1911 Crossdraw

[Sediment]

Hey guys I wanted to get some input on a holster and maybe some recommendations. I've tried 2 different strong side (RH) holsters for my 1911 and they just feel uncomfortable to both wear and draw from. One is a nice Bianchi leather that loops through my belt and has a retention lever actuated by my middle finger for drawing. The other I can't remember the brand but it has a thumb-break strap and made of kydex and it also loops through the belt.

Both of these feel unnatural to me being strong side draw. They are also uncomfortable as they ride very high on the belt and the movement required to draw is awkward to say the least. Second reason is I could stand to lose a few pounds (as I'm sure many people do) and when seated the rear of the slide digs into my body and the whole setup feels well out of place.

I've been thinking of trying a crossdraw holster since the movement feels more natural to me. I've been trying different locations using an unloaded BB gun to sub in for the 1911 and the crossdraw feels more natural and comfortable to me. The holster I was looking for is for open carrying, not concealed. I would prefer leather but I can live with another material. Retention would be a plus but not a deal breaker.

THR has been great for advice on guns and gear for me and I know you guys won't let me down.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This one popped into my mind first: Kirkpatrick Texas Cross Draw

It does ride pretty high, but a crossdraw holster needs to if you spend any amount of time sitting, or the muzzle will poke and prod at you most uncomfortably.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I really like cross-draw holsters and have seven of them...all for revolvers. I've had problems finding one I liked for a 1911.

I thought I had found one I liked when I bought a Bianchi Cyclone for a 1911. Problem was, body movement (mine) would cause the back piece of the thumb break retention strap to move the safety to the OFF position. Not good for cocked & locked carry. Cruising the gun forums, I found that other folks were having the same issue.

I have a Bianchi Cyclone for a revolver...never again however for a 1911.

 

[mljdeckard]

for OWB, a Blackhawk Serpa can be canted either direction. For IWB, I use a Crossbreed Supertuck, but they will make one for cross-draw if you order it that way.

 

[Mainsail]

I've been thinking about getting a cross-draw holster for open carry.

Andrews makes one called a Carjacker Cross draw that looks really nice. What I really like about it that you can attach it to your belt without having to thread it through the long way or wear your belt backwards.



They also make one called a MacDaniel II Crossdraw for concealed carry.

 

[JTQ]

I'd get something you can use strong side or cross draw, because you just don't know if you'll find cross draw is worse than strong side.

Simply Rugged "Cuda". It also gives you the option for IWB or OWB.
http://www.simplyrugged.com/the-cuda/

Raven Concealment "Phantom". Another IWB/OWB option.
http://www.ravenconcealmentsystems.com/

Garrett Industries "Silent Thunder"
http://www.gimagclip.com/

Referencing the post above, Andrews also makes the "Saddle Style" in a cross draw version.

 

[ROAshooter]

cross draw

take a look at the m-7....available from cabelas...leather with retention...for about 40 bucks....or the m-3....available from other sourches...usually for around 100 bucks

can see both the m-7 and the m-3 holsters at ...Pacific Canvas and Leather...both of these were designed for the 1911

 

[Geckgo]

comp-Tac.com I got my holster from here and was originally going to use it for SOB carry, but after wearing in in various configurations, I decided that I preferred the cross draw. Makes sense, I've always prefered cross draw and even have a bowie knife holster that is cross draw. Anyways, you can pretty much angle the holster any way that you want, so one holster will do everything from SOB to strong side cant to cross-draw. Maybe not the best solution for any one scenario, but good for all of them.

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

Holster

Hey Sediment
If you are going to open carry,why dont you get a drop down style holster made for your 1911?I shoot cowboy and most have it set up that way.Your hand will naturaly be in the right position to draw your firearm.
Here is a pic of the gun rig I made for my self.
Thank you,
Henry

 

[Sediment]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. The car-jacker model looks very interesting I might have to check it out. Leatherman-Cowboy if I can't find a crossdraw style I like I was hoping for something low hanging. Part of the reason I don't like the belt height holsters is the draw motion of my arm, and a low holster reduces that angle and makes it a better fit. You're right that it is closer to my rested hand position and it would be much more comfortable.

I'll look into all of them, so thanks again everyone for the suggestions and opinions.

 

[Sediment]

Ok I've looked a few crossdraw holsters and there a small amount that would seem to fit my particular gun and my body. Something that caught my attention was the idea of a dropped holster, or thigh holster, as another option. After poking around the internet I have found a few.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Level-3-Tactical-SERPA-Holster,1179,1416.htm

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Level-2-Tactical-SERPA-Holster,1173,1416.htm

http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=6035

Do any of you wear something like these as regular carry on the job as Military or LE? How about ranch or outdoors work or recreation? Daily carry?
They look comfortable and having it close to my hand rest position and still accessible while seated seems like a sound option. The stickler is you run the risk of looking like a mall ninja and drawing attention to yourself, and unfortunately, your gun.

 

[Mainsail]

^^^ I open carry most of the time in warmer weather, so I have no problem with people knowing I have a gun, but there's no way I'd walk around wearing any of those.

 

[Sediment]

Ok how about this for a compromise. I've been looking and thinking more about this and the most common denominator with me is the normal belt carry holster height is just too darn high for my comfort. Anyone think a dropped belt holster would be more appropriate than a thigh rig or crossdraw?

http://www.opticsplanet.net/safariland-6365-als-level-iii-w-drop-ubl-holster-plain-black-right-hand-6365-560-61.html

 

[JTQ]

I think it is more reasonable than the leg holster. The dropped belt holster gives you a bunch of options such as police duty holsters and "cowboy" holsters as mentioned above.

Here are some more options in leather.
El Paso Saddlery "Patton". They have a bunch of options, duty, cowboy, military.
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-97-12-5-patton-holster.aspx

Mernickle "Wild Bunch"
http://www.mernickleholsters.com/er/bm_erwb.html

Also mentioned before, but Kirkpatrick has some
http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/index_ow.htm

Davis Leather has a variety of competition, duty, and cowboy holsters that may work.
http://davisleathercompany.com/

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The thigh holster is for police or military "high speed/low drag" types whose primary armament is a long gun and the handgun only a backup.

 

[Sediment]

The thigh holster is for police or military "high speed/low drag" types whose primary armament is a long gun and the handgun only a backup.

Yea I can understand and see the purpose for the thigh rigs. It's tactical in design and intent, not for mall ninjas and rabid COD fans. As much I don't want to look silly, I do want to be comfortable. Seems like the drop holster is a good compromise of keeping the gun further from my waistline/discomfort level and a better position that I feel confident of my grip and draw angle.

Mostly I can find only Blackhawk and Safariland brands in the drop styles. Are there any others I should look at?

 

[Mainsail]

The drop leg holster is purposed for carrying a sidearm down below your body armor, otherwise it would be up underneath and kinda hard to get to.