OWB placement thoughts…. 3 or 4 o’clock
- Thread starter beagler
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JTQ
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Typically, a muzzle rear canted pancake would be worn closer to 4:00 than to 3:00.
The advantage of a leather pancake design is the retention provided by the outer layer of the holster closing up as it wraps around your body. Worn at 3:00, at the point of the hip, especially if you are thin, could cause problems since the holster could close up enough to make drawing and reholstering difficult. At 4:00, you probably have a flatter spot on your body that would allow the holster to function better.
With a kydex pancake, since they don't bend, 3:00 could cause problems since it isn't going to wrap around your hip and it may stick out a bit, or be somewhat painful as you found. On the good side, a kydex pancake won't have the same issues with reholstering or drawing that a leather holster will have, so you can probably wear it wherever you want as long as it is comfortable.
Edit to add: Lots of folks have had breakage with their hybrid IWB holsters when worn at 3:00 since the leather will flex and wrap around the hip, but the kydex won't, so the kydex will end up snapping at the attachment point with the leather backer.
The advantage of a leather pancake design is the retention provided by the outer layer of the holster closing up as it wraps around your body. Worn at 3:00, at the point of the hip, especially if you are thin, could cause problems since the holster could close up enough to make drawing and reholstering difficult. At 4:00, you probably have a flatter spot on your body that would allow the holster to function better.
With a kydex pancake, since they don't bend, 3:00 could cause problems since it isn't going to wrap around your hip and it may stick out a bit, or be somewhat painful as you found. On the good side, a kydex pancake won't have the same issues with reholstering or drawing that a leather holster will have, so you can probably wear it wherever you want as long as it is comfortable.
Edit to add: Lots of folks have had breakage with their hybrid IWB holsters when worn at 3:00 since the leather will flex and wrap around the hip, but the kydex won't, so the kydex will end up snapping at the attachment point with the leather backer.
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For me, 3:30 to 4 o'clock works well both standing and seated in a car, 4x4 etc. Keep in mind, that the farther back you carry, the more cant you'll need to allow a full firing grip to be obtained while the gun is still in the holster. Shirt tail/jacket length also figures in. YMMv Rod Pic below with a Sig 365 mounted up.
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I carry OWB at the 3 o'clock. It greatly depends on the holster as far as comfort and best placement. I make my own from kydex. They are angled to hug your hip. I still prefer to have the pistol canted some. It helps with concealment because it keeps the grip from sticking out on your back. It also makes the draw easier. Bigger the gun the more I angle it. Smaller pistols don't need to be canted as much. Ranges from 8 degrees to 15 degrees. Pretty much personal preference.
Charlie98
Member
Both.
I have a leather belt holster... I guess it's a pancake design... that I put the belt through the rear holster loop, then my 3 O'clock pant loop, then the front holster loop, to help secure it. In this way, I can wear it at 4 O'clock when I'm out and about, and I can slide it up to 3 O'clock when I have to get my wallet, or when I'm fixing to set in a vehicle. Just being able to scootch it around a little helps a lot.
I have a leather belt holster... I guess it's a pancake design... that I put the belt through the rear holster loop, then my 3 O'clock pant loop, then the front holster loop, to help secure it. In this way, I can wear it at 4 O'clock when I'm out and about, and I can slide it up to 3 O'clock when I have to get my wallet, or when I'm fixing to set in a vehicle. Just being able to scootch it around a little helps a lot.
JTQ
Member
High Noon has a good FAQ page. Their FAQ #42 shows recommended clock positions for canted or straight drop holsters.
https://www.highnoonholsters.com/faqs
Those are book answers, and they typically work for me, but over the years folks on forums have relayed that they have used all kinds of different cants at what I would consider odd clock positions, but it works for them.
Like you're doing, you just have to experiment and figure out what works for you.
https://www.highnoonholsters.com/faqs
Those are book answers, and they typically work for me, but over the years folks on forums have relayed that they have used all kinds of different cants at what I would consider odd clock positions, but it works for them.
Like you're doing, you just have to experiment and figure out what works for you.
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