New to holsters and carrying

I've found this video from the late Paul Gomez helpful

This site, The Cornered Cat, has a lot of information directed towards women, but it is also helpful to men.

https://www.corneredcat.com

Save yourself a lot of time and money buy buying quality first. A good belt matters a great deal. Doesn't need to be fancy. The Amish belts from Hank's will work. For holsters expect to pay 50-75 for kydex, 75-150+ for leather. From good quality makers you will not regret the price paid. Match the belt width to the holster attachment.

Kydex generally is thinner, leather more comfortable.

cdahl383 said:

the EC9S is a bit tight in my pocket.

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Guess it depends largely on clothing style, but I pocket carry my LC9s almost exclusively. Fits in all but one or two pairs of pants.
If you'll search you'll find numerous threads that address your questions, one very recently.
Instead of "a" holster suggestion (trust me, you'll get recommendations for nearly everything made), I'll repeat my oft stated opinion; go ahead and accept the fact that you'll go through a lot holsters on your CCW experience. Some you'll sell... many you'll simply collect in your designated holster box.
Tell us a little about your lifestyle; do you typically tuck for business, you like Hawaiian shirts, etc?

I have an LC9S, a LCP II, ad a Security Nine Compact, which is usual every day carry gun. I use the other two pistols depending on how deep (not noticeable) I need the gun to be. I pocket carry the LCP II in a pocket holster and IWB carry the LC9S in an IWB Kydex holster. I carry the Security 9 Compact in either a IWB Kydex holster or an OWB jester holster. All my holsters are Desantis models. My two IWB Kydex holsters are the Slim-Tulsa model, very comfortable and not bulky. My pocket holster is the Nemesis, convenient a well designed to stay in the pocket when pistol is drawn. My OWB holster is the Mini Scabbard, a sturdy molded leather model with adjustable retention. You want to be certain to have adjustable tension on any IWB or OWB holster.

I have been using Desantis holsters for over a decade. In a world where there are lots of crappy holsters, numerous very expensive holsters, and so many options to choose from I find staying with Desantis to be good because they make high quality and reasonably priced products. They have great customer service. Right now you can get 25% off any purchase from their website on a Fathers Day sale. https://www.desantisholster.com/

The belt for carrying should be sturdy yet flexible for comfort. The thickness and width of the belt are dependent upon the weight of the pistol you will carry. The EC9S is not a heavy gun. You do not need a “a gun belt” to carry it. Ordering a holster requires you know the belt width. Options are usually 1.5 and 1.75 inches. Some holster makers will also accommodate a 2 inch. My setup is heavier than carrying a EC9S. You do not need a super-duper gun belt. The images below depicts my pistol in both the Mini Scabbard and the Slim-Tuk holsters.

Spats McGee said:

And to your belt loops, @cdahl383 . Dress pants may have 1.25" loops, while jeans may have 1.5" loops. There might even be 1.75" loops out there, but I don't have any, so I'm not sure what kind of pants they'd be on.

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This is important information.

I've found the 1.5" width belt the most versatile. Most holsters come with a 1.5" belt loop and the 1.5" belt fits most of my pants.

When I was promoted to detective in 2005, I went to a police supply store and bought a Safariland leather garrison belt. My EDC is a service weapon, two mags, handcuffs and light when needed. This belt has been worn daily whether on duty or off and is showing no signs of failing.

Like others have said, holster and belt quality is very important. I really like Simply Rugged holsters, they will last as long as your pistol.

Whilst maybe not the answer to all your carry issues, for the money Sticky (brand) holsters are quite versatile. A good Outside-WaistBand (OWB) belt holster is always the best choice for a fast clean draw, but the Sticky holsters can be put in a pocket, or slipped easily inside the waistband.


I can carry like that all day. And depending on the gun, appendix, small of back, or the 4 o'clock position are all quite comfortable.

I'm not saying the Sticky holster should be your only one, but it's a good option and worth considering whilst you try to nail down another option that will likely be quite a bit more expensive.

If you want to carry inside the waistband (i.e. on the inside of your belt) think about whether you will conceal your ec9 with an untucked shirt or if you will sometimes want to tuck your shirt in. If you want to be able to wear your shirt tucked, then look for an inside the waistband holster that is also “tuckable”. The tuckable feature will be advertised as such by the holster maker.

Zendude said:

If you want to be able to wear your shirt tucked, then look for an inside the waistband holster that is also “tuckable”.

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I have both tuckable and non-tuckable holsters and I wonder why I ever bought the non-tuckable ones.
With one, you have a choice.

cdahl383 said:

I work from home so I just usually wear a t shirt and jeans. I haven’t tucked in my shirt in ages haha!

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Likewise!

Early on I tried the tuck thing. Didn't really work for me personally, but plenty use them with success. If you decide to go tuckable I'd go with the dual-attachment type for stability.

If you’re like most of us you’ll end up with a bushel basket of holsters you don’t like and the ones that you use.
If you want an OWB, Don Hume H170 is a fine holster‘s for about 40 bucks.
The belt is even more important than the holster. I like Beltman there are many other good ones.

First of all, you have two solid EDC choices there. And they won’t break the bank.

I have had both, and if the EC9 didn’t have that stupid safety on it I would still have it.

Hank’s belts are awesome, I have five. But I would look at Blue Alpha Fear EDC belts. They are cheaper, lighter, and work well. I have used them for OWB carry of duty size pistols with magazines holders and other cool stuff hanging on them. They are stiff. The Velcro one is my favorite, but have a couple of the Cobra buckles too.

For cheap pocket carry of the LCPII, I would get a BORAII trigger guard shield. Under twenty. A cheap Blackhawk holster or DeSantis one works too. But I really like the Alabama Holster! Worth the $40 and month wait.

I have a Stealth Operator Multi holster that I carried the EC9 in it. Also carried Glocks, SW, Taurus, and a few others. Well worth the money IMHO.

What ever you do, DO NOT got to JM Custom Kydex and order a AIWB holster. Don’t do it! It will spoil you! But seriously, they make others holster feel like trash. The most comfortable and secure holster I have found to carry my pistols AIWB. I have one if his AIWB holster for a G17, and it’s thinner and more comfortable than a couple other name brand holsters that my good friend has for his G43X. They know have to make a holster.

Lefty

Congratulations on finding something you like.

I can't really tell what clock position you're wearing, but note the Crossbreed SuperTuck (and most hybrid holsters) is designed for 3:30 - 5:00 position.

Wearing the holster at 3:00 can cause premature cracking of the kydex. The leather backer will bend around your torso, while the kydex can't. The kydex tends to crack at the attachment point. Wearing the holster farther back usually finds a flat spot on your body that keeps this issue from happening.

First off….keep in mind that you will always be far more aware of your gun than everyone else. They don’t know you’re carrying….they don’t suspect it….stop touching it.

That out of the way, many good responses here. I’d look at making sure your pocket carry is in a holster too. I use a Nemesis…I think maybe De Santis makes it. Get a good purpose built holster belt as stated. I find 1.5” works best for me. As for holsters, everyone has their favorites. I like TTGunleather and Crossbreed (less expensive). However, your Ruger is very slim, so you may find that a quality OWB in a pancake style may be just as concealing. For OWB conceal carry, I tend to stay away from kydex and plastic unless the kydex is married to leather in a hybrid format. The gap is too much and causes protrusion from the waste.

I’ve found that carrying the gun in front of the 3:00 position…closer o 2:00 is the most concealable.


Edit….I see you found one. Good choice.

cdahl383 said:

Certainly feels different carrying around a loaded gun both physically and mentally.

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That part should never go away. Its like having a baby under your supervision. You had better know where it is, what its doing, what condition it is in at all times.

I really like the Desantis mini-scabbard.

It's definitely weird when you first start carrying in public. You think everybody knows and somebody's gonna call the law on you. Which is really a shame in free America. That will subside over time. You will always want to be conscious of it, especially in situations where you really don't need to expose it or print but at the same time, most people won't notice anyway. So it's best not to fidget with it, which will draw attention to it. I'm in the habit of checking it or shifting it on my belt with the inside of my elbow, rather than a hand.

I carry a 1911 in a desantis dual carry II IWB. I de-thumb-snapped mine. It is adjustable for ride height and angle, so you can try different stuff to figure what you like. Trying different stuff is important so you don't settle for something uncomfortable.

I also occasionally use a Ritchie IWB. I got it cheap at the gun store in the used bin. Its a $140 holster and I gave $7.00. Point, try looking for used to try new rigs. And don't pass on a cheap holster if it is in a model you have interest in. It won't be there two years from now when you get that model. Also, don't pass if it's left handed. That equals small of the back or backup carry.

Im in need of a new belt. But what I have is a tire galco cop belt. Cop is the model name. It was amazing when new but I've worn it everyday for 8 years or so and it's getting soft.