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.