to the belt without very much movement. They also provide the greatest amount of stability when drawing and re-holstering your firearm. J- Hooks trade some of this stability... and angle differ from person to person. There is no absolute answer to this question. The best advice is to experiment as much as you can. Once you find where the firearm best... in the holster snug, but should come loose with a fair shake. (Test this with an UNLOADED firearm only.) For an Outside the Waistband holster, tension should hold the firearm snugly...