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IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:50 am
by Vic
I recently received the Crossbreed Supertuck I ordered for my Glock 23.

Since I'm still awaiting my license, I've only been able to wear it around the house. In these trials, I've been trying to figure out where on my belt-line the best place is to position the holster.

The most comfortable place seems to be at 5 o'clock. However, I've noticed that it is much slower for me to access the weapon from this position than it is if I wear it at 3 o'clock (or about 3:30).

I'd obviously choose faster access over comfort, but I wonder if it gets easier to access a weapon worn at 5 o'clock over time? It is a more unnatural movement (for me) to reach to 5 o'clock than it is for me to reach to 3 o'clock. Does your body get better at reaching and retrieving the weapon with practice? Is it better just to go with what comes naturally than try to force your body into a movement that it doesn't really want to do?

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:09 am
by Quahog
For me, it's more comfortable at around 4:00 but I can also get it to easily there. I suppose this is more of a person thing... what works best for you will be your preference.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:30 am
by Pete92FS
I carry cross-draw at 9 - 10 o'clock.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:41 am
by Excaliber
Vic wrote:I recently received the Crossbreed Supertuck I ordered for my Glock 23.

Since I'm still awaiting my license, I've only been able to wear it around the house. In these trials, I've been trying to figure out where on my belt-line the best place is to position the holster.

The most comfortable place seems to be at 5 o'clock. However, I've noticed that it is much slower for me to access the weapon from this position than it is if I wear it at 3 o'clock (or about 3:30).

I'd obviously choose faster access over comfort, but I wonder if it gets easier to access a weapon worn at 5 o'clock over time? It is a more unnatural movement (for me) to reach to 5 o'clock than it is for me to reach to 3 o'clock. Does your body get better at reaching and retrieving the weapon with practice? Is it better just to go with what comes naturally than try to force your body into a movement that it doesn't really want to do?
Body build and flexibility play a significant role here.

If a movement is simply unfamiliar, it can usually be made instinctive with practice.

If a movement is impaired by the limitations of one's own body, the best solution usually involves placing the holster where it can be more easily reached by a readily executed movement.

Another consideration is concealability. For someone with a relatively lean build, locating the holster around 4:30 - 5:00 places the grip in the hollow behind the hip significantly reduces the chances of unintentional printing when compared to a 3:00 - 3:30 carry. However, this may not be a viable solution for someone with some extra pounds in the wrong places.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:24 pm
by TDDude
Excaliber wrote: However, this may not be a viable solution for someone with some extra pounds in the wrong places.
"Honey, does this holster make me look fat?" :totap: :totap: :totap: :totap:

It's really not going to be "comfortable" anywhere you carry it. I've been hiding this thing for almost 8 years and at the end of the day, I still breath a sigh of relief when I can get this IWB off my belt. I use a Tucker Heritage special and have had the same one for all 8 years. I've wanted to try the Crossbread but there always seems to be something else that the money needs to be used for.

But, there will places where it's less uncomfortable than others. Concentrate on getting your pants a touch larger, don't scrimp on the belt, and just move the thing around and see what works.

Don't worry so much about printing. Printing isn't illegal and the vast majority of people won't know what that lump is anyway.

A good dark patterned shirt will hide ANYTHING!!

Welcome.

:txflag: :patriot:

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:56 pm
by Excaliber
TDDude wrote:
Excaliber wrote: However, this may not be a viable solution for someone with some extra pounds in the wrong places.
"Honey, does this holster make me look fat?" :totap: :totap: :totap: :totap:

It's really not going to be "comfortable" anywhere you carry it. I've been hiding this thing for almost 8 years and at the end of the day, I still breath a sigh of relief when I can get this IWB off my belt. I use a Tucker Heritage special and have had the same one for all 8 years. I've wanted to try the Crossbread but there always seems to be something else that the money needs to be used for.

But, there will places where it's less uncomfortable than others. Concentrate on getting your pants a touch larger, don't scrimp on the belt, and just move the thing around and see what works.

Don't worry so much about printing. Printing isn't illegal and the vast majority of people won't know what that lump is anyway.

A good dark patterned shirt will hide ANYTHING!!

Welcome.

:txflag: :patriot:
TD Dude is definitely right about the dark patterned shirt, and it doesn't have to be a Hawaiian print. The very affordable plaid Dickies shirts sold in WalMart are some of the best I've found for this purpose. They might not make the grade at a yuppies convention, but they fit in just fine in most of Texas.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 6:35 pm
by Bennies
I carry the 23 in a super tuck as well. I keep mine 4 to 4:30. I would prefer @ 3 o clock but the handle prints too much at that position for me. If I had a glock 27 I would be good to go. At 4 o'clock it still works fine. I can draw quickly from that position no problem. If I go to 5 o clock it still conceals well like @ 4 o clock but since the reach is a little furhter it takes longer to clear my shirt. So 4 o clock is fine for me.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 6:50 pm
by tartex
I have carried an M&P 9c in a horsehide SuperTuck for the past 4 1/2 months, usually in the 4 o'clock position, and I have found that it always need slight adjustment (back to front) depending on the pants I'm wearing. I've also discovered that it gets a whole lot more comfortable (less stiff) the longer you wear it. At first, I thought I would never be able to wear it while driving on a long trip but now I hardly realize it's on my hip while driving. :cheers2:

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:39 pm
by CompVest
TD Dude is definitely right about the dark patterned shirt, and it doesn't have to be a Hawaiian print. The very affordable plaid Dickies shirts sold in WalMart are some of the best I've found for this purpose. They might not make the grade at a yuppies convention, but they fit in just fine in most of Texas. Excaliber
NRA teaches this concept in their classes.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:19 pm
by donniet
I agree with the choice of the cover garment. I carry either a CZ PCR or a CZ RAMI in crossbreed supertuck. I wear a dedicated gun belt and an under shirt for skin protection and comfort. From time to time it is necessary to sleep while wearing my rig. I will also sometimes cat nap on the couch. I can say without reservation, the rig is never uncomfortable.

Most time I would not be aware of it, if not for the weight(about 30 oz. with full mag). I carry at 4:00 to 4:30. I practice using the thumb of my strong side hand to raise my outer shirt as I reach for my weapon. With practice it becomes quite easy to quickly produce the weapon. Even when wearing a seat belt it is fairly easy to reach my weapon by leaning forward at a slight 45 degree angle. If you are not physically impaired, practice will make this fairly easy and automatic.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:55 pm
by AddyLO
A very timely thread. I just received my SuperTuck today (and like the OP am still waiting on my plastic).

In addition to position I'd also be interested to know how high/low or canted you wear the SuperTuck? Did you need to adjust the clips for better comfort or did the stock clip position work for you?

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:44 am
by Travis
Good question VIC,
I just got the email today saying my mtac is in the mail and I had the same question. I sent dps an email and said I would pay the postage for them to overnight my plastic to me when it's ready. No response from them yet

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:49 am
by Excaliber
AddyLO wrote:A very timely thread. I just received my SuperTuck today (and like the OP am still waiting on my plastic).

In addition to position I'd also be interested to know how high/low or canted you wear the SuperTuck? Did you need to adjust the clips for better comfort or did the stock clip position work for you?
I tried the stock SuperTuck position for a week or so, and then adjusted both the height and the cant to better fit my preferences. It's easy and takes only a screwdriver, so it's well worth a little experimentation until you get it just right for you.

I ended up wearing mine with the clips at about 3:30 and 5:30 to put the gun in the hollow behind the strong side hip. It's very comfortable and very well concealed there with my body build.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:02 am
by GOP
I just wanted to add that you shouldn't ignore the comfortability factor. If it is uncomfortable you may be inclined to not carry "once and a while." You should try to make it a habit to carry all the time. Just my opinion.

Re: IWB Holser Location

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:02 pm
by Vic
Thanks for all the knowledge so far!

When I talked about it being less comfortable at 3:30 and more comfortable (but less quickly accessible) at 5:00, I don't mean to imply that it is REALLY uncomfortable at any position. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most comfortable, I'd say that on my body, the 3:30 position scores a 7 while the 5:00 position scores a 9.

Carrying at 3:30, with a comfort scale of 7, will certainly not discourage me from carrying. I should have clarified that, and any misunderstanding is my fault.

I'd rather carry at 5:00, since more comfort and concealability is nice, but I'm not willing to sacrifice quick access to get it.

I played around with adjusting the cant. The default clip position is second-from-bottom on both clips. I left the rear clip at the default and moved the front clip up one hole, making it tilt forward just a bit more. I intend to play around with it more, but it seems pretty good like it is now.

I also just got a 5.11 leather gun belt. It is very nice, and really makes the Supertuck even more unnoticeable (to me) because the weight is distributed so evenly around the belt.