Who makes the perfect IWB holster for Florida?

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Ok, so I took a tumble the other day and my pistol came out unexpectedly -- I noticed it on the ground as I got up and dusted myself off. So now despite having a closet full of holsters, I realize I must continue my quest for the perfect holster. Right now my favorite holster is a comptac minautar with grip tape wrapped around the kydex to keep the gun in. I want something better.

Here are my criteria:

1. Inside the Waistband. I like to carry a full sized pistol. OWB guns poke out under a shirt.
2. Kydex around the gun. Leather gets too soft in the humidity, causing the holster to get loose. Also, guns can't be re-holstered when training without putting your fingers in front of the muzzle.
2(a). I do like the leather panel between the gun and skin - but I can live without this.
3. Some sort of retention stronger than rubber bushings. I am done with rubber bushings (like cheap scope rings) I have cried many times, I do not trust them to be reliable and am done with them.
4. Belt LOOPS not clips. Clips are not reliable, eventually you will draw and your holster will come out with the gun. My number one failure clearance when training is shucking a holster off the end of my gun. I will probably have to live without this since nobody makes an IWB holster with loops, but I would rather not.

There a lot of holsters that come close:
https://www.safariland.com/products...nder_hasaddon=&dwfrm_holsterfinder_addontype=

... but the reviews indicate the exact issues I have. Namely clips suck and the holster should have loops.

I think there is some sort of institutional reluctance to having an IWB holster with loops not clips or hooks, since the loops would have to go over a belt. However, I think this is the key to getting reliable retention. Companies like Fobus or Safariland make good OWB holsters with passive retention sufficient that only a firm yank will remove the gun. However, that degree of passive retention would cause belt clips to fail every time resulting the draw of a secured firearm.

A lot of companies make leather thumbreak IWB holsters:

https://www.safariland.com/products...nder_hasaddon=&dwfrm_holsterfinder_addontype=

But these don't work for training since the leather gets too soft in the sweaty humidity and reholstering becomes a PITA. I wish they would just incorporate a Kydex or metal ring around the mouth of the holster to keep it open.

What say you? Does my goolge-fu need reprograming, or does the unicorn I seek just not exist?

 

[rabid wombat]

Fair warning, I am not a IWB guy. I do have several Sparks holsters (including IWB). Great product.

https://www.miltsparks.com/products-inside.php

 

[JTQ]

- Kydex around the gun.

Not a problem, there are holsters galore made out of kydex. Your gun of choice may limit your options, such as an 8" barreled single action revolver may not have many kydex IWB options, but if you have a G19, a 1911, or something similarly popular, well there are a lot of them.

However, your retention comment below about "rubber bushings" is that the "advantage of kydex is that it's fast, the disadvantage of kydex is it's fast" (from the late Paul Gomez in the video I'll link below). I can't think of anybody that offers a thumb break on an IWB kydex holster.

- Leather gets too soft in the humidity, causing the holster to get loose. Also, guns can't be re-holstered when training without putting your fingers in front of the muzzle.

Leather can get soft when wet, but if you can't reholster without prying the mouth of the holster open with your fingers, you need more experience with good leather holsters (more on this below).

- Some sort of retention stronger than rubber bushings. I am done with rubber bushings (like cheap scope rings) I have cried many times, I do not trust them to be reliable and am done with them.

If you want a retention device on a kydex holster, well, that does limit your options. Most active retention devices would be geared toward law enforcement, and most of those folks don't need an IWB holster.

- Belt LOOPS not clips.

- I think there is some sort of institutional reluctance to having an IWB holster with loops not clips or hooks, since the loops would have to go over a belt.

I don't know where you're looking, but without trying very hard I could probably come up with a couple dozen options off the top of my head. Actually, at least within my circle of holster searching, I can probably come up with more options with loops than I can with clips.

- I wish they would just incorporate a Kydex or metal ring around the mouth of the holster to keep it open.

From my comment above - nearly every quality leather IWB holster comes with a reinforced holster mouth. The good holster makers understand the issue and take this into account.

What say you? Does my goolge-fu need reprograming, or does the unicorn I seek just not exist?

Your Google-fu is weak.

This video may be helpful as you start your search




Later, I can make some specific recommendations if you need them.

 

[JTQ]

Leather thumb break IWB options with loops.

Andrews MacDaniel II http://www.andrewsleather.com/macdaniel2.htm

Black Hills Leather https://blackhillsleather.com/inside-waist-band-holster-with-thumb-break.html#.XswOLi-z3ow

Tauris http://www.taurisholsters.com/itp.cfm



Kydex with loops (thumb breaks are an oddity)

Dale Fricke https://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/nehemiah-strong-side-carry/

Aholster https://aholster.com/iwb-aholster/

JM Custom Kydex https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/IWB3.html

 

[JTQ]

For sweaty leather, there is natures kydex, horsehide.

Kramer https://www.kramerleather.com/collections/iwb-gun-holsters

C. Rusty Sherrick http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/holsters/insidewb.html

High Noon https://www.highnoonholsters.com/leather-holsters/iwb-holsters/extreme-duty/down-under

 

[JTQ]

This post, from another forum, may give you an idea of the retention offered by an open top leather holster. The OP was wearing a SIG P220 in a Mitch Rosen ARG-DL ( https://mitchrosen.com/products/holsters/inside-waistband-holsters/ ). He hit an F-250 at 45 MPH and hit the deck. The holster was damaged, but the gun did not come out.

https://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?72074-carrying-on-your-scoot

 

[bdickens]

I have a Comp-Tac C-Tac and Infidel for my G19, an Infidel for my 1911 and an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.5 for my Ruger P89. All have adjustable retention.

 

[JTQ]

Here's a hybrid that offer's a thumb break, the Tucker Deep Carry https://tuckergunleather.com/deep-carry-dc-1-iwb-configured/

You could probably replace the clips with loops

Comp-Tac https://comp-tac.com/infidel-belt-loops-comp-tac-victory-gear/

RCS Gear https://rcsgear.com/inside-the-waistband-tuckable-soft-loops/

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Fair warning, I am not a IWB guy. I do have several Sparks holsters (including IWB). Great product.

https://www.miltsparks.com/products-inside.php

One more for Milt Sparks I have tried Cross Breed Whit Hat and Foxx Holster's I like Sparks the best so far

 

[OleEd]

Probably a bit late. Anyway my favorite is by Crossbreed holsters. I have 5 from 1911 to Sig 365. I have no problems with the holsters. A bit stiff at the outset but most comfortable for all day carry - even in hot weather as here in Missouri.

 

[25-5]

I carry a 1911 gov. in FL.
The best I've found is N8 Tactical holsters.
They have videos on the site. The pistol is retained at the trigger guard.

 

[Ks5shooter]

N8 tactical very comfortable,full body shield twist on draw retention.
https://n8tactical.com/product/professional-iwb-holster/

 

[Zendude]

Aliengear Shapeshift 4.0 with optional belt loops. Retention is a unique system. Breathable backing. Aliengearholsters.com

 

[Wildbillz]

I second the Aliengear holster. I have an older one and it is the only one I can use IWC.

WB