Finding the Ideal Concealed Carry Holster: What You Need to Know
Having a concealed carry permit means you’re ready to make sure you’re protected everywhere you go. However, many people don’t know how to pick a good holster to help them get the job done.
Even regular holsters are a bit tricky to choose because they are all shaped differently, are better for use on some guns than others, and come in different sizes.
Throw in the added requirement that it has to be concealed and not noticeable by most people, and you’ll have a difficult time choosing. Not if we can help it.
Here’s everything you need to know when choosing a pistol holster for concealed carry.
Why Do I Need a Concealed Carry Holster?
The whole point of a concealed carry holster, as opposed to a standard one, is that it’s supposed to be hidden from plain sight. This means only you should know you’re armed.
Concealed carry holsters are designed differently than belt holsters because they have to be much more stealthy while still being easy to use.
You won’t be able to conceal your gun properly with non-concealed holsters as easy and that is the reason why you need it.
PRO TIP: If you want to keep your gun safe when you come home after carrying it around all day, consider getting a gun box or a gun safe to keep it out of reach of children.
What to Look For in a Concealed Carry Holster
There are a few things you should be looking out for when picking a concealed carry holster. These include trigger protection and hidden spot compatibility, among others.
Fully Protected Trigger
Any holster, whether concealed or otherwise, must fully cover a trigger. This helps to prevent accidental discharges even if the safety is on.
This is especially important on a concealed carry holster, which is usually much closer to your body and underneath your regular clothes.
Getting a holster that doesn’t fully cover the trigger and the guard may result in your clothes snagging on the trigger and your gun accidentally discharging, injuring you in the process.
Holster Retention
Once you’re sure the holster you’re considering can protect the trigger, ensure it is snug enough around your gun that it doesn’t fall out without you intentionally drawing it.
Again, this is even more crucial on concealed carry holsters because of the unpredictability of how your clothes move. Any snag on an unstable holster could yank the gun out and fling it away from you.
Try to find a good balance between a secure holster that doesn’t let the gun fall out easily and one that is still easy enough to pull the gun out of. 1911 IWB Leather holster is not the same as the Glock 19 Kydex Holster which is why we recommend a custom holster that guarantees a perfect fit.
Safe Reholstering
Whether you’ve taken the gun out of the holster for firing or cleaning, you should be able to reholster the gun without it flagging any part of your body.
One of the first safety lessons any responsible gun owner learns is that you should never point a gun anywhere you don’t want to destroy.
Read the instructions in the manual or online to see if a concealed carry holster will be fitting on your body-type.
Hidden Spot Compatibility
The hidden “sweet spot” is the area on a person’s body where a concealed carry holster should be placed because it’s the least conspicuous area to bystanders.
This hidden spot differs from person to person depending on their body type, height, and other physical features.
For example, a plus-sized person is usually better off placing the holster on the side rather than in front. This is because the gun is more likely to imprint on the front area of clothing.
On the other hand, a thinner person might be better off placing the holster in front of them (appendix carry) because their side profile is more pronounced when a gun is placed there.
Grip Rotation
This holster feature keeps the butt of the pistol grip closer to a person’s body when holstered. It’s another crucial part of determining how stealthy a concealed carry holster is.
This is because whenever a person walks, sits down, stands up, or turns around, the butt of the gun usually rotates past the holster, which means that it can become visible if you’re not careful.
This rotation can either be obvious or hidden depending on the grip rotation of the concealed carry holster. Good quality ones will never show the imprint of the butt of your gun through your clothes.
Grip Tuck
This refers to how strong the pressure coming from the frame's rear end or slide into a person’s body is. It helps prevent printing, making a person being armed more obvious.
Good concealed carry holsters have enough pressure to make the gun and holster stick to your body tightly while not being uncomfortable.
This allows for both low gun visibility and good comfort simultaneously, two ideal traits for a concealed carry holster.
Frequently Asked Questions
After learning more about concealed carry holsters and how to pick one out, you might have more questions about how they work.
Is IWB or OWB Superior for Concealed Carry?
When it comes to pure stealth, IWB (Inside the Waistband) is a lot better than OWB (Outside the Waistband). This is because it’s tucked between your shorts/pants and body.
However, OWB holsters might be more comfortable depending on the design and how it fits on your body. It really depends on which you prioritize or prefer.
If you’re a fan of baggy clothes or jackets, you can get away with OWB holsters.
Is the Shoulder Holster Good for Concealed Carry?
Even if shoulder holsters may seem like they’re only good for the movies, they’re actually pretty effective at hiding any weapon you have, provided you’re a jacket wearer.
If you’re only wearing a t-shirt, shoulder holsters will be painfully obvious because there’s nothing to cover the holster under your armpits.
Final Thoughts
A concealed carry holster is crucial if you want to carry your weapon without announcing to everyone that you have it.
Whether you’re carrying it to protect yourself, your friends, or your family, getting a good quality holster can not only be comfortable in your day-to-day life but can also save lives.
