Holsters.

Kind of a poll here. I'm looking for a concealed carry holster, and I'm torn between the appendix carry or back carry. Like where the wallet is. Any pros and cons on that? And brands of holsters you'd recommend? Will be carrying either an M&P 9C or a CZ P07.

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do yourself a favor and just buy a standard hybrid IWB holster and carry at 3:00.....that is a good "standard" setup that will serve you well.

once you get some more experience carrying, then you can look at some of the more "exotic" carry methods and holsters.

 

Back carry can be very uncomfortable when you're sitting, especially on a hard chair or similar.

Appendix carry, unless the handgun is above the waist doesn't work well either. For the pistols you are considering a shoulder holster might be a better choice if sitting is part of the picture, but keep in mind the issues caused by automobile safety belts.

 

Most of the AIWB guys like to either have a gun with an exposed hammer or a safety on the gun. Some use striker fired guns AIWB, but most try and stay away from the striker fired guns AIWB for safety reasons.

See forum member tmoore912's pictures at post #29 in this thread for ideas. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567867&highlight=tmoore912

You'll find more options for holsters in the strong side hip area than for AIWB and everybody will be different. For instance, the book answer for a hybrid holster, as mentioned by M-Cameron, would be to wear it closer to 4:00 than 3:00 as he recommends. They have a very large footprint and need a rather large flat spot on the body to work properly. That's usually found aft of the hip. The flexible leather backing will wrap around your hip at 3:00, but the hard kydex won't, and often you will have durability problems with the kydex or difficulty drawing at 3:00. On the other hand, that seems to work for M-Cameron, so you'll have to try it for yourself to see what works for you.

 

All depends on you and the way you live daily. To be short, i carry a 4.75" saa revolver either stuck behind my belt with work shirt untucked or after work in a pancake at 3:30 position covered by a vest.

 

Ok then. Any recommendations for a holster to carry at the 3-4 position?

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The big leather hybrid holsters work well for me worn just behind the hip. Hidden Hybrid Holsters is the brand that I have, (link below) but there are several manufacturers with similar offerings.

http://www.hiddenhybridholsters.com

 

Pager pal

I have used a pagerpal for years both with a 1903 .32 and a Norinco 54-1 (7.62x25) and 213 9mm I use it as a crossdraw mounted in front works fine
I'm 5'10" 170lb and even my wife can't tell when I am carrying

 

I carried IWB behind the hip for most of my life. A couple of years back, I tried AIWB, and have been using it ever since. Wish I'd switched to it a lot sooner. It conceals a lot better, is much quicker to access, and is a lot easier to reholster with, as you can actually see what youre doing.

I dont see what the type of gun has to do with it either. I carry a Glock 17 in mine, and feel perfectly comfortable doing so.

I also use a Smart Carry with a Glock 26. Its not really a AIWB holster, but its similar. It rides below the belt, and works very well. Its one of the most versatile holsters I own, and consider them a "must have". While I have used mine with a Glock 19, the smaller guns are definitely more comfortable. Either way, its still the most concealable holster that Ive used, thats actually comfortable and quick to access.


My experience with the Pager Pals wasnt as good as woerm's. I got one when they first came out (we were actually still using pagers then), and proceeded to break it the first time I tried to draw from it.

 

The various kydex/leather hybrid holsters are popular because they work well. The Crossbreed Supertuck, Comp-Tac MTAC, Galco KingTuk, all have great reviews. I bought the Galco KingTuk because it was cheaper than the others and I wanted to try the style. Figured if I liked it, I'd buy a SuperTuck. A few years later, now, the KingTuk is still serving me very well, and has remarkably little wear.

I carry a G19 at 4 o'clock.

 

Another +1 for the King Tuk. I carry a PT145 in one (the model for the SIG 220) , and it rides perfect. As a plus, it pulls double duty for my PT1911AR, when I carry that IWB.

 

For a first time IWB Hybrid holster, try Alien Gear Holsters. Good quality and low price, so if you end up not liking it you're not too heavily invested. But you will like it at the 4:00 position.

 

I have become a big fan of the "U.S. Grunt Gear" IWB with no sweat gaurd and no cant. I like the carbon fiber pattern but they have many others. The strait "no cant" position works well for appendix or any position you want it on your strong side. They are easy on/off, but stay secure as long as you order it for the correct belt width. I generaly carry a G19, but also bought one for my G43 and one for my G42. Their web site, www.usgruntgear.com shows they make them for nearly any curent popular defensive handgun. They run about $50 and take about 4 to 6 weeks but are well worth the wait.
Get ya some.

 

Get a cardboard box. A BIG one.
Put it in the bottom of a closet.

In a year it will be filled with holsters that you've tried and discarded

AFS

 

When holstering a striker fired gun, without a manual safety, there is nothing to let you know if your trigger has caught on anything that may be pulling the trigger until the gun fires. With a hammer fired gun, you can place your thumb on the hammer during holstering. If you feel the hammer coming back, you know something has fouled the trigger and you can stop inserting the gun before the gun fires. With a gun with a manual safety engaged there is also an extra layer of safety.

I'm not telling you that you're wrong. It's your gun and you can do whatever you want. I'm just explaining the thought process for many AIWB carriers.

 

Milt Sparks is always a safe place to start. Their Summer Special/Summer Special II and Versa Max II (VM II) are industry standards.

Milt Sparks http://www.miltsparks.com

This is a good video from the late Paul Gomez on selecting concealed carry gear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF7VbYh9Qqk

You've got to start with a good belt. Nearly every leather holster maker will make a belt that will match their own holsters perfectly.

If you want something in nylon, the standard is The Wilderness Tactical 5 Stitch Instructor belt, either the regular or Frequent Flyer (on sale right now).

The Wilderness Tactical http://www.thewilderness.com/tactical-belts/

 

If youre not paying attention, sure it could happen, but then again, it can happen with anything. Most accidents happen due to carelessness and inattention. If youre reasonable in your gun handling, its not near as much of an issue than if your lackadaisical.

One big advantage to AIWB is, you can easily see the holster and the gun go in it, so its really not a big deal. That, and the bazillion presentations done in practice yearly help too.

 

For an M&P9c look at a Don Hume H715-M T.B. IWB.

 

I second the Milt Spark VMII. The best, hands down. I've tried most popular holsters and styles (and returned them all) but I will never be without a VMII for my carry pistol.

 

I have a tuckable IWB by A. E. Nelson for appendix carry that is my preferred holster for my 4" S&W K-frame as I do not like to wear shirts untucked. If I have a jacket and do not intend to remove it I may use a DeSantis thumb-break scabbard at 4 o'clock.

I've tried an Alien Gear holster and the Nelson in the 4 o'clock position and neither works. The long barrel is obvious behind my back pocket.

I find the appendix position most comfortable and accessible in more positions than the behind the back.

 

Derek.J.

I like most of the DeSantis IWB holsters, especially their SOF-TUCK model. Don't forget to get a good sturdy belt to go along with your new holster.

 

If your pistol is on your "back"- anywhere behind the hips- it may be difficult to access from a seated position ( in a vehicle, eating in a restaurant) or laying on your back (after being knocked to the ground). Depending on your "build" appendix carry may be difficult to access. I carry strong side.

 

Give the Crossbreed SuperTuck and the AlienGear Cloak Tuck 2.0 and 3.0 a consideration.

My most common carry is an M&P Shield at about 4:00 in an AlienGear Cloak Tuck 3.0. I often forget its there it's so comfortable. Easy to draw, and relatively easy to re-holster.

I have a Cloak Tuck 3.0 for my PPK, and Cloak Tuck 2.0 for my Taurus 85 and my 1911. Love them all, but my Shield/3.0 combination gets the most use.

And I've got one on the way for my Glock 19.

 

I like all those styles of holsters but my favorites are the Bianchi Allusion and SHTF Gen 2 holsters.

 

^ This.

I have an AlienGear Cloak Tuck 2.0 for my Glock 19. I love it. Only holster I've ever tried that is actually comfortable, and not expensive. Easily adjustable for various carrying styles. I also like being able to swap shells easily. I've made a shell that fits my CZ-82, and I'll be making another one this week to fit my Ruger American 45. Really easy to swap them out and carry whichever gun I feel like at the moment.

I definitely recommend looking at Alien Gear products if you're looking for a hybrid IWB holster.