SCCY CPX-2 Holster Guide: What Works for IWB, Appendix, OWB and Pocket Carry

A good SCCY CPX-2 holster matters more than most people think. The gun is light and slim, so it carries easily, but a cheap one-size-fits-most holster can let it flop around, leave the trigger exposed, or dig into your side by lunch.

Here is what to look for, which carry styles work best with this gun, and where people go wrong. We are not going to pretend we have tested every holster on the market. This is the advice we would give you at the counter.

What makes a good SCCY CPX-2 holster

Skip the fancy features for a minute. A carry holster has three jobs: cover the trigger, hold the gun in place, and stay put on your belt. Everything else is comfort.

• Full trigger guard coverage. The CPX-2 has no manual safety. Its safety is the long, heavy trigger, so nothing should be able to reach that trigger while the gun is holstered.
• A model-specific fit. Molded Kydex or a shell made for the CPX-2 holds the gun with real retention. Universal nylon pouches usually do not.
• A rigid mouth. You should be able to reholster with one hand without the holster collapsing.
• Solid clips or loops. The holster should not come out of your waistband when you draw.
• Adjustable ride height and cant, so you can tune it to your body.

Match the holster to your exact CPX-2

This is where a lot of buyers go wrong. SCCY has made a few generations of the CPX-2, and there are red dot (RD) versions too. Holster makers do not always use one mold for all of them.

• Check the generation. Some holsters are listed for Gen 1 and Gen 2 only. If you have a Gen 3, confirm the maker lists it before you buy.
• RD models need an optic-cut holster. The CPX-2 RD ships with a Crimson Trace CTS-1500 red dot. A standard holster may not clear the optic. More on those guns in our SCCY red dot pistols guide.
• CPX-1 and CPX-2 share a frame shape, but the CPX-1 has a thumb safety. Many makers list them together. Read the fit notes anyway.

IWB holsters: the best everyday choice

Inside the waistband is how most people carry a CPX-2, and for good reason. At about 15 oz unloaded, the gun barely tugs on your belt, and the short 3.1″ barrel tucks in without poking you when you sit.

You have two main styles. A hybrid holster has a leather or padded backer with a Kydex or polymer shell on top. It is comfortable against skin and spreads the weight out. Alien Gear, for example, makes CPX-2 shells for its hybrid and modular lines. A plain Kydex holster is thinner and lighter, and it is easier to carry in more positions. Vedder makes a tuckable Kydex IWB for the CPX-2, so check that model against your gun generation.

Our opinion: if you are new to carrying, start with a hybrid at the 3 to 4 o’clock position. It is forgiving and comfortable. Once you know what you like, a slim Kydex rig is a great second holster.

Appendix carry with a DAO pistol

Appendix carry, in front of the hip, works well with the CPX-2. The gun is short and light, so it does not jab you when you bend over. A lot of people find it conceals better than strong-side carry.

Two honest cautions. First, use a holster built for appendix carry with full trigger coverage, ideally with a claw or wing that tucks the grip in against your body. Second, take your time reholstering. Look the gun in, and keep your shirt and jacket clear of the trigger guard. The 9 lb DAO trigger gives you a margin of safety, but it is not a reason to get sloppy.

OWB holsters for the range and cold weather

An outside the waistband holster is the most comfortable way to wear any gun. It is also the hardest to hide. With a CPX-2, an OWB paddle or belt slide makes sense for range days, for training classes, and for fall and winter when you wear a jacket or untucked flannel anyway.

Look for a paddle that does not rotate on your belt, or a belt slide with two loops. A good OWB holster is also a nice way to learn your draw before you move to IWB.

Pocket and off-body carry: the honest truth

Can you pocket carry a CPX-2? Some people do, in loose cargo pants or a jacket pocket. But it is a thick little gun for its size, so it is too big for most jeans pockets. If you try it, use a real pocket holster that is sized for the gun and covers the trigger, and keep nothing else in that pocket. Never carry it loose.

Purses and bags are a different topic. If you go that route, use a bag with a dedicated holster compartment and keep the bag on you at all times. A gun in a bag you set down is a gun you do not control.

SCCY CPX-2 holster options at a glance

Carry style	Best for	Watch out for
IWB hybrid	First-time carriers, all-day comfort	Bulkier, check the clip strength
IWB Kydex	Slim builds, warm weather	Can rub if it has sharp edges
Appendix (AIWB)	Deep concealment, fast access	Needs careful reholstering
OWB paddle or slide	Range, classes, cold weather	Hard to hide in a T-shirt
Pocket holster	Loose pants, jackets	Too big for most jeans pockets

Do not have the gun yet? Browse our full SCCY CPX-2 lineup or all of our SCCY 9mm pistols. Spare magazines are in magazines and accessories. You can also see the gun specs on the SCCY website.

Every handgun you buy online ships to a licensed FFL dealer, not your house. Our FFL transfers page walks you through it. Carry laws also differ a lot from state to state, so check your state and local laws on permits, carry locations and holster rules before you start carrying.