The Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol) was announced in 2008 and intended to be easy-to-carry as a backup pistol for LEOs or a civilian self-defense choice. Easy to carry is a target that Ruger hit dead center, with a fully-loaded weight of only 12 ounces, and at less than 5-1/4″ long and less than 3-3/4″ tall, it will fit easily in any carry position that I can think of.

Without any safety mechanism, protecting the trigger guard area is an important function of the holster, but all of the holster makers seem to understand this, so it won’t be hard to find one that does that job. What the choice of holster for this pistol comes down to is where it will be carried, how securely the holster retains the pistol, and how easy it will be to draw the pistol when it’s wanted in the hand.

With a pistol this size, concealment should be easy, and there should be no reason to go with a holster that’s difficult to mount or dismount. Adding the holster to your clothes in the morning should be as easy and automatic as putting your wallet in your pocket or purse.

This leaves us to divide the options between carry positions.

Pocket Holsters

The Ruger LCP comes new from the factory with a branded pocket holster that is perfectly serviceable, but improvements are certainly possible. What is wanted in a pocket holster is good coverage of the pistol to break up the silhouette, a reliable anchor to keep the holster in the pocket when the pistol is drawn, and good protection for the pistol from pocket lint and other debris. Some will carry other pocket items in the same pocket as the pistol, but I consider that a poor choice, because they could interfere with drawing the pistol.

Ace Case Ruger LCP Pocket Holster

While this holster is advertised as being specifically for the Ruger LCP, I’m a bit skeptical. It fits okay, but there are enough minor differences in size to make me believe that this was a general-purpose pocket holster re-branded to match the popular LCP.

That aside, this holster does the job nicely. The LCP fits into it nicely, even if the pistol is fitted with a Crimson Trace Laserguard sight. The profile is just a touch narrow, but not enough to make the pistol print easily. It is fitted with 2 stripes of rubberized material to keep it secure in the pocket on the draw, and lined with a soft, velvety material that offers no resistance to the draw. It is stiff enough to prevent the activation of laser sights in the holster, and solid enough to mask the shape of the LCP.

Talon Concealed Carry Wallet and Cargo Pocket Leather Holsters

This is a nice little leather holster anchored to a firm rectangle of leather to give the silhouette of a wallet in your pocket. The out-side of the leather panel is the rough side of the leather, which may not have enough friction to anchor well in your pocket. This could be corrected at home with an uneven application of rubber cement to the panel to increase its stickiness.

The right-hand model is properly oriented for front pocket carry, but back pocket carry with the silhouette panel toward the outside would mean a palm-in draw, which is more awkward than the usual palm-out draw from a back carry position. Right-handers who want to use this in the rear pocket may want to consider getting the left-hand model, and vice versa.

Ace Case “Gripper” Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP Sticky Pocket Holster

This neoprene holster has a sticky finish on the exterior to anchor the holster into your pocket when you draw the pistol. It doesn’t entirely cover the grip, but breaks up the profile of the gun enough to make the print harder to identify. Ambidextrous, it will work for front and rear pockets for shooters who use either hand.

Ankle Holsters

An excellent choice for concealment, but one of the more awkward positions to draw from. There is no way to get a speedy draw from an ankle holster, so you have to balance the concealment against the long time it will take to get the pistol into your hand. Practice helps some, but don’t expect to out-draw anyone with one of these.

Because of the motion of the ankle in walking or running, holster retention becomes paramount, and a holster that won’t slide down and need adjusting is just as important.

Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement Kodra Nylon Ankle Holster with Retention Strap

This ankle holster from the people who pioneered nylon holsters is intended to be worn on the inside of the off leg; right-handed people will carry their pistol on the inside of the left leg, and vice versa. According to their website, the proper size to order for the LCP is size 10.

With an above-the-calf strap to prevent this from sliding down and a hook-and-loop retention strap for the pistol, this is about as secure as any ankle holster is going to get. People with sensitive skin are going to want tall socks when wearing this.

Creatrill Neoprene Ankle Holster with Padding for Concealed Carry

This neoprene holster is very comfortable against the skin, even for people with sensitive skin, and the plush padding just adds to the comfort. The holster itself is an elastic pouch that will hold a variety of gun shapes in this general size.

Because the holster isn’t particularly shaped, it will work for inside or outside of the leg carry on either leg; the only difference is whether the built-in magazine pouch is at the front of rear of your calf.

Yosoo Health Gear Ankle Holster

Again, neoprene makes for a comfortable experience against the skin, and this has a calf strap to help prevent the holster from sliding down. The elastic holster fits the LCP nicely, and there’s a magazine pouch that rides just behind the pistol when it’s worn on the inside of the left leg. As above, this can be worn on either side of either leg.

Belly Band Holsters

Belly band holsters tend to be comfortable, secure, very concealable, but the draw will be slowed down a bit with a tucked-in shirt. Belly bands can usually be worn to present the firearm at any position of the waist, and can be used higher on the body if desired.

LIVEBOX Adjustable Elastic Band with 2 Magazine Pouches

This ventilated elastic belly band is 6″ high and has several velcro bands at the closure for a customized fit. The surgical elastic gun pocket is near the right hip with the velcro at the front centerline; once on, spin it around your body until the pistol is presented exactly where you want it. The 2 magazine pouches are on the opposite side from the gun pocket.

Concealed Carrier Belly Band Holster

This neoprene belly band is 5″ high and adjusts to fit up to 44″ around, so it may be a bit snug worn high for underarm carry. The surgical elastic gun pocket has a definite pistol orientation, but it comes in Right and Left hand models. It has a spare pocket for magazines, a phone, cash, etc.

IWB (Inside the WaistBand) Holsters

The most common choice for concealed carry, an IWB holster for the Ruger LCP should be easy to place comfortably at any waist position.

Black Jacket Holster IWB KYDEX Holster

This Kydex holster has retention adjustable with a Phillips screw, and is available for either hand, in black or carbon-fiber finishes. It has a strong belt clip for 1-3/4″ belts, and the manufacturer will swap out for shorter if you like. Some report that the clip works fine without a belt. There is no adjustment for cant.

Don’t Tread On Me Combination POCKET/IWB Holster

This Armadillo Nylon IWB holster also doubles as a pocket holster when the removable clip is taken off, and is designed to mask the profile of the pistol. It comes with 2 clips, so you can adjust how high it rides out of the waistband (still pretty low, practice drawing is recommended.

The clips will get a fair grip on a waistband for no-belt use, and some cant adjustment is possible this way. There is a smooth lining for easy draw, with very good retention. In IWB use, the grip of the pistol is against your skin/shirt, so sweaty weather could make cleaning the exterior of the pistol necessary. This is also available in a left-handed version, which also works for right-handers who want a palm-out draw when the gun is positioned at the back.

The Glock 26 is in an odd place these days- the single-stack G43 has taken the concealed carry world by storm, offering more punch than the .380 ACP G42. It’s sleek (as a Glock can be), it’s slim, and it’s the hottest new thing… unless you want more than six rounds of 9mm. If you’ve bought the old double-stack instead of jumping on the hype train, we can tell what you might want when looking for a holster. If you’re a police officer on duty looking for a backup, you’ll want an ankle holster. If you’re in a hot or humid climate, Kydex might suit you better than leather and you’ll want to make sure you keep printing to an absolute minimum since you can’t rely on jackets and overshirts to keep concealment. If you carry mostly in the great outdoors you’ll want something that you know will stay on your belt, while urban environment users might want something that can accommodate a flashlight.

That’s a pretty tall order! But thankfully, there’s more holsters out there these days than fish in the sea. Comparative shopping has never been easier, though you might be spoiled for choice- so let’s have a look at a few options.

Concealment Express IWB Kydex holster

Starting off on the tacticool end of things, Concealment Express’ offering for the Glock 26 can be had in can be had in either black Kydex or “Carbon Fiber” (which is most likely just a hydro-dipped finish). Kydex may not be as flexible as leather, but it also won’t degrade when exposed to sweat- an important consideration if you live in a hot and/or humid climate and plan to carry inside your waistband. Kydex will however, stick to your skin in these conditions- so comfort might not be this holster’s forte. However, the minimalist design ensures that printing is not an issue, and accommodates most aftermarket sights. Any safety concerns about Glock’s trigger safety are alleviated due to the fact that the Concealment Express Kydex covers the entire trigger. Like most IWB designs, the belt clip does require an actual belt, and won’t work with the waistband of your pants.

Alien Gear Cloak Tuck

On the other end of the scale, the Cloak Tuck from Alien Gear seeks to maximize comfort by giving a wide surface area against the wearer’s body- a spring steel boning is wrapped in neoprene on the inside and the company’s proprietary “alien skin” coating on the outside, to prevent your pistol from shifting around inside your waistband. One particularly interesting feature is that the kydex shell holding the G26 against this backing can actually be swapped out, letting you use the same holster with different pistols (so long as you pick up shells for them too). Very cool. While the dual belt clips don’t let the holster go loose, you might want to put some loctite on them from doing just that- reviews have mentioned the screws can loosen over time. All things considered, the Cloak Tuck seems an exceptional value at it’s price point and this is reflected in it’s status as ConcealedNation.org’s 2016 Holster of the Year.

Clipdraw GS-B (and Glock Tech MIC holster)

Calling the Clipdraw a “holster” might be stretching it- it’s literally pocket clip that attaches directly to an included replacement slide cover plate. It simply doesn’t get any more minimalist than this, and if you can’t abide bulk or weight then you might want to consider the Clipdraw. However, this design is slightly alarming for a previously mentioned reason- with Glock’s Safe Action design, the trigger safety is the only safety. One solution to this problem would be to combine it with the Glock Tech MIC (Minimal Inside Carry), a tiny kydex holster that only covers the trigger and guard. It can also be used alone, though the only thing keeping your CCW from moving around is the cord you tie around your belt, which is used to pull the holster off during the draw. Together, these two could combine Voltron-style into an interesting, super-minimal holster system that addresses individual weaknesses. However, you’ll still run into the fact that you essentially have a bare pistol with no padding against your body.

ComfortTac Ultimate Ankle Holster

Ankle holsters might be uncommon for the average CCW holder, but those who are already carrying a service sidearm and want a backup might consider one (especially if their service pistol is also a Glock). ComfortTac’s offering in this area is nylon, but before you boo and hiss, they have made some thoughtful considerations in the design- it’s got a neoprene backer and foam padding making it much more comfortable to wear on your ankle, next to skin. Retention is provided by a metal snap, offering a much quieter draw than Velcro. As this is in fact a universal holster, it will accommodate underbarrel lights and lasers.

Blade Tech Phantom

A few things about the Phantom separate Blade Tech’s otherwise standard holster design- first is the top-snap belt loops, allowing for quick and easy removal from waistband carry. The somewhat minimal Kydex design incorporates a full-length “sweat guard” so you don’t have metal-on-skin like with many minimalist holster designs. One interesting quirk is that it does tend to ride high- this can cause some printing, but allows for a more positive draw grip. If you’re willing to make the trade off between concealment and speed, the Phantom provides an exceptional value given its low cost and ease of use.

DeSantis Sof-Tuck

Kydex may be the new hotness these days, but don’t consider leather completely “old and busted” just yet. Where Kydex is hard and inflexible, leather has a tendency to mould to the wearer’s body over time. DeSantis seems to be one of the few larger holster manufacturers still offering leather solutions, and their Sof-Tuck is one of the most popular Inside Waistband models around. The top end is reinforced with a strip of high-end saddle leather for rigidity, so you can re-holster in the dark without having to fumble around holding the opening like you’re trying to make a toddler spit something out. Always a plus. The leather is a fairly hard suede that will benefit from some breaking in, and the belt clip is adjustable for height with a single screw. The Sof-Tuck shows that leather can definitely keep up today, offering a solution with minimal to no printing at a very affordable price.

DSG Arms Alpha

On the more tactical end of things we have the Alpha holster from DSG Arms, which can double as both OWB and IWB. The adaptability doesn’t stop there- the Alpha is adjustable for height, retention, and cant. Other thoughtful details reflect this holster’s higher price, like extra-thick Kydex with chamfered and bonded edges. Where this holster really shines though, is accepting weapon accessories- in addition to an available version which will accommodate the popular Streamlight TLR-1 weapon light, the Alpha holster is also designed for use with pistol red dot optics. As red dots are quickly gaining acceptance in the handgun world over iron sights (especially in the Glock community), this is a handy feature. This holster does sit a little high, even at the lowest setting, but the contoured close-to-body design and small size of the Glock 26 should keep concealment from being an issue.

Outlaw Holsters NT Hybrid

Choosing between Kydex and leather can be tough. So don’t! The NT Hybrid from Outlaw Holsters seeks to get the best of both worlds, and does a pretty good job of it. A thick cowhide backing molds to your body for comfort, while Kydex molds to your pistol for the best retention. The belt clip is an extra-wide design which will do a great job of distributing weight (always a plus if you like using extended magazines on your G26), though it does add bulk and ride high- not so great with extended magazines for concealment, though it can help with getting a full grip on the draw. With subcompact pistols, this can certainly make a difference.

Sticky Holsters MD-4

One of the more oddball designs on the market is the Sticky Holster– while the Clipdraw’s minimalist design eliminates everything but the clip, the Sticky Holster eliminates everything but the shell. That’s right, no clip, just a fabric cover between your waistband and hip. The only retention here is that pressure and the friction of the material. The strength of this design is it’s versatility- you can carry however you want, even in your pocket. Comfort is another definite plus since the Sticky Holster is lightweight and has no hard, rigid parts at all. This keeps printing almost unheard of- even when carried as a pocket holster! If you can get over the weirdness of not having any sort of clips or straps, then the Sticky might just be ideal.

When searching for the right holster for your weapon, there is a myriad of things that must be considered. Holsters can vary significantly in style, material makeup and the way in which they are carried. There are many different types of holsters, but some of the more popular ones include: inside the waistband holsters, outside the waistband holsters, shoulder holsters, and ankle holsters. Inside the waistband holsters (IWB) usually offer the most in concealability due to fact that they are made to operate effectively underneath your clothing. Looser fitting pants are best for IWB holsters, as they allow your weapon to fit with comfort, while tighter fitting pants make your weapon more difficult to remove and may compromise aspects of the concealment factor. Outside the waistband holsters (OWH) follow a more traditional model, leaning toward what would be worn by a uniformed officer or a cowboy. Shoulder holsters are usually made of leather and consist of two straps with one side consisting of a compartment to house the firearm, while the other strap compartment houses the spare magazine. A shoulder holster is ideal when extra ammunition is necessary, but where shoulder holsters shine in a bulk capacity, they are often lacking when it comes to concealability. Selecting the proper clothing is of great importance when wearing a shoulder holster, as a jacket or some form of outerwear is intended to be worn over it. Ankle holsters, while efficient, are primarily used to house backup firearms. Due to the location on the body that an ankle holster occupies, a crouching position is usually necessary to retrieve the weapon cleanly, so accessibility may become a factor. Also because of the location, ankle holsters are ideal for small-framed weapons, as larger firearms may be more difficult to conceal and may bring about more discomfort.

The Glock 27 has been referred to as the ultimate “carry” pistol due to its subcompact status and ability to retain an adequate level of stopping power. This weapon is very durable and nearly impervious to most damage, including salt-water and other forms of corrosion, due to the strength of its polymer frame. The small size of the Glock 27 allows it to fit comfortably for most hand sizes. When choosing a gun for concealment, there are compromises that must be made, as a firearm that packs a lot of stopping power and firepower, will usually be larger in size and heavier in weight, thus being more difficult to conceal and less comfortable. This is where the Glock 27 tends to shine. As a small frame firearm, the Glock 27 will operate efficiently IWB (inside the waistband) and OWB (outside the waistband) holsters. With IWB holsters, the Glock 27 will offer minimal printing and as a little brother to the standard Glock 9mm, offers an outstanding mix of style, stopping power, weight, and concealability. Operating with the .40 S&W round allows the Glock 27 to take advantage of its small, high-speed capabilities, delivering similar stopping power to its larger counterparts, all in a small concealable package. It utilizes a nine-round magazine and maintains its light weight even when it is fully loaded. While the Glock 27 doesn’t have a manual safety, there is a safety bar on the trigger that still eliminates an inadvertent firing and the fact that it does not have an external hammer, it is a breeze to carry with a variety of different holsters.

Concealability and comfort are two of the main things to consider when choosing the right holster and due to its compact size, the Glock 27 is the perfect piece to fit for holsters that want to ensure these two factors. Reholstering is also an important factor to consider when choosing a holster for your Glock 27, as it should always be a smooth and seamless process. A good holster for the Glock 27 will have a level of rigidity that ensures that the weapon fits securely in place. This will allow the wearer of the firearm to avoid the accidental firing of the weapon due to struggling with replacement. Holster retention is important to the reholstering process and is usually more common with leather or polymer holsters.

There are many types of holsters that will work with the Glock 27, but finding the right mixture of comfort, style and reliability can be a daunting task. Below are a few holsters that we recommend:

Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster

The Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster works with several subcompact firearms, including the Glock 27. Made from KYDEX, which is a polymer, Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster compares favorably with many leather holsters, but is superior in some facets, due to its durability against wear and outside elements. The Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster is very resistant to moisture and as it is an inside the waistband holster, sweat can begin to accumulate even during casual usage. Moisture can cause your weapon to slide into undesirable positions, and can also cause corrosion over time. With a weight of just two ounces, the Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster will add minimal additional bulk to your firearm, ensuring a high level of comfort for the wearer. The Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster also has adjustable pivot points that give the firearm a snug fit suitable to your needs.

The CYA Supply Co. IWB Holster

The CYA Supply Co. IWB Holster works with several variations of the Glock subcompact models, including the Glock 27. Made of Boltaron polymer, the CYA Supply Co. IWB Holster is incredibly durable by design, holding up very well against wear-and-tear and is very resistant to friction, allowing for a clean draw. The Boltaron polymer is often compared to KYDEX but offers several benefits to its counterpart. In terms of hardness and impact resistance, it performs better than KYDEX. Many other polymer holsters are form-fitting, which can have some advantages, but the CYA Supply Co. IWB Holster, although fitting, is slightly recessed, allowing for an ultra smooth draw. Also featuring an adjustable cant, the CYA Supply Co. IWB Holster is a superb blend of comfort and efficiency.

The Galco Ankle Glove/ Ankle Holster

The Galco Ankle Glove/ Ankle Holster is an excellent take on the ankle holster as it aligns perfectly with the Glock 27 due to its incredible design, but also because of the Glock 27’s subcompact status. The subcompact Glock 27 will fit comfortably against the ankle because of its lack of bulk, which is essential when choosing a comfortable, yet effective ankle holster. Leather holsters are preferred by many gun owners, due to their ability to conform to the shape of your weapon. The Galco Ankle Glove/ Ankle Holster is made from high-quality leather that allows for a great level of retention with your firearm, but it also implements a comfortable neoprene band that keeps the holster secured to your body. For moisture reduction, the Galco Ankle Glove/ Ankle Holster utilizes a sheepskin barrier, that is both stylish and effective.

The BlackHawk Serpa Sportster Paddle Holster

The BlackHawk Serpa Sportster Paddle Holster for the Glock 27 is built from an injection molded polymer that places emphasis on durability. This outside the waistband holster comes equipped with a myriad of features, including the SERPA Auto Lock release, a screw for adjustable retention and a speed-cut design that allows for a quick and smooth draw. Clothing options should be carefully considered when using the BlackHawk Serpa Sportster Paddle Holster due to the fact that it is an OWB holster and will rely on your clothing as far as concealment is concerned. This outside the waistband holster relies on your belt for functionality, but it is only compatible with belts of a certain size, so options are more limited than some of the inside the waistband holsters on the market. For and outside the waistband holster, the BlackHawk Serpa Sportster Paddle Holster offers minimal printing due to its lack of bulk and one of the many superb BlackHawk products.

There are many things to consider when choosing the right holster for your firearm and due to the fact that the Glock 27 is a subcompact weapon, there are also a number of additional variables to contemplate. Safety, comfort, and durability are usually at the forefront of those considerations. Because the Glock 27 is not designed with an external hammer, there is no risk of the hammer getting caught on the holster during reholstering, but because the Glock 27 relies on a trigger guard, it is important to choose a holster that adheres to the specific dimensions of your firearm to avoid mishaps. Of the considerations to be made, it is important to find the holster that gives you the best mixture of safety, accessibility, and durability. While polymer based materials may offer consistently rigid holsters that excel in areas such as reholstering, leather holsters may offer more in terms of weapon retention, despite the fact they may take longer to break in. When choosing a holster for the Glock 27, remember to consider the variables.