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I also believe AIWB is easier on the lower back than strongside carry, it's a centerline thing.
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As usual, Andy has nailed it again. I love Leather Holsters and have found that a properly cared for one will last a VERY long time. EVEN if used every day.I would also suggest to practice conceal carrying around your home , doing everyday things and the things that you expect to do when you are carrying and out and about.
Also not trying to be funny here...but it is a good idea to practice how you plan on using the restroom , when you are carrying , at home first....
Andy
First off I suggest that you look at Leather Holsters. Kydex will wear on the finish of your Firearms.
That entirely depends on the holster design, some Kydex holsters retain the weapon at a couple points such as the ejection port and trigger guard. If a leather holster gets dirt and debris in it from rolling around on the ground it can impregnate the leather with grit like sandpaper and be very rough on a finish. I lot quality leather holsters get their retention from tight fitting hand boning.
I prefer leather because it is less noticeable than plastic if a shirt rides up, is softer against the body, and I prefer thumb breaks for any hiking/outdoor days. I don't care whether the finish on a carry gun wears. I prevent rust by cleaning and lightly lubricating.
I will say that if someone's only experience with Kydex is $15 poorly-fitted models, definitely try one of the better makers before giving up. The Spetz Kydex I have is very well fitted and has almost as much retention as a leather thumb break.
I'm brand new to handguns with only limited firearm experience bird hunting with pump shotguns as a teen. My wife and I decided it was time to take action and exercise our 2A rights. We are in the process of basic firearm safety and handling training and then shooting training to be followed by CHL permits. We purchased a G43X for her and a G48 for me. We are both smaller people with small hands. I then did as much research as I could stand on holsters and ended up with a couple on order and one I bought at Cabela's. The first ordered holster (Aliengear IWB Cloak) showed up yesterday, and boy was I surprised and disappointed...in myself, not the holster per se. Due to years of work I apparently have very limited shoulder mobility. The holster is designed to be worn IWB at the 4-4:30 position. It is a kydex type holster with a stiff neoprene "scabbard". Due to my limited mobility, I am unable to draw or holster my gun with any proficiency with this holster. I simply cannot get my hand up and back to that position with any strength available. I see a lot of appendix carry position holsters sold. My feeling was that for a new gun owner that might not be the best option. The OWB strong side position (3:00) holster I got at Cabela's is easy for me to draw and holster, but of course it is not good for concealment with summer shirts. Now I'm confused where to go except maybe to Yoga instead of firearm training...
Get a leather lined kydex holster.
A different school of thought...3) Belt is not mentioned, but a good one makes a big difference. It has to be stiff enough to hold the gun in tight to your body. I like the one from Dillon Precision. At $70 it's not cheap, but well worth it.
I second the vote for appendix carry (about 1 oclock). This is my choice for carrying my small 9mm carry guns (Springfield subcompact mod2, and SCCY CPX-2) . Some will say, "I don't want my gun pointing towards my wanger !". That doesn't worry me. It's impossible for your finger to be on the trigger when drawing, and my finger is never on the trigger when reholstering. And I am very careful to make sure none of my shirt tail gets in a position to pull the trigger when reholstering. And, I should mention that with palm safety and DOA, my guns don't fire as easily as a Glock. If you trust yourself to handle your gun safely, any carry method should be safe, I think. OK. I mostly use Vedder Light Tuck kydex appendix holsters. ("Tuck" is great. Continue reading). Well made. Light. Tough. Yes, the kydex holster eventually rubs a little of the finish off my guns where the contact is, but I don't care. I consider these "duty" guns; for personal protection. Those little holstering blemishes remind me of how long the gun has been my friend. I love the the kydex bc it has a great dimensional stability, and is stiff enough so that the gun always holsters and draws easily and perfectly, even if you wear your belt tight against it. However, with leather holsters I sometimes have to wiggle the gun around to get it to enter the holster, bc leather collapses a little under pressure, especially if IWB. And kydex doesn't change if it gets wet, from sweat or water. Leather can change shape some when wet-then-dry, as it is an organic material. I've done OWB 3 oclock, IWB 4 oclock, cross draw, etc, and for my small compact 9mm carry guns have settled on appendix for these reasons: I can easily reach and draw my gun regardless of what position I'm in. You have a lot of arm strength when drawing appendix, and it's an easy to reach area. Also, I can easily draw gun when sitting. This was a biggie for me. When sitting in my car or a chair in a restaurant, I can easily and pretty discreetly put my hand on my gun without contorting or twisting my body or having to stand up. You mentioned tucking shirts in. Alas ! You can do that with "tuckable" IWB holsters, like the Vedder Light Tuck I use. (I am not affiliated with Vedder in any way. There are many brands of "tuckable" holsters, but Vedder is a very good one). Also, most of the appendix IWB holsters have only one clip, and it's usually open on one end, so you don't have to remove your belt to put the holster on or remove it. That is very convenient. And, with short barreled compact or subcompact guns in appendix position, I can bend over and tie my shoe, b/c the end of the barrel stays just above the top of my leg is when I bend over. I normally leave my shirts untucked, but when I wear my gun to weddings, church, and funerals, I tuck my shirt in, over the gun. No one notices. The gun barely prints; especially with patterned or dark shirts. And it helps that I don't wear skin tight shirts or t-shirts when tucking. "Tuckable" holsters have a thin space between the belt clip and the holster, which allows your shirt to cover the gun – if desired. It's kind of hard to picture in your head, so search "tuckable appendix iwb holster", or look atI'm brand new to handguns with only limited firearm experience bird hunting with pump shotguns as a teen. My wife and I decided it was time to take action and exercise our 2A rights. We are in the process of basic firearm safety and handling training and then shooting training to be followed by CHL permits. We purchased a G43X for her and a G48 for me. We are both smaller people with small hands. I then did as much research as I could stand on holsters and ended up with a couple on order and one I bought at Cabela's. The first ordered holster (Aliengear IWB Cloak) showed up yesterday, and boy was I surprised and disappointed...in myself, not the holster per se. Due to years of work I apparently have very limited shoulder mobility. The holster is designed to be worn IWB at the 4-4:30 position. It is a kydex type holster with a stiff neoprene "scabbard". Due to my limited mobility, I am unable to draw or holster my gun with any proficiency with this holster. I simply cannot get my hand up and back to that position with any strength available. I see a lot of appendix carry position holsters sold. My feeling was that for a new gun owner that might not be the best option. The OWB strong side position (3:00) holster I got at Cabela's is easy for me to draw and holster, but of course it is not good for concealment with summer shirts. Now I'm confused where to go except maybe to Yoga instead of firearm training...