IWB choices for 1911 Govt?

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txgolfer45

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I'm picking up my STI Trojan next weekend. Looking for an IWB holster for it. I have a Blade-Tech SRB belt holster on order for range and competition. Looking for a concealed carry holster now.

I've used a Comp-tac C-Tac with my Glocks. It works great. So, I'm considering that. But, Comp-Tac also has a new holster called an MTAC that combines leather and kydex. Looks interesting.

Of course, I could also go with leather like a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 as well (long wait time).

For a 1911 Govt IWB holster, what do you suggest?
 
I carry my 1911s in a Milt Sparks summer special (there are many copies of this holster). I love this holster.

However, I am considering trying the Versa Max or some other holster with outboard loops. It looks like they'd be thinner.

I tried a Comp-Tac for a while. It was extremely uncomfortable. that holster is a big chunk of stiff plastic that jabs into your side. Really turned me off to Kydex.
 
Sparks VMII

I still have a Sparks Summer Special and it is a great holster, but its been sitting in a box since my VMII arrived.

The VMII combined with a good gun belt makes carrying an all steel 1911 a breeze. As DMK pointed out the outboard loops make it thinner and spread out the weight.

X-Mas060972.jpg
Baer Stinger in a Sparks VMII with Beltman belt.

You can order a VMII, get the Sparks SS on line and use it till the VMII arrives. You can latter sell the SS and get most of your money back.

Chuck
 
I use a GALCO summer comfort. It's a less expensive and readily available off the shelf version of the Sparks Summer Special.:)
 
The Galco Royal Guard is a nice holster, very comfortable to wear. (Mine is for a Glock 19 - a much lighter gun - however.) The horsehide shields the edges and corners from my body very well, unlike a hard Kydex I have which feels like a brick shoved down my waistband. It is also rough side out, which puts the smooth side toward the gun and the outside to grip your pants so it does not shift around.
 
I think it depends a lot on climate. I live in Southeast Texas and except for the blissfull relative coolness of December to March it is hot and humid the rest of the year. I have found that any IWB for me must be kydex.

My most recent try is an IWB 'tuckable' from Grandfather Oak. Excellent fit, thin kydex with extended backside to avoid sweat.
 
Milt Sparks Heritage Limited (HR-LTD) is a great IWB holster for hot and humid climates.

It's essentially a Versa-Max II, but with the waterproof material lining found on the Heritage. It's on Sparks' "New Products" page. I haven't seen a better IWB holster on the market. The waterproof feature makes it stand out ahead of the pack.
 
I use the Milt Sparks Summer Special II, I'd like to try the Versamax II but the SSII works well enough for the time being.

FWIW I'm a skinny guy, 6ft tall and 155 lbs.
 
Milt Sparks Heritage Limited (HR-LTD) is a great IWB holster for hot and humid climates.
Click to expand...
I agree. In fact, my pair of HR-LTDs has replaced my pair of VM-2 as the holsters I use for my 1911s. The VM-2s have been relegated to BBQ holsters. I love the VM-2 but the liner inside the HR-LTD makes it a better holster for the dog days of summer. The HR-LTD is also a bit thinner than the VM-2 due to the fixed belt loops.
 
What's a BBQ holster?

Since my new STI Trojan has a 3 lb trigger, I'll probably use it mostly for range, competition and home defense. Carry with a 3 lb. trigger is questionable, IMHO. I'll stick with my Bladetech OWB holster until I get another 1911 in .45 with a 4 - 5 lb trigger.
 
Originally from Illinois. But, been in TX since 1979. Is a BBQ holster a holster made with too soft a leather? Suitable for BBQing? :D
 
A BBQ Holster is a "fancy" holster (maybe extra embroidery/stitching or exotic leather) that you wear to a Barbeque.

Usually it shows off your BBQ gun (typically a "fancy" gun, maybe a safe queen, or a custom job).

I haven't seen many bbq guns or holsters while in the big city, but when I visit my kin in East Texas if the weather is good, there is someone BBQing or smoking on a sunday.
 
I'm waiting on my sparks HR-LTD, when I ordered mine in early Dec. I was told that they are no longer using the waterproof lining in them. The customer service guy I talked to told me that the glue that they use in between the two layers of leather works as the membrane.
 
Vern, let me get back to you on that button for the safety.

I have a friend that let me borrow some of his holsters and I noticed that he put a button sort of like what you are looking for. Although I think his was for a different function.

I have no idea of what it is, or how he did it thats why I have to ask.
 
When the gun is holstered, the "button" is exerting pressure on the bottom of the safety lever, keeping it positively engaged. The button is contoured so that if you holster a cocked gun not on safety, as the gun slides into the holster, the "button" forces the safety up, into the engaged position.

In fact, that's how I test a new holster, sjhoving an empty cocked but unlocked gun into the holster and seeing if it forces the safety into the "safe" position.
 
I just got a Wilson Featherweight this week, and so far I've been favorably impressed.

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/l_featherweight.asp

The top of the holster has Kydex sandwiched between smooth leather on the outside and suede inside. The bottom is softer leather that is very comfortable and by folding around the muzzle reduces printing. The cant is adjustable.

The top has notches on both sides to protect even an ambi safety and keep it in the right position.
 
Vern,

Yeah thats exactly what the "button" was for. Although his look more like triangles that slide underneath the safety.

He puts them on his kydex holsters, using Automotive Interior Adhesive. He was telling me that you've got to do it in layers, letting it dry before you add more.

For his leather holsters, he has a leatherworking friend who will add the triangle to an existing holster.

He started adding these because occasionally enough to where he noticed he'd check his gun and the safety would be off, more so with ambi-safety's than the traditional ones.

He also noted that it was more for peace of mind than anything else, as there was the grip safety and having to put your booger hook on the bang switch.
 
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