G17 IWB Concealed Carry

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imchase

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I just bought my first pistol and it's a Glock 17 Gen 4. I've shot countless pistols but I've never tried concealed carrying one. Any recommendations as to good IWB holsters for the 17? I'm about 6'0 and 170 pounds if that helps any. Also, I've seen a lot of people carry on the hip and right below the belly button at about about 12 o'clock, too. I feel like the 12 o'clock position would be uncomfortable with a full size frame, but I've never carried so I don't know. Thoughts on that, too?
 
I carry a 17 and have carried them in both places. I carried IWB at 4:30 most of my life up until a couple of years ago, when I switched to AIWB at about 1:00. Wish Id done it years ago. It really works much better.

Holster wise, Ive always been partial to Blade Tech kydex IWB's and Milt Sparks VM II's in leather.

Im currently using a Blade Tech Ambi Klipt AIWB. Works great and is very comfortable.
 
If I were you, I would carry appendix IWB with a light/laser, and red dot sight.

If I were me, I would carry it OWB in a kydex pancake. Glocks are pretty wide..

Whew....Read the above post. Sounds like a real Glock person...
 
Glock person now, but have carried 1911's, SIG's, and a couple of others, all "full size" guns, using the same holsters for the most part. Its really not hard at all.

Glocks really arent all that "wide" either. My 17's are actually "thinner" than my Commanders at the widest point of the grips. They are also about the same overall size.
 
I carry my G17 in a Galco King Tuk and it's very comfortable. I think the G17 would be too large to comfortably appendix carry, and at 12 o'clock it would be very problematic sitting down. The nice thing about the King Tuk in addition to the comfort is that just 1 holster will work with the any of my 9mm Glocks excluding the 43) and will also work perfectly with my .40 Glocks.
 
The only sure way to know if any position will work for you, is to actually try it yourself and see how things go. We're all built different and have different expectations, so what works for one, might not work for another. But again, you'll never know, if you dont actually give it a realistic try.


Its amazing how often these days, that you hear that theres no way you can carry (let alone comfortably carry) a full size handgun. Having done it daily for about 40 years now, I have a hard time believing it when I hear it, and have to assume that those who tell you you cant, have never really tried, if they ever tried at all. Its really not hard at all, and unless youre stuck with a strict dress code, it doesnt usually require you to radically change what you wear, or the sizes you normally wear.
 
Tulster Profile is absolutely fantastic. The slimmest I've come across with PERFECT retention. A really nice click into place where a lot of others are a bit more... 'muddy' feeling as it slides in.
 
I've been carrying my 17 at 12:00 in a Henry Holsters AIWB kydex holster. I was worried about it being too big, too, but the holster makes it ride quite high, so the end of the barrel is still above the bend of my waist.

I also carry my 19 in a JM Custom Kydex "The George" AIWB at 12:00. I got that holster for the 19 before I got my 17, and wish I would've got it made for the 17. I love this holster. Highly recommended
 
I never have.

If you havent carried that way before, you need to give it a chance, find your sweet spot, and let your body adjust to it being there. Once you settle in, I think youll find its very comfortable and nothing works better. The only time I notice it now, are those odd times the gun isnt there.
 
I've only been carrying for a short time now, but have gotten used to appendix carry quickly. I've noticed that carrying it at 12:00 helps me to not favor one side while walking, helps it not print when I bend over, and it's quick to draw from any position.

Sitting down is definitely different compared to no gun there, but you get used to it fast. It's no problem for me.
 
I wouldn't carry a Glock or any gun around the 1.2" mark IWB, personally. If you guys can tolerate it, more power to you! My goal for IWB is less than 0.9". I want to down gun to 0.75" thick if possible (and reliable).

Shoulder carry is pretty amazing in terms of comfort, I've just found out (Galco Miami Classic). I bet a G17 could do well in that capacity. If IWB is too annoying with that, try shoulder carry. Yeah, it's slower, but, man, it is comfortable.
 
Alabama Holster Hooker IWB appendix, J hook. Safriland Model 123 horizontal mag pouch

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DubC, I have a "George" holster on it's way to my doorstep this week for my CZ-75 Compact! If it's as good as a lot of people say, I'll get it for my SP-01 too. I've been carrying both AIWB with a leather holster, and a purpose built kydex will be so much thinner.

To the OP, you can definitely appendix carry the 17 in a purpose made holster. The Glock has less things poking out than any CZ I carry in that position! Dale Fricke and JM Custom Kydex came up consistently on multiple forums when researching the best AIWB holsters so I would check out their websites.
 
I'm not a fan of AIWB carry. I also have a gut though right now. At 6'2" 260-270ish with about a 40" waist. So being about 40lb over weight id say I feel like what works for me won't be what works for you OP. Now I carry my M&P9 at about 930 on my left hip in a white hat holster. It's a nice system and I like the holster. It's very very cozy even with a full size pistol and my tactical muffin top sits over the gun just right so that it's damn near invisible when I wear a dark loose fitting shirt. I'd suggest buying a very simple holster that can be worn at a variety of positions and going a week in a few different locations until you settle on what works for you. I prefer having my gun under my arms because that's just one more thing blocking the view. In all reality though even when I open carry almost nobody notices my gun unless I have it in a level 2 retention holster. Even then though 90% of people just assume I work in law enforcement. (I do but that's besides the point) So really just favor whatever is comfortable for you and hides reasonably well. Most people won't notice even if you have a sign pointed at it. And the people who do notice are almost always LEO, other CCW's, or cashiers.
 
I have a few Alessi Talon holsters that I wear daily. For a moderate priced holster (at least on ebay), they offer good concealment and a top notch clip that can be used without a belt.
 
I won't CCW a SF pistol AIWB due to where it's pointed. I do CCW at about 3:30-4:00 and can comfortably conceal an HK P30L, which is very close in size to the Glock 17, in a Silent Thunder Fusion hybrid holster.

There are tons of good holsters but a holster is a very personal decision. Some good makers for IWB off the top of my head include Garrett, Ozark, Comp-Tac, and JM Custom Kydex. Hybrids tend to be most comfortable but are typically more difficult to put on and take off the belt. They are also more difficult for holstering the pistol and not a good choice for training classes or holster practice.

A good belt is also a very important part of your CCW system, especially with a full size pistol. I wear a Beltman bullhide belt.

I easily and comfortably CCW my Glock 19 in an Ozark IWB holster. Love how easy it is to put on and take off the belt too.

 
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