Best 1911 holster?
- Thread starter joshb
- Start date
I had originally thought to go with a small of thr back holster for my conceal carry. But after talking with many of my Leo friends decided against it. They told me of the number of officers that had sustained injuries falling on them or being shoved into something.
After trying many, I have settled on a Galco pancake holster for my full size 1911. It conceals extremely well, tight against my side, and is extremely easy to draw.
After trying many, I have settled on a Galco pancake holster for my full size 1911. It conceals extremely well, tight against my side, and is extremely easy to draw.
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
I prefer an inside the waist band holster located just behind the right hip under an un-tucked shirt or vest. If wearing a long coat or jacket, I like a belt-slide holster such as the Yaqui Slide holster. For field wear, I like a fairly rigid holster such as a Blackhawk paddle or a stiff leather holster. Depends on what I grab at the time. Small of the back holsters always seem to be right where I don't want them to be and tend to dig in when seated.
PatMiles
Silver $$ Contributor
You don't even want to consider a small of the back holster. Sitting in a car or a seat with a back is painful! Take the gun you are wanting to carry, unload it, stick it in your belt in the small of your back and sit in the drivers seat of your car. OUCH!
I wear a well worn Summer Comfort inside the waistband holster, have been for years. If people bump into me or see a bulge I tell them that it's a colostomy bag and ask if they would like to see it. No takers yet.
I will share my personal experience. I don't carry all the time like LEO's and dedicated concealed carry people. But when I do, it's all day and not just for a few hours. For me, there is a lot that goes into making it comfortable. I am over 60 and somewhere along the line my stomach bulged out and my butt faded some. Therefore when wearing jeans that sit on the waist, my stomach pushes the belt down and if I had to run, the whole rig would fall down unless I cinch it so tight my eyes bulge. So, I start by searching for and using pants that sit above the waist and I try to keep my weight/stomach down by eating right. I use a good gun belt that is 1 1/2" - 1 3/4" wide and stiff. It is even worth adding a stiffner between two layers of leather. Horse hide works really good for belts and holsters because it is thinner than leather, lighter than leather, and does not absorb perspiration like cowhide. Right now I am trying a composite belt with a buckle that has infinite adjustment. It's a great belt, but I don't think it will hold up for more than a year using it every day. I wear wide suspenders that hook directly into the belt because they help bear the weight of the gun. But, keep in mind that is an awful lot of stuff to unhook to go to the bathroom!
If I am carrying concealed, I use a Crossbreed type holster with horsehide backing. The large leather portion that is against your body distributes the weight over a larger area. It makes it possible to carry a full sized all steel 1911 all day just as comfortably as an officers model with an alloy frame. If I am working outside in vehicles or tractors I use a pancake style, but I run my belt through the loops so the belt goes outside of the gun. This holds it tight against the body and out of my way. However, I have found that it is just as easy to use an inside the waist holster for unconcealed carry or carrying under a coat and just not tuck my shirt over the gun butt.
The key to finding what works for you certainly includes trying more than a holster, includes the way you dress, type belt, and environment you will be working in.
If I am carrying concealed, I use a Crossbreed type holster with horsehide backing. The large leather portion that is against your body distributes the weight over a larger area. It makes it possible to carry a full sized all steel 1911 all day just as comfortably as an officers model with an alloy frame. If I am working outside in vehicles or tractors I use a pancake style, but I run my belt through the loops so the belt goes outside of the gun. This holds it tight against the body and out of my way. However, I have found that it is just as easy to use an inside the waist holster for unconcealed carry or carrying under a coat and just not tuck my shirt over the gun butt.
The key to finding what works for you certainly includes trying more than a holster, includes the way you dress, type belt, and environment you will be working in.
Steve Donlon
Gold $$ Contributor
Josh, I have been trying to find something I can wear all the time no matter what I'm doing and always come back to a cross draw rig. I like the BULLARD holsters with the sweat guard. I have one for every one of my pistols.
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IWB 4:00 ~ 4:30 position on my hip. I've found that most holsters will work but for comfort I like leather betwixt me and the gun. Most holsters do not completely cover the gun so a trip to Tandy Leather for a good piece of scrap or from a worn out pair of boots, cut what you need. Also from Tandy Leather, Leather Glue to add to what ever holster you're using.
Not sure what the brand name is for the holster I'm currently using, they won't let me wear it into work but it's one of the molded plastic type with a leather piece glued on to fully cover the metal betwixt us.
Not sure what the brand name is for the holster I'm currently using, they won't let me wear it into work but it's one of the molded plastic type with a leather piece glued on to fully cover the metal betwixt us.
Holsters are 99% personal preference. I prefer a minimalist style holster that can be mistaken for a cell phone holster. Google a "yaqui slide holster" if you agree. Very functional design that is far from gaudy or obtrusive.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
99% of my carry with a 1911 is a metal clip grip carried “mexican style”
I can't handle anything on my waist. CC vests get my nod. Back pocket or cargo pocket if a vest is not doable. Of course they aren't 1911's. Check out a .45 Springer XDS, with $300 of trigger work they are actually nice...
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Try a S&W M&P Shield.. Milt Sparks inside waist band holster...
Without question, the best handmade leather holster.
http://www.purekustomholsters.com/
http://www.purekustomholsters.com/
ND shooter
Silver $$ Contributor
I also carry the 45 XDS as my first choice. My second is Bersa 380 for "deep" undercover. Not alot of need for deep undercover in ND though, so XDS gets carried alot.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Josh,
weve not met, so I cannot say for certain your "shape". But I have found several things that are "foundational" to carrying a full size gun, or a 1911 in any form.
1) Leather. For lots of reasons, but mostly cause a 1911 is prickier than a mother in law and you don't need to add to it with a kydex holster.
2) I prefer hip or just behind hip. If IWB then behind. If outside on belt, on hip.
3) I personally struggle with apendix cause I don't like a barrel pointed at my balls or my femoral artery
4) Small of back doesn't work except movies.
5) horizontal shoulder makes you point the gun at grandma in church...and the old ladies in the back row...and everyone behind you.
If you are pear shaped, with no hips and no butt, or worse, got a muffin top going, you will struggle with 27 ounces+ stuffed in your belt line. So a good belt is absolutely a must, and "spenders" are good insurance. If you are skinny you can hide an alien gear or crossbreed in the 4PM position behind the hip with a shirt untucked. A pancake like the Galco Papa Charlie showed is a fine holster. I have a leather smith add a strap. Just cause I think a gun needs to be secured. I often tuck a Glock (oh, I swore, sorry) in a pancake and slip it insde my waist band. My belt holds holster and gun and I can even reholster. But in my fatter days it quit working. Now I hardly carry cause a belt hurts my back so bad I can hardly tighten one. when I do I now carry pocket in a holster, in a revolver or slim auto. If I have to carry a big gun, I carry in a Galco on the belt. Frankly, the belt is just, or more important than the holster. Get a thick hard good one designed for a holster.
Cover with a vest, a light coat, a sloppy dress shirt or when in Texas, put Bling on it and wear it to BBQ
weve not met, so I cannot say for certain your "shape". But I have found several things that are "foundational" to carrying a full size gun, or a 1911 in any form.
1) Leather. For lots of reasons, but mostly cause a 1911 is prickier than a mother in law and you don't need to add to it with a kydex holster.
2) I prefer hip or just behind hip. If IWB then behind. If outside on belt, on hip.
3) I personally struggle with apendix cause I don't like a barrel pointed at my balls or my femoral artery
4) Small of back doesn't work except movies.
5) horizontal shoulder makes you point the gun at grandma in church...and the old ladies in the back row...and everyone behind you.
If you are pear shaped, with no hips and no butt, or worse, got a muffin top going, you will struggle with 27 ounces+ stuffed in your belt line. So a good belt is absolutely a must, and "spenders" are good insurance. If you are skinny you can hide an alien gear or crossbreed in the 4PM position behind the hip with a shirt untucked. A pancake like the Galco Papa Charlie showed is a fine holster. I have a leather smith add a strap. Just cause I think a gun needs to be secured. I often tuck a Glock (oh, I swore, sorry) in a pancake and slip it insde my waist band. My belt holds holster and gun and I can even reholster. But in my fatter days it quit working. Now I hardly carry cause a belt hurts my back so bad I can hardly tighten one. when I do I now carry pocket in a holster, in a revolver or slim auto. If I have to carry a big gun, I carry in a Galco on the belt. Frankly, the belt is just, or more important than the holster. Get a thick hard good one designed for a holster.
Cover with a vest, a light coat, a sloppy dress shirt or when in Texas, put Bling on it and wear it to BBQ
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