The 5 Best IWB Holsters for Glock 19 Up to Gen 4 [REVIEWS]
Wearing the right holster can make concealed carry extremely comfortable. There's an endless amount of holsters on the market and trying to find THE right one can begin to feel like finding the holy grail of gun accessories. When you're looking to carry and conceal a weapon such as the Glock 19 it's important to pick the correct holster for that specific gun and purpose. For personal defense and concealed carry you'll want the best IWB holster for the Glock 19.
For those that may not be aware, IWB is short for "Inside the Waistband". The purpose of an IWB holster is to be able to conceal the weapon you are carrying. They usually clip on to the belt or inside the waistband of the pants you are wearing, so it's important to find one that is going to be comfortable and not cause irritation. Here are our top 5 picks and why.
Blade-Tech Total Eclipse Gun Holster IWB/OWB Ambidextrous
This is a very durable and solid holster. The material on the back is quite thin making it light weight and easy to carry your gun. The fits is snug and feels really low profile on the belt line.
Another great thing about this holster is the way the glock locks in. It feels very secure and you won't ever have to worry about your gun falling out. The retention is quite good too. It also comes with different adapter sets giving you different carry options and different belt loops for all sized belts. This also allows for switching between right and left carry. The versatility of the ambidextrous option can be handy if it's shared between multiple users or if you just prefer to have both options.
An important thing to note is that it comes with a straight drop cant as well as FBI. This is important to note when using it with a Glock 19 because they have a large pistol grip and with the straight drop cant and the positioning of the snap this can cause your hand to bump on the snap. There is barely any space between the pistol grip and the snap. It doesn't actually hinder you from drawing the pistol effectively, but it can hamper the draw slightly. The FBI cant is the way to go when using it with a Glock 19 for sure so well done Blade-Tech for including this attachment as an easy to change option.
PROS:
- Fits nice and slim to the waist
- Light weight
- Very adaptable: ambidextrous, straight drop or FBI cant, OWB options are easy to switch
- Well made and durable
CONS:
- Straigh drop cant can be a little annoying with a Glock 19, however there is an FBI cant option, so not really a problem at all just something to note
The Blade-Tech Total Eclipse is a great choice for anyone that wants a highly adaptable holster. It's quality made, and extemely easy to switch from OWB to IWB, left to right carry, or straight drop to FBI cant.
Raven Concealment Systems Morrigan Glock 19 Holster IWB
Raven Concealment Systems has one of the broadest and largest ranges of holsters on the market. The Morrigan is their best IWB Glock 19 holster. First up, it comes with a full height body sheild which is a feature many people look for. The sheild will keep sweat off the gun and keep from any sharp edges ripping into your skin and causing any discomfort. It also uses a good set of belt loop snap straps rather than clips.
It's designed to be worn behind the blade of the hip. In reality it can be worn anywhere around the waist, but behind the blade of the hip (4 o'clock) is where it really shines. It's even comfortable for appendix carry when mounted a little higher. The shape of this IWB is interesting and it actually draws the gun in tighter to the body.
The most noticeable feature of the Morrigan kydex holster at first glance is the velcro strap. This is used to adjust for retention. This may seem very strange, but surprisingly it works quite well for the retention. It works by un-doing the velcro strap, putting in your glock and then fastening the velcro strap tightly once the glock is in, and thats it. There are no tools required, and it actually works like a charm for basic concealed carry. See it in action:
PROS:
- The body of the holster is really smooth
- Fairly easy to adjust and get the cant to where you want it
- Fully ambidextrous
- Quality is good and the belt loop snaps hold tight
CONS:
- Belt loop snaps may take a little breaking in as they snap in pretty tight, but after a few snaps they do get better
Galco KT224B Kingtuk Inside the Waistband Holster
One of the most popular out there, the Galco Kingtuk is great as it's designed to fit a variety of glocks without needing to change anything. It works well with a glock 17 all the way up to a 33. It's a very well built and aesthetically pleasing holster. The pebbled leather at the front looks really nice and the clips on the side are really well done. The clips make it really easy to get on or off should the need arise.
One of the best things about this holster is the quality of leather used and its comfort. You can really tell the difference compared to cheaper used materials on some other holsters. And the leather really moulds to the body nicely. Even the stitching is of high quality.
Although the clips are convenient there have been some reports of users having issues with them such as not retaining the holster on draw, and losing tension after a few months.
PROS:
- High quality leather
- Comfortable
- Adjustable cant
- Versatility with fitting glocks
CONS:
- Kydex is very simple
- With leather at the front and back it isn't going to breathe as well as other materials
- Some users have reported issues with the clips
Alien Gear Holsters Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB Holster
The Cloak Tuck 3.0 from Alien Gear is the latest upgrade to their original hybrid Cloak Tuck holster. At first glance there doesn't seem to be much difference to the Cloak Tuck 2.0, but as soon as you feel it you will notice the difference. The neoprene back is great, but where it really shines is with the new rubbery textured "alien skin" at the front. This texture with the little bumps on it is great as it adds to the retention of your pistol. You really feel the resistance when pushing your glock back in or pulling it out.
In-between the layers they now have a spring steel core which gives the back much more rigidity compared to the previous models making it much less flimsly. This really helps hold your glock 19 in place while still conforming to your skin.
Even though the Glock 19 is a larger handgun, this holster holds it just as well as any smaller pistols. This is a testament as to why the Cloak Tuck 3.0 is constantly rated as the most comfortable IWB holster ever made.
Inside the packaging you also get instructions on how to put your holster on, how to wear it, how to adjust it, etc. This is great for those new to using holsters.
If you’ve ever owned an Alien Gear holster you will know well these are made. Having owned the original and the 2.0 I can say that they have done a great job with the upgrades on the 3.0. The first 2 were already reliable, and rugged, but the 3.0 is definitely worth the few extra bucks. Also with their Iron Clad Triple guarantee it really does make this stand out as one of the top choices. This allows for a 30 day test run of the holster, free shell trades and the forever warranty. The free shell trade makes it easier when changing weapons and you can't go wrong with a forever warranty.
PROS:
- Very comfortable
- Conceals really well
- Has great retention
- Great value for the price
CONS:
- It is larger than most and takes up a bit of space on your waist line which isn't bad, but some may not like the feel of this
The Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 is USA made, and is by far one of the most comfortable and easiest to use IWB holsters for the Glock 19.
Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster
The Concealment Express Kydex IWB holster is priced lower than most but brings just as much value as those at a higher price.
It has a really cool adjustable cant where you loosen the screws and adjust the positioning anywhere from 0 to 15 degrees. This is true adjusting and not fixed, meaning it can be ANYWHERE within that range.
The clip is extremely sturdy, easy to clip on and doesn't cause any problems when drawing your pistol. I'd probably rate this as the best appendix IWB holster for a Glock 19. If you're looking for a simple and minimalist G19 holster then this is a great choice at a great price.
In Summary
Remember, choosing the best IWB holster for a glock 19 is important because you need it to be comfortable, and easy to access. When requiring concealed carry an inside the waistband holster is the best way to go. Just make sure to look for one that is easily adjustable, has good retention and has a reputation of quality and comfort on the body.