Favorite Cheap EDC/CCW Items

[SigSauerP226]

My favorite, and most comfortable, CCW setup up is also rather cheap and I was wondering what else people are loving without dropping hundreds of dollars. The following is my super cheap and super comfortable setup, prices I paid, and to carry my Glock 26.

Uncle Mikes Instructor Belt: $25
Remora IWB Holster: $20
Ulticlip: $13

I added the Ulticlip because I couldn’t say my Remora stayed in place 100% of the time, probably closer to 90% so that wasn’t acceptable. I punched a couple holes at my preferred height and cant, and attached the Ulticlip, and think it’s just amazing. It conceals very well and is almost unnoticeable while wearing. I have and had various kydex holsters and they all dig in to some degree. I’ve never felt discomfort with my Remora, so took the little bit of time and money to add the Ulticlip. My Uncle Mikes instructor belt has held up very well for daily use for I think 4.5 years now.

Not sure why the pictures went upside down…

[ACfixer]

Not meaning to be a gear snob here OP, but I don't go cheap on anything when it comes to my rig. Good gun (G19), good belt (Hanks), good holster (Stealthgear).

[RifleSupply]

I would like to say I have nice gear.

Firearm; Beretta M9A1
Belt: Kore
Holster: Trex arms

[9Cal_OC]

Not meaning to be a gear snob here OP, but I don't go cheap on anything when it comes to my rig. Good gun (G19), good belt (Hanks), good holster (Stealthgear).

+1

People spend a couple hundreds (some $1k+) on their gun to then cheap out on gear

Good gear makes the difference in the world to carry comfortably, securely, and discreetly (not needing to adjust or pull up the side of your pants too often).

I have a few dedicated gun belts, Tulster Holsters for my needs. They have served me well.

It’s definitely an experimenting process.

[mk2dave]

It's an interesting question with a good intent. If there was something that was relatively inexpensive that helped significantly, THAT is worth sharing.

For example, holster wings are worth the $5-10 bucks when buying a new holster. Especially for larger pieces.

Generally I'm skeptical of CCW clothing in general (do I need CCW socks?), but I have found lurking around closeout sections of places like lapg.com to be worthwhile. Got two CCW button down casual shirts with snaps instead of buttons, longer tails, and they are a thicker cotton for $12/per. They wont win any fashion contests, but that's not the fault of the shirt.

Wedges. My experience with wedges has proven less fruitful than I expected. Anyone have a brand or tips for a newb?

[otteray]

Crossbreed Liberty belly band for 35 bucks. It'll probably lose its elasticity eventually; but meanwhile it functions perfectly with a variety of holsters.
It comes in handy on those days that I wear sweatpants and a holster at 3 or 4 o'clock. Right now, I have a pancake holster riding on the band, with a S&W snubby .38. I also have used the band with a .45 Springfield subcompact 45, with no printing issues, if properly attired. At the very least, it's a cheap investment to see if a belly band is works or not for someone, before buying an expensive one..

[DolphinFan]

DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster
I think I paid around $25.

[shooter308]

3rd pistol in my CCW for the last 23 years


Uncle mikes pocket holster size 4 only $3 shipped last year.

[Capybara]

SnagMag. By far the best way to carry a spare magazine and I think they are only $29? I just bought two more for two new CCW pistols.

Good belt, good holster and a SnagMag and you are set to go.

[Hamsterman]

Closed cell foam and hot glue. Helps disguise the outline of a pocket holster, and puts some padding on any unfortunately located hard points like the retention screws on a kydex holster.

[SigSauerP226]

SnagMag. By far the best way to carry a spare magazine and I think they are only $29? I just bought two more for two new CCW pistols.

Good belt, good holster and a SnagMag and you are set to go.

This is pretty interesting, I like carrying mags in the pocket, but don?t like it sitting loose. Ultimately went with a horizontal Dale Fricke mag carrier which I really like. I, also, have a MagHolder horizontal mag carrier, but got the Fricke because they offer round up orientation and MagHolder does not. Think I?ll try one of these.

I wasn?t saying someone should cheap out on gear, but more expensive doesn?t always mean better. I actually think the Uncle Mikes belt is a great value, it has been great for a few years now and quite a bit cheaper than similar belts. I actually would like to get a nice leather gun belt simply because I appreciate the craftsmanship, but I don?t think it?ll hold my Glock26 IWB any better than my current belt. See I wouldn?t recommend cheaping out on leather obviously, get one designed for carry. I, also, generally carry in a Black Arch kydex holster, but really like my Remora and Ulticlip set up at home or if I?m not wearing shorts/pants with my belt. The retention of the kydex is very useful though, so there are practical differences, and I do take that into account when deciding to go with the Remora. I will say the Remora setup is more comfortable compared to any kydex I?ve tried, I hardly even notice it?s there. I just thought it?d be interesting to see what other people were using that they really liked and weren?t expensive.

[EQTrax]

I run a Smith 940 (J frame 9MM, moonclip pre-lock baby) and I carry appendix with a Relentless Tactical IWB Defender Holster in sexy Whiskey Barrel Brown. Paid $40 on Amazon.



I always thought I'd pocket carry, but this has proven to be my go-to method.

[LBDamned]

Several Kore belts ... many guns, with even more holsters - but I always carry CYA holster (have one for each gun I carry) ... these days it's been a shield 40.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Not meaning to be a gear snob here OP, but I don't go cheap on anything when it comes to my rig. Good gun (G19), good belt (Hanks), good holster (Stealthgear).

Cheap is the wrong word. Inexpensive is better to use as a descriptor because there are plenty of quality items out there that are of good quality, don't compromise safety and get the job done and then some without spending a premium.

Sure, in some cases it's all about "buy once, cry once", but also keep in mind spending a crap ton of money on something just because it's expensive doesn't guarantee it will work for your intended purpose.

I've been using Wolf tactical belts for a few years now as my everyday, casual belt when I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt and it's also my CCW belt for EDC and it's been fantastic. I also have a fairly expensive Tier1 Concealed AIWB belt that I love, but also have a $20 Amberide IWB I bought off Amazon that's fantastic.

Once could also argue that in the gun world Glocks are fairly "cheap", which they are compared to many other handguns, but that doesn't mean they aren't reliable and get the job done.

Some of us here aren't in the "get off my lawn", white new balance and stonewash jean crowd, so the Hank's belts are a no-go for us. I'll take a nice Kore belt or Wolf Tactical belt over a Hank's any day of the week.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

It's an interesting question with a good intent. If there was something that was relatively inexpensive that helped significantly, THAT is worth sharing.

For example, holster wings are worth the $5-10 bucks when buying a new holster. Especially for larger pieces.

Generally I'm skeptical of CCW clothing in general (do I need CCW socks?), but I have found lurking around closeout sections of places like lapg.com to be worthwhile. Got two CCW button down casual shirts with snaps instead of buttons, longer tails, and they are a thicker cotton for $12/per. They wont win any fashion contests, but that's not the fault of the shirt.

Wedges. My experience with wedges has proven less fruitful than I expected. Anyone have a brand or tips for a newb?

I agree with the wedges, but I think it's all about your body shape and going through a period of trial and error. Unfortunately that means spending some money.

I personally prefer a Tier1 Axis Elite holster with no wedges, three spacers on the claw and I drop the holster down one space compared to how it showed up from the factory. I can wear this set up with jeans and a t-shirt (don't like wearing my t-shirts baggy and don't wear them skin tight but somewhat fitted) and can also wear this set-up with gym shorts and a t-shirt and it doesn't print. I'm tall and fairly lean (6'2, 200lbs) and AIWB is really the only way I can get away with not printing and still wearing the clothes I like to wear. My wardrobe is pretty much jeans and t-shirts, flannel or western style button downs (snaps, not buttons), occasionally some sort of nicer sweater of 1/4 zip, etc.