"Claw" accessory for AIWB carry

jmhyer · January 14, 2021, 09:45 AM

I have been carrying AIWB for several years. Up until now, my carry gun has always been of the sub-compact, single stack variety (i.e.- M&P Shield). I am considering a change to more of "compact" carry gun (i.e.- M&P 2.0 Compact), but am concerned about the length of the grip with regard to printing.

In looking at holsters, I am seeing some Kydex AIWB holsters with the "claw" attachment that is reportedly designed to keep the grip of the firearm closer to the skin to reduce printing. For those with experience, are these attachments helpful?

gaseousclay · January 14, 2021, 01:27 PM

I have a Vedder IWB light tuck holster with the claw. It’s useful for appendix carry, as I’m assuming that’s what it was developed for. I found that the claw does help, but what you’re wearing is also just as helpful imo. There’s tons of YouTube vids out there that can probably do a better job explaining the claw

DubC-Hicks · January 16, 2021, 03:57 AM

All of my IWB holsters now have a claw. I've found them to make quite a difference, making my G17 conceal about like a G19 without a claw, as far as printing under a t-shirt.

jmhyer · January 16, 2021, 10:20 AM

Thanks for the replies.

sevt_chevelle · January 16, 2021, 03:46 PM

Check out JM custom holsters, they are my go to.

Captains1911 · February 1, 2021, 07:31 PM

Yes, they work very well to pull the grip of the gun in, especially on guns with shorter slides.

Pistoler0 · February 4, 2021, 02:42 PM

The claw helps for appendix carry.

Even more so in combination with a wedge, you can fashion one for your holster yourself from Dr Scholls shoe inserts, look up some youtube instructions, it is super easy.

I successfuly conceal AIWB a full size Glock 21

Equin · February 11, 2021, 12:31 PM

I’m also considering AIWB with a claw. Kusiak Leather’s American IWB holster looks interesting:

https://kusiakleather.com/products/t...an-iwb-holster

But I wonder if the claw interfere’s with getting a decent grip when drawing from it? Those with claws have any experience with that, or does it depend on the holster, type of claw and particular gun setup?

Pistoler0 · February 11, 2021, 03:11 PM

In my experience the claw in my particular holster (from Hydden Hybrid Holsters)
https://hiddenhybridholsters.com/col...e-appendix-iwb

does not interfere at all with getting a decent grip. It is far below the pistol grip, pressing against my belt.

Claws do help, and as I said in a previous post it also helps for concealment to fashion some kind of wedge to push the muzzle of the gun out (and the gun grip in). Besides helping with AIWB concealment, pushing the muzzle of the gun out also "enhances" the appearance of your endowment, if you know what I mean

. Win-win. Although I know that most of us don't have a need for that.

jmhyer · February 11, 2021, 04:02 PM

So this is what I have gone with...

https://www.concealmentexpress.com/c...=6801204641844

I, in fact, did get the claw kit. Tried it both without and with the claw.

I am very pleased. Indeed, the claw does help to pull the grip toward the body. No interference with the draw, as it sits tight against the back side of the belt and is flush with the top of the belt.

Thanks again for the advice.

Equin · February 11, 2021, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistoler0

In my experience the claw in my particular holster (from Hydden Hybrid Holsters)
https://www.startpage.com/do/dsearch...tVersion=1.3.0

does not interfere at all with getting a decent grip. It is far below the pistol grip, pressing against my belt.

Claws do help, and as I said in a previous post it also helps for concealment to fashion some kind of wedge to push the muzzle of the gun out (and the gun grip in). Besides helping with AIWB concealment, pushing the muzzle of the gun out also "enhances" the appearance of your endowment, if you know what I mean

. Win-win. Although I know that most of us don't have a need for that.

Thanks for the great info and the explanation on the use of the wedge! Definitely something I want to look into more. That Hybrid Holster looks nice. I like how the claw is minimal in size but functional. I also like how the belt clip is off centered by the trigger, instead of on top of the slide like some others. Do you find it interferes in any way with the trigger finger when drawing?

tomrkba · February 11, 2021, 11:28 PM

Claw, wedge, very flat metal clips from Discreet Carry Concepts that attach near the muzzle (they are a great improvement), and enough holes and slots for adjustment are a beautiful thing.

Tenicor holsters are amazing. Their hole pattern and these features make them excellent for carry.

Blue Jays · February 12, 2021, 02:02 AM

@tomrkba...thanks for the tip about Tenicor Holsters.
Lots of interesting material to read on their website.

gnystrom · February 12, 2021, 10:17 AM

P365, Vedder w/claw, AIWB=perfect.

January 14, 2021, 09:45 AM	#1
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	"Claw" accessory for AIWB carry I have been carrying AIWB for several years. Up until now, my carry gun has always been of the sub-compact, single stack variety (i.e.- M&P Shield). I am considering a change to more of "compact" carry gun (i.e.- M&P 2.0 Compact), but am concerned about the length of the grip with regard to printing. In looking at holsters, I am seeing some Kydex AIWB holsters with the "claw" attachment that is reportedly designed to keep the grip of the firearm closer to the skin to reduce printing. For those with experience, are these attachments helpful?

January 16, 2021, 03:57 AM	#3
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	All of my IWB holsters now have a claw. I've found them to make quite a difference, making my G17 conceal about like a G19 without a claw, as far as printing under a t-shirt. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

February 4, 2021, 02:42 PM	#7
Pistoler0 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2019 Location: Conifer, CO Posts: 632	The claw helps for appendix carry. Even more so in combination with a wedge, you can fashion one for your holster yourself from Dr Scholls shoe inserts, look up some youtube instructions, it is super easy. I successfuly conceal AIWB a full size Glock 21 __________________ Life is simply an inter-temporal problem of constrained optimization.

February 11, 2021, 03:11 PM	#9
Pistoler0 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2019 Location: Conifer, CO Posts: 632	In my experience the claw in my particular holster (from Hydden Hybrid Holsters) https://hiddenhybridholsters.com/col...e-appendix-iwb does not interfere at all with getting a decent grip. It is far below the pistol grip, pressing against my belt. Claws do help, and as I said in a previous post it also helps for concealment to fashion some kind of wedge to push the muzzle of the gun out (and the gun grip in). Besides helping with AIWB concealment, pushing the muzzle of the gun out also "enhances" the appearance of your endowment, if you know what I mean . Win-win. Although I know that most of us don't have a need for that. __________________ Life is simply an inter-temporal problem of constrained optimization. Last edited by Pistoler0; February 12, 2021 at 10:33 AM.

January 14, 2021, 01:27 PM	#2
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	I have a Vedder IWB light tuck holster with the claw. It’s useful for appendix carry, as I’m assuming that’s what it was developed for. I found that the claw does help, but what you’re wearing is also just as helpful imo. There’s tons of YouTube vids out there that can probably do a better job explaining the claw

January 16, 2021, 10:20 AM	#4
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	Thanks for the replies.

January 16, 2021, 03:46 PM	#5
sevt_chevelle Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Posts: 324	Check out JM custom holsters, they are my go to.

February 1, 2021, 07:31 PM	#6
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA Posts: 684	Yes, they work very well to pull the grip of the gun in, especially on guns with shorter slides.

February 11, 2021, 12:31 PM	#8
Equin Junior Member Join Date: April 16, 2017 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 14	I’m also considering AIWB with a claw. Kusiak Leather’s American IWB holster looks interesting: https://kusiakleather.com/products/t...an-iwb-holster But I wonder if the claw interfere’s with getting a decent grip when drawing from it? Those with claws have any experience with that, or does it depend on the holster, type of claw and particular gun setup?

February 11, 2021, 04:02 PM	#10
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	So this is what I have gone with... https://www.concealmentexpress.com/c...=6801204641844 I, in fact, did get the claw kit. Tried it both without and with the claw. I am very pleased. Indeed, the claw does help to pull the grip toward the body. No interference with the draw, as it sits tight against the back side of the belt and is flush with the top of the belt. Thanks again for the advice.

February 11, 2021, 11:28 PM	#12
tomrkba Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2011 Posts: 751	Claw, wedge, very flat metal clips from Discreet Carry Concepts that attach near the muzzle (they are a great improvement), and enough holes and slots for adjustment are a beautiful thing. Tenicor holsters are amazing. Their hole pattern and these features make them excellent for carry.

February 12, 2021, 02:02 AM	#13
Blue Jays Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 1999 Location: United States Posts: 395	@tomrkba...thanks for the tip about Tenicor Holsters. Lots of interesting material to read on their website.

February 12, 2021, 10:17 AM	#14
gnystrom Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 308	P365, Vedder w/claw, AIWB=perfect.