Carrying at 9'o clock/printing

[revjen45]

Being unemployed I have not had the money to buy a high grade holster. I have a Hunter OWB 9720 cheapie and carry a Steyr S9 usually covered by an unbottoned sort or chambray shirt not tucked in. In some positions there is a slight bulge, but no one has ever commented or called the law. It could be a phone- the bulge does not have the shape of a gun. During the summer the Steyr fits nicely in the oversize rt. ft. pocket of my camo shorts with a hankie/bandana stuffed in the pocket to prevent the gun from showing thru the opening. My belt is double thickness made to support a pistol. I actually prefer pocket carry because I can have my hand in my pocket and on the gun without appearing suspicious. This works especially well with dehorned .38 snubbie.

[longtooth]

Yes sir rev. My cell phone on the weak side is a bigger bulge than my gun. For my back pocket pistol I also use a bandana hankie for cover. My Mom pocket carries a KT3AT in front pocket & she uses a lace hankie to cover it with also. She gets a lot of compliments on the hankie from ladies that have no idea what is under it.

[Glockamolie]

Just be careful; a few cheapo holsters here and there, and you could have had one good one. Anything you think may be troublesome around the house for a while will be a huge pain when you try to carry it in the real world. I'm betting 2 or 3 full days and you'll either get a good holster, or find yourself not carrying as much.

[longtooth]

That is what always happens.

[Syntax360]

In my limited experience, I have found that the main difference between expensive and cheap holsters is the retaining clip. On the only "cheapo" holster I own, the clip is very flimsy metal and it is located on the top of the holster - I assume it is located there to allow the holster to sit in you pants as deep as possible and let the belt do most of the work by squeezing the heaviest part of the gun (the grip area). A few of my friends have low-priced holsters and they are all similarly setup.

The flimsy clips allow the rig to move to-and-fro when you move, which definitely results in bad printing. Also, with the rig sitting deep in your pants, the thickest part of the gun sits on the widest part of your waistline. Depending on your body type, this may or may not be a problem.

With my "quality" holsters, the clips are definitely lightyears ahead in construction. The retention clips usually lies more towards the middle of the rig, allowing the butt of the pistol to ride higher on your body (ie above the widest part of your wasteline). For me, this alone makes all the difference in the world. Also, I can sit down without the pistol pulling my pants up, which is another huge complaint I have about my cheap holster or any of my friends I have tried out. Also, the quality holsters stay put and don't move around when you do.

[KBCraig]

You'll never get a belt suitable for carrying a decent-sized handgun at a department store or WalMart. Period.

I'm planning to hit Cavendar's tomorrow, and see what they have. They're worth a try.

Kevin

[dws1117]

I'm unwilling to mail order a belt. I want to try it on.

Kevin

I was the same way, but I took the chance and it was worth every penny. That's where there seven hole design is really nice with the Rafter S belts. I believe there are a few more that make the seven hole belts. The cowhide belts run $48 for sizes through 44. I don't anticipate needing another for a long time, although I might get another just in case they go out of business.

[dws1117]

http://www.raftersgunleather.com/Belts.htm

[longtooth]

KB, a good quality belt form Cavanders will work plenty good for IWB. The two I just replaced were Nacona & Justin. Both 1.5" & did fine w/ my Kimber Pro CDP. I also have an Eclipse Pro ll that is steel frame. OWB even those belts let it sag.

[OverEasy]

If you are not in a hurry this is probably the best "belt deal" on the planet:

http://www.reddiamondonline.com/SearchR ... L&All=True

A Don Hume lined leather belt for $34.99!! I have two, a 1.25" black and a 1.5" brown. The 1.25" belt is plenty big enough to haul around a SIG P229.

However it took almost 2 months for the brown one to arrive last spring.

You don't have to spend $100+ to get a good holster.
I have a Crossbreed IWB for my Glock.
http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/index.html

They were $38, now they have gone up to $44

For anyone interested in the Crossbreed, here are a few tips:

1) Don't waste $8 for the adjustable option. You can punch your own holes where you need them, for the cant and how high it rides. I had to punch another hole even with the adj. option.

2) Be sure to ask for a "full cut/ combat draw" holster. Otherwise you won't be able get a proper grip on the butt when you draw.

3) Be prepared to cut off some leather!! The leather part is way too big!
You can use black majic marker or 'sole edge dressing' to color the edge where you trim off leather. Look close at the pictures on the web site. The leather part is a big oval shape. Mine now looks kinda like the state of TX. I cut away most of the leather that wasn't under the gun.

I'm real pleased with mine now that it is all fixed. With the Don Hume belt it stays close up against me, doesn't move around and it is very light and comfortable.

I don't have a digital camera. If I did I would post a picture ("worth a K words")

Good Luck! OE

[longtooth]

I like the looks of that gear.

[Venus Pax]

I'm not sure if men have this problem, but I can't necessarily wear the gun the same way with every outfit. I have two holsters. I wear the pager pal with a skirt or with shirts that are tucked in or too close to the waistline.
I also have an El Cheapo (not the actual brand) that I bought from cheaperthandirt.com. The only problem I have with it is that when I'm in the ladies' room, my gun has been known to fall out of my pants. The only time it ever happened, I was in the privacy of my own bathroom, so I just keep a good handle on things in the ladies' room. I've learned to balance.
I agree that a more expensive holster is probably best, but would recommend trying out a friend's for a day first. I guess that's the bargain person in me.

[revjen45]

I got my gun belt at Dillon Precision. They claimed to have lifted a car engine with one. Delivery didn't take too long, and price wasn't out of line.