When it comes to low-vis concealed carry, Appendix Inside The Waistband (AIWB) is generally the way to go. With the right deep concealment holster, you can get away with carrying in the 3 or 4 o’clock position.
However, if you absolutely have to carry concealed in any type of clothing without the risk of being compromised then AIWB is your best bet. There are quite a few holster makers on the market today and most of them offer some type of appendix carry option.
In the past I would go between my Glock 26 and Glock 17 depending on the climate and venue, so finding a true deep concealment holster that can successfully conceal a full-size Glock 17 pistol and be comfortable can be somewhat of a challenge.
What is Deep Concealment
As the name states, when it comes to deep concealment, hiding is the number one priority. This means focusing on concealment rather than making it easy to access. Of course, we won’t put safety at risk just to find a slightly better hiding spot either.
It’s worth noting that deep concealment doesn’t always ensure a quick draw, so it’s important to keep that in mind. This means that while deep concealment is effective at hiding, it may not be the best option in situations where a fast draw is necessary.
For the past few months, I’ve been carrying a Glock 43x which is a prime candidate for deep concealment. Although there are several holster makers making holsters for the 43x, finding a true Glock 43 deep concealment holster can be a lot of trial and error.
The issue I think most of us run into is the grip of the pistol printing on our clothing. I’ve used several IWB holsters that are comfortable but don’t address the issue of ‘printing’ to my standards. I want my pistol to sit as deep as possible, but still be able to be drawn quickly.
The holsters that accomplish this are the Safariland Schema, SOB Tactical, Gunfighters Inc, Tenicor Holsters, Bravo Concealment, and our custom Mini WING holster.
5 Distinct Advantages of a Deep Concealment Holster
Erases Your Guns Visual Signature
Wear almost any clothing with little to no printing
Increased comfort due to the lack of excessive bulk
The option to tuck your shirt in
Many use a combination of a wedge and claw to increase concealment
Here are my top deep concealment IWB holster picks, in no particular order, that I own and have used over the past few years.
Best Deep Concealment Holsters
Safariland Schema
The new Safariland Schema deep concealment holster is now my primary Glock 43 deep concealment holster.
Not only is the minimalist design perfectly executed, but you can adjust the holster’s ride height, allowing you deep conceal in literally any clothing.
I adjust the ride height in the summer months to keep my 43x concealed deeper when wearing board shorts and a t-shirt.
As the weather gets cooler and I’m wearing more clothing, I’ll adjust the ride height back to its highest setting allowing me to clear more garments and still get a solid grip on the gun.
Following the company’s success with retention-rated duty holsters, Safariland is expanding its everyday carry line. Schema, a new inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster, is the first of several new models coming in the next few months.
Schema is an optics-ready minimalist holster designed for subcompact firearms. As the namesake implies, the skeletonized outline of the holster frame has a smaller footprint than traditional IWB offerings to optimize concealability.
This new model offers superior functionality with a reinforced mouth, allowing for seamless firearm holstering while the holster is worn. The firearm-specific design creates an exacting fit, further secured by Schema’s passive trigger guard retention.
The Schema is also a perfect choice as a SIG P365 deep concealment holster.
SOB Tactical Deep Concealment Holster
The SOB Deep Concealment holster is just that; Deep Concealment. The design is minimalistic, yet very functional. The holster is everything you NEED and nothing you don’t.
what about its ability to conceal and not print? After all, that is what the description implies. Well, I can tell you this; I’ve been wearing the holster for a week with my full-size Glock 17. Many of those places are what would be considered non-permissive environments (purposely done to prove its ability to conceal). I’ve worn it both with a polo shirt (untucked obviously) and just a t-shirt. Absolutely no printing and nobody has ever said a word to me.
After years of requests from our customers to build a Hybrid IWB Holster, we decided to take the challenge of re-imagining Hybrid IWBs. Traditionally Hybrid IWB holsters suffer from excessive bulk and inconsistent retention. The Solace Hybrid IWB has addressed both those issues through CAD design and the inclusion of an inner retention tab, offering full Kydex coverage of the trigger ON BOTH SIDES.
A truly custom Hybrid IWB. Each shell is carefully shaped to minimize the overall footprint. Each leather backer is hand trimmed and finished to perfectly match the contours of the holsters
Ships in 2-6 weeks
Handmade by GunfightersINC
Unique Hybrid Leather/Kydex design features full Kydex coverage of the trigger
Low Bulk/Flat Leather backer allows for maximum comfort for daily IWB carry
Whether you’re carrying appendix or forward of the 3 o’clock position, this holster just works!
Tenicor Holsters Velo
The Tenicor VELOdeep concealment IWB holster enhances your ability to carry a gun every day, even in tailored or athletic-fit clothing. Slim with no excess, the Tenicor VELO reduces the gun’s profile.
By wearing the gun in front of the hip, you eliminate side bulges that even the best inside the waistband holster can’t hide. The belt runs across the raised trigger bar creating a camming action that rotates the grip of the gun into the body.
This is complemented by the multi-angled muzzle wedge which raises the muzzle away from the lower abdomen, rotating the tang into the body. The wedge also has a 25-degree angle, which allows it to sit flat to the body and compliments the rotation of the trigger bar wedge. The result is a comfortable and hidden gun.
"The VELO holster enhances your ability to carry a gun every day, even in tailored or athletic fit clothing. Slim with no excess, the VELO reduces the gun’s profile. By wearing the gun in front of the hip, you eliminate side bulges that even the best inside the waistband holster can’t hide. The belt runs across the raised trigger bar creating a camming action that rotates the grip of the gun into the body. This is complemented by the multi-angled muzzle wedge which raises the muzzle away from the lower abdomen, rotating the tang into the body. The wedge also has a 25-degree angle, which allows it to sit flat to the body and compliments the rotation of the trigger bar wedge. The result is a comfortable and hidden gun." – Tenicor
Tenicor did not reinvent the wheel, they just streamlined it and made it better.
Corvus Defensio UBC-43 Holster For Deep Concealment
The UBC-43 Holster was created by Corvus Defensio with the specific goal of allowing the deep concealed carry of slimline versions of the Glock pistol series.
Although there are already similar products available for double-stack pistols, none of them met the requirements of the Corvus Defensio team. They wanted a holster that would allow them to carry their Glock 43 securely and comfortably on a daily basis, while still being able to draw the gun quickly if necessary. This need drove them to develop the UBC-43 Holster.
The UBC-43 Holster is designed mainly to facilitate the deep concealed carry of a Glock 43 in the appendix position (1 o’clock or 11 o’clock) inside the waistband, below the beltline. Additionally, this holster is compatible with Glock 42, Glock 43X, and Glock 48 models.
The Bravo Concealment Torsion is a very deep concealment holster. It instantly makes my svelte Glock 26 disappear under a t-shirt. I prefer a AIWB carry, but this deep concealment holster can make your gun disappear when carried in the 4 o’clock position. I run my holster with a single clip because I like being able to cant the gun for better concealment if I choose to move it to the 4 o’clock.
The Torsion holster rides close to the body due to the patented “Torsion" technology. This takes the gun and cants or twists it towards your body for maximum concealment.
If you’re looking to erase the visual signature of your concealed carry firearm, then I would take a hard look at the Bravo Concealment Torsion holster.
Deeper Concealment with NEW Torsion Technology.
Integrated 10-degree inward cant for greater conceal-ability.
Designed specifically for IWB concealed carry.
Erases your weapon’s visual signature.
Comfortable to wear.
Holster adds minimal mass to the weapon.
Holster retains its shape for efficient one-handed re-holstering.
The RE Factor Tactical Mini WING retains the popular KYDEX® and leather combination of the Leather WING™, however, this holster is built as a dedicated IWB holster. Designed to be minimalistic, the Mini WING™ uses as little material as possible, without sacrificing performance or durability. Dedicated to maintaining a thin profile, the Mini WING™ allows for deep concealment matched with ultimate comfort.
The pairing of KYDEX® and leather on this holster allows for the KYDEX® to reliably retain your pistol without a break-in or wear-out period. In addition, the KYDEX® shell prevents the holster from collapsing when your pistol is drawn and remains open for easy one-handed holstering. The leather "mini wings" are incorporated to allow the holster to wrap around the contours of your waist, allowing for a versatile fit for all body types.
The "mini wings" give the holster flexibility to move with your body, making it comfortable for use all day, every day. The "mini wings" were constructed to provide the user with a variety of different configurations for IWB carry as well as a wind range of cant and ride height adjustments. This provides the user with a variety of available carry positions around the waist, from the appendix, all the way to the small of the back.
No holster is complete without a proper belt to support the holster and concealed carry pistol. Tenicor just released a new low-profile belt for concealed carry.
Tenicor Zero Belt
Tenicor has added the Zero Belt to their lineup. Like their holster, their belt is something different than what most of us are used to. The idea was to give you a smooth front of the belt with no buckle to interfere with other gear.
With the Zero Belt, the tail end of the belt tucks behind the rest, instead of outside and across the buckle or through the buckle and back where it came like on a rigger-style belt. This allows for a very low-profile loop buckle.
These belts are sewn by Wilderness Tactical Products and are very high quality. The tail end of the Zero Belt is treated with Wilderness Tactical Products’ proprietary polymer, which soaks into the core of the nylon, permanently protecting it from fraying.
What if you wear pants without a belt? What are your Options?
A company called NeoMag has developed a premium holster attachment system called The Alias. The motto for the Alias system is Unparalleled Concealment, Strength, and Modularity.
The Alias is an attachment system that you can adapt to many concealment holsters already on the market and that you already own. Alias not only gives you a modular system, but it reduces your weapon’s visible signature even further with its unique belt attachment. But you said ‘without a belt?" I did because one of the newer products to the Alias system is the Beltless Reciever.
FAQs
What holster do FBI agents use?
The FBI has specific requirements for holsters used by their agents, which must provide a high level of security, comfort, and accessibility for their firearms. The FBI has approved the Safariland 7378 7TS ALS Concealment Paddle and Belt Loop Combo Holster and the Gould & Goodrich Gold Line Shoulder Holster. However, it’s important to note that individual agents may have different preferences or requirements for their holsters based on their specific job duties and personal preferences.
What holster did John Wick use?
Designed specifically for Tier-1 special missions units (SMU) for snatch-an-grab or targeted assassination operations, John Wick used a Cherries Multi-Fit Deep Concealment Holster, the Medina X, in John Wick Chapter 2.
What is the most comfortable concealed carry holster?
The most comfortable concealed carry holster will vary from person to person, as each individual has different body types, clothing styles, and preferences. However, several types of holsters are generally considered to be comfortable and effective for concealed carry, such as the belly band holster, the inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster, and the ankle holster. The choice of holster will depend on factors such as the size and weight of the firearm, the type of clothing being worn, and the level of concealment required. It’s recommended to try out several different holster types and styles to find the most comfortable fit for your specific needs.
What is the best holster for concealing a full sized pistol?
Concealing a full-sized pistol can be easily accomplished with the right holster. Due to the grip length of most full-sized pistols, the best position to carry is appendix IWB. The best holster for concealing a full sized pistol in that position is the Tier 1 Concealed MSP or Axis Elite holster. If you’re looking for more of a minimalist holster, the SOB Deep Concealment Holster will get the job done.
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