Systems and methods that may be employed for mounting data storage drives (e.g., HDDs, SSDs, etc.) within a chassis of an information handling system using storage drive carrier retaining features of a chassis and mating securing features of a storage drive carrier to provide a tool-less storage drive carrier mounting solution for an information handling system chassis that accommodates both cost-effective tooled storage drive carrier and premium tool-less storage drive carrier mounting configurations, e.g., without additional investment or reconfiguration of the chassis for either type of mounting configuration. The disclosed systems and methods may be further so implemented in a manner that without the presence of one or more drive bays within the chassis interior that may restrict access to the chassis interior and which may require a larger chassis and chassis enclosure to contain bay/s.