Need help finding comfortable IWB holster.

Thomas@HurdleMills

Thomas@HurdleMills

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Hey guys I hope I am posting in the right section on the form for Holsters. I need some real world advice I am 6.3 200lbs and a blue collar guy that turns wrenches for a living. I wear a Ares belt and just bought a sig 365X I am in the self serve carwash business and deal with cash Daliy and just trying to protect myself. However I recently bought a Phlster Skelton holster suggested by a freind and durn that thing digs into me at the end of barrel as the day goes on I like the durability and click when reholstering. I want to carry strong arm but have tried appendix and can't get comfortable not matter which position. Several years ago I carried a 380 sig P238 with a holster and never could get comfort. I like carrying my 22 NAA pug with a sticky holster and speer gold dots in the front pocket but everyone makes fun of me. I feel underpowered for where I work at my washes with a 22 magnum that's why I went with a 9mm trying to upgrade. I see I am gonna have more money in the holsters trial and error than the gun ever cost. I am willing to listen to any reccomendations thank you. Thomas
 
Catfish said:
Do a web search for Crossbreed Supertuck, I think you'll find that hybrid style very comfortable. Leather back with kydex front for comfort and retention.

Does @chiefjason make one like that?
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Yeah, I do hybrids. I do leather IWB too.

But if you can get away with OWB it's so much better. Depends on what you are wearing and how active you are at work though. And how absolute you have to conceal it.
 
I work 8-4:30 doing HVAC at unc so I can't carry then but when I get off I need to carry all the way home. At the washes I bend over and go up & down Ladders quite a bit. Thank you for yalls advice. I hate Carrying bc I don't think I have ever found a comfortable holster and I need to carry more than most in all honesty. I am all ears at this point
 
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I personally like the N8 2 professional series holsters, I have multiple ones. To me they are very comfortable, G23 and 1911A1. I’m not sure about them since he sold the company but check them out.

The Professional G2 IWB

The redesigned Professional – G2 Inside the Waistband Holster by N8 Tactical features the familiar style of the Professional with upgraded materials. This will allow us to continue to expand our firearm models and provide more options for our customers.
n8tactical.com n8tactical.com
 
I've had a crossbreed supertuck and a Sr9c for going on 9+ years now. I don't carry that particular pistol everyday and have different guns (many over the years) that I carry more frequently but I love that gun and that holster. It's the most comfortable holster I've ever used. I also have an alien gear iwb's for the 2 1911's that I carry most often except in summer. Similar height and build plus I believe the pistols are similar in size. Alien Gear was defintely cheaper but it works. My Supertuck is the cow leather I believe vs cheap stuff w/ the alien gear. I paid close to $80 for it back in 2013 if I remember correctly. It's held up pretty well.
 
Maybe the gun, holster, and carry method just arent for you. I know I cant make IWB work for me no matter what gun, holster, or how hard I want it to work.

Thomas@HurdleMills said:
I like carrying my 22 NAA pug with a sticky holster and speer gold dots in the front pocket but everyone makes fun of me. I feel underpowered for where I work at my washes with a 22 magnum that's why I went with a 9mm trying to upgrade.
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If you like carrying in this manner, find something you dont feel underpowered with that can be carried this way.
For instance, a S&W 442 in a Blackhawk size 4 pocket holster. Nobody laughs at a J frame Smith in the pocket.
 
Diverdad said:
I personally like the N8 2 professional series holsters, I have multiple ones. To me they are very comfortable, G23 and 1911A1. I’m not sure about them since he sold the company but check them out.

The Professional G2 IWB

The redesigned Professional – G2 Inside the Waistband Holster by N8 Tactical features the familiar style of the Professional with upgraded materials. This will allow us to continue to expand our firearm models and provide more options for our customers.
n8tactical.com n8tactical.com
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Me too. I wear one 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and it’s the most comfortable holster that I’ve ever worn. Had a Supertuck before hand and the N82 is a quantum leap more comfortable.

In my instance a full size Walther PPQ.

I live on a farm with a sawmill operation and am constantly moving, bending, under equipment, etc. I don’t have a problem with the gun or holster getting loose and drawing is very smooth.
 
i’ve found appendix to be the most comfortable with either t-rex sidecar or tier-1 axis. best thing i’ve found while turning wrenches. everything else sucks when i’m rolling around on the ground

something about the distribution over midline that feels right. appendix with just a holster sucks for me…
 
Stealthgear and Black Arch make some really comfortable hybrid holsters, are breathable, have padding on the side that contacts your skin. Also, I’ve found that a pistol that small seems more uncomfortable IWB than something larger no matter the holster. Could just be me but my G48 is more comfortable all day than my P365.
 
There are a lot of subtleties that go into making a Kydex holster comfortable. It has to do with the carry angle, the way the edge of the Kydex is tapered off the end of the barrel, the way the clip torques the gun into your side, the ride height, etc. There are numerous holster makers that have this pretty well figured out but it still comes down to finding one that fits your body style and activity level, unfortunately. I just had a holster made by one of the forum sponsors, Haw River Forge, and it is one of the most comfortable I have worn. I have also had a really good experience with Cook's Holsters from Georgia (albeit they have a 6 week wait and a little pricier, but make a top notch and highly refined product).

I have had some not-so-comfortable Kydex holsters as well... and have tried the hybrid leather/kydex and found them no more comfortable than a well-made Kydex holster but much better than Kydex done wrong. Good luck and hope this helps in some way.

Colby
 
ive carried full size pistols AIWB for past decade. keeping working on it and it will get there. the phlster skeleton is a cool design but not comfortable. im a fan of Tony Mayer (JM custom kydex). his AIWB holsters are top notch in every way. highly recommend.

49EC000B-6BD0-4760-BF71-73DBBD85A5E1.jpeg
 
Honestly....and I know this is going to sound counterintuitive, carrying a larger gun IWB maybe more comfortable. My G19 or Staccato C2 is more comfortable IWB than my P365 or Shield ever was.
Unfortunately the holster game is alot of trial and error. It took me 4 holsters recently to find one that was comfortable IWB, rode and sat the way I wanted.
 
Diverdad said:
I personally like the N8 2 professional series holsters, I have multiple ones. To me they are very comfortable, G23 and 1911A1. I’m not sure about them since he sold the company but check them out.

The Professional G2 IWB

The redesigned Professional – G2 Inside the Waistband Holster by N8 Tactical features the familiar style of the Professional with upgraded materials. This will allow us to continue to expand our firearm models and provide more options for our customers.
n8tactical.com n8tactical.com
Click to expand...
I’ve used a N82 for 12 years. I’ve used the professional and the standard tuckable model. I prefer the tuckable as it conceals better. Super comfortable and protects the gun well with a neoprene and horsehide mix.
 
for “just a holster” i prefer a low ride height and carry from 2-3 o clock. I go back and forth between P365 and HK VP9

i like rm holsters low-rider or @chiefjason made me an awesome IWB that has a lot of forward cant and the other is a comp-tac minotaur
stealthgear was ok
 
To me holsters really come down to trial and error. What works for me might not work for you. We all have different body types and shapes. It is hard to recommend something to someone else IMHO My advice is to try to buy stuff used. Everyone who has carried for any length of time has a drawer full of holsters which did not work. 99% of the time it is not that it is a bad holster it just doesn't work for them. They bought them on a recommendation and into the draw they went. When you buy used LNIB you can try it out if you don't like it you can usually get your money out minus a small rental fee.

Eventually you will find something that works for you and my advice is to just keep buying that. I have 2 leather vendors I always go to. One is Milt Sparks and the other is Warbird Leather. I know how they feel and I know which model, cant and finish to purchase. It took a while to get to this point but for IWB this is all I buy these days. They work for me but I can't say if they will work for you. Good Luck
 
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wvsig said:
To me holsters really come down to trial and error. What works for me might not work for you. We all have different body types and shapes. It is hard to recommend something to someone else IMHO My advice is to try to buy stuff used. Everyone who has carried for any length of time has a drawer full of holsters which did not work. 99% of the time it is not that it is a bad holster it just doesn't work for them. They bought them on a recommendation and into the draw they went. When you buy used LNIB you can try it out if you don't like it you can usually get your money out minus a small rental fee.

Eventually you will find something that works for you and my advice is to just keep buying that. I have 2 leather vendors I always go to. One is Milt Sparks and the other is Warbird Leather. I know how they feel and I know which model, cant and finish to purchase. It took a while to get to this point but for IWB this is all I buy these days. They work for me but I can't say if they will work for you. Good Luck
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This is true.

For instance, if you suffer from dickiedoo (that is, your gut sticks out further than your dickie do) like most of us, appendix carry is not comfortable.

You've also got to consider your typical environment. Do you work in an office where deep conceal is needed? Do you have some leeway as far as wearing an untucked shirt? But then you have to watch for possible exposure if you're doing physical stuff.

The bad thing is many holster manufacturers don't offer a refund if you don't like it. I learned this the hard with Desantis. Can't remember what holster it was, but it was absolute crap. Just slightly above a kid's pleather toy holster for a cap gun quality. They wouldn't have it.

The good thing about N82 is they'll take care of you. I've bent my clips after catching them on stuff a couple times--each time they willingly send a couple more clips for free. Even though I bought this thing 6-7 years ago. I'm sure @chiefjason would also take care of you, too.
 
Just tossing this out there; maybe iwb isn’t your best answer while on the job and pocket carry or bellyband would be better ? An LCP in a pocket sure beats nothing and they weigh next to nothing.
 
AlienGear Cloak Tuck is very comfortable. I've carried a G19 in one for many years, and just got a new one for my P365xl. My favorite EDC holster.

aliengearholsters.com

Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB Holster

The Most Comfortable IWB Holster | Available for over 500 gun options | Toolless holster clips | Adjustable retention | Made in the USA
aliengearholsters.com aliengearholsters.com
 
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Diverdad said:
I personally like the N8 2 professional series holsters, I have multiple ones. To me they are very comfortable, G23 and 1911A1. I’m not sure about them since he sold the company but check them out.

The Professional G2 IWB

The redesigned Professional – G2 Inside the Waistband Holster by N8 Tactical features the familiar style of the Professional with upgraded materials. This will allow us to continue to expand our firearm models and provide more options for our customers.
n8tactical.com n8tactical.com
Click to expand...

The N82 is the most comfortable I've ever tried. My problem is with the retention system or actually the removal from the holster.

"The Secure Twist Release Retention System ensures that your firearm will stay secure enough to provide proper retention while allowing for a smooth worry-free draw. The system features a small modification to the pocket that secures your firearm while being easily released with a minor twist of the wrist."

I'm right handed. To remove the pistol from the holster requires a clockwise rotation from the holster, turning the grip towards your body. When I go to grip the pistol one of the first things that happens is my thumb goes in between the grip and the holster which starts a counter clockwise rotation moving the grip away from my body. Their retention system seems counterintuitive to me. It looks like it works fine for most of you. I moved on to a Supertuck and it works for me.

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I see alot of people reccomending a N82 I had one for my sig P238 for many years. Sweating in the summer there terriable from what I remember and they stink but maybe they have redone them maybe I should give another shot with them I appreciate all of you guys responding helping me it seems like this may take trial & error and I am learning alot from you guys on this topic
 
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