Glock 23 Concealed Carry IWB Holster Complete Guide [2023 Review]

So, you’re in the market to find a concealed carry holster for your Glock 23. This means you’ve already decided you want to carry your Glock concealed. You’re following all the laws in your state regarding concealed carry. Now you’re in the market for the perfect Glock 23 holster.

The best Glock 23 concealed carry holster is IWB Kydex Holster by Concealment Express. This is a molded to fit polymer inside the waistband (IWB) concealment holster.

It offers adjustable passive retention as well as customizable cant (carry angle). It’s available in both Kydex and carbon fiber, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

This video review discusses the inside the waistband (IWB) holster by Concealment Express. Though he talks about the Glock 26, 27, and 33, the features are the same as the holster for the Glock 23. What to Consider Before Buying

There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before purchasing a concealment holster for your Glock 23.

• Your dominant hand — most holsters are not ambidextrous and can only be used for right- or left-hand carry.
• Your activity level — if you’re an extremely active person, you might want to consider a holster with active retention such as retention straps or buttons.
• Your wardrobe — carrying concealed means you might need to adjust your clothing choices to guarantee your weapon remains hidden.
• Draw speed — carrying concealed means carrying for defense; you want to make sure you can draw your pistol quickly if the need arises.
• Barrel length — many firearms come with options for different barrel lengths. If you’re looking at a holster with a closed end, make sure your pistol will fit. To measure barrel length, measure from the end of the barrel up to the ejection port.

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General Holster Guidelines

When searching online for holsters, there are a few words and abbreviations you need to be familiar with.

• IWB — this stands for inside the waistband, meaning the holster slips into your pants and clips to your waistband or belt.
• OWB — this means outside the waistband and it usually clips or slides on a belt.
• Kydex — Kydex is a patented polymer (plastic) blend that can be molded into any form
• Carbon Fiber — this is a material made from carbon, giving it added strength
• Cant — cant refers to the angle at which the firearm sits in the holster and is usually referred to using degrees: 0 or 15 degrees. An FBI cant is the 15 degree position. Many holsters offer a user-adjustable cant.
• Passive retention — holsters made of polymer usually have passive retention; the molded holster gives the user an audible ‘click’ when they weapon is properly holstered.
• Active retention — this refers to retention straps, thumb breaks, or finger buttons that must be activated in order to draw the firearm. Many holsters offer this level II retention.

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Types of Holsters

We’ve already touched on a couple styles of holsters, so let’s take a look at some we haven’t talked about yet.

• Shoulder Holster — This is the type of holster you generally see detectives in crime shows wearing. It consists of a harness that goes around your upper arms with a holster attached. You’ll carry this opposite your strong hand, underneath the arm. They usually have spare magazine pouches to balance out the weight. To ensure concealment, you must add a jacket or sport coat when wearing a shoulder holster. They have additional retention straps as well.
• Ankle Holster — An ankle holster goes around your ankle, securing the weapon under your pant leg. They come with retention straps, and may increase your draw time. But if you spend a lot of time at a desk or in the car, this might be a good option for you.
• Belly Band — This is a neoprene band that goes around your abdomen under your shirt. An elastic holster is stitched to the band. They usually have retention straps, and because the pistol is under your clothing, it may increase your draw time. Some users with certain body types may not find this holster comfortable.
• Belt Holster — this will have a clip or slots (or both) to either clip to or slide on your belt. They may come with or without additional retention features. When carrying concealed using this type of holster, your clothing must conceal the pistol.

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Specific IWB Holsters for Glock 23

Now let’s take a look at some specific holsters on the market today for the Glock 23. We’ll look in detail at some of the pros and cons for each one.

1. ULTIMATE SUEDE LEATHER IWB HOLSTER BY RELENTLESS TACTICAL

This is a suede leather holster intended to be worn inside the waistband (IWB). A sturdy metal clip secures the holster to your pants. The holster is open-ended, making it capable of handling different barrel lengths.

The Ultimate holster does not have any retention features, because it relies on tension from your pants to secure the firearm. If you are an active person, this might not be a good choice.

Because the Ultimate doesn’t have a high rise on the contact side, parts of your pistol will likely rest against your skin, causing potential issues of corrosion from sweat.

This holster is designed to enhance concealment, yet make drawing your pistol in an emergency quickly and easily. Because it’s made of soft leather, the Ultimate may collapse, making re-holstering difficult. It is not ambidextrous.

 2. CONCEALED CARRY GUN HOLSTER BY HIDDEN HYBRID HOLSTERS

The inside the waistband (IWB) Concealed Carry holster from Hidden Hybrid is a unique design. The holster on the contact side is made of leather, while the front skin is molded Kydex polymer. This holster can also be worn outside the waistband (OWB) using belt slide slots.

This holster can be adjusted for cant (carry angle) when worn IWB and also for carry height, but not when using the belt slots. It also offers user-adjustable retention screws to guarantee your firearm is secure in the holster. There are no retention straps or buttons to interfere with a smooth draw.

Some shooters don’t like holsters made of Kydex, citing that it can be abrasive and cause wear marks on your pistol’s finish. This is an open-ended holster, so you don’t have to worry about barrel length. But, it’s not ambidextrous, so make sure you order the right side.

3. GLOCK 19/23/32 HOLSTER BY BADGER CONCEALMENT

This inside the waistband (IWB) Glock holster is made of molded Kydex and features a full sweat guard on the skin side. It comes with a sturdy polymer clip to secure it to your pants.

The holster offers adjustable passive retention, giving you an audible ‘click’ when the pistol is securely inserted. But, the cant (carry angle) is not adjustable on this holster, sitting at a standard 15-degree FBI angle.

This holster is the lightest holster on the market at 3 ounces. It is designed for specific firearms, and is not ambidextrous, so make sure you order the right one if you purchase online.

4. IWB KYDEX HOLSTER BY CONCEALMENT EXPRESS

This is a molded Kydex polymer or carbon fiber holster designed to fit inside the waistband (IWB). Because it’s molded for specific firearms, the retention is excellent.

It offers an adjustment screw for the retention, giving the user the option to tighten or loose as needed. It also has an adjustable cant (carry angle) and fits belts up to 1.5 inches.

There is no active retention features; instead, you’ll get the audible ‘click’ sound when the pistol is properly holstered.

You can choose from either Kydex-T polymer or carbon fiber material for this holster. Some gun owners don’t care for Kydex, claiming it might mar the finish on the handgun.

5. CREATRILL NEOPRENE BELLY BAND HOLSTER CONCEALED CARRY

This classic belly band-style neoprene holster is an extremely affordable option. The open-bottomed holster, designed with the right size and stretch to accommodate up to a 45” waistline, is durable and closes with Velcro for a customizable fit for men and women of most sizes. This adjustable belly band holster fits compact and subcompact pistols, revolvers, and more, with a bonus elastic spare pocket, both pockets equipped with active retention elastic straps for a safe and subtle (but two-handed) concealment.

Slim neoprene and elastic sits flat and can be worn comfortably inside or out of the waistband, adjusted to your preferred cant and your dominant hand. The gun pocket has two openings for either left or right-hand draw- this holster is a great option if it’s shared between multiple people!

The flat, strong, non-toxic neoprene is safe enough to be worn on bare skin and is compact enough to not print even under tight workout clothes or workwear- great for women who jog, walk, or bike alone. For versatility and affordability, this handgun holster is great for everyday or tactical situations- place bear mace or a spare mag in the extra pocket for a weekend hunt, or ensure you don’t lose your phone or wallet with the convenient elastic strap.

Pros:

• Spare pocket!
• Slim profile/easily concealed
• Very affordable
• Versatile in size and preferred wear

Cons:

• Two-step draw and reholster due to elastic strap
• No trigger guard
• Might stretch over time, but can be adjusted with the velcro close
• Gets weighed down by heavier/larger models

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Our Final Opinion

If you’re going to carry concealed, you want the best holster you can find for your Glock 23. The perfect holster will have most or all of the features you feel are most important. What you choose in a holster will depend on your personal lifestyle and the particular situations you’re likely to find yourself in.

The IWB Kydex Holster by Concealment Express is the best, most versatile holster for a Glock 23. It offers features such as adjustable retention, custom cant (carry angle), and a slim profile to ensure concealment. There are no retention straps or buttons to slow down your draw in an emergency, and the holster doesn’t collapse, making re-holstering easy.

For the price of concealment holsters, you can’t go wrong with the IWB Kydex Holster. Concealment Express offers a lifetime guarantee, backing up their tough and enduring product. In the middle of the price ranges, this holster is an excellent buy.

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• Glock 19 VS. Glock 23
• Glock 22 VS. Glock 23
• Best Glock 23 Holsters