IWB vs. OWB holsters - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jtkratzer · 07-12-2007, 09:49 AM

Are there advantages or disadvantages to either one? I know it comes down to personal preference and what's most comfortable, I'm just quite uneducated about holsters. I currently have an OWB that works with most of what I wear (other than tucking in shirts, obviously) but I'd like to know what other options are out there and whether I should look one way or the other for inside or outside holsters.

TxAggie94 · 07-12-2007, 10:40 AM

Well, you said it, its personal preference more than anything.

Advantages of OWB:

Easier draw IMHO - the gun is slightly farther from your body
Does not make your pants fit tighter
Easier to get on/off in case you go somewhere you can't carry

Advantages of IWB:

Easier to conceal - no worries about exposing the muzzle when bending or stretching
Less printing against cover garment (because its closer to your body)
Some IWBs do allow tucking your shirt

For me, I prefer IWB most of the time. I'm conscientious about the OWB due to possibly exposing the muzzle and I find myself continuously fighting the urge to reach and feel for the muzzle to make sure its not exposed.

Also, while some IWBs can be used with a tucked shrit, I've never found a holster / gun the work well for me in this mode. I prefer to wear my shirts tucked in most of the time and our weather doesn't allow for a jacket most of the time, so the ability to carry with my shirt tucked is appealing. I just can't seem to get it to work for me.

If your like most, when you find the method and a holster you prefer, you'll have a box full of holsters that weren't quite right. My favorite is a Milt Sparks IWB (can't remember the model - its similar to the versa max with the spread out loops, but its not tuckable and it doesn't have the metal strap to hold the top open so its thinner). I carry a Ruger P95 in that regularly.

Good luck.

DPGDirk · 07-13-2007, 11:27 PM

Well said.

When I first started carrying, I had some sort of mental block with IWB holsters. "None of that for me".

I went through a bunch of good OWB holsters before trying an IWB.

I'll never carry OWB again.
Reasons that are most important as stated- IWB holds the gun in tighter, which is a big factor to me.
My wife and friends could often spot me carrying OWB, (just simply printed more) but can't see anything now.
No holster hanging down below the belt line is much easier to conceal too.

I find OWB more comfortable and my pants stay up better too, since the extra weight of the gun is pinned between me & the belt, rather than hanging off of the outside of my belt.

My favorite holster so far is a trimmed crossbreed supertuck deluxe.

XD.dwg · 07-14-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxAggie94

My favorite is a Milt Sparks IWB (can't remember the model - its similar to the versa max with the spread out loops, but its not tuckable and it doesn't have the metal strap to hold the top open so its thinner). I carry a Ruger P95 in that regularly.

Good luck.

You're talking about the "Watch-6". Lou Alessi also makes the same holster and is a heck of a nice guy.

BMFOTP · 07-14-2007, 12:26 PM

If you want the advantages of both an IWB and OWB holster check out Fist Holsters. The Fist K1 is a straight forward holster and I think is worth you checking out, just my opinion.

**jnclement** · 07-14-2007, 07:34 PM

I carry my Crossbreed supertuck almost exclusively now. It just hides it so much better, I never worry about it. OWB you always have to think about printing.

TxAggie94 · 07-14-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XD.dwg

You're talking about the "Watch-6". Lou Alessi also makes the same holster and is a heck of a nice guy.

That's the one. Planning on ordering one for my XD45 Tactical next.

GaryTx · 07-14-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxAggie94

That's the one. Planning on ordering one for my XD45 Tactical next.

The Alessi holsters are beautiful and high end quallity, but you better check with them. Last I heard there was like a 6-month wait.

**Bycyclist** · 07-15-2007, 12:40 PM

I have both OWB - Crossbreed Ranger and IWB Crossbreed ST. I like and wear either one depending on my attire. The OWB is "slightly" more comfortable, but IWB definitely conceals better.

crownroyal · 07-15-2007, 02:58 PM

Im going to have to give you a great link.
Cant share this link with anyone! Its a reference I use for my personal problems.

Heres the link. Please dont share

http://www.nationalgunforum.com/view...=59&p=122#p122

07-12-2007, 09:49 AM	#1
jtkratzer XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster Co., PA Posts: 17,478	IWB vs. OWB holsters Are there advantages or disadvantages to either one? I know it comes down to personal preference and what's most comfortable, I'm just quite uneducated about holsters. I currently have an OWB that works with most of what I wear (other than tucking in shirts, obviously) but I'd like to know what other options are out there and whether I should look one way or the other for inside or outside holsters. __________________ "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson The Gun Lounge Pennyslvania Firearms Owners Association Hockey Forum

07-12-2007, 10:40 AM	#2
TxAggie94 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Weatherford, TX Posts: 123	Well, you said it, its personal preference more than anything. Advantages of OWB: Easier draw IMHO - the gun is slightly farther from your body Does not make your pants fit tighter Easier to get on/off in case you go somewhere you can't carry Advantages of IWB: Easier to conceal - no worries about exposing the muzzle when bending or stretching Less printing against cover garment (because its closer to your body) Some IWBs do allow tucking your shirt For me, I prefer IWB most of the time. I'm conscientious about the OWB due to possibly exposing the muzzle and I find myself continuously fighting the urge to reach and feel for the muzzle to make sure its not exposed. Also, while some IWBs can be used with a tucked shrit, I've never found a holster / gun the work well for me in this mode. I prefer to wear my shirts tucked in most of the time and our weather doesn't allow for a jacket most of the time, so the ability to carry with my shirt tucked is appealing. I just can't seem to get it to work for me. If your like most, when you find the method and a holster you prefer, you'll have a box full of holsters that weren't quite right. My favorite is a Milt Sparks IWB (can't remember the model - its similar to the versa max with the spread out loops, but its not tuckable and it doesn't have the metal strap to hold the top open so its thinner). I carry a Ruger P95 in that regularly. Good luck.

07-13-2007, 11:27 PM	#3
DPGDirk XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rose Hill, KS Posts: 316	Well said. When I first started carrying, I had some sort of mental block with IWB holsters. "None of that for me". I went through a bunch of good OWB holsters before trying an IWB. I'll never carry OWB again. Reasons that are most important as stated- IWB holds the gun in tighter, which is a big factor to me. My wife and friends could often spot me carrying OWB, (just simply printed more) but can't see anything now. No holster hanging down below the belt line is much easier to conceal too. I find OWB more comfortable and my pants stay up better too, since the extra weight of the gun is pinned between me & the belt, rather than hanging off of the outside of my belt. My favorite holster so far is a trimmed crossbreed supertuck deluxe. __________________ XD .45- 4" service model- Springerized PFF Polished Barrel, Feedramp & GR, Dawson Sights, (Target rear/ Fiber-optic front) Springer Carry Trigger, Factory Clean-up, Extended mag release, snakeskin grip stippling & custom refinishing, etc XD 9mm Service Bi-Tone w/ Tru-Glo F/O Sights & PFF Polished Barrel & feedramp, etc Kahr P-45 http://www.precisionfirearmfinishing.com

07-14-2007, 12:26 PM	#5
BMFOTP XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 309	IWB & OWB Holster If you want the advantages of both an IWB and OWB holster check out Fist Holsters. The Fist K1 is a straight forward holster and I think is worth you checking out, just my opinion.

07-14-2007, 07:34 PM	#6
jnclement XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,491	I carry my Crossbreed supertuck almost exclusively now. It just hides it so much better, I never worry about it. OWB you always have to think about printing. __________________ Contrary to what sells magazines, not all of us are, or want to be SpecOps, SEAL, Recon, Delta, CQB, Ninja, firearm-knife-tactical-death-touch instructors.

07-15-2007, 12:40 PM	#9
Bycyclist XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NorCaliforneeya Posts: 1,829	I have both OWB - Crossbreed Ranger and IWB Crossbreed ST. I like and wear either one depending on my attire. The OWB is "slightly" more comfortable, but IWB definitely conceals better. __________________ =============================================== BYcyclist - the worst day on a ride (or at the range) is better than the best day in the office ===============================================

07-15-2007, 02:58 PM	#10
crownroyal XDTalk Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 35	Im going to have to give you a great link. Cant share this link with anyone! Its a reference I use for my personal problems. Heres the link. Please dont share http://www.nationalgunforum.com/view...=59&p=122#p122

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