Clipdraw a good fit for Concealing your Handgun – Best All Purpose Holster?
What kind of IWB or OWB holster do you use? Are you always on the go? Do you carry your pistol while mowing the lawn?, but you don’t feel the need to get all dress up in your 5.11 tactical pants.
Then, you may have heard of the Clipdraw holster, but its really not a holster. Just like the name implies, a clip that’s attached to your pistol. Clipdraw can be attached to a full size pistol (1911) or a pocket pistol.
Clipdraw truly embodies the spirit of the American dream: a successful family-run business built upon ingenuity and hard work, and that 25 years later continues to expand its oerings of US-made, warranty-backed products to fill their customers’ needs. It all started back in 1995, when family patriarch John Rugh, frustrated with the available concealed-carry products on the market, took matters into his own hands.
Nitty Gritty
Clipdraw is a re-positionable clip that you can attach directly to your belt or inside a pocket – was invented as an easier, more comfortable alternative to inside-the-waistband holsters. “One of the biggest complaints about a traditional IWB holster is that you cannot find a comfortable way to wear one!” says Chris Rugh, John’s son and now the company’s owner/operator.
“With the Clipdraw, you completely eliminate all the cumbersome bulkiness associated with a traditional holster. By cutting down the bulk and weight of your carry, you can wear whatever clothes you’d like, with or without a belt – with no ‘printing’ of the gun through your clothes.” Rugh adds, “Our products are popular with LEOs, military and licensed citizens. Women especially have been a growing portion of our customer base, as the Clipdraw allows women to carry concealed even when wearing tight clothes.”
The first Clipdraw was designed for the Model 1911, and the line was eventually expanded to include firearms from manufacturers such as Glock, Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Springfield, among many others.
“We are constantly expanding our lineup of Clipdraw oerings as the firearms market bears,” explains Rugh. “We pride ourselves on following market trends and oering our products for the most popular guns that hit the market.”
And if for some reason you don’t see your favorite firearm in their product lineup, they oer the Universal Clipdraw, designed to fit all semiautos and revolvers. “Our customers like the simplicity, yet 100-percent eectiveness of our products,” says Rugh. “Our Clipdraw is a straightforward concept and idea, which the product delivers on fully. If a potential customer likes the concept of minimalist concealed carry, our Clipdraw will deliver for them.”
You can even leave the Clipdraw attached to the pistol and holster it with your own IWB or OWB system. Some holsters will fit some won’t, you’ll have to play with the type of pistol that you have.
A quick word on safety, The naysayer will tell you its not a safe way to carry a loaded pistol. True, especially when the trigger is light. So, don’t carry a pistol with one in the pipe.
Glock Clipdraw – The Glock version attaches quickly via a rear plate replacement. The rear slide plate on the Glock is plastic, however the Clipdraw slide plate version is billet aluminum and becomes the host screwplate. Swap out the plate, bolt on the clip, and thats it.
The placement of the clip does not obstruct spent casing ejection, but it does cover the right side of the slide. The clip is very tight on the Glock model compared to the others, which is a plus during a more active situations. Will this replace your other holster system? No need to, this is not to replace your favorite IWB system. But, you might find that you’ll carry the Clipdraw more often.
1911 Clipdraw – If you’re the 1911 folks then ClipDraw is a breeze to attach — just remove your right-hand grip panel, drop on the Clipdraw unit, and reattach the grips. Pretty simple. I was amaze to see how easily one can carry a 1911 like the Ruger SR1911. I probably would not choose to carry it in this way on an outing, but it does make it super easy to slip it into your pants to check out a bump in the night, or to run to the stop-n-rob store…etc.
Revolver Clipdraw – If you carry Ruger LCR .357, then attach the Clipdraw system to it. You’ll find that the design of the clip has enough room behind the clip that you can make it work as a tuckable/shirt-in concealment option. This is hands down the best upgrade for a Ruger LCR, and if you happen to have another brand, the Universal Model will fit just about any small frame revolver out there including Taurus, S&W, Ruger, and others. (possibly the J-frames) The clip looks small, but it is very effective because it places the revolver deeper than any of the other Clipdraws.
Sig P365 – Gotta say something about the micro 9s, pocket size 9s are the rage for discreet carry and concealment. Obviously, their mag can hold 10 +1. Being this small with the Clipdraw you can clip not just in your pocket, but inside your bug out or handbag.
Here’s what other Youtuber are saying about it, The Late Boy Scout Youtuber did a review a while back.
Here’s a comparison table showing Clipdraw-style “clip holster” (or clip-on carry) vs three common holster types — Leather, Kydex, and Hybrid (hard-shell + soft backing) holsters. It outlines the general pros and cons of each (vs. the others) so you can better decide which suits your needs and carry style.
Holster Type / Carry Style
✅ Main Advantages
⚠️ Main Drawbacks / What to Watch For
Clip-on / ClipDraw (clip attached directly to pistol, no enclosed holster body)
– Very low profile, minimal bulk — makes concealment easier and often reduces “printing.”
– Versatile for a variety of clothing / waistbands (less need for a sturdy belt).
– Lightweight and less gear overall — often more comfortable for casual carry or minimal clothing.
– Can be easier to carry pistols with accessories (lights, lasers) compared with some enclosed holsters.
– Often less secure retention compared with traditional holsters — pistol may shift or move more while walking, bending, or during activity.
– Draw position may be inconsistent; you might get a less smooth or predictable draw.
– Usually offers little or no trigger-guard protection, raising safety concerns if not used with additional trigger protection.
– May be less stable — especially with heavier pistols — and less suitable for active movement or physical activity.
Leather Holster
– Very durable, long lasting, and resistant to moisture, sweat, weather, etc. — little maintenance compared with leather.
Guerrilla Tactical
+2
Mernickle Custom Holsters
+2
– Excellent retention: custom-molded shell holds firearm precisely and securely, often with adjustable tension, giving reliable draw and consistent re-holster behavior.
USCCA
+2
Guerrilla Tactical
+2
– Shape stays rigid over time — holster mouth stays open, making one-handed re-holstering easier.
Concealed Carry
+1
– Often offers more consistent and faster draw compared with softer holsters.
– Rigid material can be less comfortable against the body — can dig in, especially for all-day or concealed carry.
An Official Journal Of The NRA
+2
Clinger Holsters
+2
– May feel bulky or noticeable, especially for inside-the-waistband (IWB) carry.
USCCA
+1
– Less “natural” to the body — can cause pressure points or discomfort for some wearers.
Hybrid Holster (hard shell on soft backing — e.g. Kydex shell + leather or synthetic backing)
– Attempts to combine the best of both worlds: the retention and durability of a hard shell + the comfort of a soft backing against the body.
An Official Journal Of The NRA
+2
StealthGearUSA
+2
– Softer backing reduces pressure, makes extended carry more comfortable — good for concealed carry over long hours.
USCCA
+2
LooseRounds
+2
– Often adjustable (cant, ride height, retention), allowing customization to user’s carry style.
USA Carry
+1
– More stable/secure than a clip-on style with many of the comfort advantages of leather.
AET TACTICAL
+2
USA Carry
– Bulkier/wider footprint than a pure Kydex holster — sometimes harder to conceal depending on clothing and carry location.
USCCA
+2
StealthGearUSA
+2
– Because the backing is soft (leather or fabric), retention can degrade over time (backer may bend, flex, or wear) — potentially reducing security.
Concealed Carry
+2
GlockTalk
+2
– In some cases, the backing may fold over the mouth of the holster when re-holstering — requiring two hands (or awkward muzzle manipulation) to re-holster safely.
Concealed Carry
+1
– Leather/synthetic backing material still requires more maintenance than a hard shell (if leather), and can degrade from moisture or sweat over time.
StealthGearUSA
+1
🎯 What This Means: When Each Option Makes Sense
- Choose Clip-on / ClipDraw-style carry when you value lowest bulk, minimal gear, easy concealment, casual carry, and comfort with less structured clothing — especially if you carry inside the waistband or want a very lightweight setup.
- Choose Leather holsters when comfort and discretion matter more than rigid retention, especially for extended daily carry or for those sensitive to hard holster materials.
- Choose Kydex holsters when you want maximum retention, durability, consistent draw and re-holstering, especially for everyday carry with active movement, or you want low-maintenance gear.
- Choose Hybrid holsters if you want a compromise: decent retention + more comfort than pure Kydex, making them a good “middle-of-the-road” pick for many concealed carriers.
The purpose of the Clipdraw is pure and simply to provide a convenient carry system which can easily morph to your lifestyle and promote concealed carry more… after all, the super cool custom gun isn’t helpful in a life threatening situation if you’re not packing it.
On guns which will be in and out of your waistband multiple times a day, in and out of cars, or used for short jaunts to the store, in shorts, jeans, or a skirt, the Clipdraw is an exceptional option and has a preferred quick carry option.
If you are armed to the teeth at home, RV’s or wherever, Clipdraws provides a quick attaching option to carry and use the gun more than you would normally, and the clip can be detached in a under a minute by just removing the grip screws.
Editor’s note: For more information, visit clipdraw.com.
🎯 Summary: When Clipdraw Makes Sense
Clipdraw makes most sense if:
- You prioritize discreet, low-profile concealed carry with minimal bulk.
- You wear casual clothing or lighter pants (not always belt-equipped), or want a carry method compatible with many outfit types.
- Your pistol has accessories (light, laser, etc.) that make traditional holsters bulky or hard to fit.
- You value simplicity, comfort, and flexibility over traditional retention/higher structure.
