Adjustable Holsters Keep Messing with them.

[Bawanna]

I, like most of us have an assortment of holsters to fit different dress options and activities of the day. Some laid out for use, others considered a loss and live in a box in the shop or a drawer. Since my neutering at work and requirement to leave my belt gun in the car I've used IWB's almost exclusively since they are easy on/ easy off but I've never been an IWB guy.
I have a PJ which I like for the most part and a Garret Silent Thunder, both for my Cbob. I've had them a year or more. Adjusted the Garret numerous times in an effort to get it comfy and concealable and most importantly accessible.

Seems when I accomplished one area it became worse in another. I just kind of accepted good enough.
Well I thought a little harder a couple days ago and alas the bulb while still dim became somewhat brighter. I've always leaned towards high ride and zero cant. This usually made the gun stick out to the side and to the rear as I adjusted it for comfort.
I want the grip accessible. Well I realized that I had plenty of handle exposed above the belt for a good grip and could easily go down, being IWB nothing will show anyhow.
Soooo, I adjusted down, still have plenty of grip, added just a minimal forward cant. Now apparently it rides low enough that my hip is kicking the barrel end out which tucks the grip in tight to my side. (but not uncomfortably tight) It's more comfortable than it's ever been, just as accessible and way more concealable. Mission accomplished. It's as good as my hands down favorite Mernickle OWB which is just as concealable by the way.

I have the same holster for my PM45 which usually rides on my leg so I'm gonna mess with it somemore now too.

I guess the moral to this long monologue is unlike guns which in my opinion shouldn't be messed with unless broken,(there are obvious acceptions) adjustable holsters beg to be messed with until they are just right. Also probably why Ron and Sheryl send them out much closer to what I ended up with than what I originally started out with first time I messed with it.

Life is pretty good, on those rare occasions when a plan actually comes together and works its pretty awesome.

[AIRret]

Very good advice. I have a crossbreed for my Ruger LCR 357 that I need to experiment with. It's amazing, it's easy to pick out a gun (or two or three or ten), but it's VERY tough to find a good holster that works and is comfortable.

[JFootin]

Well, the lower ride and the cant sounds like the way Paul usually makes the PJ Holsters fit. And the comfort with my admittedly much smaller CM9 is amazing. Did you specify high ride and zero cant when you ordered yours? If so, spend a dollar or so and send the holster back to Paul. He can reform the clip to lower it and cant it. I think if you let him do his magic on it, you will be amazed! :)

[Bawanna]

I was afraid my earlier post would be misconstrued. I'm quite happy with the PJ holster. It works well and position and comfort nearly identical to my now fine tuned Garret. I wear it frequently as well. No real rhyme or reason. I do like leather against my toys although I see no wear from the straight kydex either.

Its close to perfect so no need to send it back. He did build it just the way I asked so I go no issue at all.

[GROTMAN]

Even though I was pretty satisfied with my Remora for iwb carry and my Mika for pocket carry, after hearing all the reviews about pj holsters I had to get one. I got a tuckable one about 3 weeks ago with the j hook. Loved the holster but found the j hook to be too big for my liking. After J footin posted something about how he adjusted his, I ended up cutting off the "hook" part and using the velcro no part of the holster shows, it's very comfortable, feels secure, and with the velcro can adjust the cant etc as needed. All in all I'm very pleased with it and it is now my "go to" holster. :)

[chrish]

As mentioned, the constant search for something comfortable that worked, and worked the same w/ every gun I wanted to carry, was never ending. For me, it was just about to push me over the edge. While I love gun shopping, looking at stuff I'd like to have, etc...holster shopping is like going to the grocery store or looking for socks. I despise it. If I had to watch another holster video on YouTube, I think I'd be physically ill.

I ultimately decided to try a Remora and as I've mentioned in another thread, it's become my one and only holster. I have one for each of my carry guns now and that's it, I'm done. Infinitely adjustable. Super comfortable. I understand it falls out for some folks, even w/ the sticky, or that a few folks here and there felt they had to keep futzing w/ it thru the day. But I have been out for 6-8 hour stints w/ mine and NEVER touched it. So I'm happy w/ that. I never had that w/ my Comp-Tac, or the Silent Thunder I tried. I was going to try a PJ, but not having one for the new style P250 was a no-go. I wanted the same behavior/feel from ALL holsters.

Anyway, it has turned out to be Remora for me, but that's just me.

[JFootin]

Hey, chrish, it works for you. That's what matters! :)

I differ from you in that I find the holster search almost as interesting as shopping and pulling the trigger on a new gun. It is sort of a second hobby for me. I love a well made leather holster. Works of art in leather! And Paul does magic with his PJ Holsters in kydex.

That said, like you I have found an inexpensive pocket holster that works wonderfully in the pocket AND in the waistband. It is the Stays-Put Ultra (http://www.concealmentspecialties.com/products.html). Just $14.95 shipped! Designed by a woman who works in the firearm industry who is also a fashion designer. (About Us (http://www.concealmentspecialties.com/about.html)) As the name implies, it stays put better than any pocket holster I have seen (and I've seen a lot). I prefer it over the Remora (which I tried) because it is not overly bulky or overly sticky. Here is how it is constructed (http://www.concealmentspecialties.com/holsters.html). One thing not mentioned that I noticed is this little inch long strip of plastic at the edge of the mouth that provides just enough reinforcement to keep it open a bit for easy reholstering, yet it is not stiff at all. Even though it is not nearly as bulky as the Remora (is that a softball in your pocket?!), it disguises the shape of the gun very well.

I don't pocket carry often, but I use this holster in the AIWB position, riding low with some backward cant. Under belt tension, it stays put there all day long and is extremely comfortable! Would it work as well for a thin person with a strait waistline like Barth? I don't know. I have a modest middle-aged spread that expands above my waistline, sheltering the gun there so an untucked shirt drapes over it with no printing. The holster forms an impression for itself in the soft belly fat below my waistline - another reason why it stays put, I think.

The low ride and backward cant do several things:


It makes the grip lay down horizontally just above my belt so it doesn't stick out and print,
It makes the muzzle of the gun and holster angle over toward the middle so it doesn't jam against my leg when I sit down,
It presents the gun for a quick draw from that AIWB position (try as if you are drawing a gun from your waistline at about 1:30 <or 10:30 for lefties like me> and you'll see that you draw in a slightly backward direction).

I love the AIWB position because it is just as easy to draw the gun from there whether you are standing, or sitting or even buckled in a car seat (this only works for righties when they are riding shotgun because of the shoulder belt, but they can switch it to the cross draw position when driving). It is a more subtle draw because you don't have to stick your elbow up and out like when you draw from the hip or behind it. It is within easy reach for your weak hand to pull your shirt away, if need be, when you are drawing.

Finally, I love how effortless it is to insert and remove the gun and holster at the AIWB position without undoing my belt or anything! No clip. No belt loop. (Personally, I found the Remora VERY difficult to position, even with my belt unbuckled, because it is so overly sticky and bulky. JMO. YMMV.)

I have one of these for my TCP and one for my J frame. The J frame in this holster at AIWB has become my favorite carry setup. I intend to get one for my CM9, as well. It is a well designed product that sells for half what it could be priced at, and simply can't be beat!

[aKahrt_and_p2KT]

I was afraid my earlier post would be misconstrued. I'm quite happy with the PJ holster. It works well and position and comfort nearly identical to my now fine tuned Garret. I wear it frequently as well. No real rhyme or reason. I do like leather against my toys although I see no wear from the straight kydex either.

Its close to perfect so no need to send it back. He did build it just the way I asked so I go no issue at all.
which silent thunder holster are you using?

[muggsy]

I wasn't 100% happy with my PJ Pocket holster for my P380 when I got it, so I grabbed my Dremel and modified it a little. It's now perfect giving me a better purchase on the grip for a cleaner draw. I don't see anything wrong with making a good thing better.

[Bawanna]

which silent thunder holster are you using?

I don't understand the question? Silent Thunder is the model. Am I missing something.

[tv_racin_fan]

LOL!

Bawanna that may be the model name for the holster that you have but they have quite a few models to offer today.

[Bawanna]

Oh they have a lot of different styles and models. I thought all the leather lined kydex IWB's were called silent thunders. I better go look so I can act intelligent if I ever get asked again. I sure blew it this time.



Ok, now I get it, they make lots of styles with the leather lined Kydex so Silent Thunder is like the material.

I have the Silent Thunder IWB. I thought about the appendix carry version but opted for the regular on their suggestion for the heavier 1911. Did the same for the PM45.

One day I'm gonna get one of the spring loaded 1911 7 mag holders. Has to weigh a ton all full but would provide a lot of mental comfort.

[340pd]

Take the clip completely off your Silent Thunder and work with the many options of putting it back on using the center hole along with the bottom hole. The bottom of the clip hung well below the holster so I just trimmed it off including the bottom hole on the stock clip. You will lose some cant flexibility but it will ride a bit higher and not hit your hip bone. If this works call the Garrett's and they do offer a number of clip lengths, or trim the one you have. Worked for me.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/gnystrom_photos/modifiedclip.jpg
Three clip options using the center and bottom hole on your ST holster. Sorry for the blurry photo. One I modified, one stock, one short one from Garrett.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/gnystrom_photos/Clips.jpg

[Bawanna]

That's exactly what I was doing. I started out going high but found my theory was wrong, went back down and things got even better for me. I didn't cut any of the mount off as I wasn't sure thank goodness.

I generally like straight up, no or very little cant. It's working really good now.

I'm gonna drop Ron and Sheryl a note and remind them how much I love them and what they do.

[Alfonse]

That said, like you I have found an inexpensive pocket holster that works wonderfully in the pocket AND in the waistband. It is the Stays-Put Ultra (http://www.concealmentspecialties.com/products.html). Just $14.95 shipped!


On JFootin's raves, I bought one of these for my PMJ9 which I pocket carry all the time. I was doing fine with a Desantis, but like this much better. It draws much better, doesn't move as much and the closed end keeps the pistol from getting full of pocket lint.

[sierrajb]

All my good looks and charm are crammed into my small 5'7" frame. So, that makes it very easy for me to fit into tight spots where normal-sized people can't go. More on this to come....

Yesterday I was carrying my PM9 in a Blackhawk IWB instead of the usual Silent Thunder. Why? Thought the cloth would be a bit more comfortable than the Kydex, especially when I knew I'd be in small cramped areas like an engine compartment of a 1976 Ford pickup.

Well, there I am, my entire body (feet and all) sitting under the hood beside an engine trying to get this truck running for my overweight, 6'2" friend. Looking on are three others watching every move I make. No one is aware I'm packing....

I make one move to the left too quickly, and the holster with the gun intact slides right off my belt and into my lap, still concealed under my shirt. O great! After a few uncomfortable moments of stalling for time and thinking of ways to clear the garage to give me some privacy, I stopped working on the engine and squirmmed around until I finally reinserted the holster and gun into its rightful place (3 o'clock to the right).

Not sure what any of them thought I was doing, but none asked. I carried on as if nothing was wrong.

WHEW! I will never:

1. Depend on the Blackhawk IWB clip in a tight situation. Silent Thunder from now on.
2. Climb inside an engine compartment unless I'm sure my piece will remain in place, tucked away out of sight.
3. (I hope I will never) Put myself in a compromising position like this again.

Need to tell you, the friend's mechanic shop was NOT located on the friendly side of town, if you know what I mean. In fact, they intentionally close shop and leave around 4 pm daily because of the shenanigans that goes on after dark. So, carrying my PM9 was mandatory in my books. Leaving the gun in the locked car was not a good option, either.

Just glad it all turned out as well as it did. Yes, the truck runs good now...

[aKahrt_and_p2KT]

I'm itching to get a silent thunder holster (solo or as pictured above) because I have not tried Garrett yet, that or I need to finally decide which magazine holster to go with (looking at theis or rgrizzle primarily). Thanks for all the info in here.

[chrish]

JFootin, you and my dad are alike. He's into the leather. With him, it's mostly cowboy stuff, he's been buying a lot of 'replica' type guns from his favorite western shows in the 50s and 60s when he was a kid/teenager. As a result, gotta have a holster for each :-) It's become one of his hobbies.

Yea, no doubt, not putting a Remora in my pocket. But I don't carry a pocketable gun anyway. I moved away from my PM9 and sold it to my Dad after settling on the P9 a number of years back. What's funny is that w/ the Remora's now, I find myself going w/ the TP9 or the P250. The P9 has become my little red-headed-step-child. Still love it, but infrequently carry it.

For whatever reason, I can't seem to find an AIWB position that works for me, so I'm still 3-4:00 carry. Nice thing is that I can move the Remora around as needed, I'm not restricted to a clip, even having a belt, etc. But it can be a PIA to position, the thing is so stinkin' sticky, it can be frustrating to grab-n-go. For me, it's easier to undo the belt, place it, then crank down on it. But either way, I've found my dream carry method.

It's mostly nice that plenty of manufacturers make some many varied options for everyone these days. Wasn't the case 15-20 years ago. What a nightmare that was! I thank the invention of Kydex for that. It create an easy 'custom' market that has now pushed the rest of the market to provide that, so now we have a zillion custom options as well.

[JFootin]

chrish, each of us is made differently. I have a modest, not huge, middle aged spread. It expands above my beltline, but does not sag across it and down. What it does for me is to shelter a gun riding low at 10:30 (lefty) with a backward cant that lays the grip of the gun down horizontally at the beltline. This prevents printing. That cant also moves the muzzle to the right enough that it doesn't jam against my leg when I sit, and it presents the gun at the natural draw angle for that position. I have found that my J frame works the best carried like that. The angle of the grip and the curved low profile at the back of the frame minimize the profile above the belt, and the thin barrel and frame do so below the belt. The cylinder hides behind the belt.

[340pd]

Now get a good, stiff, thick, gun belt. A cheap holster will work with a good solid gun belt, a very expensive holster will not work with a thin dress belt. For the price of three boxes of .40 cal ammo you can have one that will last for years.
One of many good makers.

http://www.rgleather.freehomepage.com/

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/gnystrom_photos/sidebyside.jpg