Have you decided that you want to carry a weapon with you? Are you asking yourself HOW? and WHERE? Then keep reading. You are in the right place. Today we will talk about concealed carry holsters. Not only about what matters when choosing, but also about what options are available. We continue our series of articles about choosing the right holster.
Inside-the-waistband holsters are designed for concealed carry of a weapon. You may also come across the English term IWB (Inside the Waist Band). It represents an internal weapon carry system – the holster is located between the underwear and the trousers. It is most often attached to the belt with a metal clip, a buckle or a strap. Comfort of carrying with IWB depends not only on the quality and material of the holster itself, but also on its position and habit.
The weapon itself also plays a significant role – size and weight. In any case, IWB holsters are an ideal solution for people looking for a safe and effective concealed carry system. Concealed carry holsters are among the most popular types.
The most commonly used are belt holsters, elastic bands (so-called belly bands) or shoulder holsters. There are also more specific holsters, e.g. ankle, pocket, garter holsters,... A special category consists of bags and pouches, which we will cover in a separate article.
“The advantage of concealed carry is the ability to choose whether or not to react to a situation that arises.“
Why not underestimate the choice of holster?
In order to be able to actually handle a compromising and critical situation, you must have the weapon in a good - quality holster, so that you can rely on it at any time. Yes, a quality holster will ensure that the weapon does not fall out, that you grip it correctly and that you always find it where it should be. The draw will be more effective and you will gain precious time to react. So what options does the concealed carry system offer us?
Honestly, there is no single ideal holster. It depends on individual needs, requirements, options and situations for which you need the holster. The most ideal option is a combination of several holsters, but more on that in another article. In any case, I recommend at least one IWB holster for your weapon. To be able to choose the best one for you, you need to answer the following questions...
What material to choose for concealed carry holsters?
Why do I start with the material? Because the material determines not only the comfort of carrying and safety, but also the effectiveness of use in a critical situation. Last but not least, it also has a great influence on the protection of the weapon itself. On our market you can most often come across holsters made of nylon, kydex, leather, plastic or a combination of some of these materials. We already discussed the materials in our previous article Why is a holster not just a holster? The material decides...
Retention
With belt holsters for concealed carry, you usually will not find a safety catch. This is mainly due to time efficiency when drawing. So that it is as fast and effective as possible. However, with kydex or leather holsters, you may encounter the so-called retention screw, which regulates the resistance during the draw. On rubber bands and shoulder (horizontal) holsters, a thumb safety is most often found, to prevent unwanted movement of the weapon during large movements.
Attachment
Among the most used types of belt attachments are plastic, steel or Kydex clips, or a tuckable system, which allows you to insert the holster and weapon into your pants and still tuck in a shirt or t-shirt. The wider the holster, the better it sits on the belt and adheres to the body. But it can press uncomfortably. That's why it's ideal to try it directly in the store. An important thing that you definitely shouldn't underestimate is also the correct choice of belt. The most commonly used are 40 - 45 and 50mm belts made of leather, neoprene, nylon or various variations, e.g. nylon reinforced with plastic, etc. The standard belt is 40mm.
Type of holster
As they say, 100 people = 100 tastes. That's why the choice of holster type is very individual. It is important that the given holster is made to fit your weapon. For an effective draw, you need to grip the weapon correctly the first time, which is why the holster must be made so that the weapon holds firmly and in the correct position inside it. In the case of an incorrect holster and consequently a bad grip, it can cost you time in a crisis situation and your self-defense will be ineffective.
Method of carrying
Specifically, the position of the holster on the belt relative to the drawing hand. For belt holsters for concealed carry, the positions from 11 o'clock – 4 o'clock are most often used (where 12 o'clock represents the so-calledappendix carry. We mentioned more about holster positions in 3 Questions Before Choosing the Right Holster. I have also encountered people who preferred carrying at the small of the back, to mask the silhouette of the weapon, however, from my practical point of view, this is not an ideal solution. But more on that another time...
For shoulder holsters, there are only two possible carrying methods, namely vertical and horizontal. It mostly depends on the size of the weapon. With this type of carrying, however, it is important to distribute the weight of the weapon with some counterweight using a shoulder strap and counterweight.
For rubber bands – belly bands the same applies as for belt holsters, however, they usually don't have cant. You can read about what cant is in this article Holster Cant. Yes or No?
SWEAT GUARD
For concealed carry holsters, a sweat guard is almost standard, which is an extended part of the holster on the back side that extends to the edge of the weapon's slide. Its main task is to prevent direct contact between the weapon and the skin. It keeps moisture (but also, for example, oil - lubricant) away from the skin, shirt, t-shirt,... However, with some types of holsters, the sweat guard is not comfortable from a long-term wearing perspective.
Berny's final advice
Carrying a weapon is not “rocket“ science. But knowing how to use it correctly in a crisis situation is not that simple. That is why I personally approach the concealed carry system more comprehensively. People who know me know that I take a weapon as just one of the tools of defense. But the tool alone - a weapon - is not enough for effective defense. It is about material, physical and psychological preparation. My mindset (setup) could be written as:
Self-defense (martial arts or sports) + physical training + training at the shooting range + first aid (basic medical knowledge) + psychological preparation + lawyer / legal awareness = basic elements of successful defense
AD: it is necessary to realize that in a real situation, if the perpetrator chooses the place, time and method, your chances will not be more than 50%.
Remember that the best “defense“ in any crisis situation is prevention! Berny
My goal is to sell the knowledge and experience that we need not only for adventures in nature, but also in everyday life. My task is to spread awareness of responsibility and safety, not only towards ourselves, but also towards the environment. My point is that life is too short to do things that we do not enjoy, and that is why I help people in today's fast-paced world with the magic and beauty of nature and our rich history, but I also push their boundaries.
From the series on gun holsters
- How to choose the right gun holster? Let's start
- 3 questions before choosing the right holster
- Why isn't a holster just a holster? Material matters
- Concealed carry holsters. 6 +1 tips on how to choose the right one
- Carrying a weapon in a bag. Yes or no?
