Outside-the-Waistband Holsters: Duty, Competition and Concealment

Outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters range from bulky tactical rigs to slim designs that conceal under a T-shirt. This entry in the Gun Websites What Holster to Buy series compares three left-handed OWB holsters for the Glock family.

Blade-Tech drop-offset OWB

  • A drop-offset mount lowers the holster and angles it away from the body, easier to reach around body armor.
  • An adjustable bracket fits belts from about 1 to 2 inches, with several mounting positions to set the cant.
  • Two tension screws provide the only retention. Tighten them for rough terrain; loosen them for a faster draw.
  • Molded for a Glock 35 with a weapon light, it also holds a Glock 23 with a light.
  • Clearly a tactical holster, not for concealment.

Comp-Tac OWB

  • A one-piece design that wraps the slide, with a closed bottom. Longer slides would need the bottom trimmed.
  • A detent at the trigger guard snaps the pistol in place for passive retention, even upside down.
  • Cut low in front so the muzzle clears quickly on the draw.
  • Fits a Glock 23 and a Glock 27.

Raven Concealment Phantom

  • Thin, flexible Kydex with beveled edges and pancake-style belt loops that pull the pistol close to the body.
  • Slightly wider to break up the pistol’s outline. Conceals well under a polo, T-shirt or dress shirt.
  • The reviewer used it in many matches and carried it daily, and left most other holsters in a box after getting it.

Choosing an OWB holster

  • Decide first: duty or range use, competition, or concealment.
  • Check retention adjustment and passive retention.
  • Slim, close-riding designs conceal; offset designs work around gear.

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