I'm a 5'9'' 165lb male that usually has a little slack in his shirts and pants. I'm looking at getting an IWB holster for my S&W Model 60 revolver. It's a stainless finish. I hope to try appendix and 4 o' clock carry. I'm wondering what your preferences are on a cant. Do you like cants? How do you carry, and what is your body build?
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Holster IWB Cant or no Cant?
- Thread starter inchrisin
- Start date
I tend to prefer a forward cant to my holsters, but I carry at the 3:30 to 4:00 position. I don't carry apendix, but from what I know of those who do, a straight vertical holster is preferred.
I am more heavyset, with a little Dunlap syndrome (belly done lapped on over the belt).
I am more heavyset, with a little Dunlap syndrome (belly done lapped on over the belt).
Jimmy pretty much summed it up.
Im a little shorter and lighter than you, and Ive carried IWB (autos more than revolvers though) in both places. At 4:30, I prefer the forward cant. At about 1:00, the straight drop is more appropriate. I also prefer a little slop in the belt attachment, as it lets to holster settle more as you move. I also prefer the smaller, over the belt type clip, as it hides better and sits flatter.
At 4:30, I prefer the the holster to be more rigid on the belt, and the attachment points spread out. I usually used a "pull the dot" type loop fastener with those holsters.
I carried at 4:30 most of my life. I switched to AIWB a little over a year ago, and wish Id done it years ago. Its very comfortable, offers better concealment and security, and is quicker to access.
Im a little shorter and lighter than you, and Ive carried IWB (autos more than revolvers though) in both places. At 4:30, I prefer the forward cant. At about 1:00, the straight drop is more appropriate. I also prefer a little slop in the belt attachment, as it lets to holster settle more as you move. I also prefer the smaller, over the belt type clip, as it hides better and sits flatter.
At 4:30, I prefer the the holster to be more rigid on the belt, and the attachment points spread out. I usually used a "pull the dot" type loop fastener with those holsters.
I carried at 4:30 most of my life. I switched to AIWB a little over a year ago, and wish Id done it years ago. Its very comfortable, offers better concealment and security, and is quicker to access.
For carrying at 3:00 - 4:00 cant helps in both concealment and comfort. Appendix carry almost always needs straight drop to avoid printing.
You can experiment by just taking your unloaded gun and placing it inside your waistband to get an idea of how it will conceal. You might also invest in a Remora type holster which doesn't use loops so that you can place it and cant it at will to see what works for you before you order a more conventional holster.
Carrying behind the hip gives some advantage over appendix when facing an adversary because you can pivot to keep your strong side further away from the threat.
I only carry IWB and I almost only carry in Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 holsters.
Bill
You can experiment by just taking your unloaded gun and placing it inside your waistband to get an idea of how it will conceal. You might also invest in a Remora type holster which doesn't use loops so that you can place it and cant it at will to see what works for you before you order a more conventional holster.
Carrying behind the hip gives some advantage over appendix when facing an adversary because you can pivot to keep your strong side further away from the threat.
I only carry IWB and I almost only carry in Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 holsters.
Bill
Here's an interesting video by Travis Haley that demonstrates how cant and holster position are related. Further back requires more can't for efficient draw. Further forward requires less cant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imuOBvKCyKQ
I've always liked a lot of cant to keep the grip from protruding as much, but I also like my holster back behind my hip, around 4:30ish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imuOBvKCyKQ
I've always liked a lot of cant to keep the grip from protruding as much, but I also like my holster back behind my hip, around 4:30ish.
A way to look at it, or as a rule-of-thumb:
For right-handed folks:
at 3 o'clock, a straight drop;
as the holster is worn toward 6 o'clock, the cant becomes more comfortable for the right hand/wrist to reach & grip the gun;
you'll see an SOB (small of the back) holster at or near horizontal.
as the holster is worn toward 12 o'clock, some may actually go from a straight drop to a reverse cant.
One other benefit of the cant is the grip is rotated upward which can aid in concealing the protruding grip.
As a negative issue, should the right hand be injured or otherwise, unavailable to draw, reaching around to get a grip using the left hand may be more difficult compared to a straight drop holster, but this more just something to know and to practice.
For the really scientific, I suppose one could calculate which degree of cant is best, whether 5 degrees or 15 degrees, depending on exactly where the holster will be worn, but that's probably too extreme. I believe personal preference and practicing with whatever holster & cant you have is the more important aspect of holster & cant. Some holster brands & models don't offer much of a choice anyway.
For right-handed folks:
at 3 o'clock, a straight drop;
as the holster is worn toward 6 o'clock, the cant becomes more comfortable for the right hand/wrist to reach & grip the gun;
you'll see an SOB (small of the back) holster at or near horizontal.
as the holster is worn toward 12 o'clock, some may actually go from a straight drop to a reverse cant.
One other benefit of the cant is the grip is rotated upward which can aid in concealing the protruding grip.
As a negative issue, should the right hand be injured or otherwise, unavailable to draw, reaching around to get a grip using the left hand may be more difficult compared to a straight drop holster, but this more just something to know and to practice.
For the really scientific, I suppose one could calculate which degree of cant is best, whether 5 degrees or 15 degrees, depending on exactly where the holster will be worn, but that's probably too extreme. I believe personal preference and practicing with whatever holster & cant you have is the more important aspect of holster & cant. Some holster brands & models don't offer much of a choice anyway.
I'm close to your size with an athletic build. I used to carry semis IWB at 4 o'clock with a cant to now a J-frame revolver at 1-2 o'clock with a reverse cant in a Remora holster. For me, appendix is much better (deep concealment, no printing, most quickly accessible, either hand, etc) but I could never get comfortable with a chambered "half-cocked" semi pointing there, not to mention all my semis (even a tiny LCP) ride too high over my belt line becoming rib jabbers.
The reverse cant on my 638 has my grip running horizontal, ~1" over my beltline, and acts as a "hook" so the gun cannot sink lower (this is friction holster, after all). The grip is totally hidden in my slightly bloused/tucked shirt. The barrel is roughly at a 45-degree angle, and so also follows the ~45-degree crease between my thigh and torso, when in a seated position.... very comfortable, and truly invisible.
I'll echo what was said above.... try a Remora IWB holster for ~$25. If nothing else, you will at least be able to test infinitely variable locations, and cants, to see what works best for you - then you can buy fixed holster for it.
The reverse cant on my 638 has my grip running horizontal, ~1" over my beltline, and acts as a "hook" so the gun cannot sink lower (this is friction holster, after all). The grip is totally hidden in my slightly bloused/tucked shirt. The barrel is roughly at a 45-degree angle, and so also follows the ~45-degree crease between my thigh and torso, when in a seated position.... very comfortable, and truly invisible.
I'll echo what was said above.... try a Remora IWB holster for ~$25. If nothing else, you will at least be able to test infinitely variable locations, and cants, to see what works best for you - then you can buy fixed holster for it.
I carry iwb appendix cross draw, at about 11:00. I prefer a pretty good reverse cant as it allows the barrel to run across my hip and brings the grip closer down to the belt line. I carry big bore revolvers and can conceal with just an untucked tee shirt. It is comfortable all day long as nothing is poking into me, rather the gun is just resting against me with the pressure of the gun distributed across the entire gun.
2damnold4this
New member
When I carry a J frame, it's in a Galco Stow and Go AIWB holster with no cant.
Check out the Bianchi #3S inside the waistband holster. It has an adjustable metal ratchet mechanism that lets you adjust the angle, with this neat feature it can be used as a right side or cross draw . Can be ordered as right hand or left hand . I also like the snap on-off belt loop attachment if you don't want to remove your belt to take it off.
I use it with a Taurus 455 , 5 shot 45 acp snub nosed , all steel revolver. When sitting in a car I can tilt the gun out of my ribs, upon standing I reposition it easily. Cant is not fixed so it is very comfortable. Very nice , well made holster and can be found for $50.00 to $70.00 , great value.
The holster can be positioned anywhere on the belt and the cant changed to accommodate your build, even going cross draw if you want.
If you want the cant fixed in one position , just tighten one screw and the little metal ratchet stays fixed until you change it.
Bianchi #3S , love it !
Gary
I use it with a Taurus 455 , 5 shot 45 acp snub nosed , all steel revolver. When sitting in a car I can tilt the gun out of my ribs, upon standing I reposition it easily. Cant is not fixed so it is very comfortable. Very nice , well made holster and can be found for $50.00 to $70.00 , great value.
The holster can be positioned anywhere on the belt and the cant changed to accommodate your build, even going cross draw if you want.
If you want the cant fixed in one position , just tighten one screw and the little metal ratchet stays fixed until you change it.
Bianchi #3S , love it !
Gary