Full Size 1911 Holster Recommendations

[Winkman822]

Okay gang, I've gone back to carrying a 1911 recently. I was carrying my Wilson Combat CQB Compact in a Summer Comfort holster, but using the same type of holster with the longer government sized gun, I've noticed that I sometimes struggle to get the muzzle of the gun clear of the holster and belt. I'm presently on a full size 1911 while my CQB Compact is being tuned up by the fine folks at Wilson. Any recommendations for a holster for a full size 1911 (even if OWB) that would allow the muzzle of the gun to clear the holster a little nearer to the bottom of my belt line as opposed to the top?

P.S. I got spoiled with the quicker draw stroke of the compact after carrying guns with a roughly 4" barrel consistently for the past several years.

 

[Zerodefect]

Nope. Such is life with fullsize pistols. My 4'' draws much quicker.

A Ravens, Bravo, or KT holster can easily be trimmed lower in the front to clear quicker. But too much may hurt retention.

 

[JTQ]

The other thing to think of, with an IWB holster, if you have it ride lower, and there are IWB holsters available that do ride lower, you often lose the ability to get a full firing grip, and a 5" gun will often bottom out when you sit down.

There should be a few options for lower riding OWB, but many of those, because they ride lower will be less concealable.

Some options

The Ritchie Lightning has a cutout over the ejection port http://www.ritchieholsters.com/catalog/p-100005/lightning

There are others of that ilk, but most other OWB will either ride lower, or clear leather at the top of the belt like the

Milt Sparks I-BAK https://www.miltsparks.com/products-i-bak.php

 

[JTQ]

How tall are you, by the way?

Height and range of motion can be a factor.

 

[JTQ]

More cant can also help.

For IWB the Rosen ARG has a lot of muzzle rear cant https://mitchrosen.com/products/holsters/inside-waistband-holsters/

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Check 1911Forum. It has a large picture area in Holsters.

 

[Old Dog]

Full size 1911? I use a Milt Sparks VM-2 or Summer Special. For OWB, my preferred holster is a Kramer Belt Scabbard (moderate high-rise pancake in horsehide). But a Galco Combat Master, if you're looking for something off the shelf, provides excellent concealment and an easy draw.

 

[JTQ]

I use a Milt Sparks VM-2 or Summer Special.

For the OP, the Milt Sparks Nexus and Criterion will ride lower (and have more cant) than the VM II, and the Summer Special II will ride lower than the Summer Special

Nexus https://www.miltsparks.com/products-nexus.php

Criterion https://www.miltsparks.com/products-criterion.php

Summer Special II https://www.miltsparks.com/products-summer-special-2.php

 

[Winkman822]

How tall are you, by the way?

Height and range of motion can be a factor.

I'm 5'8" and 140 lbs. One of the reasons that I favor a Summer Special/Comfort type holster is because they take up less of the limited real estate I have on my belt.

 

[JTQ]

Another question, are you wearing a muzzle rear canted holster at 3:00 or forward?

A muzzle rear canted holster will draw easier at 3:30 or farther back.

 

[Winkman822]

I'm muzzle rear canted at about 4:00. I can't do anything at 3:00 due to my bony hips. Anything forward of 3:00 just seems awkward to me no matter what.

 

[SSN Vet]

Get your leather together

I use a Don Hume pancake OWB... usually under a jacket or fleece vest... combined with a double layer 1.75" holster belt this is the only on the hip option I've found that I can live with, as the weight is substantial.

I also have a Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig that really makes the weight disappear... but again, requires a cover garment.

I'd love to get a Milt Sparks but have yet to see them with less than a 9 month lead time.

 

[JTQ]

I'd love to get a Milt Sparks but have yet to see them with less than a 9 month lead time.

Top Gun Supply https://www.topgunsupply.com/holsters/milt-sparks/1911-versa-max-2.html

Lightning Arms Sports https://www.lightningarms.com/products.htm

Milt Sparks often has stuff in stock https://www.miltsparks.com/store.php

if you do Facebook, I believe Sparks lists available holsters https://www.facebook.com/MiltSparksHolsters/

Sparks also lists their dealers here https://www.miltsparks.com/links.php

 

[Rexster]

With my short waist and long arms, and a shoulder that is not aging well, I empathize. Getting the holster outside the trousers, reducing or eliminating that FBI-ish cant, and wearing the holster farther forward, can each contribute to an easier draw-stroke. If cant is desirable, consider a holster with a “forward drop,” rather than the rear of the holster being raised. I settled upon the Josh Bulman Forward Drop Scabbard, as the only canted rig that I like, but he has stopped taking orders, and may be out of the holster business altogether. If my cover garment allows it, I like wearing a straight-vertical kydex OWB from JM Custom Kydex, rather forward, between 0200 and 0300.

 

[JTQ]

For the OP, based on your answers, I think you're just used to the Commander length gun.

You have a good holster, worn at a good position, you're not shorter than normal, etc.

Carry the Government length gun for a while and I think it will seem natural to you.