If you need SUSPENDERS to carry your gun, you need a different gun!
I didn't say I NEEDED them, I said it had them. A belly band rig will sag under an air-weight J-frame by the end of the day, at least if you're studly with a V-shaped torso. Pear-shaped warriors will do better.
* 1911= 40 Oz, 8.5" long, 5.7" tall, 1.37" width. *P229= 32.4 Oz, 7.1" long, 5.4" tall, 1.5" thick.
This is a case where a little bit of knowledge (i.e. specs on the internet) is just enough to get you in trouble. You have to look at the actual practical dimensions of the thing in terms of how it fits in a holster, and not the general specs listed on websites that usually measure the widest point of the gun (i.e. the grips). In the case of the Sig, you have to deal with...(drumroll, please) the giant, freakin' decocker!!! Yes indeed, Sparks, Tucker, Galco--every single IWB holster I've ever seen for the sig swallows the decocker except one, but even that swallowed the mag release which is within 1mm of being as wide as the decocker. Also, because the Sig grip on the right hand side extends so far forward, the holster gets to straddle that too. Doing so comes up with a measurement of 37mm of thickness (see picture #1). Now, compare to a 1911 here---again, measuring to what a holster will actually have to swallow, from the right hand of the slide (since the grip doesn't extend so far forward) to the outside edge of the slide release. What do we have? 28mm. (picture #2) Okay, so it's 3/4 instead of 2/3, but that's still a whole hell of a lot of difference. And just for kicks, the last shot is where the calipers are when swallowing the Sig, then slid over the equivalent width of the 1911, with all of that cavernous empty space in between! (pic #3). What's worse, the grips on this Sig are aftermarket and are thinner than factory grips, so this is the best case scenario for the Sig, other than going with no grips at all. Sorry for the angle here but it's hard to hold the guns, the caliper and work the camera at the same time.
Even just looking at the slides, the 1911 is 23mm as compared to 29mm for the Sig (the 6mm difference being about equivalent to the blade thickness of a Busse Battle Mistress). What's more, the slide/frame height of the Sig is greater too by about 4mm, so the overall difference in circumference of the gun forward of the trigger guards is 124mm for the 1911 and 146mm for the Sig. The 1911 is just flatter, svelter, and more concealable than the Sig is, at least if you're going to carry IWB. This really isn't favoritism on my part (I love Sigs) but practical experience.
Yes, that's a Commander versus a full size, but that doesn't effect the width. Doesn't take away from the fact that Sigs are great guns! And anyway, I could absolutely carry one in a belly band--with suspenders, of course.
Look at the 1911 IWB Bianchi here compared to the Sig 229 Kramer IWB...now, I'll grant you that the Kramer's hide is much heavier, but forget the exterior dimensions for a second and just look at the size of the holes for the guns--these are both tight molded holsters! Fatter slide plus taller slide plus decocking lever right by the trigger guard plus much bigger trigger guard equals a hell of a lot of pistol to hide. Can it be done? Of course, but being plus-sized in your waistband definitely helps.
I always found that GRIP length is the hardest to conceal (where it tents out or gets caught on the shirt as it rides up, 1/4 inch wider isn't really going to change it's printing much (with proper size clothing), but it'll affect comfort (as will weight, with IMHO is more important then width - but then I'm assuming that people buy the right size pants when they carry IWB). 1911's are popular because they're pretty, and American as apple pie.
Damn straight...and because they're so thin and carryable, too...
I'll agree to a point on the grip height, and must say I really like the carry-bobbed 1911s for rounding out that point. Still, I personally IWB carry in the small of my back with the grip pretty much horizontal, so in that instance the grip height is moot. I buy pants exactly one inch larger than I'd need with no gun, and a 1911, Browning HP, CZ-75 or Glock 19 all will disappear IWB SOB to the point where I forget I have them and you can't see the things. Trying to do the same with a Sig 229/228 with exactly the same holster models makes it look and feel as though I have a really unfortunate birth defect. I could buy larger, but at some point the fit of the pants is just obviously wrong (if you're not a gangsta-wannabe teenager) and draws attention all its own.
Oops! Yes, an essential item. I pretty much only own gun belts so I forget to mention it.
I disagre with the assertation that a Galco won't hold up to daily use. I used my Galco (leather) holster for 11 years straight (5 days a week minimum) and it's still going strong.
Our mileage has definitely varied...like I said, I like their OWB belt stuff just fine, but their concealment holsters and I are batting around 400 or so. I've had stitching come undone, two Skyops hooks break, and just had the things lose their form. My experiences may not be representative, but for my part, when I can pay $30 more for an equivalent Tucker that will spank the Galco like a red-headed step child, it just seems simpler. Of course, now someone will chime in with the horrible luck they've had with Tucker leather.
+1, Dan Wesson makes a real nice pistol. It's no Les Bear, WIlson Combat or NightHawk, but for the money its real solid.
At first, no not quite. After 1,000 rounds, my experience is that they're pretty equal--though I'll acknowledge that from that group I haven't actually owned a Wilson.
Only reason I stopped is that 4" 45 Colt Anacondas are few and far between and I didn't want my baby confiscated if I ever had to shoot someone. If you love the gun, you can find a solid carry rig. Oh yes, that's another thing---if you're going to carry it, buy a REAL concealment holster. Milt Sparks, Tucker Gunleather, Blade-Tech, etc. Galco's and other factory belt stuff is okay but their concealment options generally don't stand up that well to daily use.
