Question on holsters - clip vs. belt straps

[DaveHD]

Need some advise. I am searching for a decent & cheap IWB holster, but have a question about the clip/belt straps. I carry a Glock 27 at 1:00 or 2:00 and mostly wear untucked t-shirts. I know heat is a slight issue in South Texas, so I have been told that a built in sweatgaurd is a must.

Does anyone have recommendations on the main difference bewteen the two?
Which is more secure?
If I used the clip style, that would not negate the need for a good gun belt, right?

Below is a pic of one of the holsters (belt strap type) that I'm considering.

H-E-L-P!!!! Thanks much, ya'll.

Dave

[KRM45]

In my experience if you are going to leave your shirt un-tucked, I would go with the straps. The IWB holsters I have that i have both systems for I use the straps much more often. When I need to tuck my shirt in I use the clips.

[WildBill]

Need some advise. I am searching for a decent & cheap IWB holster, but have a question about the clip/belt straps. I carry a Glock 27 at 1:00 or 2:00 and mostly wear untucked t-shirts. I know heat is a slight issue in South Texas, so I have been told that a built in sweatgaurd is a must.

Does anyone have recommendations on the main difference bewteen the two? Which is more secure? If I used the clip style, that would not negate the need for a good gun belt, right?

Dave

I like belt straps. I think that straps are more stable and will keep the holster in the position where you set it. IMO, straps are easier if you need to remove your holster if you need to disarm. The requirement for a good gun belt is not negated for a clip style holster. +1 on the sweat guard.

[TexasComputerDude]

I have a comptac infidel with belt straps and a ghurka strut. The straps are very nice and make it extremely easy to take off. Just pop the snaps and pull up.

I've got to send it back because the ghurka strut clip broke off though :-(

I've been nothing but happy with the holster so far though (except for that one little part)

[kd5zex]

I have exclusively used the kydex C-clips on my MTAC and am very pleased. They are very secure and discrete enough.

[A-R]

Lately I've been playing around with some new and old holsters and, as my midsection widens with age and lack of exercise, I notice that the big solid leather loops on my Galco Royal Guard actually print through my untucked shirt - not that this would be any sort of CCW law infringment, but it is quite noticeable through some shirts and might draw unwanted attention. The solid and so-far reliable steel clip on my High Noon Split Decision (a tuckable IWB which I often carry untucked as well) does not print as much, and also is inconspicuous when carried tucked.

But my #1 reason for preferring a clip to a set of loops is clips are easier to use if you find yourself needing to remove your gun and then put it back on (i.e. walking into a CCW-free zone of some kind). Of course, you can just remove your gun and leave your holster in place. But I have found occasions when I wanted/needed to remove both and getting the IWB holster with loops back in place can be challenging in a car - much easier with a clip.

I do agree the loops are stronger and more reliable retention, but so far I have never had a good quality clip "fail" on me, so the loops may be overkill. Of course, if you have a wimpy plastic clip or an old torn up metal clip, your results may vary.

[wheelgun1958]

I have both clip and strap holsters. I prefer the straps, they are more secure.

[Mike1951]

I have had inexpensive, nylon holsters with steel clips push up off my belt allowing gun/holster to fall to the ground.

OTOH, I've had good luck with several Tucker Cover Up holsters with standard Kydex clips.

Still, most of my holsters have belt loops.

[TexasComputerDude]

I have had inexpensive, nylon holsters with steel clips push up off my belt allowing gun/holster to fall to the ground.

I really wish I hadn't wasted 12$ on mine.... Its completely unusable and unsafe.

[Skiprr]

An important point whether you choose loops or clips is to match the size of the attachment device to your belt.

I know that seems elementary, but I can tell ya a lot of people come to the conclusion: "Well, I'll order the 1.75-inch belt loops/clips because I may wear a 1.25-inch or 1.5-inch belt as well. I'll cover all my bases."

Not good.

Clips in particular--almost all clips--are dependent upon fore and aft sizes matching to provide optimum security. Leaving a quarter-inch slop in clip-to-belt match-up may very easily allow the clip hook, whatever its configuration, to ride under/over the belt during daily wear.

Too, clips expect a certain thickness of belt. You simply cannot carry a firearm on a Perry Ellis fashion belt. And thank goodness for that.

You don't want to draw when it really matters and find your holster and your gun coming out still attached to one another.

The issue is less dangerous with loops--unless a snap comes loose--but slop is still ill advised. One important aspect of a good draw is that you can access a master grip on the firearm quickly and reliably. If you carry a holster with 1.75-inch loops on a 1.5-inch belt, you can expect that sucker to shift around during your normal daily sitting and standing. Not optimal.

So whichever you choose, match the width of your gunbelt and your holster's attachments.

[Skiprr]

I have had inexpensive, nylon holsters with steel clips push up off my belt allowing gun/holster to fall to the ground.

I really wish I hadn't wasted 12$ on mine.... Its completely unusable and unsafe.

Your post made me realize the term "clip" I previously used might be misconstrued.

Not talkin' here about any fits-all cheapie holster with a metal tension clip that tries to hold onto a belt by pressure, like a big paperclip.

Throw those things out in the trash tomorrow morning. As in: right away.

The clips I meant are generally Kydex, and do not attempt to secure a holster by their own tension but by hooking underneath the belt.

A tension-clip holster that tries to squeeze the belt to secure itself is right-out worthless.

[DaveHD]

Great...thanks a lot for the input. The straps seem more secure to me. I can't find a holster with belts straps and a sweatgaurd. Is a sweatgaurd that big of a deal as far as comfort? I'm mostly in jeans/shorts and a t-shirt, and really don't want to have to layer up with an undershirt...Texas is hot enough!! Any thoughts?

[bpet]

Get the sweat guard. I have two IWBs without and one with. The one with is much more comfortable against the skin than cold/hot steel. While I can't vouch for it protecting the finish on the pistol, it does make me fell better knowing sweat is not pouring into the action from the side of the slide that's against my skin.

[jbirds1210]

I have both clip and strap holsters. I prefer the straps, they are more secure.

I prefer straps. I have a comp-tac holster IWB Infidel that is equipped with straps and a ghurka style kydex clip and my preferred Milt Sparks Summer Special II also has straps.

I wont own anything with the steel clip. IMO they are dangerous junk.

I really think a Don Hume IWB holster with straps might be exactly what you are looking for. It is inexpensive and durable.

Good luck.

Jason