Concealed Carry Holsters

Inside the waistband holsters are also known as ITP holsters, where ITP stands for Inside the Pants. IWB holsters offer a number of methods to mount to the belt or pants, including velcro, metal clips, kydex clips, or leather straps. IWB holsters also offer a number of different carrying positions inside the belt. Those positions include small of the back carry, crossdraw, behind the hip, or directly on the strongside.

A first-class choice for concealed carry, IWB holsters have the bulk of the handgun inside the pants so it's hidden from view. Generally, the only portion of the handgun that rides above the belt line is the grip itself. IWB holsters can be very effective for concealment, but they perform best when utilized with small to medium sized handguns. Larger weapons such as a Beretta 92 or Glock 21 are hard to hide due the their size and width. The one exception to the large frame rule referenced above are single action, single stack pistols like the classic Colt 1911. The narrow single stack grip makes this style of gun fairly easy to carry concealed.

Cants - Some IWB holsters are designed with a straight up cant (the holster rides straight up and down in the waist), while others may have a forward cant design. Some models may even have an adjustable cant feature so the user can set the cant to his or her exact preferences.

Bodyshield - A body shield is a specialized part on the holster that prevents the grip of the handgun from actually making direct contact with the user. This feature can help with comfort as the abrasive edges of the handgun don't touch the user. For many leather IWB holsters, the bodyshield is integrated into the design. Bodyshield or sweatguard - This term refers to a piece of the holster that is built to keep the weapon from touching the shooter. Most bodyshields or sweatguards are part of the holster design, and are considered a nice feature to have.Body shield (also called a sweatguard) - These are special flaps of leather or kydex that serve to protect the user from the rough parts of the pistol. The device "shields" the user so the weapon doesn't physically touch the shooter.

Thumb break - A thumb break or retention strap as it's sometimes calledknown as, is a leather snap strap that fits over the end of the weaponhandgunpistol or the grip area to keep it in place within the holster. Most retention straps are single ply and featureconsist of some type of button, snap, or release mechanism that has to be activatedinitiated before the weaponpistolhandgun can be drawnremoved from the holster.Retention Strap - This is a strap that fits over the rear slide or grip of the weaponhandgunpistol and servesfunctions to keep it in place. Most retention straps requireneed some type of activation so the weapon can be drawnwithdrawnremoved from the holster. In most cases, the retention strap can be released via a snap or button. Retention straps are beneficial for shooters who are active or off duty law enforcement officers.Thumbreak or retention strap - The term refers to a strap or retention device of some sort that keeps the weapon seatedaffixed in the holster until it's ready to be drawn. Most retention straps use a snap or other device to release the retention so the weapon can be drawn.

Tension screw - A tension is a device that is different from a thumb break. The tension screw is a screw designfeature that allows the draw tension on the holster to be adjusted to the shooter's preferencestastes. Tightening the screw down means that the weapon will need more force to draw it, while loosening the screw makes the weapon draw easier.Tension adjustment screw - A tension screw is usually a single or double set of screws that built into the holster so that the draw tension can be adjusted. This allows the draw tension to be set to the users personal preferences.Tension screw - This refers to a screw or set of screw adjustments that allow the draw tension to be adjusted. The tension screw or screws give the shooter the ability to tighten or loosen the tension of the draw.

If you are still trying to find a good concealed carry holster for your weapon, you might want to try an IWB holster as it can be an excellent option.Used with an appropriately sized weapon, an IWB holster can be an outstanding choice for conceealed carry. IWB holsters provide a good, stable platform for concealed carry as they allow the weapon to remain concealed within the waistband.

For more info on this topic, try here: IWB Holsters.

I've been a fan of the the Glock 26 since it was released. I had a Glock 19 back when they first came out, and couldn't wait for Glock to release a smaller version.

I definitely think a Pearce mag extension or pinky extension is worth the money as I have large hand and I had some trouble getting a good grip on the 26. The grip extension gives me somewhere to grab with my pinky finger.

Finding a holster for the G-26 isn't al that hard as it's become a very popular weapon. Also, it's important to understand that all the subcompact Glock models (27, 27, and 33) are all built on the same frame so they can interchange in terms of holsters. So a holster for a G-26 will also fit a Glock 27. Although the Glock 26 is kind of bulky (the double stack magazine adds some overall width), it is an excellent choice for concelaed carry using a belt holster or IWB holster. The Don Hume H715M W/C is one of my favorite holsters for this rig as it's not too expensive and does a good job of concealing.

If you are looking for a holster for your G-26, G-27, or G-33 try here: Glock 26 holsters.

A pocket holster is a small holster designed to carry an equally small handgun in a front pocket, trouser pocket, or jacket pocket.

Well designed pocket holsters should do the following:

• Provide a safe method to carry a weapon in the pocket - Covering the trigger area, not only protects this area during your draw, but it also keeps debris out.
• Conceal the weapon - A properly constructed pocket holster should break-up the outline of the weapon in the pocket, and minimize printing.
• Make the weapon readily accessible - The pocket holster should be wide enough to keep the weapon in an upright, accessible position within the pocket.
• Allow for immediate and deployment- It should allow for quick access, a full firing grip, and quick weapon deployment from the pocket.

What are pocket holsters made of?

Today pocket holsters on the market are usually produced from either:

Leather - About 80% of all pocket holsters on the market are made from leather. Some manufacturers use a stiff grade leather, while other use a softer style leather. The stiffer leather tends to be thicker in width, which can add to the overall bulk of the holster.

Nylon - Many of the lower priced pocket holsters are produced from nylon. Personally I don't feel that nylon isn't really strong enough for the daily rigors of a pocket holster, and feel that it lacks the rigidity to properly break-up the weapon outline. If you're on a really tight budget, than nylon pocket holsters are definitely going to be something for you to consider.

Kydex - As kydex continues to evolve in holster applications, a select few manufacturers are now using it to produce pocket holsters. As kydex is significantly more rigid and stronger than leather or nylon, the kydex pocket holsters tend to be very thin.

Concealability is an absolute must for CCW. Pocket holsters are specifically designed for and work best with small handguns. Please be realistic with your concealment expectations. It's going to be almost impossible to conceal a Beretta 92 in a front pocket holster. Choose the right size weapon, and pocket carry becomes much simpler.