Carry Holster for 1911

[chrisb]

What do you guys use? I have a Galco IWB and I'm not too happy with it (uncomfortable). I was thinking of a paddle holster or possibly a leather OWB holster. Any recommendations? What should I avoid? Midway USA has several that are fairly inexpensive but i'm not sure which route to go.

[Rgrady35]

I use a Bianchi Shadow 2. I believe they run about 60.00. I like mine, it's owb and can be worn up high on the belt, or at the "FBI" cantilever. It has a snap at the thumb. The way it is designed the hammer has to be down or in half cock. You can't wear it cocked and locked. That may be a turn off for some. It's leather, and seems to hold up well. I don't wear it everyday though. It's not as concealable as others out there i suspect.

[Elk-aholic]

I use a Galco Concealable Belt Holster for my 1911, I leave my shirt untucked and it works very well and is super comfortable.
 

[upriver]

A good paddle holster is the Blackhawk. I wore one with my Sig 226 while in investigations and it was a good secure holster that kept the gun close to your body. It was good for drawing as well. You do have to have a cover shirt if it's to be concealed.

[Redstar]

I'd recomend Beltman. I'm very happy with the holster and belt I purchased from him.
http://www.thebeltman.net/

Call or email him for a full catalog that includes his holsters.

[JackOfAllTrades]

You probably need more than one holster for given situations.

I use a Don Hume weak side horizontal shoulder rig for ultimate concealability.  Another Don Hume angled strong side OWB belt rig with hammer flap for when I'm not wearing a day pack. I also use a Mikes #5 nylon the same way. a Bianci IWB small of back. With day pack, a verticle shoulder rig is the most comfortable to me.

-Steve

[chrisb]

I was looking at the Don Hume J.I.T. the First agent and the Yaqui. They seem to be the most reasonably priced, but i was a little unsore on the concealability.

[chrisb]

What about Fobus paddle holsters?

[JackOfAllTrades]

If you really want to conceal, then you've got to go with IWB or Shoulder. If you've got a full size 1911, it'd be tough to hide one in a JIT or any other OWB leather without a longer jacket on at all times.  'Printing' through your pants is one thing most people don't notice, but when you bend over or get out of a vehicle, people notice gun barrel as it extends from the bottom of a shirt of jacket.

I have no experience with Fobus stuff, but the same rules apply. If it's visible.. People gauk.  I can't imagine that the plastic/composite would be comfortable IWB.

-Steve

[thinkingman]

You probably need more than one holster for given situations.


-Steve

Same thing I was thinking

[chrisb]

Well I still do have the IWB Galco but was looking for something a little more comfortable for all day wear.

My 1911 isn't a full size it's the officer's or commanders or whatever model with the 3.5" or 4" barrel.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Standard is 5" with full size frame.

3 1/2" is the Colt Officer's barrel with small frame.  4 1/2" is the Colt Commander barrel with full size frame.

4" is the Kimber Compact and Pro series.

Springfield EMP is 3" barrel with micro frame, Champion is 4" barrel with fullsized frame

There are others. It would benefit you to know which one you are intending to purchase a holster for.

'All Day Carry'?   It depends on what your position is throughout the day. If you're sitting a lot, then the shoulder rig is much nicer than anything hanging off the wasteline. Verticle or horizontal depends on your physical frame. -Just ask any police officer. If you're on a horse much of the day, then a western rig would be quite a bit more comfortable than a hip rider. Sitting -An OWB angled cross draw on the week side is much more comfortable than something hanging off the strong side hip or stuffed IWB just about anywhere.

-Steve

[chrisb]

It's a charles daly that i'd say is more like the officers model you describe below. In all day carry i generally spend a lot of time in and out of a car a lot of walking around, some sitting but mostly in the car. I'm not a big fan of a shoulder rig b/c then i need some sort of jacket or vest to cover it up. never thought about the cross draw though. how well does that work should i ever need to actually draw? Seems like it would slow things down a bit?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Sit in your car with your strong side holster in place. Unloaded gun holstered. (I'm assuming right handed) With your seat belt on.

Draw from the sitting position without unbuckling the belt.

Now, hold the pistol to your week side, where an angled crossdraw would rest most comfortably.  Draw. (without unbuckling)

Which is easier and safer? Lets face it... your the most vulnerable when pinned down. Sure, most times you'd be able to drive away, and that's the advice any police officer will give. But, at any other time, isn't that cross draw advantagous?

-Steve

[chrisb]

Good Point. Went to the store on my lunch break and look at a couple different styles. I think a paddle holster will hold the gun to low and won't fully conceal it. There were a couple nice leather holsters too but i'll need to bring my gun in just to try it on and see.

[300rum]

Take a look at Crossbreed holsters for a concealable IWB holster.  I can tuck my shirt in which is why I like it the most.  I carry a 5" and no one knows.

[300rum]

I wear it small-of-the-Back. 

[chrisb]

I've seen those. They look really comfy. I have only seen the commercials though not in any stores to try them out.

[300rum]

I've seen those. They look really comfy. I have only seen the commercials though not in any stores to try them out.

I don't think that they sell them in stores?  They give you two weeks, no questions asked to try it out.  That one cost me about $100, you can get them for about $80. 

The only thing that I am concerned about is that the barrel will wear a hole in my pants eventually, I typically wear suit pants during the week/Sunday.  But, this is because I am carrying a full size 5", I think that if you are wearing something shorter you won't have as much problem.  It is a little expensive but it works. 

I don't care to wear my shirt untucked so this is one of the main reasons I got one of these, you can tuck and they won't know it is there, even with a full size 1911.  The only time, I feel, where you are given away is if you bend over to pick something up, the grip separates and doesn't move so much with your trunk and the grip kind of pops up like a flag, but again with a more concealable pistol you won't have as much problem.

Take a look at youtube, they have quite a few videos on them.

[yorketransport]

I'll second the Crossbreed. I've had one for about 2 years and I love it. But like 300Rum said, it will wear a hole in you pants. Other than that it's a great holster. I carry a Dan Wesson CCBT and it dissapears under just an untucked t-shirt.

Andrew

[tlbradford]

If you are in and out of a car you don't want a small of the back or kidney holster.

[Wacenturion]

Here is a pair of IWB holsters....one for my 5" and one for my 3" Kimber.  Black with sharkskin trim.  Very comfortable. 

http://firststrikegunleather.com/


 

[Huntbear]

I use a Galco paddle holster.  Works great on the strong side hip, or if I want to put it in the small of my back.  Of course, I am a big guy, so a bit easier to hide a full size 1911. 

[tlbradford]

For walk-around I use the blackhawk check six.  It is as concealable as you can get for an owb holster because of the extreme cant, very secure and accessible.  I use it for a commander 1911.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Check-Six-Leather-Concealment,1153,1418.htm

[PA BEN]

If it's hot out and you don't want to ware a shirt over your gun you can get a Gun fanny pack. Wear a T-shirt and shorts with your fanny pack.

[yorketransport]

If it's hot out and you don't want to ware a shirt over your gun you can get a Gun fanny pack. Wear a T-shirt and shorts with your fanny pack.

This is why you don't laugh at the guy with a fanny pack.

Andrew

[Huntbear]

If it's hot out and you don't want to ware a shirt over your gun you can get a Gun fanny pack. Wear a T-shirt and shorts with your fanny pack.

This is why you don't laugh at the guy with a fanny pack.

Andrew

Definitely do not want to walk up to him and ask why he has a purse around his waist!   

[chrisb]

i don't care what's in that fanny pack i'm not wearing one! I like the blackhawk checksix though. I'm gonna have to see if i can find a better price than that though.

[tlbradford]

I think I found mine for around $50.  Remember to get a good quality belt too.  A lot of folks think they chose a crappy holster because their belt is weak or thin. 

[fremont]

Was a Kramer IWB guy for a long time UNTIL I discovered the Sparks Versa-Max II holster.  Never looked back.  It seems like everyone I let try it buys one.

[Bscman]

Just thought I'd throw this out before the thread dies.

I have a BlackHawk! Serpa I use for the range and open carry.

Usually a Don Hume OWB for hiking around in a sweatshirt or light jacket, or in areas I don't expect to come across many people...but still want concealment. Inexpensive and quite comfortable--but my carry 1911's are 3.5" and 4".

Supertuck for when you need a GOOD, comfortable holster that will fully conceal.
Even my side 229 (which is wider than a 1911!) will disappear with a supertuck. Definitely worth the money.

[tlbradford]

fremont the versamax is an awesome holster.  Thought I would let you guys know that Blackhawk is clearing out some holsters. 

[carpsniperg2]

serpa for me they are great

[chrisb]

TLB where did you find that coupon at? its not a link just a pic

[tlbradford]

I will shoot you the email notice I got.

[Shadow Cat]

I use a Galco Royal Guard Inside The Pant Holster - Natural Leather and carry a full size .45 ACP on my strong side and just back from the hip. I wont carry in the small of my back. I used to until I was talking to a few friends that are cops and learned that most departments forbid carrying in the small of the back. Their reasoning was sound. If you get into a tussle with someone, you can land on your back and can result in serious back injury. If someone approaches from the rear, they have better access to your gun than you do and it is harder to retain your own gun. It is also harder to draw and re-holster when it is in the small of the back and takes more time to get the gun into action. You also have the issue of the gun coming across your own body and in a stressful situation could risk an early discharge and shoot yourself.

[uncoolperson]

beltman in shark.

Not my pistol... but my setup before it was shipped to me, got the keychain for a project that never happened.

Came to something like $270. comfy, the belt has some kind of insert in it that makes it feel less like a rope around the waist. And sharkskin, can't go wrong with sharkskin