An invaluable accessory for everyday carry, the ambidextrous Holster Pouch utilizes 5.11 Tactical’s proprietary TacTec System to provide a quick and effective holster solution for any standard sidearm. Easily installed on 5.11 bags, outerwear or tactical apparel with TacTec compatibility, the holster combines secure and reliable carry with quick and covert accessibility. (http://www.511Tactical.com; 866-451-1726)
Conceal your handgun in secure comfort with the new Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB hybrid holster. Alien Gear Holsters has integrated a revolutionary spring-steel core into the heart of this holster, adding yet another level of durability and comfort to the Cloak Tuck’s design. The design also incorporates a thermo elastomer “alien skin” surface, a soft neoprene backing and a fully swappable handgun shell. (http://www.aliengearholsters.com; 208-215-2046)
Comfort Holsters has made concealed carry truly comfortable. Every Comfort Holster, like the Bentley model shown, incorporates a gel backing that’s covered in suede. The gel will soften your pistol’s sharp edges while the suede wicks away sweat. Each holster uses a full Kydex shell for superior performance, giving you a smooth draw with adjustable tension. To top it off, these holsters have a “Cling Tab” that helps conceal your pistol grip. The stiffer “Cling Tab” pulls your pistol grip in close while the other belt tab flexes with your waist.
The Appendix Carry holster from CrossBreed is designed for small- to medium-sized firearms and has no cant so it can be worn on the front side of the body. Featuring a hand-molded pocket for a perfect fit, the Appendix Carry is the answer for anyone who wants to carry a firearm in a front position. It can be positioned in the cross-draw position and is adjustable for ride height. (http://www.crossbreedholsters.com; 888-732-5011)
The revolutionary CrossBreed SuperTuck Deluxe is one of the most comfortable and concealable IWB holsters you’ll ever wear. This holster is hand-molded to fit each specific firearm model its made for. It features a premium leather backing with a molded and mounted Kydex pocket, and it may be worn comfortably with or without your shirt tucked in. The holster’s powder-coated steel belt clips are modular, enabling you to adjust cant and ride height. (http://www.crossbreedholsters.com; 888-732-5011)
The ambidextrous Undercover is a low-profile concealed-carry holster that can be worn in up to nine carry positions inside or outside the waistband. It uses the company’s new “Spring-Loaded Thumb Break” system, when carried OWB, for fast access to your firearm. If worn IWB, simply remove the retention system for a compression fit. (http://www.crossfiregear.com; 208-461-8888)
Strong-side belt holsters are the most common among American shooters. An excellent compromise between speed and concealability, IWB holsters are also very popular since they offer excellent concealment with even full-sized handguns when carried under proper garments. Offering the best of both worlds, Galco’s Corvus quickly and easily converts from a belt holster to an IWB design. With an open top for a fast draw, adjustments for ride, height and cant, virtually maintenance-free construction and comfortable forward molding, the versatile Corvus is a superior holster choice for defensive carry. (http://www.galcogunleather.com; 800-874-2526)
The Model 2145 from Kirkpatrick Leather Company is a small pancake-style, leather holster that is perfect for shorter-barreled handguns, including the new Glock 43. Featuring dual belt slots, the holster’s forward cant narrows its profile, and its high-ride design allows for better concealment during everyday carry. (http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com; 956-723-6893)
The popular PS6MR is a mid-ride leather holster with a short draw. The back plate is designed to follow the curvature of the body while the front follows the design of the gun. When you draw the gun, the holster stays open and does not collapse during re-entry. The PS6 is Merickle’s most popular holster for semi-autos, and it is a high-ride design that keeps the gun in tight and up high with an extremely short draw. Another very popular high-ride for single-action handguns is the PS6SA. This holster has a dual slot at the front that allows the user to carry both strong side as well as cross-draw. (http://www.mernickleholsters.com; 800-497-3166)
If you are carrying a large weapon for concealed carry, you may want to consider the A-1+ Deluxe Thoroughbred, which gives you plenty of comfort for long-term use. The Deluxe Thoroughbred holster has two powder-coated, spring-steel, tuckable clips to help distribute the weight of the weapon. A suede backing adds to user comfort during wear. (http://www.mtrcustomleather.com)
The Q-Series Stealth holster packs full-size features into a minimalist design. Tough injection molded polymer paired with a rugged spring steel clip are the main features of this ambidextrous, low-profile, tuckable holster. Positive retention keeps the firearm in place and it can be worn with or without a belt. Easy reholstering. Available for all Glock Gen 3 / Gen 4 models, G42, G43 and all Smith & Wesson M&P models to include the SHIELD 9mm and .40.(http://www.qseriesllc.com)
Tagua Gunleather produces a wide range of concealed-carry holsters, including the company’s new super-soft Inside The Pant holster design. This genuine leather holster provides comfort combined with efficiency. It’s made from several layers of prime leather, including a stiff center to prevent the holster from collapsing, while the inside and outside feature a soft finishing layer. The holster can be worn in four different positions: IWB, belt, small of the back and cross-draw. (http://www.taguagunleather.com; 305-637-3015)
Versacarry gives you the freedom to choose virtually any gun you wish to carry, with any accessory combination, for sturdy IWB concealment. Versacarry is designed to be minimalistic, quick to use and highly effective at accommodating a variety of firearms. Securing a firearm by the barrel, retention is achieved by an angled metal-core rod that is smaller than the bore and safe for use with all guns. (http://www.versacarry.com; 855-278-9678)
Choosing the right holster is a very personal decision. There are some general guidelines, however, that can help you make the best choice. First up is the question of how you plan to carry. Your two primary choices are inside the waistband (IWB) and outside the waistband (OWB). This decision will largely be driven by the garment you wear. An IWB holster is easier to conceal because a large portion of the holster is actually tucked into your pants. An OWB holster can be a little more comfortable, but requires more clothing in order to conceal it.
The composition of the holster is your next consideration. In this arena it is truly a personal choice. While advocates of Kydex or leather can tout their superior benefits, both materials must still be maintained and fit correctly. Comfort is the driving factor here. Understand, though, that the chance of finding a holster that is 100-percent comfortable and “invisible” is a bit of a unicorn hunt. As the great Col. Cooper stated, “Concealed carry is designed to be comforting, not comfortable.” There is no reason for the holster to be a pain, though. There are many rigs available that can be worn for extended periods of time with little issue at all.
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Construction is the last point we need to look at. Whether the holster has belt clips or a sewn-in loop, it must be unquestionably strong. Many a holster has hit the ground because belt-loop screws came loose over time. This goes back to maintenance on your holster as well. A well-made holster has no harsh edges and sealed screws and attachment points. If you are going to trust your life to this rig, it needs to stand up to daily wear and abuse. To better understand some of your options, let’s take a look at some of the best concealed carry holsters in today’s market.
