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Tucker Silent Thunder IWB Comfort?

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OldLincoln

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm trying not to hijack another thread so please help with this one.

I am looking very hard at the Tucker Slient Thunder IWB to carry my Kahr PM9. I have been reading reviews on this and other forums and all say the quality is first rate. The only thing keeping me from ordering is my concern over comfort. All seem to say it is comfortable in general so rig comfort is a given, but how about kydex against the skin. Most carry IWB with an undershirt between them and the holster, but I don't usually wear one in the summer.

StrykerDM gave a great review last June saying he lives in Florida where it is hot and humid, and that he often doesn't wear an undershirt. I suppose there are others too, so my question to Stryker and others is how comfortable is the kydex against skin after wearing it that way for several months?

Another consideration is that I'm probably 25lbs heavier than Stryker so would it be as comfortable for me?
 
#2 ·
I have been a die-hard OWB guy because I just couldn't find an IWB that was comfortable. After reading reviews of the Silent Thunder, I thought I'd try one for my SW1911ES. Received it in mid-January, so have had a little over a month with it. I LOVE IT! This is the first IWB I've found that I can actually wear comfortably. Fully adjustable for cant and retention, you can set it right where you want it. I don't wear a t-shirt under mine either. Kydex against the skin doesn't feel any different that leather against the skin. There's nothing sharp or sticking out that will dig in. I'm just one opinion, but the Silent Thunder is a winner in my book.
 
#3 ·
I havent had any experience with a kydex holster. I do however wear an IWB holster against my skin under a t-shirt. I have 2 bare asset holsters from high noon holsters and like them alot. The thing that is different with them that sticks out (figuratively) is the metal clip they use. I got them strickly because I wanted a clip. I dont put on my gun every and keep it on all day long. I take it on and off, so the clip makes it easy. But the part about the clip I like is the shape. I wish I had a camera. The bottom of it is a U that comes up instead of down and ... But anyway I wear mine against my skin and the little bit of the holster that is touching my skin (unless your not wearing underwear, lets not go any further down this road) is minimal.
 
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#4 · (Edited)
My personal opinion after having used the Tucker silent thunder to carry an all steel RIA 1911 and the Tucker Answer to carry an all steel commander 1911, is that the silent thunder might be better suited for lighter pistols. At least for me. The heavy RIA often pulled down my belt/pants with the single clip on the silent thunder. It don't have the same support issues with the dual clip Tucker Answer. Other than having difficulty supporting the weight of my gun, the silent thunder was very comfortable (I got it with the sweat shield as well). It being infinitely adjustable was great. I just found that to adequately support the heavy 1911, I had to cinch my belt awfully tight.

The silent thunder really shines as a "run to the store" holster. Its much easier to slip on an off (much more so than a dual clip holster...the kydex gives it a slickness that lets it slide in and out well). This really comes in handy getting off at the post office when you need to take your pistol off, throwing your gun on to run to the store, etc. I often have to undo my belt/pants to slip on my dual clip Tucker Answer. My old silent thunder can usually be slipped on without much fuss.

If you intend to use the silent thunder on a light gun such as a Kahr, I bet it will be perfect. I have a Tucker Cover Up for my Smith and Wesson J-frame that works amazingly well. The revolver is a small, light pistol (much like many Kahrs) and conceals VERY well with something such as the Tucker Cover up. The Silent thunder is essentially a "kydex" Cover up holster since they are both essentially the same style. The kydex makes one-hand reholstering much easier than without it. On the Cover Up, it does collapse in on itself when you unholster. I think that this collapsability also lends the Cover Up to be slightly more comfortable than the silent thunder (but ths kydex holster is not uncomfortable, if that makes sense).

Oh, and I live in hot, humid Houston TX :rock: As far as kydex being uncomfortable against your skin in the summer, I never found it to be a problem. I mostly wore undershirts with it because I didn't want to sweat all over my gun in the hot summer, not because the kydex felt funny against my side. I really feel that the big limitation of a single clip holster is how much weight it can comfortably support. YMMV, but I feel they're better suited to lighter guns (much like your kahr). Its really just a matter of whether you want easy re-holstering. They also make a Cover Up Plus that has a reinforced mouth. I might get one myself once I track down the lightweight aluminum frame 1911 I've been looking for. Thats another option if you're still worried about the kydex.
 
#5 ·
As rico says, there is really no sharp or rough edges on the back of the Silent Thunder. Here's what the back of mine looks like. The kydex sweat shield is nicely rounded as well and actually very comfortable. It keeps that pesky thumb safety from digging into your side.

(sorry its not the best pic, but its all I have on photobucket at the moment)
Image
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
StrykerDM said:
The silent thunder really shines as a "run to the store" holster.
Click to expand...
You nailed my grab and go need. That's what I like about the pocket holster, but the Kahr is a lot larger than the Mustang PocketLite.

Thanks to all of you who have now twisted my arm (more like convincing me to do what I wanted!). I'll be ordering my very own ST soon.
 
#9 ·
Silent Thunder

BrettM said:
I found that its one of the most uncomfortable iwb's ive ever worn.I gave it away shortly after i bought it and the friend that i gave it to has since given it to someone else.
Brett
Click to expand...

Fortunately, your experience is not typical. Nothing fits everyone, however, and we'd have refunded your money if you'd asked.

Sorry it wasn't comfortable for you, Brett.

Rob
 
#10 ·
Hey Rob,i understand about it not being right for everyone.I will say that it was a very well built holster so im not putting it down just relaying my experience.It was just sitting in my holster crate with all of the others that ive bought and couldnt get used to and i had a friend that wanted to give it a try and he couldnt find a comfortable position to wear it in either.I will say that if you guys would build a leather iwb with a reinforced mouth i woud give one of them a try,but i was told that you couldnt make one like that.So to be fair i think you guys build a hell of a nice and very well built holster,just not comfortable for me,and i dont usually try to return something ive worn for a while,i dont think thats fair to you,but i do apreciate the offer.Thanks anyway.
Brett
 
#11 ·
Holster return

BrettM said:
Hey Rob,i understand about it not being right for everyone.I will say that it was a very well built holster so im not putting it down just relaying my experience.It was just sitting in my holster crate with all of the others that ive bought and couldnt get used to and i had a friend that wanted to give it a try and he couldnt find a comfortable position to wear it in either.I will say that if you guys would build a leather iwb with a reinforced mouth i woud give one of them a try,but i was told that you couldnt make one like that.So to be fair i think you guys build a hell of a nice and very well built holster,just not comfortable for me,and i dont usually try to return something ive worn for a while,i dont think thats fair to you,but i do apreciate the offer.Thanks anyway.
Brett
Click to expand...
Brett, we wouldn't prominently display our return policy if we did't mean it, so just send it on back for a refund. Someone else will get a deal on it.
 
#12 ·
I carry my Ultra Crimson in a IWB Silent Thunder and it works perfectly for me. I adjusted it to fit me and once done I found it almost disappeared.
(I don't want my gun to disappear)
An original superior product, being leather lined kydex and as Rob said return it if you don't like it, what do ya got lose.
 
#14 ·
I have found simply pushing it to a cant that feels comfy is all I need, and I can make it ready for driving, it's easy on and easy off, but I am a little fatty and I love the holster. I was trying too hard, once I let it do it's job I fell in love. got another on order!
 
#17 ·
Dude get it! You wont even know its there. I have one for my K40. I just got it last week... I love it...
 
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#18 ·
I've been carrying a Kimmy UC II for about a month in a ST holster. It tucks tight to the body and does a great conceal job. The adjustable cant enables the wearer to find that sweet spot. Most of the time I forget it's even there. I couldn't be more pleased with this holster. Along with any holster you need a good belt. So make a belt part of the rig. IMHO
 
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JohnnyBmore
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