1911 Holster ideas wanted

Rat Finkenstein

Rat Finkenstein

Joined
May 18, 2005
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I am looking for some good carry options for my 1911. I want something that conceals well, and is comfortable. Preferably on the belt, something that carries flat but not too high. Leather is my preference. IWB is not my favorite but I will take a look at anything suggested. I don't know if a shoulder holster is practical or concealable, but open to any/all suggestions.:thumbup:

Thanks!
 
Shoulder rigs are not that comfortable or concealable, as a general rule.

A good IWB is the way to hide a fullsize gun. (not all are "good" of course)

In fact, I'm wearing my Colt Govt in a KyTac BraveHeart rig as I type this ! It works very well and is quite comfortable. If you can accommodate the gun alone inside your waistband, then you can use this holster.

.
 
Try a safariland paddle, EDC's better then leather. no noise,flat and easy on and off. I carry my duty firearm (Colt LW 1911 lightly customized) in one. If you really gotta go with leather try the leather Galco Fed Paddle. Really, these are the only way to go for me and gunslingers I know. Most practical holster around. IWB while trendy is wayyy too uncomfy. You are talking to a guy who has been carrying for 25 years,moi. IWB holsters wreak havoc on your lower back and comfort level. I own some but only for deep cover, which I rarely do anymore. buy a photographers vest, a good paddle or, if you dont mind having to take off and on a good belt slide pancake holster... shoulder holsters are for rookie detectives and miami vice wannabees, IMO. They are Okay if you are doing vehicle stake outs and need a weak side draw but otherwise they are a pain and really hard to conceal. 1911's, firearm of the seasoned pros! Nice choice.
 
I prefer a Blade Tech Kydex on the hip.
IWB and I have several I prefer a Milt Sparks Summer Special two.
Very comfortable and the cant is just right for me.
I wear it every day.
Don't forget to get a good gun belt to match the holster.
Holster are built to use belt of certain widths.
1 1/2 in belts will fit most pants loops except dress pants which need 1 1/4
 
Asking about which holster to buy is sort of like asking about which running shoes to buy.

That being said, I have been impressed with Galco and used a Bianchi PDQ for years. A standard hip holster will conceal if it's a high quality holster and you wear appropriate clothing. A loose dark t-shirt works very well and won't "print".

Buy a really good double thickness belt. It needs to carry the weight without deforming and hold up over time. Stuff from mass market venues will fail quickly if it ever worked to begin with.
 
The most comfortable and most stable holster that I ever had for a 1911 / Hi Power was a Milt Sparks Versamax (I carried the Hi Power for better part of 8 years, so I tired a bunch of holsters). I am not skinny at all, and the Versamax kept hammer spurs and safety levers from digging into my side for many 14-16 hour days. I even slept with it on several occasions.
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far. The Milt Sparks holsters look great. I do have a Liger Gunbelt so no worries on the belt side of things. So many good choices, I will have to look at them all before choosing.

A belt rig that carries flat would be my first choice. Most IWB holsters I have seen carry too high for my tastes, although there are exceptions.
 
Thanks for asking the question Rat, I've been wondering about that for some time as well.

Interesting suggestions so far, but I'm wondering with all these holster don't you have to take to wearing a jacket of some sort in order for it to actually be concealed? I don't do that normally and it would look sort of weird in my business casual environment. I can only imagine what it would look like for folks that work in an even less formal environment. This is my biggest problem in this venue at the moment, how do I carry actually concealed without changing my entire wardrobe and without wearing one of those goofy fanny packs (which isn't going to happen). :(
 
Triton said:
Thanks for asking the question Rat, I've been wondering about that for some time as well.

Interesting suggestions so far, but I'm wondering with all these holster don't you have to take to wearing a jacket of some sort in order for it to actually be concealed? I don't do that normally and it would look sort of weird in my business casual environment. I can only imagine what it would look like for folks that work in an even less formal environment. This is my biggest problem in this venue at the moment, how do I carry actually concealed without changing my entire wardrobe and without wearing one of those goofy fanny packs (which isn't going to happen). :(
Click to expand...

Carrying a full sized pistol tucked in a business casual setting is tough. Most of the tuckable holsters that are out there are fine when you are in a public setting and people don't really know you and thus don't feel comfortable asking you what those little black hooks are, or why you wear your keys on your belt, etc. In my experience, they just don't hide the gun well enough to be around people you know (but don't want them to know that you are armed ) all day long. The best solution that I have found long term is a .38 Airweight snub in a pocket on light days. When I do have to carry a bigger gun 100% hidden I use a Desnatis belly band, twisted around so the gun sits about 3:00.
 
Revolvergeek said:
Carrying a full sized pistol tucked in a business casual setting is tough. Most of the tuckable holsters that are out there are fine when you are in a public setting and people don't really know you and thus don't feel comfortable asking you what those little black hooks are, or why you wear your keys on your belt, etc. In my experience, they just don't hide the gun well enough to be around people you know (but don't want them to know that you are armed ) all day long. The best solution that I have found long term is a .38 Airweight snub in a pocket on light days. When I do have to carry a bigger gun 100% hidden I use a Desnatis belly band, twisted around so the gun sits about 3:00.
Click to expand...

That has sort of been what I'm thinking too, except I was wondering about a smaller compact 45 (say XD or Glock) in an ankle or leg holster. Useless for quick draws (unless you are that Ayoob character I guess) but better then no gun at all. Incidentally we are NOT allowed to carry at work I would be fired so draw your own conclusions.
 
Triton said:
That has sort of been what I'm thinking too, except I was wondering about a smaller compact 45 (say XD or Glock) in an ankle or leg holster. Useless for quick draws (unless you are that Ayoob character I guess) but better then no gun at all. Incidentally we are NOT allowed to carry at work I would be fired so draw your own conclusions.
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If I'm wearing just a T shirt I'll wear a Galco ancle holster with a glock 26 on my ankle,a Kel Tec P3aT in my back pocket and a good knife on my weak side.

I'm from Florida and have carried 21 years now.
I was also a defencive pistol instructor and weapon retention expert.
You have to have several guns and holsters as well as learn what to carry and/or how to dress to carry every day no matter what you're wearing.
Comprimizes will have to be made.
A glock 26 on an ankle should turn into a Glock 26 in your lap in a drive through where you have no means of escape.
If you look up in any city in the world and the street sign says "Martin Luther King Blvd" the ankle gun becomes a IWB gun very quickly.
Even a t shirt will cover a 26.

A good fixed blade with a 6 inch blade give or take an inch is so, is lethal at contact distance and very flat light and easy to carry compared to a pistol.
I think more effective than a mouse gun.
In the right hands and range it's as effective as a primary weapon.
Certainly more realibile and intimidating to street scum than the tiny pistols people carry.
It's a good combination with a carry gun when wearing light tight clothing.
Now you have to deal with jogging or biking and walks on the beach without a shirt.
This is wear the Galco fag bag,the small one in nylon shines.
Small neck knives also have their place.
Yurco makes tiny blades scary sharp and pointy that won't print under
a T-shirt.

Always back up your primary with something.
A mouse gun is better than nothing.
A tiny knife is better than a bowie sitting at home when you need it.
I wear a cover vest alot and carry a 1911 but that's not always practical.
You don't wear the same shoes everyday.
You wear what is appropreate for the circumstances.
Carrying every day for years on end is a disiplne most are not willing to do.
Murphy's law dictates the one day you go out unarmed is when you'll need it.
A cheap car gun is a good idea.
So is a car rifle.
 
Grappler1911 said:
If you look up in any city in the world and the street sign says "Martin Luther King Blvd" the ankle gun becomes a IWB gun very quickly.
Click to expand...

:D That just might be the quote of the week.

Knife carry is not the problem, mostly it's just what I could have in a business casual outfit since that's mostly what I'm in.
 
Contact this guy http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/ and your search will be over, period end of story. That is a link to Tucker gunleather here in Texas and it is the best of the best.

I own more 1911 holsters than most people do socks and underwear, and there are others out there who make ecellent holsters. Milt Sparks, Josh Bulman and Lou Alessi to name a few, but Tucker has no equal. Yes, I know that is a pretty strong statement, but they are THAT good. Call him up and tell him what you want, all of your measurements and so forth, and then you can begin anxiously waiting for the best holster you will ever own!

This is what I wear every day..
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rlcompanyusa_1960_13501804

Now, the above holster probably isn't what you are looking for, I just wanted to show off a picture...It's on his website too:D
 
Tolly said:
Contact this guy http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/ and your search will be over, period end of story. That is a link to Tucker gunleather here in Texas and it is the best of the best.

I own more 1911 holsters than most people do socks and underwear, and there are others out there who make ecellent holsters. Milt Sparks, Josh Bulman and Lou Alessi to name a few, but Tucker has no equal. Yes, I know that is a pretty strong statement, but they are THAT good. Call him up and tell him what you want, all of your measurements and so forth, and then you can begin anxiously waiting for the best holster you will ever own!

This is what I wear every day..
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/rlcompanyusa_1960_13501804

Now, the above holster probably isn't what you are looking for, I just wanted to show off a picture...It's on his website too:D
Click to expand...

I want one of those myself.
About 2 month wait I believe.
 
I have been using Kramer and Ross holsters for years. Matter of fact, my Ross gunbelt has been going strong for almost 4 years now. No cracking, no loose stitching.....it is by far the most comfortable belt I've ever put on. I wear it almost daily.
PM sent-:thumbup:
 
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