IWB, OWB or other

[chap190]

Hi.

I just got my permit in the mail today, so I am "official" now. I am looking at various carry options and have no doubt that I will tinker with various configurations until I find my happy place. I just want to ask what the preferred method of carry is for the good folks on this forum.

[Guest Bronker]

Hi.

I just got my permit in the mail today, so I am "official" now. I am looking at various carry options and have no doubt that I will tinker with various configurations until I find my happy place. I just want to ask what the preferred method of carry is for the good folks on this forum.

What gun are you going to carry?

[Oh Shoot]

IWB, all the way.

I'm very self-conscious about printing.

[Guest .45]

Hi.

I just got my permit in the mail today, so I am "official" now. I am looking at various carry options and have no doubt that I will tinker with various configurations until I find my happy place. I just want to ask what the preferred method of carry is for the good folks on this forum.

honestly, it really just depends on what I'm wearing, and which gun I'm carrying...

most of the time it's OWB. but I also pocket-carry my LCR a good bit...

and in certain instances, I'll even carry in my laptop bag...and there's always a pistol in my GHB.

.45

[chap190]

Sorry, should have mentioned what I have. So far......and I stress, "so far"...... I only have a Sig 226 9mm and a SW M&P 9C.

I currently shoot better with my Sig than my M&P, but I will likely start with the M&Pc, due to size reasons and job constraints. Alot more practice is in order, I know.

I am looking at a Sig 220 Elite Stainless Carry in the near future, amongst others.

Thanks,

[chap190]

Hahahaha, I love your magazine, Ohshoot - - that won't print at all!

.45 - I am in sales and travel alot so I will probably have one in my laptop bag as well while on the road.

Thanks for the quick replies!

[krunchnik]

most of the time its IWB Crossbreed Supertuck,when I feel like a change its OWB in a Desantis Mini Slide.

Or a MTAC,

[safeandsecure]

Agree with .45 ... depends on what I'm wearing and which one I'm carrying, AND what/where I'm doing/going. For "everyday" carry:

For light summer wear, usually IWB with a Colt Gov't Pocketlite (couple of different holster choices) ... For cooler weather (with coat), either OWB (De Santis) or Bianchi vertical shoulder rig with a Springfield .45. I know, I know ... shoulder rigs are often frowned on, but ... ... even with a sport coat or suit, I can hide the .45 pretty well with the Bianchi ... and I practically always have a BUG (Beretta 21A or NAA .22 Mag) in a pocket.

The few occasions I can't hide the Springer or Colt ... still have the BUG ...

[Guest stovepipe]

My basic 4 season carry is a pocketed SW642. If on the road I'll stash it in my center dash console for easy access, or in a modified day planner, if I'm in and out of places I cannot carry. Otherwise, it's a Sig 229 in a Falco or Miami Classic shoulder holster (driving) or Milt Sparks VM2 (IWB), on a Akers leather dress carry belt. If you are like most of us here, you'll end up with a box of holsters trying to find the best rig for your needs. - Don't go cheap on your carry rig.

[Guest db99wj]

IWB, all the way.

I'm very self-conscious about printing.

I laughed out loud so hard I snorted with that pic!

For me, IWB has just become my SOP. I have an OWB Blackhawk Serpa holster, just don't use it at all anymore.

[daddyo]

I would vote, but I carry using a variety of different methods.

OWB is probably my favorite right now in a pancake holster, but that may be because my pants are tight enough as it is....

[G27]

I pocket carry about 95% of the time.

[Guest mtsumatt]

I prefer IWB. There's just not a more concealable method that I've found. Well, maybe an ankle holster for a small caliber...

A good quality holster really does feel better and will hold your gun perfectly. Here's what I am carrying. Although I had this holster made for OWB carry also, it's just as comfortable inside. However, I don't like to have it against my skin so I wear a tshirt and then either a sweatshirt, sweater, jacket, or untucked button shirt to cover this. However, as it gets really warm, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I may have to wear it against my skin then.

[JReedEsq]

I voted IWB but I also pocket carry my Glock 26 in an Aholster. I would carry OWB if my build and style of dress allowed. I'd like to have a nice paddle or pancake holster but I'm not sure how much I'd use it.

[molonlabetn]

I have carried several ways... IWB, OWB, drop-leg, pocket, shoulder, off-body... and IWB is the best balance between concealability and comfort with a decent size pistol. Pocket pistols are a bit on the inadequete side (IMO), and drop-leg and shoulder are only viable in certain situations (ie, wearing a jacket, riding a motorcycle, at the range, you get the idea)... I have several OWB holsters, but they are usually relegated to when wearing a large overshirt or jacket, or when carrying openly.

IWB makes the most sense to me.

[gregintenn]

You don't have an all of the above option. Depending on attire, I use a pocket holster, a, OWB, and an IWB holster. But hey....I make holsters. I think we're all still searching for the perfect all occasion holster that does not exist. All in all, the IWB is probably the closest to an all around holster, Followed by the pocket holster. The OWB is by far the most comfortable.

[brooksjr]

I would vote, but I carry using a variety of different methods.

OWB is probably my favorite right now in a pancake holster, but that may be because my pants are tight enough as it is....

+1, in a Don Hume OT

I also carry IWB on occasion with a supertuck. Either way I carry an xd.

[huntingman]

I pocket carry a Kahr pm9 in a DeSantis, and before that it was a S&W bodyguard which was also pocket carried for 12 years. With that said, I would or will try a supertuck soon and if I like that way, Oh well, I guess I may have to get a Kimber and just be done with it.

[Bubba0031]

LOL @ OH Shoot's mag If you can't shoot them then at least he can use that 2ft long mag for a club and beat them with it

[Guest Al56]

I have been IWB most of the year but for 1 or 2 of the colder months I will do OWB just for a change. Both holsters are C5 leather.

[kb4ns]

I'm with the others who've said they carry in a variety of different ways. It all depends on what gun, what I'm wearing, etc. Most of the winter I'm OWB thanks to baggy clothes and jackets. Most of the summer, I'm IWB.

[Guest Al56]

I prefer IWB. There's just not a more concealable method that I've found. Well, maybe an ankle holster for a small caliber...

A good quality holster really does feel better and will hold your gun perfectly. Here's what I am carrying. Although I had this holster made for OWB carry also, it's just as comfortable inside. However, I don't like to have it against my skin so I wear a tshirt and then either a sweatshirt, sweater, jacket, or untucked button shirt to cover this. However, as it gets really warm, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I may have to wear it against my skin then.

That is a good looking holster mtsumatt, I just modified my IWB to be a OWB almost like yours,, I just cut 1 belt slot on each side and it feels just as secure in or out.

[chap190]

Interesting. IWB seems to be the more popular by more than 2 to 1. I've got a little M&P 9c that I will look for a IWB holster for but will probably also keep it in my computer bag when traveling. I'm a sales rep and on the road all over the State. In fact, I had a pretty good scare in Memphis the other day but that is a story for another thread.

Thank you all for your replies!

[eastenn]

used to be IWB, until I got a 442 with a pocket holster

[Warbird]

OWB most of the winter, IWB summer, spring and fall vary between the two. However I am a systems guy and so my OWB and IWB are all I do use and I always use them in the same general place on my hip. I don't pocket carry one day, ankle another, hip another. when you need it you will automatically grab for where you train for it to be. If you grab for the hip and its on you ankle on deep in your pocket, you might be saying sayonarra. But that's me, may be others don't think that way.

Put some thought into it though and train for the way you carry. Too few think about things this far.