[Jammer Six]

I'm looking for an IWB holster for two 1911s: one a government model and the other a SA Micro, with a 3" barrel.

I'd like both holsters to have the following features:


Thumb break
Reinforced mouth
Made of leather


I'm also considering buying a jacket for wet/cool weather, a gore-tex shell style jacket, that will have a vertical, zippered pocket on the left chest, of the kind that is sometimes called either a "map pocket" or a "Napolean pocket".

I'm considering removing the pocket (frequently made of mesh, who knows why) and replacing it with a leather holster for the Micro, or using a pocket holster in this breast pocket for the Micro.

Any recommendations for a holster to use there, with a thumb break?

Thank you!

[harrydog]

I'd recommend this one.
The thumb break model is the 3rd one down.

http://www.heinie.com/leather.html

[TheEgg]

I use Milt Sparks, have both the Watch Six and the VersaMax2. Excellent workmanship, conceal well, durable, comfortable. Have used for government model, commander, and compact, works fine in all of these cases (of course you need a different hoster for each bbl. length). You can get these made in cowhide, horsehide, or a combination.

www.miltsparks.com

If you don't like the Sparks line, stick with one of the other major makers, like Alessi, Rosen, etc. Don't cheap out -- buy a quality item, it will save you money in the long run.

PS.

Jammer, why do you want/need the thumb break?

I personally have had no reason to ever wish for a thumb break on an IWB holster. A good holster like the above will provide excellent retention simply by the fit, if retention is your concern. If you have to have a thumb break because you are a cop and it is department policy, that is something else, but to me a thumb break on a properly designed and executed IWB hoster is, IMHO, superfluous. Not bad, just not needed.:)

[Jammer Six]

Jammer, why do you want/need the thumb break?


Simply personal preference.

What do you guys think about sewing a holster into a goretex jacket?

[Glockster35]

Try Rafter S Gunleather (http://www.raftersgunleather.com/) , I bought one and I like it a lot. I believe they run about $60-70 for cowhide, and fit the gun really well. They are exceptionally comfortable also (at least to me).

Do a search, I posted pics of mine a few weeks ago.

[TheEgg]

Simply personal preference.

Gotcha :cool:

As far as stiching in a holster, I think that would work with one caveat -- weight. Even a 3" bbl 1911 is fairly heavy and it might drag a lightweight fabric like Goretex down, distorting the jacket on that side and might be uncomfortable.

Just to see what it might feel like, I stuck a SP101 into the inside pocket on a leather jacket -- it was immediately apparent that I did not want to do that -- heavy and uncomfortable, and that was with thick leather.

If your jacket supports the weight OK, great -- but before modifying it, I would try just sticking the gun into the pocket and wearing it around the house for awhile, just to check what it feels like.

Good Luck!

[Jammer Six]

As far as stiching in a holster, I think that would work with one caveat -- weight. Even a 3" bbl 1911 is fairly heavy and it might drag a lightweight fabric like Goretex down, distorting the jacket on that side and might be uncomfortable

I did the same thing, and came to the same conclusion.

Since your conclusion matches my conclusion, you, sir, meet the definition of a genius.

:D

The rest of the equation has changed, too.

I ran a few rounds through my Micro, and it failed to feed.

I'm not interested anymore.

My milspec doesn't fail, and my Micro always fails, in some fashion.

The Micro is going up for sale, and I'm now a confirmed 5" government 1911 guy.

I can't see carrying a full size 1911 in a pocket of any kind, so I guess I'm going to have to stick with my Galco Jackass, which is actually getting more and more comfortable.

[Andrew Wyatt]

you should still look at getting an WIB for you gommint model, as belt holsters conceal better than shoulder holsters and are more comfortable. and lighter.

[Jammer Six]

you should still look at getting an WIB for you gommint model, as belt holsters conceal better than shoulder holsters and are more comfortable. and lighter.

I'm having second thoughts about my second thoughts.

Now I want to figure out and fix my Micro, if for no other reason but to learn about it.

Is there a IWB holster that's too small for a government model, but big enough for the Micro?

[Smoke]

www.tuckergunleather.com

[Andrew Wyatt]

milt sparks summer special is my reccommendation for a holster. it'll fit both guns.


any of the blade tech IWB holsters for 1911s will also fit both guns, as well.

[OF]

Do any diving out in the NW, Jammer?

- Gabe

[Jammer Six]

Do any diving out in the NW, Jammer?


Indeed.

Know each other, do we? :D

[OF]

Sort of. I'd poked around the DIR newsgroups/lists when I first switched to that gear a couple years or so ago and you'd given me some advice.

My diving has been on hold for a bit here as I've found myself one expensive time-consuming hobby over the line. ;) I'm in Maine now, but I lived outside Seattle for 10 years.

- Gabe

PS: Welcome to THR!

[Jammer Six]

Sort of. I'd poked around the DIR newsgroups/lists when I first switched to that gear a couple years or so ago and you'd given me some advice.


Was it good advice? :evil:

My diving has been on hold for a bit here as I've found myself one expensive time-consuming hobby over the line. I'm in Maine now, but I lived outside Seattle for 10 years.


Oh, man. That's east of Lake Washington, right?

PS: Welcome to THR

Thanks!

[OF]

Good advice? You know, I honestly don't remember so lets just assume it was ;)

I'll return the favor with some advice here: I'd recommend you forget about the thumbbreak. It serves no purpose on a concealed holster, and will impede your draw. Your desire for it is all mental, and you can get over it. :) Also forget about the holster in the jacket thing. If the jacket is on, you'd be better off with a belt holster and if it's off, you shouldn't have a gun in it.

Get a good belt. Get a good belt. Get a good belt. Rafter-S, Milt Sparks, Alessi.

A few options to start looking at (these are the ones to beat):
Leather: Milt Sparks VMII, Tucker Gunleather "Answer" or anything from Lou Alessi.
Kydex: KyTac Braveheart or CompTac C-TAC

If you like leather, don't try kydex. It will send you into a soul-searching fit you'll regret :) I went kydex and after a bit of mourning never looked back. And it's just as comfortable, contrary to popular opinion.

I have two Bravehearts and love them, one for a 1911. I can take the gun on and off with one hand, it's totally secure, comfortable and conceals well.

Good hunting!

- Gabe

[stevelyn]

DeSantis Cozy Partner.

[sargene]

The link below will take you where you need to go!


http://www.holster.com/098.html:)

[sargene]

Don't remove the pocket! Just put one of these in it.

Gene

http://www.holster.com/n38.html

[Chuck Dye]

I stumbled onto this thread while looking up solutions to carrying a 5" 1911 and thought I would throw in my $.02 worth. Can’t help with the holster choice but can speak to the pocket solution. On most cold weather hunts, my outer garment is a Columbia Sportswear two piece coat - a windbreaker length jacket that zips into a calf length outer coat - a great duo. The windbreaker has a pocket high on the left side that is accessed through a vertical zipper just inboard of the main closure. I have carried both the 5" 1911 and a SIG-Sauer P226 in that pocket, primarily for coups de grace and signaling, but also for the potential two legged predator. Both the 1911 and the P226 are unnoticeable through a full day’s hunt.

I agree with GRD on the problems of pocket carry in a garment that may be expected to be removed and would not consider such carry outside of the hunting situation I have described.

[Jammer Six]

As an update, (and just coming back from a Thanksgiving cruise) I'm now a confirmed 5" government milspec guy.

My micro malfunctioned one too many times, and is back at Springfield for the final time.

We are negotiating what I'm going to get back, a different weapon, which has yet to be determined, or my money back.

I rather suspect they'll give me my money back, since I'm asking for a weapon that retails for twice what I paid for the Micro.

Anyway, I'm no longer interested in concealing a 3" Officer's model, because I don't believe in anything smaller than a government model, or anything tighter than milspecs.

For now, I'm going to stick with the jackass shoulder rig, and think strong thoughts about a IWB holster.

This IWB business may very well end up falling under the "What I Have Works, Why Should I Change?" category.

[Lumpy196]

Ive used a Sparks Versa-Max II to conceal a full sized 1911 every day for the last 4 years. Its outstanding.

Id skip the thumb break for concealed carry. With a quality made holster, you wont have retention issues.

[OF]

I'm now a confirmed 5" government milspec guyBeauty!

- Gabe

PS: Go IWB with that heater and reap the rewards of the single-stack design: super-comfy IWB carry.