The three OWB sub-types
- Pancake (belt slot) — two flat belt loops integrated into the holster shell. Belt threads through both. Pulls the gun tight against the body. The standard concealment OWB.
- Paddle — a curved plate that slips between waistband and body, no belt threading required. Fast to put on/off but rides further from the body.
- Duty (drop-leg, mid-ride, low-ride) — military or law enforcement style. Often Level 2+ retention. Not for concealment.
Position guide (clock face)
Clock face starts at navel (12), wraps around to spine (6). For right-handers:
- 3 o'clock — direct strong-side hip. Fastest, most ergonomic draw. Standard for competition and open carry. Slightly harder to conceal because the grip sits more directly against ribs.
- 4 o'clock — slightly behind the hip. The sweet spot for concealed OWB. Grip angles inward; cover garment hangs naturally over it; draw stroke is only marginally slower than 3.
- 9 o'clock — cross-draw — across the body, weak-side hip, grip points forward. Old-school for sitting/driving carry, but a sub-optimal draw angle that sweeps muzzle across your support hand. Mostly historical.
Materials
| Material | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Kydex | Range, competition, modern concealment | Hot in summer; can mark the slide finish over time |
| Leather pancake | Traditional concealment, formal wear | Stretches over time; can't adjust retention; reholster requires care |
| Hybrid (kydex shell + leather backer) | Comfort + safety balance | Slightly bulkier than pure kydex |
| Polymer (Safariland-style) | Duty, retention-rated | Cannot be concealed easily |
Retention levels
Holster retention is rated by levels — how many actions a wearer must perform to release the firearm:
- Level 1 — friction only. Common for concealment OWB. Fast draw.
- Level 2 — friction + one active mechanism (thumb break, hood lever, ALS). Standard for open carry, duty, and security work.
- Level 3 — friction + two active mechanisms. Heavy-duty patrol and tactical use. Slow draw; very gun-grab resistant.
What to look for when buying
- Molded for your exact gun — make, model, light/optic options. No "universal."
- Full trigger guard coverage. Non-negotiable.
- 1.5" belt loops. Most quality gun belts are 1.5". Some holsters offer 1.75" or 1.25" — match your belt.
- Adjustable cant (angle). The grip angle affects draw geometry. Most concealment OWBs use a forward (FBI) cant; range/competition often runs straight.
- Adjustable retention. Tune to your taste — firm enough to hold inverted, light enough for a clean draw.
Brands worth considering
- Safariland — duty and retention-rated OWB; ALS / SLS systems are industry standard for law enforcement.
- Blackhawk — SERPA holster is controversial (some training schools ban it for finger-on-trigger draw mechanics). Their non-SERPA OWBs are fine.
- JM Custom Kydex — concealment pancake OWBs with a long track record.
- Vedder Holsters — mid-tier kydex, broad model coverage.
- Bravo Concealment — budget-friendly kydex.
- Galco — traditional leather OWBs if you want the classic look.
Common mistakes
- SERPA-style finger-on-trigger draws. Some retention designs encourage pressing the trigger finger into the holster body during the draw — bad habit and a known cause of negligent discharges. If your holster does this, replace it.
- Skipping the belt. A floppy belt makes any OWB sag, shift, and sometimes flip — all bad. Invest in a quality 1.5" rigid gun belt.
- Trying to conceal a paddle OWB. Paddles ride further off the body than pancakes. Either go pancake-OWB for concealment or accept the OWB as open carry.
- Buying without checking light/optic clearance. If your pistol has a weapon light or red dot, you need a holster cut for it. Stock holsters often won't fit.