IWB carry: over-the-belt clips or under-the-belt j-hooks?

[ScottM]

What do you guys think about over-the-belt clips (like the stock CrossBreed super-tuck or mini-tuck (http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/HotcakesStore/ProductViewer/tabid/113/slug/MiniTuck/Default.aspx)) vs. under-the-belt j-hooks for IWB holsters? Recently I've been enjoying DeSantis Sof-Tuk (http://www.desantisholster.com/SOF-TUCK) holsters for their small size and low exterior profile when wearing a tucked shirt, or in case I accidentally expose my belt line. The only thing that shows is a small J-clip under the belt versus one or two clips over the belt. Cross-Breed even offers j-clips for their tuck holsters for an additional fee.

What do you use, and if you've used both, what was your rationale for sticking with one or the other? Thanks in advance for your opinions!

[RRP]

Scott, I carry IWB, daily. I use a holster which is tuckable in design, but I have never been comfortable carrying this way.

I prefer to use a cover garment to conceal the holstered gun. And because the garment also covers my belt, it negates any benefit of J-hooks. I've never been a fan of these because they rely on the integrity of the waistband of the pant to hold the weight of the gun. That may be fine with bluejeans, but less so with lighter-weight dress pants, which I wear 5-6 days/week.

I also wonder how securely the J-hooks would hold the holster if I drove my hand on the grip of the gun for a fast draw. If I had to chase the gun down an inch or so, because of sag, that would not be advantageous.

Your mileage, of course, varies. That's ok. Different strokes for different folks.

[ScottM]

That's brilliant feedback, thank you RRP! That's exactly what I've been curious about. I've had my CHL for 18 months but only recently began carrying outside of work (my employer doesn't permit it on-prem), so I'm going through what you veteran guys probably discovered years ago. I love the idea of being able to wear clothes trimmed and tucked over a small pistol, but the reality I'm starting to find is that I prefer to have a second layer over my torso to mitigate any potential printing. The nice thing is that these Sof-Tuk holsters are relatively inexpensive, so there's little risk of something not working out, but I'm thinking that I might just bite the bullet (pun intended) and get a CrossBreed or AlienGear rig for my CM45, and just Nemesis-carry the LCP when I'm really traveling light.

What's your preferred daily IWB holster?

[SlimLawson]

I have both types of holsters to carry my PM9, both PJ's. The J-Hook works very well, can put Velcro on the belt to secure the holster even more. I had the PJ with the J-hook made tuckable to ride very low and at a 35 degree cant. I carry it at 4-5 o'clock. I understand this isn't a quick draw holster, but it is very concealable. My other PJ is an over the belt clip-on. It is 15 degree cant and I carry it at 3-4 o'clock. I carry this when I can have a cover garment. It does allow for easier access to the gun. Both have there place.
I would highly recommend PJ Holster's. Paul will make it like you want and he will stand behind the product. http://pjholster.com/

[ScottM]

Thanks SlimLawson! Appreciate the input!

[RRP]

That's brilliant feedback, thank you RRP! That's exactly what I've been curious about. I've had my CHL for 18 months but only recently began carrying outside of work (my employer doesn't permit it on-prem), so I'm going through what you veteran guys probably discovered years ago. I love the idea of being able to wear clothes trimmed and tucked over a small pistol, but the reality I'm starting to find is that I prefer to have a second layer over my torso to mitigate any potential printing. The nice thing is that these Sof-Tuk holsters are relatively inexpensive, so there's little risk of something not working out, but I'm thinking that I might just bite the bullet (pun intended) and get a CrossBreed or AlienGear rig for my CM45, and just Nemesis-carry the LCP when I'm really traveling light.

What's your preferred daily IWB holster?

I use a hybrid holster (leather and plastic), similar in design to the brands you mention. It's sold by Comp-Tac (http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=95). It is, in my opinion, much better quality than CrossBreed or AlienGear. I hesitate to say that because this forum has a very devout following of CrossBreed fans.

The MTAC is not cheap, however. But, like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Edited to add: I should mention that I do not recommend this type of holster for sub-compact pistols. It is, in my opinion, way more holster than is needed for tiny guns. You asked what I use every day and I answered the question, but I use that rig to carry a high capacity 4" pistol IWB.

When carried IWB, my preferred holster for 3" Kahrs is a PJ, with full clip and FBI cant. I wear it at 4 o'clock. For pocket carry of my Kahrs, I prefer Alabama Holster. It is slimmer in design than soft holsters such as the Nemesis, Remora, etc.. Not only does it create less bulge in my pocket, it prints less too. It also has a built-in hook, which ensures the holster stays in my pocket on the draw. Soft holsters tend to be sticky (when they're new), and rely less on a hook design to remain in place.

In the end, all of this is personal preference. Talk to a dozen guys and you'll get a dozen different recommendations. Use what's best for you.

[Nytcrawler93]

I agree with RRP. I use an MTAC for a railed 1911 but it would be obnoxious for a PM9.


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[TheTman]

I have a Sof-Tuck holster, that I use on occasion. Never had a problem with it. I use it sometimes for my CW40 when I carry it at kidney position, or about 5 o'clock. I usually carry smaller pistols now, that I use in a remora holster up front. I found with the Sof-Tuck holster that if I bent over from the waist, say to look at something on a lower shelf in a store, that the grip would print very badly. So I bend my knees know to get down to look at things on lower shelves. Other than that, I thought it was a pretty good holster, and very adjustable for a variety of carry styles. The hook never caused a problem, other than being so tight I need to clamp it over the waist of my pants before I put them on. I have shoulder problems that prevent me from doing much behind my back that requires any strength. The holster has never moved around on me. With the smaller pistols I usually carry now, I prefer the ease of access of having them up front.

[muggsy]

With the J-hook the weight of the gun is carried on the waistband of your pants instead of on the belt. The over the belt hook is far more secure. I carry AIWB with an over the belt hook and the only one who knows that I'm carrying is me. The vast majority of the people are self centered with no conception of what's going on in the world around them. There is very little chance of being made.

[ScottM]

All outstanding replies, thank you! I guess I just need to experiment more and see what clicks the most with my dress, comfort, etc. I really appreciate everyone's input.

[b4uqzme]

All outstanding replies, thank you! I guess I just need to experiment more and see what clicks the most with my dress, comfort, etc. I really appreciate everyone's input.

+1. I've been experimenting with several holsters, clips, etc. None of them are perfect but they all work well in various circumstances. I figure I'll still be experimenting for a long, long time. ;)

[berettabone]

I sometimes use a tuckable front clip type.............my shirt usually covers most of the clip and like others have said..............most people don't have a clue:o

[krumbruce]

I have the Blackhawk CQC size 6 for my P9 and CWP. I like the off set J hook tuck-able belt clip. It lets the pistol ride high so its comfortable while sitting and I carry it appendix style. Very nice lightweight holster

[Baklash]

OK, I'm learning something here about IWB. First, I wouldn't like a J clip because the weight is on the pants waistband. I think I want a tuckable, but not sure. Is a tuckable more cumbersome than non-tuck? I found a Kydex IWB that I like because it is an offset clip design which should be thinner, but I don't think the two clips offered are tuckable. One is a J clip, so that's out. Is there a standard distance between holes on clips so that they can be interchanged between brands? That would be nice.

[ScottM]

Hi guys, thanks again for the dialogue! Since my original post I've been wearing the Sof-Tuk with my LCP and CM45 some more, and I've had mixed results to share if it's helpful.

With the little LCP (about 12oz loaded), I can wear it IWB in the small of my back really comfortably, even in the car, sitting on the couch, walking the dog and bending down to look at the grocery store. I wish the LCP rode just a little lower in the holster but they stitched it a little high for my taste, but I hand-softened the leather to better fit the curvature of the gun and that's helped, plus when your back presses against it, that gun isn't going anywhere. I've even jogged with the dog carrying the LCP in this way and it never jiggled even the least bit around. Most of the time I let at least 2 layers of clothing drape over the outside to prevent exposure or printing, but a few times I've tucked my first shirt over the gun and into the tuckable clips when I knew I'd be kneeling a lot and might expose my belt. When you do that, it absolutely slows down access to the pistol and makes it practically impossible to temporarily remove the holster without some struggling (whereas a Nemesis pocket holster is super easy). Tucked or not, it's a configuration I could wear all day. Since the LCP is so light and small, when I clip the holster next to my belt hook, there's very little pull on the waist edge, and the J-clip under the belt is completely secure.

With the CM45 (about 24oz loaded), I similarly prefer to wear it IWB and in the small of my back. I must have bony hips or something because that's about the only way IWB feels remotely comfortable for me. The Sof-Tuk again feels comfortable and it fits my CM45 perfectly in the clip's 2nd hole. I did need to cut off the last hole and file down the edges to prevent the strap from printing, but it turned out great. I also filed and finely sanded my CM45's magazine baseplate to reduce pick-up of my shirt. Like with the LCP, I prefer to wear at least 2 layers outside of the gun to prevent showing/printing and that works quite well. Sometimes I tuck the first shirt between the gun and my skin for better comfort when I'm wearing a longer over-shirt or coat that doesn't have the chance of pulling up. Because the CM45 is twice as heavy, there is some pull on the pants' waist edge that isn't ideal. You can see it starting to curl, so there's no way I would ever wear this way using only a tucked T-shirt. Even with the shirt "bloused," it would be pretty easy for an attentive eye to see that I'm carrying that way.

So far, I think that the Sof-Tuck IWB holster is an excellent solution for my LCP when I'm not pocket-carrying it in a Nemesis holster, though I'll probably play with another over-the-belt-clip option at some point. With the CM45, I can see wearing this for now but I'm very interested in an AlienGear hybrid holster and clipping it over my belt, since like a few guys above suggested, there will be only a few times, if any, when I'll want to carry the .45 under just a tucked shirt. Most of the time I'll continue to wear at least 2 layers over it, so having the belt clips hidden isn't really an advantage, and the .45's relatively greater weight would be better to hang on a belt instead of the pants material.

[Captrigney]

Neither ---Remora

[Dbholfo]

It's been a few days since the last post but it's not closed so here goes. I have a High Noon Split Decision which uses a j hook. My PM45 is under a button down shirt but outside the undershirt. The only thing that shows is the j clip on the belt but at 3:30 carry it's behind the side belt loop on any pants I own and not very noticeable because of the belt. The holster has a cant and high ride and with a little shirttail flare it is undetectable unless you're looking for it. No printing. I'm Looking for a second holster made of Kydex for a OWB range paddle or clip. Suggestions?

[ScottM]

I just ordered an AlienGear Cloak Tuck 2.0 for my CM45 and should have it by end of month. It's the hybrid IWB model with kydex and neoprene. I ordered it with the conventional nylon clips and C clips. I'll be sure to report back once I have had a chance to try it out.