BerettaNut92
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Are paddle holsters any less concealable than a traditional belt loop style holster?
Kydex here, specifically Blade-Tech.
Kydex here, specifically Blade-Tech.
Concealment: Paddle vs Belt Loops
- Thread starter BerettaNut92
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Haycreek
Member
concealed
I find that IWB carry conceals better than paddles or belt loops.
I find that IWB carry conceals better than paddles or belt loops.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
''Less concealable'' ......... nope Skunk .. don't think so. I am a user and fan of paddle Fobus for either of my P series (once I can wear a shirt again!) ...... and find the prime advantage is the fact that I can place it exactly where I want .... not being tied to where the jeans manufacturer happened to sew the loops!! (Why do they all vary so much! 
)
There is for me ... and I daresay too for most .... a ''sweet'' position that suits me exactly .. the paddle enables that whatever jeans or pants I might wear ... usually about 4 o'clock of course but at least allowing for fine adjustment.
I just don't get on with IWB's but reckon they must be about the best ... at least they seem to keep the profile better concealed because so close to body.
)There is for me ... and I daresay too for most .... a ''sweet'' position that suits me exactly .. the paddle enables that whatever jeans or pants I might wear ... usually about 4 o'clock of course but at least allowing for fine adjustment.
I just don't get on with IWB's but reckon they must be about the best ... at least they seem to keep the profile better concealed because so close to body.
sm
member
I prefer IWB with loops, always have. Probably depends on body configuration...
Then again I just ran a quick errand, 1911, mexican style with shirt tail out.
Then again I just ran a quick errand, 1911, mexican style with shirt tail out.
Flashpoint
Member
It seems to me that paddle holsters ride too low. The pancake holsters that I have used hold the gun up higher and closer to my body. Most of the time I carry IWB, which seem to be the optimum for concealability. Here lately I've been carrying Mexican Style a lot.
Hkmp5sd
Member
I much prefer a good belt loop holster w/ a good belt over a paddle or pancake holster. I just can't get the same tight fit with paddles.
Billy Sparks
Member
Paddles never have felt right to me. With that said I have never tried it with BladeTech's stuff.
cool45auto
Member
I'd say IWB is best with a pancake style holster being a close second. I'd wear my Yaqui (sp?) slide type holster or pancake style more if I didn't have to worry about the end of my Beretta sticking out.
10-Ring
Member
I've got both. I like the convenience of the paddle & the stability and security of the belt loops. Why not have both to suit your moods
Both styles have their caveats.
A paddle is easy on easy off, and easily adjustable to different positions around the clock....3 o clock, to 6 o clock and back again is no problem, and you really dont even need a belt.
However, the paddle will never hug as tight against your body, making a vest or jacket a good idea to help conceal.
With a good pancake, and a gun size that fits your body profile, a slightly oversized t-shirt is usually all that is needed for cover up.
However, you dont get the adjustment options you would with a paddle. you can maybe get from 3 o clock back to 5 o clock....because your belt loops will hinder any further movement, without removal, and adjustment of the belt/holster themselves.
I am a t shirt and shorts kinda guy....so most of my holsters are pancake style....however, my dad has gotten away with carrying a full size pistol in a paddle holster for years...albeit with a lot of printing, and sometimes downright full exposure...but I think the years of being a cop has left him looking like a cop, so no one ever thinks twice about the bald guy with a gun.
A paddle is easy on easy off, and easily adjustable to different positions around the clock....3 o clock, to 6 o clock and back again is no problem, and you really dont even need a belt.
However, the paddle will never hug as tight against your body, making a vest or jacket a good idea to help conceal.
With a good pancake, and a gun size that fits your body profile, a slightly oversized t-shirt is usually all that is needed for cover up.
However, you dont get the adjustment options you would with a paddle. you can maybe get from 3 o clock back to 5 o clock....because your belt loops will hinder any further movement, without removal, and adjustment of the belt/holster themselves.
I am a t shirt and shorts kinda guy....so most of my holsters are pancake style....however, my dad has gotten away with carrying a full size pistol in a paddle holster for years...albeit with a lot of printing, and sometimes downright full exposure...but I think the years of being a cop has left him looking like a cop, so no one ever thinks twice about the bald guy with a gun.
taoshooter
Member
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- Jun 13, 2003
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- 104
ditto P95carry. Fobus paddle. Can be placed anywhere that's comfortable and I just can't seem to get a belt to always find that perfect place - if you just don't feel like wearing a belt (I don't always with jeans) you can stick it on anyway. Also use paddle double mag pouch at times and like that too.
PCRCCW
Member
I have to question some of the info passed on...although...what is another mans opinion? EH?
Paddles offer different advantages than pancakes, and vise versa.
Paddles are easy on and off. Most put the gun at a medium ride ht as they cant spread the weight out of most gun when worn extremely high. (The paddles would have to reach 1/2 way around you to compensate for the weight...with proper distribution.)
They really dont offer more versatility than a pancake when it comes to carry location. MOST paddles cannot be worn directly over a belt loop, as they have limited room between the paddle and main body of the holster.
Ive seen exceptions to this but these styles of paddle put the gun too far from the body for concealment, more a competition holster as to a CCW holster.
So...easy on and off and MAY offer more carry position choices in a Comp. style holster.
Pancakes keep the gun closer to the body than a paddle. (Its easier if the holster is designed properly.) Belt loops offer no limiting factor IMO also. Pants with loops in different spots really dont detract from this IMO.
I wear Wrangler, Levis, Dockers & other jean and casual wear all of the time. Since a pancake can be worn over a belt loop or between two....this offers more choices for me over a Paddle.
Stability is better with a pancake also. Having permanent attachments to a belt is ALWAYS more stable than a temporary. Same rules apply with IWB etc....
Pancakes offer more security with more selections of ride hts. You can have an extremely high ride and good stability with a big/ heavy gun with a pancake. This is extremely hard with a paddle. Ive got the highest riding paddle on the market, as far as I know...A Hellweg Comp. Tactical.
It rides higher than any other paddle Ive seen...Ive got FOBUS, U-Mikes and multiple SafariLands......all are good paddles. The Hellweg just isnt as stable as the same ht in a good pancake.....
Both have merit and offer situational advantages. None is better than the other .......both have there place...it just depends...which is better for you in YOUR current carrry situation.
Shoot well
Paddles offer different advantages than pancakes, and vise versa.
Paddles are easy on and off. Most put the gun at a medium ride ht as they cant spread the weight out of most gun when worn extremely high. (The paddles would have to reach 1/2 way around you to compensate for the weight...with proper distribution.)
They really dont offer more versatility than a pancake when it comes to carry location. MOST paddles cannot be worn directly over a belt loop, as they have limited room between the paddle and main body of the holster.
Ive seen exceptions to this but these styles of paddle put the gun too far from the body for concealment, more a competition holster as to a CCW holster.
So...easy on and off and MAY offer more carry position choices in a Comp. style holster.
Pancakes keep the gun closer to the body than a paddle. (Its easier if the holster is designed properly.) Belt loops offer no limiting factor IMO also. Pants with loops in different spots really dont detract from this IMO.
I wear Wrangler, Levis, Dockers & other jean and casual wear all of the time. Since a pancake can be worn over a belt loop or between two....this offers more choices for me over a Paddle.
Stability is better with a pancake also. Having permanent attachments to a belt is ALWAYS more stable than a temporary. Same rules apply with IWB etc....
Pancakes offer more security with more selections of ride hts. You can have an extremely high ride and good stability with a big/ heavy gun with a pancake. This is extremely hard with a paddle. Ive got the highest riding paddle on the market, as far as I know...A Hellweg Comp. Tactical.
It rides higher than any other paddle Ive seen...Ive got FOBUS, U-Mikes and multiple SafariLands......all are good paddles. The Hellweg just isnt as stable as the same ht in a good pancake.....
Both have merit and offer situational advantages. None is better than the other .......both have there place...it just depends...which is better for you in YOUR current carrry situation.
Shoot well
My only experience with a paddle is my fobus for my PO 14.45 LDA. On that limited sample the paddle seems to hang the gun further away from my body than i'd like. I don't really find my fobus is easy on off, maybe slightly easier than a conventional but those big teeth require me to pretty much take my belt off anyway to get it off. Of course one of the advantages of a paddle is that you could use it in a cross draw position in a car. However, mine is so finicky about the draw that i wouldn't think of using it that way. I reluctantly give my fobus a thumbs down.
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