Everything About SOB Holsters – Improved Comfort & Concealment With Some Tradeoffs
I’ve been carrying a firearm every day for over 10 years now. Throughout this period, I’ve met with a lot of various methods, opinions, and information, that I was either taught or found out myself. When it comes to carrying SOB (small of back) or the 6 o’clock position, many people may think of this topic as controversial. Why is that? Well, one side talks about the drawbacks, and for a good amount of people, the 6 o’clock position is ideal. But, we are not here to argue, more to the contrary, we are here to help people choose the ideal holster while sharing valuable information and knowledge. I think this method of carrying is a lot of fun, but not ideal. On the other hand, for you, It might be the very thing you were looking for. So let’s dive in, and find out! The 6 o’clock holster I chose for this article is the C140 Leather SOB holster from Falco Holsters. We’ll be talking about small of the back carry method, its pros, cons, characteristics, and what you should be aware of.
Characteristic of The SOB Holster
The C140 is a premium leather small of the back holster made by Falco Holsters.
As you’d expect. The C140 is made from premium, full-grain Italian leather, hand-molded, dyed, and lacquered by Falco's skilled craftsmen...and craftswomen. Craftspeople!
How to Wear a Small of The Back Holster
It attaches to your back ( 6 o'clock position ) by sliding onto your belt using the belt tunnel on the top of the backside, and the belt loop located in the leather platform part under the holster. Nothing scary, right? Just make sure you do not thread it on a belt upside down.
The high-stress areas have all been double-stitched, and the mouth of the holster is reinforced with a second layer of leather. These elements not only look good but add to the functionality and comfort of the holster. The double stitching ensures durability in high-stress areas, and the reinforced mouth keeps the holster open even if it’s empty. Which helps with easier and smoother reholstering.
Don’t forget that you can fully customize the C140. You can choose the color of the leather, stitching, and edges, have a laser engraving, or have your initials embossed. If the law requires it, or you just want it, there’s an option for you to have the trigger fully covered. Not everybody likes their steak the same way as others. The same goes for drawing. That’s why the C140’s equipped with a retention screw in front of the trigger guard. You can tighten it up for more firmer grasp, or loosen it if you need the gun to come out a little bit easier. Or you can remove it completely you vegan!
Security
You can already see that C140 has a thumb break. But what you can’t see is that the thumb break is reinforced with a steel plate underneath the leather. For me, this is really nice, as I don’t have a good feeling that I can’t see my weapon in the SOB holster. I think every 6 o’clock holster should have a thumb break. Even if it’s not reinforced, like the Flacos one, the thumb break really helps to make the SOB holster safer.
Is The SOB holster safe?
Now, this is one of the reasons people find the 6 o’clock holster a controversial topic. We probably all heard stories about how various carry positions are dangerous, like shooting your precious jewels of the Nile while carrying in the appendix. But that theory has been busted, for now. Is it the same with the small of the back holster? Well, I admit that it could be dangerous. Having a hard bulky object on your spine isn’t ideal. Not only in the 6 o’clock carry position but also in the 4 or 8 o’clock carry positions. If we want to know how high the risks are, we have to count on a huge load of factors.
For example:
- What kind of a gun do you carry?
- How big is it? (The gun)
- How much do you weigh?
- What are the conditions around you?
- How good is your awareness?
What do you think, do you feel like the risks are too high? Or do you think that you’ll be safe with enough carefulness and awareness? It’s up to you.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Compatibility
For a modern-day carrier, the red dot compatibility is a big deal. Luckily, Falco’s right there with us. This holster comes red dot ready straight from the shop. Don’t forget that the open-bottom design of this SOB holster allows you to carry weapons with threaded barrels or small suppressors. You probably own a weapon with light or a laser. For that, I recommend checking out the C636L Basset, a light-bearing leather SOB holster.
- Draw
There’s no discussion that in a situation where you need a gun, you need it as fast as possible. Well, at least if you don’t have a furnace door hidden under your poncho. Luckily, the draw from a SOB holster is pretty quick when practiced. You just have to reach to your back and that’s it. It almost completely deletes the need to clear your cover garment. And if you’re not quick enough, at least you looked cool doing it.
Another bonus that comes with drawing from a SOB holster is that you only need one hand. Many of us have children, dogs, and all kinds of hats and bats that might occupy one of our hands. So I say that not needing your other hand to draw is a pretty good advantage. Even if you have both of your hands-free. With your free hand, you can protect yourself, make the distance, or redirect your opponent's focus as you reach for your gun with the primary hand.
- Concealment & Comfort
How does a small of the back holster fit? Well, having a big bulge on your hip will automatically make people assume that you carry a firearm. The huge pro of carrying in a small of the back holster is that the natural curve of the spine makes a nice void in the back of your body. Almost perfect for storing bulky items.
What I like about it is that you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort for concealment and concealment is usually almost the same with each body type as fat isn't usually distributed on the back.
Cons:
- Access In Different Positions
A quick draw while standing is one thing. But what about while you’re sitting? Well, let me tell you that it’s not quick at all. It’s even worse if you’re in a car. Sitting in a chair has a pro, you can at least stand up or move to a better drawing position. But in a car, you are stuck. The worst scenario is if you’re left-handed sitting on the left side of the car, or being a right-handed passenger. The draw is bone-breaking and takes a huge amount of time compared to a standing draw.
- Risks of Injury
Imagine the event of a fall. In case you are huskier and carrying your 1911 in an SOB holster, concrete pathway might be your worst enemy. What happens? As we know the spine is pretty sensitive and you could get injured even without a holster in the 6 o'clock position. The final choice is on you, and if you decide to carry SOB, remember to be extra careful.
- Retention of The Weapon
Not being able to see your weapon is a big disadvantage. If a physical confrontation happens, the attacker might attempt to take your weapon from behind. You can also end up on the ground and having your gun behind you isn’t really ideal. This is one of the bigger concerns while carrying SOB because things might get really ugly.
- Mobility
While the concealment abilities are pretty good with a bit of effort, you have to be aware that the gun doesn’t disappear magically. With some movements, like bending over, there’s a possibility for a print or even exposing your weapon completely if your shirt rolls up. So you have to keep in mind that the gun is still there and you can expose yourself if you’re not careful enough. Also, not being able to sit properly is again a disadvantage. When you carry a gun in a SOB holster, it’s comfortable, but not always. If you stand, walk, or run, everything is all right. You don’t even know that the gun is there sometimes, but if you want to sit, you’ll remember straight away. Having a firearm putting pressure on the lower back can put the carrier in a big discomfort. It can even be potentially harmful over long periods of time.
Conclusion
Well, I hope everybody understands why this is a controversial topic. The small of the back holster carry comes with many advantages, but as many as there are, the amount of disadvantages are equal. I’d say the SOB holster can be very advantageous if used in adequate situations. When you know how to work with a particular carry style, it can be very useful to you. Practicing the draw, being aware, and careful, and knowing when and where you should use various carry methods is very important. Not just for your personal benefits and comfort, but a person carrying a firearm can be dangerous to himself the same way he can be dangerous to others. So take time to learn, explore, make notes, and find out which carry style works the best for you.
Nic Lenze
11.9.2024
