I am looking for advice from people experienced with different AWIB guns and holsters.  I really want to make AWIB work.

I have read that longer guns work better with AWIB. How true is that?  With all else  being equal what would carry better in AWIB; Glock 43, 48, 19, or 17?  (I'm not particularly married to Glock.  It's a platform everyone is familiar with.)

I've tried a 43X in a Tier 1 Xiphos. It didn't work out well.  I'm 6' & 170-180#.  There is no reason I can't make this work.  I am willing to spend money on good gear.  I do not want to throw good money after bad.  Would I be better off trying it with my G19?

Again I am looking for experienced opinions on options.  Answers like, "365 & Tenicor or die" aren't helpful.

I carry a S&W 686+ AIWB, Im 6' and 175.   No issues

What do you call experienced?  I have 6ish years of AIWB.

I carried a G19 in a Raven Concealment Eidolon and now a 365X in a several different AIWB holsters, but settled on the alien gear.  Been on this setup 7 days a week for 2.5 years or so.  The neoprene sweat guard is the game changer for me.  It feels much better against my skin.  

My G19s rarely leave the safe these days.

ETA: 6’0”, 205#

I have tried with four different handguns

1) P938 - cheap amazon holster
2) P365XL - cheap amazon holster
3) MR920 (glock 19 size) - tier one holster
4) Staccato C2 - tier one holster

All with the same stretchy groove life belt

that order is in most comfortable to least comfortable - the longer guns holsters dig into my inner thigh tendon and its annoying.

6'2" 190-200# in pretty good shape

I haven't found the length of slide affecting AIWB carry at all.  When I first tried it, I couldn't get comfortable....it took a few days to figure out that I needed to loosen my belt a hair from how I'd carry at 3:30 / 4.  Loosening the belt allows the gun / belt to move vertically a bit when going from sitting to standing, keeping it from digging into my leg....it made a huge difference.

I went through a myriad of gun/holster combos before I found one I was comfortable with. The best I've found for me is a G48 in a JM Custom Kydex and replaced the wedge with a pillow (can't remember the company name for the pillow, but I discovered it here so someone will post it I'm sure. Attached File

Attached File

I'm fighting the same fight.
Play with your belt tightness and the ride height of your holster. Too low will dig into the groin/thigh when seated, and too high will cause the grip to cant out away from your body and feel like it's going to spill over.
I'm trying out the wedges from PHLster and Vedder to help tuck the grip in a bit more.
The Vedder holster wedge is the most comfortable so far, but it is a bit thinner, so I had to add a spacer to the holster wing (Tier 1 Xiphos) to move the grip in a bit, which makes snapping the pants back on more challenging.

Today, the most comfortable is my Kore belt, Tier 1 holster adjusted to where the RMR on my C2 is about 1/8th of an inch from my waistband with a combo of the Vedder wedge and PHLster wedges.

I've found that the sidecar-style holsters don't work well for me. The don't move with my body properly, causing some enhanced printing and hot spots where you just don't want them.

Can carry up to a N frame 4" 44 mag with no issues in AWIB

5'6 170 pounds

Tenicor

JM customs

Mastermind Tactics makes the pillows and they're better than any purpose built wedge or homebrew yoga mat/dr scholls gel contraption I've ever tried.

Have this exact holster set up for my P365XL and its fantastic. The pillow really helps.  Paired with my Mastermind Tactics Specialist belt.

I also carry a Beretta 92X RDO in a Phlster holster no problems, its actually a little more comfortable bc the longer barrel creates more leverage.

I've found that barrel length isn't much of a factor for me, given a proper gun belt and a serviceable holster. In my regular rotation for carry these days is a 92x Centurion in a TRex with no sidecar; 80x Cheetah in the only AIWB holster Beretta offers for it; 43x with an LTT striker control device in a generic holster; and an LCP in a generic AIWB holster.

For a short spell I carried a full size beretta, but I had repeated instances of getting my 🥜 🤌 between my holster and my leg. Centurion beretta is about as long as I want to carry now.

I strongly preferred hammer fired guns so that I can thumb the back while holstering for safety. This is done in conjunction with (and not in place of) safety habits like visually clearing the path to the holster, making sure garments and other obstacles are out of the way, and pushing the hips forward.

What exactly didn't work out well for you? That would help us get you a solution.

I'm an experienced AIWBer, been carrying this way for more than a decade since I first got my CCW. Time flies

Carried everything from a Colt Mustang, Makarov, USPc, Glock26, Glock19, and even a Glock 17L (yes, the really long one lol).

Tried just about every holster type from minimalist trigger guards all the way up to a light bearing Floodlight from Phlster. One thing that has been a constant source of comfort is adjustability. From ride height to cant your holster must be VERY adjustable to make AIWB work for you. If a holster only has one or two levels or holes drilled to adjust ride height I would never buy it, that's not nearly enough.

When fitting a holster for myself I try to only get the pistol deep enough in my pants so it doesn't feel like it's tipping out. And when I sit down the gun runs along my torso without contacting my leg.

Remember that adjustability isn't only determined on where your holster is drilled for holes, you can try different clips that are longer or shorter to further adjust.

Lastly your belt and pants make a huge difference. I lean towards using a very stiff belt with very-slightly looser pants (just 1 inch more than what would be a perfect fit).

All this plus position along the belt.
A host of individual measurements can influence exactly where the gun should be positioned from left to right, and those interact with the exact gun/holster/belt combo.
For some the gun might fit exactly where an appendectomy scar would be. For others(or with other set ups) the gun might be midline or even biased towards the weak hand side, even as far as a pseudo "crossdraw".
One more thing, while the stiff gunbelt works well for many, and is a must for the 3:30-4:00 position, I personally find them unnecessary and counterproductive for me in AIWB.

Not tenicor or die....  but I have carried a 43x in one for years.  Tried others and they showed.  Liked it so much that I bought another for my G45.  It will conceal fine but is wider and less comfortable.  I’m sure other holsters can work.. but that’s what sold me on AIWB

I'm 5-11, 220lbs and stick with the above 2.

4" revolvers and 5" 1911s(what I'm carrying right now) are comfortable enough. They really don't become uncomfortable until I'm tying boots or something.  I lace up once a day and it only takes a minute so it's not a huge deal.

Knock an inch of those lengths and it's significantly better when bending over. I really wouldn't want to go shorter since the barrel length does help the grip stay tucked in.

Where do you wear your belt? Close to the belly button like in the 1980s and earlier, or inches below it?

I find wearing pants up around the belly button is key to comfortably carrying full size guns.

Edit - I run a Mastermind Tactics pillow on most of my holsters now.

For AIWB this is what I have found over the course of the past 8 years.

Wear one size up than your normal pant size around the waist

Longer is better so the holster does not want to spill out and away from over the top of your pant line. This is particularly prevalent when carrying a smaller pistol and have the ride height up higher to have access to a full grip (a Glock 42 in this case)

Smaller pistols print more for me because its foot print is spread out over a smaller surface area along my appendix, whereas full size foot prints spread it over a larger surface area and blend better with how my shirts lay. This may be more prevalent if you have a gut that hangs out some.

Holsters with the adjustable-height claw to tuck the pistol grip inward work better for me when carrying full size (a Beretta 92 in this case)

To better balance, conceal, and have overall comfort, carrying a spare magazine on the opposite side of the holster really makes a difference for me.

Sidecar holsters do not work for me and are a pain when using the restroom. With a separate magazine carrier I basically have the same functionality, but without the inconvenience of it being one unit right where your zipper and belt buckle typically are.

DCC clips really give piece of mind despite being more difficult to don off and on. However, they do break in and are much more manageable then.

Two separate, but relatively close belt clips (enough for a belt loop so sit between the two) work better for me over one large or small clip, monoblock, soft loops, etc.

I use a Mastermind Tactics appendix carry pillow and it makes a difference when carrying a full size with a light for me in carry comfort and concealment

Modifying holsters to make them work for you is a must. I use a dremel, sand paper, drill, etc. whenever I need in order to make the holster more comfortable/concealable/remove hot spots or to accept DCC clips. If there is an option to choose the size of the sweat guard, always get the largest one and then modify its height and shape to fit your needs.  

My Daily AIWB rig for the past three years:

Neptune Concealment Triton 2.0 with DCC Clips at the 2 O'Clock for a Beretta 92X Full size with TLR-9 (If Tenicor made a holster for my particular setup I would have a Tenicor, but they do not and Neptune Concealment has quite the selection of light bearing offerings)
Mastermind Tactics Appendix Carry Pillow mounted to the above holster
Tenicor ABDO Magazine Carrier at 10 O'Clock for a spare 20 round magazine
KORE Gun Belt

I am 5' 7" with an average build

I carry a Glock 19 everyday AIWB with no problems.  I can sit for hours without it bothering me.

I use a Kore belt, Vedder holster with a pillow thing.

I always carry AIWB. Currently carrying a P365X in a Vedder. I barely even know it is there. Even betting i almost never print carrying that way. I am pretty skinny these days at 6'-1" 165#. The only issue I run into is these modern day jeans has the first belt loop close to where my buckle rides. It's only an issue clipping the holster/FA on and off.

Appendix everything.  P365, G48, G19, Staccato P.  All with weapon mounted lights and optics.  P365 in a Mckinatec.  G48 in a Vedder and the 19 and Staccato in a Tenicor.  Belt is a Kore.

No issues.  6’0/200 lbs for reference.

What issues your having might help people give suggestions.

In before the pillow gets photoshopped into balls …
https://www.mastermindtactics.com/shop/acp-wedge

I wear my Glock 19 every day in a Vedder holster with a pillow thingy on it and a Kore belt.

The setup works great, I can sit for hours at a time with no issues.

I have a bunch of AWIB holsters for Glocks, Hellcats, etc now.

In a word:

UNCOMFORTABLE

I’m lean and still find these things miserable.

I’m back to 3:30 IWB.

My AWIB holsters are from TRex Arms, Tier 1 Concealment, Werkx, etc.  

All popular and expensive options.

My belts are all KORE Essential track belts.  I’m 5’-10” x 165 pounds and fit.  I train a minimum of 3 days a week including a weekly half marathon wearing a 60 pound ruck.  No “gut” here.  Maybe some midline padding would help?  As it stands after sitting with an AWIB for an hour I’m sore.  Can wear at 3:30 for 16 hours without any issues.

AWIB sucks even for something as small as a 3” Hellcat.

@Ewald I don’t know about a longer slide but a slightly longer holster seems to help.  Kinda.  I’ll Rock a g19 in a phlster pro and the all round edges seem to help.  It’s super comfy and no issues.  

Right now I’m carrying a 43x in a txc holster I h just got off the EE and no issues.

You might need to move the holster around a little bit to find your sweet spot for carry.

I've been trying to find that sweet spot and I'm not sure it exists for everyone.  Between the holster, belt, trouser loops, etc there aren't unlimited placement options.  I literally just pulled my Hellcat PRO in a Tier 1 Concealed AIWB out of my trousers because my pelvic region was already sore (started my work day at 0600).

I  know this is going to sound like a trolling question.  It is not. I am genuinely asking....

Does that pillow hang low enough to interfere with your junk?

AIWB holsters make my pelvic region extremely sore.  A "pillow" might help, but I'm worried about where it would "land" and also ... do you look like that weird dude from High School that walked around with rolled up gym socks in his trousers?





Okay, that last part was a little trolly.

What kind of cover garment are you wearing?  Being able to carry an N frame is different than being able to conceal an N frame.

What holster do you use?

The two best things I ever did to maximize AIWB comfort are the Hunter Constantine belt and the Mastermind Tactics pillow. I’m not a fan of sidecar holsters although I do have a few from T1C. Best holsters for me are simple Kydex with a claw.

The best bang was from the belt change. The comfort it provides over the typical hard stiff belt is amazing all while still keeping the gun stable and secure.

I've always advocated a mindset over comfort. I routinely carry my G34 w/SF 300xu and Aimpoint ACRO P2 AIWB. It was mentioned that it's unpleasant when you tie your shoes or bend over. I have 4 kids, so I don't get to limit those kinds of interactions generally. I just deal with it and push through. I find that it helps me be extremely cognizant of what I'm doing, why I am doing it, and what my primary responsibility is.

My draw time is a full .5 seconds faster from AIWB with this set up vs a 3-4 o'clock holster OWB or IWB.

Pants that are a size larger was another mention that I advocate for anyone doing any IWB carrying.

My main thing is train with what you are good with. Get great with it and then design everything around that. Unfortunately, for me... it means hauling a giant as G34.5 with light and an mailbox red dot. Which I highly recommend.

I am currently carrying it in a tucked in polo type shirt

The only 'tell' is the belt clips. When not working I rarely have a shirt tucked in so it hides these clips

4" N frame, speed loader and fixed blade up front

Why anyone would want to carry with a gun pointed at their junk is beyond me!

Apart from the clips, it conceals very well.  You could "hide" the clips with the sort that go behind the belt and up the bottom face a short distance.  That would probably require a load-rated track belt (or your trousers would be sagging).

Those belt clips


I guess you can technically say the gun is concealed, but anybody with three brain cells knows you got something going on.  Black pants would certainly help.  Something like the old Ted blocker LFI rig with a redesigned tuckable belt attachment would be fantastic.

https://tedblockerholsters.com/products/lfi-rig-iwb-concealment-holster

Utiliclips is where it is at.

The answers you seek are here. https://www.phlsterholsters.com/the-basics-of-concealment-mechanics/

I am 5'7" and can tell you for sure that a Glock 48 conceals better for me than a Glock 43.

The longer gun has benefit it's limits. A G34 is so long that my balls get crushed when I sit down...

Where the fuck do you find this shit?

From hacking your computer?

Haha.

Glad to be part of your weight loss program (involuntary bulimia).

I don't feel comfortable carrying AWIB, but if I'm wearing a t-shirt that's not floppy, it works. I usually carry a P365 if I know concealed is needed.

BUT! I keep a cheap IWB holster for my 4 inch XD9 in the rear door of the FJ Cruiser for an unplanned CCW stop and shop. Take off the paddle holster, move gun to the IWB, position the IWB to point the barrel at the right testicle and pull down the shirt. It works for me and is much better than going unarmed.

I'm 5' 10" and 205 with some gut. Bending over with the larger grip frame ain't fun at all. Just keep it to a minimum or go to a different setup.