Everything You Need to Know About Sig Sauer P225 IWB Holster
Sep 13th 2021
SIG Sauer has been manufacturing handguns and other firearms for law-enforcement officers, military personnel, and private citizens for decades. If you’re interested in carrying one of its more classic designs, such as the P225, you need a quality holster to match.
You should never compromise on the quality of your CCW holster. Your concealed handgun is there to save your life, and your ability to carry it safely and draw it reliably is critical to your protection in a self-defense scenario.
SIG Sauer P225
The SIG Sauer P225 is a hammer-fired, double-action/single-action (DA/SA) semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9mm Luger. As a compact variant of the P220, the P225 is fed from an 8-round, single-stack magazine.
Its successor, the P226, introduced in 1984, substituted a comparatively high-capacity 15-round magazine and was adopted by the United States Navy in 1989 as the Mk25. The P228, a compact variant of the P226 fed from a 13-round magazine, was adopted as the M11.
As a double-action/single-action handgun, you can fire the P225 in two different ways. If you manually retract the slide or cock the hammer with your thumb, pressing the trigger performs one action: it releases the hammer.
The trigger press is lighter and shorter as a result. If the hammer is down, pressing the trigger will both cock and release the hammer, requiring more force and a longer trigger press.
Due to the popularity of the SIG P228, the P225 has gradually seen less use over the years. However, there are still those who choose to carry the P225 or the newer P225-A1 for self-defense.
IWB Holsters for the P225
There are a variety of holster designs available for concealed and open carry. While the SIG P225 is not as compact as some modern concealed-carry handguns, it’s sufficiently concealable to be worn in an IWB holster.
IWB, or inside the waistband, is the standard for concealed-carry holsters. You wear the holster inside your pants, attached to your belt using one or more belt clips and nestled snugly against your hip (strong side or cross draw), abdomen (appendix carry), or the small of your back.
This increases concealment, as part of the holster is hidden below your beltline. IWB carry also holds the holster more firmly against your body than OWB holsters, reducing printing.
IWB holsters can be uncomfortable to wear with some handgun types, depending on bulk. You should consider the gun’s height — i.e., the distance between the top of the rear sight and bottom of the magazine floor plate — and the barrel length. These dimensions can affect both your comfort while carrying and also the concealability of the weapon.
For example, a long-barreled handgun is unsuitable for AIWB (appendix inside the waistband). Fortunately, the P225’s barrel length is within the typical range for many compact service handguns at 3.86”.
Kydex Holsters
Kydex is a rigid and water-resistant thermoplastic, and Kydex offers several advantages as an IWB holster material. As holster manufacturers thermoform Kydex to the exterior shape of the handgun, it creates a perfect fit. Impervious to moisture, including perspiration; oil; and cleaning solvents, it’s inherently more durable than leather.
Adjustable Retention
When you’re carrying a firearm, you should determine the retention — i.e., how tightly or loosely the holster holds the weapon. If you want to reduce the tension between the holster and the gun, allowing for an easier draw, you should be able to adjust this using retention screws. Kydex holsters that rely on friction to retain the weapon are usually adjustable.
Protected Trigger Guard
The SIG P225, as a DA/SA handgun with no manual safety, is designed to be carried in Condition 2: full magazine inserted, round chambered, hammer down. The first shot will be double action. While the double-action trigger press is longer and heavier, this doesn’t eliminate the need for a fully enclosed trigger guard. If foreign debris is allowed to enter the trigger guard, it could cause an unintentional discharge.
Furthermore, a covered trigger guard ensures that you’re always practicing trigger discipline. It should not be possible for your index finger to touch the trigger until you’ve completely drawn the gun.
Consider Carrying Spare Ammo
The SIG P225 is not a high-capacity weapon. While most defensive shootings are resolved in relatively few shots fired, a gun fight is inherently unpredictable and dynamic. If you determine that the 8+1 capacity of your P225 is not enough for your peace of mind, you can always carry a spare magazine in a pouch on your belt. You should be able to retrieve the spare magazine using your support hand as you press the magazine catch with your strong hand.
Incognito Concealment SIG Holsters
At Incognito Concealment, we mold IWB holsters to fit a wide variety of SIG Sauer handguns, both classic and new. If you find, however, that we don’t currently stock a holster to fit your preferred gun model, we also custom-mold our holsters according to customer requirements. Call us at (586) 333-4240, and we can discuss the perfect holster for your concealed-carry needs.
