For the last few years I've pocket carried a Springfield XDS .45 in a pocket holster. I started out doing this just around the house and my own neighborhood.
I want to carry my other pistols just as comfortably, but I have finally accepted a fact of life: I don't care for IWB carry. Yes, I know it offers the best concealment, but I hate putting an IWB holster on and taking it off. I also hate the way it feels when I sit down. I'm also not crazy about having to wear looser pants to accommodate an IWB holster. I have a locker full of IWB holsters I've bought over the years, each time thinking, "This will be the RIGHT one!"
In case any of you are wondering, no, I'm not fat.
So in short, do any of you carry concealed OWB? And if so, what do you carry and in what holster?
A couple of choices I use and like. Pictured: G26 in a Simply Rugged CID, XDS in a Fist #12. These 2 holsters were both about $100 give or take. It's the pancake design that makes them very concealable when worn OWB with a cover garment.
As for IWB carry the best I have for that is a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 that fits my Glocks 19 and 26. With the Sparks holster you might find that you like IWB after all.
1911 Commander is carried in a Milt Sparks Axiom, or a Fist, Inc. #42 Driving Holster, or a Red Nichols paddle holster. The Sig P365 is carried in Crossbreed "Reckoning." I've been carrying for 45 years and these are what works best for me for the pistols mentioned.
I carried OWB for eight years, either a G26, G19 or G30. Mostly in a kydex holster, either Raven Concealment Phantom, Bravo Concealment, or similar. For the past year I have carried exclusively AIWB. I am wearing the same size pants, but since they have elastic in the waist, they fit acceptably with or without a pistol concealed.
I now carry a Sig P229 (about the same size as a G19) and find it to be very comfortable. Of course, I also am using an infinitely adjustable belt and a holster specifically designed for AIWB.
One other stipulation I forgot..... I REALLY don't like to feel the butt of a gun against my skin, so I also want it to have a backing plate or whatever it's called.
Re an OWB holster that really does hold the gun tight enough to conceal well: I doubt there is one with a full shield on the back side. And if there is, I think that stiff leather would be quite uncomfortable. Soft leather is a no-no if you want to holster safely and not get the trigger caught in the "collapsing" leather.
Get some sleeveless light weight undershirts - the Brits call them singlets. A undershirt tank top, if you will. Some people prefer thin cotton but others prefer man made fibers that supposedly wick away moisture.
I prefer to CC OWB if my shirt works with it, ie: Long enough to hide the muzzle when I sit down and loose enough to not print too much. Not a fan of a t-shirt with an unbuttoned shirt on top.
I have carried a 3" SP101, Glock 43, SD9, Sig P227 and P220 and currently a Commander 1911 OWB concealed. I have always used Don Hume from Gunners Alley. Good handgun boning and high riding so retains nicely and the big one for me is 1.75" belt slots since all my belts,even the heavy duty gun belt is 1.75" wide. The wider belts allow me to use a thinner more comfortable belt and retain the stiffness needed to keep the gun in close.
Glock
19-4 in a Nelson Holsters Thunderbird if I remember right. It can be worn OWB or IWB with by adding belt clips. Full sweat shield.
Really comfortable and great workmanship.
I often carry a three inch j frame owb, in an Azula pancake holster. About $45. I also have learned to abhor iwb carry. Otherwise it's a 380 in my pocket.
I use an undershirt or T shirt to keep the pistol off the skin.
SP101 in a Theis holster.
Glocks in a Glock Sport/Combat holster. I’m getting a custom leather one made with a thumb break for when I might want to open carry. I won’t open carry without retention.
I tried IWB, hated it. And I’m not buying a whole new wardrobe to have room.
When I carry concealed OWB, I use a DM Bullard Bodyguard holster. It has a 25 degree cant which angles the grip up my body to reduce printing and has a sweat guard. It's designed to be worn at 5-530. The added benefit of the steep cant is that when seated the grip is brought up giving you an easy draw.
I've carried full sized autos this way with no problem.
I've been owb carrying with a cover shirt more and more here lately. Definitely more comfortable imo.
SP101 and several other revolvers in a Galco concealable holster. LCR in a pancake (forget the maker).
Various semiautomatics in Galco Combat master and CZ75 compact in a Simply Rugged Cuda.
I carry either a commander or full size 1911’s.
OWB I have HF1 holsters made for each by Tucker Gun Leather.
Works good under a shirt.
Looks awesome when OC.
In Texas I am not concerned with printing
Ya pretty much have to wear an oversized t shirt to cover OWB. A tucked in t shirt with an untucked button up, left unbuttoned has worked the best for me over the years.
I always go back to OWB carry in a leather pancake style holster covered by an untucked shirt. I carry a 5" 1911 with a spare magazine from the time I get dressed until it goes on the nightstand when I go to bed. For a second gun or deep concealment, I go with a pocket holster. Here is my D.M. Bullard Combat holster in Brown Tiger Shark leather with a sweat shield. In the summer, I wear a very thin A-shirt underneath. In the winter, I wear a heavy T-shirt underneath. The pocket holster is a Ted Blocker pocket holster.
Carry G19 with dot in a Blackhawk OWB 3-3:30 everyday. Wear a compression shirt with a loose Columbia lightweight shirt or a nice untuck made dress shirt for church security. I snug belt up to help snug weapon close to not print.
For the last few years I've pocket carried a Springfield XDS .45 in a pocket holster. I started out doing this just around the house and my own neighborhood.
I want to carry my other pistols just as comfortably, but I have finally accepted a fact of life: I don't care for IWB carry. Yes, I know it offers the best concealment, but I hate putting an IWB holster on and taking it off. I also hate the way it feels when I sit down. I'm also not crazy about having to wear looser pants to accommodate an IWB holster. I have a locker full of IWB holsters I've bought over the years, each time thinking, "This will be the RIGHT one!"
In case any of you are wondering, no, I'm not fat.
So in short, do any of you carry concealed OWB? And if so, what do you carry and in what holster?
Depends on the firearm.
Glock 30SF and Sig P365 I use a Bianchi foldaway.
Glock 19X and Colt Defender, I use a Bianchi pancake
Full-size 1911, I use a Tagua pancake.
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