1.) What practical suggestions do you have for modifying/replacing wardrobe items for IWB? Is waist+2" a good rule, should I measure, etc.MaduroBU wrote:With all that said, my actual questions:
Rule #1: Get a good gun belt. A good belt with a poor holster is significantly better than a good holster with a bad belt. Of course, a good holster with a good belt is even better.
What is a good gun belt? Well, I find that these photos help illustrate that perfectly:
The belt should be lined with Kydex, and that will help eliminate sag as much as possible. For me, I wear IWB, and I use a Crossbreed Supertuck. I opted for the velcro clips on the holster, so I bought the belt with the velcro already installed. It works well for me. Once I've worn the holster for about 5 minutes, it locks in, and won't move all day long.
Mine is a Comp-Tac belt, but I know there are many other good ones as well.
About belt size...yes, about 2 inches more if you're going to wear IWB. It's worth it for me. I've tried some OWB holsters, and I just prefer the snugness of the gun tighter against my body. But bodies are different, as are preferences, so many others prefer IWB, and I think you have to do what is best for you.
2.) Have any of you fancy lawyers/businesspeople gone out and had a carry/non-carry set of pants made for your suits? How do you keep an IWB from tearing up a Super 120? Do you just use a shoulder holster in that circumstance?
I travel a lot to some interesting places, so I have a tailor in Bangkok that makes all my dress pants. He's the kind of guy who says, "You wear your watch on the left side, so I'll make that cuff 1/2 inch bigger." So, I brought my IWB holster on a trip one time, and he got a feel for what I needed. Every pair of pants he makes now is slightly larger, but only on that side (so the front and back gig lines stay centered. He also makes my shirt tails longer so it helps with the extra tuck I like to have around the gun.
He also puts in just a little extra fabric layer where the front sight of my gun rubs against the pant leg. That helps eliminate the inevitable hole that can be caused by wearing the gun there.
3.) What sort of belt goes well with shorts and can support a relatively heavy pistol?
I only buy shorts with belt loops, so I use the same gun belt with those as well.