I Carry: Ruger Security-9 in a Vedder LightTuck IWB Holster

Welcome to another episode of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated's weekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together a potential everyday-carry kit. Today, we have a Ruger Security-9 in a Vedder holster. We also have an Alien Gear magazine carrier, Leatherman multitool and a Thyrm Cellvault.

Ruger Security-9 ($379)

Following on the success of its popular LCP II, Ruger brought several highlights of this .380 ACP pocket pistol over to an all-new, double-stack, 9mm handgun design. In fact, if you put the LCP II and the Security-9 together, you’ll notice the Security-9 just looks like the big brother of the LCP, and in some ways, that’s exactly what it is.

Frame texturing is the same, slide serrations are similar and the hammer-fired trigger system in the Security-9 traces its lineage back directly to the same hammer-fired system used in the LCP II. This so-called “Secure Action” trigger system is one of the highlights on the revamped LCP II and stands out in the Security-9 as well, thanks to its short, clean trigger pull.

Despite being a hammer-fired system, the slide is actually a bit easier to rack than many other handguns on the market. Add to that the double-stack magazine, carry-ready size, multiple built-in safety features and affordable price, the Security-9 is really a great option to examine for an affordable concealed-carry pistol.

Vedder LightTuck IWB Holster ($59.99)

With this carry-ready handgun in mind, we chose the Vedder LightTuck as a comfortable appendix-carry holster. While we’re talking about price, you’ll spend a bit more on the Vedder than you might on a soft-sided, nylon holster, but with an all-Kydex design like the Vedder, the few extra dollars are well worth it. The LightTuck IWB is specifically molded to the shape of the Security-9, providing firm friction retention that’s user-adjustable.

Ride height and cant can also be customized by the wearer, as the holster provides three different heights and up to 30 degrees of forward and reverse cant to accommodate strong-side, appendix and crossdraw carry. I especially appreciate the height-adjustment option because it ensures I can have the gun sitting at the right height above the waistband to allow for a full firing grip before a draw. The holster attaches to the belt with a single, open-ended spring clip that can be mounted and removed in seconds, if needed.

Alien Gear Single Cloak Mag Carrier ($33.88)

We’re also carrying our reload inside the waistband with Alien Gear’s Single Cloak Mag Carrier. Off the bat, I’ll admit that this setup is a bit bulky, but the extra bulk is there for a reason. This magazine carrier is built with a bunch of unique features, like adjustable cant, ride height and even the ability to be carried outside the waistband by simply removing the carrier from the synthetic back plate and turning it around to the outside of your belt.

Leatherman Piranha ($10.36)

In our pocket, we’re carrying one of Leatherman’s most-compact multitools: the Piranha. This handy, little EDC aid is constructed entirely of 420 stainless steel and includes a number of helpful elements designed to tackle daily tasks, like a scraper, bottle opener, box opener, metric box wrench, English open wrench, quarter-inch hex-bit driver and a reversible Phillips/Standard driver bit secured into place with a rubber holder. Best of all, the unit is TSA-approved, so this is one pocket tool you won’t be losing at the security checkpoint.

Thyrm CellVault ($19.99)

We’re also upping our preparedness with Thyrm’s CellVault, and with this unique, little storage tube comes a recognition that it doesn’t take much to be prepared for a range of possible scenarios. Now, I’m not talking apocalyptic-level stuff, rather, everyday scenarios that are unique to everyone. Take me, for example. I have to wear hearing aids every day, and these things run on batteries. Something like the Thyrm CellVault provides a compact, waterproof storage spot for my batteries that I can just clip onto my backpack or stash in a cargo pocket. It’s small enough to be unobtrusive, but there’s enough space to store a range of supplies, like medication, extra cash, batteries or even some compact survival gear, like matches, fishhooks and fishing line.