Suggestions for IWB Gun?

[bcremer]

I started a thread a little earlier asking about pocket pistols. My feeling from that thread so far is that there are some good 380's out there that will work well for that. However I would like to have a bigger gun some of the time. Possibly a .45 with the IWB carry.

What are suggestions and experiences for this in regards to guns, calibers, and holsters?

Thanks!

 

[orchidhunter]

You can put any handgun in a IWB holster. Just pick what you like semi-auto or revolver in the caliber of your choice. orchidhunter

 

[mljdeckard]

I have always carried a full-size auto, sometimes IWB. I currently carry a 1911 and I don't see myself ever changing.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Bersa Thunder to a 1911 works IWB Today I was packing a Colt 4" 38 spl. revolver If I carry a revolver its uselly a 44 spl Early Charter Arms. Like was said can carry about anything IWB

 

[Sam1911]

Full-size 1911 works very well.

Also like a 4" barreled S&W 629 in a Hoffners Kydex IWB rig.

I think smaller guns work o.k. that way, too, but I haven't tried any.

-Sam

 

[06]

Please don't ride me out of town "on a rail" or "tar and feather me" but I parked my 45 Warthog temporarily for a Makarov. Lots lighter, very accurate, and fits my "skinny" build much better. wc

 

[orchidhunter]

bcremer, I forgot to say, that you need a good belt to go with your IWB holster. orchidhunter

 

[CZ223]

I personnaly like the mid-sized Glocks, 19, 23 and 32 for size and concealability. I own both the 23 and 32 right now and am satisfied that either the 40 S&W or the 357 Sig are as good if not better than the 45. Fourteen rounds of 40S&W along with at least one spare clip ought to do the trick. If not I probably need something beltfed.

 

[VegasOPM]

Be careful about 1911's for IWB if you have "love handles". The safety tends to dig in. I like the GLOCK 36. .45 caliber, single stack frame. But the are a lot of really good pistols out there. The Taurus Millenium 45 is supposed to be a great gun for the price.

 

[Sam1911]

Be careful about 1911's for IWB if you have "love handles". The safety tends to dig in.

Any well-made IWB holster MUST come with a "sweat shield" or tab that extends up and comes between you and the safety, sights, and back of the slide. "Sweat shield" is just the manufacturers' polite way of saying "FLAB shield."

So saying, a Versa-Max or Summer Special with a 1911 riding in it is going to feel just as comfortable as the same model holster with any other full-size gun.

IWB holsters without a flab shield are just passé.

-Sam

 

[bcremer]

OK, for right now in order to save money I will be using my M&P 9. What is peoples thoughts on holsters for IWB with the "Sweat/Flab Shield". I do have some ah... sweat issues to deal with.

 

[Shipwreck]

Just got this (hk USPc 45) and a Bladetech NANO IWB holster about 6-7 weeks ago. LOVE it!

 

[Maximum1]

For me its an XD9 sub-compact: High quality, accurate, excellent point of aim, smooth trigger. Highly recommend.

 

[Maximum1]

For me it's an XD9 sub-compact: High quality, accurate, excellent point of aim, smooth trigger. Highly recommend.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Almost any reasonable gun can be carried IWB, but a light slim gun with rounded edges carries more comfortably than a thick square one. For example, of my two S&W autoloaders - a 3913LS and M&P compact - the 3913 is the more comfortable of the two. 1911-style pistols also carry comfortably despite their weight. The difference is not huge, but it is noticeable.

 

[Hawaiian]

In a 45, it is a HK45c in a Milt Sparks VMII. I currently carry it in a Ted Blocker OWB, but the IWB VMII should be arriving any day now. And, a good quality gun belt is a must.

 

[jerryrigger]

I wear my Glock 30 in the Blade Tech Nano as well, and I can't say enough good about it. I was originally concerned that the Glock 30 might be a little wide, but I have no problems with just a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, although with it being the middle of winter I think I could probably where a Desert Eagle underneath my normal clothing and not have a problem!

In all seriousness, though-my Nano/G30 combo is quite concealable even with the 10rnd mag. I'd like to get the Pearce mag floorplate with the finger extension to replace the standard one,or maybe the 9 round mag from glock, but even the way it is right now it's just fine. Can't recommend the Blade Tech holster enough though-with a good belt it is great!

 

[chuckusaret]

For me it's an XD9 sub-compact: High quality, accurate, excellent point of aim, smooth trigger. Highly recommend.

The Springfield XD9MM or the XD40 sub compacts are perfect. A well built, reliable SD weapon

 

[Blowby]

I seem to like the slim handle 1.25" and the comfortable feel of a Sig P220 at 3:30. I just had a custom IWB and OWB made (finished yesterday) and it should be shipped tomorrow. A belt is a must.

 

[CrankyOldGuy]

For concealed carry, I use a Glock 36 (45ACP) or Glock 26 (9mm). Surprisingly I am a 1911 guy, but the Glocks are lighter and faster to present. I prefer the G36 but the G26 is slightly smaller/lighter and is more comfortable for extended concealed carry. Both fit in the same holsters and I use IWB and paddle depending on my dress.

The Glocks do require some practice, the grip angle is odd (for my 1911 trained hands) and the trigger is different. But I am a practical man and I chose the Glock for practical reasons.

There are no external levers or protrusions to get hung up while drawing from concealment.

They do not require the extra step of disengaging a manual safety.

The 5.5 pound, 0.5" consistent trigger pull is very easily managed and is far better them most competing "combat tupperware". (I hate the creepy M&P trigger or the XD trigger pull, but this is, of course, personal preference) A glock is not a 1911 trigger....but then none of the tupperware can boast that. However for CC, weight matters and polymer frames own the lightweight category and these plastic-fantastics are nearly half the weight of my beloved 1911.

I am not a Glock fan boy, I definately prefer the 1911 platform. But for CC, Glocks are the best I've found. In my opinion they are the best choice for concealed carry being extremely simple, renowned reliable, and quite accurate for the ranges required.

There are lovers and haters and 1911s and Glocks seem to attract a lot of both also. But you should ignore the fan boys and try every option. I don't doubt that a Glock will be in the "top 3" of every unbiased list for defensive CC handguns.

But in the end it needs to fit your hand and your style. Try some range rentals and buy what you shoot best. That is the best advice anyone can give you.

 

[DawgFvr]

The G26 is just so light weight...conceals well...and 10 + 1 rounds of + P hollow point 9mm will pretty much solve any social problem.

 

[Rob P.]

OK, for right now in order to save money I will be using my M&P 9. What is peoples thoughts on holsters for IWB with the "Sweat/Flab Shield". I do have some ah... sweat issues to deal with.

Any quality holster will be designed to keep your handgun secure and tucked as close to the body as possible. A slim bodied weapon is better than a wide bodied one for concealment but double stack weapons can still be concealed quite easily. So, the choice of what weapon to carry is limited only by your budget and your current armory stockpile.

One caveat is that any holster is going to chafe you until you get used to it. On some people this can be as minor as slight redness to skin irritation (heat rash type stuff). On others it can be as bad as being rubbed raw. Wearing an undershirt helps somewhat but it is still uncomfortable until you get used to the holster and the lack of air circulation on that part of your skin.

As a thought to the makers who read this: For the life of me I can't understand why holster makers can't line the skin side of the holster with something like chamois or even that hypoallergenic breathable stuff they use in the seat of bike shorts. I mean, C'MON it's the 21st century already - make it wearable AND bearable. Sticky leather on skin is awful when it's 100 degrees and/or 99% humidity and you can't take your shirt off.

 

[JDGray]

The thinner the better for IWB carry. I carry a Kimber UCII, in a Milt Sparks WS1, and is the most comfortable combo I've tried. Both the gun and holster are about as thin as it gets, and a set of thin carry grips, and your GTG!
My G23 carried pretty well, but you tell me what looks more comfy!

 

[MMMike]

Size of the gun doesn't really matter. The FNP-45 is a huge gun, but is very comfortable in an IWB holster. Right behind the hip bone is usually a good spot.



No gut jokes please.

 

[ecureed]

my Kel-Tec PF-9 is very easy to conceal IWB. In fact, I wore it the other night on a late night trip to Taco Bell on the waist band of some draw string sweat pants. Don't even know its there when I carry it IWB with my UBG Holsters gun belt. Easiest 9mm to conceal in my experience.