IWB holsters and "gun belts" printing

[RussellC]

I do IWB with a couple of guns and holsters, S&W Shield and Glock 30S using Foxx Hybrid and Remora holsters. I have tried other IWB holsters with this same Problem: When combined with a Holster Belt, (in my case a Galco, and not their very thickest one but not their thinnest) it prints something awful...even with the very skinny Smith Shield. Not the gun, but the belt where it goes around the gun. A big belt stick out that looks like you have a hump on your hip.

I am averaged size, 5' 9" and 175. I tried one of my wider (1") dress belts and it was much, much better. While I like the support of the Galco and would be great for OWB, it and other thick gun belt give me the big hip hump print. The thinner belt, when combined with IWB seems to have plenty of support, which might not be the case I'm sure with OWB.

What are others finding about IWB and thick holster belts? Are you experiencing "hip hump" printing, or am I doing something wrong? I seem to have the best "concealment" in this regard with the holster right on the side of my hip, rather than the 4:30 type position.

Thank for any comments or suggestions....its not the gun printing, its a horizontal belt print that sticks out. Not really looking for holster recs, just what you've found concerning IWB and heavy belts.

Thanks,

Russellc

 

[JTQ]

I seem to have the best "concealment" in this regard with the holster right on the side of my hip, rather than the 4:30 type position.

You are not the only one I've seen make this comment, but I always have a hard time understanding it.

Typically, the widest point on your waistline would be at the point of the hip. Sticking a gun there would, of course, make this point only wider and more obvious. Putting the gun either in front of the point of the hip, or behind the point of the hip would allow the hip to aid in concealment. This is why most concealment holsters are worn aft of the hip in the 3:30 - 4:30 range or forward of the hip in appendix carry holsters.

In addition, I'd think those holsters with wide spaced attachment points like the Foxx holsters, would be difficult to wear on the point of the hip as the holster would have to wrap around the hip. Most folks would find a flat spot on their body either forward or aft of the point of the hip where those wide holsters would fit best.

In regards to the thin dress belt, with such a small gun as the Shield, you could probably wear any belt, and I suppose the same would be the same with the Remora that doesn't put any weight on the belt. If it works for you, carry on.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

You may be overthinking it a bit. Your own humps would be very obvious, someone elses, not so much.

 

[moxie]

Those humps are not actually "printing", per se. They don't reveal the shape or outline of a gun, just a bump showing that something is there. Could be a cell phone, flashlight, whatever. So don't worry about that. And, it probably doesn't look as big to others as it does to you. If fact, probably not one in a thousand would even look your way.

Also, agree with JTQ above. Place the holster behind your hip. A thin belt is perfectly fine if it's giving you the support you need.

 

[Wanderling]

You are not the only one I've seen make this comment, but I always have a hard time understanding it.

Typically, the widest point on your waistline would be at the point of the hip. Sticking a gun there would, of course, make this point only wider and more obvious. Putting the gun either in front of the point of the hip, or behind the point of the hip would allow the hip to aid in concealment. This is why most concealment holsters are worn aft of the hip in the 3:30 - 4:30 range or forward of the hip in appendix carry holsters.

In addition, I'd think those holsters with wide spaced attachment points like the Foxx holsters, would be difficult to wear on the point of the hip as the holster would have to wrap around the hip. Most folks would find a flat spot on their body either forward or aft of the point of the hip where those wide holsters would fit best.

In regards to the thin dress belt, with such a small gun as the Shield, you could probably wear any belt, and I suppose the same would be the same with the Remora that doesn't put any weight on the belt. If it works for you, carry on.

I'm in the same camp as the OP.

At 4:30 or so, the body curves towards the back but the grip sticks out at a tangent, pushing the shirt out and printing more.

At 3:00, the grip more or less entirely rests on the side of the body / hip and doesn't print as much.

 

[JTQ]

Wanderling wrote,
I'm in the same camp as the OP.

At 4:30 or so, the body curves towards the back but the grip sticks out at a tangent, pushing the shirt out and printing more.

At 3:00, the grip more or less entirely rests on the side of the body / hip and doesn't print as much.

Clearly, everybody's shape is different, but most body shapes are helped by placing the gun aft of the hip rather than right on it.

I know you've seen these pictures from forum member tmoore912 at post #29 in this attached thread before, because I've linked them for you on similar subjects. They are so well done, and perfectly illustrate how using good gear, and positioning it properly will improve your ability to conceal your firearm.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567867&highlight=tmoore912

As you can see in these pictures, the grip of tmoore912's gun is pressed into his back. It appears clear to me from those pictures, if his gun were placed at 3:00 the grip would not be pressed as closely to the body. I have much better success wearing my gear positioned as tmoore912 does, and if you are asking for what works best, this is the "book" answer. If you've found something that works better, use it, but if you're here asking the question, this is what folks will recommend.

 

[bainter1212]

I'm in the same camp as the OP.

At 4:30 or so, the body curves towards the back but the grip sticks out at a tangent, pushing the shirt out and printing more.

At 3:00, the grip more or less entirely rests on the side of the body / hip and doesn't print as much.

If you have a butt, that butt will push the grip into you when you bend forwards.

If you are like me and your rear end is disappearing fast as you age, putting the gun any further back than 3:00 tends to result in signifigant printing while bending forwards.

I carry my j-frame in a tuckable holster at about 2:30 or so. I repair appliances for a living and am constantly bending forward while customers stand behind me and watch me work. This means I can't have a gun butt sticking way out and printing like crazy.

 

[RussellC]

I'm in the same camp as the OP.

At 4:30 or so, the body curves towards the back but the grip sticks out at a tangent, pushing the shirt out and printing more.

At 3:00, the grip more or less entirely rests on the side of the body / hip and doesn't print as much.

I think this one and the post following it are both on point. Everyone is shaped different. The point of my hip is just forward of the 3:30 position...the side position allows it to settle in behind this point. Also, the way shirts and sweats drape over me it covers more of a straight down fashion avoiding the hump. The hump-print I am experiencing at 4:30 or so is the belt...clearly a big horizontal belt shaped stick out. It is much alleviated with a normal dress belt simply because the belt doesn't stick out so much.

 

[RussellC]

Clearly, everybody's shape is different, but most body shapes are helped by placing the gun aft of the hip rather than right on it.

I know you've seen these pictures from forum member tmoore912 at post #29 in this attached thread before, because I've linked them for you on similar subjects. They are so well done, and perfectly illustrate how using good gear, and positioning it properly will improve your ability to conceal your firearm.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567867&highlight=tmoore912

As you can see in these pictures, the grip of tmoore912's gun is pressed into his back. It appears clear to me from those pictures, if his gun were placed at 3:00 the grip would not be pressed as closely to the body. I have much better success wearing my gear positioned as tmoore912 does, and if you are asking for what works best, this is the "book" answer. If you've found something that works better, use it, but if you're here asking the question, this is what folks will recommend.

This isn't that far off from where I wear mine. Mine, the S&W anyway, is a little lower and slightly forward of this example. There is a natural place there where my side fat, what little there is, sort of fills the hollow created by the gun where the web of your hand would normally grip it. This allows a T-shirt or light sweat shirt to hang straight down over it with no printing. Much further back, and any forward bending would print it so bad with the fat belt only a very non observant person would not notice it. I can lay on a couch or drive a car more comfortably than the 4:30 position as well.

Mainly I was wondering, and I think I have some responses here that others have also experienced the problem, of the 4:30 "fat belt hip hump". Seems to vary with the individual.

 

[Captains1911]

I've honestly never heard anyone mention printing related to the belt, and can't really picture it. Even the thickest of belts are no where near the thickness of a holster and gun. Maybe try a different belt?

 

[The Bushmaster]

You see the hump, but no one else does. Don't worry about it.

 

[RussellC]

I've honestly never heard anyone mention printing related to the belt, and can't really picture it. Even the thickest of belts are no where near the thickness of a holster and gun. Maybe try a different belt?

Well, that's what I did. Using a standard leather dress belt helps substantially. I will try to post a pic, "but" it isnt easy, may need another pair of hand to help. Essentially there is the pistols' normal stick out, then a big 1 1/2 inch band (the belt) protruding much further out. The drape of normal outerwear would conceal the guns bulge, but with the belt being so thick, it prints as it sticks out beyond what the outer garments drape covers. It is not subtle, and you would be blind to "not notice" it.

Russellc