DefensiveCarry Concealed Carry Forum - View Single Post - Looking to get a Holster for Concealment ??

Jaystekan · October 31st, 2008, 03:28 PM

1) Purchasing a holster will make or break your carrying experience. A lot of makers have a decent return policy. My suggestion would be to get an adjustable holster rather than one with a permanent cant, at least that way you can decide what position is better for you before you purchase a custom made non-adjustable holster. I did this, I went with a crossbreed supertuck which is adjustable, prior to ordering a custom non-adjustable holster.

2/3) It all depends. You are in Arizona, so I imagine cover garments are rare. If you carry concealed owb, you would need a jacket/shirt to cover it up. Personally I carry iwb. I am a semi-thin guy and rarely wear a cover garment, so i found IWB to be best for me. This is a matter of personal preference though. The p245 is a decent sized gun, and would probably be easier to conceal iwb. If you go owb, I find that a high-ride holster works best, but like I said I go with iwb.

4) OWB holster can be standard for the range and open carry, IWB is generally for concealement. The holster both iwb/own are not supported by your pants, or hip, they are supported by a belt. The belt is just as important as the holster. Not having a good belt, is like building a nice house on a swamp rather than building that home on a concrete foundation.

5) Leather is generally preferred by people who carry IWB. Leather feels nicer against the skin, is generally less likely to effect the finish on your gun, will mold to your body shape, and has good retention properties. That being said, there are quite a few good kydex holsters as well. There are also leather/kydex holsters. These generally use Kydex for the outer side of the holster and use leather for the side against your body. this aids in comfort.

6) Plastics are not junk at all. Kydex has it's purpose. Leather is generally more comfortable though.

7) You get what you pay for is generally true. Although some holsters have quite a long wait list, cost 3 times as much as other holsters and in my opinion are simply not worth the trouble and wait it takes to get them. Comp-tac holsters are excellent leather/kydex mixes and can be on your hip in a week. Other "custom" makes have anything from a few months to a year waiting period. High noon makes some pretty good generic holsters. I use one at times simply because it is easy on and off, and was in my mailbox in a few days. This fills the need for a holster while I wait on my custom made holster. There are some very good holster makers out there. Look through the holster thread and get some ideas.

8) Some holsters come with thumb breaks, which is generally not recommended for a self defense gun. Some holsters are adjustable, which if it is your first holster, and you don't know yet how you like to carry, thats nice to have. You can adjust the holster and find the "sweet spot" for you to carry it. Some holsters have exotic skins. This is nice I guess, but for a concealement holster nobody sees, I simply don't see the point in that. Some iwb holsters offer different types of clips and loops. Clips are usually easier on and off, loops snap around your belt. Holsters with an offset clip tend to be easier to conceal iwb. If the belt clip is on top of the gun, well than it just adds thickness.

REMEMBER: Without a good belt the holster won't live up to it's full potential. I have had good luck with Dickies walmart belts, but now have a beltman and can see there is a world of difference between the two.

October 31st, 2008, 03:28 PM	#3
Jaystekan Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NC Posts: 470	1) Purchasing a holster will make or break your carrying experience. A lot of makers have a decent return policy. My suggestion would be to get an adjustable holster rather than one with a permanent cant, at least that way you can decide what position is better for you before you purchase a custom made non-adjustable holster. I did this, I went with a crossbreed supertuck which is adjustable, prior to ordering a custom non-adjustable holster. 2/3) It all depends. You are in Arizona, so I imagine cover garments are rare. If you carry concealed owb, you would need a jacket/shirt to cover it up. Personally I carry iwb. I am a semi-thin guy and rarely wear a cover garment, so i found IWB to be best for me. This is a matter of personal preference though. The p245 is a decent sized gun, and would probably be easier to conceal iwb. If you go owb, I find that a high-ride holster works best, but like I said I go with iwb. 4) OWB holster can be standard for the range and open carry, IWB is generally for concealement. The holster both iwb/own are not supported by your pants, or hip, they are supported by a belt. The belt is just as important as the holster. Not having a good belt, is like building a nice house on a swamp rather than building that home on a concrete foundation. 5) Leather is generally preferred by people who carry IWB. Leather feels nicer against the skin, is generally less likely to effect the finish on your gun, will mold to your body shape, and has good retention properties. That being said, there are quite a few good kydex holsters as well. There are also leather/kydex holsters. These generally use Kydex for the outer side of the holster and use leather for the side against your body. this aids in comfort. 6) Plastics are not junk at all. Kydex has it's purpose. Leather is generally more comfortable though. 7) You get what you pay for is generally true. Although some holsters have quite a long wait list, cost 3 times as much as other holsters and in my opinion are simply not worth the trouble and wait it takes to get them. Comp-tac holsters are excellent leather/kydex mixes and can be on your hip in a week. Other "custom" makes have anything from a few months to a year waiting period. High noon makes some pretty good generic holsters. I use one at times simply because it is easy on and off, and was in my mailbox in a few days. This fills the need for a holster while I wait on my custom made holster. There are some very good holster makers out there. Look through the holster thread and get some ideas. 8) Some holsters come with thumb breaks, which is generally not recommended for a self defense gun. Some holsters are adjustable, which if it is your first holster, and you don't know yet how you like to carry, thats nice to have. You can adjust the holster and find the "sweet spot" for you to carry it. Some holsters have exotic skins. This is nice I guess, but for a concealement holster nobody sees, I simply don't see the point in that. Some iwb holsters offer different types of clips and loops. Clips are usually easier on and off, loops snap around your belt. Holsters with an offset clip tend to be easier to conceal iwb. If the belt clip is on top of the gun, well than it just adds thickness. REMEMBER: Without a good belt the holster won't live up to it's full potential. I have had good luck with Dickies walmart belts, but now have a beltman and can see there is a world of difference between the two. __________________ Remember, no matter where you go, there you are.