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Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:25 pm
by silverbear
Hi everyone, I have a Glock 26 I will be using for carry when I have plastic in hand. My original thought was to get an MTAC holster, but as I think about when I might carry - which is to and from work, and when running around with my family - I was thinking maybe a single clip leather rig might be a better solution for my type of use, as well as easy on/off. What's your experience with single clip holsters? Will they do the job for holstering a subcompact or should I just go with an MTAC?
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:36 pm
by A-R
silverbear wrote:Hi everyone, I have a Glock 26 I will be using for carry when I have plastic in hand. My original thought was to get an MTAC holster, but as I think about when I might carry - which is to and from work, and when running around with my family - I was thinking maybe a single clip leather rig might be a better solution for my type of use, as well as easy on/off. What's your experience with single clip holsters? Will they do the job for holstering a subcompact or should I just go with an MTAC?
I use a HighNoonHolsters.com tuckable single belt-clip holster for my S&W J-frame and my Glock 27 (same holster doubles for my Walther PPS). They are good in a pinch, but I wouldn't want to wear one all day. I used to take my holster off and put it back on a lot; now that I'm "self employed" I don't do so much anymore. If I need to disarm (school, post office etc.) I just take the gun out but continue wearing the holster. If it's a work situation where you want to have it on way to work, take off everything while at work (rules

), then put it back on after leaving work, then a single clip holster will work OK. Paddle holster will work even better if you can conceal it. It's also not that much more trouble to put on a belt-slide OWB holster (i can actually do this easier in a car than a single clip IWB).
Also, depending on how long you'll be carrying it and where, pocket carry might work. And for driving in the car, an ankle holster might be worthwhile (much easier to draw from an ankle holster than belt holster while sitting in a car).
Anyway, you're likely going to need more than one holster anyway. So go ahead and get an MTAC or Crossbreed for when you will be carrying the gun for extended periods of time (trust us, they are MUCH more comfortable than single-clip IWB holsters for extended wear). Then figure out your alternative carry solutions.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:25 pm
by PBratton
I use Tucker Gunleather's Silent Thunder on my compact 45.
Works great.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:22 pm
by grad_Student
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Merchan ... ct_Code=BA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ended up getting this until I can afford (birthday is coming) a CompTac CTAC. Should come in tomorrow, I'll let you know how I like it.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:47 pm
by silverbear
Let me know, there's one on ebay now.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:53 pm
by mr surveyor
I've been using a Don Hume 715, single clip, that I bought out of the used holster bin for $15 that nicely fit a KT PF9.... turned out it was made for a compact 1911, and fit my Kimber Compact perfectly, and now carries my Kahr cw9 perfectly. It's very easy in and out of the waistband, particularly nice for those occassions when you just have to disarm in the vehicle.
surv
edit to add: the DH 715 is available for a pretty wide variety of handguns, I believe
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:08 pm
by silverbear
mr surveyor wrote:I've been using a Don Hume 715, single clip, that I bought out of the used holster bin for $15 that nicely fit a KT PF9.... turned out it was made for a compact 1911, and fit my Kimber Compact perfectly, and now carries my Kahr cw9 perfectly. It's very easy in and out of the waistband, particularly nice for those occassions when you just have to disarm in the vehicle.
surv
edit to add: the DH 715 is available for a pretty wide variety of handguns, I believe
Yes, that was actually the one I had in mind when I started considering this type of holster. I also want to get a pocket holster like a Desantis Nemisis or Mika pocket holster as I see many opportunities to use a pocket holster frequently.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:13 pm
by A-R
silverbear wrote:
Let me know, there's one on ebay now.
This is the one I have (two actually) that I wrote about in my first reply ...
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product ... ision.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
IMHO, being tuckable is worth the extra $10.
As these types of holsters go, High Noon makes a good one. Just beware that these "in stock" holsters at this price are typically cowhide, not horsehide (not a big deal) AND do not have anything rigid sewn into the opening to hold it open - so one-handed reholstering is difficult. Their horsehide holsters come with a rigid metal or polymer insert, but at more than $100 not really worth it (IMHO) unless you plan to use a single-clip holster as your primary.
Another good one you can try is the Galco Summer Comfort and/or Royal Guard (same holster, I think, just made of different material and thus different price). These utilize a more robust leather belt loop system (other holster makes have this same design, Milt Sparks comes to mind, but Galco's are usually readily available.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:43 pm
by silverbear
austinrealtor wrote:This is the one I have (two actually) that I wrote about in my first reply ...
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product ... ision.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
IMHO, being tuckable is worth the extra $10.
As these types of holsters go, High Noon makes a good one. Just beware that these "in stock" holsters at this price are typically cowhide, not horsehide (not a big deal) AND do not have anything rigid sewn into the opening to hold it open - so one-handed reholstering is difficult. Their horsehide holsters come with a rigid metal or polymer insert, but at more than $100 not really worth it (IMHO) unless you plan to use a single-clip holster as your primary.
Another good one you can try is the Galco Summer Comfort and/or Royal Guard (same holster, I think, just made of different material and thus different price). These utilize a more robust leather belt loop system (other holster makes have this same design, Milt Sparks comes to mind, but Galco's are usually readily available.
The Split Decision looks like the direction I want to go. Plus being tuckable is good and not an option I have seen on these "clip" type holsters. (I should have looked a little harder - the first time I looked over the website, all I saw was $100+ items.) I think I prefer the clip instead of the belt loop that the Galco and others have.
How did you like the cant angle on the Split Decision?
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:23 pm
by A-R
silverbear wrote:How did you like the cant angle on the Split Decision?
I won't use a strong-side belt holster of any kind that is not canted forward. Rides much more comfortably and draws faster. And conceals a bit better too.
I'm right-handed and I usually wear all my belt holsters at about 3:30 to 4:00 sometimes as far back as 4:30 (these are clock positions assuming your belly button is at 12:00).
The High Noon will slide around in your belt a bit, compared to a double-strut design like MTAC or Crossbreed. But if you get a good strong belt (
http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=31517" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and cinch it up tight you shouldn't have any major problems.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:33 pm
by AggieMM
+1 on the Split Decision, I have this for my Kahr CW9 and love it. Fits nicely, holds the firearm well, and is "easy" to unholster when I need to pick up the kids from school.
http://highnoonholsters.com/Product_Lin ... ision.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ryan
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:10 am
by fm2
I wouldn't recommend those metal clip holsters. There are some holsters that have a single or double leather strap that snaps.They are easy to take off when needed, but secure and stabilize the holster to the belt the rest of the time.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:46 am
by pcernuch
i carry a g27, i have the $90 crossbreed, and a $30 don hume single metal clip i picked up from CTD. i use the don hume everyday. i cannot carry at work, but carry 100% of the time i am not a work. the single metal clip makes it easy to take off my pistol and store it in the vehicle when i get to work, and just as easy to put back on when i am off work for the day. the crossbreed is a great holster, it is just a bit more work.
god bless.
Re: Subcompact owners, your thoughts on single clip IWB holsters
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:47 am
by A-R
pcernuch wrote:i carry a g27, i have the $90 crossbreed, and a $30 don hume single metal clip i picked up from CTD. i use the don hume everyday. i cannot carry at work, but carry 100% of the time i am not a work. the single metal clip makes it easy to take off my pistol and store it in the vehicle when i get to work, and just as easy to put back on when i am off work for the day. the crossbreed is a great holster, it is just a bit more work.
god bless.
That's a good explanation of the benefits and defencies of each.