FBI Cant Holster: What It Is and When It Helps

Quick answer: An FBI cant holster holds the gun tilted forward, usually about 10 to 15 degrees, on the strong side around 3:30 to 4 o’clock. The tilt helps the grip hug your body, keeps the barrel out of the seat when you sit, and suits a strong-side draw. It doesn’t help appendix or cross draw carry.

What Is FBI Cant?

Holster maker Alien Gear defines it: “An FBI cant holster is a type of belt-mounted holster that holds the firearm at a forward angle, typically between 10 to 15 degrees, with the grip tilted slightly forward.” It adds that the term is informal: “The FBI cant is a colloquial term” for a holster “that has a moderate forward tilt.”

The exact angle isn’t fixed. Alien Gear notes “It’s commonly believed that the FBI cant is a 15-degree forward tilt,” that others quote different figures, and that “what does matter is that it’s more than 10 degrees but less than 30 degrees.”

Where the Name Comes From

Alien Gear traces it to plainclothes agents’ holsters: “FBI agents were known for carrying a holster with a forward cant rather than a straight drop. Such a holster allowed the user to wear the holster in a vehicle or sit down at their desk without discomfort.” Because “typical civilian carry holsters of the era were also commonly a straight-drop, the association with FBI agents was made.”

Why a Forward Cant Helps

• Sitting: “the barrel of the handgun sits at an angle that’s less likely to dig into a chair, car seat, or your lower back.”
• Concealment: “The grip of the pistol naturally follows the contour of your body instead of jutting outward.”
• The draw: “The cant aligns the pistol grip with the motion of your arm during a strong-side draw.”

All three from Alien Gear. For carrying while seated, see our tips for concealed carry while sitting.

Where It Doesn’t Help

Alien Gear: “keep in mind that the FBI cant is purpose-built for strong-side carry. If you carry in the appendix position (AIWB), crossdraw, or use shoulder or belly band holsters, the benefits of a forward cant won’t apply. In fact, it may interfere with your draw stroke or concealment in those positions.” See our guides to appendix carry and cross draw holsters.

Fixed or Adjustable Cant

Many holsters let you set the angle yourself. Alien Gear says “Most modern IWB (inside-the-waistband) and OWB (outside-the-waistband) holsters either come with a pre-set FBI cant or allow you to adjust the cant angle.” Safariland’s CUBL (Cantable Universal Belt Loop) “allows users to adjust the angle of the holster based on their preference,” and DeSantis sells its Sof-Tuck as an IWB holster “with adjustable cant.”

For cant in general (forward, reverse and neutral), see our guide to understanding holster cant. See our strong-side IWB guide for setting up a canted holster at the hip.

Comfort and Belt for a Canted Strong-Side Holster

The Cloudster Pillow holster wedge mounts to any IWB or AIWB holster with hook-and-loop, angles the grip into your body, and has memory-foam fill you can add or remove to set its thickness. For the belt, the Kore gun belts we carry are 1.5″ wide; the Kore Black Buffalo Leather Gun Belt has a “Power-Core™ Center for Added Stiffness and Support.”

FBI Cant Holster: Questions People Ask

What degree is FBI cant?
Usually quoted as about 15 degrees; Alien Gear says 10 to 15 is typical and anything between 10 and 30 has the same effect.

Is FBI cant required for concealed carry?
No. Alien Gear calls it “a good thing to have, but nothing to worry about if you don’t” for strong-side carry.

Can I use FBI cant for appendix carry?
Alien Gear says the benefits don’t apply to appendix and it may interfere with the draw there.

Can I adjust the cant on my holster?
Often, yes; many IWB and OWB holsters have adjustable cant.

Written by the Cloudster Pillow team. We make the Cloudster Pillow and the Cloudster magnetic mag carriers, and carry Kore belts. We don’t sell holsters or firearms, and no maker paid to be mentioned here. This is general information, not a substitute for professional training; check the carry laws where you live.