of your body, partly because their fake leather is thinner than the big name brands (that I’ve tried anyway).

Here are pics of my holster with a Glock 17, carried at 3:30 for 16 hours a day, every day. I do take lots of time custom trimming my holsters for leg clearance when squatting down.

ACA36F46-4AD1-4F73-9D85-C7E342C1D9A7.jpeg 6517576C-5D8B-46FE-88B5-3CA2C352882B.jpeg
 
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