Carry positions (clock face)
The clock face starts at your navel (12) and runs around your waist back to your spine (6), looking down. For a right-handed shooter:
- 1 o'clock — AIWB (appendix carry). The modern dominant concealment style. Fast to draw, deeply concealable, centered. Requires rigid kydex holster + wedge + careful reholster discipline because the muzzle points near the femoral artery.
- 3 o'clock — strong-side hip IWB. Traditional. Comfortable for sitting and walking. Works with most cover garments.
- 4 o'clock — strong-side rear IWB. The most concealable non-appendix position. Grip angles into the body. Slightly slower draw than 3 but easier to hide under loose clothing.
- 6 o'clock — small of back. Don't. Slow draw, spine-injury risk in a fall, you point at your own kidneys during reholster.
Retention types
| Type | What it is | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Passive (friction) | Kydex molded tight to the gun; no mechanical lock | Standard for concealment IWB |
| Adjustable retention screw | Tunable friction via a screw on the holster body | Required on quality IWBs |
| Level 2 (active lock) | Mechanical lock (hood, trigger guard lever) released by thumb or finger | Duty / open-carry OWB only, not IWB |
Materials
- Kydex — rigid thermoplastic. The dominant modern material. Maintains its shape, doesn't collapse, allows safe reholster. Hot and slightly uncomfortable against bare skin without padding.
- Hybrid (kydex shell on a leather/foam backer) — kydex molded firearm pocket, soft backer against the body. More comfortable than pure kydex; slightly bulkier.
- Pure leather — traditional, soft, comfortable, but collapses after draw. Acceptable for occasional carry; not recommended for daily use given safer modern options.
- Soft (nylon) — universal soft IWB holsters. Avoid. Floppy openings + poor trigger guard coverage = negligent discharge risk.
What to look for when buying
- Molded for your exact gun — make, model, plus weapon light or optic if equipped. No "universal."
- Full trigger guard coverage. The trigger guard must be entirely enclosed by the kydex body.
- Two clips (non-appendix) or one clip + wedge (appendix).
- Adjustable retention and ride height. Both matter for comfort and consistent draw.
- Claw or wing — virtually mandatory on AIWB; very helpful on strong-side IWB for thinner shooters who print at the grip.
- Sweat shield. The piece of kydex that covers the slide release and rear sight area. Protects the gun from sweat and protects you from the slide serrations.
Brands worth considering
Not endorsements — these are the makers consistently named by serious concealed carriers and instructors. None of them are perfect; all of them are at least competent:
- Tenicor — high-end AIWB; the Velo and Certum are particularly well-regarded.
- T.Rex Arms — Sidecar (AIWB + spare mag combo) is the cult favorite.
- JM Custom Kydex — strong-side IWB classics with a long track record.
- Vedder Holsters — mid-tier, broad gun model coverage, reasonable price.
- PHLster — innovative designs, Floodlight Pro for weapon-mounted lights.
- Bravo Concealment — budget-friendly kydex, solid quality for the price.
Common mistakes
- Not upsizing pants. Going IWB without buying pants 1 size up guarantees an uncomfortable, printing rig.
- Skipping the belt. A fashion belt under an IWB is the fastest way to make a good holster feel awful.
- Reholstering in a hurry. IWB reholstering should be slow and deliberate every time. The trigger guard area must be clear of clothing.
- Using a universal nylon holster. Floppy openings + no trigger guard coverage = a bad day waiting to happen.