The 4 Best IWB Holsters for M&P Shield

The Smith and Wesson M&P Shield is one of the most popular subcompact handguns out there. They’re particularly useful for conceal carry. Carrying a gun for concealed carry means getting one of the best IWB holsters for your M&P Shield is an excellent idea.

We’ve created a list of the top IWB holsters for your M&P Shield on the market.

Top Pick	Amberide IWB KYDEX Holster Fit: S&W M&P Shield	Made of sturdy Kydex Custom moulded for your S&W Has left- and right-handed holster styles available It’s still a budget option, so not the best for the seasoned gun-owners out there	$34 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Pro Carry S&W Shield IWB Holster	Budget friendly Soft and pliable material Can wear sitting or moving around Won’t protect gun from outside elements Can be damaged or worn out	$19 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Galco KT652B Kingtuk	Medium cost Made of leather and kydex Large panel for friction distribution A little bulky Hard to sit with	$71 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Viridian Crossbreed Holster	Comfortable leather materials No cant, fits at front of waist Hand molded pocket Price	$43 Shop NowClick to read my review

We’ve done all the hard work of eliminating the not-so-good choices out there. (It’s easy for anyone to be tricked online into paying for cruddy craftsmanship.) Before you go out and buy any holster, though, you’ll need to consider your wants and needs in said product.

You also have to decide what type of material will be most comfortable for you to wear over or under a shirt.

Additionally, you’ll have to consider your budget as well as for how long or frequently you’ll be wearing your IWB holster.

Finally, you should think about any accessories or attachments you are carrying on your gun. Almost all holsters are perfectly custom-molded to fit a specific firearm. Hence, any light attachment won’t fit. Usually, you don’t have to worry about night sights since those are most of the time of similar size to the stock ones.

Amberide IWB KYDEX Holster Fit: S&W M&P Shield

Materials – The Amberide Kydex IWB Concealed Carry S&W M&P Shield Holster consists of genuinely high-quality Mil-Spec KYDEX. This makes it super durable and long-lasting, making it a great bang for your buck! (Especially with the quick draw it allows). You can pick from either left – or right-handed designs based on comfort and use.

You can find the stainless steel clip beside the thumb grip, giving the holster its handsome look. Once holstered, you can see that there is an ample distance between your fingers and the belt. Thus, you can get a good grip on your gun whenever you try to draw or pull it out. Lastly, it comes in 9 colors, with carbon fiber versions of the holster too!

Performance – This Amberide holster is perfect for those who like holstering their handguns IWB-style. Depending on hand orientation, you can also choose which holster version you want to buy. It allows for a smooth draw and is snug, custom-molded fit for the S&W – this means your gun stays firmly in place when you’re walking or running.

What we say – This $34 holster for the M&P Shield is great for people who are new to owning M&P Shields or other handguns. If you want both comfort and style at the same time then this is your best buy. Since it’s made of high-quality USA Mil-Spec Kydex, you can guarantee a cheap yet long-lasting holster for your pistol.

Pro Carry S&W Shield IWB Holster

Materials – The Pro Carry M&P Shield IWB Holster outfits itself in an all-black soft and pliable leather. There is stitching at the top of the holster, around the clip, and over the trigger guard to keep a secure fit while still allowing the material to bend and adjust to the movement of the wearer throughout the day. Additionally, the single waistband clip sports a gun-blued metal material. However, this holster is not much larger than the Smith and Wesson M&P Shield itself, so it takes up as little room as possible. Any retention is reliant on friction between the holster and the wearer.

Performance – The Pro Carry holster is the best holster for M&P Shield owners that need an incredibly budget-friendly holster with a focus on comfort. The pliable leather is the greatest asset to this holster. It’s soft and durable enough to wear all day while going about daily activities or even sitting for most of the day. While the material is comfortable, the grip and back end of the handgun is still exposed. Therefore, make sure to wear a soft shirt between the gun and yourself. That being said, if you require something more durable than this, look elsewhere. Because this holster isn’t the best for keeping your handgun protected from other elements.

What we say – You’ll only need to pay around $20 for the Pro Carry IWB Holster Shield Series, which is an amazing bargain as far as holsters go. If comfort is your main concern, then this is a great choice for you. If you experience a little wear and tear, they’re still cheap enough to purchase a replacement!

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Galco KT652B Kingtuk

Materials – The Galco Kingtuk Shield IWB Holster is made of an all-black combination of leather and Kydex. The panel that protects the body is made of lined saddle leather on one side and Napa leather on the other. The holster for the handgun is made of strong Kydex. The wide leather panel offers surface area and distribution of friction, and the Kydex holster ensures that your weapon is well guarded against scratches and scrapes. The two metal belt clips can be moved and adjusted, so the wearer can position the holster at an angle he or she chooses. The Galco Kingtuk holster has been used by law enforcement and the military.

Performance – We think the Galco Kingtuk holster is the best IWB holster for M&P Shield models because it offers the comfort of soft leather and the durable Kydex to protect the conceal carry. We also really love that the metal clips can be adjusted, because many IWB holsters with a back panel don’t allow for much movement. Our only complaint is that all of these materials make the entire holster a little bulky. While it fits snuggly, this is another holster that isn’t ideal for sitting within a car or at a table.

What we say – While the price is a little higher, you’re still not breaking the bank with this holster. It will cost around $65 online, which isn’t a terrible price, considering it’s mostly made of quality saddle leather. This is the best M&P Shield holster for anyone who wants the best of both worlds for comfort and protection from scuffs.

Viridian Crossbreed Holster

Materials – The Viridian Reactor IWB holsters for M&P Shield are beautiful and high-quality holsters that allow the gun owner to wear their conceal carry at the front of the waist. This holster is made of soft cowhide leather, as is the panel that distributes friction against the body. The holster covering the barrel of the gun is made of a CrossBreed hand-molded pocket, so the conceal carry won’t rattle or slip during daily activities. It has been specially designed for pistols equipped with Viridian Reactor Series lasers and lights, which will automatically turn on when the gun is drawn.

Performance – The Viridian Reactor Series holster is the best IWB holster for M&P Shield pistols thanks to the hand-molded pocket and comfortable leather. We love that this one offers a slightly different feature of omitting any cant, so it can be easily worn at the front of the waist for shooters who prefer a cross-body draw. This also makes it dramatically easier to wear the holster throughout the day while bending or walking frequently. There’s very little to complain about unless wearing it at the front of the body just isn’t your thing.

What we say – The Viridian Reactor Series holster runs anywhere between $75 to $100 online, making it the most expensive choice on this list. However, if you’re not of fan of having your conceal carry on the hip, this is the best M&P Shield holster for you. If you think you’re fairly active during the day, or you simply intend to wear your IWB holster during most of the day, then we highly suggest considering this purchase.

Conclusion

We think the best IWB holster for M&P Shield pistols is the Amberide IWB KYDEX Holster Fit: S&W M&P Shield. Decent craftsmanship and the soft and durable leather together with solid retention and a comfortable feel to the body make this a winner. That is not to say that the other options are not good. They are great, so if another one takes your fancy, then go for it!.  

Other articles you might like to read:

• [Review] Smith & Wesson M&P Shield M2.0
• M&P Shield vs Glock 43 – Comparison
• The 4 Best M&P Shield Night Sights