Since warm weather finally decided to arrive, well actually HOT weather seems to have snuck in bypass the warm stuff, I've been trying to figure out the off duty carry stuff. My issued holster is on the duty belt, although I have a duplicate I wear when working out of uniform, It conceals fine under a jacket, but not so much under a t-shirt. By IWB options on the compacts are the Alien Gear or the Desantis sof-tuck. These holsters also handle the Glock 26 and 30s. I usually carry under an untucked shirt, but it's much slower to draw from the 4 or 5 o'clock positions I usually carry these in. For some reason 3 o'clock doesn't work for IWB for me, either very uncomfortable, or prints horribly or both. Also, Glock stipling can be a little rough on the old skin during long periods of exposure. I have recently been experimenting with wearing sleeveless undershirts tucked in the pants with a untucked t-shirt covering the gun. Works okay so far, but I sweat a lot, even with the moisture wicking stuff I am wearing, not sure I am going to pull off 2 shirts all day during summer activities. The alien gear rig has a sweat guard, so less of the gun touches skin and also less of the gun gets covered in sweat, but it's a larger holster and harder to take on or off discretely if needed. I have a Desantis sof-tuck for the 42. It's smaller, and the stippling less aggressive. I have another option with it also. I have a small hybrid belt slide holster from K and N holsters that keeps the little gun pretty tight on the body. It conceals almost as easy this way and more comfortable. Just make sure the top shirt is a loose fitting one. The rig doesn't come on and off easily, so not to be worn if this is needed. I don't have an IWB holster yet for the Glock 42. Thinking of going polymer for it. Been looking at the Blade-Tech Klipt. Anyone have any experience with it. Heard good things about their Kydex, but this is a fairly new, cheaper injection molded model. They also offer both it and their Phantom for the 19/23. I am confident this would also fit the 26. I just wonder if it would fit the 30s. Every holster I have for the 19/23 so far has handled the 26, but I have one holster, a Fobus paddle holster, that won't fit the 30s. I like that I get quadruple use out of most holsters. It makes me feel efficient. When I traded for the 43, it came with a Fobus. I came to like it. Although paddle holsters don't conceal as well as belt holsters, with the little 9mm I can hide it as long as I cover it with a loose fitting t-shirt. It can be discretely taken on and off. That's why I bought one for the larger weapons. It's still a decent deal I think, as 3 of my 4 compacts with carry in it. And I like the OWB 3 o'clock when it's an option. Haven't had a chance to test the bigger Fobus. I think it's on the calendar for this weekend.
Here's what I'm considering:
The Blade-tech Klipt IWB for the 43 and maybe the 42.
The Blade-tech Phantom for the 19, 23, 26 and 30s.
I am also interested in the Safariland ALS 7ts-7377 retention holster for the 19/23/26/30s. This is a belt slide. They also offer a paddle model and a belt clip. I think you can also by the attachments and convert from one to the other.
Apparently people are looking at my ramblings. Anyone have any experience with any of these holsters? Anyone have an idea if the Phantom or Safariland for the 19 would also fit the 30s? I read somewhere that any holster for a 19 that didn't cover the muzzle would work, but I think it has more to do with how it locks on for retention. The hybrids like the Alien Gear have some flexibility on the back, so I see it working. The same with the Desantis. I think a full kydex would be less likely to work. But the Blackhawk Serpa I have to use for work is a polymer holster and it works with it. Didn't even have to adjust the tension. This makes me think the ALS and Phantoms might work. Neither are super expensive.
