For USPA, Fobus' OWB pancake holsters have always worked well (at a discount ice).
For OWB Carry, I got the Blackhawk CQC. Holds close to the body, Very adjustable and very easy to manipulate the retention button without worrying about your trigger finger accidentally ending up inside the trigger guard.

I'm sure others will post their favorites, but these 2 brands have always worked for me.

 

Thanks.

 

I have never tried a Kydex holster but I can speak for Wright Leather Works leather "Predator" pancake holster. I have worn mine for over 3 years and with the proper belt it will stay snug against your body. The fit and retention is still spot on and no wear on my Shield. https://www.wrightleatherworks.com/

S&W Shield 003cf3 by Jerry Jaynes, on Flickr

 

Very nice, thank you.

 

Safariland just came out with these for the Shield's. They aren't really a pancake holster, but they are very compact and you can use belt slide or paddle belt attachment. I have both the 571 & 7371 and really like them.

Safariland 571

Safariland 7371

 

Wife an i saw those holsters at bass pro today...
We couldnt quite swallow what they had on them for a price though ($65 for glock43 w/tlr-6 light laser)

Can get them cheaper here:

Glock43 $51
https://holsterops.com/collections/...-concealment-holster-new-glock-43-w-tlr-6-carry-light-laser-7376-7377-7378-7379

S&W M&P Shield 9mm / 40cal / .45 ACP $40
https://holsterops.com/collections/...ns/smith-wesson/products/new-safariland-slim-gls-subcompact-571-576-577-578-579

I like the fact that they lock the gun in the holster securely. They let us try them on... actually surprised how nice they were...!!!

 

We`ll let yah know buddie...LOL... i will have to say, that my wife an i were pretty impressed with them at the store. Its hard to find a OWB holster that tucks in tight to your side... and both of the ones we checked out today, did very well. Keep in mind, they ARE OWB holsters, so they WILL stick out a little bit, which i`m sure you`re aware of. I`m not a IWB type of person, neither is my wife. She dosen`t even like wearing a belt, but she knows she has to when it comes to carrying.

The guns were extremely smooth in and out of the holsters too. I hate hearing guns come out of plastic holsters. In a bad situation, thats the last thing you want a bad guy to hear is when you`re pulling a gun out of a holster... that`ll give away your location in a heartbeat. We didnt hear ANY clicking while unlocking the internal latch, and we did NOT hear the gun rubbing while drawing the gun from the holsters either. I think its a win win, for the money. They also have several different mounting options to chose from too, and you can buy all of the mounts if you want to for different types of carrying. This is just my advice, look at all the others out there, then decide what you think will work best for you.

If at all Mark, try to stay clear of those kydex holsters on ebay... most are garage bandits trying to make a quick buck. My wife an i both learned our lessons not to buy kydex holsters from ebay unless its a well known brand name that actually has a brick & motar business making professional holsters.

EDIT:
And they are MADE IN THE GOOD OLE US of A...!!!!!!!

 

Each of us have our preferences. With that said I prefer the CompTac Flatline series which may be employed outside or inside the waistband. The holster comes with the mounting hardware for either mounting configuration and the FBI cant.

I've employed the CompTac Flatline series holsters with the S&W MP9 - MP9c & Shield 9mm and most likely going too with the Shield 45.

Also CompTac as a magazine pouch that I prefer, which clips on to your dress belt.

 

I just got this new holster from a Hobby holster maker on Defensive Carrry forum. I liked my Wright Holster but have found that with my shoulder issues, a straight drop, no cant worn at 3:00 o'clock works best for me. It's a protoype as he has never done a straight drop for a Shield. So far it's great! Great retention, holds close to the body. Only thing I might change is have the outside come a little higher on the slide. Maybe slope up rather than a half circle. I'll probably have one made for the Wife's new Sig P938.

 

I just got this new holster from a Hobby holster maker on Defensive Carrry forum. I liked my Wright Holster but have found that with my shoulder issues, a straight drop, no cant worn at 3:00 o'clock works best for me. It's a protoype as he has never done a straight drop for a Shield. So far it's great! Great retention, holds close to the body. Only thing I might change is have the outside come a little higher on the slide. Maybe slope up rather than a half circle. I'll probably have one made for the Wife's new Sig P938.

Nice looking holster rainsong... i bet its very comfortable.
My worry on these types of shorty holsters, is that they do become loose over time.

 

Happy with the 2 IWB kydex holsters I got from this company at a reasonable price:

http://clevelandkydex.com/

 

Werkz all the way!

I use only Werkz holsters for carry. The company is owned my one guy out of Idaho who's family are his employees and they live the carry lifestyle. For OWB he has two designs that will work for you. One is the Origin and the other is the Belt Slide. I have the Origin for all my guns and just ordered two of the Belt Slides to try out.


This link shows the gun with a light, but they come without the accommodation for a light as well. Super tight to the body and easy to conceal. Order the 1.5" Angled Low Profile belt loops to keep it tight to the body. It's a no cost option.
https://www.werkz.com/made-to-order/werkz-origin-custom-holster-with-low-lead-times.html

The Belt Slide is his tightest to the body option and works like a lot of the leather holsters out there but it's kydex and my opinion that's safer and provides a better feel on the draw and reholster. Leather can breakdown over time and pose a threat to interfering with the trigger when holstering. Also leather had to be broken in at the start. Kydex is molded exactly for the gun it's made for, no break-in required and no breakdown over time.
https://www.werkz.com/made-to-order/werkz-belt-slide-owb-holster-with-low-lead-times.html

 

Thanks . Please let me know. I have been looking for that holster for a long time. I carry 0 degree cant with a IWB holster. Love to have a leather OWB high ride 0 degree cant. I had one made special order but was very bulky and did not hold close to my hip. I just joined that forum. Would gladly donate $25.00 for that .

 

I also like the Safariland 7TS Level 1 for the Shield.

For the G43 I got all the Level 1 Safariland 7TS / GLS holster options for different situations.

 

I also like the Safariland 7TS Level 1 for the Shield.

werks, my wife an i both bought the 7TS holsters too...
do you notice any popping clicking sounds during carrying your gun..?

 

Darwin Defense Holsters

If you are looking for a holster for your Shield please consider www.DarwinDefense.com