Looking for holster and belt recommendations

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    mikebalt

    Active Member
    Nov 4, 2014
    162
    Catonsville, MD
    I have never carried concealed before but will be getting a non resident permit soon. I am looking for holster and belt recommendations - not sure if I should use iwb, owb, something else? I am leaning towards the M&P Shield as a carry pistol.

    I am 5'9 210 so not small and skinny.

    Any input is appreciated and thanks
     
    davsco

    davsco

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 21, 2010
    8,628
    Loudoun, VA
    you definitely want a thick/stiff belt, that's the first priority. i got mine (leather, thick and stiff) at a gunshow where there were a couple of vendors.

    other than that, holster choice, and position, is highly personal. iwb is generally easier to conceal than owb because there is that much less gun outside your pants.

    just for starters, i have a milt sparks summer special 2 iwb for my wilson 4" .45 worn at ~4-4:30. i have a safariland/bianchi 125 consent owb holster for my glock 32 357 sig worn at 3-4:00. i also have aiwb holsters for glock 26 and sti 3" 1911 both in 9mm.

    find a gunstore that stocks a bunch of holsters and just start giving them all a try.
     
    mcbruzdzinski

    mcbruzdzinski

    NRA Training Counselor
    Industry Partner
    Aug 28, 2007
    7,102
    Catonsville MD
    Hank's Belts are good for everyday carry and not to expensive. Holsters can vary with the individual. If you want some flexibility, you can get one from ALIEN and switch between IWB/OWB.
     
    fidelity

    fidelity

    piled higher and deeper
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 15, 2012
    22,400
    Frederick County
    A really great belt to try are the SuperBio IndestructiBelts ...

    https://www.daltechforce.com/collections/superbio-indestructibelt

    They can be $70-80 elsewhere, so $50 is a reasonable price. They are stiff and great for holster support, but also very usable otherwise. I find myself using this belt when not carrying (although would use something else if hiking/camping).

    When I carry, it's typically a Walther P99 Compact or Walther PPS M2 (which is Shield size). For the P99C (it fits into many Glock 23/19 holsters), I love the Galco Concealable OWB holster for carry at 4 o'clock which comes in Havana or Black originally recommended to me by Blaster229 (who carried concealed for work for many years) ...

    https://www.slickguns.com/search/apachesolr_search/601299167346
    https://www.slickguns.com/search/apachesolr_search/601299167339

    I'll wear a long, loose shirt to conceal. Picture of the holster is below. Galco typically has nice quality materials.

    Here's the only Galco OWB option that I could find which is similar for the Shield (albeit with one belt threading point) ...

    https://www.amazon.com/Galco-SG652B-Stinger-Holster-Shield/dp/B008CXL6WI

    For IWB, with a single stack like the PPS M2 or Shield, appendix or 4 o'clock, any single clip kydex holster will do ...

    https://www.amazon.com/Concealment-Express-IWB-KYDEX-Holster/dp/B00TR99UGU
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CR9RU3G

    One can also get a softer material holster for IWB ...

    http://www.midwayusa.com/product/23...m-40-s-and-w-45-acp-walther-pps-leather-black
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007V67VMG
    https://www.amazon.com/Bianchi-Professional-Right-Hand-Holster/dp/B00M1RYFV0 (this one is a favorite of Blaster as well)
     

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    • Walther P99 Compact with holster.jpg
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    Biggfoot44

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    33,331
    First is sturdy stiff belt. Lots of options and opinions. The simplist is 1.75in leather of decent thickness. If from your local leatherworker/ harness maker will cost half as much as identical "gunbelt" from a holster company. Also two piece belts with inner stiffener of various metal or plastic, or nylon riggers belts.

    My default recomendation for an initial/ only holster is a Pancake, preferably dead cow. Comfortable and usable by 95% of people. Tucks gun close to body. Also good holster for field and range use.

    If you wish, you can additionally try an IWB, but they are a lot more variable to your exact body contours. Not just basic height & weight, but the exact subtle body shape.
     
    C

    Cal68

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 4, 2014
    2,011
    Montgomery County
    In preparation for the day when I might actually be able to conceal carry, I bought a gunbelt from Bigfoot Gun Belts and really like it. It has a steel core so it is very sturdy and will not sag. I use it for everyday use now and it is very comfortable.

    I have a OWB leather holster from Mitch Rosen which also is very nice, although as you can guess, I have not had occasion to wear it outside the house! I have heard very good things about Aliengear and Galco holsters as well but do not have either one right now.

    This is for a Sig P320.

    Cal68
     
    Gizmo98

    Gizmo98

    Free At Last!!
    Nov 4, 2015
    683
    Central PA
    I carry a Glock 19 in a hybrid White Hat holster. I also have a Bravo Concealment BCA holster for OWB during the winter. As several others mentioned, the belt is a very important piece of gear that's often overlooked. I wear one from A Better Belt, but it's on the pricey side. I hear Hank's Belts are awesome. As you can see, a good carry setup gets expensive.

    http://www.abetterbeltusa.com/
    http://www.whitehatholsters.com/

    When I get my Glock 43, I'll be using the G-Code Incog with a mag caddy. Travis Haley wears this combo often, and I was able to try it out when I took one of his classes this Spring. I don't love the limited capacity of the 43, but it's great for summer carry.

     
    M

    mikebalt

    Active Member
    Nov 4, 2014
    162
    Catonsville, MD
    Thanks for all the great responses and links - this makes my research easier but not an easy decision!! As much as some of these belts cost I should go into the belt making business - at the end of the day it really is a leather sandwich with some reinforcement inbetween and some thread. I know I am over simplifying but still....
     
    U

    usa259

    Active Member
    Mar 11, 2015
    820
    When out of this state, I'm using Bull Hide leather belt, with AlienGear Cloak Tuck 3.0, I think. Using it with Sig P320, FCU from full size, combined with compact slide and barrel on a subcompact frame.
     
    Minuteman

    Minuteman

    Member
    BANNED!!!
    Dec 13, 2009
    21,393
    Maryland, let's make it a better place.
    Gizmo98 said:
    I carry a Glock 19 in a hybrid White Hat holster. I also have a Bravo Concealment BCA holster for OWB during the winter. As several others mentioned, the belt is a very important piece of gear that's often overlooked. I wear one from A Better Belt, but it's on the pricey side. I hear Hank's Belts are awesome. As you can see, a good carry setup gets expensive.

    http://www.abetterbeltusa.com/
    http://www.whitehatholsters.com/

    When I get my Glock 43, I'll be using the G-Code Incog with a mag caddy. Travis Haley wears this combo often, and I was able to try it out when I took one of his classes this Spring. I don't love the limited capacity of the 43, but it's great for summer carry.

    Click to expand...
     
    montoya32

    montoya32

    Ultimate Member
    Patriot Picket
    Jun 16, 2010
    11,311
    Harford Co
    mikebalt said:
    I have never carried concealed before but will be getting a non resident permit soon. I am looking for holster and belt recommendations - not sure if I should use iwb, owb, something else? I am leaning towards the M&P Shield as a carry pistol.

    I am 5'9 210 so not small and skinny.

    Any input is appreciated and thanks
    Click to expand...

    Buy a good belt once and you won't have a closet full of mediocre belts that only partially do the job. Ares Aegis belts are nice as are most belts with a kydex or some other type of stiffener. The way makers get plain leather belts to be stiff is to use a thicker piece of leather. That can be cumbersome and cause issues in some types of pants due to narrow belt loops.
     
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