I just acquired a 40 cal s&w m&p 4" barrel, and I'd like holster recommendations. I've made a pancake holster with the last of my leather, but wondering about kydex. I always carry pocket pistols for easy concealment. I'd like to carry a couple of full size from time to time. Whether it be iwb or owb it must fit tight to my body. I may use the holster I've made, just seeing what others do.

For OWB kydex I like Dale Frickie's Gideon Elite.

https://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/gideon-elite-holster/

That looks like a solid holster. The leather one I've made has good retention with a thumb break, & I want good retention but it may be a little much. I may try a kydex.

Vedder

Vedder...

I like vedder's paddle holster. Also have an iwb Black Scorpion holster company that I wear most of the time.

Cascadia Concealment

A buddy of mine turned me onto a Safariland 578 holster for my M&P. I will admit that I was not impressed when I first got it out of the package, After I adjusted the retention a little and after a few practice draws getting use to the little lever to release the retention (really was kinda natural) I started to like it. After taking a few classes and drawing and reholstering for 2 days, I really like it. I like it so much that I bought another one for my Sig 320.
It fits tight to my body and feels good with a good carry belt. It felt so good that I thought about carrying it but with shorts and just a tee shirt, it did print, so I did not. I think it will be fine for cooler weather carry but you too live in TN and know how hot and humid it gets, so shorts and tee shirts would conceal it well.

For kydex i highly recommend eclipseholster.com.

You need an S after holster.

thanks, still a great holster though .

https://eclipseholsters.com/

I have a "2 – IN – 1" OWB mode from Multi Holster. l I ordered it custom made for my S&W Shield EZ9 with an Armalaser I mounted on it. It snugs the pistol close to me. I've used it for over a year and really like it. I have a Vedder paddle holster for my P365 but it doesn't snug up to me like the pancake style does.

Don't overlook the Suede Galco Stow-n-Go IWB.






GR

Careful placing over the belt loop. Could slip up and out since it could slide on the loop rather than the hook on the belt. Not likely, but possible

HAWG holsters.

Best belt clip mounting.

There's actually a notch in the hook that allows the belt loop to float, while the clip catches the belt on either side.

Readily secure.




GR

When I owned a Glock I used DeSantis Slin-Tuk worn between belt and pant (not IWB). Easy to use and adjust the cant. The only thing missing was swat shield. Good inexpensive holster which I included with gun sold. No problems with holster, but the gun was too large and heavy. I replaced it with a gun which is < half its size and still chambered for the same cartridge.

I got an appendix carry iwb leather at lgs. I also got a fobus paddle holster at rural king. When I do carry this one it will have to be cold weather, & I'll have to cinch my belt up tight. Full size pistol with 15 rnds of 40 cal is rather heavy. Got it to the range 2 days ago & it was a pleasure to shoot. I believe I'll hold on to this one.

Alien Gear.

I carry a M&P M2.0 on and off duty.

Off duty I carry it in an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB. It fits close. It's so comfortable that I have to sometimes check to see that it's still there. The retention is actually pretty good and adjustable to some degree by tightening the screws on the shell or you can slightly heat the shell with a blow dryer and push the shell material a little more into the trigger guard. Also wearing a Wilderness Instructor or 5.11 belt helps support it better.

TXC Holsters for a Kydex, especially if you can do appendix carry..............Brommeland GunLeather if you want a leather holster, very similar to a Sparks, but thinner, less bulky leather.

I carry a S&W M&P 2.0 with a 3.6" barrel most of the time in a TXC, appendix carry, & it is beyond good.

MM

TXC Holsters

Bromelland Gunleather

I ordered a Vedder light tuck iwb, it came in yesterday. I saw a lot of good reviews on this holster with the claw attachment, but I'm not impressed. It could possibly be worn at 4 o clock, but not very comfortable. The pistol is almost to large to conceal.