Burk Cornelius
Regular guy
Background: I have been carrying Appendix inside the Waistband (AIWB) for several years now with various types of holsters; some better than others. If you have never carried AIWB and want to try it, you might think the Keeper Concealment holster is too thick, too bulky, and too expensive. If you have carried AIWB before, you will find this holster to be perfect for the application. So, that being said, if you are wanting to try AIWB carry for the first time, either do like the rest of us have done and spend hundreds of dollars trying various holsters, or take advice from people who have already done that and buy a Keepers Concealment holster.
First Glance: When you first see the holster, you will notice that it looks different than a lot of holsters. There are a couple of main things different about this holster than your â€typical†holster. AIWB is all about leverage. Getting the slide and the grip tilted into your abdomen and side. Two things you will notice different about the Keepers holster. One, the kydex body is not form fitted flat against the gun. Most holsters are form fitted as closely to the gun as possible to reduce the thickness of the holster. Spencer has designed the outboard side of the holster to not be pressed right up against the gun, but instead there is a slight gap (wedge) near the trigger guard with only a lip touching the slide which creates leverage against the gun to press it against your body. The second thing different is the holster comes with foam wedges (2 different sizes) that can be applied (via Velcro) at the bottom end of the holster between it and your body (groin area) to further push the grip into your body. If you have carried AIWB with other holsters you will understand the concept of leverage. If you have not, take my word for it, you need it
Firearm Fit: The fit and retention of the firearm are superb. There is a distinct “snap†as the gun seats into the holster. Spencer designed this holster to retain the gun during strenuous physical activities such as grappling or any kind of defensive maneuvers. You might not be planning on grappling with an assailant, but if you ever do, you don’t want your gun to come out. You also want to be able to access the weapon if you ever find yourself in this situation. The Keepers Concealment holster will provide both firearm security and access.
Holster ride/comfort: One thing that most AIWB holsters fail at is ride height. Most holsters ride too high and cause the butt of the gun to tip out or they bury the gun in your waistband to prevent tipping and you can’t get a full grip on the gun. You want the gun as low in the waistband as you can get it and still be able to get a full and complete grip on the gun. Somehow through the design process, this holster allows the gun to ride so as not to be buried in your waistband, but still provide a full grip on your gun for the draw. I know this wasn’t by accident but I don’t know how he accomplished it. Because of the leverage discussed above and the combination of the dense foam wedges, this holster will surprise you with its comfort. Does AIWB take some getting used to? Yes. Does this holster do everything possible to make it comfortable? Yes. The closed belt loop (not a clip) has two additional holes for ride height adjustment or can’t, if you so choose. I have mine in the highest holes (lowest ride height) and you can still, get a full firm grip on your weapon.
Overall Impressions: I know I have said “the one†before when reviewing holsters, but in my defense, not for a strictly AIWB holster. That being said, this is THE ONE. Like I said in the opening statement, you can spend less as many times as you want but you will end up buying this holster or using something that you don’t like. Overall rating 5 hollow points (out of 5)
First Glance: When you first see the holster, you will notice that it looks different than a lot of holsters. There are a couple of main things different about this holster than your â€typical†holster. AIWB is all about leverage. Getting the slide and the grip tilted into your abdomen and side. Two things you will notice different about the Keepers holster. One, the kydex body is not form fitted flat against the gun. Most holsters are form fitted as closely to the gun as possible to reduce the thickness of the holster. Spencer has designed the outboard side of the holster to not be pressed right up against the gun, but instead there is a slight gap (wedge) near the trigger guard with only a lip touching the slide which creates leverage against the gun to press it against your body. The second thing different is the holster comes with foam wedges (2 different sizes) that can be applied (via Velcro) at the bottom end of the holster between it and your body (groin area) to further push the grip into your body. If you have carried AIWB with other holsters you will understand the concept of leverage. If you have not, take my word for it, you need it
Firearm Fit: The fit and retention of the firearm are superb. There is a distinct “snap†as the gun seats into the holster. Spencer designed this holster to retain the gun during strenuous physical activities such as grappling or any kind of defensive maneuvers. You might not be planning on grappling with an assailant, but if you ever do, you don’t want your gun to come out. You also want to be able to access the weapon if you ever find yourself in this situation. The Keepers Concealment holster will provide both firearm security and access.
Holster ride/comfort: One thing that most AIWB holsters fail at is ride height. Most holsters ride too high and cause the butt of the gun to tip out or they bury the gun in your waistband to prevent tipping and you can’t get a full grip on the gun. You want the gun as low in the waistband as you can get it and still be able to get a full and complete grip on the gun. Somehow through the design process, this holster allows the gun to ride so as not to be buried in your waistband, but still provide a full grip on your gun for the draw. I know this wasn’t by accident but I don’t know how he accomplished it. Because of the leverage discussed above and the combination of the dense foam wedges, this holster will surprise you with its comfort. Does AIWB take some getting used to? Yes. Does this holster do everything possible to make it comfortable? Yes. The closed belt loop (not a clip) has two additional holes for ride height adjustment or can’t, if you so choose. I have mine in the highest holes (lowest ride height) and you can still, get a full firm grip on your weapon.
Overall Impressions: I know I have said “the one†before when reviewing holsters, but in my defense, not for a strictly AIWB holster. That being said, this is THE ONE. Like I said in the opening statement, you can spend less as many times as you want but you will end up buying this holster or using something that you don’t like. Overall rating 5 hollow points (out of 5)
