Carrying inside the waistband offers great concealment, especially if you want to carry something a bit larger than a pocket pistol. It keeps your gun close to your body to prevent printing and hides all but the grip, which is easily covered up. Unfortunately, that closeness comes at a price as the gun and holster can rub against you uncomfortably. Not anymore, however, thanks to the Jaguar Flush Fit holster from Comfort Holsters. It starts with a wrap-around Kydex shell that securely holds your handgun while offering a smooth draw. The Jaguar Flush Fit design includes a belt clip as well. The main difference is that on the side that goes against your body, Comfort Holsters has added a suede lining filled with a soft gel that completely shields the gun from the body, and vice versa. The feeling is incredibly comfortable for all-day carry with no bite, and the gel core is thin enough to keep the holster very concealable. The gel is also waterproof, protecting your gun from any moisture, and the suede cover helps keep the holster in place. The holster itself is designed for a low carry for greater concealability and the gun will sit low on the belt with minimal exposure of the grip. The Kydex has a carbon-fiber finish giving the holster a very distinct look as well and the metal hardware has been anodized to prevent corrosion. Comfort Holsters stands behind their product and offers a full lifetime warranty for repair and replacement.
With the exponential growth in the concealed-carry market, holster makers have become increasingly focused on comfort, which is a good thing since a gun that is uncomfortable to carry is more likely to be left at home. Alien Gear Holsters has taken this emphasis on comfort for IWB carry to the next level, and instead of a minimalist approach, the company believes that wider is better. The new Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB holster is an example of this thinking that seeks to spread the load of the weight of the gun on your side, distributing the feel against your body so it is not focused in just one spot. The end result is extremely lightweight and comfortable. The backing that goes against the body features a soft neoprene fabric, while the portion that rests against the gun is made from thermoelastomer. In between the two panels is a stainless, spring-steel core for strength, durability and enhanced retention that also keeps the holster flexible enough for all-day carry. The cover for the pistol (made from a special Boltaron material) offers secure retention and fast access, and it can be replaced so the same backing can be used for multiple guns. Since the holster is made of all synthetic materials, it is impervious to the elements to protect your gun, and the vinyl belt loops can be adjusted for height and cant. Finally, the tuckable design allows you to tuck your shirt in around the holster for maximum concealability as well. (208-215-2046; http://www.aliengearholsters.com)
Kydex and polymer holsters seem to be everywhere today, and for good reason. They offer solid retention and are impervious to the elements, but on the down side, they don’t have much give. If you want a class holster, then fine leather is your only option and Wilson Combat is ready to deliver it with its new Lo-Profile II Holster. This is a belt holster—the single most comfortable way to carry a gun, period—that features a wide pancake style that keeps the gun flat against the body for improved concealability over other belt-holster designs. This design also spreads the weight of the gun across your waist, and the leather naturally contours to provide a custom fit for maximum comfort. The Lo-Profile II holster has two belt slots that will fit up to a 1.5-inch belt and are set to provide the pistol a slight forward cant for ease of draw. The open-top design offers solid retention and features a reinforced band of leather that allows for easy reholstering. The front of the holster is also cut low so that the gun can clear it faster when needed. These are very high-quality leather holsters made individually by master craftsmen in limited quantities. (http://www.wilsoncombat.com; 800-955-4856)
Appendix carry is quickly becoming the go-to method for IWB carry as it offers maximum control of your firearms and a fast draw even when sitting down in a vehicle. Specifically, this means carrying your gun forward of your hips, and it allows you to keep track of any printing issues as well. Appendix carry can be uncomfortable with a bulky holster, however, and with this in mind, Gary Quesenberry, a competitive shooter and firearms instructor for the Department of Homeland Security, developed the Q-Series Stealth Minimalist IWB holster. This hard, molded polymer holster is designed to perform the two most important tasks for a holster and nothing else—keep it on your belt and cover the trigger. Indeed, the Q-Series holster hardly appears like a holster at all. Instead, it is simply a cover that snaps onto the triggerguard, covering it on both sides. On one side of this cover is a reversible spring-steel belt clip for right- or left-handed use that keeps the holster on your belt when you draw. The belt-clip design also allows the user to tuck in their shirt between the clip and the gun for maximum concealability. (http://www.qseriesllc.com)
Front Line holsters are made in Israel to exacting standards. The company offers a full line of holsters and carry options for most any handgun. One of its most innovative products, however, is the BFL Modular carry system, which allows you to carry a holster (like the LKC model shown) as both a paddle and belt design depending on the user’s preference. Some shooters prefer paddle holsters because they are easy to put on and take off. Others prefer belt holsters because they are more secure. Now you don’t have to choose. The BFL Modular carry system can be installed on many of Front Line’s holsters and is adjustable for belts of different widths, from 1.2 to 2 inches, with the included inserts for a truly custom fit. Front Line holsters and carry systems are exclusively distributed in the United States by the MAKO Group.
Before you get ready to slap iron on, you are going to need a good quality holster. Because your gun needs to be secure at all times and in position when you need it most, selecting the right holster is one of the most important choices you’ll have to make. Thankfully, there is no shortage of manufacturers coming up with new and innovative designs for both concealed and range carry. Here are some of the latest and greatest designs on the market today.
