I have become an appendix inside the waistband fan. This mode of carrying a handgun offers many advantages over standard carry behind the hip. However, it can sometimes be less than totally comfortable. Recently I have been carrying a “Sidecar” Holster from T.REX Arms. The holster is a quality piece and does exactly what I need, but it rubs just a bit on my pelvic bone. This is less of a drawback with the holster and more of a result of my body type.
I jumped on the web to search for foam wedges to pad the backside of the holster. That is when I came across a blog post from Melody Lauer. In Melody’s post, she recommended using a gel insert for shoes to pad the back of the holster.
Gel heel inserts come in a variety of sizes. My holster is designed for a G19 with an Inforce APLc weapon light. That makes the muzzle a little wider than normal. The Dr. Scholl’s Heel Cushion Size 8-13 was a perfect fit.
I decided to go with Velcro to attach the insert. This gives me a little versatility and makes for easier removal later on. However, if you decide that this is perfect for you, Gorilla glue or other adhesive can provide a more permanent installation.
My Velcro installation began with an alcohol wipe to clean any body oils from the holster.
It was then a simple matter to cut a square of Velcro for each side. I chose to use the “loop” side on the holster and the “hook” side on the heel cushion. If I decide to remove the gel cushion, later, the loop side of the velcro will be more comfortable and more forgiving on clothing.
The size 8-13 was almost a perfect fit for the Sidecar. The added thickness at the bottom not only pads the primary pressure point at the muzzle but also forces the bottom of the holster out a little. This, in turn, pulls in the portion above the belt line allowing for a closer fit.
It only took an hour of wear around the house to convince me that this was a worthwhile modification. Of course, body types do differ, so this may not be perfect for you. I do believe that for $15 total, it is worth trying out if you have any discomfort from your holster.
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