The 3 Best IWB Holsters for Glock 23 Handguns [REVIEWS]

You want a concealed carry pistol and you want it to mimic what law enforcement agencies carry for the best performance. You look and find the Glock model 23, but what should you know about them? And what is the best IWB holster for Glock 23 handguns? Let's take look.

Recommended Glock 23 Holsters Reviewed​

Before we get into some quality options let us address a particular brand. Some may ask about the Alien Gear Glock 23 holster, wondering if it is a good option. The short answer is that we don't recommend it for this handgun. The quality of the kydex isn't the best, their clips have been reported to break very easily, and the screws they use have been reported to be too loose and rust within months of purchase. There are also reports that the holsters, especially the hybrids they offer do not hold themselves open and require two hands to reholster the firearm. These indications tell us that Alien Gear should be ignored for the most part as an option.

In addition to this some may ask about a Glock 23 leather holster. There are not a lot of quality leather holsters available for the Glock 23 that are not custom, which can be very expensive. Kydex lends itself more to concealed carry especially inside-the-waist-band carry. It requires less attention than leather and can usually be comparatively thinner in design.

Now for three great options for your holster.

1. RCS Morrigan IWB Holster, Ambidexterous

Raven Concealment offers some of the best kydex holsters for Glocks in general. The Morrigan features a full body shield, adjustable ride height and cant, and loop attachments that can fit a 1.25 to 1.75” belt.

Loop attachments for holsters hold up better than clips and help with the draw. This is because the loops have their snaps above the belt so the draw motion pulls the holster up against the middle of the loop where there is no gap. Clips go over the belt and secure at the bottom creating a weak point.

This particular model is recommended by Raven to be worn behind the hip (around the 4 o'clok area) while emphasizing it can be worn forward of the hip (appendix carry) as well. If you had to find the best kydex IWB holster for a Glock 23 the Morrigan would definitely be high on the list of contenders.

2. RCS Vanguard 2 Holster Advanced Kit

The Vanguard 2 features full trigger coverage in a minimalist design. It is a trigger guard holster meaning it does not go around the entire firearm like some holsters but secures to the trigger guard for less bulk. It also features left and right claws which help with cant, securing, and making sure the firearm does have a tendency to bend in toward your body, which can effect draw and proper grip.

Secured with soft loops the VG2 also attaches to 1.25-1.75” belts, and because it is a trigger guard holster it works for most of Glocks models and the various calibers they are offered in. The only exceptions being the Glock 42 or 43 while G17- 41 will fit.

It might be the most comfortable IWB holster as there are reports that it even works well with gym shorts (possibly with a clip attachment instead of loops). The design lends itself to comfort and affordability while maintaining quality.

3. CYA Supply Co. IWB Hoslter Fits: Glock 19 23 32

This particular model covers the trigger guard much better than other random brands. The company states that the Boltaron (another type of thermoplastic like kydex) is more resistant than kydex and can resist temperature and impact at higher rates.

The holster also features adjustable cant from 0 to 15 degrees for personal carry preferences.

Also featured is less friction while maintaining a secure tension on the gun. The company states that reliefs have been made for the slide release and other parts for less wear and better draw and reholstering.

There will be some slight wear on the upper edges of the slide but scuffs on your pistol are very low on the list of things to worry about in caring for your pistol. The company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee for their holster and most reports are positive.

The Glock 23​

The Glock model 23 is for all intents and purposes a Glock 19 in a different caliber. Almost all its dimensions are the same, the only differences being ammunition capacity, slight variances in loaded weight,and the caliber it is chambered in.

There are various generations of Glock pistols each generation trying to improve on the last. The Glock 23 Gen 4 for example includes modular back straps for the grip and a “Rough texture technology” so individuals do not necessarily have to stipple or have someone else stipple their handgun for a more secure grip.

Caliber​

The next large topic with the Glock 23 is its caliber. The .40 caliber round is the mostly forgotten third member of the trinity known as “The Big Three”. The Big Three are the three most common calibers for semi automatic pistols, these are 9mm, .45 Auto (ACP), and .40 Smith & Wesson.

The tale of the .40 S&W is a little long but is necessary to understanding some of the limitations and handicaps that pistols chambered in it face.

It all started after the 1986 Miami Shootout, the Federal Bureau of Investigation decided that they needed a semi automatic pistol to replace their current issued revolvers based on two major factors: capacity and quick reloading.

They began testing 9mm and .45 Auto in order find a replacement while meeting their desired performance (they had previously been using a type of .38 Special +P load). One of their instructors decided to include 10mm (and a modified 1911) to the testing. The 10mm round used was a hand loaded variety with a reduced velocity of about 400 feet per second less than conventional loads, dropping the impressive top end velocity of 1,400 feet per second down to 1,000. The low end velocity was measured at 900 feet per second putting it just ahead of normal .45 Auto velocities.

Overall the reduced 10mm fell into the velocity range of plus rated .45 Auto.

This reduced load and the medium frame pistol requirements caused Smith & Wesson to find that there was too much airspace in the cartridge. They decided to cut down the case to what is now the .40 S&W and put forth a pistol chambered in it with the cartridge in 1990.

Glock beat out Smith & Wesson with producing a new semi-auto in .40 (The models 22 and 23) since their model 20 chambered in 10mm was already developed.

Because of its development as an FBI round it became favored by law enforcement agencies across the country in addition to Canada and Australia. People attribute this to its similarity to the drop of 9mm and better energy out put than both 9mm and .45 with a better recoil than 10mm.

The problem with this is that its based off of the myth of hydrostatic shock. Data from lethal force encounters show that any energy transferred into the human body is not enough to cause death or any other damage other than that delivered by the physical impact from the bullet.

This means physical damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and damage to major organs and arteries are what actually kill people and not a shock wave sent through their internal tissues.

In most of the platforms it's found in .40 S&W is reported to have a very snappy recoil, which makes long term training with it very uncomfortable as it begins to take a toll on the user and makes follow up shots harder with the larger recoil.

In addition to this .40 S&W and the rest of the big three have roughly the same physical/ballistic impact when using modern hollow point rounds. This means a defensive pistol in .40 S&W has slightly less capacity than 9mm, more recoil, and sometimes a rougher recoil pattern than a .45 Auto.

Also tests on intermediate barriers, such as automotive glass, indicate that .40 S&W performs poorly especially when compared to certain commercial .45 loads.

Because of these factors, many have begun putting compensator muzzle brakes on their pistols similar to how pistol competition participants run their guns. There is also an aftermarket conversion kit to change the Glock 23 from .40 to 9mm.

Glock 23 Holster Considerations:​

Now to look into what carrying a Glock 23 requires. First off, the covering of the trigger guard and keeping objects from easily getting into the trigger area while holstered is priority. Next is retention of the firearm and the quality of the holster (high enough quality so it does not break easily).

One of the things to remember is that carrying concealed is based around the firearm. This means your wardrobe becomes focused on avoiding people noticing that you are carrying a firearm and more geared toward concealing the firearm, so it may not be as comfortable as most would wish.

Conclusion

Is the Glock 23 a terrible option? No.

It has a constant trigger pull featured by being double action only, and a large aftermarket and support available like most Glock pistols have. Its caliber can be a problem but if you are already invested in .40 S&W and are looking for a better gun to use with it the Glock 23 is a great option and if you choose to switch to 9mm, there are conversion kits that are available so you don't have to purchase a new pistol.

Converting it will affect how it handles but it still makes it a viable option for concealed carry. Should you choose to carry it with a weapon mounted light Raven Concealment has options for a custom or stock holster as they offer the best IWB for a Glock 23 on the market, although their quality demands a higher price. Hopefully this article has helped you with your decision in your next (or first) .40 caliber pistol.

*Featured Image by Raven Concealment Systems​