TexasCHLforum.com

I'm a new CHL. I have a Glock 19 and was pretty bewildered about what to use to carry.

I decided that I didn't want an IWB (which took me a while to figure out was "inside the waist band"), because I didn't want a new set of pants for every occasion. I wear my clothes loosely, so OWB looked good.

I tried some Galco's at my range, but it was hard to tell in about 15 seconds if it was something I wanted to wear all day long. I found the Comp-Tac website, and decided I'd try the "Settable Cant" holster because it looked like I could try a variety of cants & positions on my belt; plus they have a 30-day return policy.

Since this would be my first holster, I really wanted flexibility in the ways I could wear it, so I could explore in the real world what was comfortable & usable. I purchased both the belt mount & paddle options.

I have to say, I'm super pleased. I can wear this thing with a variety of cants, anywhere on my belt, with the paddle, with the belt mount, cross draw, FBI/straight draw, and even some variation of higher/lower on my waist. My friends have the "drawer full of holsters," but this has allowed me to try almost every cant & position possible so that if I decide I want a custom or all-leather holster next, I'll know what I want.

The company is based in Texas, so there is sales tax involved. It's not the cheapest option, but it is a quality build and for me, a great first (only?) holster with a lot of flexibility.

Here's where I found it and ordered it online:
Comp-Tac Settable Cant Holster:
http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=55

A lot of us use Comp-Tac's products, in particular their IWB Minotaur MTAC, which is extraordinarily comfortable, has "settable cant," and can be reconfigured to fit multiple guns with the addition of spare holster bodies.

If/when I try an "IWB" holster, that one looks like a good one. I like being able to try out some different cants & positions (with a 30 day return) to find what works.

At the point I either lose some weight or buy some new pants, I'll try an IWB holster; and probably that one.

singproinc,

You started out VERY well. You picked one of the premier holster manufacturers in the world. Th best part is that it is a Texas company and extremely customer oriented.

Great choice. I use Comp-Tac for competition and have their M-Tac for carry.

singproinc wrote:If/when I try an "IWB" holster, that one looks like a good one. I like being able to try out some different cants & positions (with a 30 day return) to find what works.

At the point I either lose some weight or buy some new pants, I'll try an IWB holster; and probably that one.

FWIW, I'll bet I weigh more than you do. I weigh more than most people, and IWB works just fine for me... ...with the right holster; and the MTAC is the right holster.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

singproinc wrote:If/when I try an "IWB" holster, that one looks like a good one. I like being able to try out some different cants & positions (with a 30 day return) to find what works.

At the point I either lose some weight or buy some new pants, I'll try an IWB holster; and probably that one.

FWIW, I'll bet I weigh more than you do. I weigh more than most people, and IWB works just fine for me... ...with the right holster; and the MTAC is the right holster.

Ok, TAM, I know I kid around alot but this is a serious question. With an IWB, do you have to buy larger pants or does it just fit in the same size you normally wear? Also, do you carry your IWB at 3:00, or wait...that would be 9:00 for you...as I recall, you're a leftie...or do you carry it more towards your back?

IWB looks so uncomfortable but a lot of folks seem to like it.

T.

I'll let TAM speak for himself; but my limited experience trying a few IWB holsters made me wish for a longer belt and waistband. I tried both "appendix carry" and "3:30" IWB holsters. Again; I wish that I could have tried them longer and experimented more, but I was sure pretty quickly that I needed bigger pants.

YMMV.

singproinc wrote:I'll let TAM speak for himself; but my limited experience trying a few IWB holsters made me wish for a longer belt and waistband. I tried both "appendix carry" and "3:30" IWB holsters. Again; I wish that I could have tried them longer and experimented more, but I was sure pretty quickly that I needed bigger pants.

YMMV.

That's what I was thinking too. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes since I'm female, but I just can't imagine it.

Thanks singproinc!

T.

I purchased my Comp-Tac with a paddle mount too, because I wanted to see if I could effectively wear it with pants/shorts that didn't have a 1.5" belt; and to see if it might be a solution I could suggest to my wife, since she doesn't wear many outfits that have a sturdy belt on them.

It worked well on my "dress" pants that required a skinny belt. The advantage is I can put it almost anywhere around my waist; and even scoot it front or back when needed. It doesn't make my Glock protrude under my shirts any more than the attachment with the belt holes in it.

I've found that a loose shirt is pretty much all that is needed to cover my (nearly) full-size Glock 19. Fortunately, fashion for guys allows an untucked shirt in almost any circumstance these days. If I can wear 2 layers over it, say a dark T-shirt and a loose shirt, it hides really well.

That said, the IWB holsters conceal the best, no doubt about it.

I hope to let my wife try my paddle holster with a few of her outfits soon. She has been doing a purse carry with her Walther P99, and we may get an Uncle Mike's fanny pack too. We're both a little uncomfortable with a purse carry, since that is what muggers go for first, but it has worked for us so far. A holster solution for her is more complicated; especially with a full-size pistol like her Walther.

TLynn, I can bring my M-Tac for you to try tomorrow AM if you like?

TLynn,

Well, I'm a big boy (horizontally)!

I wear the same fit of pants that I wore before I got my CHL, whether I'm carrying IWB or not - but I do tend to prefer my pants a little looser fitting to fit my "expansive nature and prosperous physique." But they are not dramatically looser. I buy the correct size, just the "relaxed-fit" version.

Like singproinc pointed out, I do wear a gun-belt that is a couple of inches longer than the waist size of my pants... ...but so do most people, most of the time, whether or not they CCW, if you stop and think about it.

CompVest wrote:TLynn, I can bring my M-Tac for you to try tomorrow AM if you like?

That would be great!! I was just wondering if that would be another option for me when I wear relaxed fit jeans. If it's comfortable, that would be cool! See ya tomorrow!

T.

I got a Minotaur MTAC for my Kel-Tec PF-9 a few weeks ago and its working out great as a IWB carry.

At first I thought it made my pants too tight. Ah - the encouragement I needed to cut back a tad on the grub. I think its really more that I just got used to it. Adjusted it around to 5:00. I felt like the butt of the pistol was making like a tent pole under my shirt, especially when I bent over, (I'm sure it was virtually unnoticeable.) So, I readjusted to no cant at all. Very deep fit, hard to get the shirt out of the way and get a grip on the butt. Still a little tent pole effect. Tried again, this time maximum cant. This throws the butt of the pistol against my back, 0 tent pole effect, even when bending over. The holster quickly becomes unfelt and easy to forget you are even carrying (not necessarily a good thing). The light press of the pistol butt against my back is a comfortable reminder.

I am very pleased with the Comp-Tech Minotaur MTAC, but the paddle seems cut for full size pistol and seems a little larger than necessary. Having said that, it feels very secure, can wear it all day - it does not slip, slide or move out of position like my el cheapo holster did, and there is just no worry about retention even when moving around a lot, climbing, etc. Its very adjustable to fit the way you want to carry and your body shape. Its a great combination for concealed carry with a PF-9 which was the whole idea in the first place. If I had wanted a range gun I would have bought a .357 with a six inch barrel.