So before I get hit with the flippant “u no neEd reTenTion oN a cOncealmeNt HoLstEr hurrr durr” reply (which in most case I would actually agree), there actually is a reasonable scenario for wanting something like this. Here is the scenario:
-Plain clothes cop who needs something that can conceal under a suit jacket, but still provide some retention when throwing on a vest and open carrying to help out at a patrol call. This is a frequent occurrence where I work and want an option other than a leather holster with thumb break.
I’ve found some options I think could work, but feel like there might be some other choices out there I just haven’t heard of. Here are some examples of what I’ve seen:
If there is anything else out there that would work similarly, please let me know. Obviously I’m already familiar with the Safariland ALS and such, so I wouldn’t be asking if I thought any of the ALS models were any good for concealment.
I had a local kydex holster maker make a holster for my PPQ. He incorporated an ALS rotating hood I had from an old holster. This is for an outside the pants holster, but maybe you can have someone fab something up for you IWB.
Hopefully not against any rules, but just giving this a bump for some visibility to see if there is someone with answers who missed this the first time around.
If you really want to keep it close fitting but with actual retention in kydex you can have someone reshape the trigger guard and/or the ejection port retention to really grip the gun well. They could also add adjustment screws you should loctite.
This will require a strong belt and training to ensure a strong draw to overcome tension but I believe it results in better actual retention over a thumb strap.
A talented kydex maker could shape it to where a rocking motion would make drawing easier as well.