How Tight Should Your IWB Holster Be? Understanding Retention Beyond the Click

Did you set your holster retention correctly? Do you even know how to set it correctly?

I'm Jeff, owner of LAS Concealment. I've spent over 12 years designing and manufacturing appendix carry holsters. One of the things I've learned is that how you view retention depends largely on your experience, skill level, personality, and lifestyle.

In the entry-level stages of a shooter's journey, retention is viewed as retaining the handgun. In the intermediate and advanced stages, particularly when shooting for performance, the priorities often shift toward performance first and retention second.

That doesn't mean retaining the firearm becomes less important. It means you start understanding retention differently.

Rip Draw vs. Smooth Draw

There isn't a universal measurement that determines the perfect retention setting for every IWB holster. It's subjective.

To simplify things, I describe two types of retention based on how the handgun feels when released from the holster.

The Rip Draw: Exactly what it sounds like. A sudden ripping motion to overcome a more aggressive retention setting. I've noticed that people who prefer tighter retention often have more active lifestyles or simply want additional reassurance that their handgun is secure.

The Smooth Draw: A less aggressive retention setting that allows the handgun to clear its retention points with minimal interruption. Shooters who prefer a smoother, more consistent release may gravitate toward this setting.

There's obviously a range between these two preferences. Neither is inherently better or more advanced than the other.

Both must meet the same baseline: the handgun needs to remain safely and securely retained during its intended use. The difference is how much resistance the shooter prefers beyond that requirement.

But why do they feel different?

Understanding How Holster Retention Works

Traditional Kydex holsters create retention by molding material around specific areas of the firearm or weapon light.

Think of it as a speed bump.

As the handgun enters or exits the holster, the material must flex enough to allow it to pass that retention point.

The more pronounced the resistance, the greater the force needed to overcome it.

Different holster designs create retention in different locations. Non-light-bearing holsters feel different from light-bearing holsters, and even weapon lights of different shapes can create completely different retention characteristics.

But the holster itself is only part of the equation.

The Sandwich Effect

This is something I call the Sandwich Effect.

When you wear an IWB holster, you're sandwiching it between your body and your belt.

Your belt creates pressure against the holster. Your body creates pressure from the other side.

Now think about what happens when you sit down.

We've all eaten a little too much at dinner and felt our pants or belt getting tighter when sitting. Your waist compresses, your stomach pushes outward, and suddenly there's more pressure along your beltline.

If you're carrying a handgun, you've just compressed the sandwich.

Depending on the holster design, that additional pressure can increase the resistance at the retention points.

Nothing about your retention adjustment changed, yet the handgun may feel harder to remove.

And this is where I believe a lot of people misunderstand retention.

Holsters are designed to be worn, not evaluated on your couch.

You're Not Always Standing Upright

Most people evaluate their holster retention while standing comfortably.

But what happens when you're seated? Bent over at the waist? Or lying belly-down?

These are positions that don't get discussed enough when evaluating concealed carry equipment.

Different body positions change the pressure placed on your holster. That pressure can change how the retention feels.

I've personally experienced these differences through training, and those experiences have influenced both my opinions and the way I design holsters.

Your lifestyle also matters.

Someone riding a motorcycle may place different demands on their equipment than someone driving a car. Someone who regularly runs may have different considerations than someone who rarely does.

This is why I don't believe everyone should have the same retention preference. Whatever setting you choose still needs to keep the handgun securely retained during your intended activities.

Why the Audible Click Is Overrated

One of the most common ways people evaluate holster quality is through the audible click or the upside-down test.

I think both are overrated.

A pronounced click can tell you something about how the holster engages the firearm, but it doesn't tell you everything about retention.

The upside-down test might be a starting point for some people, but it doesn't replicate how a holster behaves when worn.

And that brings us back to skill level.

When you're first introduced to shooting, you're primarily evaluating whether the holster retains the gun.

Once someone introduces you to a shot timer, your perspective can change.

You begin understanding the difference between a five-second draw and a one-second draw. You start evaluating how your equipment affects measurable performance.

Suddenly, retention isn't just about how securely the holster holds your handgun. It's also about how that retention influences your performance.

Performance matters, but it should never come at the expense of secure retention.

Retention Changes Over Time

Here's another thing customers often overlook.

Your retention won't necessarily remain identical throughout the life of your holster.

Kydex is plastic. Firearms and weapon lights contain metal components. Repeated contact creates wear.

Most customers won't notice the gradual changes until one day they realize their retention feels different.

Understanding this wear is one of the reasons I've changed how I design my molds over the years. Longevity is important, and retention should be reevaluated periodically as equipment wears.

Always Be a Student

Here's what I want you to understand.

You can only evaluate equipment to the level of your own knowledge and skill.

And that's okay.

We all start somewhere.

As you gain experience, train with different people, and begin understanding performance, you'll develop preferences you might never have considered before.

For experienced shooters, some of what I've explained may be things you've already discovered through years of trial and error. I'm simply trying to put words to those experiences and connect concepts that aren't often explained together.

For beginners, I hope it encourages you to look beyond the audible click and start asking different questions.

You don't need to become the best tactical shooter or competitive shooter. But there's an entire world of shooting beyond standing at an indoor range shooting paper targets on a wired system.

And that world is extremely fun.

Keep learning. Keep questioning what you think you know. Your understanding of equipment will continue to evolve as your skills develop.

Always be a student.

— Jeff, Owner of LAS Concealment

If you're looking for a holster that allows you to adjust retention to your preference, explore the Kaizen and Kaizen-L, featuring adjustable retention designed around your individual needs.