Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns IWB vs OWB

Holsters are the hardest thing with firearms to be happy with. I prefer OWB holster. I think IWB conceal better, I just can't make myself get used to them. I have carried for years and it is still a ongoing process with me!

For a gun that small there would not be a whole lot of difference between an IWB and an OWB rig, but there still will be some difference. Much depends on both body type as well as they type of clothes worn. This time of year, it really does not matter, as you could conceal pretty much anything with little problem. In July and August when it is 100+ degrees, it is another matter.

For me, I would suggest a Summer Special by Milt Sparks.

Obviously the pic shows a different gun, but you get the idea. Very easy to conceal and carries nicely all year round.



There is a reason why the Summer Special is copied/ripped off by so many other holster makers and has been for decades. It is a great design that simply works.

IWB definitely conceals better for me. The benefit is not limited to lack of visibility below the belt line. IWB pulls the gun closer to the body.


I agree with this. I have a Criterion for my P365 and I don't use it because of that and because it cannot accommodate the optic that I added after receiving the holster. I use a simple Blackhawk Stache that is easily adjustable for cant and ride.

Exactly.

Unless you wear a sport coat/suit jacket all day, I'm not sure how an OWB holster can conceal equally as well as an IWB does. A Sig365 is not a big gun and should not take up too much room in your pants with a good IWB holster. It's almost small enough to fit your pocket.

Outside the belt is reserved for outside in the woods here. Hiking, hunting, fishing, all that stuff gets OWB carry for one reason, my woods guns are bigger 10mm's and not easy fit inside the belt.

Good holsters are hard to find. They all fit us differently and we all have different definitions of what's comfortable. I have huge Tupperware trunk filled with holsters from trial and error. If I had to guess there's over 70 in there. Probably like bra shopping for chicks.

Just don't be that Walmart guy with your Uncle Mikes OWB holster protruding from your sleeveless Ford Trucks t-shirt and sagging Wranglers.

The fact is that it can't. But it can be concealed enough with what many people consider normal attire sans-jacket or coat - which is kind of the point. "Enough" while being more comfortable and arguably quicker access makes a lot of sense.


Amen to that.

365, IWB G-Code Syncron.

My only IWB, only real holster for this gun.

Too much research, thinking, invested in the holster.
I'm fussy, and tight. Couldn't stand dumping good money into
holsters that don't suit.
I didn't!

Took a little time adjusting cant and position, it was worth it.
Very comfortable. It's there, a bit more than my wallet, the only time
it's ever been uncomfortable is is a chair pinches my spread tire against the butt.

Black holster and gun, because I'm not a peacock, and CCW is supposed to be low key.
Black belt. If I wear a black shirt it doesn't stand out with the shirt tucked behind it.
Hides well tucked inside the shirt or a long tail bloused over it.


IWB vs OWB?

Tuck my shirts, wear a vest or short coat mostly. Often don't even wear
a coat in the winter, preferring short term cold in a parking lot, to long term
hot (or carrying a coat) inside.

OWB, for me, is either open carry or would force clothing changes.


Lotta talk about IWB being difficult or uncomfortable,
that hasn't been my experience.

Don't know if this is an either or decision. I have both and depends on the firearm and the time of the year. I carry more IWB during the summer and OWB this time of year. But I probably pocket carry more and more as it's far more convenient and I do not live in a warzone.

What holster are you using with your G48?

Found this thread looking for holster ideas for a new S&W Shield Plus, that is, looking for anything better than what I've already used.

Agree that an OWB holster is far more comfortable than IWB. In Idaho we can open carry but for various reasons I don't like to go openly strapped at the grocery store so use an IWB.

To be comfortable, for me at least, an IWB holster has to be as thin and minimalist as possible. For the last few years I've used a kydex holster from PJ Holsters to hold a Sig P365XL. Tried a Crossdraw but it was too big and too busy. Had tried a clipdraw with a Kahr some years ago, just a little clip glued to the slide is certainly minimalist but isn't very secure.

Bought a PJ IWB and it's been just right. Nothing but a simple molded kydex pouch and a small belt clip. Don't carry around the house, just when I go out, so something easy to slip on and take off was a criterion. The pistol stays put and the holster won't come out accidentally, you have to pull up deliberately on the belt clip. Something like this might not work that well for a bigger pistol but it's fine for these sub or micro-compacts.


Their pictures are formatted to prevent copying to other sites but here's a link that shows them. The second pic down shows the type of belt clip I use.

PJ Holsters

^^^THIS!!!^^^

Unless I’m out hunting, fishing, or working at the ranch, I use a minimalist type IWB kydex holster to carry either my Sig P365 or Springfield HellCat.

This is the model that I’ve found that works the best for me:

https://www.scheels.com/p/desantis-...ource=bing&utm_term=4584894776803175

Like MM stated, if I’m outside working, hunting, or fishing, I usually pack a bigger handgun in a OWB holster. Usually leather of some type like a Galco Concealable or a El Paso Saddlery “pancake” style holster.
And it is usually a Glock 20 10mm, Glock 32 in .357 Sig, or a full sized 1911 in either 45 acp or 10mm

If I’m packing a larger single action big bore revolver, like a Ruger BlackHawk in 45 Colt, or a Super BlackHawk, in 44 mag, than I prefer a more traditional western style holster, like a El Paso Saddlery in their Tom Threeperson’s model / line of holsters.

Walmart bubba’s with their Uncle Mikes OWB type holster is one of my big pet peeves. 😡

The most important thing is have a gun that no one knows about until you decide they need to know your armed. Last, as long as you can draw the weapon when needed as fast as needed then the rest don't matter. Many options in holsters to fit the many tastes and body types out there. with some effort all of us can be happy and confident while armed. OWB or IWB makes no never mind.

Most important thing is to be armed. ALWAYS. 👍🏻

Good post and spot on....

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Remember the belt not just the holster. A wide stiff belt makes either type less visible under clothing by pulling the rig in and keeping it tight to the body and in place.

THAT!

Somewhere on here 458win posted a picture of his daughter with her .357 carried strong side in a belt slide type holster, the type with a forward angle and belt holes front and rear. “Normal” rigging is belt through the real hole inserted from the face of the holster, under the pocket, and up thru the front hole to the belt loops and buckle.

But she had the belt coming from the back of the holster thru the rear loop, OVER THE REVOLVER POCKET, then down thru the front hole to the buckle. I tried each way to compare and her way is more, and very very, secure. It takes out the “flop” of the leather holster of that hi-ride design.

Lots of little nuances to improve carry.