Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Favorite Leather IWB Holster

Simple question:

What is your favorite leather IWB holster for a Commander-sized 1911?

I bought a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 for my 1911 Commander and have never felt the need to look further.

Milton Sparks Versa Max 2 for me as well.

Milt Sparks Watch Six.

I like don Hume for iwb

I don't know about the Commander, but I have Milt Sparks Criterion holsters for multiple firearms, and it is the finest holster I ever have used.

Ditto - used with my Kimber Tactical Ultra II...

I don't know the name of the model, but I got mine from 'fire member gregintenn and used it daily for a couple years. I was/am very happy with it. (I don't use it much now, as I EDC a G19). Kimbers aren't true "Commanders" since their barrel length is 4" and not 4.25" but I can't feature that it would make any difference.

Used to be Milt Sparks Versa Max II (and Milt Spark Executive Companion a close second), both of which which I devotedly used for about a decade. Since discovering the El Paso Saddlery C-Force, however, five or six years ago (thanks Kevin Gibson), it's become my hands down favorite. And I carry all sorts of semi autos with this model, none of which are tiny guns. Currently, and for the last couple years, it's been the Glock 26, but this model also comfortably carries full sized 1911s, and full sized Glocks, like the Glock 17 or 21. The C-Force is less expensive than the Milt Sparks offerings, too.

Not to disparage Milt Sparks. I just prefer the C-Force. One really cool feature is that it puts the rough side of the leather on the outside, so the gun holds its position all day, wherever you put it, and doesn't feel like its sliding around under the belt. Yeah, it doesn't look as pretty, but these are not meant to be display items, or Sunday BBQ holsters.

Another nice feature is the reinforced opening, so it stays open for easy reholstering.

Milt Sparks Summer Special II

Works with Commander and Government length 1911's, very comfortable at 4:30 hip bone carry, fast as greased glass retrieval too.

This Milt Sparks VersaMax II carried a Kahr PM9 every single day in the Florida sweat and grit for 12 years. It's my "new" sled for a Sig 365 XL.

Lots of Versamax fans. I was leaning toward a Summer Special.

Hmmmmm ...

Good holsters, but I bet most here who are touting the Milt Sparks offerings would change their tune if they had ever tried a C-Force form El Paso Saddlery. I have a lot of Milt Sparks IWB holsters that have been sitting in drawers since discovering the C-Force.

The C-Force is a $75.00 near copy of Mitch Rosen's $200.00 American Rear Guard IWB holster, except with the rough leather on the outside, and less detailing.

I tried a Rosen American Rear Guard Express Line for a Glock 26 to hold me over until the Sparks Criterion for that gun arrived. The Rosen has been in the surplus holster bin since then. I did not like the single point of attachment.

Kramer horsehide IWB 1-1/2. Buy once and enjoy for the rest of your life.

I like the "Tuckable" from Sideguard Holsters. They are similar to the Milt Sparks but run around $80 or maybe a bit less. I've been using one for a Springfield XD for 20 years and the current M&P transitioned to the same holster effortlessly.

https://www.privateerleather.com

Ive used this guy a couple times outstanding quality!

Brommeland Max Con V

Thinnest & best fitting leather holster I've found............have several.

MM

Brommeland Leather

Hey Rick. I've got a lightly used Summer Special for a commander. No longer have the commander. It was a Dan Wesson Bobtail that was a total turd. Shoot me a pm and it's yours.

Nice!

You bucking for a Moderator position?

Very much appreciated.

You kidding me? Worst job in the whole joint.

Milt Sparks Criterion, both for the 1911 Commander and the Government models.

Hands down, the best is from Andrews Custom Leather. The MacDaniell II

www.andrewsleather.com

'Nother BIG plus for the Milt Sparks Summer Special 11

I have one for a 1911 and one for my Glock 19

Virgil B.

This is what I carry as well

The MacDaniell II looks suspiciously like the same exact design as the C-Force.

[Linked Image]

You are a wise man, indeed.

I've been happiest with my Versamax for my Commander for last 8 years. I carry daily. The last 2 years I've been alternating with the before mentioned C-Force and I like it more than most. I carry at 3:30 and the VMax tucks the pistol butt a little tighter to my side, preventing printing better than my C-Force. Could just be my body shape and you probably won't know likewise till you actually try both. Either way, they are both top tier, but if cornered I'll choose the VMax. YMMV

I'd also rate a purpose belt as a mandatory part of the overall rig.

Absolutely. Must be a gun belt.

If for some reason you have to have "leather" for an IWB holster, be SURE it stays open when you NEED to holster the firearm with one hand...especially if you need to use the weak side hand.

I just finished making a thumb break, paddle holster for my Detonics .45.
I can make it a cross draw if needed.
I can't do the picture posting yet but I can text pictures.

That’s what I use, El Paso Saddlery.

The C-Force?

Was gonna post this the other day and couldn't get postimage to work.

Versa Max II

VM II here, too...