Auto locking holster for kimber 1911?

[spook22]

I would like an auto locking holster for my kimber 5" target model with a satin silver finish. I would like one that is similar to the Blackhawks Serpa level 2 but does not damage the finish of the gun as much. I also do not want to manipulate the retension system with my trigger finger (for saftey reasons). Thanks in advance!

 

[Nushif]

I would like one, too.

Wait! You're looking for suggestions. 8) As far as I know, whenever people mention wanting to preserve a finish, the talk goes to two options, well, three really.

Leather supposedly wears a lot of finish slowly.
Kydex wears only certain points very quickly.
Not carrying a gun preserves its finish best.

And from what I have seen on my gun, which I carry in a passive retention leather slide holster that's pretty true. The wear on mine is very mild, but very even. Never really tried a Kydex though, so take that with a grain of salt.
Ultimately though, I don't think you physically can carry a gun in a holster for any amount of time without well, having the finish do its job. 8(

 

[Bovice]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYvAxLX6OzE

You're asking for trouble, my friend. Watch the video.

I have only used leather, and I haven't seen it do much damage to a gun's finish at all.

 

[xmanpike]

You're fighting a losing battle. You are going to get wear on your gun when carried in a holster. I have an OWB Safariland with the ALS retention system which I love. They have a variety of options and the button to draw is seated perfectly. It has caused a small strip of wear under the trigger guard but the inside of the holster is lined with moleskin so that helps. Good luck

 

[Byrd666]

Sounds like a well made leather holster with a thumb break is about right. I'm not a "plastic" holster user, and no offense to those that do use them. They're just not for me. I just think a well made and molded leather holster, with or without reinforcement at opening would do well. Below are two links that might work well for you. And just f.y.i., HBE is sending a holster to me for my CZ that should be here next week, and he was also very helpful in the design of it for my specific needs.

http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/

http://www.mitchrosen.com/product_line/product_line.html

 

[spook22]

Thanks for the responses. I have heard alot of good things about safariland ALS holsters. What do the rest of you think of them?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I prefer the older Safariland SLS with the rotating hood to the ALS which I found leave my thumb in an awkward position for the 1911...it seems to work fine for a Glock or Sig.

I personally don't like the look of the budge, of the locking insert, of the ALS.

I found that the ALS wore the finish pretty fast on my 1911 during a couple of IDPA matches

 

[mljdeckard]

Bovice, don't blame the holster for the user's poor safety practices. Even HE admits it was his own fault. I used a Serpa in Iraq, I use one for my 1911s now, never had any problems. Leave your finger where it falls naturally, which is outside the trigger guard.

I have been curious about the Safariland, but the price kept it away from me. Perhaps I'm just a tasteless Philistine, but I really don't care if a gun shows wear from regular use. If it looks THAT bad, I can always touch it up with Duracoat. I'm MUCH more concerned with how it works than how it looks.

 

[kyletx1911]

Check out cottons coustom leather he makes some very good ones. When you get on site tou will on he did for me
It is black with m.a.j 2007 on it (the date my brother passed.) it is a semi bbq- and every day carry it can be
Made to your specs ret etc... Hasnt hurt my finisb at all

 

[WC145]

I use a Safariland ALS 6377 with the "ALS Guard" add-on for work and I'm very happy with it. It's very fast to draw from with a little practice, though the ALS Guard slows me down a hair because of the extra step to release the lock but for duty carry it's I think it's worth it. The suede lining protects the gun but you do get two lines on the top of the slide between the sight and the ejection port where the locking mechanism touches. Of course, the only way your going to prevent finish wear is to never holster the gun but the Safarliand is as good as any for protection. At least with a stainless gun you can have it bead blasted when it gets too much wear on it for you and that will make it look like new again.

 

[swinokur]

+1 Safariland. Mine are all SLS. No wear from that.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I only used my SLS, for a Sig 226R, for about 8 months before retiring. But I don't seem to remember any wear showing either. I thought the SLS a bit faster and more resistant to dirt and mud.

I use a Blackhawk CQC Serpa for teaching with a Sig 220ST, so no wear showing on the stainless, and never had a problem with the released...but then I read the directions and practiced, plus I don't believe that more force when it stalls is ever the answer. It was very fast, was lighter that the ALS, but did stickout a bit more.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Sounds like a well made leather holster with a thumb break is about right.

Be very careful with thumb breaks -- many holsters like that (the Galco Fletch is a prime example) have the snaps near the safety, and body motion can disengage the safety with the gun still in the holster.

 

[nyresq]

I use a safariland als/sls holster. Its a level 3 holster but pretty fast to draw from and it doesnt require you to twist or turn the gun like some other level 3 systems out there. The als system engages on the ejection port and the holster is lined with a soft suede like material which doesnt do anything to the finish on the pistol.
I have an off duty holster that is an open top design with the als system. very very quick to draw and doesnt place anything near the safety on a 1911.