5 Things You Must Know About Concealed Carry Holsters

Have you recently obtained your concealed carry license and handgun, or are you planning to do so soon? Here are five things you need to know about concealment holsters to avoid the most common beginner’s mistakes and make your transition to deep concealment in public as easy as possible.

1. Pick a Handgun You Can Shoot Comfortably

   Your handgun choice determines what type of holster you’ll need. While there is no shortage of lists and recommendations detailing which models are the best concealed-carry guns, selecting a handgun you are proficient with should be your priority.

   Even if smaller and more easily concealable handguns are available, you must prioritize your ability to operate your carry gun as safely, comfortably, and accurately as possible.

   For example, even if the Glock 26 or Glock 42 are easier to conceal, they may be less comfortable and harder to shoot - you may prefer the mid-size Glock 19 or even the full-size Glock 17. There are concealment holsters for all these models.

2. Leather Isn’t the Best Holster Material (Anymore)

   While leather is the quintessential traditional gun holster material, sharing a history as long as the handguns they accept, it has numerous drawbacks. Leather holsters tend to be in the upper range of holster prices, require regular maintenance to avoid wearing out prematurely, and cannot offer the tight retention of more modern materials.

   A Kydex holster is made of a durable thermoplastic material that is custom-fitted for your handgun or a small number of models with identical dimensions It is durable, long-lasting, affordable, and ideal for everyday use.

3. Avoid Niche Holster Styles

   There are holsters for many carry styles and positions: shoulder holsters, pocket holsters, belly-band holsters, and more. However, the carrying style favored by most gun owners is the traditional belt holster, supported by a gun belt.

   Standard belt-mounted holsters include IWB and OWB and offer the best retention, safety, and opportunities for adjustment. A customizable belt-mounted concealment holster lets you customize the belt clip, ride height, orientation angle, and other factors to improve and fine-tune your concealment.

If you are a beginner, the safest choice for concealed carrying is a belt-mounted model, either IWB or OWB.



4. Don’t Treat the Holster as an Afterthought

   While spending time selecting the best handgun for you is essential, one of the most common newcomer mistakes is spending too little time and money picking a holster.

   Cheap gun holsters may be inexpensive, but they may not offer the safety, retention, or overall reliability you need to conceal-carry your handgun. Potential dangers include a weak belt clip that risks wearing out or breaking, an overly soft holster shell that can actuate the trigger, or a poorly-fitting product that doesn’t offer adequate retention, either too loose or too tight.

   A high-quality holster should fit your handgun perfectly, protect your trigger guard from unauthorized or accidental access, and feature robust mounting hardware. Depending on the type of holster you need, look for models with additional comfort features, such as contoured shells, a sweat guard, or support for a mod wing.

5. You’ll Need Some Time to Adapt

   Even if you make all the correct decisions regarding your handgun and holster, wearing one for the first time may not immediately feel right. This phenomenon is normal, especially with specific holster configurations like IWB carry, a light-bearing handgun, etc.

   The best way to get used to carrying your new handgun and holster is to wear it every day at home in the configuration you would use for concealment. Try different positions and activities while wearing it (e.g., while sitting at the computer, doing chores, climbing up and down the stairs, and so forth).

   The objective is to train yourself to avoid constantly readjusting your holster as you carry it, then get used to the weight and feel of the holster until it becomes second nature.

Trust Your Holster, Trust Incognito Concealment

At Incognito Concealment, our mission is to help American gun owners equip themselves with the best concealment holsters at the best possible prices. All our holster products are 100% hand-crafted by our team in the United States and covered by our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Contact us today at (586) 333-4240

for more information.