claw or wedge

I bought a claw for my Concealment Express IWB and hated it. I saw no difference in concealability, it added bulk to the overall package, and it made putting it on and taking it off a PITA. So off it came. Now that's just me, and I'm sure there are others out there who think they're the cat's posterior.

RUT said:

I bought a claw for my Concealment Express IWB and hated it. I saw no difference in concealability, it added bulk to the overall package, ...

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I'd think a wing or a claw would help concealment for a gun with a larger grip, and be of little use for a gun with a short grip.

What gun were you using with your Concealment Express holster?

For clarity, that holster was an AIWB holster and not just an IWB holster as you posted, correct?

I wasn't familiar with Concealment Express https://www.concealmentexpress.com

My quick check shows they don't offer an AIWB holster (I could have missed it). Wing and claw attachments are designed for AIWB holsters. I don't know what their function would be for a non-AIWB holster.

To help explain a wing/claw, I've used the "torque plate" description of the MacDaniel II from Andrews Custom Leather. While wing/claws are typically plastic and used on AIWB holsters, the description of how the torque plate works is similar to what a wing/claw would do.

http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

A spring steel reinforcement plate is contained within the rear flange. This prevents 'foldover' of the flange. More importantly, it creates a stiffened paddle over which the belt lays when the holster is worn. This pulls the butt of the weapon up firmly against the side. My Sig .45 goes away under a loose shirt.

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>>My quick check shows they don't offer an AIWB holster (I could have missed it). Wing and claw attachments are designed for AIWB holsters. I don't know what their function would be for a non-AIWB holster.<<

I can only go by what they say in their write-up, and I have to admit, I didn't know what an AIWB holster was in relation to a straight IWB, or how they differed. The Concealment Express holster I have is superb in fit and finish, and I'm using it with my Walther PPS M2. I have the same model for my Ruger LCRX as well.

RUT said:

I didn't know what an AIWB holster was...

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AIWB = Appendix, Inside the Waistband. Holsters designed for wear inside the waistband forward of the hip.

Typical muzzle rear canted IWB would be worn aft of the hip in the 3:30 - 5:00 area.

There are folks that wear straight drop IWB holsters in the AIWB position, but the better AIWB holsters are specifically designed for that carry position.

RUT said:

The Concealment Express holster I have is superb in fit and finish, and I'm using it with my Walther PPS M2. I have the same model for my Ruger LCRX as well.

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Both are very small guns and probably wouldn't benefit as much from a wing/claw as would something the size of a Glock G17/G19/G34

I've gone through a set of evolutions with carrying a G19 AIWB, from a plain kydex holster, to one with a claw to one with a wedge and claw. Each was progressively better, but it was the wedge and claw combined that made it a viable EDC option for me. Even with a sidecar for a spare mag, a red dot, and a light on the gun, the wedge/claw rig is still much easier to conceal.

JTQ said:

I wasn't familiar with Concealment Express https://www.concealmentexpress.com

My quick check shows they don't offer an AIWB holster (I could have missed it). Wing and claw attachments are designed for AIWB holsters. I don't know what their function would be for a non-AIWB holster.

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CE holsters can be adapted to AIWB with installation of a claw and a wedge. There’s really no functional difference between a dedicated AIWB and a typical CE holster except you have to add those accoutrements separately, and adjust the adjustable belt clip from canted (as shipped) to straight. The ride height tends to be very good for a proper grip and presentation, if you have a proper gun belt, and retention is excellent.

They make for a reasonably good quality, and honestly, good value solution for the gap between when you order a custom holster and when you actually get it. They offer holsters for a wide variety of firearms and they ship quickly- two days on average with Amazon Prime.

However, you may need to be prepared to make specific adjustments to their holsters for anything other than a plain vanilla version of your firearm.

For example, a few weeks ago I created a cutaway on my CE holster for the RMR on my carry VP9, while waiting for my custom Black Arch (which has already shipped and should be here tomorrow).

I also adapted one of their off the shelf SIG P229 holsters for my SIG P229 SAO, and one of their P226 holsters for my 226 SAO, by creating a custom “pocket” in the body shield for the left side thumb safety. I have had Blackpoint holsters on order for those since early April, and recently got a message telling me there would be further delay.

Adjusting these holsters took literally two minutes, and effectively locks the safety in place while carrying. Did the same for previous pistols like my X-Carry with Romeo1.

CE holsters have always served me very well while waiting the weeks needed for the custom holsters I ordered for these pieces, and make good backup carry items once you have the custom job. Or, really, for those on a budget, they do most of what a custom will do, anyway.

Working with Kydex is trivial. Literally a heat source and a (real) Swiss Army knife is all you really need.