Best Concealed Carry Holsters?
- Thread starter dthomas
- Start date
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
Good stuff. I bought one for my son's pistol.. Excellent workmanship
I have the same gun, the holster I use is a Bianchi (I don't remember the model number). It rides high and tight and has a thumb break strap to help keep the gun secure.
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
I have enjoyed Crossbreed, Alien Gear, Milt Sparks, in no particular order. I like the FBI forward cant in the holster and they all hide weapons very well (IWB) plus carry very comfortably. See if you can try some before you buy and maybe you'll find one you like. Also (OWB) is nice if you can wear a jacket or coat. I like IWB because they conceal under a T shirt or Dress shirt.
Have carried her holsters and other gear all over the world. You won't find anything better and the family that makes them are about as good as people can be. Her husband is a veteran/contractor and her son is a Ranger.
https://eclipseholsters.com/
Second on my list and only for appendix carry in Tier 1 concealment.
https://eclipseholsters.com/
Second on my list and only for appendix carry in Tier 1 concealment.
These holsters are really good IDFholsters. I've one of the hidden hybrid holsters. It's made with both leather and Kydex material and I loved this.
+1 for Galco. Good quality holsters.
As you can see it's a personal preference but galco and alien gear which my neighbor loves have alot of mentions... It all depends on what fits your body type the best so you have to try till you find what fits.... Like reloading stuff I have a box of holsters that are fine but just not for me... I have never found an IWB that was remotely comfortable to me and carry a G19 in basically a safariland OWB locking police holster for security and just a long untucked shirt over it.... Here in Texas there's open carry so it doesn't matter if it prints some... I also in almost a decade have never had anyone ask what's that under you shirt...
Seriously , good luck and try a few friends holsters on and like shoes walk around and even sit in the car WITH the seat belt on etc if you can... It's all about how big that box of unused holsters will be and how comfortable you will be carrying it around all day... People don't realize how much of a pain carrying a gun can be.... Literally....
Seriously , good luck and try a few friends holsters on and like shoes walk around and even sit in the car WITH the seat belt on etc if you can... It's all about how big that box of unused holsters will be and how comfortable you will be carrying it around all day... People don't realize how much of a pain carrying a gun can be.... Literally....
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
I have a Crossbreed, but had an Alien. Personally I like the Crossbreed better. Mine is the TUK holster, made of horse hide. Very comfy, I can't tell it's even there most of the time.
Forum Boss
Administrator
I can only speak about OWB holsters I would use for IDPA. This may not be a good reference here because a CCW gun presumably may not leave the holster on your person ever, except at the end of the day, when the holster itself is removed.
In IDPA we drew from holster multiple times in a day. I found that most leather holsters, particularly those that had multiple ridges and humps, would loose their shape, and the belt loops would begin to sag. I did NOT like the Kydex holsters (tried 3 or 4 brands), because they had a clamping effect that would bind the weapon on the leading edge where the Kydex was folded. Also the 3 brands I tried did NOT fit my SIG well at all. I found the best OWB holster for my Glocks and Sigs was an Israeli IWI, made from cheap polymer -- a softer plastic (polyurethane?). It had just the right amount of friction, did NOT lose its shape, conformed perfectly to the outlines of the gun and did not snag on the front sights. It was cheap and ugly but it worked better than five other holsters I tried -- 2 leather and 3 Kydex.
I believe these Israeli holsters are sold now by Fobus. There are also IWI "Jericho" holsters on Amazon.
Fobus (IWI) Polymer Paddle:
Except in extremely dusty environments, I think polymer is better than leather and better than Kydex. Leather too soft, Kydex too hard.
Here are the modern IWI "Masada". My IWIs were older, thinner, and a bit lower (see above). But this gives you an idea.
In IDPA we drew from holster multiple times in a day. I found that most leather holsters, particularly those that had multiple ridges and humps, would loose their shape, and the belt loops would begin to sag. I did NOT like the Kydex holsters (tried 3 or 4 brands), because they had a clamping effect that would bind the weapon on the leading edge where the Kydex was folded. Also the 3 brands I tried did NOT fit my SIG well at all. I found the best OWB holster for my Glocks and Sigs was an Israeli IWI, made from cheap polymer -- a softer plastic (polyurethane?). It had just the right amount of friction, did NOT lose its shape, conformed perfectly to the outlines of the gun and did not snag on the front sights. It was cheap and ugly but it worked better than five other holsters I tried -- 2 leather and 3 Kydex.
I believe these Israeli holsters are sold now by Fobus. There are also IWI "Jericho" holsters on Amazon.
Fobus (IWI) Polymer Paddle:
Except in extremely dusty environments, I think polymer is better than leather and better than Kydex. Leather too soft, Kydex too hard.
Here are the modern IWI "Masada". My IWIs were older, thinner, and a bit lower (see above). But this gives you an idea.
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Forum Boss
Administrator
I understand that a concealed carry holster may have other requirements, but I just wanted people to see what can be done with polymer vs. leather or Kydex. I would say generally, that most holsters really do not work very well at all. And I had a fancy $200 leather holster for a 1911 by a famous holster maker that really didn't fit the gun well at all. Looked stunning on the outside... but those fine rich leather moldings on the outside didn't fit the gun on the inside.
However, leather may indeed be better for IWB, because it is smoother and more flexible (with some “give”) where it may contact your body.
I would suggest to all purchasers to be skeptical, and read the actual owner reviews. Here's another IWI Fobus, similar to what I had for my SIG P226, though mine had a belt loop. This is Polymer, not Kydex. What I found was that Polymer could be stiffer than leather, though thinner. It could be molded exactly to the lines of the gun, with no pinching like Kydex.
However, leather may indeed be better for IWB, because it is smoother and more flexible (with some “give”) where it may contact your body.
I would suggest to all purchasers to be skeptical, and read the actual owner reviews. Here's another IWI Fobus, similar to what I had for my SIG P226, though mine had a belt loop. This is Polymer, not Kydex. What I found was that Polymer could be stiffer than leather, though thinner. It could be molded exactly to the lines of the gun, with no pinching like Kydex.
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PhilC
Silver $$ Contributor
Same dilemma I faced despite trying hard to adjust to IWB, just wasn't happening. I can wear the Vedder LightDraw OWB with pancake clips and forget it's there.
Forum Boss
Administrator
Interesting. The Vedder Lightdraw uses two separate very thin "plates" of Kydex that are bolted together. (0.08" thick) That solves some of the Kydex issues I encountered, with one sheet of Kydex that was folded over in the front, which caused binding. Here is the Lightdraw OWB:
Guns and Ammo says: "Vedder uses Kydex of . 08-inch thickness, which helps the LightDraw remain sleek yet provides enough rigidity to allow safe reholstering. There's also a slide shield at the back that offers protection to the back of the pistol against moisture caused by sweat and humidity."
Guns and Ammo says: "Vedder uses Kydex of . 08-inch thickness, which helps the LightDraw remain sleek yet provides enough rigidity to allow safe reholstering. There's also a slide shield at the back that offers protection to the back of the pistol against moisture caused by sweat and humidity."
^^^^THIS. While at my LGS I let the owner talk me into purchasing a specialty belt just for holsters. It was very stiff and very well built. To my surprise, it made a huge difference in how much it aided in concealing.
Give the DeSantis Mini Scabbard Holster a look. I carry IWB at position one most of the time but when OWB carry is needed , for my 3" 1911 45acp " The Country boy by R Grizzle is a custom job , IWB " The Old Fashion by Kuzack leather , and for my J frame mod 49 S&W 38 spl. the DeSantis " mini Scabbard OWB . I like well made holsters the don't have too much bulk but will hold the weapon close to the body .
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Check out Allegiant Holster Co. Made right here in Central Pennsylvania. I personally know the owner, he is a great guy, and offers a very well made product! Fit and finish are perfect, and uses high quality materials.
I like Alien Gear (never tried one though... yet)
Milt Sparks is very nice and solid for my 1911
I went minimalist on my last holster and have been very happy. A Concealment Express kydex. Excellent retention and the thin kydex really saves space over leather. I will say that without an undershirt, the muzzle end has been a little uncomfortable after extended wear if I have it in the wrong position. Otherwise, I appreciate the lack of bulk. And it was cheap and available.
Milt Sparks is very nice and solid for my 1911
I went minimalist on my last holster and have been very happy. A Concealment Express kydex. Excellent retention and the thin kydex really saves space over leather. I will say that without an undershirt, the muzzle end has been a little uncomfortable after extended wear if I have it in the wrong position. Otherwise, I appreciate the lack of bulk. And it was cheap and available.
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