Light bearing OWB Holster

Light-Bearing OWB Holster

The Dara Light-Bearing OWB Holster is a made-to-order Outside the Waistband (OWB) holster built specifically for your firearm and compatible weapon-mounted light or laser. It is designed for open carry, range use, training and general OWB carry where a secure, adjustable belt-mounted holster is needed.

OWB stands for Outside the Waistband, meaning the holster and firearm are carried on the outside of your pants and belt. This particular OWB holster is not designed specifically for concealed carry. If concealment is your priority, see our DCS OWB Concealed Carry System or our IWB and AIWB (inside the waistband) concealed carry options.

Built for Your Firearm and Weapon-Mounted Light

A WML, or Weapon-Mounted Light, changes the dimensions of your firearm and requires a holster designed around the complete firearm-and-light combination. This is not a universal light-bearing holster.

Each Dara Light-Bearing OWB Holster is molded for the specific firearm and light or laser combination you select. Depending on the selected color or pattern, the holster is made from thick, rigid .093" Kydex or Boltaron and assembled using corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware.

Kydex and Boltaron are two different manufacturers of very similar thermoforming materials used to create rigid, firearm-specific holster shells. Want to know more about the materials we use? Read our Kydex vs. Boltaron guide.

Made to Order in North Carolina

Dara Holsters are made to order at our facility in Wendell, North Carolina. Instead of pulling a generic holster from a shelf, we build your holster around the firearm, weapon light, draw hand, material and attachment options selected with your order.

During production, the appropriate mold and material are selected before the holster is thermoformed in our custom presses. The holster is then cut, drilled, edge-finished, assembled and individually test-fit using the corresponding firearm and weapon-mounted light. Fit, retention and draw resistance are checked before the holster is approved for shipment.

See the entire process in our How a Dara Holster Is Made manufacturing guide.

Adjustable Retention

Every Light-Bearing OWB Holster uses Dara's adjustable rubber retention system. Retention can be increased or decreased using a Phillips-head screwdriver, allowing you to tune the draw resistance to your preference.

When properly seated, the firearm has positive retention inside the holster. Each holster is individually test-fit and draw-weight tested before shipment using the corresponding firearm and light configuration.

If you require active retention in addition to adjustable passive retention, see our Light-Bearing Level 2 Duty Holster.

Optics Ready, Tall Sight Compatible & Threaded Barrel Friendly

Every Dara Light-Bearing OWB Holster comes optic cut as standard. You do not need to purchase a separate "optic-ready" version of the holster.

• Standard optic cut: Accommodates most common slide-mounted red-dot sights.
• Optional deeper optic cut: Available for firearms with optics positioned farther forward on the slide.
• .5" sight channel: Accommodates most suppressor-height and co-witness sights up to .5" tall.
• Open-ended muzzle: Provides clearance for many threaded or extended barrels and compatible longer configurations.

If your firearm has an unusually positioned optic, compensator, aftermarket slide or other modification that changes the dimensions of the firearm, contact us before ordering so we can confirm compatibility.

Choosing an OWB Belt Attachment

Your belt attachment determines how the holster interfaces with your belt and can affect stability, ride height, ease of removal and positioning. See our complete Holster Attachment Guide or read our Top OWB Holster Attachments guide for more information.

Double Loop

The Double Loop is our standard OWB attachment and is a good choice when stability and adjustability are the priority. Your belt passes through the two loops, creating two points of contact with the belt and three points of contact with the holster.

The Double Loop accommodates 1.5", 1.75", 2" and 2.25" belts and allows adjustment of the holster's cant angle and ride height. Because the attachment surrounds the belt rather than simply clipping over it, it provides a stable platform for carrying heavier firearm and weapon-light combinations. 

Quick Loop

The Quick Loop is a convenient OWB attachment for users who want the security of a belt-mounted holster without having to remove or unthread their belt every time they put the holster on or take it off.

The Quick Loop hinges at the top and wraps around the outside of the belt and securely closes around it, with 2 locking mechanisms to secure it, allowing the holster to be installed or removed while the belt remains on. This makes it a useful option for range use, training, everyday OWB carry and users who frequently put on or remove their holster throughout the day.

Compared with the standard Double Loop, the primary advantage of the Quick Loop is convenience. Choose the Double Loop when maximum stability and ride-height/cant adjustability are the priority; choose the Quick Loop when you want a secure OWB attachment that is faster and easier to put on and remove.

Prefer a Paddle Holster?

If you prefer the convenience of a paddle-style mounting system, see our Paddle Holster. Rather than configuring this Light-Bearing OWB Holster around a paddle attachment, the Paddle Holster is designed specifically for shooters who prefer that style of OWB carry.

Other OWB Attachment Options

Dara also offers additional OWB holster attachments for different carry and range applications. When choosing an attachment, consider how frequently you need to remove the holster, your preferred ride height and cant angle, belt width and how tightly you want the holster positioned against your body.

Other OWB Attachment Options

Dara also offers additional OWB mounting and attachment options for different applications. Before choosing an attachment, consider whether your priority is close-to-body carry, easy removal, adjustability, range use, competition or compatibility with another mounting system.

See our OWB Attachment Guide for the current attachment options and compatibility information.

Why a Good Gun Belt Matters for OWB Carry

The holster is only one part of an OWB carry system. A rigid, supportive gun belt is especially important when carrying a firearm outside the waistband.

Unlike IWB carry, the firearm sits completely outside the pants. A soft or flexible belt can allow the weight of the loaded firearm, weapon light and holster to pull outward, sag or move during normal activity.

A quality gun belt helps support that weight and keeps the holster tighter and more stable against the body. This becomes increasingly important with full-size pistols and heavier weapon-mounted lights.

For everyday OWB use, see the EDC Gun Belts available from Dara Holsters. You can also read our guide, Why You Need a Good Gun Belt, for a closer look at how belt rigidity affects holster stability.

What Is This Holster Best Used For?

The Light-Bearing OWB Holster is a strong choice for:

• Open carry
• Range use
• Firearms training
• General OWB carry
• Full-size and compact pistols equipped with supported weapon-mounted lights
• Users who want adjustable passive retention without an active Level 2 retention mechanism

This model is not specifically designed as a concealed-carry OWB holster. If you want an OWB setup designed to ride tight against the body under a jacket, flannel or other cover garment, see our DCS OWB Concealed Carry System.

Light-Bearing OWB Holster Features

• Made to order for the selected firearm and weapon-mounted light or laser
• Rigid .093" Kydex or Boltaron construction, depending on selected material/color
• Adjustable passive retention
• Individually firearm/light test-fit
• Draw-weight tested before shipment
• Optic cut standard
• Optional deeper optic cut for forward-mounted optics
• .5" tall sight channel for suppressor-height and co-witness sights
• Open-ended muzzle for many threaded and extended barrel configurations
• Rounded and polished edges
• Multiple OWB belt attachment options
• Right- and left-handed configurations where available
• Made in Wendell, North Carolina

Learn More About OWB Carry

Not sure which OWB setup is right for you? These Dara resources explain the differences in carry style, belt attachments and setup:

• OWB Carry Holsters: Outside the Waistband Holster Guide
• Top OWB Holster Attachments
• Why You Need a Good Gun Belt
• How a Dara Holster Is Made
• Looking for Concealable OWB Carry? See the DCS System

For questions about firearm, weapon-light, optic or attachment compatibility, contact Dara Holsters before ordering.