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Many years ago I bought a Bianchi Model 82 holster for a Glock 19. (This is the one with the retention lock.) I really liked it, but figured IWB was better for daily concealed carry, so I didn't use it much. The OWB does offer an advantage in allowing a slightly faster draw than a tuck-in IWB holster.

Then I started wearing the Bianchi around the house. I loved the fact that any small frame Glock and even a Ruger SR9C would work in it. Since I like to rotate for daily carry in the house, I ordered the same Bianchi 82 for the large frame Glock (G20, 21) and was happy to learn it works as well for the bigger frames as they do for the small frame models.

Then I ordered A DeSantis Speed Scabbard for my 1911. Bianchi doesn't make the 82 for the Kimber Custom TLE/RL II. The DeSantis works great as well, even though it doesn't have the retention feature.

The thing I like best about these is they are really more concealable than I thought. They hold the gun close to my side - unlike some of the Kydex OWB models.

So my question has probably been asked before, but since we can now carry OWB holsters concealed with greater peace of mind come January, is anyone else looking at leather OWB holsters that hold the gun close for concealment duty? And what kind have you found that work well?

I have an OWB AlienGear holster and shells for my Glock 19 and M&P Shield. Probably use that when OC'ing away from civilization due to the lack of retention features. However, when carrying around other people, I want to get a SafariLand GLS.

ShootDontTalk wrote:Many years ago I bought a Bianchi Model 82 holster for a Glock 19. (This is the one with the retention lock.) I really liked it, but figured IWB was better for daily concealed carry, so I didn't use it much. The OWB does offer an advantage in allowing a slightly faster draw than a tuck-in IWB holster.

Then I started wearing the Bianchi around the house. I loved the fact that any small frame Glock and even a Ruger SR9C would work in it. Since I like to rotate for daily carry in the house, I ordered the same Bianchi 82 for the large frame Glock (G20, 21) and was happy to learn it works as well for the bigger frames as they do for the small frame models.

Then I ordered A DeSantis Speed Scabbard for my 1911. Bianchi doesn't make the 82 for the Kimber Custom TLE/RL II. The DeSantis works great as well, even though it doesn't have the retention feature.

The thing I like best about these is they are really more concealable than I thought. They hold the gun close to my side - unlike some of the Kydex OWB models.

So my question has probably been asked before, but since we can now carry OWB holsters concealed with greater peace of mind come January, is anyone else looking at leather OWB holsters that hold the gun close for concealment duty? And what kind have you found that work well?

I use OWB holsters from DeSantis, Raven Concealment, BladeTech, and others for concealed carry under a loose outer shirt. That method is much more comfortable than IWB.

I have the majority of my holsters custom made to fit a specific gun, they are not that much more expensive than off the shelf mass produced brands. The exception is that I really like Galco holsters, I am not a fan of kydex so I want mine to be all leather. The 2 custom makers that I use are TT GunLeather and Zlogonje GunLeather.

I currently have two OWB holsters on order from Safariland/Bianchi, both for my new Glock 17.

One is the synthetic 578 GLS paddle holster, which I also ordered the belt loops for, and the other is a Model 7 Shadow II pancake style in leather. Both holsters have retention mechanisms. The Model 7 uses a traditional thumb snap, and the 578 uses a releasing trigger that is activated by the middle finger as you grasp the grip with index finger properly indexed outside the holster. The 578 has adjusting mechanisms to adapt it to different firearms. The demo video shows it being adjusted to accommodate both a G19 and an XDS. Since it is offered as "G17 friendly", I am betting I'll be able to use it for several of my other pistols. I bought the pancake holster specifically for OCing the G17, and the other one as a "grab and go" holster for general use. I do like that Grizzle "Working Man" though, and may acquire one for my 5" Springfield 1911.

At one point I had a G31 and it fit fine in my G19 leather holsters without any adjusting. The word I get is that most guns that are the same general size and shape fit both all leather holsters and the hybrid leather/Kydex IWB stuff.

Next time I get out to El Paso I'm going to check out the holsters from El Paso Saddlery. Their leather craftsmen/ladies come over from Mexico and make some great leather goods. If I can figure out how to get a good photo, I'll post my cowboy shooting rig from them.

Thanks for the photos and ideas to all.