Things to Look for in a Concealed Carry Ruger IWB Holster

Sturm, Ruger & Co. firearms are some of the most popular weapons among private citizens for recreational and competitive target shooting and self-defense. This popularity stems from a reputation for reliability, quality craftsmanship, and outstanding customer service.

Ruger has been manufacturing centerfire handguns for decades. Today, the company offers a diverse line of concealed-carry and tactical pistols and revolvers for the self-defense practitioner. These guns range in caliber from .22 Long Rifle rimfire to .357 Magnum.

If you want to carry a Ruger pistol or revolver IWB (inside the waistband), your choice of holster is critical. It protects your firearm, retains it, and keeps it in one place.

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Ruger

William B. Ruger and his friend and business partner Alexander McCormick Sturm  established Sturm, Ruger & Co. in 1949. Ruger brought to the partnership his design for a semi-automatic .22-caliber rimfire pistol, named the Standard Model. Sturm provided the iconic red eagle logo and the financial capital necessary to manufacture the pistol and launch the business.

In 1951, Sturm died, but Bill Ruger continued to develop the fledgling company into an international success and industry juggernaut.

Today, Sturm, Ruger & Co., or simply Ruger, manufactures everything from the single-shot falling-block (i.e., the Ruger No. 1) and semi-automatic centerfire rifles (e.g., the AR-556, Ranch Rifle) to compact handguns for concealed carry.

Ruger Concealed Carry Weapons

Since its inception, Ruger has been manufacturing handguns, but the company only began producing semi-automatic centerfire pistols in the 1980s.

Today, Ruger manufactures several semi-automatic pistols and revolvers for concealed carry.

Here is a list of the most popular models:

LCP and LCP II

The LCP and LCP II are ultra-compact .22- and .380-caliber semi-automatic pistols with recessed hammers and a capacity of 6+1. These weigh between 10.6 and 11.4 oz., depending on caliber and accessories.

Models with integrated laser sights are also available for close-range defensive shooting in low light.

LCR

Weighing between 13.5 and 17.2 oz., the LCR (Lightweight Compact Revolver) is a double-action-only revolver chambered in various cartridges, from .22 Long Rifle and 9mm Luger to .38 Special and .327 Magnum.

LC9

When .380 isn’t enough, the LC9 offers 9mm firepower in a compact, 7+1-capacity, striker-fired package for deep concealment. Weight is 17.2 oz.

MAX-9

Ruger’s answer to the SIG P365 Micro Compact and Springfield Armory Hellcat, the MAX-9 is a relatively high-capacity (10+1 or 12+1) concealed-carry handgun that’s only 0.95” wide and weighs 18.4 oz. This weapon is ideal for  IWB concealed carry.

GP100

The GP100 stainless-steel revolver is chambered in several calibers, but the three most potent are .357 Magnum, 10mm Auto and .44 Special.

The GP100 is available in a variety of barrel lengths and finishes for concealed or open carry. This is a full-size weapon — even with a 3” barrel, the GP100 weighs in at 36 oz.

Concealed Carry Holster Criteria

Once you’ve decided which of Ruger’s handguns you want to carry, you need to decide on a suitable holster. This can be a daunting task, especially for a beginner. The holster market is extensive.

Waistband Holsters

When choosing a concealable holster, you have a few carry options. The most popular type of carry for most people is the appendix carry. The holster sits at or beside the navel at the 12 or 1 o’clock position.

Other holsters sit in a more traditional, cowboy open carry draw location on your strong side, right side for right-handed people, and left side for left-handed people, on or behind the hip at 3 or 4 o’clock.

However, there are other carry positions you may find more comfortable or accessible, depending on your particular circumstances. Some examples are cross draw (weak side, 10 or 11 o’clock) and small of the back (6 o’clock). You should try a variety of different positions.

Retention

One of the most critical functions that a holster serves is to retain your firearm. There are two types of retention: active and passive. In an active-retention holster, you need to manipulate a button or lever to access your gun. It’s locked or snapped in place.

An active-retention system can protect you against disarmament. That’s why law-enforcement officers often use active-retention holsters.

In a passive-retention holster, friction between the holster shell and the gun provides the necessary retention. This is less secure when practicing open carry because it leaves your weapon exposed. However, if you carry your gun concealed in an IWB holster, you may prioritize speed and reliability — that’s where passive retention shines. You will be able to retrieve your firearm more rapidly in response to a threat.

Kydex holsters, which are custom-molded to fit individual firearms, provide a type of passive retention that’s less likely to loosen over time. When you return your pistol to the holster, you’ll hear a snap as it clicks into place, held by key points on the trigger guard and slide.

Ride Height and Cant

The ride height determines how deeply your gun sits in relation to your waistband. Low ride height conceals more of the firearm and helps keep the gun secure. A high ride height causes more of the gun’s weight to be above the belt, which can cause the gun to tilt outward from your body. This can exacerbate printing.

The cant refers to the angle of the holster to the belt. A forward cant increases the space between the grip and the waistband. A reverse cant decreases this space. As a result, a reverse cant may reduce your ability to acquire a full firing grip.

A 15–22.5° cant causes the pistol’s grip to tilt forward to a point many shooters regard as optimal, depending on the ride height. This can reduce printing with larger firearms.

Adjustability

Adjustable ride height and cant ensure your holster is comfortable and concealable, regardless of what you’re wearing.

When you decide what kind of holster you want, you should wear it at various ride heights and cants to see which combination strikes the best balance regarding accessibility, concealability, and comfort.

Kydex holsters allow you to adjust the retention using a set of screws that you tighten or loosen. How easily you can draw, fire, and reholster your weapon depends on the retention settings.

You need to strike a balance between keeping your gun secure and drawing and firing quickly.

Belt Clips

An IWB holster attaches to your belt using plastic or metal clips — usually, two spaced apart to distribute the weight evenly across the gun belt — or soft loops. The holster fits between the waistband of your trousers and your abdomen, hip, or back, depending on the carry position.

There are a variety of belt clips to choose from. This is an important accessory because it determines how securely and discreetly your holster attaches to your belt. If you don’t wear a belt, some clips can attach directly to the waistband of your pants, skirt, or dress using a type of clamp.

Some of the most common types of belt clips include:

Over hooks

One of the most common types of belt clips is the over hook kind. This clip extends over the belt and hooks under it, suspending the holster in both directions. The over hook requires a belt.

J clips

The J clip hangs over the front of your waistband and curls under the belt in the shape of the letter “J.” This type of clip requires the use of a belt but is highly discreet.

C clip

For a less conspicuous option, the C clip adheres to the belt from the rear, curling over the top and bottom and leaving the center free. This hides most of the clip while still gripping it from two positions.

Soft loop

This isn’t a clip, but it’s one of the most secure methods of attaching an IWB holster to your belt. The loop wraps around your belt and fastens with an adjustable snap closure.

UltiClip

You can use the UltiClip to securely attach your holster to either your belt or directly to your waistband using a clamp-time device with a latch.

Tuckable Belt Clips

For additional concealability, you can choose tuckable belt clips. A tuckable belt clip attaches to a point on the bottom of the holster. As a result, there’s a gap between the holster and the clip.

In clip designs that attach to your waistband, you may be able to wear a belt over the clip, hiding it from view. This eliminates the possibility of someone noticing you’re wearing a holster or carrying a firearm. It will simply disappear.

If you decide to wear an  IWB holster with a tucked-in shirt, you should train to acquire a two-handed crush grip on your shirt and pull up vigorously as part of your draw stroke. You’re not simply lifting the shirt, which you would if it were draped over your gun. You’re untucking it, overcoming the tension of your gun belt and waistband against the shirt material.

Belt clips may still appear visible to the casual observer. The average person may not know what they are, but those familiar with firearm holsters may know immediately that you’re carrying a gun.

You can minimize this exposure by choosing to wear a black belt with black clips. Belt loops, with the snap closure, can be mistaken at a glance for a pouch. Alternatively, you can use one of these clips to suspend a pair of keys or a penlight.

Covered Trigger Guard

Any holster you contemplate wearing should have a covered trigger guard. This is a basic safety feature. When you place your hand on the gun and acquire a full firing grip, there should be no way for your index finger to enter the trigger guard, whether deliberately or by accident, until your gun clears the holster mouth.

Sweat Shield

The sweat shield or sweat guard is that part of the holster that acts as a barrier between you and the gun. This backing should ideally cover the slide entirely. The sweat shield protects the gun from sweat which has high salt content and can have a corrosive effect on steel. Besides protecting the gun against sweat, it also protects you from a hot slide after an extended shooting session at the range.

Comfort is Important

How comfortable the holster feels depends on several factors. What the holster is made of can affect this, as can the ride height and cant. This is why it’s so important to experiment with various holsters made of different materials and components.

Pocket Carry

Many of Ruger’s pistols and revolvers are ultra-compact, lightweight, and perfect for concealed carry. Some of them can, and do, fit into a jacket or pant pocket. If you decide to carry a handgun in a pocket, no matter how diminutive, don’t neglect to include a pocket holster.

In pocket carry, the pocket fulfills the retention requirement. A holster does more than simply retain your firearm. Your pocket will not ensure the gun remains point-forward at all times. It also can’t protect the trigger guard, cylinder, and muzzle from lint or clothing fabric.

Kydex Holsters

In your search for a quality holster, Kydex ranks highly as a material option. Unlike leather holsters, Kydex is far less likely to wear out, warp, deform, become soft, or collapse.

Spare Ammunition

If you carry a low-capacity defensive handgun, you should consider carrying spare ammunition. The best way to do this for a semi-automatic pistol is to wear one or two magazine pouches or carriers on your belt. You should, ideally, place these on your weak or support side. When you drop the empty magazine with your strong hand, you can reach for a spare mag with your weak hand.

Know How to Choose the Right Ruger IWB Holster

At Incognito Concealment, we appreciate Ruger for its line of cost-effective, reliable firearms and commitment to customer satisfaction. We pride ourselves on delivering a quality product and the customer service to match. If you’d like us to help you choose a holster to suit your Ruger firearm, give us a call at  (586) 999-5820.