Versa Carry Inside Waist Band Holsters – SHOT Show 2013

Authors Brian Jensen SHOT Show 2013
Versa Carry Inside Waist Band Holsters - SHOT Show 2013
Versa Carry Inside Waist Band Holsters - SHOT Show 2013
The Versa Carry design is a little unorthodox for some, but uses a polymer skeleton around the gun, and an extension that goes down the barrel to secure it.

Versa Carry Inside Waist Band Holsters - SHOT Show 2013
The J-frame disappears under the t-shirt of this Versa Carry employee.

Versa Carry Inside Waist Band Holsters - SHOT Show 2013
Justin Sitz, of Versa Carry, shows off the new J-frame version of the Versa Carry holster during the SHOT Show.

Versa Carry
https://www.versacarry.com/

by Brian Jensen

Inside-the-waistband carry, or IWB, is considered one of the most discreet concealed-carry methods, making a T-shirt and shorts possible while carrying in places like my sunny Southern California. Even larger weapons can disappear on your body when quietly tucked into your waistband.

Versa Carry has been coming up with a lot of innovative ideas on ways to secure a handgun inside the waistband, and its latest is a small J-frame revolver setup.

While most holster makers produce a traditional version designed to be worn and secured inside the waistband, Versa Carry approaches it differently. The company creates a polymer outer skeleton that goes around the outside of the pistol, but the gun is primarily secured by a small extension that goes into the barrel from the muzzle. The pistols may change, but the diameter of the caliber does not. So you only need one holster for your 9 mms, and one for all your .38 Spls., as long as barrel lengths are similar.

The pistol is just tucked in under your waistband, and the gun is held in place by a polymer clip or extension integral to the holster. It seems very good at keeping the bulk of a J-frame from being noticeable. The downside I saw from the company’s website is that to reholster, you’ll need to pull the holster out of your waistband and reset the gun in the holster and then replace it back in your waistband. If being able to discreetly reholster is a concern for you, then this something to consider.

Reduced material in the holster translates to less bulk in concealment. This type of carry may not be your cup of tea, but I was interested enough to ask for one of the holsters to try it out. The idea is interesting, so I look forward to seeing how the Versa Carry translates into the execution of IWB.

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  • 311 February 1, 2013, 7:54 am

    Carrying a live round without a safety could be an issue, we don’t know all the circumstances around concealed carry. I do not pull the Versa Carry out when re-holstering, I just grab it with my left hand and then re-holster which can and does add pressure against the slide of a semi and could possibly add pressure against a 3 lb pull trigger. As with any gun, be aware of all the different circumstances. I have two, one for the Ruger P89 and one for the S&W M&P 45C, love them both for comfort and being lightly dressed down here in Texas.

  • Walt January 30, 2013, 6:32 pm

    If I may ammend, I said the triggerguard cover on the wrong side. The trigger is protected from the outside, meaning the pants side. It is protected from a foreign object poking thru your pants. The unprotected side is against your skin. I can’t imagine anything getting between my skin and the gun without me knowing.

  • r g stryker January 30, 2013, 1:28 pm

    What do you have for a Taurus PT-111 9mm?

  • Unlicensed Dremel January 29, 2013, 6:21 pm

    Plastic crap is not what anyone needs.

  • Walt January 29, 2013, 12:07 pm

    I have one for my compact .40 and one for my 3″ 1911. I find that they conceal very well and have had no issue when drawing and firing even with the shorter flat floor Plate on my SW99. As for the trigger guard, the side that is not covered is away from the skin. I cannot think of a scenario where an object would be able to pull that trigger. But just to be safe, for the first few months I carried without a round chambered and practiced draw/rack/shoot and could still get a shot on the X in 3 seconds or less. I like this product and would recommend it especially for a low bulk option.

  • Ron January 29, 2013, 10:54 am

    Is it just me or do the guns illustrated/demonstrated using this IWB holster seem to ride way to low to get a really good grip on them? I mean, the one’s pictured seem to ride with the grip right on the belt/waist band thus leaving little to no room at all to get ones fingers underneath and/or around the grip securely upon drawing/trying to draw the firearm.

    The link below is to the versa carry website itself. Their how it works page. Look at the picture just above where it says, How to use a versa carry. Look how low or right on the belt and/or waist band of the pants the grip on the Glock pictured rides. Personally, I don’t like it And thus I’ll pass and stick with the Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe. 🙂

    http://www.versacarry.com/how-it-works

  • Dallas Wiebelhaus January 29, 2013, 8:46 am

    I use the one for semi-auto’s and it’s fantastic, I love it.

  • Howard January 29, 2013, 7:39 am

    I wish this company luck, and I have nothing against them. I orderd one of these, except it had a half circle atachment for the trigger cover. As shown in the image here the trigger guard only covers the trigger on one side. To me their Versa carry just was not that safe of a carry method for me, to much of the trigger exposed making it too easy for something to get inside the guard while I am out and about doing things. i carry with one in the chamber, so a complete trigger covering is an item I desire.

    So I ordered N82’s Professional (lexan) model for my XDs, and I must say this is the most comfortable and ideal holster to me for inside carry. I have their original model (elastic) for my XDm, while it is nice, I am also going to order teir professional for my Xdm, I like the lexan and lock in feature, unlocks easily with just a small inside twist towards your body on grip.

  • bruce January 29, 2013, 7:37 am

    versacarry is an excellent way to carry iwb. I bought one for the ruger lc9 and the pistol dissapears on the belt. The holster itself weighs virtually nothing and it secures the pistol exceptionaly well, yet allows for a very fast withdrawal when needed. As far as having to remove the piece to reholster, this is a non issue for most people as they do not remove the pistol during most concealed carry situations. Of course this is not a holster to be used when a pistol will be withdrawn a lot, such as competitions, but for its intended use, the versacarry is a tremendous idea. Get one, you will like it.

  • Dana January 29, 2013, 2:55 am

    Is there any type of weapon retention?

    • LEL MN January 29, 2013, 6:47 am

      “the gun is primarily secured by a small extension that goes into the barrel from the muzzle”

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