IWB Holster Design

[d31tc]

I bought the holster in the photos because reviews were generally positive and they had a mold for a M&P Shield with a LG-489G laser. Suffice it to say, I have not found it comfortable. It seems contrary to logic that the wider and thicker you make something, and the more stuff you have to stuff in your pants, the more uncomfortable it will be. The screw posts holding the belt clips as well as the clips always dug into my hip out thigh.

Looking at options, it looks like a lot of holsters attach clips as an afterthought to their “design”. For example, doesn’t putting clips on the center of the holster (very common) just add unnecessary bulk to the holster thickness?

Designs like the Safariland Incog and StealthGear Ventcore seem to minimize the width and thickness of the holster with thoughtful design placement.

I need to get a new holster, so I’m looking for suggestions, but figured I’d offer an opinion.

In the meantime, I took a scissors to my holster and did a little bit of drilling.

 

[Steve in NC]

If it works for you!

I personally carry modified AIWB at 10:30 position being a lefty. My holster has a wing that extends around to my left hip, but the mounting hardware is setup like yours on the opposite side so it doesn't get in the way of my zipper or belt buckle,
That large extension of the backing material past your muzzle that Alien Gear put on there.,. I don't understand that, I would cut it out also.
And I agree that a single clip at center mass makes for a bulkier setup IMO

My holster maker isn't in business anymore. Thinking of making my own.

Steve

 

[d31tc]

If it works for you!

I personally carry modified AIWB at 10:30 position being a lefty. My holster has a wing that extends around to my left hip, but the mounting hardware is setup like yours on the opposite side so it doesn't get in the way of my zipper or belt buckle,
That large extension of the backing material past your muzzle that Alien Gear put on there.,. I don't understand that, I would cut it out also.
And I agree that a single clip at center mass makes for a bulkier setup IMO

My holster maker isn't in business anymore. Thinking of making my own.

Steve

The extension of the backing material was my idea to get. It was for a full size Beretta 92 so I could switch out the shell for the Shield. Should have just ordered a whole new holster. Sometimes I have “not so good ideas”. Others say “bad” ideas, but my phrasing doesn’t make me look “not so good.”

ETA: I’ll find out if it works. Just did this yesterday. In my defense, there was no reinforcing material in that part that extended so it was flexible and wasn’t the uncomfortable part. Just completely unnecessary for what I wound up using the holster for.

 

[DT Guy]

As a person who makes holsters as a hobby, I'll just add that it can be very daunting to try and design a holster that will be comfortable for someone else; I make holsters for myself that I'm certain nobody else would like, and see many patterns others love that I could never wear.

More than any other part of carrying a handgun, finding the right holster is both critical and HIGHLY personal. And while there are plenty of designs that look good on paper or in photos, the only way to *really* know how they'll work for you is to wear them for a while. That's how we all end up with bins full of holsters (you should see how bad it gets when you start making your own....sigh.)

Larry

 

[Charlie98]

finding the right holster is both critical and HIGHLY personal.

Quite true.... and not unlike a pistol grip, or even a trigger.

You are correct, OP, that a center clip adds bulk (width) to a IWB holster, but in the same vein adding clips to either end adds bulk (length) to an IWB holster.... which circles me back to what DT says about it being a personal choice. Where you wear it, how you wear it, and even the size of your piece... the pistol... can make a difference.

I carry my Kahr in a generic Galco IWB holster... with the central clip. It works well enough because of where I position it, and actually, the thickness... the bump of the clip... pushes the pistol into my body, helping conceal it.

I have an AlienGear IWB holster for a 1911. It is probably the most comfortable IWB holster I've ever used for a full size pistol... but it is so big and bulky, and all that material makes me sweat like a farm animal, I rarely choose it.

 

[JTQ]

It depends on how you're wearing a holster and your overall shape and what works for you.

One problem that is often noted with holsters with widely spaced attachment points is folks sometimes try to wear these holsters at 3:00 (righty's) directly on the point of the hip. These holsters with wide spaced attachments aren't designed to be worn there, they should be worn farther back on the body, in the 4:00 range. On the hip, they wrap around the hip, especially on thin folks, and shorten the lifespan of the holster, and can make drawing from the holster difficult, and wear uncomfortable.

Loops or clips on the holster body can add bulk, but most of the time these are exaggerated complaints. They typically, at most, may add about a quarter of an inch to the overall thickness, and that is normally not noticeable. Their advantage is that they have a smaller footprint and can be more comfortable since they take up less real estate inside the pants.

However, not everything works for everybody, which is why a place like Milt Sparks offers the Summer Special/Summer Special II with a smaller footprint and loops on the hostler body, and the larger footprint models like the Versa Max II with outboard loops.

Inside the Waistband Products - Milt Sparks

We personally recommend Inside the Waistband for most concealed carry applications. Get your Milt Sparks IWB holster today!

www.miltsparks.com

 

[d31tc]

Yep, I’m learning that.

I guess I sort of made my own? I’m going to try this method. It seems this would be analogous to a StealthGear with the soft backing. So ultimately I’m going to try that if my homemade modification works. So far so good.

So far, my drawer only has holsters that I use. I think physics says putting a solid chunk of steel IWB isn’t going to be more comfortable than no chunk of steel, no matter what. Try for a holster that eliminates ANY and ALL discomfort- not going to happen. But MAYBE the next holster will be better…

 

[d31tc]

Also, maybe, just maybe, the holster would fit better if I was 40 pounds lighter.

 

[nettlle]

Kydex is hard and feels hard when worn. Leather is softer. The flatter the holster is the more comfortable. As JTQ says these are not comfortable worn at 3:00.

 

[Spats McGee]

I carried a G19 in a Crossbreed Supertuck for several years, then picked up a Stealth Gear. At the time, the model I got was called a Revolution, but it's now the Ultralite, as far as I can tell. I also sold my CBST shortly thereafter. The biggest improvement in comfort for me was all about the ventilated backing. I found the SG to be far more comfortable than the CBST.

 

[ms6852]

I enjoy the simple design of the Crossbreed holster. It is a combination of leather and kydex. I found it very comfortable and I used to carry a full size 1911. The type of belt used is also very crucial and the foundation for carrying a heavy gun , especially one loaded with lasers, flashlights and other doodads.

 

[TarDevil]

So far, my drawer only has holsters that I use.

Dang it. I was just taking a Gulp of soda water when I read that!

 

[TarDevil]

Sometimes the right holster comes outta left field.
I found my Shield Plus fits my SR9c holsters like they were made for it. With one exception...
I have a couple DeSantis Softucks I never used while carrying until I started switching guns around. The Softuck made for my LC9s works great for my Shield, neither works great for the SR9c.

 

[dobedo]

I made a couple of IWB holsters for my Kimber 9mm black Ice and my Khar K40. I made them to fit me so when I sit the gun does not jamb into my leg as I am not tall.

 

[d31tc]

Dang it. I was just taking a Gulp of soda water when I read that!

To be clear, they are ones that I use, BUT a few are uncomfortable. I have a super power to be able to suck it up and drive on. Read that as “ I’m cheap” and haven’t spent my money experimenting with holster preferences. Consider this my foray into relegating a holster to the unused drawer, BUT, my modification is way more comfortable. It would be nice if it was about 1/2 inch higher for a better grip on draw.

I’ve been wearing it today. Ignore the pants sizing; I used to be a 32 x 32. Now I’m getting shorter AND fatter.

 

[d31tc]

I carried a G19 in a Crossbreed Supertuck for several years, then picked up a Stealth Gear. At the time, the model I got was called a Revolution, but it's now the Ultralite, as far as I can tell. I also sold my CBST shortly thereafter. The biggest improvement in comfort for me was all about the ventilated backing. I found the SG to be far more comfortable than the CBST.

I am looking hard at a StealthGear. They market it as an Appendix IWB. Is there any reason that it wouldn’t work at 3 to 4? I’m assuming it can be canted as needed.

 

[Spats McGee]

I am looking hard at a StealthGear. They market it as an Appendix IWB. Is there any reason that it wouldn’t work at 3 to 4? I’m assuming it can be canted as needed.

A search for your specific gun got me this: https://stealthgearusa.com/holster/smith-and-wesson-shield-9-40-ct-lg-489-red/

I don't know about using the AIWB at 3 or 4, but they do make a Ventcore IWB that I'm pretty sure would work just fine at 3 or 4 o'clock. https://stealthgearusa.com/ventcore-1-0-iwb-mini-holster/ The Revolution I have for my Shield Plus is a Mini and it works very well.

 

[CapnMac]

Like our esteemed @Spats McGee I've got a Stealth Gear holster coming for my SIG 365 to contrast it with my current CB SuperTuck. That Ventcore 2.0 could be a real winner, and being on sale made it all the nicer. Your Mileage May Vary.

Now, one of the things I have always liked about my SuperTuck is the big leather backer.

Mind, that was an issue in that it needed a lot (a real lot) of wearing around the house to get it to break in to my personal shape.

And, that getting it "broke in" is something that none of the makers really talk too much about. (It is something you hear--or ought to--in going to a custom leather worker/tack maker for a holster.) In my case, there was a lot of wearing around the house before getting out of the house.

 

[conan32120]

Made my own design that let's me carry this sharp edge 3rd gen comfortably

 

[JTQ]

It would be nice if it was about 1/2 inch higher for a better grip on draw.

It seems quite common to find low riding IWB holsters, especially among new makers. I don't see the advantage. Like you comment, you need it to ride high enough to get a full grip on the gun.

 

[TarDevil]

To be clear, they are ones that I use, BUT a few are uncomfortable. I have a super power to be able to suck it up and drive on. Read that as “ I’m cheap” and haven’t spent my money experimenting with holster preferences. Consider this my foray into relegating a holster to the unused drawer, BUT, my modification is way more comfortable. It would be nice if it was about 1/2 inch higher for a better grip on draw.

I’ve been wearing it today. Ignore the pants sizing; I used to be a 32 x 32. Now I’m getting shorter AND fatter.
View attachment 1206824

I gotta believe you'd be more comfortable moving that holster a tad more to the rear.

 

[lee n. field]

I bought the holster in the photos because reviews were generally positive and they had a mold for a M&P Shield with a LG-489G laser. Suffice it to say, I have not found it comfortable. It seems contrary to logic that the wider and thicker you make something, and the more stuff you have to stuff in your pants, the more uncomfortable it will be. The screw posts holding the belt clips as well as the clips always dug into my hip out thigh.

Looking at options, it looks like a lot of holsters attach clips as an afterthought to their “design”. For example, doesn’t putting clips on the center of the holster (very common) just add unnecessary bulk to the holster thickness?

Designs like the Safariland Incog and StealthGear Ventcore seem to minimize the width and thickness of the holster with thoughtful design placement.

I need to get a new holster, so I’m looking for suggestions, but figured I’d offer an opinion.

In the meantime, I took a scissors to my holster and did a little bit of drilling.

View attachment 1206686 View attachment 1206688

Aliengear?

Anyways...

they had a mold for a M&P Shield with a LG-489G laser.

Adding a trigger guard style laser to anything is going to make your holster search much harder. Very few good options.

"Rehome" the CT Laserguard. Without it you'll have a lot of options.