What to look for in an IWB Holster
In America today, every state in the Union permits adults to carry a concealed handgun in the public realm. As violent crime rates continue to increase in our nation, the practice of concealed carrying a handgun is also on the rise.
There are many reasons for the increased popularity of concealed carry, but the main reason I carry is because it is my right under the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the Unite States. The entire Second Amendment sums it up in one sentence: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. Most of us that do carry are law-abiding citizens and would never misuse our weapons.
Statistics show that concealed carry firearms serve as a deterrent to crime. States with ‘shall-issue” concealed carry laws, saw an 8.5% reduction in murder rates, a 5% decrease in cases of rape, and a 7% reduction in aggravated assaults. Also, a study published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology found that when a person draws their concealed firearm in self-defense, the attacker retreats 55.5% of the time.
Many people who concealed carry say they have a sense of security when they have to travel through high crime areas. They know they will be able to protect themselves when going out at night or just out shopping at the mall. The number of women that concealed carry is on the rise too, as they realize the importance of having a firearm handy when they are threatened by an attacker bent on doing them harm.
Police forces can only do so much to prevent crime, as their jobs are more reactive in nature. In 2013, a Wall Street Journal research article reported that the average police response time in metropolitan areas is 11 minutes. That can feel like an eternity when being threatened or attacked in a shooting scenario. Police response times can be much longer in rural areas, especially when there are a limited number of officers patrolling many square miles in a district.
In this age of instant news, how many times have you seen a “breaking news” segment spotlighting an active shooter situation on TV or your mobile device? Did you find yourself thinking, “if only one of the victims had been armed, this situation might have ended with less death and destruction?” This illustrates why concealed carry is relevant.
The Best Inside the Waistband Holster
I started concealed carrying my handgun several months ago, but recently the holster I originally bought wasn’t holding my gun as securely as it used to. It got to the point where I wasn’t comfortable about carrying in public anymore without worrying about printing or something worse happening. Finally, I decided to start shopping around for a replacement concealed carry holster.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to the sporting goods store where I bought my original holster, but didn’t really have any other option. So, I bit the bullet and went back there anyway. The same guy was on duty when I bought my first concealed carry holster, and he seemed genuinely disappointed to hear about the holster he sold me. He also told that there was no refund or return policy on the model I had purchased from him. The old “buyer beware” motto screamed at me after the fact.
Steve (the guy), said he would be happy to show me some other holsters he had in stock, so away we went down the concealed carry holster isle. It was disheartening to see that there was such a limited number of holsters to choose from. I wasn’t about to throw good money after bad so I asked Steve if he had any other suggestions.
I live in the North Idaho area and Steve told me that there just happens to be a company just a few miles away that makes and sells concealed carry holsters. The name of the company is Tedder Industries, and they offer their products online.
I went home, got on my computer and clicked on the Tedder Industries website (tedderindustries.com). They have an easy to navigate site and the concealed carry holster division had a cool name and logo. Get this – Alien Gear Holsters is the name and the logo looks like something straight out of Star Trek.
There were a couple of inside the waistband holsters that caught my eye on the site, so I studied each one and decided to focus on one model in particular. It is called the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0. It has a lot of technologically advanced features and the price is way too reasonable.
Before taking the plunge I decided to do one more thing. Since I live so close to the Tedder Industries manufacturing facility, I decided to visit them and see what they are really all about. As I was driving through the parking lot, I was struck by how large the facility complex is. So I parked and entered the main lobby.
When I entered, I was greeted by a very nice young lady who inquired how she could help me. I explained that I was interested in purchasing an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 concealed carry holster, but wanted to know a little more about it. She said she would be happy to help and ushered me to a small kiosk area.
She patiently showed me all of the features of the Cloak Tuck 3.0, including how to make any adjustments and customize the holster to my specific needs. I decided that this was the concealed carry holster for me and placed my order with her. The young woman was so helpful and the ordering process took no time at all.
Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 Breakdown
Three days after placing my order, my IWB Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 arrived. As promised, it came with everything I needed to personalize and customize the holster to my wants and desires. Along with the holster itself, the parts package that came with it included various sizes of flathead screws, rubber spacers, and a wrench to truly make this MY holster.
One of the first things that stood out to me was how well the shell was perfectly molded for my Glock. My gun slid into it like my hand slips into a form-fitting glove.
I prefer a more secure hold, so I adjusted the holster retention with the middle length spacers and shorter screws. The retention membrane has a thin plate of flexible stainless spring steel for enhanced retention and long lasting durability. It came with what’s called an “Alien Skin” textured surface too. This thermo-elastomer polymer covers the surface of my holster and provides just the right amount of drag. My gun won’t leave the holster until I want it to.
The cant angle the holster came with is a good fit for me. I find the 15 degree FBI cant makes for a smoother draw.
I like to concealed carry in the 4:30 position and like to wear the holster a little higher. By setting the “J” shaped clips a bit lower, I was able to get a very comfortable fit at just the right height.
The neoprene padding that lines the back of my holster is so plush and comfortable, that I can carry all day long and hardly notice that I have a holster at my back. The holster conceals so well, no one but me knows I’m carrying a firearm.
Why You Should Carry an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 Holster
I couldn’t have made a better decision than choosing the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 for my concealed carry holster needs. I am so happy I went with my gut on this one.
Tedder Industries with their Alien Gear brand is such a great company. They employ the finest craftsmen and women in the industry. I was also happy to learn that every product they make is 100% hand crafted right here in America.
There is no such thing as “buyer’s remorse” either. Alien Gear stands by their products with an Iron-Clad Triple Guarantee. You get a 30- Day Test Drive. That means you have up to 30 days to decide if your new Alien Gear concealed carry holster works for you. If not, simply return it for a full refund.
You also get a Free Retention Shell Trade. If you replace your pistol with a different model, you can send your old shell to Alien Gear, tell them what model you have now, and they will send you a replacement shell for your new gun.
The Forever Warranty guarantees your holster for life against damage or defect. Alien Gear doesn’t compromise when it comes to quality.
You just won’t find a better concealed carry holster anywhere on the planet. I am so glad I chose the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 for my concealed carry needs. I know you will be too.
Check out Alien Gear’s inside the waistband holsters on their website.
Or check out the best IWB holsters available on Amazon:
Glock IWB holsters
S&W IWB holsters
Taurus IWB holsters
Springfield IWB holsters
Walther IWB holsters
1911 IWB holsters
Sig Sauer IWB holsters
CZ IWB holsters
Beretta IWB holsters
Other great IWB holsters from Alien Gear.