Concealed Carry Fast Lane
We've trimmed the fat and broken our extensive learning library down into the very basics. You'll find what you need to know to carry a concealed gun inside the waistband. No frills. No fluff. Just solid information on getting started with concealed carry.
While some people need more than just the basics, this information will get about 75% of people to success quickly. If you have an average body type and your gun is the right size for your body, this page is for you. If you have a difficult body type or you need additional help, we have more detailed information, too.
Note: To save time, we skipped straight to the advice and omitted the long explanations. If you want to know the "why" behind our answers, each section has links to more detailed information.
Choosing a Safe Holster
Your holster must do these three things, at a minimum:
- Fully enclose and protect the trigger with rigid material
- Retain the gun inside the holster, and the holster in a consistent place on your body (how to test)
- Have a rigid mouth so it does not collapse when the gun is drawn
For most folks, the simple answer is to buy a Kydex holster and wear it on a belt. Kydex is a plastic material that is formed with heat to fit your gun. A properly made kydex holster meets all three requirements above. Attaching your holster to a belt (or Enigma) makes it stable and secure, and allows you to fine tune your concealment to fit your body type. Avoid holsters that attach directly to your clothing, as clothing lacks the structure to conceal well, and these holsters often fail safety testing.
Finding the Perfect Carry Position for YOUR Body
It's crucial to pick the best spot on your body to carry the gun. Look for an area where your gun lays relatively flat against you. The gun needs to be nestled into a valley, not sticking out on your peak. And it must be in an area where you have some clothing drape, or empty space between the clothing and the body. We call this process finding your concealment Sweet Spot.
To find your ideal concealment sweet spot, first you need to know where you can place your gun without it running into your legs when you move. Watch the video below to determine where your boundaries are.
Finding Your Concealment Sweet Spot
Somewhere within the boundaries you discovered above, you will find your concealment sweet spot. To find it, move your unloaded gun around on your body, looking for a relatively flatter area. Carrying the gun somewhere on the front of the body provides the best concealment for most people. While you can carry the gun behind your hip, this position is not ideal because every time you bend or sit, your gun will print (show through your clothes).
For average body types, look for a spot somewhere between 12:30 and 2:30, for a right handed shooter.
If you are thin, carrying more toward 12:00 can work. If you are round or have pronounced peaks, carry more toward your strong side, which is 3:00 for a right handed shooter.
The best way to find your ideal carry position is to work through the steps of finding your concealment Sweet Spot using the video below. But if you're in a hurry, you can choose the body type closest to yours from the chart, and try what worked for them.
This video shows how to find your concealment sweet spot.
Short on time? Click the body type closest to yours to jump straight to carry position recommendations.
Common Men's Body Types
Common Women's Body Types
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Concealed Carry Fast Lane?
The Concealed Carry Fast Lane is a streamlined guide from PHLster that covers the essentials of inside-the-waistband concealed carry. It is designed to get about 75% of people to success quickly by focusing on the core fundamentals: choosing a safe holster, finding your ideal carry position, and understanding your body type. If you have an average body type and a properly sized gun, this guide will get you started without the need to read through our full learning library.
What kind of holster should I buy for concealed carry?
At a minimum, your holster must fully enclose and protect the trigger with rigid material, retain the gun securely in a consistent position on your body, and have a rigid mouth that does not collapse when the gun is drawn. A Kydex holster worn on a belt or an Enigma chassis meets all three of these requirements. Avoid holsters that attach directly to clothing, as they lack the structural support needed for safe and effective concealment.
Where should I carry my gun on my body?
The ideal carry position depends on your body type. For most people with an average build, somewhere between the 12:30 and 2:30 clock positions (for a right-handed shooter) works well. Thinner individuals may find success closer to 12:00, while those with a rounder midsection may want to carry closer to 3:00 on their strong side. The key is finding a spot where the gun lays flat against your body in a natural valley with some clothing drape over it. PHLster calls this your concealment Sweet Spot.
Do I need special accessories like wings or wedges?
Wings and wedges are accessories that can significantly improve concealment and comfort. A wing pushes the grip of the gun closer to your body, reducing printing through clothing. A wedge angles the gun to better conform to the curves of your torso. While not everyone needs them, many people find that adding a wing, a wedge, or both makes a noticeable difference in how well their gun hides and how comfortable it feels throughout the day.
What if the Fast Lane doesn't cover my situation?
If you have a difficult body type, an unusually sized firearm, or other challenges that the Fast Lane does not address, PHLster offers much more in-depth resources. Visit the full concealment mechanics guide for detailed explanations and techniques, or reach out through Ask Phil for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs.