About a year ago in one of the 'holster' topics I really ranted about how useless I found the products from Alien Gear. I had their paddle and belt rig and found them simply useless, way too bulky and sticking out like a Jordan Border Patrol rig but far less stable, less functional and totally lacking in any soul or spirit.
Time passed and a friend shamed me into buying one of the Alien Gear IWB bases (the smallest size). I had tried quite a few of the shells and the shells are interchangeable with either the IWB or OWB bases so the investment was not too extreme.
The difference is truly night & day. The IWB format really is as nice as any IWB I own, stable, holding the handgun tight against my body, comfortable for a full days wear and with shells that are easily exchanged and mounting hardware that is adjustable and simple. I have the shells for my Sig Sauer P290RS (works with both the 380 and Parabellum), for the Beretta larger 32 acp models (Puma, New Puma, Cheetah), my EG Makarov and surprisingly my Colt 1903s (and a few other guns from around the same era). I have two different styles of clips; one that goes over the belt and is a spring type and one that is a "C" format that goes over the pants and under the belt with the belt riding in the "C". I prefer the latter since I find it far easier to adjust for positioning.
Here you can see the Over the Belt clip versions with one of my Colt 1903s. Notice the body shield as well as how tightly the handgun is held against my body. I've worn the Alien Gear IWB while driving, walking, standing, sitting and it's been remarkably comfortable. The only issue was one instance when bending over to refill the kitties water bowl when the body shield poked me under my ribs. It was annoying but not painful. The clips are adjustable for height and cant and are a quick connect/disconnect style.
I have found that each of the shells also holds my handgun securely and tight against my body. Put on an unbuttoned shirt and it works as a concealed carry and as I normally dress I would call it an unobtrusive carry. Even when wearing it without any covering I have not had a single comment or "hard Stare".
So I have to admit that as totally useless as I found the Alien Gear OWB designs, their IWB has far exceeded my expectations.
Time passed and a friend shamed me into buying one of the Alien Gear IWB bases (the smallest size). I had tried quite a few of the shells and the shells are interchangeable with either the IWB or OWB bases so the investment was not too extreme.
The difference is truly night & day. The IWB format really is as nice as any IWB I own, stable, holding the handgun tight against my body, comfortable for a full days wear and with shells that are easily exchanged and mounting hardware that is adjustable and simple. I have the shells for my Sig Sauer P290RS (works with both the 380 and Parabellum), for the Beretta larger 32 acp models (Puma, New Puma, Cheetah), my EG Makarov and surprisingly my Colt 1903s (and a few other guns from around the same era). I have two different styles of clips; one that goes over the belt and is a spring type and one that is a "C" format that goes over the pants and under the belt with the belt riding in the "C". I prefer the latter since I find it far easier to adjust for positioning.
Here you can see the Over the Belt clip versions with one of my Colt 1903s. Notice the body shield as well as how tightly the handgun is held against my body. I've worn the Alien Gear IWB while driving, walking, standing, sitting and it's been remarkably comfortable. The only issue was one instance when bending over to refill the kitties water bowl when the body shield poked me under my ribs. It was annoying but not painful. The clips are adjustable for height and cant and are a quick connect/disconnect style.
I have found that each of the shells also holds my handgun securely and tight against my body. Put on an unbuttoned shirt and it works as a concealed carry and as I normally dress I would call it an unobtrusive carry. Even when wearing it without any covering I have not had a single comment or "hard Stare".
So I have to admit that as totally useless as I found the Alien Gear OWB designs, their IWB has far exceeded my expectations.
