How to Use an OWB Holster for Glock 26

The Glock 26 is the first model in the Austrian gunmaker’s line of subcompact pistols. Known to Glock fans and enthusiasts as the “Baby Glock,” the Glock 26 safe-action handgun is an excellent choice for concealed carrying and personal protection.

If you own a Glock 26 and are interested in concealed carrying using an OWB holster, follow these tips for maximizing safety and concealment.

Why Choose an OWB Holster for Concealed Carrying?

Although  outside the waistband holsters (OWB) are typically used in open-carrying applications such as police duty holsters, many shooters choose this type of holster for concealed carrying due to their comfort and convenience.

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An OWB gun holster rides on the outside of your pants, so you don’t need to make the same wardrobe changes as with an IWB holster, like wearing pants in a size larger, and your gun is not wedged between the waistband and your body. The shooter’s only concern is ensuring their cover garments hide the holster effectively.

Making OWB Work for You

If you wish to carry a concealed handgun in an OWB tactical holster, you will need to wear an additional cover garment, such as a suit, a jacket, or a coat. Here are the best practices to get the best comfort and maximum concealment when concealed carrying with an OWB carry holster.

Use a Proper Gun Belt

You need  a high-quality gun belt no matter what type of belt holster you use. A good gun belt has the strength and stiffness to support the weight of your gun and keep the holster in the correct position.

The gun belt supports your entire carry system. In other words, using a high-quality holster won’t matter without a quality gun belt. A regular dress belt isn’t designed to hold the weight of a quality combat holster, handgun, and other extras, such as extra magazines and carriers. Ill-fitting belts are uncomfortable, and belts that are not strong enough to support a gun may fail.

Choose a Smaller Handgun

When imagining OWB holsters, most gun owners picture a full-size handgun riding on the hip of a police officer, military personnel, or open-carrying citizen. Just because you prefer to carry OWB that doesn’t mean you have to use a larger handgun.

Choosing a smaller handgun means your gun and holster have a smaller profile and print less, making it easier to conceal your firearm. If you pick a corresponding discreet holster, even an OWB holster, it will be easier to carry concealed.

If your handgun is  the Glock 26, you already have one of the most concealable pistols on the market. Compared to its full-size equivalent, the Glock 17, the G26 is about 20% shorter in length and 24% less in height, making it easier to conceal.

Holster models for G26 handguns are also interchangeable with holsters for the Glock 27 (.40 S&W) and Glock 33 (.357 SIG) due to these handguns sharing virtually identical dimensions with the Glock 26.

Although all Glock semi-automatic pistols are generally lightweight due to their polymer-frame construction, the smaller concealed carry pistols such as the Glock 26 have the smallest dimensions and minimal weight even when fully loaded. This makes it easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry.

Select Proper Ride Height

When carrying OWB, ride height matters for concealment, just as it does with an IWB or AIWB holster. However, it may not be for the reasons you might think.

Because the OWB holster rides on the outside of your pants, using the wrong ride height presents the risk of exposing your tactical holster entirely instead of merely increasing the risk of printing from under your clothes. Depending on your local laws and jurisdiction, even a partially visible gun holster may be  construed as brandishing.

The lower your OWB concealment holster rides, the deeper below your waistline it will sit, and the longer your cover garment needs to be for adequate concealment. For example, suit jackets are typically cut to a specific length below the waistline; if your holster rides too low, it may ride past the hemline and become visible.

Ensure you use a holster with adjustable ride height, and prioritize a medium or high ride height to help your gun sit high enough for effective concealment. You can also fine-tune your holster’s concealment by changing its orientation options and adjustment features, such as adjustable cant and adjustable retention.

Adjusting Your Dress

When carrying a firearm in an OWB gun holster, hot weather and high temperatures make it more challenging to conceal carry. But there are steps you can take to keep cool without printing.

If leaving a T-shirt, polo shirt, or dress shirt untucked over your waistline isn’t enough, consider wearing a lightweight button-up outer shirt or equivalent summer-appropriate outer garment. Avoid anything with a slim or form-fitting cut because it will hug your body and cause your gun and holster to print.

Buy the Most Dependable Glock 26 OWB Holster Models Today

Incognito Concealment offers a wide range of OWB and  IWB holsters 100% U.S. hand-crafted and molded for a perfect fit. Our Limited Lifetime Warranty covers all our products.

If you need more information about our holster lineup and what type of holster and material is best for your lifestyle and handgun, call us at (586) 333-4240.