You have to find what works, for you. My currently preferred setup is this TT Gunleather holster with a Magpul El Tejas belt.

 

At the very least, its an adjustment; and you gotta want it. When I’m carrying a pistol in a holster, you can bet it’s a LW Commander in an IWB. Before that, it was a BHP in an IWB. Been carrying IWB for about 25 years now, and it has become my preferred mode of carry; even in the field. I have learned that body type, and holster type need to be matched. I don’t care for Kydex when carrying IWB, with perhaps the exception of the rare instances I’m appendix carrying my LCP MAX, I’m good using Kydex for most anything but IWB. For me, the holster type that has worked out best is the Milt Sparks VM2, or similar holsters. I have a VM2, but I prefer to carry in an HBE Leatherworks Com3, which is just a better (for me) way to build the VM2 design. Thinner leather, lighter weight overall, its just more comfortable than my VM2.

What I love about IWB is the better/easier concealment. I can wear a pair of shorts and a t-shirt in the summer and conceal my LW Commander. During normal clothing days, it is easier to keep concealed. I also like that if the slide is long enough, or the holster is designed such that a good portion of the slide stays below the belt, that holds the pistol in place like a vice. If you go too short on the slide length, the belt tends to want to push the pistol up, and all day you feel like your pistol is trying to squirt out the top of hour holster. So I guess I’m saying match the gun, holster, and body type. I bought 3 other IWB holsters (good quality holsters too) before I landed on the VM2 design that I now prefer. But just because I like it doesn’t mean its going to work for you. You have to experiment. You may find the perfect holster, but you may also learn that IWB just isn’t for you. Don’t know of any shortcuts.

 

I am new to the “conceal” part of conceal carry. I can wear my Pro Carry Kimber all day at 4 o’clock OWB. I love my Alaskan guide chest holster for my gov 1911 and the leather OWB for that one as well.
Trying to find a comfortable way to carry IWB. I have a IWB kydex and a leather holster for the EZ9 that I am trying to get used to. Trying different positions; 4 o’clock, appendix. I am 5’-7” and thin. The way they bulge out I might as well be carrying OWB.
How do you get used to it?
I wear a lot of vests and have one that’s designed for conceal carry and am considering using a pocket holster and keeping it in the inside pocket. The inside pocket is about belly height and the entry is parallel with the zipper so access seems good. It’s also long enough that it covers all of the ProCarry when OWB.

Tips and ideas welcome.
Thanks.

I'm your build, I never could get used to it.
Seems like it's always digging in somewhere doesn't it?
I just go 3 o'clock OWB with two T shirts in the summer, one to tuck and the other to cover or shoulder rig in the winter months.

 

I never could get used to inside the waist. I just carry outside waist band. Some people just cannot do it.

 

Same here. I tried many different holsters with different pistols and still cant stand to carry iwb for more than an hour or 2. Maybe I still just have not found that perfect holster though.
OWB with even a full size 1911 is fine though.

 

I’m 6’3” and think…after 20 years of OWB I switched about 10 years ago to AIWB. The key is in the holster.
You said you’re using a kydex, so that’s right. What clip type? I found the only one that works for me is an offset clip-

look at the G-Code Incog- this is the only holster that I have left for AIWB. Can comfortably carry a G19 with it.

you want the ‘standard’ mojo and 4-hole clip.

This is the way.

G-Code Incog Eclipse

 

Tips and ideas welcome.

When I started out I had some comfort and concealment issues... I eventually tried a little cant and moved it back behind the hip bone and it was like magic... comfortable, concealed and easy to draw from. Everyone has a sweet spot and most have a box of holsters they tried before finding it.

As stated a good holster and belt make a huge difference.

 

IWB is of the devil. That said any iwb with a clip on the main body of the holster will bulge like hell. Nikerret above has the right idea. Belt loops on the sides of the holster will lay flat.

 

I really like the Cross Breed belly band system, gives you a lot of versatility and options. They also make a nice line of IWB and OWB holsters as well.

 

I am new to the “conceal” part of conceal carry. I can wear my Pro Carry Kimber all day at 4 o’clock OWB. I love my Alaskan guide chest holster for my gov 1911 and the leather OWB for that one as well.
Trying to find a comfortable way to carry IWB. I have a IWB kydex and a leather holster for the EZ9 that I am trying to get used to. Trying different positions; 4 o’clock, appendix. I am 5’-7” and thin. The way they bulge out I might as well be carrying OWB.
How do you get used to it?
I wear a lot of vests and have one that’s designed for conceal carry and am considering using a pocket holster and keeping it in the inside pocket. The inside pocket is about belly height and the entry is parallel with the zipper so access seems good. It’s also long enough that it covers all of the ProCarry when OWB.

Tips and ideas welcome.
Thanks.

At 3:30-4:00 Vedder Light Tuck. Forward cant takes care of butt sticking out.
A lttle slower draw but more comfortable use Milt Sparks SSII.

 

I second Crossbreed. I was converted a year or so ago on several of their products. All day wear comfort with no printing with untucked shirt or cover garment. The key to success in IWB is to dress for your carry. Many do not get this or try to wear t-shirts that are too tight, etc. just wear one size up in pants and tops. If you are a XL shirt wearer try a 2X with your gun. If you are a 32 waist wear 33 or 34—also get and wear a real gun belt.

 

In a Mexican accent….”holsters? We don need no stinkin holsters!”

Pull pin and ducks….
I dont use em. My pants fit.

 

I’m partial to the Milt Sparks Summer Special style, if I’m carrying iwb it’s that style be it the SS2 or a kydex Style.

A loose fitting relaxed style of shirt is needed to help with not seeing the bulge from the weapon, any shirt with a pattern is helpful.

Honestly people are always in a hurry and looking at their phones to notice much.
I carry a 1911 or a Glock-19 at about 330 with just a T-shirt and shorts in the summer with no issues.

 

Unfortunately... buy a lot of holsters. Eventually one will work.
In the warm months, I pocket carry a snub-nose. When it gets colder and I wear long-sleeves, I carry a Beretta PX4 Compact or 1911 Commander.

IWB will pull the grip closer to your torso than OWB. You will print much, much less with IWB. If you go OWB, get an oversize kydex holster so the barrel end presses against your thigh/buttocks and pushes the grip into your torso. For example, OWB, I carry my Beretta compact in a full size holster. The extra inch on the bottom of the holster pushes the grip into my torso. For my Commander, I use a Government holster for the same effect. What prints is the grip falling out and away from your torso.

A lot depends on body shape. I have an athletic build which opens a up a huge amount of concealable space at waist level. My favorite holster is the Milt Sparks VM-2. I just rotate the holster from 3-o'clock to 4:30-o'clock depending on if I'm standing or sitting. Except for the weight of an all-steel 1911, I can barely feel it. No pressure or hotspots sitting or standing.

To get to this point I've had to buy a couple cubic feet of holsters.

 

TTGunleather Slim XC at 3:30-4 o’clock. 👍🏻

 

How do you get used to it?

You simply don't have to.

Why go to IWB carry if OWB is working for you? The added concealment you typically get from going from OWB to IWB is mostly in your mind. Good belt, quality pancake holster, cover garment, and assuming you're not trying to conceal your Desert Eagle, you should be good to go.

 

Even with top name holsters IWB has never worked for me, even with larger waisted pants.

I accepted it and moved on.

I’ve gotten by for 50 years without doing what the cool kids are doing, I reckon I can make it another 15-20.

 

Try appendix carry. For skinny folk the "sidecar" holsters seem to work well.

For me a Commandet in a Vedder Light tuck at 1 o'clock works. You may want a wedge (foam pad) for comfort but like all things holsters it's trial and error.

Two huge advantages of appendix are that you don't flag the grip when you bend over and that you can easily draw when seated.

For hip IWB carry, the Milt Sparks VersaMax2 has been my go to 1911 holster.

 

If we all liked the same thing - there would be just one tired old gal…

 

I had to modify my IWB holster to make it sit lower in my pants to help with the bulge out.

I prefer OWB but don't like wearing jackets and baggy shirts.

 

if you like iwb try a sticky----I know , I , know----real men use leather----I have several , all owb leather , pancake and belt slide---but often times it's more convenient to slip gun and sticky behind the belt and truck on , particularly when it's a quick in and out at the local store----just sayin'....................

 

Do you have a box full of holsters you don't particularly like yet?
If the answer is no, you're asking this question too soon. 🤣

 

Every once in a while I find a gem in one of the many Boxes of Shame where I put a holster when seduced by "Oh Shiny" or "All New Improved" and it returns to the light of day. But it really is an individual thing and really does change and evolve over time and it really is what works for many may not work for me.

A couple great examples are in IWB my old Kramer Thomas Perfectionist is a delight and allows all day concealed or discrete carry of a full size 5" 1911 while the far more popular and very similar Summer Special II is a non-starter for me. I find the latter barely tolerable while the former is simply unnoticed. In OWB my old Roy's Original Pancake holster that spent decades in a Box of Shame now gets to go WalkAbout and is as comfortable as my newer Andrews Leather Tegu Lizard saddle and far less attention gathering.

Fortunately there are lots of choices out there and last long enough and you too may find that what didn't work then is exactly what's needed now.

Love me some Boxes of Shame finds.

 

IWB didn't work for me. My first holster was an Uncle Lou ordered from 5Shot, I never carried it outside the house, I gave the holster and its intended gun to my son. I carry OWB or on rare occasions in a shoulder holster.

 

I went thru several IWB holsters before I found out what worked. I tried some hybrid holsters and they were OK but not quite there. I'm 5'-9" and 190 lbs and typically carry a G19 sized pistol (although not a G19) or a S&W Shield in either 9mm or .45. All my IWB holsters are simple Kydex with a single clip. A good stiff belt is a must. Some wardrobe adjustments might be necessary too.

I've come around to carrying IWB in either Tulster Profile or Vedder Light Tuck holsters at 3:30 to 4:00. Both of these offer a lot of forward cant adjustment, and the Vedders are adjustable for ride height. Full forward cant puts the grip along my side. The back of the slide does print a little, but doesn't scream gun, average people don't know what they're looking at even if they notice it. Open carry is OK here so while I'd prefer no printing at all there aren't any legal issues with it.

The poster above who asked if you had a box of holsters you didn't like yet hit the nail right on the head.

 

I tried to like IWB carry and hated it. Over 30 years later I found an IWB holster that actually feels comfortable to wear all day with a full size gun. The StealthGear Ventcore IWB holster is made of an outer Kydex shell to fit the gun and an inner ventilated foam cushion material to breathe and provide comfort and protection from sweat. There is another, very important component to IWB carry, get pants with a larger than normal belt size and belt to be able to provide extra room for the IWB holster and gun. That and a good gun belt make all of the difference.

I started a law enforcement career back in the mid 80's and always preferred OWB belt holsters under loose fitting Hawaiian and 5.11 shirts. I was 5'7" and 145 lbs for several decades and had zero issues concealing my full size duty pistol, four spare magazines, and a set of handcuffs under Hawaiian shirts and 5.11 shirts. When I hit 30, my weight went up to 167 lbs and I still could easily conceal my concealed duty gear under Hawaiian and 5.11 shirts.

I'm retired for 7 years now and my weight up to 192 lbs and still use Hawaiian and 5.11 shirts to conceal carry my full size 1911 in my preferred OWB belt holster with four spare magazines. Some times I will use my StealthGear Ventcore IWB holster if I'm going to the dentist (for cleanings and the occasional crown because of my worn out teeth) because lying down in the chair can sometimes expose my gun to printing or the bottom of the holster, with on OWB holster.

Link

My typical concealed carry under Hawaiian Shirts or 5.11 shirts, same as when I was working, but, now that I'm retired, so no handcuffs.