IWB can be more than just uncomfortable, it can be unbearable. And why not? It’s the most uncomfortable way to carry your gun. I can’t think of any other way to carry that can be more awkward and troublesome… if you don’t know what you are doing. In this video we go over 3 reasons why IWB can be so uncomfortable.
I’ve been carrying for more than 20 years and consistently on a daily basis for more than 10 years. I remember the first time I carried appendix IWB. I was with my wife in a restaurant and after about 5 min of sitting down I told her that I had to go to the vehicle real quick. I went and took off my gun and there was a sigh of relief. Why? Because I was carrying a G17, had waist tight jeans and I was new to the whole “appendix” carry.
3 reasons why It was so unbearable for me to carry IWB
-Let’s get to the first one: carrying the wrong gun.
I get it. We all want a big gun with firepower so we go out and get a hand cannon for EDC. The problem with this is that most of the time the only thing you’ll be taking out with you when you’re with your family or friends is your CCW license. Why, because it fits nicely into your wallet. That bazooka of a gun you got for concealed carry, on the other hand, is too heavy and way too big to lug around all day long. So, it stays home in your dresser or night stand.
Get a gun that you are willing to carry on a daily basis. What is the perfect gun for EDC? That, is going to be up to you. We are all different. What is your tolerance for discomfort? I know people who can’t even carry car keys in their front pocket much less carry 3 pounds of steel and walnut on their side. Get something that suits you.
I carry a Glock 19 and a Glock 43X. Those are my ideal EDC guns. Now, just because these work for me doesn’t mean they will be a good fit for you. Make sure you can handle the gun well first and foremost. And then see if it’s a good candidate for IWB concealed carry.
-The 2 main things to look for is weight and size.
You saw me hold up a 1911 earlier. That gun, fully loaded, weighs a little over 3 pounds. Now you may think, “3 pounds?! ‘Smirk’ I’ll gain 5 pounds during Christmas and not skip a beat!” True, but remember that the weight of a 3 pound gun is not evenly distributed like those 2 dozen tamales you annihilated. It’s 3 pounds hanging off your belt in one very specific general area.
Now the 1911 is slim. One of the slimmest full size guns out there with under an inch in width on the slide but again, the weight of the gun overshadows many of its pros when it comes to concealed carry.
A fully loaded G19 or many other polymer compact guns weigh in at about 2 pounds fully loaded. That’s a whole pound less and more rounds as well. The smaller “micro” compacts like the G43, the Springfield Hellcat and the P365 weigh in at about 1 1/2 pounds fully loaded. That makes these guns much more ideal for EDC when It comes to weight.
I know that with a smaller size gun like these “micro” compacts you loose round capacity but with guns like the Hellcat, you get 13+1 rounds with the included extended magazine. That’s impressive… most impressive.
These micro guns are approximately 1” in width at their widest, give or take. Now the Glock 19 is about 1 1/4” in width at its widest point. You may think, “eh, what’s a quarter inch” You’ll feel the difference “IF” you don’t know how to dress around it.
Which leads to point number 2. Learn how to dress around your EDC.
Many of us don’t want to admit that we are getting a bit “pudgy” around the waistline. I get it. So one of the main indicators that tell us we still have the body of a young Spanish bull fighter is the fact that we wear the same size pants we wore when we were younger.
Well, get over it. You’re more than likely not the same size you were during high school. Stop lying to yourself and buy the right pant size. One of the reasons I had to leave my gun in the car as I mentioned earlier was because I was wearing a pant size too small.
Remember, you’re adding almost an inch and a half (with the holster) when you’re running IWB.
Side Note: Yes you are adding bulk to your waistline when running inside the waistband. This is why the right holster is also important. Get a holster that adds minimal bulk to your already bulky gun. Bravo Torsion IWB gun holster design only adds .16 of an inch to your guns total width. Front and back making it very comfortable… if, again, you dress around it.
Nowadays pants have a stretchy material such as spandex or lycra that allows for more comfort. Especially around the waistline. These obviously work great for IWB and that’s what I run.
Another misconception is tightening your belt way too tight. This is a big “no, no” for IWB concealed carry. Many people think that the tighter they cinch up my belt the more secure their gun will be. There may be a little bit of truth there but as much as you may think. The thing that keeps your holster on you are the attachment point or points used on the holster.
Belt clips and soft belt loops, those are the things that are gonna keep your holster and gun on you. Cinching up your belt way too tight is only gonna make things uncomfortable and takes the whole “comfort stretch, spandex/ lycra pants” out of the equation.
Now does this mean that you run your belt supper loose for more comfort? Of course not. You cinch up your belt as much as you need to keep your firearm nicely tucked and concealable while leaving enough room for your upper torso to move comfortably while carrying your gun.
-Numero tres: It’s an acquired taste like wasabi! (That stuff ain’t edible man)
It’s an acquired taste guys, you have to get used to it. There are no shortcuts here other than getting hypnotized or brainwashed into not feeling 2 pounds of polymer and steel on you. You just have to get used to it.
By the way, there is no “magical” holster out there that you won’t feel when carrying IWB. If someone tells you that, they are just flat out lying to you.
It’s simple. The more you do it the more it becomes second nature. If you stay committed to concealed carry you will get to a point where you feel naked without your EDC. I’ve turned the car around halfway to my destination just to get my gun. Won’t do that for anything else, not even my phone, which I pretty much run Bravo on.
Commit yourself to carrying everyday. Dress around concealed carry and be mindful in choosing the right gun to carry. It’s simply a way of life. This is the best advice for getting over the discomfort of carrying your EDC.
Know your state and local laws. Do you due diligence and find out what you can and can’t do when it comes to concealed carry. Then, go out there and get it done.
Rene Aguirre is the founder and owner of Bravo Concealment. Rene has been carrying concealed on a daily basis for over 8 years and has been a CHL (concealed handgun license) holder for more than 20 years. Finding a high interest in firearms for many years, Rene started Bravo because of the “lack of” a good concealed carry holster.
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4 comments
Just going to leave this tip right here: Waist size is critical to a more “comfortable” IWB carry no matter which position in which you carry. You are probably not in high school any more and although at 40 years old you think you still look hot in those slim jeans lets face the reality fact that you have to change with time because you body has already realized that. Flex waist jeans are not your enemy, they are your IWB ally and I promise if you get a correct waist size jeans with a flex (e.g. as in stretchy) waist that no one will fault you for it.
Vertex delta pants hsveva little stretch them. Great for IWB.
Awesome video
Great video and holsters. Just started carrying an extra Mag. Attached to my IWB That you also showed in another video.. Works great. Thanks. Going to order another Mag holder to use with my OWB.. Great Holsters..