I have been looking at new CCW holster options. I prefer IWB carry and have been looking at the Raven Concealment Holsters pretty hard.
My questions is, for those of you who use a Raven for IWB carry, what type of attachments did you go with to hook it to your belt? I was looking at the tuckable offset belt loops, but am curious as to if that will make it more or less bulky. Comfort is the number one key here.
Thanks in advace for all of your help, as always!
Shane
Uncomfortable and rides too high. I tried it and sold it within a month.
Much happier with leather.
I asked the same question recently
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=43573
maybe some helpful info for you.
I like my Raven Phantom LC. I can easily conceal my M&P9 long with TLR-1. I use a soft loop in the rear and a normal IWB plastic clip up front. Allows for a little more forward cant. It’s not perfect, but it’s also very versatile in terms of modes of carry and allows for good draws/reholsters. I don’t care for leather IWB as it tends to flatten without the gun in there (even the good ones).
I do have to wear an undershirt when carrying IWB, however I do that anyways so it’s not a big deal for me. I also carry it OWB often. Have a similar setup for my Glock 17, too.
I think that they are one of the better options for IWB. I think that there are better options for OWB.
Interesting…I actually think the exact opposite.
I only use my RCS holsters for IWB when I’m concealing a pistol with a light attached. Other than that, the RCS is worn OWB using the belt slide attachments. When using the RCS IWB, I tend stick with the overhooks.
My preferred CCW holster is the Comp-Tac CTAC. Its the most comfortable concealment holster I’ve tried so far.
Same here (except I still have mine)
The newer thicker kydex holsters definitely seem far more durable than the early generations of holsters. I have no fear of running, diving, or generally beating the snot out of my RCS phantom during training now that i have a thicker kydex option.
I have a ghost holster made out of the thinner kydex and while i havent had a problem to date it still feels very thin.
I have yet to run the phantom IWB since i primarily bought the holster as an OWB option.
I plan on ordering a second holster for my compact with a bit more cant for CC.
I hear where you’re coming from. I got to wear mine for an extended period of time this last weekend under an untucked t-shirt. It rubbed my side til my skin was red.
I still like the holster, but it’s definitely not to be worn without a clothing item between it and your skin for very long.
Interesting. The first thing I observed when I got my phantom was how thin the Holster panels were.
I’ve cracked uncle mikes and Safariland plastic holsters, but the Phantom is a completely different design. Phantom seems to have a good reputation so far, so I’m not worried about the thin walled design. The standard belt loops are really thick though.
I recently purchased a Phantom LC with J-hooks for IWB carry and will be selling it. Raven quality and service are tip-top but in my case, the curve of my hip is much more aggressive than the flatter curve of the holster. This causes an annoying 3/4" to 1" gap between my hip and the back of each J-hook which I find unacceptable. I used a heat gun to tighten up the radius of the curve and it helped but did not resolve the issue. Final verdict is an MTAC for IWB M&P9c carry. I will likely buy another Phantom LC for OWB carrying my full size M&P when training. For IWB concealed carry, I would look elsewhere…
I find the Raven terrific for OWB with my G19. I’d like to get one for a G19(or maybe 17) w/light next.
Is anyone from Raven on the board? Ive been trying to get a hold of them through the websites for months for work, but no one is getting back to me…
Isn’t the holster the same anyway? Or are you buying a different holster for a different size gun?
I tried the Raven for OWB use, having been told repeatedly that it concealed just as well as a good leather pancake. It doesn’t. It does conceal well for an OWB kydex rig (better than any other kydex OWB I’ve tried), but it’s nowhere near as good at concealment as a good leather holster. It is a reasonably good option for concealed carry with an attached light, however - better than any leather holster I’ve tried.
For IWB, I prefer the FIST #1K - it really adds minimal width or weight to the pistol, and the belt clip is hell for strong. I’ve transitioned to this holster for all my IWB carry at this point. The exterior surface of the holster is very easy on the skin, though I nearly always wear a t-shirt under an over shirt - as much to protect the pistol from my sweaty love handles as to protect them from the holster…
Regards,
Kevin
I tried one out for a G19 a few years ago, and I did not like it at all. I tried all the attachments but could not conceal my G19 worth a flip. With that said, everything from Raven is well made, and they are great to deal with.
My exact issues as well, went to CCC Looper instead, but as far as any other role IWB excluded Phantom is great.
Really? That’s weird. I had to make a change to an order and contacted them through their website, and Jay wrote me back in about an hour. I was quite surprised with the speed of the contact, considering they’re 45-50 days out on holsters right now. I’ve had 2 RCS Phantom LCs so far, with another one ordered, but I can’t say I’ve ever tried to wear on IWB. I never had to, they hide my Sig 229 w/ TLR-1 easy enough with a sweatshirt, sweater or a button up shirt. A T-shirt, obviously, is a no-go, but I’m not much on the baggy shirt look, so a t-shirt on me wouldn’t hide an IWB any better. If it’s hot out, I just throw on a light button up shirt if I’m going anywhere.
The belt loops seem big, but with the curve in the holster, it would put a lot more stress on them if they were any smaller. There isn’t any flop, or movement, that’s for sure. Of the holsters I’ve tried, I like the Ravens the best.
Agreed. It’s not even close.
Not this one:
FIST #20
Stays open no matter what. I think the secret is that it is made of slightly thicker leather, and most importantly, it is not two pieces of leather sewn together over a pistol but a single piece of leather wrapped around the front (top) of the pistol and closed by seams at the bottom (rear). On top the mouth reinforcement really does help. It is basically an Askins Avenger set up for IWB.
You’d have to crush it with your entire body weight for it to collapse.
Leather, and reinforced leather especially, is too thick for guns like the Glock IMHO. I carry in a Raven IWB with the kydex over hooks every day I am legally allowed.