If you carry a gun on you at all times, you need a holster you can depend on. When it comes to holsters for pistols, you’ve got two main types. There are inside waistband holsters and outside waistband holders. What makes them different, and which one is right for you?
If you’re just a beginner or a seasoned hobbyist, this debate still stands. You can’t just get both to try and see which one is better since that would be a waste of money. So, if you’re trying to decide which one is better for you, read on.
Position
Inside waistband holsters or IWB holsters are holsters that hold your gun inside your pants. They are joined to your gun waist belt with special hooks or loops. Ideally, these holsters should keep their shape once the gun is drawn so that you can replace it easily.
These holsters also come with sweat guards as they make contact with your skin under your clothes. Since these holsters place the gun under your clothes, they are the best for concealed carry.
In contrast, outside waistband or OWB holsters are holsters that hold your gun outside your pants. They are joined to your gun belts with loops, or they come with belts attached to them. Since these are outside your clothes, they don’t need sweat guards.
Surprise
Imagine you are in a situation where you would need to draw your gun. Are you in favor of people already knowing you have a gun and can take it out anytime or do you prefer the element of surprise?
If you don’t want any assailant to know that you are armed, the IWB holster is the best choice.
Alternatively, if you want people to be wary of you knowing you have a gun, then an OWB holster is the one to choose.
Gun Size
IWB holsters are better for smaller handguns. It’s easier to keep smaller firearms under your clothes because if they are large and bulky, they will be very uncomfortable. That’s the reason they don’t make IWB holsters for larger guns.
OWB holsters aren’t limited in the same way. Since the gun will be outside, it can be as big as you want. So if you own or are looking to buy a larger pistol, then OWB holsters are the one for you.
Draw Time
IWB holsters have their drawbacks. Since it’s inside your clothes, you have to maneuver more while drawing it. It could take a few extra seconds to pull it out. Since no one is expecting it, the lost time isn’t that much of an issue.
OWB holsters are outside your clothes, making drawing them much quicker. If you don’t want to compromise on time while drawing your pistol, then OWB holsters are the ones to pick.
Comfort
Which holster you choose impacts how comfortable carrying your gun is. Since an IWB holster’s under your clothes, you feel your gun pressed against you. So, think of this: you’ve had a large lunch, and your stomach is full. Your gun will feel uncomfortable since there’s less room for it now. You might have to consider buying pants a size or two larger so that the holster fits easier and the gun becomes imperceptible.
OWB holsters don’t have that problem. They are obviously the more comfortable of the two. If you’ve just bought your first gun, you wouldn’t want to go clothes shopping to get pants twice your size so that your IWB is comfortable, so OWBs are better in that respect.