Holster Attachment Options: MERGED

[J man]

I have been looking at different IWB holsters and have been trying to decide on how I want to secure the holster to my belt. My question is what do members of this forum prefer, the metal or kydex clips or a leather belt loop with snaps, and if you could list the pros and cons between them I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
J man

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[JD]

I prefer the offset leather loops, they are still easy to take off, yet aren't so easy to remove that my holster will come off with the gun, I've never had that issue, I don't like metal clips as they loose tension and wear my belt / jeans more than leather loops.

IMHO the loops are the best combo of secure fastening/easy removal

[cmdrdredd]

Depends on the holster. Kydex, I like the overhooks (kydex clips). Leather I like the snap loops.

[Tangle]

I've have a number of IWB holsters with a variety of attachment methods. First, I'm with JD 100% on the metal clips. In addition to his comments, the clip is in the center of the holster which adds width to the holster and allows it to pivot too much.

I have recently started carrying my G17 in a CTAC. I ordered it with the C clips (Kydex) and ordered a set of standard clips (also Kydex). I switched to the standard clips and like them much better.

The standard clips have a beveled 'nose' to ease sliding over the belt and they are easy to remove, and they hold the gun securely.

I've used the leather straps too, I think they're a little more trouble to get on the belt than the Kydex. You just push the Kydex clips down and they pretty much attach. The leather straps have to be fed under the belt, brought back up and snapped - it's harder than it sounds.

[retsupt99]

Well I DO like the metal clips...most of my Fist holsters have them. Some I've used for over 6 years and the clips still work very well...well enough to work without a belt (although I do use a belt, I'm just saying...)
Metal clips on Fist holsters are easy on/off, and really hold well. OMO

[dmorris68]

I don't care for metal clips either but the CTAC plastic clips are great, I love the standard clips on my MTAC. I've never had an issue with pulling the holster out of my pants, even when the MTAC had my Commander locked in tight before I figured out the twist trick. Gave myself a wedgie, but the holster did not budge!

[Tangle]

What had the Commander locked in so tightly?

[cmdrdredd]

What had the Commander locked in so tightly?

My Glock is like that a bit too. The leather isn't really stiff and the leather has no mold whatsoever for the gun. So when you wear it and the leather attempts to mold to the contours of your body, it creates a hump right where the gun is holstered. This hump presses the gun a bit more firmly into the kydex shell. This in turn causes the gun to be tighter in the holster and harder to unholster.

The biggest flaw in the design IMO, but it works itself in a bit over time.

[dmorris68]

What had the Commander locked in so tightly?

It seems to be common with the MTAC and certain guns and probably certain body types or carry positions. There's another thread here where several of us with the problem discussed it recently. Basically it seems that due to the MTAC's wide leather backing conforming to the hip, it either flexes/stretches the kydex shell a bit causing it to flatten slightly, or it pushes the gun more firmly into the kydex. The trigger guard molding locks in and becomes so strong that the gun can be very difficult to draw, until we figured out that a very slight clockwise twist (grip towards the body for a righty) releases it. As the kydex and leather wears in it should be less of an issue, and besides with a little practice the twist becomes part of the drawing motion and doesn't really impact it at all.

[rocky]

I prefer double loops of leather just because I find the metal clips tear up my jeans and belts.

[J man]

Thanks for all the imput so far, I have been leaning more towards the leather loops with snaps, do to the fact that I wear a brown belt so they would blend in better than metal or kydex clips.

I have been weighing the option of getting a tuckable holster but most of the IWB holsters that I have seen with this option use metal or kydex clips. Does anyone know of a holster that is tuckable that uses the leather belt loops?

[AZ Husker]

I prefer a widely spaced set of leather loops like the Sparks VM2 for stability. I've tried them all, and the single clip was the worst for me. It rocked back and forth. I want my gun to be rock steady. I don't care for clips either. I don't take my holster on and off. It goes on in the morning, and off at night. It's easier for me to thread my belt through the loops while my jeans are off than to try to install the holster while I'm wearing them.

[MNBurl]

I use up to four different solutions.

1. Metal over the belt clips. Easy on and off, holds well and very thin. You can snag things and cause the clip to bend or cause marks or even rips on leather chairs and could come off when drawing.
2. Metal 'J' clips that go under the belt with the j-clip holding on to the bottom of the belt. Will never come off when drawing and low profile. Can cause marks on leather chairs and will be harder to de-holster than a normal clip.
3. Leather loops with snap closure. Best of all worlds. Very secure attachment, get the same color as holster/belt for low profile showing and will no mar furniture. Will generally be thicker than a metal clip.
4. Closed leather loops. Very low profile, very secure attachment and no snap to see and wonder "What the heck is that?" You will have to remove the belt from the holster to get it off. Who would want this? A few customers of mine a in the government security business that need the most low profile tuckable solution choose it.

[Thumper]

Leather all the way!

[Coldthunder]

Saw several holsters i like, most are the ones with double offset leather loops or metal clips. Having never had either, what do you all think about the loops vs clips? Pros, cons, thoughts?

thanks