When it comes to carrying handguns securely and comfortably, your holster selection is one of the most important decisions you will make. Luckily, there are many different holster designs on the market. These range from shoulder and chest holsters to ankle holsters and everything in between. This article will focus on two of the best outside waistband (OWB) holsters on the market!
The Ronin and Sentinel outside the waistband holsters are constructed from U.S.-sourced materials and built by our veteran-owned company located in north Idaho. The Ronin is a comfortable concealment holster with great retention while the Sentinel is a durable duty holster with great ergonomics.
If you are searching for your new favorite outside-the-waistband holster that will end your hunt for the perfect fit then this article is for you. Below we discuss what outside the waistband holsters are, their pros and cons, and when they should be used. Additionally, we go into detail about the two premium OWB holsters we offer at Gunfighters Inc.
What Are Outside the Waistband Holsters? (Designs and Types, Pros, Cons)
Outside the waistband holsters, otherwise referred to as OWB, are the most commonly purchased and worn holsters. They are typically worn on a tactical belt like this one. Typically someone trying to concealed carry a handgun in an OWB holster will have it positioned somewhere between 3 and 6 o’clock for righties and 9 and 6 o’clock for lefties. Positioning will depend on user comfort and the concealability of the weapon.
A smaller weapon might be able to be concealed at 3 or 9 o’clock while a larger weapon may need to be placed further back towards six o’clock. Just remember the further toward six o’clock the gun is placed, the harder it will be to quickly and safely draw.
Designs and Options
There are a plethora of OWB holster designs and options. Here at Gunfighters Inc, we design Kydex holsters for nearly every make and model of firearms on the market and we are always adding more to our inventory. Additionally, we design holsters for use with scopes, silencers, ported barrels, lights, and lasers. If you have a pistol or revolver, it’s very likely that we design multiple customizable holsters that will fit it.
Pros of OWB Holsters
There are many advantages to carrying your handgun in an OWB holster like the Ronin or Sentinel. We will discuss several of them below.
First, OWB holsters are the most comfortable way to carry handguns. Especially when they are paired with a quality tactical belt. With OWB holsters there isn’t any chafing or rubbing like there can be when using inside the waistbelt (IWB) holster which makes them considerably more comfortable to use.
That said, there are some good options for IWB holsters on the market. We construct two, the Wraith and the Solace. Both of these are great options if IWB holsters are more your thing.
Second, OWB holsters are going to be a safer carry option, especially for more inexperienced individuals. There is more room between the gun/barrel and the carrier’s body. If for some reason an accidental discharge were to occur, then an OWB holster would decrease the likelihood of the carrier being struck by the bullet.
Third, they are fast to draw. OWB holsters are extremely easy and fast to draw from. This is incredibly important when under duress in an emergency.
Cons of OWB Holsters
Although OWB holsters are a great carry option, they do have their cons.
First, OWB holsters are typically more difficult to conceal than IWB holsters. It’s often necessary or even essential to wear an additional layer of clothing to conceal them. Many people carrying concealed OWB wear light jackets or vests for this reason.
Second, your firearm showing through your layers becomes a bigger issue than with IWB holsters. This is called printing. If using an OWB holster for concealed carry it’s a good idea to wear heavy fabrics and stay away from light synthetic materials. Concealed carrying a gun that is printed is ineffective and defeats the purpose. Try to stick to heavy fabrics such as wool or cotton.
Third, handguns in OWB holsters are easier for attackers to get ahold of. Imagine getting into hand-to-hand combat and the offender trying to reach for your gun in an OWB holster vs an IWB holster. The gun in the OWB holster will be much easier to grab. That said, if you are that close to the aggressor, you have already failed to maintain a safe distance and de-escalate the situation.
When to Use Outside The Waistband Holsters
After you have read the pros and cons of OWB carry, you may be wondering when you should carry a gun in an OWB holster. This is really a question that only you can answer. There are pros and cons to every type of holster and you will need to make the decision for yourself.
That said, OWB holsters are a great option for both concealed, duty, and range carry. They offer a lot of positives and in my opinion are a great all-around option, especially if you want to limit the number of holsters you have.
One solid OWB holster like the Ronin or Sentinel is really all most people need. If you backpack or hike you could add the Kenai Chest Holster to your collection and be covered for virtually every scenario.
OWB Concealed Carry Holsters – Ronin
Now that we have covered what OWB holsters are, their pros and cons, and when to carry them, let’s talk about what we believe is the best OWB concealed carry holster on the market!
The Ronin OWB concealed carry holster is an extremely comfortable, concealable holster that has been on the market for 12 years. These holsters are custom-made in the USA and designed specifically for the unique properties of a specific weapon. Here is a video that gives a quick but detailed overview of the Ronin holster.
The retention is great on these holsters. It’s customized using a real pistol to ensure the perfect retention so that the gun won’t fall out while being active, even during a fight. They are simple to use, and there isn’t anything to get in the way when it’s time to draw. Simplicity at its finest.
One of the neatest aspects of the Ronin holster is it is handmade and formed belt loops. These loops are specifically designed for each type of weapon and take into consideration the weapon’s length and weight. Although this may seem trivial to some, it sets this holster apart from all others and makes it much more comfortable to carry than other brands.
The Ronin can also be customized with riveted malice clips that will allow the holster to be attached to standard MOLLE webbing like on a backpack, battle belt, or our Micro-Agression Thigh Panel.
OWB Duty Carry Holster – Sentinel
If you are looking for an OWB holster for duty or open carry then the Sentinel is a great option for you! Like Gunfighters Inc’s other holsters, this one is also built and constructed from materials sourced in the USA. It’s designed as the perfect duty holster and allows for multiple carry options.
The Sentinel can be worn as a standard OWB holster on a belt with the standard hand-formed belt loops, attached to MOLLE webbing with optional malice clips that are riveted to the holster, or even run as a drop leg holster with our Micro-Agression Thigh Panel.
The different attachment options allow this holster to be adapted to different situations. If you are interested in running all or even two of the options listed above, then you should specify that you want the holster loops to be malice clips.
This will still allow you to run the holster on your belt and allow you to attach the holster to any MOLLE webbing material. This includes the thigh panel as well as backpack waist belts or any other gear with standard MOLLE webbing.
Additionally, this holster can be customized for handguns with lights, optics, or threaded barrels. Moreover, the buyer can specify open or closed ends and custom colors.
Like the Ronin, the Sentinel is designed to have the perfect amount of retention. This means that your handgun will stay put while you are active yet still be easy to draw without any straps or breaks getting in the way.
Should I Buy the Ronin or Sentinel OWB Holster?
In a perfect world, you could own both, but we get it. Quality holsters aren’t cheap and quite frankly, it isn’t necessary for most people to own both of these holsters. The Ronin was specifically designed for concealed carry but can be customized with malice clips and used on equipment with standard MOLLE webbing.
If you’re more interested in a simple yet rugged duty holster for open carry or are going to purchase a dedicated concealed carry holster, then the Sentinel is the right option for you. Like the Ronin, the Sentinel can also be customized with malice clips and attached to standard MOLLE webbing.
Closing Thoughts
Picking an OWB holster can be a tough decision. Hopefully, this article has helped you select your next one. We know that whether you pick the Ronin or the Sentinel, it won’t let you down.
At Gunfighters Inc we have a buy-once philosophy. Our holsters offer value and quality for their price. We believe they are the best on the market. We believe this so strongly that we back all of our holsters with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. A holster bought from us is the last holster you will need to purchase for your firearm.
January 26, 2023