Newbie Question about IWB Holster

[GunLvrNLearner]

I wear 32 jeans and it is a snug fit for a IWB Holster would i need to get 34 jeans?

Also i never wear a belt,i assume for both IWB and OWB you need a belt,is a regular jeans belt a must? Thanks

 

[dojpros1998]

Typically, You will need to go up two inches if you are going to carry IWB. This is especially true if you are going to carry a glock/xd and other "blocky" pistols.

I would stongly urge yoou just cry one time and buy an IWB and a purpose made double thickness leather gun belt whose width matches the loops on your IWB.

If you tell me what weapon you are planning on carrying, I can get a bit more specific in reccomending holsters and belts.

 

[Black Majik]

I wear size 32" pants also, I find size 34" too large for IWB, since the jeans end up bunching around the holster. I use a 34" belt so that I have plenty of space to adjust once the holster is on.

Also in agreement, get a GUN belt.

 

[32 Magnum]

IWB

As a long time carrier using IWB holsters, I can honestly say that I prefer any other method of carry. I never bought bigger pants, just un-notched my belt a bit - but - there is considerable pain in your lower back and butt cheeks that develops when sitting in a car seat or anywhere else, for extended periods, when carrying in this manner. Also, it is very slow to access your firearm from this position, although it is probably the best of all concealed positions. The small of the back IWB (I'm assuming this is what you are talking about, if not, please forgive me) is good for a back up weapon. I've found that putting smaller pieces directly in my right rear back pocket (I wear jeans about 95% of the time) with a handkerchief on the outside to cover print through and a shirt or jacket over the belt - is the most comfortable. When I'm carrying a larger piece I generally strap it on the strong side or carry cross draw with a shirt or jacket over.

 

[Lucky Strike]

I always had pants 2" bigger (35 rather then 33) then what my actual pant waist size was anyway (i liked them a little loose) so I didn't have to get new clothes.

I just use a regular levis 1.5" leather belt and it works fine. I really don't feel the need to get a gun specific belt since my holster (Crossbreed SuperTuck) feels very secure. Not sure what gains i get from a more expensive belt. I've had to run once wearing my holster and everything stayed where it was supposed to.

As far as pain when sitting down I wear my holster at the 4:30 position and find that the gun (XD subcompact) practically disappears 10 minutes after putting it on. Gun sits right where the outside levis tag is on the jeans. Standing, walking, sitting, doesn't matter it's very comfortable and i can wear it all day with no problem. Not sure if it's the holster or just my body type but when sitting the gun has never caused pain

 

[Majic]

32 Magnum,
Very few people refer the carrying of a handgun in your back as IWB. That's generally called SOB for small of back. IWB is generally reconized as carrying either in front, on the point, or behind the hip.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I use it almost exclusively, and went up one inch in my waistbands.

 

[DWARREN123]

I am a size 37 and wear 38 pants so no problem. I like loose clothing anyway.
A good gun belt is really needed with a OWB holster, not quite so much with IWB. The belt holds the holster close to the body and so it has to be stiff enough to do this, a regular belt just will not hold it tight enough.
For pants the 5.11 brand has expanding waist that is really nice since it kind of slides instead of just elastic, you can get your size and still look good or wear an IWB and look just as good.

 

[Goblin]

I have a metal clip model IWB that I just shove in my right front jeans pocket with the clip hooked over the pocket rim to hold it up. Works great!

 

[pogo2]

Depends

I think whether you go up one inch or two inches depends on the gun and holster. Some guns are very thin in the slide, such as a 1911 or Kahr 9mm, which both have slides 0.90 inches wide, flat to flat. If your IWB holster is of thin material and designed correctly, then one inch is adequate in my opinion. The poster could go from 32 inch jeans to 33 inch jeans with a thin gun and be comfortable.

Other guns are just thick, such as an H&K USP or Sig P228/P229. These probably require a 2 inch allowance for IWB.

 

[jackstinson]

Depends entirely on the gun and individual. I carry a Kel-Tec IWB in regular Levis daily without feeling the need to go up a waist size (3:00 position). I normally wear a web belt which is infinitely adjustable. I've carried a variety of pocket to midsize guns from Beretta 950 to S&W 6946 in the same basic position without problems. But the K-T P32 is so comfy you forget it's there.
Jack

EDIT: I am an "old dude" with a 40" waist these days (waist was 28" when I was 28).
My six-pack is balanced on my stomach while I drink it.

 

[Harley Man]

First of all you guys with your 32 inch waist, are just trying to make us older dudes feel bad, yea in my 20's I had a six pack .....now it looks like I've drink several six packs...anyway enought of that. You can take comments from everyone, but in the long run you will just have to try different holsters in different positions weather IWB or OWB. The carry has to feel good for long hours no matter where you carry. I've been carring for quite some time now, and the other day I tried a IWB with an old pair of
jeans with my 1911 45 ACP, and when i put in into the holster it was so tight it cocked and chambered a round. Good luck in you search

 

[jad0110]

As others said, depends a lot on the width of the gun and your body type. I found that most of my standard sized pants (36) work perfectly with my thin, single stack 1911. I do have to get 38s sometimes, but it isn't a hard set rule.

A double stack auto or a medium/large frame revolver and yes, the 2" rule is more likely to apply.

As for the belt, if your gun+ammo combo is under about 24 ounces or so, a regular belt will probably suffice. Once you get into guns that weigh more than 2 lbs loaded, a good stiff gunbelt becomes a must. And it will carry the weight more evenly. As a result, my 40 oz+ 1911 doesn't feel much heavier on a good gunbelt than does my 17 oz loaded S&W 642 on a crappy wal-mart special.

 

[1911 guy]

Get the 34" jeans.

By the time you stick a holstered handgun and a spare magazine in your pants, the "kinda snug" turns into "my eyes are going to pop out" at the end of the day. There are a few blue jeans makers who offer them in one inch sizes, maybe try a pair in 33" if you're worried about them being too loose.

Get a belt. Nothing will make you quite carrying a gun faster than the discomfort and hassle that comes with hardware and no belt. My two suggestions would be 1) Double thickness leather gunbelt or 2) Wilderness brand Instructor Belt. The latter is nylon, but made for carrying a handgun. I have the 1.5" five stitch model, it's just as stiff and half the price of a good leather belt.

 

[RustyShackelford]

use of IWB holsters-mag carry rigs...

I read a great item about IWB holsters/use from noted gun writer and firearms training expert; Massad F Ayoob. Ayoob wrote several years ago that you should wear your pants a size larger or wear a belt a size or 2 larger for this type of CC. As a big guy, I would not really consider the IWB format. Even when I was slim, years ago, , I never felt IWB rigs felt good or would work for me. Ayoob had designed a IWB holster with Ted Blocker called the LFI . Blocker may still sell this model.

Former police/drug detective Bruce Nelson made a IWB rig called the summer special. Milt Sparks sells a IWB holster based on this design. www.miltsparks.com . Many gun holster/police gear firms sell mag holders and other rigs that carry stuff concealed IWB.

Rusty

 

[mattk]

To sound like a broken record, What gun are you carrying?
Absolutely get a good belt. The Wilderness Belt is great and not expensive at all.
The only 2 IWB holsters I have left in my collection are a Sparks Summer Special 2 and an Alessi Talon.

OWB is better for me.