IWB vs OWB

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mr.72

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so...

Provided you have a cover garment sufficient to cover the muzzle, is a good pancake-style OWB just as concealable as an IWB?
 
I don't like an IWB holster because waist line isn't what it used to be when I was young. I don't like the butt of the gun pushing into my sides.

I find a OWB holster much more comfortable and prefer a Scabbard type best although there's nothing wrong with a paddle holster either.

If you're young and thin you can conceal almost any size handgun, pistol or revolver with a good quality IWB holster. (I just can use one)
 
Mostly I don't like the IWB because I don't like having something stuck in my waist band. I do want something that will hold the butt of the gun tight against my side (but just not with the muzzle jammed in the waist band).

Basically I can only carry a small part of the time and I don't want to have to maintain two different wardrobes... one that fits with a gun and one without. I figure OWB will allow me to use pants that fit me whether I carry a gun or not.

This isn't a waist line issue, it just a comfort and convenience issue. Any other comments about comparisons (besides comfort) on concealment of OWB vs IWB?

Thx-
 
i prefer IWB

its more comfortable for me, and the gun feels more secure, i dont like things hanging on the outside of my belt... i could never deal with cell phones or knives/multitools on the belt either... i find that i can conceal better with the gun IWB, but i know people who have no problem concealing OWB with a good holster

all personal preference i guess
 
I have never been Anorexic Challenged, so really have no frame of reference.

I do Mexican-carry a 1911 without a IWB holster on occasion.

But a good hi-ride pancake is way more comfortable for all day carry, and hides just as well with a suitable jacket.

rcmodel
 
it really depends on your body type. with me, the pancakw OWB is very comfy, but the gun will stick out 2 inches from my body and is absolutely unconcealable. IWB is the only thing that works for me, i just need a lot of cant to hide it properly.
 
I make my own holsters. Go here: http://paul.desertskyone.com/gunstuff.html
and look for Vern's instructions for making an IWB Holster, about 2/3s of the way down the page.

The key to a good IWB is to make it spread out the pressure over a wide area, and put sweat-proof leather between the gun butt and the body. I carry under a T-shirt all the time.

This holster also has a "button" or leather cam to engage the safety lock and keep it positively engaged when the gun is in the holster.
 
It depends on your build. For me, an OWB holster is just flat un-concealable. But I'm, um, Rubenesque in my build, and not many OWB holsters can take into account both an hourglass figure AND concealability. You get one or the other.

That said, I usually wear a Jagwear belt pouch. It meets the legal requirements for concealed. It's outside the waistband, which is more comfortable for anything larger than my snubbie. And it can also carry a few bits and bobs in the front pouch too.

I like pancake holsters for heavier guns (like my 66-3) but unless it is wintertime and I need a lot of coat, concealment isn't going to happen.

Springmom
 
During the summer I carry IWB, but I prefer OWB. For me, both keep the gun equally tight to the body, however the OWB provides just enough space that I can comfortably grip the grip of the gun during drawing. With an IWB I have to hook my fingers around it and only fully grip the gun once its out of the holster.

That and IWB holsters tend to drag my boxers off of me...:eek:
 
Provided you have a cover garment sufficient to cover the muzzle, is a good pancake-style OWB just as concealable as an IWB?
Yes, under most circumstances. But you may not be taking into account the fact that you may have to bend over or reach for something, in which case the bottom of the holster may become inadvertently exposed. (Sure, it is improbable that anyone would recognize it, but I still don't want the attention. And I have an intense, visceral dislike of a OWB holster that leaves the slide/muzzle exposed.) I prefer IWB mainly for this reason.
 
Methods of conceal carry is a vast as peoples opinions, size, shape, time of year, type of clothes, etc. I know I've more holsters than I use, but my farorite summer carry is jeans, concellment T shirt (built in holster) and a cover shirt. Problem here is watch out when your out in the WIND with you cover shirt unbuttoned. You have to be mindful of the WIND, for it will change concellment into open carry in a second. Winter is the best time to concell carry, and I perfer shoulder holster's.
 
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