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IWB carry grip not laying flat against my back.

1738 Views 13 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  102023
I have been carrying a Glock G19 and Springfield XDS 45 at the 4:30 position in Alien Gear IWB holsters (both 2.0 and 3.0 versions). I have trouble with the grips of both pistols not staying flush against my back (especially the G19 - because it is taller). The grip doesn't print, but it does cause my shirt to slowly ratchet up over the grip over time. The pistol remains concealed, but over time my shirt definitely looks uneven and may give away my carry (or the repeated shirt adjusting).

I attribute this to me having a flat butt, so the holster/pistol grip rides straight vertical, not angled inward against my back. There is about a 1/2 inch (or more) gap between the grip and my back. I have had this trouble with all IWB holsters.

I am carrying the Alien Gear holster with both clips in the middle position, which give me a proper depth, but I was thinking about trying different clip positions to change the cant of the grip, but not sure that will solve this problem.

Any ideas (holster adjustments, modifications, different holster) to get a better carry concealment?
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I warm up the kydex part, and roll the edge along the slide to fit the curve of the body. This allows the flat bit near the trigger guard and your belt to pull the grip in against your body.
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Unfortunately holster efficacy varies from body to body. Try different positions - 3, 3:30, 4:00, etc.

Hybrid style holsters don't work well for me.

Best holster for me IWB is a Nelson Stealth holster. It is more expensive, but it has saved me money in that I don't buy any more holsters....

Good luck.
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I had issues with that holster doing the same thing. I think overall it's just a tad to flexible and isn't really shaped well for my body. After about 3 other holsters I ended up with a TT Gunleather Mikes Special for IWB and it has solved all my issues. Keeps the gun close to my body and is very comfortable to wear.


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The best IWB carry position for me is at 3:00 with a 22-degree forward canted holster. Anything carried at 4:00 prints like a brick. I have never had any acceptable results with hybrid holsters.
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Milt Sparks, MILT SPARKS, MILT SPARKS. :biggrin2:

(...or the Pride of Lenoir, NC, our very own Nelson Holsters)
I think it's better attributed to the larger, thicker, squarer butt of the G19. The XDs has a smaller, thinner, and slightly rounder grip. My G19 always caught my shirt. I carry a CZ 75b now and the more rounded grip lets the shirt slip over it.

If you want to tweak the holster try raising the front clip to give it more cant. Or change carry position slightly. Maybe both.
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The best IWB carry position for me is at 3:00 with a 22-degree forward canted holster. Anything carried at 4:00 prints like a brick. I have never had any acceptable results with hybrid holsters.
Weird. 4:00 is where I'm most comfy and print least. Then again, I'm slender and use an N82 pro for my G17. Have just started warming up to OWB with a Blackhawk 3 slot pancake.
I suggest you need a gun belt too. And eat more french fries. :lolp:

A gun belt will cure many holster ills.

A regular belt will magnify holster ills.
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Ditto on the gun belt. and move your holster around the clock a bit.
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I third the gun belt suggestion. If you can lower the ride height I also would suggest that.
I suggest you need a gun belt too. And eat more french fries. :lolp:

A gun belt will cure many holster ills.

A regular belt will magnify holster ills.
Exactly why I ordered a Bigfoot a few days ago. My Wilderness Tactical still works great, but the leather one I got from White Hat was getting a little loose after only 3 years.
yep, belt.
it wasn't until I got a good gun belt that I realized what great holsters my Comp-Tac MTAC and SHTF Ace 1 holsters are
the belt makes a HUGE the difference, not that the holsters were bad before the "better belt", just much better WITH it
Oh, the belt........... A Better Belt USA: http://www.abetterbeltusa.com/
Unfortunately holster efficacy varies from body to body. Try different positions - 3, 3:30, 4:00, etc.

Hybrid style holsters don't work well for me.

Best holster for me IWB is a Nelson Stealth holster. It is more expensive, but it has saved me money in that I don't buy any more holsters....

Good luck.
I concur. I originally started carrying at 0400-0430 but have warmed up to 0300-0330 IWB. I noticed that my hip helps hold the pistol up and conceal the pistol butt over my small love handles. A good gun belt will also help prevent sagging which will allows the pistol butt to protrude. That is especially true when OWB, but also holds for IWB.
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