What does IWB mean for holsters?
Inside the Waistband
Both the holster and the gun are inside your waistband, and the holster is attached to your tactical belt.
IWB holsters will generally be better for situations when it is of the utmost importance to conceal your firearm, such as in your everyday life, while OWB Holsters will be better for situations when it is not overly necessary to keep the gun concealed (such as when you're embarking on a hike out in the woods).
An IWB holster is a holster that is meant to go on the inside of your pants. A great example of an inside the waistband holster would be our very popular MTAC or the Spartan. OWB is short for Outside the Waistband. An OWB is a holster that goes on the outside of the waistband.
The 4'clock and 4:30 positions are very natural, popular concealed carry positions for IWB and OWB carry. If you're larger, it may be more comfortable to carry on your side at the 3 o'clock position, considering the extra weight may cause discomfort in the 4:30 position.
The Hank Sloan-designed holster was created exclusively for the FBI's S&W Model 10 M&P .
Two-handed carry — The two-hand, also known as the ready carry, is when the firearm is gripped in both hands with the muzzle pointed up. Since the firearm is in both hands, this is one of the safest carries, allowing you to control the muzzle and bring the gun to shooting position quickly.
The two-handed or ready carry provides the best control, particularly in thick brush or weeds, or when you need to fire quickly. If you fall, this carry gives you better control of the gun and helps you keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. It can be used as either a right- or left-handed carry.
Most holster clips attach directly to the holster, leaving no place to tuck in a shirt. On the other hand, IWB tuckable holsters are designed with a space between the clip and holster that you can slip your shirt into. The only thing visible once you tuck in your shirt is the clip itself.
Mexican carry refers to the practice of carrying a handgun inside the waistband without a holster. This may be either open or concealed.
Different holsters are designed to be carried by different parts of your body, which have an effect on both their concealability and your comfort. You may not find an IWB holster to be comfortable while sitting for prolonged periods of time as much as, say, an ankle holster might be.
Should you keep one in the chamber when concealed carrying?
Your concealed carry, everyday carry gun should be ready for use. The firearm needs to be ready to be used against an attacker. In this way, it is appropriate (if you desire) to carry with a round in the chamber.
Patrol or duty holsters are generally going to be belt and hip mounted. These are the Safariland 6000 or 7000 model series duty holsters. The holster will use some form of UBL – Universal Belt Loop, and offer Level I – IV Retention.

CONFIRMED: US Secret Service Adopts Glock 19, G47 MOS Gen5 Pistols. The U.S. Secret Service has officially adopted Glock as its new duty pistol. Since 1998, the Secret Service has armed its agents with a duty carry SIG Sauer P229 pistol in . 357 SIG.
It really comes down to personal preference which is better. Kydex holsters come out on top when it comes to retention and reholstering. Leather holsters take the crown when it comes to comfort and style.
A regular T-shirt is going to cling to the butt of your gun, so that's out the window when it comes to CCW shirts. To properly conceal your firearm while you're carrying, opt instead for a holster shirt, a polo or a button-up.
Smaller calibers are genuinely easier to conceal, and the . 380 Auto is one of the smallest self-defense options on the market today. Pistols chambered in . 380 ACP are generally compact, lightweight, and perfect for all-day EDC.
- Editor's Pick. Glock 19 Gen 5. ...
- Runner Up. Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0. ...
- US Army Approved. Sig Sauer P320. ...
- Best Trigger. Walther PDP. ...
- Best Revolver. Smith & Wesson Model 686+ ...
- Easiest to Rack & Load. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 9mm. ...
- Like a Glock, But Not. Heckler & Koch VP9.
The rule of thumb is you should carry the smallest gun with the largest caliber that you can shoot well. If that's a single-stack 9mm subcompact, that's fine. If that's a mid-size . 45 ACP such as a Smith & Wesson M&P45C or any brand of Commander 1911, that's fine too.
You have to grip the pistol tightly enough so that when you move your finger, only the trigger moves—not the pistol in your hand. However, you don't want to grip so tightly that you shake or transmit movement to the pistol when you pull the trigger.
Pros of Pocket Carry
If you cannot carry strong side or appendix, pocket carry gives you the ability to still carry a gun. To that end, it's pretty convenient. You don't have to buy a holster AND gun belt to make it work. You just pop the gun in your pocket (in a pocket holster, of course) and go.
Why is the elbow carry good?
The Pros and Cons of Elbow Carry
The main pro of using this carrying position is that it's comfortable and evenly distributes your firearm's weight. This position can be appealing when you're spending long days in the field. You might use it when you start to get fatigued after hours of shooting or stalking your prey..
While a 10 round capacity is our minimum recommendation, there are a few reasons why you may want to choose a firearm with even more capacity.
The most popular place to carry a concealed handgun on the body is on the strong side (right side if you're right-handed, left side if you're left-handed), usually just behind the hip. We call this the 4 o'clock position.
Ideal Conceal | |
---|---|
Height | 3 in (76 mm) folded 5.1875 in (131.76 mm) open |
Cartridge | .380 ACP |
Barrels | 2 |
Action | Break Action |
To use a level III holster requires regular practice to be able to release and draw your gun in a single, fluid movement. These types of holsters are most common with law enforcement and people who openly carry their handgun.
The Best in the Biz
The Comfort Cling holster makes concealing a gun more comfortable in every way imaginable. Not only can you place your gun anywhere in your waistband or pocket, you'll have an amazing gel-like cushioning between you and your gun.
The Glock 43 is a single stack 9mm pistol that is designed for concealed carry. It is slim and lightweight, and it is a popular choice for those who are looking for a concealable pistol.
You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks. Bringing an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition to the security checkpoint carries the same civil penalty/fine as bringing a loaded firearm to the checkpoint.
The Galco Executive is James Bond's shoulder holster for his Walther PPK in the movies GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is Not Enough.
Daniel Craig as James Bond wears suede Vega gun holsters in Casino Royale (2006), SkyFall (2012) and SPECTRE (2015). In Casino Royale he wears a Vega IB339 holster on his belt, during the Madagaskar chase scene. The holster contains his Walther P99.
Can you conceal carry on the strip?
Nevada gun law permits the concealed carry of firearms (NRS 202.350) in casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and throughout Nevada. However, casinos are private property, and staff may legally ask gun carriers to leave the property.
The most important thing to remember when you concealed carry on your waistband is safety. Your trigger guard and safety should be protected so they can't accidentally be engaged or disengaged. Practice until you're comfortable safely drawing and reholstering your firearm. Do this while the gun is unloaded.
Now, physics simply states that when you add matter to a space, it's going to take up that space, so the simple answer is yes, a pants adjustment will be necessary for concealed carry. Adding inches to your pants will make them fit differently and picking the correct sized pants can be a difficult process to perfect.
“Israeli Carry” is a term commonly used when concealed carriers holster-carry their semi-automatic handguns with a loaded magazine and empty chamber.
Last updated September 15, 2021 . Virginia allows a person to carry a concealed handgun if he or she has a permit.
FBI SWAT is known to use the M4 carbine, Heckler & Koch MP5/10, Remington 870, Remington 700, various Glock models (17 Gen4, 19M, 20), SIG Sauer P226, and Springfield Armory 1911 Professional Custom.
How to wear an IWB holster. An inside the waistband holster (IWB) sits at your midsection, but rather than fixing outside your pants like a waist holster, an IWB holster instead fits comfortably under your pant line. These are also sometimes known as inside the belt holsters.
Belly bands are a great option for concealed carry. They offer many benefits when compared with other types of holsters. They conceal a variety of firearms well, they're comfortable since they don't have any hard sides like Kydex or plastic, and they're affordable compared to more traditional types of holsters.
The basic design of almost every popular self-defense firearm made today is what makes them also inherently safe for carry with one in the chamber. Almost without exception they are equipped with redundant active and passive safeties that keep them from firing unless the trigger is deliberately pulled to the rear.
You can not carry a loaded handgun in any vehicle without a Permit/License. §134-26 Carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway; penalty.
Can you have a bullet in the chamber?
The straightforward answer is yes, it's legal to have a bullet in the chamber of your gun in Texas, which is often referred to as “one in the chamber.” The stipulation is that you'll need a license to carry a handgun (also known as a license to carry) to do this if you're open or concealed carrying.
Open Carry IWB Still An Oddity
That's what most people use an IWB holster for, because it works best in that role. That said, some people like to open carry at times and concealed carry at other times. In that instance, an IWB holster can be used for both purposes.
IWB Holsters (inside the waistband) holsters are the most uncomfortable because you have to tuck them into your pants. They also require you to wear pants 1 size larger than normal. If you are new to concealed carry buying a new wardrobe will add up to a big expense.
Outside the Waistband (OWB) Carry
Most will agree the OWB carry is the most accessible and comfortable method of carry. All you really need to make it happen is a belt. However, OWB carry is the most difficult to conceal and requires a serious belt for optimum security and holster stability.
Simply put, IWB stands for “inside the waistband” while OWB means “outside the waistband.” These terms are used to indicate whether your gun is concealed inside or outside of your waistband.
Waistband Carrying Basics
The most important thing to remember when you concealed carry on your waistband is safety. Your trigger guard and safety should be protected so they can't accidentally be engaged or disengaged. Practice until you're comfortable safely drawing and reholstering your firearm.
A full-sized handgun offers a different set of challenges than a subcompact when it comes to concealed carry. The key is to make sure you know what those challenges are and then adapt to them. For instance, a full-sized handgun generally has a larger trigger guard.
- Easiest Racking 9mm. ...
- 9mm 2011 Pick. Staccato C2. ...
- Editor's Pick: .45 ACP. Springfield XD-S. ...
- Larger .45 ACP Pick. FNX-45. ...
- Editor's Pick: .380 ACP. Ruger LCP Max. ...
- Runner Up .380 ACP Pick. Glock G42. ...
- Easiest Racking .380 ACP Pick. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ .380 ACP. ...
- Editor's Pick: Revolver. Ruger LCRx.
Outside the waistband – or “OWB” – holsters are an excellent choice for both open and concealed carry. These commonly-used holsters are carried on the outside of your waistband and are known for being one of the most comfortable carry options available.
Strong side sees the gun on the hip. With strong side, you have the bonus of some versatility with either inside-the-waistband or outside-the-waistband holster styles. IWB means the holstered gun nestles on the inside of the pants between the wearer and beltline. IWB means inside the waistband.
Is an OWB holster considered open carry?
What makes a suitable open carry holster? Generally, an outside the waistband or OWB holster. They're easily attached and worn, as the gun moves with you and provided you don't cover it up, is easily visible which - again - is typically a legal requirement for open carry.