I carry a Walther PPQ and I’ve been using a Crossbreed Super Tuck with it since I bought it. This has been a little over a year. It’s a decent holster, and it’s relatively comfortable, but it constantly slides out of place. It works its way around toward my back until the belt loop on the holster pushes up against the belt loop on my pants. Since the belt loops on the holster are metal the belt loops on several pairs of my pants are starting to fray. Previously I carried an M&P 9 in a Comp-Tac Mtac holster and had the same problem. At least the belt loops on that holster are plastic so it didn’t cause any damage to my pants. So my questions are does an IWB holster exist that will stay put and if so who makes it?
ETA: My carry belt is a Volunteer Gearworks Atlas in case it matters.
I’m 5-9 around 160 lbs and both my G19 and G27 stay put in their Milt Spark Nexus IWB holsters. I did have Milt Spark Watch Six IWB holsters that allowed the belt loops to rotate slightly and those would slide around the belt.
I’m using a 1.5" wide Wilderness Instructor belt with same size belt loops.
Ditto that belt width and attaching hardware should match. I’ve had excellent service from two IWB holsters from Tucker Gun Leather. For me metal loops have not worked well on various holsters.
I’m using 1.5" loops on a 1.5" belt, but maybe since the holster can be dropped into place over the belt (rather than having to thread it through), and the fact that the loops are metal is contributing to the problem. I don’t know for sure; I’m only speculating here.
I’ve only ever used the hybrid type of holsters where the back is leather with a molded kydex piece on the front. I’ve never tried a full kydex or leather IWB holster. Part of the reason I’ve used the holsters I have is that I could get them relatively quickly rather than having to wait weeks/months on end for something from a holster maker with a huge backlog to work through.
And thanks for the suggestions. I’ll be looking into everything that’s been mentioned.
ETA: I did briefly try a holster from Alien Gear. It’s the same type of hybrid holster, but with leather/snap belt loops. This one didn’t seem to move much at all compared to the others, but the gun rides higher and doesn’t conceal very well, which is why I dumped it.
I carry a G23 either in an Milt Sparks VM2 or Crossbreed Supertuck Delux. I wear a double thickness (Filson) 1.5 inch belt which works great with the Supertuck. No movement. The VM2 slides around a little but it’s not a big deal to push it back. Comfort level with both (for me) is about the same.
I also wear a 1.5" Atlas belt.
The only IWB belt loop options I use are 1.5" soft loops with pull the dot snaps.
I wear appendix with my PerSec SPEAR holster, and it is very comfortable.
I also have a standard package PerSec holster I wear IWB about 4 o’clock. The added size of the holster creates more friction, thus holding the holster in place.
You can also add mole skin to the back (body side) of the holster to create more friction.
Awesome holsters at a great price, quick turnaround, they stay put, and they’re made of leather lined Kydex so you get the best of both worlds. I carry a Sig RCS (CCO) in a Silent Thunder Slim AIWB and can forget that it’s there. I wear it on a Maxpedition Liger 1.5" gun belt and I’m 6’1" 190 with a 32" waist at the moment.
EDIT: Forgot to mention, their CS is awesome. I had realized after receiving my holster that the clip that I had chosen was less than ideal for my setup. A quick e-mail to them asking if I could buy a couple of other clips to try out resulted in an almost instant response with them sending me a few to try out and keep. Really nice people to deal with.
Thank you to everyone for responding. I think it’s interesting that given how prolific kydex holsters (such as Raven Concealment, etc.) are on this forum that all the suggestions have been for leather. I’m looking into all the brands recommended.
For use without a weapon light, the McDaniel II from Andrews Leather is the best I’ve found in 20+ years of carrying a gun. It’s leather, but the rough side is out to reduce movement. It has a steel insert at the opening that will not collapse so you can holster one-handed. No more holding your support hand fingers inside the holster to keep it open while the muzzle sweeps by. It comes with different size loops for different size belts, and the loop can be adjusted via locking swivel to adjust to the user’s body type and draw stroke. Having the loop behind the holster causes the belt to pull the gun in tightly to the user. It is available with a thumbbreak, or a body shield, or open top.
I have four of them for four different pistols and it’s not only comfortable, but a full size gun disappears under a t-shirt. I cannot recommend it strongly enough. Every coworker I’ve loaned it to loves it and buys one of their own. I’ve used it since 1997.
If you want kydex, or you plan to carry a weapon light, I’ve found the JM Kydex IWB Version 2 to be a fantastic design. I got it for the Glock with an APL mounted. I made sure the muzzle was not tapered so I can use any Glock in 9/40/357 that has the light on it. Very little shift because of the loop material and placement. I’ve been very happy with it and my G19. I haven’t tried it with a G17 or G34 yet, but I don’t foresee any issues.
It stays firmly in place, is very comfortable, and tucks the gun tight into my back so I don’t have a printing issue. I am about the same height and weight as the OP if that helps.
I use the #11 Close Cropped Combination, I have in in a hybrid form, Its leather on the outside and a thin kydex inside so it will not compress when you draw but it has a solid retention unlike some leather especially when they break in. It comes with external loops to run it as a IWB and with slots to run it on the belt. I have had mine for 10 years now.
I have found all holsters tend to move a little, how much is to much??? JM Custom and CBST have worked well for me. The JM is my new favorite, it works well and is easy/quick to put on and take off.