Concealed holsters

[Bigwho86]

Ok, I've asked a very similar question before but I will get much more specific this time. I need suggestions for concealed carry holsters. I have tried most all of the big brands and none of them fit right. Alien Gear, Vetter, and a few others. None of them fit. I am big. All the ones I have tried so far that are owb stick out too far and print badly and for some reason makes the butt of the handle stick out. Basically the same with iwb. I don't like the weapon behind my back. The only holster I have found that is usable is a Remora that's basically a sleeve type. I can wear it in the appendix position alright because I can push it down where the handle is just above the belt. With other appendix holsters the clip allows the weapon to sit very high and my gut pushes the weapon out and it will basically almost fold over. I have the Opovoo carry pouch too which works. Can anyone recommend a holster that might work? I don't care about material or anything like that. Any and all help is appreciated.

[Vol Texan]

I'm a big guy, and I love my Crossbreed holsters. You'll need a good gunbelt, about two inches bigger than your normal belt size.
It took me about 2-3 days of carrying with my Crossbreed to get comfortable with it, and I carry a full sized gun in it every day.

[WTR]

I'm not a big guy 6'-180 lbs. However, I second the Crossbreed as the most comfortable IWB holster I've tried( even with a 5" 1911). They have great CS also.

[Boxerrider]

I'll second the recommendation for a good gun belt if you don't already have one. I like a holster that places the trigger at the same level as the belt - it keeps the grip pulled in. Can you adjust, possibly modify, your Alien Gear to ride lower? What are you carrying?

Enjoy!
Jeff

[RoyGBiv]

I've carried appendix for 20+ years.
If you prefer AIWB, the best holster, by far, IMO, is the JMCK wing claw 2.5. I stopped looking for holsters after I bought this one.

I prefer the metal clip version, but they also offer pull-the-dot and a few other attachment variations. Excellent customer service.
https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/AIWB-WC2-5.html

I'm 5'8"ish, wide at the shoulders, built relatively flat across the front and narrow at the edges, and I've always had trouble concealing strong side or behind the hip. Appendix has always just worked for me (other than the scary opportunity for an ND into my femoral artery or man-parts ). With this holster, I carry a G19 discretely in a t-shirt.

Some discussion:
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php ... g-Claw-2-0
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php ... K-CLAW-2-5

[Maxwell]

I know what you mean. I’m A little taller and broader than you and I carry IWB at 3:30. I stopped looking when I found the Milt Sparks VM2, even the wide grip of my M&Pc tucks in comfortably. Now I have a VM2 for each of my carrry guns.

[RPBrown]

I have to agree with what has been said above. I am 6'-4" and 280 lbs. I had the same issues no matter what holster I was using, and I have several I tried. I listened to the folks here and bough a gun belt from Beltman. Now those issues have disappeared. That was several years ago and I now have 4 of their belts for myself and my wife has 2

[The Annoyed Man]

Let’s just say that I’m not nearly tall enough for my weight. Polite people would describe me as having “prosperous” dimensions. I know too well the “fold over” problem you mentioned, although was mitigated a long time ago by purchase of a purpose-made gun belt. You didn’t mention what kind of gun you carry, and that does matter when it comes to holster choices. Here is what I have found works for me over the years for various pistols, keeping in mind that this list does NOT include any holsters I tried and gave up on. You will have a drawer full of unused holsters before this journey is over for you......

Appendix IWB (AIWB):

• Glock 26 - a CYA Supply kydex belt clip type holster: https://cyasupply.com/collections/iwb-h ... wb-holster
• Glock 43 - a home made belt clip type holster identical to the CYA model for the G26: https://cyasupply.com/collections/iwb-h ... hand-black

IWB:

• 5” and 4” 1911s, Glock 19, HK USPc .40 - a Comp-Tac MTAC (previously AKA the “Minotaur”): https://comp-tac.com/mtac-premier-iwb-h ... -comp-tac/

A brief note here....I had to abandon carrying IWB on or just behind the hip because of chronic back pain. Having a gun under my belt in that position seems to put pressure on a nerve and causes sciatica for me. If you have back problems, this may not work for you. But if you do not, this is a VERY comfortable and well made holster.

OWB: (This is how I carry 99% of the time, and it conceals just fine and is way more comfortable than IWB)

• Glock 26, Glock 19 - a Desantis Speed Scabbard: https://www.desantisholster.com/speed-scabbard/
• Glock 19, Glock 17 - a Bianchi Model 7 Shadow II: http://www.safariland.com/products/hols ... ml#start=1
• Glock 43 - a Mitch Rosen 5JR Express: https://mitchrosen.com/order-online/#!/ ... y=10984035
• 3” and 5” 1911s - a Galco Concealable Belt Holster: https://www.galcogunleather.com/conceal ... _1064.html
• M&P45 Full Size - a Kirkpatrick Gunleather Undercover: http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/conce ... r-cover-77
• Springfield XDM45 Compact 3.8 - a custom holster from Hopp Custom Leather: http://www.hoppcustomleather.com
• S&W 340M&P (or any other J-frame S&W revolver) - a Fist #8 Close Cropped Shortcut: http://fist-holsters.com/storage-prod/l ... etail.html

You’ll note that, for OWB, I favor a leather holster. No, leather is not tacticool, and it’s not as impervious to wear and the elements as a kydex holster is, but I have found over the years that they are just a lot more comfortable for all day carry. I have tried several paddle holsters made of synthetic materials, but generally have found them to either not be as comfortable as they look, or not all that concealable.

None of this includes alternative forms of carry, such as pocket holsters, or shoulder holsters, but I have those too.

[Jago668]

I'm 6'2" 350 lbs. Buy a gun belt. I'm currently using a super bio gun belt from daltech. Get one of those or a double thick leather belt (I've got a horsehide one with internal stiffner that doesn't fold when I put my gun on it and hold it out by hand). As for holsters I wear at 3 o'clock to 3:30 (depending on where belt loop on the pants is). I've tried various holsters, from nylon, to leather, to hybrid, and I have settled on full kydex (or similar material). NSR Tactical, Greenforce Tactical, and the Eidolon from Raven Concealment are all good holsters. There are probably others but those are the ones I've actually used. One they don't hold sweat, and two they retain their shape for reholstering. The second part isn't a huge deal for normal carry but if you ever take a training class you will massively appreciate it. With all of those listed you can adjust cant and ride height. I know NSR makes one with a claw that helps keep the grip pushed in. The Eidolon has a claw and a wedge so the grip is turned in, and the top of the pistol pushed in as well (takes getting used to but it does work).

[The Annoyed Man]

I forgot to mention that I almost exclusively use mag-carriers from Kytex Shooting Gear: http://www.kytexgear.com

[flechero]

What you describe is pretty common among bigger guys. Think about the situation- your belt squeezes in and forces excess out (your "handles"). The handles push the butt of the gun out causing it to print badly.

There are a few ways to minimize things. All work, but all have trade offs of some kind.

1. Good belt and belt/holster fit. They will be more solid and hold the gun into your handles (hybrid holsters are comfortable but not [normally] as stiff and solid as good, leather or kydex. (the trade off is comfort if it holds gun too tight into your excess) OWB buys you some pressure relief and can reduce print since there is a little space off the belt to the gun. (The trade off is you need a longer shirt to cover.)

2. holster cant. adding cant will lessen the degree of print because the butt is higher. (trade off is altered draw stoke or you need to wear it further back)

3. holster design. Some like JM Custom Kydex, for example have a feature called "extra tuck" (in his IWB 3) which allows the belt to contact a slightly raised area on the trigger guard that pulls the butt of the gun in tighter, minimizing the grip flare. Other models use a wing to accomplish this. He also offers a wedge to do something similar. (trade off- Takes practice to get a good grip on the draw since gun is up against you)

4. clock position. 3 o'clock (or 9 for a southpaw) is the worst place for CC as it allows the grip to stick out off the hip which is the widest spot. just moving it back a couple inches (to 3:30 or 4) will allow the gun to "turn the corner" beyond the point of the hip, this allowing the grip to sit more along your side/back. (further back the flatter it lies, but the trade off on ease of access)

5. Ride height. A higher ride holster will accentuate the "handle" push and make the print worse. A lower ride sometimes defeats the leverage and holds tight. (the trade off- too low you may have trouble getting a good grip on the draw)

6. Gun. You may see a real benefit from carrying a single stack vs a double. I almost never carry a double- they just don't lay flat for me. (Trade off- capacity and extra spare mag(s) on weak side)

None of the trade offs are a big deal... they will just be new to you at first. A little practice (which you should do anyway) and you'll be as natural as you are in any other position.

As for spare mags- as TAM mentioned, Kytex is great and I used to only use them. Now my primary (or first) is a magholder horizontal. Much more comfy, especially if you have handles!!

[Setxjeff]

I am 6'4" 260 and carry 75% time in crossdraw holster,10% pocket carry and 15% shoulder holster. The crossdraw holster works best for me even with a large pistol (Ruger P85 18 shot magazine)

[Lena]

15 years + cant remember when exactly Minute Man OWB leather for Glock 32 no reason to change kydex for matches only .

Rarely but do sometimes carry a D HULME JIT slide, both work just fine, tried others always came back to these, same for my 1911's.

Horseback checking fences or cows usually change to a revolver in crossdraw. Due to noise factor S&W M19 4" with 38 spcl cast swc

[MP(Ret)95B]

This is the best belt that I have ever worn, hands down:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C2 ... UTF8&psc=1

Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Concealed Carry CCW Gun Belt | Made in USA | 14 oz Leather

Fantastic belt and even better customer service. Had my belt for over a year and then lost about 20 lbs (food/exercise). Wrote the company to ask them the best way to have the belt cut and have the holes redone. They wrote back and said that excessive weight loss/gain was covered by the lifetime warranty. They sent me a pdf for a postage free return label...and then sent me the new belt POSTAGE FREE also.
They said that I could wait to get the new belt before returning the old one...and then offered me a BIG VIP discount if I ordered another belt from them.
They are a small company and all belts and holsters are made in the USA.
If you are considering a new belt/holster...I would HIGHLY recommend them. Belt gets excellent ratings on Amazon also.
Belt fits excellent and holds my old Ruger P89 without sagging...and they are HEAVY!!!

<MP>

[WTR]

I also recommend a good gun belt. I use a BELTMAN and it makes all the difference in the world. For an all kydex holster I reccomend RDR. Very good quality and great CS at a reasonable price. Colin Noir says it’s his fovorite IWB holster.