Where does your IWB hoster ride at?

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Ok, I have a brown leather custom CZ75 IWB holster, but I'm pretty unhappy with it. It has a swivel on the belt holder so that it can be worn Higher or lower. The problem is that It rides as high as my bikini OWB holster. I've seen other IWB's where the but of the weapon is barley about the seam of the pants. If it rides higher what is the point?

It could be just because I'm a small guy, or I have a bad model holster, but I was wondering how it is for others. All you IWB users out there, where does the but of your weapon hit? How many inches about the seam of your pants?


I'd also settle for any IWB tips that you guys might have. anything that the website where you buy the thing might not tell you in flashing text.

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There is really no right or wrong holster, just what works best for you. Most people, unless they got lucky on the first try, have a box of holsters that 'just don't fit right'. That is not to say that a certain holster is bad or junk... it's just not right for you. The right holster for you will depend on a delicate balance of support, comfort, and functionality for the method of dress you are wearing at that time...it's all trial and error. I have a few different holsters that I use depending on what I am wearing; and that is only for one weapon. I carry different firearms depending on my dress and climate so the holster changes yet again. Once you find your comfort spot it is a lot easier to adapt to a 'correctly fitting' holster for a different weapon rather quickly because you know what you are looking for. I really wish I could offer you more info but what works for one person does not necessarily work for the other so I left out the specifics of my carry.

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I love my C-T.A.C.

Entirely adjustable, customizable, and comfortable.

http://www.comp-tac.com/

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My best advice to you?

Bring your gun to a gun show. Ask the holster dealer if you can try wearing the holster with your gun inside it. If the dealer says "no" move on to the next dealer. Once you have tried and found one that fits YOU right and makes YOU comfortable, buy it! That's what I did. I don't have a drawer full of holsters because I "try before I buy". Any holster dealer who won't let you try the holster on (with your gun inside) isn't worth your business.

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When I first started carrying concealed, I bought a galco IWB with the scout clip for my PPK/s. After a while I realized the clip sucked because it allows the gun to drag the waistband down, and only grabs onto the belt when you draw.

So, when I bought my SW99 (full sized auto), I decided I was going to do the research and make sure I got the best IWB available. First I tried to find out what IWB they used in Casino Royale for 'Bond's' P99, since he was able to run, swing, and jump off of cranes without losing his weapon. Alas I couldn't find anything...

Then I started looking at the C-T.A.C., something called "The Answer", and a couple of other high-speed low-drag "uber" IWB holsters. They looked awesome, and the reviews and descriptions they had made them sound even awesomer! With prices ranging from $70 to $125, though, I wasn't going to be quick to purchase.

After banging my preverbial head on the wall about it for almost two weeks (visual aid shown here :banghead I got frustrated and went to my local gun shop to drool at the shiney guns. While I was there, I noticed their Uncle Mike's rack, and started wondering what they had for IWB. I picked up a size 15 IWB with the velcro thumb strap, and inspected it. No "pressure relieving" paddle...no "adjustable cant"...just a big sturdy black plastic clip (that grabs both the pants AND belt), and a synthetic holster with a suede-like outside.

I dropped my gun in, and put the holster into position. After walking around the store for a while, I ended up paying for it without taking it back out of my pants. I wore it home, and didn't take it off until the end of the day, and then only because I was undressing, NOT because it was uncomfortable.

Final price? $16 and some change. I wear it on a regular basis, and while I never forget that it's there, I've never had to take it off because it was uncomfortable.

Those expensive IWB holster may be as comfortable as can be, and for some people they're the best (and sometimes only) choice. But for the comfort and practicality I get with mine, I would have paid $50...so I think I made out pretty good in the end.

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I use a CrossBreed SuperTuck IWBat about 2:00 (behind my first belt loop and in front of my hip bone) for my XD-9's. It's very comfortable and also easy on the wallet. I tend to forget I'm wearing a gun.

Mark is a standup guy and makes each holster by hand. The combination of leather and kydex gives you the best of both worlds, in my opinion.

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/index.html

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I have a CTAC for both Glocks and my 1911. I think they are the best IWB holster on the market. Those that disagree usually say they're second and the VersaMax 2 (or whatever) is the best.

I carry mine about 4:00 with the G26 and about 5:00 for the fullsizes.

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I started out using an Uncle Mike's IWB holster which I paid like $10 for. It has problems, like no retention device, but it's soft suede. Later I got a much "nicer" leather IWB holster that very snugly fits the pistol and has a more robust metal belt clip. But this one is even more uncomfortable than the suede one. Every time I adjust an IWB to some comfortable position while standing up, sitting down in my truck makes it poke me in the pelvis somewhere.

I finally gave up and, as the above poster did, went to a gun show and tried out several holsters until I found a OWB beltslide holster that works fine for OC or CC, and is very comfortable.

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Up until recently, I used the DeSantis Cozy Partner almost exclusively. It has forward cant is suitable for strong side carry (7 o'clock or 4 o'clock).

I now build my own holsters to my specifications. Currently, I build holsters for appendix carry because I'm switching to that carry location.



Here's one for my Smith and Wesson 625 in 45 ACP with four inch barrel:



Here's the S&W carried in the appendix location:

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cREbralFIX wrote:

Here's the S&W carried in the appendix location:

Click to expand...

Uhhh, I won't be carrying a gun in thaaaat location anytime soon. :lol:

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Uhhh, I won't be carrying a gun in thaaaat location anytime soon. :lol:

Click to expand...

As usual, that response popped up fairly quickly.

So, in all the years you've been carrying a gun, how often has the gun discharged by itself in the holster? How many times have you discharged it while drawing?

I suspect the answer to both questions is "never".

So, the problem has nothing to do with safety. It could be due to weight...I understand the problem. Most likely, you think you're protecting the family jewels. Isn't that the purpose of the gun anyway?

If you actually tried this position, you would find it has three advantages: 1) the tool is at the front of your belt near your hands where you can protect it, 2) the draw is faster due to the shorter movements required, and 3) it's possible to draw while driving or sitting.

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nakedshoplifter wrote:

cREbralFIX wrote:

Here's the S&W carried in the appendix location:

Click to expand...

Uhhh, I won't be carrying a gun in thaaaat location anytime soon. :lol:

Click to expand...

Yeah, aside from the obvious proximity to certain reproductive organs, it looks like sitting down would cause the muzzle to poke you in the thigh uncomfortably.

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Actually, it sits across and above certain sensitive parts. A three or three and a half inch barrel would be better for me, but the four inch barrel is OK in most situations.

I build my holsters with the gun's Nut Squishing Index (NSI) in mind

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Not to put too fine a point on this, but most people grow their appendix on the right side.

Regards

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Maybe it's a picture taken in the mirror.....

My own preference is tucked into my right love handle... I've tried the 2 O'clock but with my build, it is next to impossible to bend over... I've got a gut, nothing that's gonna land me on the Biggest Loser, but definitely a gut...

I've only been carrying for about a month, but I have done it at every possible chance... can't carry it at work, I'd think about it if I had a tiny pocket gun, but since I am carrying a Smith & Wesson Sigma .40, it is not 100% concealable... I'm not ready to open that can of worms...

I've tried a Law (the big, ugly,rectangular bag...) it conceals very well, is confortable against the skin and is universal, but I stopped using it because it is a very tough draw... and nearlyimpossible to reholster...

I have a nice leatherBianchi pancake beltslide, but that's not very concealable unless I'm wearing a jacket...

I'm not even going to get into the Bianchi nylon holster with snap on belt loops...

My favorite (until I can afford a Blade-Tech) is a Bagmaster IWB... I hated it at first, because it is generic and ugly... but after experimenting with it I found that it is the best of my 4 holsters when you take drawing, reholstering, concealability, and comfort into account. I've tried my Dad's Blade-Techs and Milt Sparks IWB... They are both really nice, but the Blade-Tech has a better draw and is cheaper...

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Another vote for the Crossbreed Supertuck (crossbreedholsters.com). If you read xdtalk.com or other forums, the owner posts there OFTEN and if you have any problems, such as buying new sights and it not fitting, or a clip breaking, it's a lifetime warranty without charge. Even people who have done stuff to their holsters unintentionally such as scratching the leather to bits because of sharp edges is a free replacement. MONEY WELL SPENT.

As for the original question, I carry IWB at 2'oclock.

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My IWB holster rides in the box of old holsters I have. Short of carrying it internally, it was the most uncomfortable way to carry I can imagine. It digs into the skin, twists my pants to the side and is just plain icky.

LoveMyCountry

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Comp-Tac makes the best Kydex IWB holsters money can buy period, end of story.

Check em out at http://67.52.203.44/index.html

Here's my CTAC, try one ya will fall in love with it!!!!!

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crossbreedholsters.com 's supertuck has adjustable clips (C, J, loop, etc.) plus it has nice leather backing so in the hot summer months you're not sweating right on your piece. I got mine without the frilly embrossing.

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I'm another Crossbreed user, and it's fantastic. I have the QwikClip because he was running a special promotional price on it (it was a new design), and I love it. I think the next holster I buy from him (since I recently noticed he'll make 'em for Steyrs) will be a SuperTuck, though, since I like the two-clip idea a bit better, I think.

Mind you, I've never had a problem with the single larger clip on the QwikClip, I'd just like to try two clips.

Mark is fantastic to deal with, and he's more than willing to accomodate odd requests. My holster is adjustable for crossdraw, FBI cant, and a severe forward cant that is very similar to that on a SOB holster. He hadn't been making the QwikClip for very long, so he wasn't sure how heavily he could make it cant, but he gave it a try, and it is fantastic. He was honest about it, too, letting me know that there were limitations on cant, but he would see how far he could push them. And there was no extra cost.

It almost makes me feel badthat I don't use that cant very much.