Best OWB Holster for Glock 19 Reviews & Buying Guide
Glock pistols are popular handguns with a huge demand in the gun world. That’s why a lot of gun owners would have a huge selection of choices on a leather holster, Kydex holster, or hybrid holsters out there, whether OWB or IWB holsters.
But today, our focus is on OWB holsters, which are considered some of the most popular holstering gears on the market right now for different reasons.
For instance, the best OWB holster for Glock 19 allows for quick and easy access to the gun. This is important especially in dangerous situations when making really quick decisions could save the lives of other people or your own. Quick draw without compromising on your ability for concealed carry is thus one of the most sought after features of a G19 OWB holster.
Then, OWB holsters for the Glock 19 are flexible in that they allow you to wear your holster in various ways, depending on what you’ve chosen.
Flexibility can offer you more convenience and of course comfort because you’ll be able to wear your holster exactly how you want to.
In today’s buying guide, I’ll help you pick an OWB holster by reviewing the top picks and their unique features and benefits and talk about the things you need to consider when picking among the huge selection of OWB holsters.
Is Glock 19 the best carry gun?
The Glock 19 is one of the best handgun models out there for concealed carry and as a personal defense gun. It has been many years since it first came out, and it is still a top contender for many gun owners.
The first reason is due to its compact size. Now, if you are currently looking for a gun that is just the right size, look no further. The pistol weighs just 21 ounces or around 595 grams when it is unloaded.
With a discreet holster, you can easily tuck it away without worry. If you start getting worried it may be too small for your hand, do not worry. The Glock 19 may be compact, but it fits nicely on just about any hand size.
Another benefit of the Glock 19 that compliments its size is its capacity. The standard magazine can hold up to 15 rounds, but you may also swap it out for 17, 19, or 33. The original 15 rounds are sure to get you through any situation in which you may have to defend yourself.
With an additional mention of the three independent safety features, the last and probably most common reason many still choose this model is its balance, making it easy for the user to shoot.
You can get a good grip, and it doesn't feel too light. Then, there is the striker-fire trigger design. The trigger is fairly light and resets quickly, which is a must in high-stress situations. It is very accurate, and the 9mm cartridges have manageable recoil.
All these reasons and its durability make the Glock 19 one of the best guns for concealed carry. Its compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use design while maintaining the safety system attracts even those unfamiliar but concerned with personal safety.
Can you use an OWB holster for concealed carry?
It may be a less common choice, but you can absolutely use it for concealed carry. Although IWBs are more commonly used holsters for concealed carry, the key is finding the right kind of holster and gun.
Some of the common issues of using the OWB are finding a holster that blends into your body type and finding the right gun in terms of size and weight. But most gun owners even praise OWB for concealed holsters since they are not uncomfortable and are easy to draw a firearm from.
In terms of concealment itself, the OWB has its pros and cons. One of the pros is when you find the right holster that blends well with the shape of your body, this OWB holster can be as concealed as it can get.
But the downside is that you may have to change your wardrobe. You may have to opt for longer shirts when carrying them around.
Gun owners who prefer using OWBs usually go for guns with a more compact size to avoid having to wear bulky clothing. Most use the Glock 19 or Glock 26 since they are easier to hide but still can have several rounds available in them.
The last part you have to worry about is actually wearing the holster. You will need a strong and hefty belt to deal with the weight, and you might even have to tinker with the positioning whenever you wear new garments or don't wear jackets.
Overall, the OWB is still an excellent choice for concealed carry. You may have to buy a few jackets along with the holster, and as long as it feels comfortable and stays hidden, you’ll be perfectly fine.
What to Look For When Buying a Glock 19 OWB Holster?
The following are some of the most important features to look for when comparing your options for a Glock 19 holster.
Retention
A retention system in a holster helps keep your gun in place inside it. This means that despite how much you move it around, your gun won’t fall out of the holster.
A simple test to see whether a holster has good retention is to turn the holster upside down. If the gun stays in place, then it has sufficient retention.
A good retention system is important for your safety. Your weapon needs to be able to safely stay inside your holster while doing any kind of activity that involves a lot of movement, like running or jumping.
There are three types of retention systems in holsters: active, passive, and both. An active retention system needs the user to engage or disengage the system, meaning that you will actively have to release the thumb breaks or straps to release your gun.
The passive retention system is when the holster is specifically molded to the shape of your gun. The snug fit allows for more surface area contact, which along with the friction, keeps your gun in place. This system can also have screws that allow you to adjust the retention.
Comfort
Comfort is one of the biggest yet underrated factors that you should consider when buying a holster. It may not seem like it will do much for your gun, but it will matter to you, who will be wearing it.
When buying a holster, try it on if possible and go through different motions that you would do if you were to wear and use it. Walk around, jog, jump, sit, or even run with it to see how it fits around your waist.
Ensure that the OWB holster itself doesn’t rub against your skin. Despite seeming like only a little rubbing at first, this can cause bruises, wounds, irritation, and even blisters over time on your side.
See to it that it’s the right fit for your body size, so it won’t feel out of place or hurt.
Remember that if you’re going to be wearing it a lot, you’ll want to look for something that is comfortable.
Protection for Your Glock 19
Another important factor is the holster’s ability to protect your gun.
The holster needs to be made of durable, protective, and heavy-duty material to prevent getting scratches or bumps against your gun.
It’s best to choose high-quality materials like leather, nylon, or Kydex, as the material in the best Glock 19 holsters since they offer sufficient protection for your gun. However, I don’t recommend nylon holsters for insufficient security ability most of the time.
You’ll also want to see how much coverage it has as the more surface area of the gun it covers, the more your weapon will be protected.
Concealment
If concealing or hiding your weapon is something that you’re considering, then you need to factor in the concealability of the holster you’re buying. A holster’s concealment also depends on your body type, the clothing you’ll wear, its type and the material it’s made of.
If you want to go for a concealable weapon, you’ll want to try the holster on with your typical clothing to see if it can be easily seen or not. The best Glock 19 holsters are often more simple and sleek so as not to bulge out of your waist and draw attention.
Design
Although not as important, design might be one of the factors you’ll want to look into.
Most OWB holsters come in either black or tan, and can be made up of either leather, nylon, or a polymer like Kydex. There are also shops and companies that offer customizable designs if that is something you want.
Weight
The weight of the holster can also affect your performance, thus, you’ll want to see which one works the best for you.
A holster’s weight largely depends on its design and the material it’s made of. Most prefer more lightweight holsters as not to add more weight since the gun can already be heavy.
Lighter holsters have simpler features as bulkier designs can equal more weight, making it uncomfortable and feel uneven to wear.
Trigger Coverage
Trigger coverage in a holster refers to whether or not the holster has a cover on your gun’s trigger mechanism. Not all OWB holsters have this, but it’s an extremely important safety mechanism to avoid any accidental discharge from your gun. While this doesn’t guarantee that nothing will move the trigger, it’s a good prevention to avoid accidentally engaging it.
Hand Orientation
While not many know, there are actually 2 different options for holsters depending on your hand orientation. It will depend on which arm and side you prefer to draw and shoot your gun.
If you draw and shoot with your right hand, then you can either place it on your right hand side or on the opposite left side, and vice versa if you’re left-handed.
A right hand holster will have a clip on its left side for an OWB carry while a left hand holster will have a clip on the right side. Then, there are also ambidextrous holsters, which can be quite versatile for wearing either on the left or the right.
Price
OWB holsters come in a varied price range. Holsters that are made of higher-quality and more durable material will cost more, like premium saddle leather. Look around the market before settling on one if you’re looking to invest in a good holster.
A lot of companies offer these kinds of holsters and so you’ll have a ton of options to choose from, depending on your budget.
Glock Gen Compatibility
Glock gen compatibility is only important if you’re going to use a different generation of your glock 19 with your holster.
Some holsters were made specifically to be compatible with a few generations, and so if you’re looking to use only one holster for different generations of your Glock 19, you’ll want to check the compatibility and fit.
Additional Features
OWB holsters can have different additional features that can benefit you, and so choosing ones that have them may be helpful to you. Additional features include adjustable retention that you can alter yourself, a click that will let you know when your Glock 19 is fully holstered in, buffed edges to reduce sharpness, an automatic locking system, and more.
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