Setup Instructions
Proper placement and setup for your Kydex IWB Holster
At MK-Tek Holsters, we understand that proper placement of your IWB (Inside the Waistband) holster is crucial for comfort and concealment. Here’s how to get it right:
Optimal Carry Positions
Appendix Carry (12:30 to 2:00 Position)
- Why It Works: The front of your body is relatively flat, making it ideal for concealment. The grip of the gun aligns with the flat of your belly.
- Benefits: This position allows you to maximize the natural crease at your hip for a clean and consistent draw.
- Tips: Lift the holster and belt-line about half an inch before sitting. Ensure the gun rides below your muffin top when standing and above it when sitting.
Behind the Hip Carry (3:30 to 4:00 Position)
- Why It Works: Just behind the hip, there’s a natural pocket that accommodates the holster.
- Benefits: A 15-degree forward cant improves concealment and draw accessibility. Avoid the 3:00 position where the hip bone is widest and pants are tightest, causing discomfort and printing.
- Tips: Adjust the holster to sit in the natural pocket behind the hip bone for optimal concealment and comfort.
General Tips
- Avoid Wide Hips: Placing the holster on the widest part of your hip can be uncomfortable and noticeable.
- Consistent Draw: Proper placement ensures a smooth and consistent draw every time.
Additional Resources
For visual guidance, check out our holster setup videos.
Holster Setup instructions
Ride Height
Holster ride height is a crucial aspect of holster selection and setup. Proper ride height ensures both accessibility and comfort. Here's how to get it right:
Importance of Ride Height
- Accessibility: If you can't draw your handgun smoothly, the ride height is too low.
- Comfort: If the holster digs into your side, the ride height is too high.
- Fit: Not every handgun model is suited for every ride height. Some of our holsters offer adjustable ride heights, while others have fixed positions. If you have specific needs, please let us know. Proper setup allows for an all-day comfortable carry.
Guide to Determining Ride Height
We use the trigger guard as the guide for ride height:
- High Concealment / Ride Height:
- The bottom third of the trigger guard is positioned at or below the belt line.
- Normal Ride Height:
- The top two-thirds of the trigger guard is even with the top of your belt line.
- Deep Concealment / Deep Ride Height:
- The top of the trigger guard is positioned at or above the belt line.
By adjusting the holster ride height, you can achieve the perfect balance between concealment, comfort, and quick access.
Holster Cant
Holster cant refers to the angle at which your holster is positioned on your body. Setting the correct cant is essential for ensuring a smooth, efficient draw and comfortable carry. Here's how to adjust your holster cant based on your carry position:
Appendix Carry (12:30 to 2:00 Position)
- Zero Forward Cant: When carrying at the appendix position, the holster should be set with zero forward cant. This means the holster is perfectly vertical.
- Benefits: A zero cant position allows you to get a proper grip on the handgun without adjusting your wrist angle. This setup is crucial for a quick and efficient draw, providing a straight pull from the holster to the ready position.
- Comfort and Access: Ensures the grip of the handgun is accessible and comfortable, reducing strain on your wrist and enhancing your overall draw efficiency.
Behind the Hip Carry (3:30 to 4:00 Position)
- 15-Degree Forward Cant: When carrying behind the hip, adjust the holster to a 15-degree forward cant. This means the holster tilts forward slightly.
- Benefits: A forward cant positions the grip of the handgun at an optimal angle for drawing, minimizing the need to bend your wrist awkwardly. This angle aids in a natural draw motion, allowing for a quicker and smoother pull.
- Concealment and Comfort: Helps the handgun grip conform to the natural contours of your body, improving concealment and reducing printing (the visibility of the gun through clothing). It also distributes the weight of the firearm more comfortably along your body.
Why Proper Cant Matters
- Efficiency: Proper cant ensures that you can quickly and securely draw your firearm when needed, whether you're in an emergency situation or practicing at the range.
- Comfort: An optimal cant reduces discomfort and prevents the holster from digging into your body, making all-day carry more manageable.
- Safety: A correctly angled holster reduces the risk of fumbling or incorrect hand placement during a draw, enhancing overall safety.
Customization
- Adjust to Fit: Some holsters offer adjustable cant angles to suit personal preference and body types. Experiment with different angles to find what works best for you.
- Fixed Options: If you have specific needs or preferences, let us know. We offer both fixed and adjustable cant options to cater to various carry styles and requirements.
Setting up your holster with the right cant angle is a critical step in achieving a balance of accessibility, comfort, and concealment. Adjust your holster to match your carry position, and experience the benefits of a properly configured setup.
Beltless Clip Options
Many concealed carry users, particularly women, often do not wear belts in their everyday attire. This can make it challenging to carry a handgun securely and discreetly. At MK-Tek Holsters, we offer innovative solutions to address this issue, providing reliable options for those who prefer or need to go beltless.
Metal Fabric Clip
- Versatility: Our metal fabric clip is designed to clamp securely onto fabric up to 1/4 inch thick, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of clothing styles and materials.
- Discreet Profile: This clip leaves a minimal footprint on your pants, ensuring a high level of concealment. It blends seamlessly with your outfit, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize discretion.
- Tuckable Design: One of the standout features of the metal fabric clip is its tuckable design, allowing you to tuck your shirt in over the holster. This provides an additional layer of concealment and maintains a neat, professional appearance.
- Additional Security: Some users choose to wear a belt over the clip for added security and stability, though it is not required for effective use.
Metal DCC Monoblock Clip
- Strength and Durability: For those carrying larger framed handguns, our DCC Mono Block is the perfect solution. Made from a strong and flexible spring steel, this clip provides robust support and resilience.
- Flexibility: This clip's design allows for flexibility in positioning, enabling you to wear the holster in various locations on your body. It supports multiple cant options, so you can adjust the angle of your holster for maximum comfort and accessibility.
- Enhanced Support: The DCC Monoblock is engineered to handle the additional weight and size of larger firearms without compromising on security or comfort.
Benefits of Beltless Clips
- Ease of Use: Both clip options are user-friendly, allowing for quick attachment and removal. They are designed to adapt to your lifestyle and clothing preferences.
- Comfort: Without the need for a belt, these clips offer a more comfortable carry solution, especially for those who find belts restrictive or uncomfortable.
- Versatility: Whether you are dressing for work, a casual day out, or any other occasion, our beltless clip options provide the flexibility to carry your handgun securely and discreetly.
How to Choose
- Personal Preference: Your choice between the metal fabric clip and the DCC Mono Block will depend on your specific needs and preferences, including the type of clothing you wear and the size of your handgun.
- Try Both: We recommend trying both options to see which one fits best with your daily routine and comfort level.
At MK-Tek Holsters, we are committed to providing concealed carry solutions that cater to all lifestyles. Our beltless clip options ensure that you can carry your firearm securely, comfortably, and discreetly, no matter what you choose to wear.
What is a Sweat Shield?
A sweat shield is an extension of the holster material that creates a barrier between your body and the firearm. This barrier helps to prevent sweat from reaching your gun, which can cause corrosion and damage over time.
Sweat Shield
Just as the name suggests, a sweat shield is designed to protect your handgun from body sweat. A full sweat shield offers numerous advantages, enhancing both the longevity of your firearm and your overall comfort during carry. Here’s why opting for a full sweat shield is beneficial:
Benefits of a Full Sweat Shield
1. Protection from Sweat
- Corrosion Prevention: Prolonged exposure to sweat can lead to rust and corrosion on your firearm, especially on metal parts. A full sweat shield provides a comprehensive barrier, significantly reducing the risk of moisture damage.
- Maintains Firearm Finish: Sweat can wear away the finish on your handgun, making it look worn and aged. By preventing direct contact with sweat, a full shield helps maintain the firearm’s appearance.
2. Enhanced Comfort
- Skin Protection: A full sweat shield prevents the gun from digging into your skin, reducing irritation and discomfort. This is particularly beneficial for all-day carry.
- Smooth Draw: By keeping sweat away from the gun, the full shield ensures a smoother draw, as the firearm isn’t slipping or sticking due to moisture.
3. Protection of Firearm Controls
- Safety Mechanisms: Sweat can interfere with the operation of safety controls such as the safety switch, slide release lever, and decockers. A full sweat shield ensures these controls remain dry and functional.
- Extended Component Life: Protecting the control mechanisms from moisture helps in extending their lifespan and reliability, ensuring that your firearm remains in optimal working condition.
4. Customizable
- Trim and Polish: A full sweat shield can always be trimmed and polished to fit your specific needs and preferences. This level of customization ensures that you can modify the shield for maximum comfort without losing its protective benefits.
- Personalized Fit: By adjusting the full sweat shield, you can tailor the holster to suit your carry style and body shape, enhancing both concealment and accessibility.
5. Comprehensive Coverage
- Maximum Protection: Unlike minimal sweat shields, a full sweat shield covers a larger area of the firearm, providing better overall protection and ensuring that no part of the gun is exposed to sweat.
- Durability: Full sweat shields are generally more durable, providing long-lasting protection and maintaining their shape over time.
Conclusion
A full sweat shield is a vital feature for anyone serious about protecting their firearm and ensuring a comfortable carry experience. It offers superior protection against sweat, enhances comfort, safeguards firearm controls, and allows for customization. Investing in a holster with a full sweat shield means choosing longevity, reliability, and comfort for your everyday carry.
ADJUSTMENTS for Regular Fold Over Clip
To adjust the Forward Cant of your holster:
• First loosen the top left screw on the Belt clip.
• Next remove the top right screw and pivot the Belt
Clip to allow you to move the rubber washer and
post to the next hole.
• Reassemble the post into the Holster with the rubber
washer on top of the holster between the clip.
• Next tighten the screws.
To adjust the Retention of your holster:
• Tighten or loosen the Retention screw to compress
the Rubber spacer. Do not over tighten.
• Please use Blue LokTite on all screws to secure them against future loosening.
Pull-the-Dot™Snap Instructions
We use Mil-Spec, Pull-the-Dot snap fasteners on our soft loops.
These are directional snaps and will only open or close in a certain direction. This feature prevents the snaps from opening when the being worn on the belt, but will allow you to unsnap them easily to remove the holster. These snaps can be very difficult to open and/or close when new and may require a break in period. The following instructions will help you use the snaps and trouble shoot some common issues we’ve found with new snaps.
Pull-the-Dot snaps are directional. They will only snap by hooking the bottom of the female socket on the male snap and rolling up. To un-snap, apply outward pressure on the top edge of the female socket (where the dot is on the cap) and it will release from the male snap. If you can not open the snaps by hand when new, use a flathead screw driver or similar tool and place it between the female socket and male snap at the top of the snap (where the dot is on the cap). Twist the screwdriver and the two halves should separate easily. Once unsnapped, ensure the screw in the male side is tight. Repeat this process until the two can be easily unsnapped by hand. A drop of oil on the male snap can also help. If it is very difficult to close the snap by hand when new, first make sure the
screw in the male snap is tight. Then, look inside the female cap. There is a ring of metal around the inside of the cap. There is a split in this ring. The sharp edges of this split can bind on the male snap and prevent you from closing the snap. Using a flathead screwdriver or similar tool, rotate the split around until it is next to the metal band that holds the ring in the cap. Once the split is in this position, you should be able to close the snap by hand.
• Please use Blue LokTite on all screws to secure them against future loosening.
OWB Speedease Clips
ADJUSTMENTS
To adjust the Forward Cant or Ride Height of your holster:
• Adjust the Ride Height by moving both sets of Speed Clips up or down the same.
• Adjust the cant of the holster by moving only one side of the Speed Clip up or down as needed.
• Please use Blue LokTite on all screws to secure them against future loosening.
Belt attachment
Put the rearward Speed Clip on first. Turn the Holster like an open door, 90 Degrees to the body to utilize the Slot in the Speed Clip. Slip the Speed Clip between the belt and pants. The belt should hold the Speed Clip firmly in place. Repeat the same procedure fore the front Speed Clip.
To Remove start with the Front Speed Clip first. Just like before, turn the Holster like an Open Door 90 Degrees to the body
To adjust the Retention of your holster:
• Tighten or loosen the Retention screw to compress
the Rubber spacer. Do not overtighten.
• Please use Blue LokTite on all screws to secure them against future loosening.
Maintenance
Like any piece of quality equipment, regular maintenance is recommended. Clean the inside of
your holster periodically with a silicone cloth and check fastening hardware to ensure they are tight. Feel free to use some Blue LokTite on the screws.
Holster shell is guaranteed for one year. Hardware replaced at cost. See full Terms and Conditions on our website. www.mk-tekholsters.com
At MK-Tek Holsters we thermo-form holsters from the most durable materials available including Boltaron, Kydex, and Holstex. Our belt clips and attachment hardware are all injection molded for strength and long life. We hand assemble every holster using only the most durable hardware. Our goal is delivering the highest quality product possible.
Thank you for choosing MK-Tek Holsters.
IMPORTANCE OF PROPER HANDGUN FIT: NEVER PLACE A LOADED HANDGUN IN A HOLSTER WITHOUT FIRST TESTING FOR PROPER FIT WITH THE HANDGUN UNLOADED. Although MK-Tek Holsters attempts to provide accurate information regarding which specific holster models were designed to accommodate a specifically identified handgun, MK-Tek Holsters does not warrant the accuracy of such information and specifically disclaims any responsibility or liability for, or consequences resulting from errors or inaccuracies in such information.