OWB for concealed carry 1911---which one?

https://www.ttgunleather.com/shop-owb-holsters


I’m a big fan of TTGunleather.

The Scabbard used to be my go-to, but now I’m enjoying the pancake style.

I am just sad Andy Arratoonian never got an apprentice so is out of the game. LOVE those, esp for 1911. No, you can't have mine.

The only other leather I own anymore is Milt Sparks. All those are IWB, but I trust them implicitly so would go for that.

Style wise, I'd think about how you are using it. Are you gonna be doing work, walking around a shop or the woods, so maybe it bumps and snags? Then think about the front loop style of the 60 and I-BAK. More room on the belt, but also holds it smoother, and generally tighter and higher.

Everyone's body is different; higher tends to be more comfy to me, but by no means is true for everyone. Try some cheap ones (even to nylon and clips) and move around the house; see how you deal with cant, height, etc.


Also I have to ask: concealable important but OWB? Do you wear a cover garment all day? Lots of IWB is very comfy now, and I for one can do a full size gun with RDS and WML all day, in waistband.

I generally prefer pancakes, but also prefer no sweat shield on my OWB holsters. The height of the Wilson Lo-Profile sweat shield is not too high to interfere with access to the thumb safety, so that would probably be OK, but I'd probably look for a different pancake that didn't have a sweat shield such as the Sparks I-Bak ( https://www.miltsparks.com/products-i-bak.php ), Rosen 5JR (either Full Detail or Express) ( https://mitchrosen.com ), Ritchie Belt Speed Scabbard ( here at Top Gun Supply https://www.topgunsupply.com/ritchie-leather-belt-speed-scabbard-5-1911.html ), or Lobo Enhanced Pancake ( https://lobogunleather.com/owb-outside-the-waist-band/enhanced-pancake/ ).

I don't have a lot of experience with the Nelson #1 Professional style (the BN in 55BN is for Bruce Nelson), but do like the Ritchie Vertical Speed Scabbard (this from Ritchie's site http://www.ritchieholsters.com/catalog/p-100001/vertical-speed-scabbard-vss ) I have. It is a little more comfortable than the pancakes I have, but not as concealable. My pancakes are canted, but the Nelson #1 Professional style seems better suited to straight drop. The Sparks 55BN pictures I've seen, seem to ride pretty high, and as a short guy, I'm not sure I have the range of motion to clear a 5" 1911 from a straight drop 55BN. They are available canted though.

If you want a quality pancake for less money Mitch Rosen's "express line" is well regarded at about half. Not as nice but functional. His regular line is on par with Milt Sparks. Though considering my MS Executive's companion IWB holster, I'd lean that way if I were going toward a new OWB.

I suggest the OP look in the Holster area on 1911Forum.

I’m a Sparks 55BN fan.

Rugged holsters makes a holster that can be worn both ways, iwb or owb. I bought one for my 686+

Warbird Leather





https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=1021964

ms6852 said:

Rugged holsters makes a holster that can be worn both ways, iwb or owb. I bought one for my 686+

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I assume you meant Simply Rugged holsters. https://www.simplyrugged.com

Their Cuda and DEFCON 3 have very tall sweat shields.

JTQ said:

I assume you meant Simply Rugged holsters. https://www.simplyrugged.com

Their Cuda and DEFCON 3 have very tall sweat shields.

Click to expand...

Oops!

Galco makes a nice version of the Yaqui slide. I like the minimalist dimensions of of slides.

None better than Milt Sparks....own several. I have also used DeSantis...solid for the money

https://www.desantisholster.com/speed-scabbard/

Lobo gunleather made this one- great holster!

Here is a picture of my commander in a Bianchi owb. A very comfortable form fitted holster.

jeepnik said:

Galco makes a nice version of the Yaqui slide. I like the minimalist dimensions of of slides.

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Yaqui has always been a minimalist’s holster. I have a few, only problem is if I sit down and am not careful, I can hit the chair arm and pop up my 1911out of the slide.

For less money, I am a big fan of the Galco Concealable.

I like the Galco, unfortunately the one I use (Matrix with belt loops) seems not to made anymore.

JTQ said:

I assume you meant Simply Rugged holsters. https://www.simplyrugged.com

Their Cuda and DEFCON 3 have very tall sweat shields.

Click to expand...

And ... both of those styles sport 3 belt holes so that they can be configured for crossdraw.

I have a SimplyRugged Sourdough pancake for my 3" S&W 29 (also 3 belt holes) and like it very much. Very well-made. About half of the time that I wear it concealed it is under a winter coat and configured for crossdraw.

Long ago (late '70s) I carried a .45 Colt Combat Commander in a leather pancake holster for years. That style of holster kept it snuggled against my kidney (and closer to my core) which helped to conceal it well under my sport/suit coat.

Good luck with your search, John Joseph!

Anchorite said:

Yaqui has always been a minimalist’s holster. I have a few, only problem is if I sit down and am not careful, I can hit the chair arm and pop up my 1911out of the slide.

Click to expand...

You need wider chairs or a skinnier butt.

I use a High Noon belt holster... it works as well as anything I've ever tried. My EDC pistol holster combo is a High Noon and my Kahr 9mm, I liked it so much I got one for my 1911's.

The Southern Trapper makes nice stuff.

I've tried more than I care to remember.
I've settled on the Galco Combat master.