8 Ways to Customize Your Conceal Carry Weapon

Most discussions about customizing a concealed carry weapon focus on the gun. What is just as important, but rarely makes it into the discussion, is the gear that holds the firearm. No two bodies are the same, and it makes sense to alter holsters to fit the carrier. 

Customizing does not always mean looking over a craftsman’s shoulder in a step-by-step process. Many pre-made options show attention to small details, and you have the option to choose the one that suits you best.

For those of us who do not have time for in-store shopping, it is, fortunately, possible to get a customized gun holster online from the comfort of your own home. 

Below we have collected some of our best tips to give you a few ideas and help you know where to start with customizing your concealed carry weapon.

  1. Choose Your Color

There is no real point in carrying a concealed carry handgun if everyone can tell you are carrying it because of the color of the holster. If the holster color is visible against the color of your clothing, it draws attention to you and your firearm. 

Do you find that you often wear camouflage t-shirts, for example? Consider buying a camouflage holster to match. 

  1. Grips

Grip customization is simple, affordable, and often overlooked. Very few people will find that standard factory grips fit their hands perfectly, and a poor fit can lead to problems when firing.

The grip should fit your hand comfortably. It is also essential that your hand holds the weapon the same way every time, and custom grips can help ensure this happens.

A properly fitting grip can improve your accuracy, reduce recoil, and provide you with more overall control. If you have a hard time hitting that target every time, consider upgrading your grip equipment.

  1. For the Lefties

Because most of the world’s population is right-handed, most holsters are made for right-handed people. Yet purchasing a holster specifically for a lefty can be the difference between life and death, or success and failure. 

No matter where you want to hold your weapon—at the shoulder, inside the belt, or at the ankle—a left-handed shooter will need a holster that is designed for wearers to access their weapons with the left hand. Additional adjustments may also be necessary so the holster fits comfortably and the gun can come easily to the hand.

  1. Sights

Factory sights are fine, but most people prefer to optimize their aim by adding sights to their handguns. There are various sight options available, and what you choose will depend on what you need. 

When it comes to sights, the choices are nearly endless and can include fiber optics, 3-dot sights, laser sights, and night vision, among many others. 

  1. Customize the Fit

A concealed carry holster is worn close to the body and, as a result, there is a higher chance that it will chafe and rub the skin. While this may sound like a small inconvenience now, you will understand just how important the fit is after wearing any holster that fits incorrectly for only a few hours. 

An improperly fitted holster can cause blisters, sores, or ulcers, which can prevent you from wearing the holster at all until the spot has healed. This kind of wear can impair the performance of the shooter, which can be harmful to you and the people around you.

It is also important to consider whether the piece will show through your clothing. While most alterations are customized to the fit of the jacket, an overly bulky holster will always be visible.

  1. The Position of the Weapon

Positioning does not just refer to standard positions for concealed carries, such as the hip, ankle, or waistband. It also includes exactly how you like to have your weapon placed for optimum performance. For example, your prime positioning might be outside the waistband, in the small of the back, butt up. 

Position customization is all about what movements come most naturally to you. Of course, it is possible to train until a particular position becomes comfortable. However, in an emergency, seconds count. Following your natural inclinations will keep you from running the risk of reaching for a weapon that is an inconvenient position.

  1. Fit the Holster to Your Gun

If you have already customized your weapon, you may find it difficult to find a holster to fit your gun. Fortunately, some companies offer custom Kydex holsters that can be molded to the specifications of your piece. 

Kydex is a thermoplastic substance that can easily be shaped to fit any form. Though this may sound like a relatively simple process, it takes an in-depth knowledge of the materials to perform correctly. 

Kydex is frequently used to make knife sheaths, as well as holsters for handguns, and it provides additional security due to the exactness of the fit. 

  1. Coatings for the Handgun

Concealed carry handguns often take a real beating and adding an extra finish can reduce the wear and tear of your weapon. There are a number of different types of coatings, and what you choose depends on where and how often you will be using your handgun. 

While plating is not practical for an existing piece, nitride is an excellent choice that can improve your handgun’s wear and corrosion resistance. Spray-on coatings can be used to decrease wearing, change the color, or increase resistance to corrosion. 

Final Thoughts

Never perform a modification that can impair your weapon’s safety features. Keep the trigger, safety, and hammer areas completely clear of modifications. Use a reputable gunsmith that has a thorough understanding of compliance with the laws of carrying a concealed carry weapon.

It is essential you comply with your local, state, and federal laws. If there is ever an instance where you have to discuss the firing of your weapon, you must be able to prove beyond doubt that none of your customizations have compromised your weapon’s safety features. 

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