What's a good holster for non belted pants

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gym

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After 30 yrs of Back problems, I really can't wear a belt anymore, as it cuts into the disks. Since I carried for 4 decades plus, I have used everything from Shoulder rigs to Mexican cross draw, ankle, OWB, IWB and most everything in between.
Now I resorted to pocket carry, but the problem with that is the amount of rounds my pocket guns will hold. PM-9 , XDS, Shield etc. In order to carry a midsize gun I need something like a paddle holster, "which work with non belted pants", nylon gym pants, etc. But I don't see that many for guns like the mid size guns I would like to carry.
At this point I would buy the gun to fit the holster, as there are a multitude of hi capacity 9mm guns that will fit the bill, from the CZ to the Glocks and every gun maker in between. I just don't want to buy an expensive gun, and be stuck not being able to find a holster that I can use with it, I may have to go back to a shoulder rig, even though it's too hot in FL for their use without a cover shirt on top of a tee shirt.
Or the dreaded fanny pack. Which I sometimes use , more as a distraction, while my hand is on my gun in my pocket, if the need ever occurs. Any of you guys with severe back problems find the magic holster?
 
A shoulder holster is one answer, but I suspect you've tried that.

How about suspenders to hold up your pants, and a paddle holster of your choice for whatever gun you want to carry?
 
Old Fuff said:
A shoulder holster is one answer, but I suspect you've tried that.

How about suspenders to hold up your pants, and a paddle holster of your choice for whatever gun you want to carry?
Click to expand...
This
 
I agree a belt & suspenders.
Then wear whatever holster you want.

IMO: If you can't wear a tight belt?
You can't wear a fanny-pack with a gun tugging on it either.

rc
 
Ok that's worth a shot, Joke, will give it a try. The Fanny pak works best because it's not a solid hard piece of leather digging into the disk, It conforms more with the body and you can still move it up or down unlike a belt, "if it starts to dig in". I have tried a dozen different fanny packs over the years, the nylon ones seem to be most comfortable.
But that tactical holster looks interesting. I have Remora's and "sticky" also, but they can easily fall through loose pants, and the versa carry works, but not on larger guns with loose fitting garments, it works on my PM9 and XDS, I wouldn't try it on a chambered glock though. I even tried those custom carry slacks in the cargo material, but they can be a bit heavy for Florida, plus you still need a belt. The web type belt worked for a couple hours then started to hurt. I like the video of that holster that Joke put up, I may try one of those on the 26. Thanks for the ideas, I can't really wear suspenders down here, with tee shirts, but perhaps for going out it may be an option.
 
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I'm in pretty much the same situation. I carry with an ankle holster all the time, shoulder holster when weather is cool enough for an overshirt.

A few months ago I became one of "them" and bought some suspenders so I don't have to walk around with one hand holding my pants up. You might be able to do an appendix carry with suspenders, but conventional IWB/OWB isn't going to work without some kind of a Sam Browne crossover belt.
 
I had the opposite problem with Remora. Go too tight, and the gun will pop out the top. Too loose, and it falls through. I found them to be way too finicky for me to trust them.

I would have to say suspenders are probably the way to go. With the weight of the handgun, holster, and ammo, if you don't have a belt it's going to really drag one side of your pants down. With that said, if "paddle holster" is the answer, you can find one for just about any pistol you can name. So I wouldn't worry about getting a gun and not being able to find a paddle holster for it.
 
Another vote for suspenders.....I also have chronic back problems and some days I can't even button my jeans.....if the belt is supporting enough you can fit it very loosely around you and let the suspenders hold it up.
I've found it to be so comfortable, I use them even on "good days" when I know I'll be carrying all day.
R

misc059_zpse627d4de.jpg
 
You can also run the suspenders against your skin and blouse your shirt outside your pants.

I tucked my shirt in the first time I wore suspenders, and promptly filled my pants with sawdust while cutting lumber... I hadn't worn a tucked shirt since ROTC in high school.
 
Rayban, THAT is a mighty fine rig you have. I use the same method but yours is much more "handsome".
 
I have a Woolrich coat from the NRAstore with elastic "holsters" sewn in. I'm not crazy about the gun not being 'on my person'.....but it works good for some situations in the winter. It is well made and has magazine loops sewn in too.

I bet you have already considered this approach though.

btw...were the back problems created by the 40yrs of carry??
 
gym , I hope you come back and post what solutions you tried out, and what works for you.

I know this post is old, but I though this may be worth adding to.

I have to wear suspenders.
so I am kind of on rayban's page...
And I do kind of what TRX mentioned...

I typically wear an ultrathin microfiber undershirt (underarmor and similar others). Then I wear strong thin suspenders over that (so the suspenders don't chaffe). This allows me to experiment using different belts and waist style carry methods, while keeping the pressure off, staying cool,and wearing practical clothing.

A long time ago, when my back was less rehabilitated, I typically shoulder rig carried (and still do a lot). I carried constantly on the Ranches (outdoors) with this one rig over the years (still do) that has a stablizing strap that allows me to not have to anchor anything to my belt. Sorry, not sure what model - its pretty old now (no markings).

The deal is, as I am sure is most people's experience, I own a lot of holsters (tried and died -kind fo thing). I think "buying and trying" is unavoidable, so I recommend finding different "cheap versions" of styles you'd like to try, and when you find something potentially very likeable, buy a better brand of that style to work with more seriously.

I am thinking of looking into Kangaroo Carry, you may want to check them out. Seems a lot of positive reviews on their product. One could follow this guy's advice on youtube (search for "DIY How To Make A Concealed Carry Holster For $5") to try some similar methods out before buying one.

I picked up a Galco Kingtuk IWB and have worn it a bit circa 4 o'clock. It feels quite good. No pressure (relative to other IWB rigs I have), but I do have to adjust how my daily desk jockeying gets sorted.

IF I had a direct disk pressure issue, I think I'd try the Kingtuk at 4/30 o'clock with some sort of 'balancing' Mag-pouch circa 8/7:30 position, which could leave a 'necessary' spinal gap. I have an old brace that uses a spinal gap -it was very decent when needed.


Lastly, I am thinking about trying out some strongly canted rigs for 4/4:30 IWB carry (American Holster company makes one called Invisi-Tuck Extreme I heard good things about), and to mention... I have been having good experience with appendix carry [ac] (yes, wearing my suspenders), and am beginning to hunt for a better brand holster to nail that down better now that I know the cant that works for me there.

With AC, I don't have any pressure issues on my back when sitting and working, and I am fully gumby... full knee bend squatting, bending over, reaching, whatever, with no discomfort or obstruction (not even getting in/out of pocket), AND I have worked out my 'suspender situation' so its really not an issue.

I hope these reflections lend something useful to this conversation.

---------------
I have been a lurker here for long years, and just registered so I could join in. So, in my first post here I just want to say thanks to the hosts, and to everyone who contributes here. Its a great community.

(the other) Twohawks
 
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EDIT: The size reference here should read .060" and .080", NOT mil, and is meant in reference to kydex materials.

Interesting.

Something else to mention too...

I saw a review that was pointing out some thickness differences
8mil vs 6mil paddle/IWB holsters
that I found really interesting. (If/when I find the links I will add them.)

8mil seems to be a common materials thickness used in constructing a lot of modern holsters (which I did not know before a week ago).

The slightly thinner media on some holsters I saw in that review, and after that elsewhere, were presented as being...
- notably more comfortable, while
- maintaining excellent retention and
- not giving way to any shiftiness (comparatively), and
- lending themselves better to lighter clothing (pants/shorts) carry in summer due their lighter and less bulky profile.

The fella mentioned one, and I subsequently found a couple of holster manufacturer/retailers would actually list that you can request having your holster made with a thinner (6mil) stock. I would think that even many who don't "list such" on their sites would likely do so as well.

So I think its a good thing to know about, and good to know you can request this from various manufacturers.
 
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htwohawks,

I think the thickness measurements you must be referring to are .06" and .08", not 6mm or 8mm, which would be way too thick.
 
.06-,08" doesn't sound right either....pretty thin.
I believe most holster makers are about .125" (8oz.)....where 6-8mil doesn't work either.
Maybe just too early in the morning for math.....
 
rayban wrote,
.06-,08" doesn't sound right either....pretty thin.
I believe most holster makers are about .125" (8oz.)....where 6-8mil doesn't work either.
Maybe just too early in the morning for math.....
Click to expand...
I think your early morning math is probably fine, but I think the previous two posters are talking about kydex rather than leather as one would probably expect to be on your mind, morning, noon, and night.:)
 
I am not exactly "old" but not exactly young either, rather I fall somewhere in between. I believe the suspenders with a loose belt will be best for an everyday carry rig.

For more specific situations I suggest taking a look at one of those t-shirt holsters.

http://www.glockstore.com/concealment/concealment-t-shirts/undertech-executive-shirt-mens-v-neck

My only issue with those is that I only wear a shirt once before washing it so if it is for everyday carry I need seven of them. At $60 a pop that gets pretty expensive. I read somewhere online that someone sells just the holster part that one could have sewn onto a normal shirt for much less. You can find one example from ebay here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PACKIN-TEE-...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3f3c2a9c45

Weight is gong to be your enemy with any holster attached to a garment. The smaller the gun the better off you are. I wouldn't go any larger than a Ruger LC-9 size gun and it should hold your Kahr fine. Hope that helps.
 
Yes, kydex, and .080" is pretty common. The .060" stuff is used for real lightweight sheaths and holsters.

FYI, 7mm is just a hair over 1/4 inch. Rather thick.

I just measured the leather on a lightweight custom leather cowhide holster and it ran from .076-079".
 
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