Help me pick (or get close) the right IWB holster.

[DerbyDale]

Help me pick the right IWB holster.

I have recently purchased a Springfield XD-9sc with the stainless slide. I will be getting my CCW in the next couple of months, so I’m looking for a good IWB holster. I don’t want to spend over $150.00 on a holster. I know some may say save your pennies and get X-Brand, but I’m a working family man and simply can’t go above my budget of $150.00 area (family needs first).

As for me:
I’m 6’2” and slim at 205lbs. I normally wear jeans and polo shirt/t-shirts most of the time. I wear normal fitting jeans, meaning there not skin tight nor am I a gang-banger with them sagging/falling off my butt. My shirts are a little tight to comfortably loose, but again they don’t look like they are too big for me.

I also don’t want a holster that is excessively hard on my pistol. I know all holsters will cause wear, and some will say its give the gun character. This may be true, but I have never seen a holster lined with sandpaper to give your gun “extra” character. I would like to keep the wear down as much as possible.

So far I have been looking at the CrossBreed Super-Tuck for around $70.00 but I’m unsure of the quality. It looks like some type of cheap vinyl/plastic riveted onto a patch of leather. I’m also concerned about this cheap looking vinyl’s wearing effect on my pistol.

Then I have been looking at Milt Sparks line of IWB holsters. Problem is there are 6 different IWB’s to choose from , and I don’t know which would be best. I think I like the looks of the Versa Max 2, but also wonder about the other 5 he offers.

So based on my wants/needs/body type/dress style what should I be looking at? I’m driving myself nuts! :banghead:

 

[Robert]

Dale,
I carry my full size 1911 in an Ugly Bald Guy Holster. I am very happy fit the fit finish and most importantly, the carry. I think my rig cost me something like $80... maybe less. I forget. But you can go to http://www.ubgholsters.com and get all the info. Hope that helps.

 

[DWARREN123]

Check out
WWW.GUNNERSALLEY.COM
For good products and prices.

 

[DerbyDale]

Thanks for the input guys...

Hummm... One of the UBG holsters looks allot like the Versa Max 2. Looks like I have even more to think about...

I just wish I had the money to blow on holsters until I found the perfect one. Unfortunately I don't, so I have to live with whatever I get the first time around.

 

[DZL HOG]

I carry my XD9 service in a Comp-tac MTAC IWB holster. Its pretty comfortable holster, and built nicely. Im a skinny guy so its still hard for me to conceal the grip well. Ive been thinking of buying the XD9sc(like yours) b/c of the shorter grip. Either that or an S&W M&P9c.
One of the nice parts about the MTAC is the kydex "bodies". If for some reason you change your mind about carrying the XD9sc, you can order another "body" for a different gun, and still use the same holster.
As for wear on the gun, mine has some holster wear on the slide. I dont know if it will be an issue so much with the bi-tone finish or not??
http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=28
They have a few other styles of IWBs also.
I like the MTAC, and doing business with comptac is very nice, and they process orders pretty quickly.



Matt

 

[rantingredneck]

I just picked up a Desantis Tuck-it yesterday at a gunshow. Pretty impressed with it so far. For the 30 bucks I paid for it I can't imagine doing better.

 

[AndrewGWU]

I have a Highnoon Split-Decison tuckable IWB holster. I really like it for the price. $42 with shipping I think and it got here within 3 days of ordering it.

 

[gearjammer711]

I'm not shure what style IWB you want, I have a galco summer comfort for my kimber 5in. it's almost a copy of the milt sparks summer spl. and it's only $55 with no 6to 8 week wait:banghead:. BTW it is the most comfortable holster I have found yet.

 

[safetyjoe]

Here is another vote for High Noon holsters. I have a Mr. Softy and I love it. Check them out at: http://highnoonholsters.com/
I am no way involved with them other than being a very satisfied customer.

 

[P97]

The Milt Sparks VM2HS works great for me.

 

[the naked prophet]

I hear good things about crossbreed holsters.

Or you could have one custom made. I just so happen to do custom holsters. My email is in my sig just below.

 

[buzzard80]

High Noon Split Decision also - works very well for me.

 

[epibudda]

I used the crossbreed supertuck for my Kimber and currently use one for my M&P 40C. It makes it fairly easy to carry concealed. I had similar apprehensions about the quality of the holster based on how it looks. Once I put it on and used it I was sold. If you don't like it you can send it back. I have not noticed any wear and tear on the slide so far. I am much more concerned about concealment and comfort than I am about my weapons finish.

 

[dairycreek]

Milt Sparks stuff is, indeed, the "gold standard" of holsters but the wait for it is IMHO excessive. Take a look at Comp-Tac and you will find high quality product at very reasonable prices. Their customer service is IMHO the "gold standard" of the internet and their delivery times seldom exceed a week. Great products

 

[rccook16]

If concealability (?) is utmost, you could look at the Uncle Mikes sidekick. Its soft, cheap and holds my 380 Colt Gov. fine in size 1. It is thin so you can't re-holster, but I don't care about that. The material clings to your pants nicely.

 

[Ringer]

I haven't tried them all but I have tried a few. I have standardized on the Milt Sparks VMII. I have two on order right now. Since you are a couple months away from "need" this would be a good time to order one. I recently bought one of the MTACs sold by Comp-Tac for my G19 while waiting on the VMII. It's OK but for me not nearly as comfortable. It's also very wide especially for your subcompact. I wear my gun around 3:30 to 4:00 and that puts one of the plastic clips right at the edge of my front pocket and one behind my back pocket. The MTAC wouldn't be a bad choice and Comp-Tacs service is exceptional. I just think it's a "lot" of holster for such a small gun. Also I have never been a fan of Summer Special style holsters that put the loops on top of the gun. In fairness I have only tried one of this style.

Oh and I'm not too far off your size at 6'2" 220. Everyone's preference is their own but my recomendation for the best shot at one stop IWB shopping is the VMII.

 

[Ethereal]

Kramer IWB#3 in black horsehide is my CCW personal favorite. I'm 6'-1 and pretty average at 165lbs. Best holster within your price range and the toughest you'll find.

 

[elsullo]

Humidity?

A big issue is whether you sweat a lot, and need to choose kydex rather than leather. Another issue is whether you want a tuckable holster or just IWB---a tuckable is simply an IWB if no shirt is tucked in, so you can use it for both modes.

I recently got a used FIST tuckable (from GunnersAlley) and it is simply excellent. It is stronger than it looks in the pictures. I can't imagine that it could show wear on a stainless slide........................elsullo

 

[esol]

i carry an XD40sc in a comp tac CTAC. i have had the holster for about 5 months now and i dont see any signs of wear on my XD (black finish). i usually practice drawing and re-holstering 3 or 4 times every time i put the holster on, in addition to going to the range and practicing drawing and firing, or whatever other reason it comes out of the holster for. it has slid in and out of this holster several times. metal is significantly harder than plastic, its not going to cause wear unless you let a lot of dirt and grime build up inside, i usually take a rag and wipe the inside of the holster out once in a while. it never really gets that dirty though usually just a little lint and fuzz

it holds the gun close to the body, its pretty easy to conceal even in a T shirt. you can tuck a shirt over it if i want a little more concealment. its very thin and doesn't cause the bulge that a lot of holsters i have seen and tried do. it has flex where it needs it to make it by far the most comfortable holster i tried out, but it still retains its shape well, making draws fast and smooth and re-holsters just as easy

3 of my friends have recently switched to the CTAC after seeing and wearing it for a little while
highly recommend it