Looking for recommendations IWB holsters

I’ve been involved in some aspect of the shooting sports for better than 50 years. Like a good many of us I suppose, I’ve got a couple of dresser drawers full of holsters. Most are either some form of retention holster, usually worn when hunting, or outside belt, open top holster, worn for concealed carry, plus a wide range of pocket holsters for a good number of compact pistols that I grab and go with for short trips. One type of holster I have not used is an IWB holster. The style hasn’t really appealed to me. With the advancement of corrosion resistant finishes on hand guns and warm weather conditions making coats and vests less than comfortable for out side belt holsters, I’ve reached the point where a good IWB holster is starting to look like a more viable option. Here’s where I would like some help selecting a IWB holster for my Glock 19, 36 and 30 pistols.

I’ve seen quite a bit of marketing hype on the Cross Breed IWB holsters. Having to get undressed to put a holster on and take it off has never appealed much to me. The holster gets quite a bit of press for being comfortable. That said, having that much leather against my skin in warm weather just looks hot to me. I’ve also seen some videos that suggest that the holster doesn’t wear well over time making retention somewhat problematic, as there does not appear to be any sort of tension adjustment on that rig. The plus, as far as I can tell, is their warranty. Looks like they would recondition their holster free of charge.

I’ve seen good comments on the IWB holsters made by Ailen Gear. Tension adjustment and extra components provided to alter angles of carry and replace small parts that might wear out.

In reading the comments on THR, and any number of other gun publications authored by some pretty well known writers, Milt Sparks has gotten and continues to get some very good press. And yes, I know that Milt Sparks is more expensive. Cost is not an issue for me. With firearms, it’s been my experience that you get what you pay for. I don’t carry a pistol because I like the extra weight. I may have to protect my life with that pistol...in part due to my line of work and also because of the crazy stuff I’m seeing on the street today. So as far as Milt Sparks is concerned, I have a couple of questions:

1) Horse hide or cow hide and why?
2) Rough side in or out and why?
3) Compared to Cross Breed and Ailen Gear more or less comfortable?
4) Compared to Cross Breed and Ailen Gear easier or more difficult to put on or take off?

I prefer to wear my holster at 4 o’clock right back there around my wallet. At any rate, thanks for reading my thread. I really appreciate your advice.

Obturation said:

1- either is fine
2- rough side out - keeps it from sliding around
3- I've had a couple alien gear iwb holsters and think they're complete garbage. The metal reinforcement makes it print like you have a book in your pants.
4- about the same

I prefer an all kydex iwb, easier on and off, rigid so reholster is easier. Animal products hold sweat and stink and can cause corrosion .

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Hadn’t thought about how one of these might get to smelling after it’s been worn for a while.

Zendude said:

Do you wear an undershirt in the summer? If not, the N82 shown a few posts above is very nice. It does need to be cleaned if it gets too sweaty though

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Always wear an undershirt.

JTQ said:

What is comfortable is very personal. Generally speaking most folks prefer the wide spaced loop/clips like the hybrid holster style like most of the Crossbreed and Alien Gear holsters (they're both similar designs just made by different makers), or the Sparks Versa Max II ( https://www.miltsparks.com/products-versa-max-2.php ).

However, there are those that prefer a more compact design, like the Summer Special from Sparks ( https://www.miltsparks.com/products-summer-special.php ). Here's a review from Jason Burton of Heirloom Precision ( https://www.heirloomprecision.com ) on his preference for the Summer Special style as shown in the 5 Shot Leather IBS (Inside Burton Special). He prefers a smaller profile inside his pants and prefers the Summer Special style to those with offset loops.

http://forum.ltwguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8187

All-kydex holsters are also available, and they would be impervious to sweat if that's a concern to you.

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Thank you sir.

JTQ said:

1 - Sparks typically works in cowhide, but I believe the VM II comes with a body side of the holster made of horsehide and they do offer some models in horse. Horse is a little more moisture resistant, but generally isn't as pretty as cowhide. Sparks has a blurb on their Questions page about the differences between horsehide and cowhide.

2 - Rough out usually keeps the holster in place. The smooth side can allow the holster to slide down, sometimes. This is again personal preference.

3 - Each maker produces a variety of models and each will be different, and each person may like one style better than another.

4 - A single clip is usually easiest, but generally the least stabile. Sparks has pull-the-dot snaps and some models have magnetic snaps. Some folks may have trouble with the pull-the-dot snaps, but they are very secure. Unless I had a need to take the holster on and off a lot, I usually just thread the belt through the loops/clips as if it were an OWB holster with loops.

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Thank you sir.

Armored farmer said:

I generally wear my shirts tucked, no outer garments.

My crossbreed is a good holster. Two things: it is squeaky like a saddle. It is hot. Everything else is good.

This is my normal iwb rigs:
View attachment 882314
Desantis SofTuck. I think safariland makes a similar model.
Lightweight. Cool. Tuckable. Inexpensive. Secure. Discreet.

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Looks interesting. I’ll check those out. My open top OWB holsters are mostly DeSantis. I’ve had good luck with them and appreciate the tension adjustment.

Obturation said:

I like this one, galco king tuck- comfortable and conceals well.
View attachment 882318
But this black rhino is also very comfortable and conceals best- look at the curvature and how the inside molded so the whole bulk of the gun is forced to the outside and reholstering is very easy - highly recommended .
View attachment 882320 View attachment 882319
This bladetech is excellent for a small gun, can be worn in any position - discrete and secure.
View attachment 882321

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Thanks. I like the height adjustment on the Black Rhino.

Spats McGee said:

Whenever I've carried IWB over the past 10 years or so (which admittedly is less frequent now than it used to be), I've carried:
A 1911 in a Theis IWB, in horsehide. He doesn't make them in horsehide any more. I carried that for 3-4 years.
A G19 in a Crossbreed Supertuck, also in horsehide. I also carried that for 3-4 years.
A S&W Shield in a Stealthgear Revolution.
It's not so much "getting undressed" to holster up or off, as it is "making the holster part of the dressing routine."

It is. My Theis and my CBST were fine holsters, but having that much leather covering your skin for any length of time gets hot, and you'll sweat under the backing, and the sweat has no way to evaporate. To be honest, though, I only occasionally noticed the discomfort. When I got my first SG Revolution, I was really struck by how much difference the ventilated backing makes. I think I got my first one for my Shield, and immediately sold my CBST to finance another one for my G19. The only reason I haven't sold my Theis to get one for my 1911 is that I really don't carry my 1911 any more.

I carried a G19 for 3 years, with no problems. That said, bear in mind that I carried in a pretty low-stress (for the holster) environment. Suits, ties, and pistol left in my car safe during the day. When I got to my office, I often took my holster off and dropped it in a drawer.

If you're prepared to spend a little more, I'd also look at the Stealthgear Ventcore holsters. I haven't used one, but I certainly would have considered them if I'd had a little more cheese on hand when I bought my Revolutions.

As a final note, the metal clips on the CBST can be pretty rough on a belt. I recommend getting some plastic ones. I think I got some replacement ones from Comp-Tac?

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Very useful information. Thank you.

MikeInOr said:

This is the IWB that I settled on after trying several. Slim, simple and comfortable. There is memory foam between the leather top and suede bottom which does a nice job of smoothing out the pistols rough edges AND seperating body persperation from the pistol. It is more comfortable than a lot of the more expensive holsters that I have tried.

View attachment 882295 View attachment 882296
N82 tactical holster.

I have never found a kydex IWB that I have liked in the least! They are all way too bulky! I really like Kydex paddle holsters for OWB though. OWB the bulk isn't between my belt and skin / undershirt.

My Alien Gear shapeshift holsters are way to bulky to wear even OWB. It makes my CM9 feel like I am carrying my Beretta 92. I ended up using them to secure pistols in my car and truck for which there adjustable retension works great!

I usualy pocket carry a DB9, LCP or P32 as this is most conducive to my secured work enviroment where I am a desk jockey and flashing isn't an option. I keep the above holster in my car so I can pull it out and up-gun to a .45 acp XDS or the shown XD mod 2 in .45 acp when I am out in public... if I have to stop at the store or other errand on the way home. The quick shove it in my pants option is great. I obviously place no value on quick reholstering. If my gun is out it is because I am going to use it. If I am just in a bad situation my hand is on my gun in my pocket or waste band. I don't believe in flashing a gun to scare someone off... either difuse the situation verbally or fire to save my life.

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Agree 100%. If things have gotten so bad that I had to pull a gun on someone 1) I’m all done talking and 2) that pistol is gonna come up smoking. That said I will re-holster immediately after the threat has been neutralized (assuming I’m still standing) as the cops have a tendency to regard anyone with a drawn weapon as a threat. Bad enough to have to shoot in self defense. It would be one hell of a thing to get shot by a cop because they thought you were a bad guy! Who makes that holster?