The Best IWB Holsters For Glock 27 - An Essential Guide

Although not as well-known as its 9mm counterpart, the Glock 27 is an excellent subcompact pistol, chambered in the powerful .40 S&W cartridge. If this pistol is your choice for concealed carrying and personal protection, you need the best IWB holster on the market for this make and model.

Learn why IWB is the best way to carry a concealed weapon, how to choose a good IWB holster, and what accessories you can pair the holster with on your gun belt.

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Why an IWB Holster?

An  Inside The Waistband holster (IWB) is a belt holster with the retention shell riding on the inside of the shooter's waistband. This holster type allows the shooter to wear a shirt as a cover garment, facilitating concealment.

Although carrying an IWB holster requires the right choice of pistol and gun holster,  a good quality gun belt, and carefully selected clothing, it also allows you to reach maximum concealment.

IWB holsters print less and let you avoid dealing with the disadvantages of an Outside The Waistband holster (OWB) or a paddle holster, such as needing to wear a second layer like a vest or a jacket.

Selecting Your Holster Materials

Although gun holsters are available in a wide variety of materials, most IWB holsters on the market use one of three materials in their construction: Leather, nylon, and Kydex.

Leather

Leather is the most traditional choice of holster material. Typical leather holsters employ various styles and animal hide types; for example, a slim profile concealment holster or an ankle holster may use ultra-soft suede, while a full-size leather holster for open carrying is usually made of full-grain cowhide in the pancake holster configuration.

However, no matter which type of leather is used to manufacture the holster, all leather holsters share the same disadvantages: They are relatively expensive and require regular care and maintenance, such as leather conditioners, without which they degrade prematurely.

Nylon

Nylon is a family of synthetic fibers composed of polyamides. Examples of nylon fibers include ballistic nylon and Cordura. Various tactical gear and accessories are made of nylon, such as utility pouches, belts, tactical vests, and straps.

The main advantage of a nylon holster is the price. The average gun owner on a budget frequently gravitates around nylon holsters because they are the least expensive options available. However, due to the limitations of nylon, they offer the poorest retention level and are often advertised as a universal holster, not designed for any specific handgun model.

Kydex

Like nylon, Kydex is a synthetic material. Instead of being processed into fibers, Kydex takes the form of injection-molded plastic sheets, particularly suited for cutting and reshaping into any desired format. The Kydex sheets allow manufacturers to produce a durable yet lightweight holster suitable for everyday carry.

A Kydex holster is molded to fit a specific handgun model (or a small range of similar models), providing you with a smooth draw and the best possible fit and retention.

Kydex is resistant to all but the most extreme temperatures, retaining its shape from summer to winter. It can withstand humidity, sweat, or exposure to the elements.

A Kydex holster will not warp, crack, or deform even after years of daily use unless deliberately abused. Kydex holsters also require little maintenance, often no more than an occasional wash under tap water to remove debris.

The most significant advantage of a Kydex holster is the price. Kydex are excellent holsters for a reasonable cost. Although they are not as cheap as nylon, a quality holster made of Kydex is significantly more affordable than a leather holster of equivalent quality.

Glock 27 Holster Customization Suggestions

Most Kydex holsters are customizable, featuring configurable cant, ride height, and adjustable retention screws. These elements allow the shooter to change the holster's carry angle, depth, and retention tightness to their exact specifications. For example, you can set the retention screw to a looser fit and prioritize a quick draw or tighten it to obtain excellent retention.

A typical configuration for Glock 27 holsters is to carry it FBI-style. The Glock 27 was an authorized secondary service weapon (also known as a backup weapon) to every FBI agent sworn in between 1997 and 2016. Although the agency has since  transitioned back to 9mm, many agents today continue to carry the .40-caliber Glocks they trained and qualified with in the same issued duty holster.

If you want to carry like an FBI law enforcement agent, you need a quality holster with the following configuration:

• A safe, secure, and durable holster, such as Kydex
• Inside the waistband (IWB) only
• Strong-side carry position, between 3 and 4 o’clock if right-handed, and 8 or 9 o’clock if left-handed.
• FBI cant angle (15 degrees on average, usually 10-20), although you may adjust the cant between 0-15 degrees instead depending on the pant size and level of comfort.
• Ride height at your preference, but mid-ride and low-ride are preferred due to their concealability.
• Level of retention pressure at your preference, but find the right balance between positive retention and quick-draw capability.

Accessories For Your G27 IWB Holster

If you want a high-quality Kydex IWB holster for your Glock 27, consider completing your concealed carry setup with these accessories.

Belt clips

The belt clip is an element interfacing between your holster shell and your gun belt. Quality belt clips improve concealment by reducing the overall profile of your holster and making it less visible with a shirt tucked in.

Your belt clip should fit your belt width and be robust and durable enough to support the weight of your weapon and holster.

Standard belt clips are known as FOMI clips, available for 1.5” and 1.75” belts. However, they are typically made of polymer plastic, which can break easily. Better solutions include metal belt clips or soft belt loops, as they have a thinner profile and are more durable than plastic models.

Magazine carriers

The magazine capacity of a Glock 27 is 9 rounds. Counting one round in the chamber, the G27 only allows you to carry up to 10 rounds, typical for a carry gun of this size class. If you need more ammunition, you should carry extra magazines in dedicated magazine carriers.

Mag carriers exist in many combinations of capacity (single, double, or more rarely, triple), configurations (IWB or OWB), and materials (Kydex, leather, nylon, etc.).

There is no ideal number of spare magazines; you can carry as many as you can comfortably conceal. However, you should use IWB magazine pouches made of Kydex for the same reasons you would use an IWB Kydex concealed carry holster.

Find The Ideal Concealment Holsters at Incognito Concealment

Incognito Concealment's mission is to help American citizens exercise their right to keep and bear arms by supplying them with the best holsters, magazine carriers, gun belts, and concealment accessories on the market today.

FAQs

Is the Glock 27 good for concealed carrying?

The Glock 27 is the .40-caliber model in Glock’s original subcompact line of pistols, giving shooters high firepower in a small package. The G27, like all other Glock subcompact pistols, is an ideal carry pistol due to its size and dimensions. The .40 S&W cartridge has a proven street record with decades of law enforcement use, making the G27 an excellent carry option.

What is the best IWB carry position?

The ideal carry position when carrying a handgun IWB depends mainly on your personal preferences and the types of holsters you prefer to carry. Some of the most popular positions are strong side hip carry, behind the hip, cross draw, and appendix carry. Choose the carry position that provides you with superior comfort, ease of draw, and retention.

Which is the most comfortable IWB holster?

We recommend the  Incognito Concealment T3 holster, as it provides the ideal balance of comfort and concealment. It is available with multiple options, including cuts for a light, a laser sight, or a red dot, making it an excellent choice for the option-conscious gun owner.