Im not a big handgun guy and have a Springfield Range Officer 1911 in 9mm with no holster other than the the kydex one it came with. I would like to get a leather holster but have no idea where to start. I have no plans to carry the gun but feel like a guy ought to have a proper holster

So whats a good leather holster? Or is the kydex it came with my huckleberry?

Rugged gear, el paso saddlery, galco, every holster maker out there makes a 1911 holster.

For the money, Galco builds some real nice leather holsters. But my favorite 1911 holster is a custom leather one from El Paso Saddlery.

Ritchie leather makes a great holster

Look at the Simply Rugged pancake. Very hard to beat for the money. They carry a 1911 well. And a variety revolvers.....

Thanks guys, I think I have looked at every holster made. Thanks for narrowing it down to good makers, is there a certain model holster that is prefered, or just a 1911 holster?

The only way I've carried 1911s has been in IWB (inside the waistband) holsters. If you think you may ever carry it concealed, that's what you need. My preferred IWB holster these days is the El Paso Saddlery C-Force. Quite comfortable and conceals well. I have next to zero experience with OWB holsters.

I dont ever see myself carrying this gun concealed, too big

You'd be surprised. I carried an all steel, full sized, Government Model IWB for years. In hot weather, if you're very active, you could eventually develop a rash around the waistline opposite the gun, but short of those circumstances, it carries just fine IWB. Nice and flat, so comfortable and concealable. You just have to have a proper belt and holster, and position it correctly.

http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

galco concealable. heck with straps, thumb breaks and gizmos.....

At least the grips match the belt.........

I wanted to buy a holster from them a few years ago. Called and called the number, but no answer. No answering machine to leave a call back request, either. Finally, I drove to the listed address, and came upon a farm house just ten minutes from where I live. Didn't see anything that looked like a business structure on the premises (looking for a sign of some sort), so decided not to bother the farmers who lived there, drove home, and bought a holster elsewhere.

Following along here,

I'm in the need for leather OWB for the newer Springfield 4" EMP.

Its a newer model, and I'm a lefty, options appear to be very limited at this time.

Milt sparks has my attention, anyone aware of current wait times?

hunts,

I ran across your pics on the 1911 forum, Those are both 3" EMPS?

Galco lists no lefty's for the 4" in the near future.

A straight drop Milt Sparks 55BN would be hard to beat.

I will admit to having very little holster experience, but I bought a Bianchi 59 Special Agent leather holster a few years ago for field carry of my 5" aluminum frame 1911, and was shocked at how much more comfortable it was than any other of my much cheaper holsters.

I wore another brand holster (a pretty decent one at that) for a day of woods walking with a 3" Taurus 605 one day, and the next the Bianchi 59 with my 1911. I found the pancake design of the Bianchi, even with the heavier gun, much more pleasant. I was not wearing a "good" belt at the time. Your mileage may vary.

Kirkpatrick makes some f the finest leather 1911 holsters out there today.

http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/lawenforcement-holsters/home

Their tooled 1911 rigs are second to none, as well.

http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/semi-autos

I have been carrying my new G19 in a Kirkpatrick Texas Strong Side for several months now and like it a lot.

It's basically a 55BN knockoff (or further back). It sticks out from the body a little more than I expected, but this is my first time OWB every day carry holster. So that may not be unusual.

Very comfortable holster after break-in.

Carried IWB for many years in a Milt Sparks VMII. I don't think you can find a better IWB holster than a Milt Sparks.

PS- the reason I went with the Kirkpatrick in the first place is it gave me a 55BN type holster with a lot shorter wait time.

Excellent choice...

As already mentioned, the Milt Sparks 55BN or Kirkpatrick TSS. I use the TSS for my 1911.

http://www.privateerleather.com/