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Defensive Carry Holsters & Carry Options There are some really good defensive carry holster designs, as well as some very bad ones on the market today. Whether you are in the market for a new holster or just discovered another perfect carry option, let us know about it here.

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Old May 16th, 2008, 02:10 AM   #1
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IWB comfort issues.

I'm trying to get to where I can carry my Kahr K9 IWB comfortably. I have both Bianchi and Galco IWB holsters (clip style) and I just got an MTAC today. I am having trouble finding a comfortable position that doesn't begin to cramp after 2 hours. Most of my day is spent standing with some driving. The MTAC at 4 o'clock is good for driving and starts out fairly comfortable, but after a while begins to really hurt. The other 2 just hurt from the get go. Are there tricks and techniques for carrying IWB all day in reasonable comfort or do I just need to STFU and deal with the pain? I do have a proper 1.5" Beltman belt to properly support the holster and I'm wearing a t-shirt to insulate the holster from my skin. I like the MTAC with an overshirt tucked in....very nice.
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Old May 16th, 2008, 02:20 AM   #2
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I just received a beautiful IWB "Double Clip" from Side Guard Holsters (I'll be doing a review on it later this week when I have time to get some pictures). It's my first IWB rig and I, too, am going through a little trial and error getting used to it.
As a test (and to break it in a bit), I wore it while mowing my (1.3 acre) lawn (with push mower) and doing other various yardwork today - a pretty through test of comfort for a holster in my book.

I find around 3:30-4:00 to be the most comfortable, but not the most concealable position. A t-shirt alone does not really make it "disappear" at this position, but it was comfortable to wear for several hours of physical labor.
I also found it is more comfortable if I let my pants ride a little bit lower than I usually do. Try adjusting the height of your belt, and the tightness of your belt also. A good, thick leather belt makes a big difference, too.
Basically, explore all the variables you can. Holster, position, belt, belt tightness, height of pants, etc...

I think it comes down to trial and error. Finding a holster design is one step, and finding the right spot to wear it is the next. The last step is to practice like mad with whatever you end up with I think you have a good selection, just find a spot that works. As I said above, try adjusting other things like how high you wear your pants and how tight you keep your belt.

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Pete Zaria.
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Old May 16th, 2008, 02:59 AM   #3
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A quick note on comfort. While all of us are dedicated in our own ways and means to pursue our rights and to secure our future by carrying concealed----we have all the rights to expect and find the ways and means to do so in complete comfort. Living in the real world, some of us know that might be too much to expect. Most of us have adapted to alot of things in our lives, and most have experienced pain and discomfort. For some, annoyances can easily be overcome--by others, annoyances are outright discomfort and pain and sometimes unbearable. Some can completely ignore pain and discomfort until such time as it's no longer an issue and have become adapted. Others believe that adjusting their immediate environment will suppress or even alleviate the pain or discomfort, and some employ a combination of both. In all, if the perfect equipment cannot be found then adaption or abandonment is in order. My suggestion? Once that holster starts to really hurt, tough it out an extra hour or so. Then adjust the positioning to alleviate the immediate discomfort. Tough it out some more---I've actually rendered parts of my body numb enduring the pain. Each subsequent time this happens, the pain is less and less until one day it's not there. It all depends on one's determination. There are alot of options out there, and likely you'll find the perfect one sooner or later. I'll be wishing you good luck until such time the odds tip in your favor.
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Old May 16th, 2008, 03:39 AM   #4
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The best solution I found was to wear suspenders to keep my pants up, and then I don't have to keep my belt as tight. My gun actually conceals better, now that i don't have it cinched in as tight, and my belt keeps the holster in, should I have to draw.

Oh, I wear the suspenders between my undershirt and outer shirt.
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Old May 16th, 2008, 06:14 AM   #5
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I wear my MTAC(and G23) anywhere from the 3:30 to 4:30 position with little discomfort. There are no 'tricks' so much as just finding a 'comfort zone' and staying with it. I think it may be just an adjustment period......getting used to a new holster and first time carrying IWB. I'd give it a little time, 'play' with the positions some and see if 'grows on ya' a little more.
I only carried OWB up until 2 years ago. I first purchased a Galco Summer Comfort IWB and hated it.......most uncomfortable holster I ever wore. I then got a CTAC and fell in love with it. Right after I got the CTAC they (Com-Tac) came out with the MTAC and that was even better! You may just need to 'find' that 'perfect' IWB holster. Give it some time first though.
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Old May 16th, 2008, 07:55 AM   #6
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As one of the above posts mentions, everyone is different...it took some experimentation, but IWB at about 3:30 - 4:00 has become very comfortable...I hardly know it's there. Walking, driving, or sitting on the couch is never a problem. In fact, I have at times even found myself taking a nap on the couch without removing the gun...no problem.
It may take you a little time...but you'll get there.
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Old May 16th, 2008, 09:15 AM   #7
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I know when I started carrying IWB it SUCKED!! I thought I wasted 40 bucks on this holster!! but I gave it some time. Maybe my nerve endings adapted (or died) but either way IWB is the only way I carry now.....and as was stated before "I hardly notice it anymore"
It sounds like you have quality holsters & You are using a dedicated gun-belt. But again...give it some time. You didn't say how long you have been werking on carrying yer Kahr. Days...weeks...
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Old May 16th, 2008, 09:23 AM   #8
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Everyone's different.

I carry my K9 in a crossbreed supertuck at about 4 o'clock. I won't say that "I don't know that it's there", but it's comfortable all day, even when seated or driving. The key for me was in adjusting the cant a bit more forward and, as others have said, a good belt.
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Old May 16th, 2008, 09:32 AM   #9
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The Kahr K9 is about the same size as my Sig P239, a bit thinner in fact. I've had great success using Crossbreed's SuperTuck along with a Crossbreed gun belt. The large leather backing smooths over the hard edges and the widely spaced clips distribute the weight over a large section of my belt.

What part of carrying IWB causes the most discomfort?
Is it the size? Does it poke you in a particular spot? - Adjust the cant, position on your belt & ride height (mine's at a slight forward cant, 3:45 - 4:30 on the belt, low to the point where the belt completely covers the trigger guard)
Is it the weight? Does it drag down your belt pinching or putting pressure on your waist or hips? - Use a sturdy belt, a dedicated gun belt does wonders for distributing weight without having to overtighten it
Is it the clothes? - For comfortable IWB carry I've found that I need more room in my pants than before, a size up helped tremendously, then I found that by losing about 10-15 lbs it helped give me that little extra space so I could again use my older pants, that's motivation to eat right and exercise
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Old May 16th, 2008, 09:45 AM   #10
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Can you adjust the cant AND height of any of your IWB holsters? It took a little bit to find the 'sweet spot' for my Crossbreed Supertuck. Even without a real gun belt, my SR9 is VERY comfortable no matter what I'm doing. I just had to make one final tweak recently to adjust the height...not for comfort, but to allow better grip acquisition for my presentation.

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