MK9 AIWB Carry

[boscobarbell]

Anyone who has seen my postings here knows how much I adore my MK9. Probably the best shooting micro I own, and certainly the best looking. Not a single failure in 4 years and countless range visits, regardless of ammo.

But it is a bit heavy. And as such, it's been spending way too much time in the safe.

I recently switched to almost 100% AIWB carry over the past year, both for comfort (lower back issues) and tactical advantages. And I've learned that almost every other gun I own in 9mm and above is just plain too long to be comfortable for long periods in that carry position, especially when seated. So I've been looking at other options, and had pretty much settled on replacing my sold PM9. But then it occurred to me that the MK9 was the same size, albeit heavier.

So I opted to hold off on buying a PM9 and tried my MK9 over a period of days in AIWB. And I was shocked at how well it carries, for hours at a time, in that application. I have a decent bullhide belt, which helps, and have found that the weight there at my centerline is really not a factor. And the length and height are just perfect...comfortable and invisible inside an untucked shirt.

Has anyone else tried the MK9 in that application? Am I deluding myself?

[Bawanna]

If it works for you there's no delusion involved. I'd run with it. I can't seem to get along with AIWB myself sitting full time but do just fine with IWB at 3:30 to 4:00. I actually find it more comfy with my Commanders 1911's than my PM45 which don't make sense. I need to play with the holster and cant or something.
Guess we're all different.

[DavidR]

I have not tried the MK9 but I totally believe you. I’ve been carrying my P365 at 1:00 in a Vedder Light Tuck and am amazed at how comfortable it is.

In fact I carried it tonight for 4 hours over a t shirt and under a tucked dress shirt at the Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine event at my local church.

[boscobarbell]

If it works for you there's no delusion involved. I'd run with it. I can't seem to get along with AIWB myself sitting full time but do just fine with IWB at 3:30 to 4:00. I actually find it more comfy with my Commanders 1911's than my PM45 which don't make sense. I need to play with the holster and cant or something.
Guess we're all different.

I carried a big Sig in .40 for almost 20 years in the same position on my waist, and I think my body just decided it had experienced enough of that. Over the past few years, that method for any decent sized gun is just untenable. So strange. My Remington RM380 or Beretta Pico are fine there, but I prefer 9mm or above if it is feasible.

"Guess we're all different." Ain't that the truth!

[boscobarbell]

I have not tried the MK9 but I totally believe you. I’ve been carrying my P365 at 1:00 in a Vedder Light Tuck and am amazed at how comfortable it is.

In fact I carried it tonight for 4 hours over a t shirt and under a tucked dress shirt at the Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine event at my local church.

I carry my P365 in AIWB whenever I leave the cosy confines of my sleepy little town and head to the big city. It, too, is just about perfect there, but for my shorter stature it does tend to dig in if I'm seated for too long. My smaller pistols are only 1/4 to 1/2" shorter than the Sig, but I've found that for my size, that small amount makes a difference.

But my P365 is another pistol I would never sell. Great little package, and an absolute machine at the range.

[Ed M]

I've got a kydex IWB holster that fits my MK/PM/CM9 , and it is not too uncomfortable to carry AIWB.

The kydex sometimes digs into me and can be uncomfortale.

When I got my P365, I ordered a Kusiak leather AIWB holster. It's the first IWB holster that I can wear all day long without discomfort.

[DavidR]

I carry my P365 in AIWB whenever I leave the cosy confines of my sleepy little town and head to the big city. It, too, is just about perfect there, but for my shorter stature it does tend to dig in if I'm seated for too long. My smaller pistols are only 1/4 to 1/2" shorter than the Sig, but I've found that for my size, that small amount makes a difference.

But my P365 is another pistol I would never sell. Great little package, and an absolute machine at the range.

At 1:00 barrel length and beaver tail size make all the difference and even a quarter inch is significant while weight is not as meaningful. I'm 5' 7" and haven't been able to comfortably carry anything with a barrel longer than 3 inches. Even some 3 inch barrel pistols like the S&W Shield are a bit too big for me at 1:00. My CM9 is a tiny bit smaller than the 365 but with the Vedder Light Tuck I don't really notice a difference between the two. It's great to have two 9mm options. For days when I want to go really small, I carry my CT380 which while affording me a full grip and 7+1 is thinner and shorter.

[yqtszhj]

I AIWB all the time. Like you I’ve found that with a good belt the weight doesn’t matter much as long as the profile of the pistol fits. Comfortable all day long.

[berettabone]

I carried an MK9 for years AIWB in a High Noon Centerfold tuckable. Very comfy and worked well driving in the car.

[boscobarbell]

I've got a kydex IWB holster that fits my MK/PM/CM9 , and it is not too uncomfortable to carry AIWB.

The kydex sometimes digs into me and can be uncomfortale.

When I got my P365, I ordered a Kusiak leather AIWB holster. It's the first IWB holster that I can wear all day long without discomfort.


Just saw this one, which may be the best of both worlds (but pricey):

https://kusiakleather.com/collections/kusiak-holsters/products/the-american-iwb-holster

[DavidR]

Just saw this one, which may be the best of both worlds (but pricey):

https://kusiakleather.com/collections/kusiak-holsters/products/the-american-iwb-holster

Based on where the clip is that looks like a “deep conceal” holster. I’ve carried that way with a High Noon Holsters leather holster. Great for concealment, especially with the claw, but slow draw and the barrel sits too deep to be comfortable for me.

[boscobarbell]

Based on where the clip is that looks like a “deep conceal” holster. I’ve carried that way with a High Noon Holsters leather holster. Great for concealment, especially with the claw, but slow draw and the barrel sits too deep to be comfortable for me.

I just checked the holster I've been using this week...a Foxx IWB that I actually bought for my RM380. (The crazy thing is that it fits my MK9.). That holster carries the Kahr just like the Kusiak I linked. The bad news is that it does ride a bit low, so it may dig into the groin for some people. But the good news is that it digs into your abdomen a bit less because it rides slightly lower. I guess that is the inevitable tradeoff.

[berettabone]

Carried AIWB......................

[boscobarbell]

Carried AIWB......................

Is that the High Noon? Nice looking holster, especially for the price.

[DavidR]

I carried AIWB for years with similar High Noon Holsters (CM9, CT380 and P365). They work well for deeper concealment. If you prefer a combat draw the holster itself still works well but without a claw the grip is more prone to printing.

https://i.imgur.com/GEjvhtWl.jpg

[Ed M]

Maybe this simple comparison will help.

For me, holster thickness matters. Without buying pants to specifically carry IWB, I need a thin holster, and a thin gun.

The top holster is a High Noon "Private Matter" ($70)

The middle holster is a Winthrop IWB ($30 on sale)

Bottom holster is a Kusiak Minimalist ($50)

HUGE difference in thickness.

16500

[boscobarbell]

Maybe this simple comparison will help.

For me, holster thickness matters. Without buying pants to specifically carry IWB, I need a thin holster, and a thin gun.

The top holster is a High Noon "Private Matter" ($70)

The middle holster is a Winthrop IWB ($30 on sale)

Bottom holster is a Kusiak Minimalist ($50)


HUGE difference in thickness.

16500


That's very helpful. The Kusiak is just too damn big, IMHO. Why carry a smaller gun when the holster is gigantic?

[berettabone]

Is that the High Noon? Nice looking holster, especially for the price. Yes it is. Someone else is using that holster now...……………………………….I used it the most when wearing dress clothes.

[Ed M]

That's very helpful. The Kusiak is just too damn big, IMHO. Why carry a smaller gun when the holster is gigantic?

Kusiak on top, Winthrop in the middle, High Noon on bottom.

Don't be confused by the flared mouth of the Kusiak - it's the thinnest, and easiest to reholster. If you get a High Noon, don't get the model I have. Maybe the one berettabone had is a lot thinner, but mine is like wearing a brick.

I should also mention my High Noon was made for my MK9, the Winthrop for a CW9, and the Kusiak for my P365.

16501

[boscobarbell]

Kusiak on top, Winthrop in the middle, High Noon on bottom.

Don't be confused by the flared mouth of the Kusiak - it's the thinnest, and easiest to reholster. If you get a High Noon, don't get the model I have. Maybe the one berettabone had is a lot thinner, but mine is like wearing a brick.

I should also mention my High Noon was made for my MK9, the Winthrop for a CW9, and the Kusiak for my P365.

16501

My concern, though, is that the wide mouth is going to a) be far wider inside the pants, and b) print considerably more.

I bought a similar holster over the internet for my little J-frame, and that flared opening made it feel like I was trying to get a Model 19 into my pants! I ended up scrapping it and bought a Relentless Tactical holster that is just a thin and very flexible suede holster.

I should point out that I never rehoister in the waist with appendix carry...I take the holster out, rehoister the weapon, and then put it back in my waist. Just not taking any chances! So that feature is really wasted on me.

[DavidR]

. If you get a High Noon, don't get the model I have. Maybe the one berettabone had is a lot thinner, but mine is like wearing a brick.


16501

I have a couple of the High Noons with the sweat guard for the CM9 and CT380. I didn’t carry them much because they are thick. I much prefer thin Kydex.

[gb6491]

I have a couple of the High Noons with the sweat guard for the CM9 and CT380. I didn’t carry them much because they are thick. I much prefer thin Kydex.
The thinnest kydex holster I have is from FIST ( http://www.fist-holsters.com/storage-prod/iwb-holsters/sampel-12h-159i-160l-167-3-192-224-225-226-227-detail.html ). They call it ultra thin kydex now, but when I got mine years ago they had the actual measurement listed. It's pretty thin, but has held up to a lot of wear/carry. Here it is (with my P32):
https://i.postimg.cc/yxqmkXZ8/1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/DZQZPqNZ/2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

I have one of those Fist also, it really is super thin but pretty tough. Had it a long time, not sure why I don't use it more. I best dig it out and try it some more.

[boscobarbell]

The thinnest kydex holster I have is from FIST ( http://www.fist-holsters.com/storage-prod/iwb-holsters/sampel-12h-159i-160l-167-3-192-224-225-226-227-detail.html ). They call it ultra thin kydex now, but when I got mine years ago they had the actual measurement listed. It's pretty thin, but has held up to a lot of wear/carry. Here it is (with my P32):
https://i.postimg.cc/yxqmkXZ8/1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/DZQZPqNZ/2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Regards,
Greg

Wow...that is a significant difference. Just about the thinnest imaginable.

[Bawanna]

I took mine out of the drawer this morning and been wearing it all day. Very comfortable, excellent retention and the metal belt clip is extremely positive. I wear a thick 1 1/2 belt and it's actually difficult to get off. I don't recall why I put it in the drawer but it won't be going back there any time soon.

[Wlfman13]

Yes it is. Someone else is using that holster now...……………………………….I used it the most when wearing dress clothes.

That someone is me! Thank you for selling it to me, Berettabone!

Also, thank you to Ohsheepdog13 for selling your Stealthgear AIWB holster with a claw to me.

Between the two holsters, I have now become very comfortable carrying my MK9 AIWB. Seemed uncomfortable at first, for every reason others have mentioned with regard to that style of carry, BUT the pros outweighs the perceived cons.

So, I now carry my MK9 in the following. It just depends on what I’m wearing/what I am doing that day.

Sticky SM5 holster @ 4:00.
Desantis Nemesis MK IWB holster @ 4:00.
Desantis Nemesis Pocket Holster in front pocket
High Noon AIWB @ 1:00. (not adjustable, but rides high and is tuckable)
StealthGear AIWB w/claw @ 2:00. (Adjustable, invisible when tucked except for the belt clips)

-Wlf

[Oldman51]

I carry my mk9 in highnoon holsters, I have 3, all are used as aiwb. Mr softy, upper cut and private matter.

[Oldman51]

Aiwb is a tricky find, looking for the one that fits your particular frame etc.

[Oldman51]

Highnoon makes the private matter which is thin leather w/slide guard.
Highnoonholsters.com

[Oldman51]

I carry aiwb also depending on wardrobe. My mk9 sits well wherever I put it. Carrying it since 2002.