How to Put IWB Holster on Gun Belt? – Stepwise Process

IWB holsters make the discreet carrying experience comfortable. However, if you are new to them or have purchased a new one, you may be confused about wearing them correctly. Shooting enthusiasts commonly ask how to put an IWB holster on the gun belt.

Although the process is straightforward, you might wonder about many small things. These include putting the gun in before or after wearing the holster, how comfortable it will feel, and how to put the holster on the belt securely.

Read the post to learn how to put your IWB holster on a gun belt securely, draw the gun, and adjust the holster. We will also describe the most comfortable and safest positions to wear the IWB holster.

What is an IWB Holster?

An IWB (Inside the Waistband) holster is meant to make you carry your gun discreetly. It goes inside your trousers and keeps the gun inside your waistband. This type of holster is attached to a strong gun belt. IWB holsters can be worn and carried in many ways, such as appendix carry, kidney carry, and 12 o'clock position. Some of the best IWB holsters are made of leather and are molded according to the specific dimensions of the shooter's gun. They have high natural retention, which keeps the pistol secure and allows ease of draw.

Steps to Put IWB Holster on Gun Belt

Use the following steps to easily put the concealed carry holster on your belt and not feel uncomfortable doing so.

• Firstly, ensure that your gun is depleted of any rounds of ammunition and is safe to be put inside the holster.
• Now, keep the pistol aside and loosen up your belt a little.
• Slide the holster under the waistband.
• Now, put the holster in any concealed carry position you like. It can be an appendix, small-of-the-back, or behind the hip.
• Fasten the clips of the holster or adjust them to make the holster stable.
• Zip up your trousers and buckle the belt.
• Now that you have put the IWB holster on the gun belt, inset your pistol. When picking up and inserting the pistol, keep your finger away from the trigger.
• Draw the pistol out from the holster and check that the process is smooth.
• If you want to wear your shirt tucked in, just pull up your shirt and pull it back around the gun.
• Loosen your belt and undo the zipper slightly.
• Tuck the shirt around the gun and tighten your belt.
• Now, loosen the shirt that is over the holster a little bit, and you're done.

Steps to Draw Gun from Your IWB Holster

Drawing accurately from an IWB holster takes some time and practice because there is clothing between you and the gun. Use these steps to draw your pistol when self-defense is necessary:

1. Come into a good stance, one in which you feel confident and comfortable.
2. With your non-dominant hand, yank away your shirt.
3. At the same time, draw the gun from the IWB holster.
4. How you grip your pistol when drawing it should be the same as how you grip it during firing. So, the grip should be strong.
5. The muzzle of the gun should not cross any area of your body.
6. Do not place your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire.

Best Places to Position IWB Holster on Gun Belt

The best places to position an IWB holster are 12 o'clock, Appendix carry, 3 o'clock (4 o'clock position for those who shoot with right hand), and 4-5 o'clock (Kidney Carry or 7-8 o'clock for lefties). Note that your build and your ability to modify the ride height and cant play a huge role in finding a suitable angle for an IWB holster. Let's explain these placements in detail.

• 12 o'clock - If you have a longer gun that needs to be put in an IWB holster, the 12 o'clock position will be ideal. In this position, the gun is kept inside your holster in front of your body, and you can draw it smoothly. It is one of the most common and secure positions for carrying a weapon.
• Appendix Carry - In an Appendix Carry, you place the holster slightly over your pelvic area between the naval and hipbone. This position can be slightly left or 11 o'clock or right, which is 1 o'clock according to your dominant hand. Since the gun sits in front of the body, you can respond to critical situations fast. This position gives the least printing and is best for lean people who wear fitted clothes. However, if you are overweight, this position may hurt you. You can try out other IWB placements.
• 3 o'clock - 3 o'clock or strong-side position keeps the pistol in the center, but it does not contact the sides. The positioning of the holster is more at your hips, which makes the strong-side position less concealable.
• Kidney Carry - Kidney Carry is a 'behind the back' carry placement wherein the pistol is kept behind your hip. You draw the gun with your palm facing your body, and so the muzzle of your barrel is always pointed at the target. This position does not fully conceal your gun because some part of the grip goes pat your body.

How to Adjust IWB Holster on Gun Belt?

After putting the IWB holster on the gun belt, you can adjust its retention, cant, and ride height for more comfort. Keep in mind that you should use a thick gun belt dedicated to concealed carrying your pistol.

Retention

Adjust the retention if you find it difficult to draw your gun because of the increased resistance. This can be done by adjusting the screws or hex nuts. The holster's retention should be tight enough so the holstered gun can be inverted. You should be able to shake it lightly without having the gun fall out.

Cant

For better comfort and easier concealment, adjusting the cant is important. Cant is the angle of the holster about the wearer's body. If your holster does not come with a fixed cant, it means that you can wear it at any angle that feels comfortable.

If you carry the pistol vertically in the holster, it has zero degrees of cant (neutral position). Forward (positive) cant allow you to carry the weapon with a forward tilt. A negative or reverse cant means that your pistol is tilted back from the zero-degree position. This is observable in a cross-draw holster.

Ride Height

Ride height implies the distance of your gun's grip from your belt line. If the grip is close to the gun belt, it is low ride height, and if it is further up, it is high ride height. A holster with an adjustable ride height allows you to carry the gun at a position from where you can easily reach for it and get a good grip. You can modify the clip on your holster and choose to carry the gun in any ride position according to the situation.

Can You Put the IWB Holster on a Regular Belt Instead of a Gun Belt?

No. A regular belt is not strong enough to bear the weight of your holstered weapon. A gun belt is purpose-built with high-quality materials like leather and nylon. Also, a regular belt makes it difficult to conceal the weapon. They are not as rigid as a gun belt and so cannot keep the pistol tight against your body.

A regular belt will also feel uncomfortable when you are carrying your firearm. They will sag, causing you to keep adjusting your pants, which is not the case with a proper gun belt. Such belts come with as many as seven holes for proper resizing. Often, there isn't any need to change the belt size if you are carrying a single gun discretely.

Conclusion

Knowing how to put an IWB holster on a gun belt accurately so it feels comfortable is essential for people who carry firearms daily. Follow the process we have described, and be sure to practice drawing and re-holstering the gun till you feel confident. You can also experiment with the different placements of the holster until you find a comfortable spot. As always, investing in a top-quality holster will make the process of wearing and carrying the gun a lot easier and secure. If you need one, check out Wright Leather Works' range of IWB holsters for concealed carry.