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IWB or OWB Holsters Choosing the Best Holster
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IWB or OWB Holsters Choosing the Best Holster

by | Jun 16, 2024 | Blog

How to choose the best holster

IWB or OWB Holsters Choosing the Best Holster

One of the crucial decisions you’ll make when it comes to carrying is choosing between an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster and an outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster. You may wonder which handguns work best in OWB? In IWB? Which holster styles work best with which body types? We’ll discuss the details, advantages and disadvantages of each. Let’s start with the basics. An IWB holster is designed to be worn inside your pants, providing a discreet and concealed option. On the other hand, an OWB holster is worn outside the waistband, typically attached to your belt, making your firearm more visible especially if not wearing appropriate cover garments but easily accessible.

Standard IWB Holsters

IWB holsters are probably the most popular concealment holster design for carrying a handgun along the beltline. When you opt for an IWB holster, you’re choosing a method that keeps your firearm tucked away, minimizing visibility. A wide variety of designs exist today to accommodate an equally wide variety of users and handguns. Order IWB holsters here

DME Holsters Standard IWB holster
  • Use:
  • Concealed carry, Non-Tuckable,
  • Comfort level 7
  • Concealability 8
  • (add the mod wing you could push it to 9.5)

IWB holsters offer a snug fit against your body, reducing the chances of printing (when the outline of the gun is visible through clothing). IWB holsters are superior to OWB holsters when it comes to concealment. With IWB, the holster holds basically all but the handgun grip below the beltline, concealed by the pants or shorts. Having loose-fitting concealed carry clothing aids in concealability. For extra concealability you can also order the Mod Wing. The Mod Wing is a piece of concealment enhancing hardware, and it allows a user’s belt to apply additional leverage to rotate the holster and the grip of the gun towards the body. An IWB holster is held in place by one nylon injection molded clips that work best when locked over a 1.5 to 1.75 inch belt. This particular style is not “tuckable. The only part of the holster and gun visible are the clip that are locked over the belt. These can be a dead giveaway to the sharp-eyed observer (unless a cellphone or other object can be strategically placed to obscure the clips). While this style gives additional concealment to the handgun, it does slow access. The shirt has to be pulled clear and kept clear of the pants before the handgun can be drawn. Usually carried in the 1 o’clock to 3 o’clock position on the body. In the 1 o’clock position, it would be ordered with 0° cant in the 3 o’clock position with 15° Cant. You can find a description of IWB attachments here

DME Holsters Standard AIWB holster

Order AIWB holsters here

  • Use:
  • Concealed carry,
  • Tuckable, Comfort level 7
  • Concealability 8
  • (add the mod wing you could push it to 9.5)

AIWB holsters offer the same fit against your body as the IWB Holster Above. The only real difference is the attaching for the belt clip it is attached at the bottom of the holster with a small gap between the J-hook and the holster making it tuckable so the shirt can be tucked over the top of the handgun grip and down into the waistband. The standard IWB is not tuckable. Standard AIAWB is generally only worn in the 1 o’clock position, but J-hooks generally have about 5° forward or backwards cant, allowing them to be worn in other positions such as 2 to 4 o’clock. Can also be outfitted with the mod wing for enhanced concealability. As far as IWB holsters go, this is probably the fastest draw at the 1 o’clock position. You can find a description of AIWB attachments here

Pros and Cons of Inside-the-Waistband Holsters

Opting for an IWB holster prioritizes enhanced concealment, keeping your firearm discreetly tucked away inside your pants. This method minimizes visibility and reduces the chances of printing, ensuring a close and secure fit against your body. However, IWB holsters may be less comfortable. IWB holsters work best with small- to medium-sized handguns. Using them with full-sized handguns can make you miserable in short order. The draw can be slower compared to OWB holsters, but they remain an ideal choice for those who value concealed carry.

DME Holsters Standard OWB Holsters

Poly 80 pf940c holsters

  • Use: Opened carry,
  • Range holster,
  • Duty holster,
  • Battle belt holster
  • Comfort level 9,
  • Concealability 3

Order OWB holsters here A OWB holster conceals less than an IWB holster because the entire handgun is positioned outside the pants. OWB holsters are often favored by those who prioritize a rapid and unrestricted draw, such as competitive shooters. They work great on Battle belt, War belts and Duty belts. The Standard OWB holster has the same design characteristics as the Standard IWB/AIWB holster. The holster looks the same as the AIWB or IWB. The differences are in the belt attachments and material thickness. The standard outside the waistband holster is made out of .093 Kydex/Boltaron when possible. Oh WB Holsters generally have three different ride height positions, depending on what you order as your belt attachment.

  • Tek-Lok: The firearm rides with the trigger guard on the beltline.
  • Duty Drop: The firearm rides with the grip on the beltline. This option can include a thigh strap to keep everything in place, making it ideal for duty belts, battle belts, war belts,
  • Or your everyday carry (EDC) gun belt.
  • Thigh Rig: Allows the holster to ride just about anywhere on the thigh, providing ultimate flexibility.

With these options, ride height is generally not adjustable but is tailored to specific use cases for optimal performance. Follow this link for the ultimate guide and attachments A Staccato P can be carried more comfortably, although more care will be needed in selecting a covering garment. An OWB holster is vastly more comfortable than an IWB because the carry belt isn’t pulling the entire holster against lightly protected skin. Most IWBs are not as comfortable for all-day carry as OWB holsters. OWB is the only type of carry to be considered when packing a handgun on the trail or hunting. Perfect for Tactical and Duty Use Our Standard OWB Holsters are perfect for duty belts, battle belts, and war belts. The robust design and secure retention systems ensure your firearm is always ready and accessible. Additionally, the customizable features make our holsters suitable for everyday carry, providing the perfect balance of security and convenience.

DME Holsters OWB Pancake holster

DME Pancake holsterOrder Pancake Holsters here

  • Use: Open carry,
  • Concealed carry,
  • Comfort level 8,
  • Concealability 6.5-8.5

The OWB Pancake holster is made out of  black .080 Boltaron or Kydex. It’s very strong, has excellent durability, scratch resistance, and good definition. The design is 50/50 split. What does that mean? 50% of the weapon is to the outside with 50% to the inside.
Although not designed as a IWB holster with a simple clip/belt loop change (available as a separate purchase) our 50/50 OWB Pancake holster can become a fairly comfortable IWB Holster. The Pancake holster has all the same design characteristics as our other holsters. The difference is that it is not a “taco” holster. The gun is sandwiched between two pieces of .080 Kydex/Boltaron and riveted on the sides. (Maybe it should be called a sandwich holster.) Weight of the gun is distributed over 4 to 6 inches. Our pancake holster design is slightly different than most. The gun is generally straight up and down in the holster. Belt attachments are attached to the rivets. Depending on how many rivets are forward or back of the holster, ride height can be adjusted simply by moving the belt attachment up or down the rivets. Cant is achieved by offsetting the belt attachments. Holsters are shipped with belt attachments offset ¾ of an inch which is about 10° cant. Can be converted to (IWB).

Choosing the Best Holster

Choosing the right holster depends on various factors. Things that you have to consider are your states guns what are they? DME Holsters is based out of Arizona our gun laws are constitutional carry. Every one of us here at DME Holsters use pancake holsters. They are easy to conceal because they ride fairly high and are tight to the body. And they simply just don’t get in the way. Live in California, New York Chicago. You’re gonna have to use an IWB holster. There’s no one size fits all. A holsters that works for one may not work for the other. Carrying a firearm means you are willing to take a life that is a daunting task. As I tell everybody that I work with practice practice, practice drawing and using your firearm has to be muscle memory. Your proficiency in drawing from your chosen holster is crucial your success in a high-pressure situation. Shop all DME Holsters here

20 reviews for STANDARD OWB Holster

  1. James Clark (verified owner) –

    Hand made individually for practically any firearm on the market. Turn around time from order to shipped is excellent. I placed two orders of five holsters total. There were minor fitment issues with two. DME made it right. They paid for the return shipping, fixed or replaced the items and they were in my mailbox in about a week. Consider me a satisfied customer who will order again and will recommend DME to anyone who needs a custom holster, especially a retention holster. I’ve tried to add pictures but can’t figure it out.

  2. Maxwell Beckwith (verified owner) –

    MY M9A3 w/ Olight Baldir Mini OWB holster with LVL 2 WRS retention fits wonderfully. It’s snug enough to keep the gun in place without wobbling around. The WRS retention fits like a charm too. The only place that makes custom holsters for M9A3 with the Olight. The belt paddle is 10x better than black hawk paddles for reference. It really hooks to your waistband and doesn’t move.
    I will be ordering another for a different pistol. 100% worth the price.

  3. jeff s (verified owner) –

    I ordered this holster for a M&P 45 Cal full size and also wanting my 10 mm M&P to fit as well I figured that would. But what I was really hoping for was that my 9mm M&P would fit the holster also I have the same flashlight on all three, all three fit perfectly very happy with this product and the customer service throughout the process has been really awesome and quick to return replies.

  4. Mike (verified owner) –

    Exactly what I ordered and received faster than promised. Absolutely perfect fit. Only one otherwise observation. Maybe the ability to slightly customize the cant. Looks like lots of room to incorporate the ability. Very good holster and great quality.

    • Tim (verified owner) –

      It should be adjustable from 0 to 15°. You just have to remove and reinstall the screws on the paddle.

  5. Harper –

    My Ruger SR45 is my carry plus my duty pistol for work. The only company in the world to make a true Level II retention holster for the SR45. They were very accommodating when I told them what I wanted. It was made and shipped quicker than I thought it would. Great quality, fits perfect! Thanks DME.

  6. Tayler (verified owner) –

    After playing the holster game for about 6 months, I was skeptical. But dme made a holster that fits like a glove. They’ve been great ,its a wait but worth it. If your thinking about it just do it. They do not disappoint. Thank you all so much. Quality Quality Quality.

  7. Lee (verified owner) –

    Just got my custom holster in and it is everything I was hoping it would be. Really well made, looks great, fits my pistol perfectly, I cant wait to hit the range with it

    • Kevin in NCarolina (verified owner) –

      Excellent retention, fits correctly, great customer service. I’ll be back to DME for other guns in the future.

  8. Cliff (verified owner) –

    I own holsters like Amelda Marcos owns shoes. I have tried them all across several brands and materials. I have also gone cheap and paid top dollar. This holster sets itself apart in the custom-fitted kydex OWB realm. It fit my firearm and all its accoutrements perfectly – dot, suppressor sights, WML, etc.. Retention was also perfect out of the box. One can tell this is well made – not like some of the less expensive “custom” kydex places out there. The finish is top notch and it is not at all flimsy. Nice job DME; you will now be my go-to.

  9. Josh (verified owner) –

    I’ve been using my custom holster on duty now for about 2 weeks and have zero complaints. Everything is tight and smooth to operate and the holster looks great too. I would definitely recommend DME to anyone else that was in my situation, seeking a custom holster for an unorthodox weapon and light combo. Thanks guys.

  10. Paul Harbin (verified owner) –

    Love my holster for my XDM Elite OSP

  11. Bob Cheshire (verified owner) –

    Front view

  12. Bob Cheshire (verified owner) –

    I finally received my OWB holster today. It was a custom for my Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0. With the wml and green dot sight being out of the range of most holster suppliers, this was harder to find. The fitment is absolutely perfect! And the holster itself is extremely well made. This will last a lifetime with proper care. I can’t say enough about this holster. Waiting for a custom product is well worth it when this is the kind of quality product you receive. Well done DME!

  13. Shane Osowski (verified owner) –

    Like most of you, I have a “holster drawer,” filled with various attempts from various “Brand X” manufacturers. Some, I have to “self modify” to correct poor original fit, and one I had to send back to an otherwise “good” brand to remold the kydex. My DME holster, by far, is the best fitting, highest quality holster that I own. And in this case, DME was the ONLY manufacturer who could fit this particular gun with green Crimson Trace laser and threaded barrel. The wait was almost 12 weeks, but well worth it. Top quality in every respect!

  14. Adam –

    Solid quality custom holsters, and the people at DME will take care of you. Both holsters I received were top quality, looked great, and functioned amazingly. The customer service is second to none as well. They also were willing to make a holster for my weapon system that others wouldn’t, such as the new Baldr Mini. Highly recommended.

  15. Leonard Smith (verified owner) –

    Just got my holster today and I love it. Fits like a glove and boy does that clicking sound good :)

  16. Robin Tagle (verified owner) –

    Everything from the the customer service provided by Tim to the quality of his work when it arrived is easily 5 stars. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an OWB holster.

  17. Robin Tagle (verified owner) –

    Beretta Centurion w/TLR7A

  18. Titus Weller (verified owner) –

    The options, finish and details are all there. Very quality feel and tight lock up. I love the belt grip. Does everything I want it to and looks good doing it. I reccomend it to anyone who asks and I am on my 2nd holster from DME. I will definitely be back.
    Downsides: These are made to order and as such take a few weeks to show up. Not a big deal to me. Quality is worth waiting for. These are not the cheapest option out there. You can limit the price by being frugal with the options and they are quite comparable with their competitors. Compared to S@f@r1l@nd holsters I much prefer the feel and options and they come in much more of a reasonable value.
    If I want thermomolded holsters DME is probably the only company I will ever need again.

  19. Brandon (verified owner) –

    Just bought a Beretta M9A3 and added a tac light for my home defense weapon. DME provided an amazing holster with a perfect fit for my setup. Customer service is very helpful as well! Will definitely do business again!

  20. John Lozano (verified owner) –

    Best holster I own Tim was very helpful to make sure I got the right fit for my gun thanks again

  21. Dave M. (verified owner) –

    DME Holsters is one of the best companies I’ve ever done business with. The holster they made for me is absolutely perfect. It covers the trigger guard, fits my Sig P226 with a Streamlight TLR-3 like a glove, holds the gun securely, the retention is finely adjustable, and the configuration is just what I had in mind when I imagined what I wanted. Short of having a holster custom made there just isn’t much of anything worth buying for a gun with a light on it. So the holster is fantastic, but I think almost better than perfect holster was the phenomenal customer service. If you have any question just send DME an email. They are unbelievably responsive. DME really gives you the high roller treatment. They made absolutely certain that I got exactly what I wanted. I had a picture in my mind of what I wanted in a light bearing holster and DME turned the picture in my imagination into a perfectly functioning physical object. Love the holster, love the customer service more. I highly recommend designing a holster with and ordering it from DME. My experience was 100% positive and 0% negative.

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