Best Conceal Carry Holster

[teufelhund]

It's all a matter of preference but I used to carry a full size 9mm and the best holster I had for those locations was just a simple Uncle Mike's IWB with a great reinforced leather belt. I would recommend that anything you purchase be adjustable for ride height and draw angle. That's my two cents.

 

[cynyr]

+1 for Safariland. I carry a Glock 22 every day, and their concealment holsters are Good.
I also have a smaller Fobus that I wear when I can get away with it, but it doesn't have Level 2 retention.

 

[instymp]

#1, if you start wearing a belt, a belt built for carring a holster, A crossbreed. & but their belt.

#2.. Check out Remora

 

[instymp]

and you will end up with a box of every best holsters that don't realy work for until you find what fits your preference, like all of us.

 

[cynyr]

+1 insty!

 

[politicalmonster]

As others have mentioned, it all comes down to personal preference, but after trying many, I settled on this one as the most comfortable for all day carry and best concealment for my compact Sig P250 .40 cal.

Silent Thunder

 

[bbarnes]

Crossbreed SuperTuck. I've been carrying using this one for about 4 years now. By far the most comfortable holster I've used. I carry a full-size 1911 and usually wear a t-shirt and jeans. The only time you can really tell I have it on me is when I bend down to pick something up. I also suggest getting a good belt for whatever holster you decide to go with.

 

[wayneteipen]

I use a Bladetech IWB paddle holster for my 1911 and it conceals well with as little as a T-shirt and jeans like bbarnes says. In warmer weather, I carry a S&W .38 Special Airweight in a Mike's pocket holster. Obviously, your SA XD9 would do better in a IWB. I agree with the others that a belt is a must. The nice thing about paddle holsters is that they mold to your body over time and conceal even better the older they get. They are also the most comfortable IWB holster I've carried.

 

[tslex]

I carry every day and 99 days out of 100 it is G19 in a TT Gunleather OWB. I have to un-gun to go into the courthouse, so I use their snap-on model. Simply the best most functional holster I've ever tried, at a reasonable price and turnaround (about $115, delivered in about 8 weeks). ETA, I shoot lefty, If you are not a southpaw, delivery might be quicker.
My first one lasted four years in Miami heat and humidity until I retired it as the retention was getting SLIGHTLY diminished. Shot in competition. wore it to VERY high round count training, wore it as my EDC.
Great holsters:
TT Gunleather
The model I carry, altho mine has no embelishments
+1 on all the comments abut the critical importance of a solid belt.

 

[docwatson]

Another good choice IMO is from Crossbreed. My choice is an IWB holster for a smaller caliber firearm for less printing. There's a bunch of good makers out there that have already been shown, but don't overlook these.

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Great quality, super retention and adjustability.

 

[mustanggt]

I have many holsters which is what usually happens till you figure out which one will work for you. Simply Rugged makes some fine leather belt holsters that I use when I hunt or knock about in the boonies. For my daily carry nothing has beat my Crossbreed period. It is extremely comfortable with a full size S&W M&P 45 and it just so happens to fit the M&P 9c that I have for different social situations. You must dress to the gun. It is a lifestyle choice. I use to wear shorts and tank tops but not anymore. I wear ripstop work pants all the time and a very stout manly belt. You can not carry any handgun with out the stout belt. Others have said the same thing and it's true. I have nice and light short sleeve button down shirts and they do a fine job concealing in the summertime.

 

[tslex]

Lots of good resources and advice here, shatinques, let me offer one other (well two other) points.
Get some training. It's not cheap (a good weekend class will be $400-500 plus ammo cost, which is no longer a small consideration. But considering the gravity of the choice you are making every time you choose to go armed (which, for me, is always) it is by no means too much to spend. I am a huge fan of Randy Cain, at Cumberland Tactics, but there are others who are outstanding. As always, check out the fellow's resume with great care -- lots of "trainers" out there whom I wouldn't share a table with, let alone a hot range.
In addition to training, there is some very valuable reading you can do.
I suggest Mas Ayoob, who has a web page Mas Ayoob and has written what I consider one the essentials to armed self-defense, In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection
There are some useful blogs, as well. (OK, forgive me if I pitch my own here: Suburban Sheepdog )
A proper firearm and great supporting kit are important. Training and practice are more important. Mindset matters most of all. Reading and thinking about these issues in advance is crucial.

 

[checotah]

I'm likely the oddball. I have arthritis in my shoulders, so strong side carry just isn't comfortable for me, nor is IWB, and I just don't like SOB carry. I sit a lot, either in the car or at desk/meeting tables, so I find a cross draw works best for me. I know a lot of LEO's don't like the cross draw for some very good reasons, but, I do, and it works. During the cooler months, I usually carry a .45 SA V-10 or Colt Officer model in a Kirkpatrick Texas Crossdraw. It holds the gun high and tight to my body and makes it easily available when seated, with a seatbelt on, or even on the Harley. Just ordered one for my new S&W M&P .45. During the summer, I usually step down to a S&W J-Frame .38 spl. in a pocket holster.

 

[lifeon2]

Ok as someone who has literally gone through this with hundreds of customers here are my thoughts.
You need a belt, thats it.
Many people here have recommended some very good holsters several of which I own, ignore everyone until you figure out the most comfortable carry for you whether it is owb, iwb, then figure out where you are most comfortable with the pistol, I find 5 o,clock owb works best for me. You will not know which is most comfortable until you spend a day or 2 in each position, I cant stand small of back carry because every time I sit down it digs in and is very uncomfortable for me.
So determine method of carry and position and then your holster choice will be much simpler, if you lived anywhere near me I would simply invite you over and drag out a pile of pistols, holsters and belts and we could play dress up until you figured it out. Talk to a local shop or perhaps the people you took your class with and see if you can try out different stuff before you buy.

 

[yazamitaz]

Good point lifeon2 and tslex.
Like checotah I also prefer the crossdraw but one thing shaintiques didn't mention (at least I don't remember reading it) was if he was going to carry all day/every day, just after work or weekends. With that, is it a desk job, construction, retail, etc?? Lots of things come into play here as well. If you sit alot (as I do) the IWB and small of back carry start to wear on you REALLY QUICK. If you are a delivery person or truck driver, a shoulder holster may be your best bet.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[brian64]

For the fairer sex:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nhr8kG6PEOc?feature=player_detailpage

 

[bobpnm]

Shaintiques - One thing is almost universal in the advise you are getting. Buy yourself a real belt designed to support a holster for concealed carry! No kidding! It is the single most important part of the equation! - bp

 

[instymp]

#1 for most of the above, you have to buy & wear a belt for carrying.

#2 in my opinion, owb is the most comfortable, if your dress allows to conceal it.

#3 normal dress, IWB, unless the one you carry fits inside a pocket then #4

#4 an inside the pocket holster that covers the trigger

# 5 you will end up with a box of holsters that don't work/feel good, till you get the right one for you. Like all of us do/did.

 

[dochudson]

I carry a Sig P238 in this guy..

MicroClip

 

[zonomo]

Hey Shaine - When I first started carrying years ago, a few people said get this one or that one. I ended up with several. The truth is that I use different holsters for different situations. The belt comment was great. I have bought a few from "The Belt Man" who hand makes EXCELLENT belts.
http://www.thebeltman.net/
Stay away from Serpa holsters with the Index lock. It seems like a good idea on paper but many people are shooting themselves by pressing on the lock and continuing the pressure through the draw.
Great advice to get some training. I train exclusively at FrontSight Nevada. Also, go to a range that will allow you to draw from a concealed position.