The Most Popular IWB Holster With Belt Clip

IWB holster for Glock

This one certainly is the most popular belt clip holster for inside the waist band, concealed carry. By far.

Belt Clip Holster

Belt clip holsters have a desirability. Obviously, you don’t have to take part of your belt off to thread the holster loops. Which can be a bit of a challenge, depending on your holster configuration.

It can easily and quickly be affixed. Similarly, removed.

There are pros and cons to nearly every choice. One might argue that a belt clip holster may not be as secure, or may wiggle more than a holster with two fixed loops.

However given the stark popularity of the following IWB holster, the belt clip doesn’t appear to be an issue.

Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster
(potential amzn commission at no extra cost to you)

They have a huge range of pistol model selections:

Best belt clip holster for Glock

The reason I’m writing about this today is having researched and ordered a IWB holster (with belt clip) for a G43.

I was surprised shortly after starting to search for what’s popular, best reviewed, and Made in USA. The “Concealment Express” brand stood out as the best (at least most popular) choice, given the price range.

It’s not expensive. And it’s not a cheap one either.

I’ll report back when I get it, and try it out. But I think it’s going to work out just fine.

Your Favorite Belt Clip Holster and Features

Holsters are one of those things that you probably have a lot of. Why?

Not only are they for varying carry methods, but we often buy one and then don’t like it, or how it fits. Then we try another…

They’re made from a variety of materials. Each with their own characteristics, pros & cons.

Some feel more secure than others (retention). And some of them have adjustable retention.

There are those which are uniquely formed to the shape of your pistol model (e.g. KYDEX).

Certain holster models may have some additional adjust-ability too. Such as the “cant” (the angle at which it’s set).

So what about you? What do you like? Or don’t like?

Continue reading: Semi-auto or Revolver For Concealed Carry?

28 Comments

  1. This is the only one I had so I don’t know how it compares but it works for me.

    LIRISY Inside The Waistband Holster | Gun Concealed Carry IWB Holster | Fits S&W M&P Shield/Glock 26 27 29 30 43 / Ruger LC9 & All Similar Handguns

    1. LIRISY holster that I used with a S&W 9mm Shield, which unfortunately I accidentally dropped and lost while traveling on a train through the Rockies and was instantly crushed as it hit the rails and was run over.

    2. I run holsters from Grey Man Solutions. There are several options. I run a wrap around style clip.
      Whatever you go with try and make it fail. Draw from the car seat, leaning etc and see if the whole rig comes out. Have a friend grab a holstered TRAINING GUN and try and wrench it out and see if the clip breaks.
      I don’t care what brand name it is or how expensive it was it must not fail.

  2. If I were to actually own any firearms (lost them in Navajo Lake remember) I would probably recommend the Blackhawk Sportster SERPA Holster.

    From their website;
    “Thumb breaks can slow your draw and get in the way when you re-holster. But you won’t experience those drawbacks with BLACKHAWK!’s patented SERPA Technology™. It engages the trigger guard as you holster your firearm and secures it until you release using the normal drawing motion with your trigger finger alongside the holster. No snaps or straps to get in the way.”
    4000 years ago when I shot IDPA competition it was one of the best holsters for not letting the firearm “fall out” during a ‘run, drop, roll, draw, shoot’ exercise

    As far as Concealed Carry, I used to like a good old Shoulder Holster in the winter seems a heavy coat always got in the way for easy access, and the holster above for summer, wearing a long tailed shirt.

    One question though, why is it always a Glock that’s the picture of the day in Articles???? HAHAHAHA

    1. I bet your guns fell overboard down by the dam or up by that under water
      spring on the hiway side of the lake because that’s where most folks fish.
      I’ve heard that Navajo Lake flows underground to feed the Virgin River which flows into Lake Mead.Thats a long ways.Those guns could be any where!
      I lost some guns one time,but alcohol was involved.

      1. NormlChuck;
        Yeah, right there by the main Spillway, water is dang near 450 feet deep there….. DARN.

        1. NRP, NormlChuck,
          Think there is an EPA marker posted out there on shore by the location, ‘caution-heavy metal contamination at depth-no drilling’. but I might be wrong.

  3. Its funny i lost all my guns in the lake to? KYDEX is the thing now but Im going back to leather. It molds to your body better than kydex. I also carry owb your pants need to be a couple inches larger in the waist for iwb.

  4. I made my own IWB holster
    Leather, soft against hip
    Loops for belt retention, holds 1911 CMNDR perfect with the forward cant i like built in.
    Do have to keep piece well oiled because of perspiration, but thats true with any holster

  5. The Alien Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB holster with a Glock 43X. It is a little harder to attach, but is by far the most comfortable set up I have used. I carry behind the hip and will never apex carry. I never point my firearm at anything I’m not willing to destroy.

  6. I have been using an Alien Gear iwb holster for several years. It is the older model that has a very heavy leather back. It took some time to break it in but now it is very comfortable now. The kydex part cracked a while back and they sent a new one right away. I was very pleased with their customer service.

  7. I would carry a J-frame Smith .38 in my pocket with a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster, if I had any of those terrible/horrible/ child killing, firearms. YUCK!

  8. I’ve tried a few kydex holsters and have gone back to leather. For IWB, I don’t trust the clips. I had a couple that would not stay put during practice draws. I now use Milt Sparks SS2. I have one for my Shield and one for my Commander. Absolutely love them! Not cheap but definitely worth it.

  9. I run the concealment express holster on all my hand guns, great products.

  10. I live in a freedom state with open carry laws. As a female I have probably 12 different holsters for a hand gun. They are all either uncomfortable or lack ease of use. On the homestead I use a standard exterior belt holster with pockets for extra mags. There are some businesses which ask that guns be concealed so I have a couple of uncomfortable concealed holsters. What I have been looking for is a comfortable back inside belt holster to wear with jeans that a 9mm won’t fall out of when I bend down. The one I have now does not secure the gun well enough for my satisfaction. I don’t need to be in a store and have my gun fall out of the holster and either scare the cra% out of folks or get shot by a security guard.

    1. – After several years of constant concealed carry, I had to move to another state for Uncle. The movers insisted I count my holsters, as there were so many! (an even Dozen) Thing is, the ones I used the most were the same two or three. the other were basically specialty items for one particular use or another.

      Biggest problem I have now, none of the holsters for the 1911 will fit my Ruger .357 properly. So, It has three more!

      – Papa S.

  11. I have yet to find anything I’m totally happy with. IF I had firearms, that is.

    1. It’s called planning for the future. Buy up holsters and ammo JIC you someday decide to buy something or other.

  12. Blade-tech tek-lok lets you run pretty much any holster on anything but more importantly all kinds of belts.

    Safariland makes something similar.

    Safariland makes nice holsters of pretty much any type for anything.

    Blackhawk makes a universal drop leg system that you can attach anything to. The black is very black but the olive drab is a bit peculiar. The Safariland and Blade-tech attachments are nicer.

    Safariland drop leg systems exist but they are not as nice as Blackhawk in my opinion.

    If I were to have a firearm to carry and I were to concealed carry it I would simply pocket carry.

  13. For years have sworn by Kydex. Give T.Rex Arms a google search, small business that makes a variety of high quality kydex holsters. Offers variations depending on your carry preference (4 o’clock, appendix, etc). Don’t think I’d ever buy anywhere else.

  14. Being a southpaw, finding the holster you really like can be a challenge. The selection has become somewhat better for outside the waist band belt holsters, but for inside the waist band options are few.

    Comfort in carrying is important to me, more so than most other considerations. I don’t want any sharp edges gouging my flesh when bending over. I’ve become fond of the ballistic nylon or soft leather IWB “pouch” holsters. The one I’m wearing now, and most all the time, is one by Ace Case. It’s basically like shoving a pistol in your waist band, but into a protective pocket. I prefer subcompact pistols for everyday carry, easier to conceal, less reasons to not carry it. No reason not to carry it in a pocket except by carrying IWB frees up a pocket for other EDC items.

    1. Dennis,
      I read your responses on a lot of subjects and respect your opinion. I’m also a “lefty” shooter. Had to deal with standard firearms in the USMC. I have a stag ar15 now. Might go keltec bull up for the rifle and shotgun. Any recommendations for a 9m (currently favor the Taurus pt 92) but want to add a 357.

      1. Food For Thought,

        Lots to consider. Are you looking for a 9mm carbine to compliment your pt92 or another pistol? A .357 revolver or a pistol in .357 Sig (my personal favorite for power that also has more manageable recoil than the .357 magnum it mimics)?

        As a rule, I prefer Smith and Wesson double action revolvers, the 686 being my personal favorite. You won’t go wrong with any Smith and Wesson or Ruger offerings. My personal experience with Taurus revolvers has been mixed, mainly the floating firing pin sticking in the primers, locking them up. Sent two back for correction, both came back with same problem. I corrected the problem myself by rounding the face of the firing pin.

        One thing I’ve settled on for all my “defensive carry handguns” is long double action triggers, whether pistol or semi-auto, with no safety devices to manipulate for first shot. I steer clear of light, short trigger pulls on guns I might be pointing at folks. Adrenaline high, too many possible distractions, too many possible non-targets, for “surprise discharges”. Confrontations on the street (or even in your home) may involve physical struggle while also controlling a firearm. What’s best for a bullseye target, or a run and gun pistol match on a range, doesn’t necessarily translate well to actual real life confrontations. Just my opinion, based on first hand experience at both.

        I own a Glock, they are good reliable pistols, just not my cup of tea, not a big fan of striker fired pistols or bulky grip.

        Have owned several Keltecs, the p-11 and p-9, liked them both, sold them only because the buyer offered more than they cost me. They are worth every penny of their modest cost.

        The Sigs are Cadillacs. Can’t say anything but good about them. I prefer the single stack of the P239. Mine is in .357 Sig caliber. I’ve owned the P226, and P229, both in 9mm an 357 Sig. High quality, worth the price. Haven’t tried their latest offerings, so can’t comment on them.

        I’ve never owned or shot any of the Smith and Wesson line of semi-autos, so no thoughts.

        Never owned, but have shot some Springfield XD’s. Liked them, but again not enough time with them for a recommendation, other than they are striker fired, which I don’t personally care for.

        Most all modern manufactured pistols and revolvers are reliable. Pick based on what fits your hands. I have small hands. I shoot much better with pistols and revolvers that fit my hands, so I gravitate to single stack pistols and avoid fat grips on revolvers.

        Many things to consider when picking weapons, but main thing is mastering and practicing with what you have available. I became quite good with handguns that didn’t particularly fit me. Became better with ones that did.

        Hope this helps.

        1. Dennis,
          Thx for the input. I definitely want to add a revolver to the mix. As far as rifles and shotguns, do have any experience with bullpup action firearms? As a lefty, I’m looking for alternatives to right handed firearms. Thx again.

  15. Food For Thought,

    No experience with bullpups, but have done some browsing around because I like the concept. For lefties a concern would be the ejection port being next to, or extremely close to your face. Some have the ability to be changed to be either left or right ejection by the user, some are right side ejection only. One offering that ejects from the bottom, but pretty expensive (Keltec RDBC 17, $1,275 MSRP)

    1. Yeah, I’ve seen that keltec for sale for just under 1k at a local shop, it’s tempting. In the mean time, I will continue to use the Stag. Thx for responding to my questions.

  16. I also lost all my firearms in a boating accident. It’s a pity , because I found that on an IWB kydex holster you can cut a piece of a felt furniture pad and place it on the back of the holster where it contacts your body and it will be more comfortable and make it a little easier to get your thumb behind the grip to establish a strong grip before removing the handgun from the holster. Y’know , if one still has any firearms …

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