Belt Loops vs "J" Hooks

[.308 Norma]

Hi folks, I'm going to order a "Cross Draw" brand, IWB holster for my Glock 43. I have the option of ordering it with either "J" hooks or belt loops, or both for a little more money. I've never worn an IWB holster of any brand before and I'm wondering what the opinions are on which is best - "J" hooks or belt loops. I'm guessing "J" hooks are easier on and off, but are they as secure. And what about conceal-ability?
And just one more question - I've read that some people are actually able to tuck their shirt or blouse in over a IWB holster. Does that really work? I've worn a .38 snubbie in an OWB holster for years, and it isn't a problem in the summer when I can wear an untucked, loose fitting shirt to hide my gun. But on days like today (when I should be in church instead of on this forum) when I'm wear a tucked-in shirt, I have to carry my gun in an inside pocket in my jacket or vest. I'd rather my carry gun be at 5:00 o'clock, on my strong side, where I've carried it approximately 99.9 percent of the time for more years than I can remember.
Anyway, thanks for your help. Any advise will be appreciated.

 

[JTQ]

If you were going to use a "J-hook" for anything, a little gun like a G43 would be the one to use it with. A J-hook will put the weight of the gun on pants and not on the belt. That's a problem with a big gun, but probably not with the G43.

High Noon talks about J-hooks in their FAQ #35. Take it with a grain of salt, since they don't sell a holster (at least they didn't) with a J-hook, but they make some good points.

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/faqs

 

[dgod]

I have J Hooks on my IWB, have had it for several years, it works fine for me..

 

[.308 Norma]

Thanks guys. Wow, was I confused! I thought "J" hooks were for clipping the holster to my belt, not my pants. I can see how clipping the holster to my pants with the hooks underneath my belt, would be a little more concealable though. And it will probably work for me seeing as how my Glock 43 doesn't weigh very much and I'll put one hook on each side of a belt loop on my pants - that's where I always place my OWB holster.
Anyway, thanks! I'll be ordering my new holster today.

 

[1911 guy]

I didn't find anything on "cross draw" holsters but I do know the "crossbreed" brand. Is that what you were thinking of?

Anyway, I don't like J-hooks. They offer no support really, just a way of keeping the holster from falling down your pant leg or coming out of your pants on the draw stroke. Several IWB holster makers, though, use spring steel clips that go over the pants and belt. I like these. I have an Alien Gear that uses these and it quickly became my favorite IWB holster. For the design of the holster and the weight of the gun (5" 1911) I think they are superior to belt loops. That is heavily dependent on their holster design, though.

 

[.308 Norma]

I didn't find anything on "cross draw" holsters but I do know the "crossbreed" brand. Is that what you were thinking of?

Anyway, I don't like J-hooks. They offer no support really, just a way of keeping the holster from falling down your pant leg or coming out of your pants on the draw stroke. Several IWB holster makers, though, use spring steel clips that go over the pants and belt. I like these. I have an Alien Gear that uses these and it quickly became my favorite IWB holster. For the design of the holster and the weight of the gun (5" 1911) I think they are superior to belt loops. That is heavily dependent on their holster design, though.

Thanks 1911 guy. No, I really did mean "Cross Draw" holsters, not "Crossbreed" holsters. Cross Draw is a small holster and carry accessories company somewhere in Texas. The "Cross" in their name is because they're Christian. You can find them at www.crossdrawholsters.net.
It's kind of funny though that you suspected I meant "Crossbreed" holsters. When I got my new Glock 43 a few weeks ago, I told my wife I wanted to check out "Cross Draw" holsters for it. She said, "Well, they've got them over at Sportsman's Warehouse. Why don't we go over there and look?" I didn't think Sportsman's had them, but I haven't been married to my wife this long (45 years) by arguing over things I kind of like to do anyway, like go to sporting goods stores and look around.
Well, you guess it - Sportsman's Warehouse had "Crossbreed" holsters, not "Cross Draw" holsters. It was still worth the trip though.
At any rate, I ordered my new Cross Draw, IWB holster for my Glock 43 just a few minutes ago. I couldn't make up my mind about belt loops or J hooks, so I ordered both. The guy at Cross Draw said they're easy to change and ordering both is only $12.00 more. I suspect that like you, I'm going to prefer belt loops. But I guess I'll find out.
Anyway, again - thanks for your help and advise.

 

[DMK]

Neither. I use Ulticlips. They are expensive, but you can swap them to a new holster so buy once, cry once.
I clip them onto my pants then put the belt on over the clips. Completely hidden and more secure than J-hooks.

 

[DMK]

And just one more question - I've read that some people are actually able to tuck their shirt or blouse in over a IWB holster. Does that really work? I've worn a .38 snubbie in an OWB holster for years, and it isn't a problem in the summer when I can wear an untucked, loose fitting shirt to hide my gun. But on days like today (when I should be in church instead of on this forum) when I'm wear a tucked-in shirt, I have to carry my gun in an inside pocket in my jacket or vest. I'd rather my carry gun be at 5:00 o'clock, on my strong side, where I've carried it approximately 99.9 percent of the time for more years than I can remember.

You need a tuckable holster first of all. For example the CrossBreed Supertuck. (I use a Harwell that is similar).

You have two clips that attach to the holster at the bottom. At the top the clips attach to the belt (or edge of the pants with Utiliclips in my case). I put my gun in the holster first. Now put the holster and belt on my pants, then put my pants on. Tuck your shirt in and tuck it between your pants and the holster. Now button your pants, zip your fly and tighten your belt up tight. Reach up above your head with both arms to pull your shirt out a little and blouse it over, which will hide the top of the clips.

 

[.308 Norma]

You need a tuckable holster first of all. For example the CrossBreed Supertuck. (I use a Harwell that is similar).

You have two clips that attach to the holster at the bottom. At the top the clips attach to the belt (or edge of the pants with Utiliclips in my case). I put my gun in the holster first. Now put the holster and belt on my pants, then put my pants on. Tuck your shirt in and tuck it between your pants and the holster. Now button your pants, zip your fly and tighten your belt up tight. Reach up above your head with both arms to pull your shirt out a little and blouse it over, which will hide the top of the clips.

Thanks DMK. That's a very good explanation. And the holster I ordered earlier today from Cross Draw Holsters is indeed advertised as "tuckable." It sounds like it will be about 6 weeks before I get it though, so I'll let you know then whether or not I think it really is.

 

[DMK]

You're welcome!

Thats a good choice of gun for carrying tucked in. I carry an S&W Shield @ 5:00 and it works really well with either a tucked in golf shirt or a button down collared shirt.

My CZ PCR does not work well at all with my shirt tucked in. Double stack 'compact' guns are just too bulky. It needs to be a subcompact gun.

 

[JTQ]

You didn't specify which holster from Cross Draw you ordered, but I think those big hybrid holsters like the Crossbreed Supertuck are a little cumbersome, and overkill, for a little gun like a G43.

A small, simple, single clip holster like this Aholster tuckable seems like a good option for such a small gun.

Aholster IWB Tuckable http://shop.aholster.com/product.sc...AA45.p3plqscsfapp004?productId=4&categoryId=1

 

[DMK]

... I think those big hybrid holsters like the Crossbreed Supertuck are a little cumbersome, and overkill, for a little gun like a G43.

A small, simple, single clip holster like this Aholster tuckable seems like a good option for such a small gun...

My experience is that the two clip hybrid holsters are not only much more comfortable, but they are thinner because the clips are in front and behind the gun, not along side it. The two clips pull the gun and holster tighter in to the body and are better at keeping it from shifting.

I used to use one clip IWB holsters and never could find one that was comfortable. Guys kept telling me that guns should be comforting, not comfortable. I stopped carrying IWB for a long while.

When the two clip hybrid holsters came out, I found that oft repeated saying is BS. My Shield is very comfortable with my two clip hybrid holster and it's actually less cumbersome.

 

[JTQ]

My experience is that the two clip hybrid holsters are not only much more comfortable, but they are thinner because the clips are in front and behind the gun, not along side it. The two clips pull the gun and holster tighter in to the body and are better at keeping it from shifting.

When the two clip hybrid holsters came out, I found that oft repeated saying is BS. My Shield is very comfortable with my two clip hybrid holster and it's actually less cumbersome.

Another data point from Jason Burton of Heirloom Precision in his long term review of the 5 Shot Leather IBS holster (Jason Burton is the "B" in the IBS name). He doesn't care for the large footprint holsters.

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=265817

Unfortunately, his excellent picture links are broken. If you've ever been to Heirloom Precision's web page you can imagine how good the pictures are.

 

[DMK]

I have a Milt Sparks Summer Special recomended in that link. I wore it for years. I never found it to be very comfortable. For me anyway the modern hybrids are much more comfortable. I find the larger leather backing, between me and the gun, to be exactly what makes them comfortable.

I dont agree with anything in that link actually. There's a reason why there are many different kinds of holsters on the market. Also why so many of us have a large box of holsters after many years of concealed carry.

 

[JTQ]

There's a reason why there are many different kinds of holsters on the market.

I agree, and I can see an argument for the hybrid's (or VM II's) for large, heavy guns, as they spread the weight out, but I just can't see the advantage for a little gun like the G43.

If one holster worked for everyone/everything, we'd only need one holster, but like you said, we have lots of options, and can choose what we like. I'm glad you've found what works for you.

 

[DMK]

I agree, and I can see an argument for the hybrid's (or VM II's) for large, heavy guns, as they spread the weight out, but I just can't see the advantage for a little gun like the G43.

The main benefit of the hybrid holster is the leather behind the gun which acts as a cushion to keep it from poking into you. That alone sold me on them. Alien Gear actually adds additional cushion behind the leather as an option but I haven't tried one of those yet.

Two clip holsters also make the holster thinner at the point where the gun is, plus they pull the holster in tighter at the front and at the rear of the gun. This especially helps when you are wearing a tucked in shirt.

I agree that weight distribution is a non issue for the subcompact guns.

 

[Stubert]

I carry a 3" Colt .45 Defender in an Alien gear IWB. Mine has the J-clips, I put them over my belt and they do not move. I have found them much easier to install or remove the holster.

 

[JTQ]

I carry a 3" Colt .45 Defender in an Alien gear IWB. Mine has the J-clips, I put them over my belt and they do not move. I have found them much easier to install or remove the holster.

For clarity this is a J-hook http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/Product/J-Hook

 

[.308 Norma]

Thanks everyone!
Much to my surprise, the mail lady brought my new Cross Draw holster this morning - about a month sooner than I'd thought.
I love it! I can't believe how comfortable it is. In fact, I'm wearing it right now just to break it in. And it's without a doubt, concealable. I took DMK's advice on how to put it on and tuck my shirt in around it, then blouse my shirt a little. Then I walked out into the living room, turned around, and asked my wife how it looked. She said, "What? Are you wearing it?"
It's still a little tight, and will need some breaking in before I can get the gun out of it easily. I don't think I'm going to care for the J hooks very much either. That's what I have on it right now, and they keep coming unhooked from my belt while I'm just sitting here. But like I said, J hooks and belt loops was just $12.00 more, so it was worth it to me just to find out which method of attachment I prefer.

 

[DMK]

Glad that worked out for you! Leather holsters are like new shoes. They conform to you and get more comfortable as you wear them.

If the kydex part is not just right for you, you can shape it a little with a hairdryer.

I highly recommend you take a look at those ulticlips I linked to above. They won't come loose.

Best of luck with your new carry setup.

 

[1911 guy]

I only own and carry five inch 1911 type pistols. I have several holsters, but one of my favorites, and my favorite IWB by far, is an Alien Gear. It's one of the hybrid holsters being talked about. Uses spring steel clips fore and aft of the gun, conceals well under just a loose T-shirt.

 

[rodspade]

I don't think I'm going to care for the J hooks very much either. That's what I have on it right now, and they keep coming unhooked from my belt while I'm just sitting here.

My holster has the plastic hooks that go over the belt, down the outside of the belt, then curve in underneath. It's easy to put the holster on and take it off, and it's secure on my belt. BUT, many holsters have cheap clips that just don't work very well. If the clip is thin and too flexible, or does not securely hook under the belt at the bottom, you'll have problems.