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In the time between taking the CHL class and actually receiving the plastic, is there any merit to the idea of purchasing and wearing an IWB holster without carrying the gun?

Will the holster mold itself to the body properly if the gun is not in it?

Is it easier to get used to carrying by wearing just the holster?

Not in my opinion.

If you wear the holster and handgun while at home or other property where you can legally carry without a CHL, you will get used to it and break in your rig.

The most difficult aspect for many people is carrying the weight of a loaded handgun. You don't have that with an empty holster.

- Jim

you COULD go out and about with one of the molded training pistols. I know at the police academy we had to wear our duty belts daily, but for the longest time we didnt even have a molded pistol in the holster...it felt weird finally having a full size duty gun, with 16rds in it, and 2 x 15rd mags on the belt. Now it feels weird NOT having them in there (like when I go in the jail).

You could also carry an AirSoft to convince yourself that no one is going to notice, and get used to using the john, etc.

Neither a blue pistol nor AirSoft gives you the weight of a real firearm.

- Jim

I suggest you just duck-tape a brick to your belt... http://www.duckbrand.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

seamusTX wrote:Neither a blue pistol nor AirSoft gives you the weight of a real firearm.

- Jim

Depends entirely on the weapon... we actually have some that are heavier than the real thing

seamusTX wrote:Not in my opinion.

If you wear the holster and handgun while at home or other property where you can legally carry without a CHL, you will get used to it and break in your rig.

The most difficult aspect for many people is carrying the weight of a loaded handgun. You don't have that with an empty holster.

- Jim

I agree with Jim that there's no advantage to wearing the empty holster, but there is quite a bit to be gained by wearing the gun you intend to carry and the holster you plan on carrying it in around the house or other places where you're legal:

This gives you a chance to:

1. Experiment with various belts to discover what works best for you. Your normal wardrobe belts won't cut it. Heavy 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inch belts designed for concealed carry are preferred.
2. Get used to the weight as Jim noted
3. Find the least uncomfortable position for the holstered gun on your body
4. Solve any unwanted holster sliding or rotation problems
5. Experiment with your wardrobe to find out what gives you good concealment with your particular body type and gun / holster combination
6. Try out methods for routine actions that won't expose or print your gun - e.g., bending low, sitting in a chair with a partially open back without having the gun poke out through the opening, sitting down in a wooden bench without the dead giveaway "thunk" of an amateur gun carrier, etc.
7. Get over the idea that everyone around you can see a well concealed gun under your clothing

Good stuff, guys!

I really appreciate the input.

I have chosen a 5.11 casual belt with removable buckle as my most likely purchase for a gun belt, and the Crossbreed Supertuck with J-hooks in horsehide with combat cut as my holster.

I've seen comments about these holsters taking some time to mold to the wearer's shape, so I just thought maybe wearing the holster would be a good use of the "in-between time" of buying the equipment and being legal for carry in public. I can't carry a firearm at work (either of my two jobs), but I can wear an empty holster! It sounds like that would not be productive, so I'll just wait.

On the subject of gun belts, is there any reason I couldn't buy something like a 5.11 Casual or a Crossbreed belt (both of which have a removable/replaceable buckle), put my own reversible buckle on it, and get the "inside" of the belt dyed another color, so that end up with a reversible belt (black on one side, brown on the other)? Obviously, I'd have to buy a brown belt and have the other side dyed black by a leatherworker.

Vic wrote:I've seen comments about these holsters taking some time to mold to the wearer's shape, so I just thought maybe wearing the holster would be a good use of the "in-between time" of buying the equipment and being legal for carry in public. I can't carry a firearm at work (either of my two jobs), but I can wear an empty holster! It sounds like that would not be productive, so I'll just wait.

For some holsters but those won't mold right empty. They'll flatten, especially the IWB ones.

Vic wrote:Good stuff, guys!

I really appreciate the input.

I have chosen a 5.11 casual belt with removable buckle as my most likely purchase for a gun belt, and the Crossbreed Supertuck with J-hooks in horsehide with combat cut as my holster.

I've seen comments about these holsters taking some time to mold to the wearer's shape, so I just thought maybe wearing the holster would be a good use of the "in-between time" of buying the equipment and being legal for carry in public. I can't carry a firearm at work (either of my two jobs), but I can wear an empty holster! It sounds like that would not be productive, so I'll just wait.

On the subject of gun belts, is there any reason I couldn't buy something like a 5.11 Casual or a Crossbreed belt (both of which have a removable/replaceable buckle), put my own reversible buckle on it, and get the "inside" of the belt dyed another color, so that end up with a reversible belt (black on one side, brown on the other)? Obviously, I'd have to buy a brown belt and have the other side dyed black by a leatherworker.

On the Crossbreed holster, be aware that the J-hook mounting system, while keeping a lower profile, puts the weight of the gun on your pants instead of on the belt like the standard clips do. A lot of folks find this leads to a lot of "hitchin' up the britches" as you walk around.

If you would like a reversible belt, you'd be better off ordering it that way from the maker or a custom outfit like Beltman. Most belts that are not designed to be reversible have only one finished side that is suitable for outside wear. The unfinished side won't look good when worn exposed, even if dyed.

sjfcontrol wrote:I suggest you just duck-tape a brick to your belt... http://www.duckbrand.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That would do a good job of approximating the thickness of a Block. Errr, "Glock".

I actually asked a custom beltmaker the same question about reversability. Turns out for a belt to hold up well enough to function as a gun belt, you lose the option. Whether it's double thick or has an internal stiffener, it will only wrap one way.


Perhaps a different maker could pull it off. I admittedly quit asking.

Trinitite wrote:

Vic wrote:I've seen comments about these holsters taking some time to mold to the wearer's shape, so I just thought maybe wearing the holster would be a good use of the "in-between time" of buying the equipment and being legal for carry in public. I can't carry a firearm at work (either of my two jobs), but I can wear an empty holster! It sounds like that would not be productive, so I'll just wait.

For some holsters but those won't mold right empty.They'll flatten, especially the IWB ones.

This true for leather holsters. Maybe not a problem for Kydex. I have never felt the need to "wear in" or "mold to my body" any holster. In fact, I have seen some top-notch leather holsters ruined by the owner kneading and applying oils to make them soft and pliable. Holsters and gunbelts are not like a leather baseball glove or shoes - they are supposed to be stiff.

Like several posters above stated, wear your holster and gun around your house or property . I did this for several weeks and it did seem to help 'adjust' to the weight and feel of having a gun on. Once my CHL arrived, everything seemed fairly natural going out and about physically - still adjusting mentally that it is actually OK to carry !

for about the last 2 weeks, I've been practicing with my MTAC iwb holster. Both full and empty.

I think there is merit to do this. It just gets you used to the feel, and it starts training you on how you will need to learn to adjust your walk, stance, and posture.