Holster Advice

jeepmcd · February 4, 2013, 09:45 AM

I have little experience with any holsters other than my leather OWB I have for my P226 and need some expert advice on what works for others. I am 6'3" and slender and I need to tuck my shirt in often times which blows the point of CHL. I am considering IWB and Belly Bands to increase the conceal-ability of this firearm as well as the Shield I have on order... whenever that comes in.

I realize the two weapons are totally different size and weight so what works for one may not be the best for the other. The M&P will be my primary carry when I receive it, so mainly I want to maximize it's conceal-ability most of all.

Thanks for any insight.

foxytwo · February 4, 2013, 10:15 AM

Look at Kholster and Crossbreed holsters, you can tuck your shirt in with either one. Kholster is my choice, but there are a lot of brands that you can use and tuck your shirt in.

redhologram · February 4, 2013, 01:47 PM

I am by far not 6'3". However, I am 5'7" and slender. So I understand where you are coming from.
I have a custom made hybrid IWB. The backing is a nice soft leather and the holster itself is kydex. It has two clips that clip to my waistband and/or belt. I can wear my shirts out, or tucked in with a little overhang blouse to them and it conceals my 9mm, yet leaves me room to be able to get a grip on it easily if needed.
I wear silk tops and fitted sweaters with no issue of printing. I was not going to give up or change the way I dressed in order to carry. Nor was I going to carry in a way that would make it impossible to get to my weapon quick enough for it to be useful.
Thankfully finding the custom made holster made it possible to do both.

breakingcontact · February 4, 2013, 01:55 PM

Lot's of good options out there.

This is a White Hat MaxTuck

http://www.whitehatholsters.com/MaxT...-tan-horse.htm

jeepmcd · February 4, 2013, 01:59 PM

Good info, I am considering a belly band. I have read a few people that state that the firearm all but disappears. They seem to be cheap enough, but I was concerned with access and comfort.

Are there any one that has positive or negative experience with belly bands?

redhologram · February 4, 2013, 02:01 PM

^^^^^^ that White Hat Max Tuck looks JUST like mine!!! Mine is cut down to the combat cut...

915A · February 4, 2013, 02:14 PM

I am trying Old Faithful Holsters for my 290.

breakingcontact · February 4, 2013, 03:18 PM

I'm starting to see the advantage to the combat cut. Might have to trim mine down.

This is probably my 5th holster. I'm happy with it. Now that I've settled on a carry gun (finally), I may try a few others like the PJ holster though.

redhologram · February 4, 2013, 03:24 PM

"I'm starting to see the advantage to the combat cut. Might have to trim mine down."

Being female, I already had a couple of obstacles I had to learn to work around getting to my weapon. I don't need my holster being another one.

breakingcontact · February 4, 2013, 04:51 PM

Mine is good as is but I could have it ride lower perhaps with the combat cut.

Mike-Mat · February 4, 2013, 07:12 PM

Some of my holster findings.

1) Thinner is better.
2) Layers of nylon = the same thickness as leather. Get Leather or Kydex.
3) More options = thicker. Reversible L/R handed, changeable retention straps, all adds Velcro or snaps, which adds to the thickness. Figure out if you need IWB or OWB in L or R and get it.
4) OWB is more accessible than IWB if you can wear your shirt out.
5) Pancake leather or Kydex is the slimmest profile I've found so far.

Take it or leave it. Just my opinions.

Mike

erhodes · February 4, 2013, 07:20 PM

Definitely take a look at Crossbreed holsters. They are very comforatble and you can tuck your shirt in around it without it protruding. Plus the cross is just plain cool looking

February 4, 2013, 09:45 AM	#1
jeepmcd Member Join Date: March 4, 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 56	Holster Advice I have little experience with any holsters other than my leather OWB I have for my P226 and need some expert advice on what works for others. I am 6'3" and slender and I need to tuck my shirt in often times which blows the point of CHL. I am considering IWB and Belly Bands to increase the conceal-ability of this firearm as well as the Shield I have on order... whenever that comes in. I realize the two weapons are totally different size and weight so what works for one may not be the best for the other. The M&P will be my primary carry when I receive it, so mainly I want to maximize it's conceal-ability most of all. Thanks for any insight.

February 4, 2013, 02:14 PM	#7
915A Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 464	I am trying Old Faithful Holsters for my 290. __________________ "I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it." Clint Eastwood

February 4, 2013, 07:12 PM	#11
Mike-Mat Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 361	Some of my holster findings. 1) Thinner is better. 2) Layers of nylon = the same thickness as leather. Get Leather or Kydex. 3) More options = thicker. Reversible L/R handed, changeable retention straps, all adds Velcro or snaps, which adds to the thickness. Figure out if you need IWB or OWB in L or R and get it. 4) OWB is more accessible than IWB if you can wear your shirt out. 5) Pancake leather or Kydex is the slimmest profile I've found so far. Take it or leave it. Just my opinions. Mike __________________ Mike Mattera - Tips For Mfg Video Training For CadCam Systems http://www.tipsforcadcam.com

February 4, 2013, 10:15 AM	#2
foxytwo Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2010 Posts: 234	Look at Kholster and Crossbreed holsters, you can tuck your shirt in with either one. Kholster is my choice, but there are a lot of brands that you can use and tuck your shirt in.

February 4, 2013, 01:47 PM	#3
redhologram Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Posts: 352	I am by far not 6'3". However, I am 5'7" and slender. So I understand where you are coming from. I have a custom made hybrid IWB. The backing is a nice soft leather and the holster itself is kydex. It has two clips that clip to my waistband and/or belt. I can wear my shirts out, or tucked in with a little overhang blouse to them and it conceals my 9mm, yet leaves me room to be able to get a grip on it easily if needed. I wear silk tops and fitted sweaters with no issue of printing. I was not going to give up or change the way I dressed in order to carry. Nor was I going to carry in a way that would make it impossible to get to my weapon quick enough for it to be useful. Thankfully finding the custom made holster made it possible to do both.

February 4, 2013, 01:55 PM	#4
breakingcontact Junior member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 736	Lot's of good options out there. This is a White Hat MaxTuck http://www.whitehatholsters.com/MaxT...-tan-horse.htm

February 4, 2013, 01:59 PM	#5
jeepmcd Member Join Date: March 4, 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 56	Good info, I am considering a belly band. I have read a few people that state that the firearm all but disappears. They seem to be cheap enough, but I was concerned with access and comfort. Are there any one that has positive or negative experience with belly bands?

February 4, 2013, 02:01 PM	#6
redhologram Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Posts: 352	^^^^^^ that White Hat Max Tuck looks JUST like mine!!! Mine is cut down to the combat cut...

February 4, 2013, 03:18 PM	#8
breakingcontact Junior member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 736	I'm starting to see the advantage to the combat cut. Might have to trim mine down. This is probably my 5th holster. I'm happy with it. Now that I've settled on a carry gun (finally), I may try a few others like the PJ holster though.

February 4, 2013, 03:24 PM	#9
redhologram Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Posts: 352	"I'm starting to see the advantage to the combat cut. Might have to trim mine down." Being female, I already had a couple of obstacles I had to learn to work around getting to my weapon. I don't need my holster being another one.

February 4, 2013, 04:51 PM	#10
breakingcontact Junior member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 736	Mine is good as is but I could have it ride lower perhaps with the combat cut.

February 4, 2013, 07:20 PM	#12
erhodes Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Triad, NC Posts: 31	Definitely take a look at Crossbreed holsters. They are very comforatble and you can tuck your shirt in around it without it protruding. Plus the cross is just plain cool looking