1911 full size OWB holster choices

[littlelefty]

I currently have a Fobus paddle which I like for the fact that it's easy on and easy off for those quick trips to the convenience store. Looking for something that allows me to carry higher and tighter to the body and am down to these choices: Sparks 55bn, Sparks 60tk, Brommeland Def-Con, and Andrews Saddle. I've read LOTS and LOTS about all of these. Anyone out there have experince with more than one of these? Which allows the highest carry? The tightest to the body? All of these are (or offer) FBI cant, right? I do understand that a good belt is a must too.

 

[GreenFurniture]

Brommeland Def-Con.

 

[littlelefty]

Thanks. Do you recommend their belts?
I forgot that 30 was the magic number of posts to go from noobie to member. Yippie!

 

[jaysouth]

Allessi DOJ as sold by Heinie or Kramer speed scabbard.

 

[Bob F.]

Check out the ECP Kydex from Rocketman. RMholsters.com
Can't get the "link" function to work since the "upgrade"

 

[littlelefty]

Uh, thanks, I think. While I appreciate the added choices as input, that was not a part of the question. GreenFurniture gave me the only response. Anyone out ther listening and reading?

 

[lance22]

I have one high riding holster ... high ride isn't my first choice but depending on what I am wearing there are days where it's the only thing that will work. Looks like you have no bad choices there. As far as carry guns go, I don't think I can get by with fewer than 4 holsters per carry gun just because they are each different and represent something that will work better for a certain kind of situation. For what it's worth I'd probably go with the Brom.

 

[Black Majik]

littlelefty,

EXCELLENT choices you are considering. Of those, the 60TK is what I usually recommend for a highride OWB holster. I love Sparks gear, and the 60TK will ride a little higher than the 55BN. I sometimes use my 60TK to carry around a fullsize 1911 with no problems.

That'd be my pick.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

For high and tight I'd go 60TK -

For high and tight I'd go 60TK - I'd also try to match my IWB and my OWB - I believe it was John Bianchi who did the most to emphasize one gun one carry and I think that makes a lot of sense (within limits of BUG and open carry).

 

[littlelefty]

Thanks for the input to date. Clark - What do you mean by matching IWB and OWB? Same maker? Similar style? Like a Sparks 60tk for OWB and a Watch Six or Summer Special for IWB? It's not clear to me.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

By match I mean puts the pistol about the same place.

By match I mean puts the pistol about the same place.

Often but not always this means same maker. FREX the Alessi GWH which is an iwb is touted as a good match for the Alessi ACP owb (an evolved Bruce Nelson design) and vice-versa - I've found it so; the CQC or CQC(S) owb is perhaps a better match for the PCH iwb.

YMMV frex there are modified Bruce Nelson designs that put the pistol lower on the belt and others that put the pistol higher on the belt yet look very similar by themselves in pictures There are some pictures side by side on belts with pistols in them around the web.

I tend to think of some as better with different pistols or even revolvers, I'd be much more inclined to carry a small pistol 3913 or even a Rohrbuagh in a true Summer Special design carried low and forward and a 5" 1911 in a much more structured holster carried higher and behind the hip. Extreme differences would be between a Summer Special worn as Mr. Nelson did appendix and something worn small of the back - if I tried that I'd always be reaching the wrong place under stress.

As already discussed here and on the Sparks' web site the 60TK - where the initials TK more or less mean Tony's update on Bruce Nelson - rides higher and tighter than most - I'd think the 60TK a poor choice for top heavy pistol like the HK squeeze cocker series, no doubt that's why the 60TK is offered for a more limited range than some other designs - and a matching holster that puts the grip higher and tighter than most would be my choice. If somebody dressed me in the dark I'd still want to reach for the pistol in the same place.

Notice there are issues with this too - high and tight is maybe a little slower to reholster and thus a nuisance in a high shot count training exercise but maybe offers a better choice of cover garments but may print more for a shoe salesman who goes from ladders to bending over. There is no utopia.

I'd call the Milt Sparks folks myself and talk to them about matching position for IWB and OWB and order a pair of holsters and at least one belt - but of course if the transition is from off-duty concealed to on-duty uniformed carry then other concerns arise. No question Mr. Brommeland could do as well of course - but given your question I'd say 60TK and take it from there.

 

[Mac Attack]

Alessi CQC/S will fit your needs.