1911 OWB suggestions

Since Texas is going open carry in a few months, I've been slowly adding a couple OWB holsters for use. I'll mostly continue IWB for various reasons, but some days I will carry open.

I'm looking for suggestions for carrying my 5" Gov't model 1911. I'm 6'4", 325lbs. My waist is about 52" and chest 54", but hips are more like 54". Think very unsexy hour glass (more like whole day glass!) And you get the idea. I sit 80% of my day at my desk. Currently, I IWB carry my Sig P238, Ruger LCR, or M&P9c. The Ruger is occasionally carried in an OWB pancake; the 1911 in an IWB rig.

My low-riding IWB is pretty comfortable - at least, enough for an 8 hour day. It lets the barrel ride along my hip bone and not dig in so much. I don't want a high-riding rig so I have a barrel digging into my hip. I don't really want a shoulder rig, either.

I've been bouncing around between a pancake, a Tucker HF1 and an Avenger rig. I'm planning for carry between 3-4 o clock, depending on how it feels. Any thoughts on what direction I should go? I especially welcome 1st hand input from other big ol' boys.

Thanks,
Q

 

I am 6'3" and 300lbs, so about the same build as you. I used a Sparks VM II for years for IWB with my Kimber 4" 1911 but I got tired of carrying that way and tried a Galco Miami Classic II shoulder holster. Loved it! For OWB I have a Simply Rugged Cuda for my XD45 and a White Tiger Leatherworks pancake for my XDs 45.

For OWB there are many great choices but the one that stands out to me from your choices is Tucker - the HF1 is truly a great holster and I will own one some day.

 

I'm a big proponent of pancake and other variant holsters, if your only intended use for this holster is Open Carry there is no reason not to get a little distance between the gun and your body. A good holster for this is any Avenger/Bruce Nelson Professional style holster which puts the second attachment point against the slide and adds a little thickness. I'm 6'4" and 280 lbs, the pro to an avenger style is that it gets it away from your body so it is easy to get a handle. The same thing can be a con as I have a bad problem with catching it on things from time to time.

 

D.M. Bullard is worth a look.

http://dmbullardleather.com/1429714.html

 

Rick Garcia in Toledo,OH makes custom holsters at a reasonable price. His website is RG Leather. Contact: [email protected]

 

Don Hume makes a good pancake at a very reasonable price.

Gunner's Alley is a stocking distributor.

ps. DH double thickness belts are also very nice and reasonably priced.

You'll want a 1-3/4" double thick belt to help distribute the weight of a loaded steel framed 1911

 

CQC Serpa.

 

If your from Texas, you need to consider the stuff the Rangers and other LEOs have used for decades.





Custom built by an old Texas lawman.

http://www.redrivercustomleather.com/

 

Styles budget ....

For a simple OWB type holster, I'd suggest looking at these makers: Greg Kramer, Mitch Rosen, Alessi, Milt Sparks, High Noon Holsters, Ted Blocker, Mernickle, R Grizle, Wright Leather Works(Predator).
The Kydex High Noon Holsters Baseline is good. It's a OWB style but can fit either 1.5" or 1.75" wide gun belts.
Redstone Concealment of AL has a few great Kydex holsters too. I like how the holster belt loops are not tacked on or held in place but a part of the Kydex holster. A minor - is that the styles are close ended & I prefer open muzzle type holsters. I think it lets lint, grit, dust, moisture, etc escape out.
The Wright Leather Works, www.Wrightleatherworks.com predator brand OWB is very sharp, . I like the darker coffee color. This well designed CCW holster allows quick one handed holstering & a side shield to prevent sweat, fabric from contacting the sidearm.
A - with Wright's shop is a long wait & the prices seem a bit steep, .

Greg Kramer offers regular or horsehide holsters. I've often heard many "special ops" types & federal agents like Kramer's well made horsehide gear. It can cost more but with last year's with proper care.
I, personally wouldn't suggest a Blackhawk SERPA CQC holster for a single action 1911. The Sportster line is low cost but a better idea IMO. The security lever feature of the SERPA may cause problems while you draw quickly.
Ideally, you want a smooth, even draw without needing to look at your firearm in a carry or duty holster. You should be able to re-holster or secure it too without needing to glance down or not be looking for any threats-danger signs.

I'd close by adding a good belt, lined or able to handle the weight-gear on a steady basis is important. Many gunners run out & purchase a $900.00 gun then buy a $90.00 holster then stick it on a $9.00 belt they found at a yard sale or in a clearance bin, . A CCW gun & the related gear could save your life or be able to prevent harm to another victim. If you want cheap gear or won't take concealed carry seriously, then do not do it.

 

Holster

I have two of these holsters, fits great and I like the lock feature.
http://www.amazon.com/Bianchi-Carry...id=1435618378&sr=1-1&keywords=Bianchi+82+1911

 

I use Safariland ALS holsters for open carry. I use them for competition too. The ALS "ARE" that fast to presentation. A very large secondary advantage for me, is that it places your hand in a superior grip angle/position than any holster I know of.

Unlike the Blackhawks, I don't know of any top tier trainers restricting the use of them, like some do the SERPA, either.

I have not used any of my SERPA's since getting my ALS's. Another tertiary benefit is that you can add & remove security levels to/from your ALS holsters as necessary. The biggest down side is that they do not make great concealed OWB holsters. But for any type of open/duty carry, the ALS , in my experienced opinion is excellent.

Which ever holster you choose is just that, your choice, choose wisely, good luck.

Fred

 

This fellow had some purdy holsters. Never bought one, but if you looking for a BBQ type rig, take a look.
http://www.jeffreycustomleather.com/index.html

 

9MM, I ordered a Level 1 Serpa some years back. They sent me a Level II. I come from the old days of IPSC/Ken Hackathorn and I learned to put the finger on the side of the trigger guard, not like the awkward positioning of today.
I could not use the Level II. Yes, I could have spent some time "learning" the Level II release but at my age it wasn't worth it. Deactivation time. I carry a Commander in it for my EDC.
For those who run screaming at the sight of a cocked and locked 1911.

 

If I carry a 1911 in a holster that has belt loops it's almost always in a ElPaso Tortilla.
I also use Paddle holsters from Galco and Fobus for open carry.

 

Bianchi Cyclone 111.....strong side or cross draw....works either way...

 

On a whim, I bought one of these belt-slide holsters on ebay last year, and am very impressed with it. It's extremely solid and well made, very thick, high quality leather, and beefy stitching. It's held several compact and full-sized pistols comfortably and securely (gen3 Smith, G19, 1911), and at $18 delivered, you just can't beat it. I personally like the minimalist approach of a belt-slide holster of a more full-sized one.
They're made by a company up in Ohio called Hermann Oak leather.
Check it out........
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Glock-42-Be...ltDomain_0&hash=item2a410ff7bd#ht_2453wt_1206

 

Leather

....

 

I love the safariland 1911 holsters

 

I suspect Red Cent was heading there, that Hermann Oak is not the holster maker, but the leather supplier. I'm pretty sure the maker is Winthrop Holsters, and they get their leather from Herman Oak.

I'm not a fan of slide type holsters in general. I have one, and spent a lot of time smacking the muzzle when sitting down in arm chairs, nearly launching the gun out of the holster. In addition, the muzzle nearly always makes contact with a seam on my pants, especially jeans, and I've ripped those seams open reholstering the gun. I now buy holsters that cover the muzzle, and are specifically designed for my gun.

 

Luke Adams makes very high quality leather gear at reasonable prices.
http://adamsholsters.com/store/