When it comes to concealed carry, having a high-quality holster is just the beginning. To maximize your safety, proficiency, and confidence, training with your Kydex holster is absolutely essential. Whether you carry inside-the-waistband (IWB), appendix inside-the-waistband (AIWB), or in an everyday carry (EDC) bag, consistent practice ensures that you can draw and reholster smoothly, handle your firearm safely, and react effectively in high-pressure situations.
In this post, I’ll share tips and techniques for both dry fire and live fire practice with your Kydex holster. These methods are based on my experience as someone who conceal carries daily, and they’re designed to help you build confidence and skill with your carry setup.
Why Training with Your Kydex Holster Matters
Kydex holsters are known for their durability, adjustable retention, and consistent performance, making them ideal for concealed carry. However, even the best holster can’t compensate for a lack of training. Here are a few reasons why regular practice is crucial:
- Muscle Memory: Repeated practice builds muscle memory, allowing you to draw and reholster instinctively when the stress and adrenaline hit. For instance, imagine responding to a scenario in which someone gets the drop on you: muscle memory enables you to access and deploy your firearm quickly without hesitation, potentially saving precious seconds in a high-pressure situation.
- Retention Familiarity: Adjusting and testing your holster’s retention ensures that your firearm stays secure but accessible when needed. Finding the sweet spot between holding your firearm tight and maintaining a smooth draw shaves precious time.
- Adaptation to Carry Style: Whether you carry IWB, AIWB, or in an EDC bag, each style requires specific techniques for effective drawing and reholstering.
- Safety: Practicing proper firearm handling reduces the risk of accidental discharges during the draw or reholstering process.
Dry Fire Practice: Building the Foundation
Dry fire practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your skills without using live ammunition. It’s no to low-cost, can be done at home, and helps you perfect your technique. In all of these scenarios, remember to start with an unloaded firearm. It's best to not even have live ammo in the same room. Also, even with an unloaded firearm, know what's on the other side of the wall you're pointing your firearm at. Here are some dry fire tips tailored to different carry styles:
1. IWB Carry
- Set Up Safely: Ensure your firearm and any spare magazines are unloaded
- Perfect Your Grip: Practice establishing a strong grip as you draw from your IWB holster. Focus on efficiency and minimizing unnecessary movement.
- Clear Your Cover Garment: Use deliberate movements to clear your shirt or jacket. Repetition helps you develop consistency in accessing your firearm quickly.
- Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast: Start slow to build good habits, then gradually increase your speed as your technique improves. For example, aim to consistently draw and fire within two seconds as a measurable benchmark of progress.
2. AIWB Carry
- Maintain Safety: Same as IWB, check and double check that you're starting with an unloaded firearm and magazines.
- Adjust for Comfort: AIWB holsters often require slight positional adjustments to achieve the best draw angle. Practice drawing and reholstering to find what works best for you.
- Drill Retention Techniques: Since AIWB carry positions the firearm in front of your body, practice retention drills to prevent others from accessing your firearm. You can even replace your firearm with a training aid like a Blue Gun, and have a friend attempt to take the gun from you as you begin to draw. Learn good defensive techniques to maintain possession of your firearm. After all, most real-world concealed carry scenarios take place from a distance of under 20 ft.
Pro Tip: Dry fire is also a great time to practice reholstering. Make sure all of your layers of clothing are clear, and your finger is off the trigger before reinserting your firearm. It's good practice to "look" your firearm back into its holster until you get a good feel for what you are doing.
3. EDC Bag Carry
- Master Bag Positioning: Consistently carry your bag in the same position (e.g., crossbody or over one shoulder) to streamline your draw.
- Practice Accessing Your Holster: Unzip or open the designated holster compartment and establish a solid grip on your firearm.
- Simulate Realistic Scenarios: Practice accessing your firearm while standing, seated, or moving. This helps you adapt to real-world conditions.
Live Fire Practice: Putting Skills to the Test
Live fire practice complements dry fire drills by adding the critical elements of recoil management and accuracy. When heading to the range, keep these tips in mind:
1. IWB and AIWB Carry
- Start with the Basics: Begin with slow, deliberate draws to ensure safe and accurate target engagement. Gradually increase speed as you gain confidence.
- Work on Multiple Shots: Practice controlled pairs or double taps to improve your ability to quickly engage a threat.
- Simulate Stress: Incorporate timed drills to simulate the pressure of a defensive scenario. For example, try the 'Bill Drill,' which involves drawing and firing six shots at a target as quickly as possible, or the '3-Second Drill,' where you draw and fire three shots within three seconds. These drills help you build speed and accuracy under time constraints. This helps you stay composed under stress.
Pro Tip: Adding a shot timer is a great way to track improvement over time, and also to simulate stress.
2. EDC Bag Carry
- Range Setup: Many ranges allow for bag carry practice, but check their rules first. If permitted, bring your EDC bag and practice accessing your firearm in a controlled environment.
- Engage Moving Targets: If your range offers moving targets, use them to simulate dynamic situations where you might need to draw from your bag.
- Reload Practice: Incorporate magazine changes to ensure you can efficiently reload while using your EDC setup.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Printing Concerns
Worried about printing? Adjust your clothing and holster positioning to reduce visibility. For IWB and AIWB carry, opt for darker, looser-fitting clothing. For EDC bags, ensure the firearm compartment is properly designed to conceal your weapon.
2. Retention Adjustments
If your holster’s retention feels too loose or too tight, use the adjustable screws to fine-tune it. Practice drawing and reholstering after each adjustment to find the perfect balance.
3. Comfort During All-Day Carry
Discomfort can discourage regular carry. For IWB and AIWB, experiment with different holster ride heights and cant angles. For EDC bags, choose a bag with padded straps and ergonomic design for all-day comfort.
Regular dry fire practice will bring many of these issues to light before they can become a concern in a real world scenario. Take the time to weed out any of these potential issues beforehand.
Final Thoughts
Training with your Kydex holster is an investment in your safety and preparedness. By dedicating time to both dry fire and live fire practice, you’ll develop the skills and confidence needed to carry responsibly and effectively. Whether you carry IWB, AIWB, or in an EDC bag, consistent training ensures that you’re ready to protect yourself and your loved ones when it matters most.
Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect—perfect practice makes perfect. Take the time to hone your technique, and you’ll develop a peace of mind that you'll be ready if that time ever comes.
If you're looking to upgrade your concealed carry experience, you can take a look at our lineup of conceal carry holster options here.