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How to determine a good holster wear position

5K views 32 replies 14 participants last post by  Oldag 
#1 · (Edited)
Up until now, I'd been relying on a cheap Blackhawk nylon OWB when carrying my XD 9 SC (wore it under jackets, coats, and long/thick shirts since it's still cold here). Today, my Alien Gear Cloak Tuck IWB holsters came in.

I'm having a devil of a time trying to determine what's a comfortable position (none currently are, as I'm not used to IWB at ALL). Right now, it's at my 4-4:30 position, right-side, and I've adjusted it to where the heel of the gun is more upright -- in the stock configuration, it felt it was angled too far forward for hip carry. I'm wondering now, though, if the forward cant/angle means better access to the gun when carrying it at my lower back.

As well, I can't see what I'm doing with the gun so far back, so when it's time to reholster, it's...I dunno...weird? I can put my shoes on without seeing my hands or shoes, but I've been doing that at LEAST 40 years. A loaded handgun presents problems. :)

Are there any do's, don'ts, and recommendations on holster positioning and angling, with those new to CCW in mind? I just want to make sure I'm not causing problems or learning things that I'll have to unlearn later. Trust me, I've been reading and searching the web close to a month and I'm not seeing much help in this, and the product being in my hands and on my belt hasn't helped any, either.

Once I take a picture of it's current position, I'll post it here. UPDATE: the first two pictures are with the front loop in the neutral position and the rear loop is down. The third picture is with both loops neutral. The last picture is with both the loops in the down position.
 

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#2 ·
Still waiting on my Alien Gear holsters to come in. That will be the first time I've tried carrying IWB too.

You definitely want to make sure you don't accidentally add another hole to your hindquarters. OOOUUCH!!

I've always liked 3:00 OWB with a good forward cant. Keeps the grip from printing and makes for a fast smooth draw. I'm not looking forward to figuring out the problem you are currently trying to solve. I'm hoping something comes "natural" to me, but I'm afraid I'll be just like you.

Four o'clock is not so bad for walking and drawing. You are getting to the point where sitting will be a constant problem. Most people advise against 5 to 6 o'clock (small of back carry) because when you draw, you are likely to pass the muzzle across your own torso trying to get it into firing position. Especially if the threat is up-close-and-personal. Obviously, you don't want to point your own loaded weapon at yourself while you are trying to draw in a hurry in a life-and-death situation. Very dangerous. Grip up is safer though than grip down when carrying small-of-back. At about 4 o'clock, you should still be drawing and bringing the gun up pretty much the same as at 3 o'clock.
 
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#6 ·
Thanks, GBIA!

Yeah, I keep thinking I'm going to shoot myself in the caboose...but that's also why I decided to carry the XD and 1911s for now (they've grip safeties -- I can push them into the holster with my hand off the grip safety and I should be fine, even knowing nothing is on the trigger). I ordered the two holster combo...got an extra shell for the SP2022, but after trying on this first holster, I'm thinking I was a bit too optimistic about carrying the Sig Pro in the waistband. :huh: The 1911s should carry fine, though, since they're slimmer and mine are Commanders. Once I get used to IWB, I'll probably return the SP shell for a P320 or Glock 19 shell.

I returned the holster to it's neutral configuration, which gives it a pretty good forward cant. I'll try the 4:00 position for awhile. About the only thing that nags me about the 4 o'clock position is the gap of air between the gun and my middle back...belt is as tight as it goes without binding the gun inside the holster.
 
#3 ·
I think that looks good now that you've posted a pic.

One problem though. That ain't no Sig in that there holster! :D
 
#7 · (Edited)
I'll experiment with lowering it. Looking at the pictures, it looks like it's riding high...doesn't feel that way, though.

Thanks!

I'm going shoulder rig for concealed carry. - At least the vast majority of the time. If not, I just like to wear it on my belt. Of course, I won't be carry a lot either.
I just never did take to iwb
If I had the choice, I'd do OWB, but as it warms up, that's going to be difficult here. I'm hoping I'll get used to IWB. Granted, we have open carry here, but I'm definitely not going to do that...the yuppies here will go apescat.
 
#9 ·
Not long ago. I ordered mine late on 10 March. So I should probably get a ship notice soon. I'm in no big hurry. Like I said, this is the first time I'm trying IWB carry. They looked like the best bang for the buck so I wanted to try them first.

If they don't work out, I'll try another brand.

I've ordered shells and backs to support my P229s, both railed and non-railed, and one for my P239. The p229s are the ones I would most likely carry due to capacity.

If IWB with Alien Gear does work out, I may try one for a P226. Same size gun in every way except for a half-inch longer barrel and slide. But I am fine with a P229.

Keeping my fingers crossed. :D
 
#14 ·
Not long ago. I ordered mine late on 10 March. So I should probably get a ship notice soon. I'm in no big hurry. Like I said, this is the first time I'm trying IWB carry. They looked like the best bang for the buck so I wanted to try them first....
I got a tracking number on my Alien Gear holsters on the 4th. Status not yet updated by USPS.
 
#10 ·
I like the carry height in the third photo.




The position in the fourth pic is too low; at least with this pistol. :)
You won't be able to get your fingers under the grip in a hurry to securely draw because the front strap is too close to your waistband.

 
#11 ·
Your holster has a lot more adjustments than mine, but here is what two of them look like under the belt. The hammer is right above the jean's loop at 3 o'clock, the grip is at 3:30. I push down on the grip with the web at the "V" between my thumb and index finger until my belt will not move, make a full purchase the grip, then draw up, with my index finger extended out straight on the outside of my belt. This is a 1-3/4" belt that is 1/4" thick, one piece bull-hide. It is possible to draw while seated if I bend forward to make room for my elbow.

The black holster has a reinforced mouth. The brown holster does not. The SK is HK's subcompact model. The C3P is a 1911 CCO Sig. The pistols are almost the same size: the barrel on the C3P is 9/10ths inch longer and its hammer sticks out more because the HK has the LEM trigger. The C3P's grip is a little longer because of the magwell.

With my arms at my side, very little grip is visible. I raised my arm overhead to take the photos.
 

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#26 ·
A vertical shoulder rig might do it for you, pulled up close under the armpit.

I have a horizontal shoulder rig (for now) and it works fairly well with a GI 1911 CCO and the Sig 1911 Ultra. Provided the shirts are not too tight. But I will probably will switch to a horizontal shoulder rig.

The only IWB that is really concealable for me under a tucked shirt is a small of the back. Any other position is either too uncomfortable or it prints.

And the shoulder rig is fine when driving.
 
#13 ·
With my Alien gear I usually carry about 4 oclock with as much cant as i can have while still having it as low in the pants as i can. It makes it so driving around with it isnt too much trouble and the draw is nice and natural. With this holster (for me at least) the more cant the better IMO
 
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#16 ·
Not holster is comfortable, they are at best bearable. Some are bearable standing and some are bearable sitting. The only one that I have found that works both sitting and standing is a high rise outside the waist. The one that nears comfortable is a shoulder holster, until you start adding extra ammo and cuffs.
 
#17 ·
I respectfully disagree. My Alien Gear is comfortable, to the point I honestly forget I'm wearing it and my gun sometimes. I usually wear it at about 3 o'clock, for the sake of consistency with my OWB holsters.

High rise in general is okay, until you have to bend in an awkward way that puts the back end of the gun in your side. Plus, high rise typically leads to chicken-winging in the draw stroke. Also, my preference for OWB is a holster that rides a little lower than the waist-line, less distance the hand has to travel to get to the weapon and get it in play.

Of course, YMMV and this is all based on my experience and preference.
 
#18 ·
I know where all the cool kids wear their holsters, but it just doesn't bring me joy. Anything behind the three o'clock position really prints badly if I bend over, sit, or squat. Plus, it's downright uncomfortable while sitting in my truck.

I prefer my pistol at about the 2:30 position. It's barely noticeable, even when I'm looking for it, and it's comfortable while driving.

Most of my carry guns are small. If I move to something mid-sized, like a 229, I need a little bigger clothes, but behind the hip is still not comfortable for me.
 
#19 ·
I don't think it's about what's cool. I think it's about what's comfortable for each person. All of this is subjective. The main reason I originally posted was to get an idea of how people decide the position to carry and wanted some nice-to-know ideas (and maybe some "don't do this" type stuff, as well). As well, the Alien Gear documentation for this holster states that it's designed for 3 o'clock through 5 o'clock positions. If you wear it at 2:30, that's fine, but not really how this particular holster was designed to be worn.

All that aside, I've moved mine from the 4 o'clock position to the 5 o'clock position, as it allows my gun's grip to lie flat with my back. My back has a decent arch, so when I drive, the gun grip sits in the nook without issue. I don't print when I sit or squat, but I may be printing if I bend over (I've been wearing jackets/coats/big shirts since it's still cold here, but I don't think printing has been an issue when bending over). If I decide to carry my Commander 1911s (which have full-sized grips), I may rethink carrying at that position, but for my XD9SC, it's fine.

Surprisingly, I didn't see anyone say, for example, they like 3 o'clock because 5 o'clock is much more difficult to holster. Would've been nice to see holstering tips for 5 o'clock position, too. What I've been training myself to do is keep my hand off the grip safety when holstering, which would lock the trigger an prevent a snag & ND. I'm also trying to train myself to put my trigger finger behind the trigger when holstering, wedging it between the trigger guard and back of the trigger, so that the trigger won't move forward...prevents something from snagging and pulling on the trigger.
 
#23 ·
. . . I've moved mine from the 4 o'clock position to the 5 o'clock position, as it allows my gun's grip to lie flat with my back. . . .

I'm also trying to train myself to put my trigger finger behind the trigger when holstering, wedging it between the trigger guard and back of the trigger, so that the trigger won't move forward...prevents something from snagging and pulling on the trigger.
I have purchased several holsters, and sold several that I just did not use at all. One holster I kept, but which I am relatively certain I will never use, is a small-of-back, or SOB. It requires too much of a contortion to re-holster and for me it is very difficult to achieve a full combat grip when I draw. It is designed to wear at 6 o'clock and has about a 45 degree forward cant. I enjoy seeing movie actors who favor that carry method, but it is not for me.

As far as putting any finger inside the trigger guard while either drawing or holstering, I have never heard of that before. In my case, I never look at my holster and my finger is over my belt during the draw and high on the slide, fully extended, until the pistol is solidly within the holster. In fact, my holsters totally cover the trigger guard.

I am hoping a few of the instructors here on Sigtalk will comment on the text highlighted in blue.
 
#20 ·
I always carry owb about 3:30 ish. Comfertible , easy draw, has a little print if your really looking. I use what is called an FBI slide so it keeps it a little high and a little fwd cant. Only discomfort at all is if I'm driving over a hour. I carry everyday, all day when not at work.
 
#21 ·
I have an M&P Shield .40 for my carry piece as well as a .38sp J-frame if I want to do a pocket carry. And though the .38 doesn't carry more than 5 rounds, I carry a Safari speed loader with an additional 5 and both simply disappear in my clothing.

I have a couple favorite holsters but for my shield, it's definitely a Cross-Breed super tuck with horse-hide for the sweat shield. She's comfortable and adjustable.

I'm about a 33-34" waist so my biggest problem here in Texas is printing (that is until we can get the open-carry crowd to help relax the concealed carry laws just a tad). So, I have to carry at 3:30 - 4 o'clock so the grip will sit next to my body. I haven't had the time yet, but I will try to adjust the cant forward a bit to see how it feels at 3. I also can move it to 5 o'clock and the grip will then be toward the small of my back. Either position, from 4-5, I can sit in my car or in a chair and feel comfortable enough.
 
#22 ·
I carry daily in an Alien Gear IWB at 4:30 and I'm carrying a P220 in .45 ACP, so it's not a small or light gun.

It's extremely comfortable. It goes on a 5AM when I get up and it stays on all day until I go to bed at night (except for my daily swim).

Yesterday, Mrs. Flash and I were in the truck heading for the store and I reached back to where the gun is. She asked what I was doing and I told her I was making sure I put the gun back in there after my bathroom break this morning.

That says exactly how comfortable it is.
 
#27 ·
Carry a 1911 and you don't have to worry about the "something jammed in side the trigger guard" discharge. 1911's have this nice little thing called a thumb safety.

SOB (6:00 with muzzle down and grip pointed to the right for a RH shooter) does not sweep anything but a little of your backside and the ground as it is brought up to bear.

And with a 1911, the thumb safety does not come off until you are raising up to obtain the target in the sights the risk is minimal.

As far as reholstering, if I have to draw the pistol I am probably not too worried about reholstering in a hurry.
 
#28 ·
This is a general discussion of holstering and holster orientation, not specific guns. Some people don't have guns that have thumb/slide safeties. To talk only of 1911s is to alienate others, as not everyone carries 1911s. I myself have several 1911s (one is pictured in this thread, so you should've already known I'm aware of their safeties). I choose not to carry my 1911s, for now, but the discussion should be kept as broad as possible, gun-wise. You can also reholster slow and STILL shoot yourself in the *** because you slowly snagged something...just sayin'.
 
#33 ·
To be more specific, the scenario for the finger behind is as follows.

Accidentally get the finger in front of the trigger. Pushing forward still (albeit now against the inside of the trigger guard front) so for the moment everything is fine. But your finger catches on something as the gun is being pressed into the holster. Unwillingly, your finger is forced back against the trigger. Ouch. Glock foot.
 
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