How do you pick out the right CCW holster??

Joined
Aug 5, 2005
Messages
747
Location
Denver CO area
So, I'm in a constitutional carry state and want to get the "RIGHT" ccw holster that will fit my needs. There are so many to choose from that it's just a bit overwhelming & I don't want to have to buy one, see if it works, return/exchange it if it doesn't work for me, repeat until I get one that works.

My factors, at least what I can think of:

Glock 43X

Planning on carrying right rear quarter (love handle area?)

I would like to have an IWB holster that keeps the pistol from touching my skin, have a leather or other quiet material as a backstop.

During warmer months I wear shorts & tshirts untucked, October thru May I wear jeans and tshirt untucked. Sometimes an untucked button up shirt. If needed I can buy more button down shirts. Or light windbreaker or vest.

I've heard that the Crossbreed holsters work for some, but there's a few other brands out there, at different prices and features. Anything you can advise for what features or makers you can suggest. THANK YOU!!
 
Welcome to the used holster box. We all have holsters we bought that seemed perfect on paper and turned out to fail in one way or another. It happens.
For what you are talking about my first instinct would be to recommend the High Noon Down Under IWB rig, as it has a nice sweat shield, and with the strap option, it worked perfectly concealing a full size pistol, (CZ SP-01 Phantom), under a loose t-shirt even in Arizona summers. The other thing I instinctively say is - don't forget a GOOD gun BELT. A top flight rig on a cheap $10 Walmart belt is a disaster waiting to happen. Again, I used the High Noon Rock Steady belt for years. Seriously, a solid gun belt and any quality IWB rig with a sweat shield should work for you, but be prepared some drop some coin - a cheap belt and holster will ruin your week.
 
... I don't want to have to buy one, see if it works, return/exchange it if it doesn't work for me, repeat until I get one that works.
I'm sure you can return some holsters, but I think armoredman's experience is like most of us.
Welcome to the used holster box. We all have holsters we bought that seemed perfect on paper and turned out to fail in one way or another. It happens.
The reason most of us have a box of holsters is, we go on forums get recommendations from what seem like knowledgeable folks, give that holster a try, and find we don't like that holster.

The first thing to realize, even with a little gun like a G43X, is that carrying a gun is not as comfortable as not carrying a gun.

Lots of folks like the large footprint holsters like the Crossbreed SuperTuck ( https://www.crossbreedholsters.com/supertuck-iwb-holster.html ) since they spread the weight of the gun across the belt with their wide spaced loops/clips, which is helpful for a big heavy gun. The downside to those types of holsters is they are a whole lot of material to stick in your pants, especially for a little gun like a G43.

The more compact holsters like the High Noon Down Under ( https://highnoonholsters.com/leather-holsters/iwb-holsters/extreme-duty/down-under ) may allow better access to the gun because the sweat shield is not as wide as the SuperTuck, and they may be easier to put on and take off, and there is a whole lot less material to stick in your pants.

Edit to add: I don't know what holster makers expect regarding returns, and no doubt it varies by maker, but my expectation is I'll only return a holster if there is a manufacturing defect. If I just don't like it, it sits in the holster box as a lesson learned, or it gets sold.
 
Last edited:
I promise you will have a drawer/box of holsters if you stick to concealed carrying very long at all. I have been carrying for a long time and have holsters from about every manufacturer out there. I too like the hybrid type holsters such as crossbreed, but I much prefer the Comp-Tac Minotour holster over any of the other tuckable hybrid types. The clips do not snag like the standard metal clips that kick out at the end, I tend to tear up recliner arms with those type of clips or get them hung on the arm of the lawnmower seat. I will use the Hybrid type for most larger guns, but tend to go to a simple kydex holster for smaller guns, in these I really like vedder holsters, especially with the claw attachment that pulls the butt of the gun more towards the body. CYA supply makes an excellent kydex holster for a very good price as well.

As armoredman said, DO NOT SKIMP ON THE BELT. This will mean more than the holster in the grand scheme of things. Bullhidebelts.com is the belt that I currently have on, and have had it for well over 11 years now.
 
I carry a Shield Plus IWB in a Clinger Gear holster with their comfort pad attached , and OWB in a DeSantis Mini Slide leather. Both with a Kore Tactical belt. Most quality holster companies offer a return policy if not pleased.
14-ShieldDesantis (2).jpg 12-ShieldClinger Hinge.jpg Clinger Pad.jpg Kore Tactical.jpg
 
Last edited:
IWB holsters are very dependent on body type and carry style - like already mentioned, you will end up with a bunch of holsters gathering dust somewhere until you find The One! Just accept it - you will spend money on holsters you don't like... I would advise to stay away from all Kydex IWB, at least for now - leather/hybrid holsters can feel slightly uncomfortable at first, but with use they will take shape according to your body, but if a Kydex holster is uncomfortable it will stay that way. Consider good sweat shield, proper retention, holster belt slots to match belt width and most importantly, to get a good grip while drawing - sadly, many hybrid style holsters do not allow one to fully grip the gun while it's in the holster. Depending on your dressing style, you might end up needing one size bigger pants and shirts to carry comfortably for extended periods of time. An IWB holster might feel great after wearing it for half an hour, but this will tell you almost nothing - you need to carry it for at least a day, doing your normal routine, to make a proper judgement.

P.S. Get a good gun belt, it's even more important than the holster. It's like fishing - the rod is more important than the reel...
 
I used a Crossbreed Supertuck for several years. I switched to a Stealth Gear Revoluion and found it to be much more comfortable. It has a ventilated, neoprene-like backing. The ventilation makes a big difference.
 
fwiw the IWB holster I use and would buy again for any gun I carry is the TT Gunleather Convertible. Finest carry holster I've used, by a mile.
 
I have a couple of IWB crossbreed holsters that I use full size 1911's when I carried a 1911. I will vouch for this holster, it is comfortable. In the end it will be a personal preference and what you are willing to pay. I have a custom made holster for my revolver that is now my cc and I carry owb.
 
I wish there was a better way to find a good holster/belt combo than trial and error. But like everyone else I have an island of lost holsters too. Finally, I settled for a belt from the Beltman and a couples of holsters from High Noon. The Beltman makes a great belt and I've purchased several throughout the years. My favorite belt is the horse hide belt with a stiffener.

High Noon makes a good product too and I've purchased a couple depending on how I want to conceal. In the summer time I use the Tailgate which is a tuckable holster. Then I wear the Stingray during the winter. Good luck on your journey and keep us informed on what you decide.

By the way, I tried Crossbreed and it's very comfortable. I didn't like it because I thought it was noisy making squeaky noises whenever I bend at the waist.
 
First thing is to make sure you have a good OWB holster that is low profile and canted so that it makes printing minimal. Second, is a soft and comfortable synthetic IWB holster like an Uncle Mike's or Sticky. Something that covers the trigger, protects the gun from sweat and lint, and can be wedged in your waistband or put in a coat pocket.

Then you can play holster roulette, and begin your failed holster collection, just like everyone else. ;)
 
I’ve gone thru quite a few in the past, to include Desantis, high noon, Bianchi and Galco but my favorite 43x holster is a $21 Kydex found on Amazon. Has adjustable cant, body shield and easy on/off but secure clip.

FB799421-8F3F-4FF5-A3A8-631AE87477D7.jpeg
 
Glock 43X

I would like to have an IWB holster that keeps the pistol from touching my skin, have a leather or other quiet material as a backstop.

I've heard that the Crossbreed holsters work for some,
One thing to consider, or at least research before buying is how a large sweat shield will interact with the mag release on the G43.

Most holsters don't cover the mag release (righty wear), but some do with very stiff material and others with soft material. A lot of these large sweat shields can end up pressing the mag release, and Glock is one brand, especially Gen 4 and beyond, that is particularly susceptible to this problem.
 
For service-size pistols I carry OWB at about 3:30 or 4 oclock. Lots of holster choices there, but I like leather open top pancakes with sweat shields, and a cover garment. My 1911’s, hi power, and a 4” K frame ride that way.

I have a SIG P365 that I carry exclusively IWB in a minimalist holster. I won’t carry it any other way. The holster is a bit of an odd duck as it makes the pistol ride a tad higher than others like it. No digging for the gun on the draw stroke. Took me forever to run across it.

J-frame goes in-pocket in a cheap Uncle Mike’s.
 
Last edited:
I don't want to have to buy one, see if it works, return/exchange it if it doesn't work for me, repeat until I get one that works.

How do you feel about buying one, seeing if it works, dropping it in a cardboard box of holsters that didn't quite work out, and repeating? Because that's the way you figure it out.

Although I will say that holsters in general are buy once, cry once. If you start with good ones your "Old Holster" box is probably going to be smaller.

My personal favorite is TT Gunleather. Tim's Mike's Special model is very similar to the Milt Sparks VersaMax 2, which is a standard for quality comfortable IWB holsters. Tim has a Slim Xc model that is similar but with the majority of the leather molding on the outside for improved comfort.

Although his IWB Scabbard one one side at 4 o'clock with a double IWB magazine carrier IWB at 7 o'clock is the most comfortable and concealable carry of a 5" 1911 I've ever had.
 
Ok, I started with an Alien Gear RH subcompact Universal holster because it had the features I thought I wanted. I also bought an extra long Carhart stiff nylon belt.

The holster feels weird,, it seems, to my eyes, to print kinda bad.... how the hell do people carry a full sized semi-autos??? It has the very gripy, Leather type material. I was sort of able to bring the holster around a bit farther back so it starts to seat into that "hollow" in my right buttocks. The problem is that the full size grip kinda, to my eyes, adds a lump up high almost near my kidney.

I guess I should have asked, "how should good holster placement feel" if or when I get it in the sweet spot? Working with dark color t-shirts gave me better coverage of the lump factor.

Also, I had a bit of doubt on the best way to put my pants on since the instructions say it's better to put the gun back into place with the pistol in it, but damn that stuff is grippy! And it's hard to pull up pants with a heavy pistol in it.

Crap.... I've been using firearms for 40 years now but don't even know what I don't know about CCW! Thank. You all for taking time to help me out!
 
Ditch that condom looking abomination and get yourself a decent IWB holster - some rather good suggestions are mentioned above. Most people really won't notice if your gun is printing even to the extreme, but do adjust your wardrobe accordingly to minimize it.
 
Back
Top