Review of iwb pj holster

[sharpenit]

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/sharpenit/Kahr/pencil.jpg


Yesterday I received an in-the-waistband PJ Holster for my CM9 and after carrying it for a day, I give it high marks for comfort, safety and concealability.

PJ Holsters (http://pjholster.com/) can be ordered with a variety of options, including the type of belt attachment and the cant of the pistol. But I wanted a straight-drop holster that I could wear at the 1 o’clock (or appendix carry) position, which is the most comfortable for me.

I wanted the holster to be thin, so that it didn’t add much width to the pistol, I wanted full coverage of the trigger, I wanted a fairly deep carry and I wanted an over-the-belt clip-on loop. The PJ satisfied all of these conditions.

The kydex used in the PJ is thin, yet very strong, and overall, it adds no more width to the pistol than does the Versacarry holster that I reviewed recently (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t...ght=versacarry)


http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/sharpenit/Kahr/wearerside.jpg


Unlike the Versacarry, the PJ covers the trigger on both sides, meaning that one can safely carry with a round in the chamber. The contouring around the trigger guard also supplies the retention that holds the pistol securely in the holster. The pistol holsters and draws with an authoritative snap because of this firm grip. The retention strength can be altered with an adjustment screw, but I haven’t tried this.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/sharpenit/Kahr/Frontview_zps23dba698.jpg

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/sharpenit/Kahr/bottomview.jpg


The kydex is molded snugly to the outlines of the CM9, but rounds them off, so that, for example, the slide lock lever doesn’t dig into the wearer. Also on this side of the holster, the kydex extends all the way to the rear of the slide, which acts as a barrier between the gun and the wearer, eliminating any chafing from the slide and presumably acting as barrier against sweat.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/sharpenit/Kahr/Clipside_zps8e694632.jpg



I wore the PJ for an entire day and it was so comfortable that I quickly forgot I was wearing it.

At $45, the PJ is not exactly cheap, but the price is not unreasonable considering how well it works.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/sharpenit/Kahr/Inthewaistband_zps91200a14.jpg

[JFootin]

Very good report and pictures! +100 on the PJ Holsters! They are the best! :)

[Yogi 117]

Great report, good details & pics. :)

[Bawanna]

I got a PJ last week for my Ruger 1911 and while not impressed out of the box I'm very impressed after wearing it some. All the good things you mention.
I like a straight cant and didn't want the gun too deep and he nailed it just the way I wanted it.

I especially like the way it keeps the gun tight into my side.

sharpenit, now you need a belt. A good belt makes a world of difference. Not as critical on IWB but still a huge plus.

[JrFreak]

I just about to order one of these with FBI cant and J hooks. I love my Crossbreed Supertuck, but sometimes I want something I can grab and put in quick on the go. Looks like this is it.

Also, he can make them for firearms with the laserguard attached.

[Allen]

Sharpenit - Haven't had my CM9 very long and still trying to find the best position to carry it. In the position your picture shows, possibly about 1-2 o'clock, what does this do when you sit down like in driving? I recently had a new hip on the right side where I'd be wearing the holster and it already feels like I have something in my right front pocket all the time anyway so was wondering about my CM9 being there also. Hopefully this feeling will go away in the near future but until then I just have to contend with it.
I thought about the IWB holster at maybe 4-5 o'clock, sort of over the kidney, but when I tried carrying it in my back pocket for a while this proved very uncomfortable while sitting down.

[JFootin]

I am a lefty, so everything is reversed. But I carry my CM9 in a PJ IWB holster just behind my hip. For you, that would be 3:30-4:00. There is a sweet spot there where it is so comfortable it just disappears, standing or sitting. Not so far forward that it is riding on your hip bone. Not so far back that it gets between you and a chair back when sitting. Hides real well under a loose shirt.

IMO, wearing it at 1-2 o'clock is going to be interfered with by the shoulder strap when driving. Maybe cross draw with a strong negative cant would work for you at 10-11 o'clock for driving, but I find that the big chunky slide of the CM9 makes it print badly under a shirt and be less than perfectly comfortable for a long stretch when worn out front.

Frankly, the sweet spot described above works just fine when driving. Just lean forward slightly and the gun can be drawn easily, even with seat belt buckled.

[340pd]

+1 on PJ holsters. I just got one for my M&P Shield. Matches my PM9 setup perfectly.
Thanks, Paul

[Allen]

Thanks JFootin - very good description. I understand that sweet spot around 4-4:30, pants even gap just a little there without any holster. Do you like any kind of cant to the holster and which clip do you use, over the belt (which I wondered what that would do without a belt, just over the jeans band), the J clip, or C clip?

One more quick question, what makes the difference between a tuckable and nontuckable PJ holsters? I generally always wear a T-shirt tucked in with an untucked shirt over it but on a warm occasion I will wear just the T-shirt on the outside of my pants (shorts). Nice to have so many options for a custom built holster but hard to do it the first time.

Appreciate all your experience given here.

[JFootin]

Thanks JFootin - very good description. I understand that sweet spot around 4-4:30, pants even gap just a little there without any holster. Do you like any kind of cant to the holster and which clip do you use, over the belt (which I wondered what that would do without a belt, just over the jeans band), the J clip, or C clip?

One more quick question, what makes the difference between a tuckable and nontuckable PJ holsters? I generally always wear a T-shirt tucked in with an untucked shirt over it but on a warm occasion I will wear just the T-shirt on the outside of my pants (shorts). Nice to have so many options for a custom built holster but hard to do it the first time.

Appreciate all your experience given here.

Allen, I am just now resting up from a full day of CC handgun training in order to get my NC CC permit. Boy, I'm tired! :o

I like a good cant for behind the hip: at least 15° or more - even 20° or 25°. It helps with the draw and with concealment.

My first choice for a non tuckable PJ IWB is the Over the Belt Clip. For the tuckable, I prefer the Velcro attachment for total concealment with nothing showing at all. You can also make slight changes to the cant and ride height with the Velcro.

The regular holsters are all one piece including the belt clip. The tuckable uses a seperate piece of Kydex that is attached at the bottom of the holster, leaving a slot into which you can tuck your shirt. It adds almost nothing to the width of an already super thin holster. Nice!

[Allen]

Thanks again JFootin.

[AC7880]

I'm considering trying a PJ holster in over the belt clip 25 degree cant worn behind hip at 4, (or) a tuckable 25 degree in either the C clip or a velcro. I have no tuckable holsters now.

Does anyone have the C clip, and how does it look with shirt tucked in? On the velcro clip, did you have to sew the velcro to the belt? It doesn't seem like the adhesive velcro would stay attached on the belt for long?

On his pocket version with a CM9/PM9, how does that look inside fairly tight blue jeans such as Levis 505?

Thanks for any info.




Allen, I am just now resting up from a full day of CC handgun training in order to get my NC CC permit. Boy, I'm tired! :o

I like a good cant for behind the hip: at least 15° or more - even 20° or 25°. It helps with the draw and with concealment.

My first choice for a non tuckable PJ IWB is the Over the Belt Clip. For the tuckable, I prefer the Velcro attachment for total concealment with nothing showing at all. You can also make slight changes to the cant and ride height with the Velcro.

The regular holsters are all one piece including the belt clip. The tuckable uses a seperate piece of Kydex that is attached at the bottom of the holster, leaving a slot into which you can tuck your shirt. It adds almost nothing to the width of an already super thin holster. Nice!

[sharpenit]

I wrote my original review in June, 2012 and have used my PJ Holster every day for the past 18 months. But taking it off and putting it on several times a day took a toll on the belt hook, which has to flex each time it goes over or comes off my belt. Eventually, kydex fatigue set in and a crack appeared on the top of the belt hook, and it was clear that the hook soon would break off entirely.

I emailed Paul about this and he told me to mail the holster back to him and he would replace it for free. He also said that for $5, he would give the holster a reinforced belt hook. I opted for this and sent him the holster and $5.

Shortly thereafter, my new holster arrived and I have to say that the reinforced belt hook is really something. Much more rigid and strong than the unreinforced version, yet the reinforcement adds no bulk or width to the holster. Just as before, it fits like a glove and if anything, I now have even more confidence in this outstanding holster.

I'm also impressed with Paul's commitment to standing behind his product. His customer service is outstanding.

I recommend his holsters without reservation, and I'd also advise anyone considering a purchase to make the extra $5 investment and go with the reinforced belt hook.

[wmpy]

Try sticking it inside your waistband at 330 or 400 to see if it feels better. I wear my cw380 in my belt just behind my hip. Almost feels like it is not there. I do need to get a holster. The PJ with a cant is what i am looking for. Cant deside on a degree of rake. I put the cw380 at a pretty steep slant with the grip high. Works well as I am overweight.

[denverd0n]

+1 on PJ Holsters. I have one for my EDC CW9. Got it because I am more comfortable with a carry position of about 3:30 and like more cant than the traditional FBI 15 degrees. Paul is one of the few who makes a quality, kydex, IWB that is very easy to put on or take off without removing the belt, and is also available with more than a 15 degree cant.

I give PJ Holsters a 5-star rating.