Hate IWB holster, tips on adjustment?

[jenoble99]

New member here. I have recently gotten into the handgun world. I purchased a hybrid IWB holster from Alien Gear and absolutely hate it. I just can't find a comfortable spot to wear it. I bought a 15 dollar cheapie IWB holster made by Quest and find it more comfortable, but it isn't tuckable. What am I missing? I may see if I can get a cheapie holster that is tuckable and call it good.

 

[lovemachine]

You get what you pay for.

The MOST comfortable IWB hybrid holster out there is the Comp-TAC MTAC.

Expensive, but SO damn worth it.

 

[lovemachine]

Also, a good gun belt works wonders. And wearing a thin undershirt can help as well.

 

[Spencir]

Did you have a rigid gun belt? What position on your waist are you carrying it?

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

I would suggest a crossbreed supertuk from crossbreedseconds.com they are incredibly comfortable!

 

[wtburnette]

The best comfort I could get from my AG holster was setting it at about 4:00. In my case, the problem wasn't the holster, but the size of the gun (a G19). In a pair of large cargo shorts, it was comfortable, but in jeans it wasn't. I finally ended up getting a M&P Shield which is very thin and I carry it in whatever I wear very comfortably with a DeSantis SOF Tuck clip on holster. Make sure it's not the size of the gun that's the issue before buying another expensive hybrid holster, or you'll be disappointed and out a bunch of money to boot.

 

[chezuki]

You get what you pay for.

The MOST comfortable IWB hybrid holster out there is the Comp-TAC MTAC.

Expensive, but SO damn worth it.

QFT.

Guess I can take the day off!

 

[JetGirl]

Pretty much what was stated all above^.

I prefer 100% leather IWB holsters, and I choose low riding ones so the gun's grip isn't riding high and digging me (especially when sitting in a car, etc.).

About the 3:30 position works best for me, but I've worn it a smidgen farther back depending on what I'm wearing.

I kinda don't understand why people will spend several hundred dollars on a gun and then put it in a $20 dollar holster. I just don't get it... your carry is only as good as your rig.

 

[TheEngineer]

You get what you pay for.

The MOST comfortable IWB hybrid holster out there is the Comp-TAC MTAC.

Expensive, but SO damn worth it.

QFT.

Guess I can take the day off!

3rd vote for the MTAC

Chez...you cant take off just yet. Theres a second thread where your services are required to convert another soul to the MTAC cult

Pretty much what was stated all above^.

I prefer 100% leather IWB holsters, and I choose low riding ones so the gun's grip isn't riding high and digging me (especially when sitting in a car, etc.).

About the 3:30 position works best for me, but I've worn it a smidgen farther back depending on what I'm wearing.

I kinda don't understand why people will spend several hundred dollars on a gun and then put it in a $20 dollar holster. I just don't get it... your carry is only as good as your rig.

Listen to the monkey for she is wise...

 

[JetGirl]

Listen to the monkey for she is wise...

I need that T-shirt.

 

[horsehaulin]

Have you tried softening the leather with some kind of conditioner? I know doing so to my IWB holster made a huge difference. Carrying at the 3:30-5 might help also if you are not already doing so.

 

[wtburnette]

I kinda don't understand why people will spend several hundred dollars on a gun and then put it in a $20 dollar holster. I just don't get it... your carry is only as good as your rig.

If this was directed at my post it would be because my $20 holster works. I don't see the need to spend more money for something that won't do a better job. The holster stays in place, keeps my gun where I need it and is comfortable. What else is it supposed to do? When I carried a G19 and a G26 in the same holster, it was terrible. The weight of those guns pretty much demands more support than the inexpensive SOF Tuck could provide. For the thin and light Shield it works very well.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

I carried a G19 and a G27 IWB for a number of years, so, for what it's worth, a couple of tips: Since you're going to be wearing a belt anyway, buy your pants an inch or two larger in the waist (depending upon whether you're also carrying an extra magazine or two); depending upon your particular size and build "appendix carry" (e.g. forward of your strong-side hip, closer to your pants zipper) isn't necessarily comfortable, but it IS more concealable. Some holsters designed for "appendix carry" are fairly comfortable, if you can position your pistol so the barrel isn't digging into your thigh when you're sitting down. Probably the most comfortable position I've found is on the strong-side hip or just behind it. I've carried a G21 and currently carry a G30 (about the same size as the OP's G19, but a bit more thick) very comfortably and fairly well concealed.

I can tell you for certain (from my own experience and from at least one that I've witnessed) that a cheap holster is likely to fail you at some point; it will either collapse when you need to re-holster or it will fail to retain your weapon. A friend of mine had his G27 go skittering under a table in a crowd of people because it fell out of his cheap shoulder-holster when he got up out of his chair. I've had my G27 almost fall out of a poorly-constructed holster, but fortunately I was alone at the time.

I'm not a personal fan of the hybrid holsters; I prefer the molded kydex holsters, particularly by Blade-Tech and Raven Concealment.

 

[rkwhyte2]

I have both Alien Gear holsters and an MTAC. The AG is quite nice at 4:00 once you get it broken in. Having said that I will tell you that since I got the MTAC the AG has not been used.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

I have both Alien Gear holsters and an MTAC. The AG is quite nice at 4:00 once you get it broken in. Having said that I will tell you that since I got the MTAC the AG has not been used.

Fair enough...

I personally use a Crossbreed and it does a good job of retention, concealment, and stability. It sits about 4:00 and feels very comfortable. My only problem is that it has worn a hole in many of my jeans where the end of the gun rubs against them. Time to reinforce the jeans I suppose...

 

[JetGirl]

If this was directed at my post it would be because my $20 holster works. I don't see the need to spend more money for something that won't do a better job. The holster stays in place, keeps my gun where I need it and is comfortable. What else is it supposed to do? When I carried a G19 and a G26 in the same holster, it was terrible. The weight of those guns pretty much demands more support than the inexpensive SOF Tuck could provide. For the thin and light Shield it works very well.

I'm not indirect. If my post is meant specifically for you, I'll name you or quote you like I just did. Otherwise, it's a generic reference.
Don't get your panties in a bunch.

 

[MCgrease08]

https://www.n82tactical.com/

Most comfortable holster I own. And they make a tuckable version.

 

[WebSnyper]

I carried a G19 and a G27 IWB for a number of years, so, for what it's worth, a couple of tips: Since you're going to be wearing a belt anyway, buy your pants an inch or two larger in the waist (depending upon whether you're also carrying an extra magazine or two); depending upon your particular size and build "appendix carry" (e.g. forward of your strong-side hip, closer to your pants zipper) isn't necessarily comfortable, but it IS more concealable. Some holsters designed for "appendix carry" are fairly comfortable, if you can position your pistol so the barrel isn't digging into your thigh when you're sitting down. Probably the most comfortable position I've found is on the strong-side hip or just behind it. I've carried a G21 and currently carry a G30 (about the same size as the OP's G19, but a bit more thick) very comfortably and fairly well concealed.

I can tell you for certain (from my own experience and from at least one that I've witnessed) that a cheap holster is likely to fail you at some point; it will either collapse when you need to re-holster or it will fail to retain your weapon. A friend of mine had his G27 go skittering under a table in a crowd of people because it fell out of his cheap shoulder-holster when he got up out of his chair. I've had my G27 almost fall out of a poorly-constructed holster, but fortunately I was alone at the time.

I'm not a personal fan of the hybrid holsters; I prefer the molded kydex holsters, particularly by Blade-Tech and Raven Concealment.

As stated here, buy your pants a size bigger, get a good belt (Daltech Biobelt is a good one... several reviews on INGO and use coupon code INGO) and buy it 4 inches larger than normal, get a good hybrid holster (Galco KingTuk for me), slide it back behind the hip (5:30 or so for me) and it should be good.

Hybrid IWB is the most comfortable method I have ever carried. I have driven to FL straight through quite comfortably carrying this way. Wearing shorts and Tshirt, or pair of jeans, etch all works fine for me.

 

[wtburnette]

I'm not indirect. If my post is meant specifically for you, I'll name you or quote you like I just did. Otherwise, it's a generic reference.
Don't get your panties in a bunch.

Panties are fine, thanks for asking

 

[Ruffnek]

The question we must ask here is what the definition of uncomfortable is in this case.Does the gun dig into a set of love handles?Does it want to come up over the belt?Does the barrel end press into the leg?Answer this and we can help,otherwise we might as well be giving flying lessons to a submarine captain.