Dara Holsters manufactures firearm-specific concealed carry holsters for IWB, AIWB/appendix and concealable OWB carry, including standard and light-bearing configurations. Each holster is made for the specific handgun configuration selected when ordering, with options for popular pistols, red-dot optics and supported weapon-mounted lights.
Our concealed carry lineup ranges from traditional IWB and appendix holsters to the modular Dara Concealment System (DCS), giving shooters options based on how and where they prefer to carry.
What Is a Concealed Carry Holster?
A concealed carry holster is designed to securely carry a handgun while minimizing its visibility under clothing. Depending on the holster design, the firearm may be carried inside the waistband (IWB), in the appendix position (AIWB), or outside the waistband (OWB) under an appropriate cover garment.
A properly selected concealed carry holster should match the firearm configuration, completely cover the trigger guard, provide secure retention and maintain its shape while the firearm is carried.
IWB, AIWB or OWB: Which Concealed Carry Holster Should You Choose?
IWB (Inside the Waistband) holsters position the holster inside the waistband and can be worn at several positions around the waist. Strong-side IWB is a common choice for shooters who prefer carrying around the hip.
AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband) holsters are designed for appendix carry at the front of the body. Appendix setups may incorporate features such as a concealment claw to help rotate the handgun grip toward the body and reduce printing.
Concealable OWB (Outside the Waistband) holsters position the firearm outside the pants while keeping the holster close to the body. With the appropriate clothing and belt setup, OWB can also be used for concealed carry.
The best option depends on your firearm, body type, clothing, belt setup and preferred carry position.
Standard vs. Light-Bearing Concealed Carry Holsters
If your handgun does not have a weapon-mounted light, choose a standard concealed carry holster made for your firearm model.
If you carry with a weapon-mounted light, choose a light-bearing holster specifically designed around the firearm and light combination. Adding a weapon light changes the dimensions and retention geometry of the holster, which is why firearm and light compatibility should be considered together when selecting a holster.
Dara offers both standard and light-bearing configurations across multiple concealed carry platforms.
Firearm-Specific Holster Fit
Dara concealed carry holsters are made using firearm-specific tooling rather than relying on a universal holster design.
Holsters are available for hundreds of handgun configurations from manufacturers including Glock, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Walther, Springfield Armory, FN, CZ, Staccato, Canik and more.
Popular supported handgun families include the Glock 17, Glock 19 and Glock 45; SIG Sauer P320 and P365 families; Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0; Walther PDP; Springfield Echelon; FN 509; CZ P-10; Staccato models and other commonly carried pistols, depending on current fit availability.
Because holster fit is determined by the firearm's dimensions and configuration—not simply its caliber—select your exact handgun model when ordering.
Concealed Carry with a Red-Dot Optic
Modern concealed carry handguns are increasingly equipped with pistol-mounted red-dot optics. Dara concealed carry holsters are optics ready and designed to provide clearance for supported pistol optics while maintaining the firearm-specific fit of the holster.
Sight height, firearm configuration and other accessories should also be considered when selecting your holster.
What Helps Reduce Printing?
Printing occurs when the outline of the firearm becomes visible through clothing. Firearm size, grip length, carry position, ride height, cant, belt stiffness and clothing can all affect how easily a handgun conceals.
Many Dara appendix and IWB configurations use a concealment claw, which interacts with the belt to rotate the handgun grip toward the body. Because the grip is often one of the most difficult portions of a handgun to conceal, bringing it closer to the body can help reduce printing.
The Dara Concealment System (DCS)
For shooters who want more than one carry configuration, the Dara Concealment System (DCS) provides a modular alternative to a traditional single-purpose concealed carry holster.
Depending on the DCS configuration, the same primary holster body can be set up for single-clip or dual-clip IWB, AIWB/appendix carry, an appendix rig with a detachable magazine carrier, or concealable OWB carry.
Standard and light-bearing DCS options are available, allowing shooters to choose a system based on their firearm and equipment configuration.
Made to Order in North Carolina
Dara concealed carry holsters are manufactured in Wendell, North Carolina using firearm-specific tooling and thermoformed holster materials.
Our made-to-order process allows each holster to be configured around the firearm, draw hand, carry setup and selected options rather than limiting customers to a small number of preconfigured handgun fits.
With hundreds of firearm fits in our tooling library and hundreds of thousands of Dara holsters in the field, our concealed carry lineup has continued to evolve through manufacturing experience, range testing and feedback from the people who carry our products.
Whether you're looking for an IWB holster, appendix holster, light-bearing concealed carry holster, concealable OWB holster or modular concealment system, start with your firearm and preferred carry position to find the Dara holster designed for your setup.
