concealed carry

Single stack 9mm pistols for concealed carry

Posted on by Caleb

Three different approaches to single stack 9mm pistols for concealed carry in this photo. From top left we have the Glock 43, set up with Sevigny night sights in a BLACKHAWK Ambidextrous Appendix Reversible Carry. Moving clockwise, we have the current 1911 test gun, a Springfield Armory Range Officer in 9mm. The RO is riding in a Custom Carry Concepts Shaggy, which is honestly the most comfortable AIWB holster for a full-size 1911 I’ve ever owned. Last but not least is the Performance Center M&P Shield, which features high-visibility fiber optic sights and a ported barrel. It’s riding in a first generation Phlster skeleton. I have a later version of the Skeleton for my full-size M&P, and I absolutely love it.

Right now, I’m carrying the 1911, because it’s part of the Great 1911 project I’m working on this year. With the Shaggy, the 1911 rides nice and high allowing for a full grip on the draw. I haven’t used the ARC from Blackhawk much, but Shelley Rae swears by it. The Skeleton is set up for deep concealment; which is where I like to use the Shield anyway. It’s a small gun, and if I’m carrying in an environment where being made could have potentially negative consequences, the Shield and Skeleton combo reduces any “printing” the gun may have down to zero.

Three different guns, three different approaches to AIWB.

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Caleb

7 Comments

  1. I’ve settled into a Springfield XDs 9mm with a crimson trace laser guard seated in a Crossbreed MiniTuck. This started out as my Summer (light clothing) carry, but it’s so comfortable that it’s become my year-round carry.

  2. All look interesting, but I’ll stick with my Crossbreed.
    The metal belt clips work better than plastic and it’s so comfortable there are days I forget to take it off until I’m going to bed (with a Kahr PM9).

    1. I am not a big fan of Crossbreed holsters, or really any of those “hybrid” style holsters. I feel like they combine everything bad about a leather holster with everything bad about a plastic holster and don’t give you any of the benefits of either.

  3. I’ve carried the shaggy several years ago, and while it was a good holster I wasn’t too impressed with the concealment. The incog after that and the eidolon after that are much better for both concealment and quick draw stroke, in my opinion.

    1. I am not really impressed with the Incog as an appendix holster. I think it’s a decent IWB holster, but there are specialized rigs that are far superior for AIWB use.

      1. I moved on from it when I found something that concealed better. The concealment on the incog was never as good as I would of liked. The spare mag was a nice addition, though. What about it didn’t you like?

  4. My only complaint with the Shaggy is that the leather “comfort layer” separates periodically and I have to reapply contact cement to stick it back on. Otherwise it’s fantastic. The Keeper might beat it though.

    As an aside, didn’t you post a Dear John Letter to AIWB carry a while back?

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