Everything You Need to Know About IWB Magazine Holsters

For concealed carry users, holsters are widely considered to be must-have equipment. However, magazine holsters are also useful for self-defense situations.

Magazine holsters, also called magazine holders or carriers, hold a spare magazine so that pistol owners can reload. Without an extra magazine, gun owners are limited to whatever ammo is in their gun. Since magazine holders are easy to carry, they are a worthwhile investment for concealed and open carry.

Do IWB Magazine Holsters Even Make Sense?

Many concealed carry laws require gun owners to fully obscure their gun and any accessories. Outside the Waistband (OWB) holsters and mag holders can be difficult to conceal in full compliance with laws, unless you wear a long jacket. In warm climates, jackets are not practical, and many concealed carriers would prefer to have more flexibility in their wardrobe.

When carried concealed, mag holders typically present no legal issue. They can be worn on the opposite side from the gun holster, making them easy to wear. A good IWB magazine holster can be perfectly comfortable, especially since it is much smaller than a gun holster.

Self-Defense Scenarios

Pistols are excellent weapons for self-defense because they can be carried just about anywhere. In a situation where a pistol owner is forced to defend themselves, the standard bullets in a magazine may not be enough.

Despite their extensive training, even police  struggle to hit their targets in a firefight. Even with plenty of practice at a shooting range, most civilians will struggle to hit a moving target from more than a few feet away. An assailant who is serious about harming you may continue to attack, even if one of your shots hits them.

While the vast majority of people will never have to worry about such a situation, it’s a possibility. The dangers are especially real in high-risk careers like private investigations or security. It’s important to carry as much backup ammunition as possible in order to handle any situation.

Why You Need a Mag Holder

Magazines should never be carried in a pocket. Pocket carrying is theoretically possible if you cover the magazine with something to protect it, but this makes it harder to use quickly. It can also be surprisingly tricky to remember which pocket the magazine is in, especially in an emergency.

An OWB or IWB mag carrier is much easier to use, especially if it is consistently used on the same side of the body. Practice drawing and using the extra magazine at a gun range, so that you can make the most of it when it counts. Reloading a gun quickly takes some practice, but it can save you precious seconds in a stressful situation.

Features of a Good Magazine Holder

Many magazine pouches are generally designed to fit a double-stack or single-stack magazine, instead of tailored to fit a specific gun model’s magazine. Mag pouches will often use snaps to stay closed, and this can make them tricky to open in a hurry.

A good magazine holder also won’t move around when it is being drawn. If a pouch or carrier moves unexpectedly, it can cause the magazine to get caught or stuck during the draw. A sturdy belt clip or other attachment should keep the pouch from swinging upward or otherwise moving.

Magazine Holster Materials

Magazine holders can be made from a range of materials, including nylon and leather. Magazine pouches made from these materials tend to be somewhat loose-fitting to allow the magazine to be inserted and removed without getting stuck.

These holster styles almost always require a flap of some sort to keep the mag in place. Plus, leather can be damaged by water, and woven nylon is generally not waterproof. Both do not protect the magazine from blunt-force damage.

A Kydex mag carrier is much stronger and can be just as light and easy to carry. Kydex is a thermoplastic that can be made thinner than leather without compromising strength. A good Kydex carrier will have screws to reinforce the carrier in key areas, plus a steel belt clip to keep it in place. Kydex is waterproof and strong to protect your magazine from the elements or trauma. 

Best CCW Mag Holsters

The best IWB mag holster is from Incognito Concealment. This Kydex holster is slim, yet secure, allowing it to be carried comfortably on either side of the body. It is custom-molded to fit magazines for many gun models, including pistols from Glock, CZ, Beretta, Colt, and SIG Sauer.

The IWB holster uses molded Kydex that is reinforced in key spots to help it last for years. The easy-to-use belt clip is available in two sizes, so it stays snug and secure on any user. Multiple mag holsters can be worn if desired, and their placement can be customized as needed. 

How to Wear One

Mag holders are typically worn on the user’s weak side, which allows the user to draw and insert the mag with their weak hand. This is the quickest and most natural way of reloading. Mag carriers can be worn just in front of or just behind the hip, depending on what’s comfortable for the user.

For IWB carry, most users wear pants one size larger than usual. If you are also carrying an IWB mag holder, this size increase is even more necessary. When wearing the mag holster, attach the belt clips snugly, and adjust the position of the mag holder as necessary for comfort.

A tucked-in shirt can make it harder to access a mag holder quickly, so shirttails should generally be left untucked for IWB carry. A jacket is still generally fine, especially if it is a blazer with only one or two buttons.

Holsters with Built-In Mag Carriers

Some holsters have built-in mag holders, which can seem like a convenient way to carry a gun and a holster at the same time. However, this is not the optimal configuration for self-defense, and can actually slow down draw time.

The fastest way to draw and aim a gun is to wear it on your strong side, but the fastest way to reload a gun is to carry the magazine on or near your weak side. This requires separate gun and magazine holsters worn on opposite sides of the body.

Carrying a Spare Gun

The “New York Carry,” or the practice of carrying a spare gun, is a classic move that’s not just popular in movies. Carrying an extra loaded gun eliminates reload time, allowing a gun owner to defend themselves more efficiently. This is part of the reason why police and soldiers carry backup weapons.

Carrying an entire extra gun isn’t always very practical for civilians. Concealing one gun comfortably is possible, but two can be very difficult with IWB carry. Although carrying two guns may be feasible with OWB holsters, using a spare mag carrier is still the best option for IWB carry. If you do carry an extra gun, make sure to buy an extra holster  instead of pocket or waistband carrying.

What About OWB Holsters?

OWB magazine holsters are often available in double- or single-holster options. These holders allow easy access to spare magazines without having to wear them inside pants.

For states with open carry laws, wearing an OWB or IWB mag holder is usually a matter of preference. OWB holsters can be just as safe as IWB holsters, and can even be easier to use thanks to their ease of access. Double-check local laws to make sure that magazines aren’t subject to additional limits or rules regarding visibility.

Best Pistol Holsters to Use With a Mag Holder

Neither OWB nor IWB holders are very useful if you can’t use your gun safely and effectively. A good concealed carry holster makes it easy to draw your pistol quickly, without the holster moving and getting caught on the barrel.

It’s also important to choose a holster that won’t accidentally press the magazine release while drawing your gun. This will cause you to have to reach for your spare magazine much sooner than expected, which may cost you critical seconds.

A Kydex IWB holster offers many of the same benefits as an IWB mag holster. A well-made IWB holster is slim and smooth, without pressing into the body enough to cause discomfort. Kydex allows this to be achieved while maintaining strength and retaining the pistol safely.

The Responsibility of Self-Defense

The right to carry a gun is also accompanied by responsibilities. Carrying the right equipment and learning how to use it safely are the top two responsibilities of any gun owner.

At Incognito Concealment, we take this responsibility to heart and have worked hard to create the best holsters possible. We use 0.80” Kydex to create holsters and mag holders that are both safe and comfortable. Our IWB and OWB options are designed to be easy to draw from, yet secure enough for everyday use.