Paddle holster chafing/padding

[Tower43]

I love the paddle holster when doing OWB. (Actually this thought process can apply to IWB as well) but I noticed with the paddles sometimes they pinch/chafe.
Has anyone found something to put on the portion that is inside the beltline to help prevent or limit pinching and chafing?

 

[Mr. Ed]

I'm not sure if this would be a perfect solution, but a Dr. Scholls product, called moleskin might smooth things out for you.

 

[Tower43]

I'm not sure if this would be a perfect solution, but a Dr. Scholls product, called moleskin might smooth things out for you.

Ya know, i've used it for years on my feet, never thought to stick it to a holster lol

 

[Biggfoot44]

Here's the bottom line : The issue is the exact shape of the paddle vs the exact contours of your hip .

The more flexible the paddle , the more forgiving the comfort with mismatch .

Everything else equal , the narrower the paddle , the less likely to pinch or dig in . Yes , carried too far , can make the holster less stable . But think a Medium vs an extra wide .

Which would be most comfortable for you ? Damnifino . My hip , butt , and dunlop are probably different from yours .
I do own some rigid paddles I've accumulated , that someday I will narrow and tweak with a dremel .

 

[4g64loser]

Ya know, i've used it for years on my feet, never thought to stick it to a holster lol

Moleskin is a good option. You can also wrap the paddle area below belt line in self adhering blood stop tape. The trade name eludes me this early. Rip-off? Maybe.

 

[River02]

For this reason I moved to a primarily pancake holsters for OWB. I know some will say that the convenience of the paddle is lost if you switch to a pancake. I say not so much-- if I have to remove the firearm anyway because of location I just wind up wearing an empty holster. Firearm goes in a lockbox or you can use a trigger guard holster. Easy peasy. But back on point ---I can see the moleskin being a potential option but it may not cure the discomfort that arises from the paddle pressure on the bone.

 

[Flametamer]

I prefer paddles for OWB. I dabble in leatherwork so I cut a heavy leather piece that covers the paddle and extends high and wide enough to soften the contact between skin and handgun. Glue on with E6000. Protects handgun from perspiration aand protects skin from chafing Works well for me on three different rigs.

 

[spoon059]

Adjust it back and forth on your hip until you find the most comfortable (let's be honest... least offensive) position. I don't wear a gun without an undershirt. I find that a good cotton undershirt provides enough of a release that the gun doesn't snag or catch too much.

Sent from my SM-N970U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

I’m a fan of a nice tee shirt. Makes a big difference for me.
I do prefer OWB but even then, chub rub for the old fella. Guess I need to eat less and exercise more at the same time.

 

[Tower43]

Here's the bottom line : The issue is the exact shape of the paddle vs the exact contours of your hip .

The more flexible the paddle , the more forgiving the comfort with mismatch .

Everything else equal , the narrower the paddle , the less likely to pinch or dig in . Yes , carried too far , can make the holster less stable . But think a Medium vs an extra wide .

Which would be most comfortable for you ? Damnifino . My hip , butt , and dunlop are probably different from yours .
I do own some rigid paddles I've accumulated , that someday I will narrow and tweak with a dremel .

Oddly the one that bit me the most? was the smaller footprint "11 gear" that came with the Operator 45

 

[Tower43]

I prefer paddles for OWB. I dabble in leatherwork so I cut a heavy leather piece that covers the paddle and extends high and wide enough to soften the contact between skin and handgun. Glue on with E6000. Protects handgun from perspiration aand protects skin from chafing Works well for me on three different rigs.

I've actually been considering getting into leatherwork as a hobby for the relaxation effect of just "mindlessly" using tools to make leather items. I also considered this in the future to make my own kydex/hybrids. Good idea

 

[Tower43]

Adjust it back and forth on your hip until you find the most comfortable (let's be honest... least offensive) position. I don't wear a gun without an undershirt. I find that a good cotton undershirt provides enough of a release that the gun doesn't snag or catch too much.

Sent from my SM-N970U1 using Tapatalk

Yea for years I've just used one t shirt, but that doesn't help when I'm trying to even moderately attempt to conceal it. I love the convenience of the paddle for going to prohibited places.. I think having an empty holster is just... weird (to me).
I do need to get an assortment of true undershirts

 

[Tower43]

For this reason I moved to a primarily pancake holsters for OWB. I know some will say that the convenience of the paddle is lost if you switch to a pancake. I say not so much-- if I have to remove the firearm anyway because of location I just wind up wearing an empty holster. Firearm goes in a lockbox or you can use a trigger guard holster. Easy peasy. But back on point ---I can see the moleskin being a potential option but it may not cure the discomfort that arises from the paddle pressure on the bone.

I do have a single 3 slot pancake for my 1911, but the operator 45 has a rail and doesn't fit quite right (though I suppose I could soak the leather to make in pliable, then have it form to the railed 1911)

 

[River02]

I do have a single 3 slot pancake for my 1911, but the operator 45 has a rail and doesn't fit quite right (though I suppose I could soak the leather to make in pliable, then have it form to the railed 1911)

Options abound-- I wear my pancake holsters pretty much "all" the time (hours on end) with little to no discomfort. I find they also keep the firearm grip tucked closer into my waste than my paddle holsters. YMMV

 

[Crosseye Dominant]

Before completely giving up on the paddle, you could try heating the paddle itself with a heat gun and forming a contour that better fits where it is sitting on your hip.

 

[welder516]

I'm not sure if this would be a perfect solution, but a Dr. Scholls product, called moleskin might smooth things out for you.

I have done this for a problem area, for me it worked.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I do have a single 3 slot pancake for my 1911, but the operator 45 has a rail and doesn't fit quite right (though I suppose I could soak the leather to make in pliable, then have it form to the railed 1911)

Yup , had me cursing with my first railed 1911 , and didn't fit my boned 1911 holsters . ( And I didn't even want a rail , but the gun happened to have one .)

But nowadays , most 1911 pancakes will fit most rails .

 

[Tower43]

Yup , had me cursing with my first railed 1911 , and didn't fit my boned 1911 holsters . ( And I didn't even want a rail , but the gun happened to have one .)

But nowadays , most 1911 pancakes will fit most rails .

Aye, but this IS a sweet piece....

 

[Tower43]

The primary offending paddle...