Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Good carry holster for 1911

What’s a good Carry holster for a 1911 full size
That won’t break the bank

Get Tom to make you one. He does very nice work. His handle here is Triggernosis.

Instagram page at Tango_Alpha_Leather_Goods

Probably not what you have in mind but I’ve found this to work well. Two pockets for mag’s, another small pocket and the main one will take up to a long slide 1911. Perfect for rambling in the Loess Hills. Works for either strong side by slanting the gun one way or another.

By Maxpedition.

Safariland makes a copy of the Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB holster.

You can get it on Amazon for $42.

You are going to have a hard time beating that for anything that is going to be decent. Many times guys don't want to spend the $$ on a decent holster, then what they end up with is something that is not comfortable, or does not hold the gun well, or does not conceal well, etc, etc. Then they end up just taking the gun off and leaving it under the seat of their vehicle or wherever and telling themselves that they will just go get it when a problem arises. The problem is that it never really works out that way.
A good belt and good holster go a long ways toward making sure you carry the gun every day.

Here is a link to the holster



https://a.co/d/cW3ug5c

OWB or IWB?

World of difference with a full sized 1911.

MM

About as important as the holster is the belt. I really like the Kore Essential ratchet type belts.

Elpasso Saddlery #88 Street Combat

Owb, have a Glock compact for iwb
Just want a solid holster for carry

Just ordered one to try out.

Holding the weight of a 1911 makes the belt you use very important also. The Safariland IWB at the mentioned price would be hard to beat. I switch between IWB and outside and have used Kramer holsters exclusively for years, definitely not cheap but they’ll last for decades. I wish I could find tires that held up that well.

For a handgun that weighs in the range of a standard 5" Government model 1911, I find that an IWB holster is much more comfortable to carry for 12+ hours a day, versus an OWB. The lighter guns, such as a Glock, or S&W M&P (and similar polymer frame guns), an OWB rig is fine. A well designed IWB holster provides a more stable and secure option for the 1911 and definitely makes a difference when you carry every day.

That is why I personally carry my 1911s in IWB rigs more than any other method, on a regular basis.

I almost grabbed one myself, but I refrained, as I have what I need at the moment. I have used a lot of Safariland products while working and in general they have been pretty good.

I don't run when I carry a 1911 or do any acrobatics. I put mine under my belt loop at the 3:00 position. Have been doing it like this for 20 years at least.

I have a hard enough time keeping my pants on how does an iwb affect that?

Milt Sparks has or had the summer specials in stock as did Brownells just last week. A buddy got one and I can like it for sure.

But I’m a fan of their Versa Max II and I’m good with those for now. IWB just works for me.

I rarely carry a 5" 1911 anymore, but I do carry a 4.25" Commander size most of the time & I've actually come to love appendix carry in a cheap(er) Cascadia kydex holster...............far, far better than any hip carry I've ever used for all day comfort & in any kind of sitting or standing position, especially in a vehicle. And much easier access sitting in a vehicle.

But, a for leather hip holsters, the Sparks Versa Max II (shown above) & it's clone the Brommeland, just can't be beat for IWB hip carry. They spread the weight & hug the body well.

Here's the Brommeland in a 5" & a 4.25"............the leather on the Brommeland is noticeably thinner & stiffer than the Sparks.

MM

Kydex paddle holster and a quality leather belt. Makes sure the holster has a retention device to hold the pistol in. Can be a "snap in device" or strap.

The Simply Rugged pancakes are worth a look. They can be worn IWB or OWB, even set up as chest rigs for field carry with the optional harness. I have them for J-frame, L-frame, and a CZ 75. Straps are available for a few extra bucks.

Just got a Muddy River Tactical Kydex IWB for my S&W 5.7. I got the optional claw that pulls the butt in against my body. That 5.7 is a full-sized pistol, but it’s well concealed in that holster with the claw. I also got the straps instead of one of the clips for extra security. Nice stuff, and until recently I’d never heard of the company. Seems like everyone and their mom is making Kydex these days.

I have this holster use this holster with a good belt makes carrying a 1911 a snap.

EZ Money

I have been using Sam Andrews for over 30 years. Simply the best.

http://www.andrewsleather.com/

Remember guys the OP is looking for a something that is in the budget category, versus custom gun leather. I personally would (based on 30 years of use) recommend Milt Sparks, if the OP did not have any cost parameters.

Look at Craft holsters or 1791 leather, they might be more budget friendly.

Yes, you're right; but your initial earlier comment about buying cheap(er) holsters that end up not working well for a variety of reasons is also equally true.............with leather holsters, especially, there's usually a correlation between cost & performance / satisfaction. Not always, but much of the time.

I will say that, surprisingly, I've been happy enough with various kydex holsters for various guns, that my leather holsters don't see as much use now as in the past. But, like leather, not all kydex holsters are equal either.

JMHO

MM

Cheapest holsters that I like are BladeTech. I use their OWB holsters with the tech lock belt mount in matches. Solid, good fit and secure enough the gun won’t bounce out.

Cheap leather is too expensive.

Top Gun Supply usually has the Milt Sparks Versa Max II for 1911’s in stock. They are not exactly cheap, but I’ve found none more comfortable. I see, however, the 5” is not in stock right now.

Many makers have their own version. Here is Kirkpatrick Leather’s.

I have a Bianchi 2AL, now discontinued, but is a great OTWB carry holster. I have thought of having someone making a copy of it.

Came in yesterday. I really like it, and the double stack para's also fit well also, my other holster was too tight for them.

Suspenders

Check Ebay

I like the old Bianchi Askins Avenger holster, but they don't make that one any more. However, practically everyone else has a version (Bianchi copied his from a Bruce Nelson design), someone's version is out there begging to be tried out. Any Avenger clone would probably work just as well.

I use a hybrid kydex leather holster from Crossbreed. It is an IWB holster that really spreads out the weight of the 1911 and is pretty comfortable. I would suggest that style be considered as well for an concealed IWB.

The Comp-Tac Infidel is a good, affordable IWB kydex option. I've used one for a good while with no complaints.

Comp-Tac Infidel

I use to shoot left handed but swapped to right handed due to my right eye is dominate. When I carried left handed, I bought and Kramer IWB for my 1911. It is a very nice holster and carried well. I guess I need to dig it out of the draw and sell it as a left handed holster does not do a right handed shooter much good....

El Paso Saddlery C-Force. When I carry a full size, all steel, 1911, it's in one of these with a good gun belt by Galco.

a silicone impregnated "sock" to store the fugging thing in the museum where 1911's belong

I can and do embrace kydex now adays for carrying a modern 1911. Wouldn't put an old classic in kydex though.

That was really a pretty good deal. Glad it fit your guns so well.

pullit:
The left handed holster you have is it for a commander or government model. I might be interested.

I have a couple different IWB holsters for my 5” and 4.25” 1911s, but no matter what I always try to wear my Perry side clip suspenders if it’s going to be be more than an hour or two with it on. Makes it a lot more comfortable and I’m not readjusting.

I think I paid a $1.50 for this around 1958
On the back it's stamped SEARS, 1942