Full Sized 1911 and CCW

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NewShooter78

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Well I ordered a Galco NSAII yesterday for my colt 1911. I won't be able to CCW for another year, long stupid story. But I wanted to get a decent holster to practice with at the range. What do yall 1911 carriers prefer for a CCW holster? And I don't have another pistol, so I'm not really interested in suggestions for different weapons to CCW with right now.
 
I echo the Milt Sparks Watch-Six recommendation. Had mine for about two years now. Excellent holster.

For OWB, I use a Kramer belt scabbard. Another excellent holster in the $90-100 range.
 
I have a Milt Sparks Versa Max II, and it was worth every cent. I've had it for about 3 years, and I would be hard pressed to buy a holster from any other company.

Should you not want to spend the $, I understand. I was hesitant about writing that check, but I have no regrets. If you are going the IWB route, I would definitely look for a holster where the belt loops are spread out, as opposed to close together.
 
I think you'll find the recommendations fall pretty much to:

Milt Sparks VM-II
Milt Sparks Watch-Six
KyTac BraveHeart
Tucker "The Answer"
CompTac C-TAC


Of those I only have experience with the BracveHeart, but the reviews on the others are almost always 4-stars from whoever you see.

- Gabe
 
Been using the Milt Spark Executive Companion for many years now. Love it. Hear so much positive commentary about the VM II that I had to order one of those too. Should arrive in a month or so. Only complaint on the Exec Comp is that it doesn't hold the angle steady, which the VM II is supposed to do better. Otherwise, super comfortable and well concealed. Can carry all day every day while hardly noticing it.
 
I'd look at the Milt Sparks Executive Companion, Summer Special and VM-2.

Make sure you also order one of their top quality gunbelts. I have a VM-2 with one of theirs and a Rafter gunbelt and they are excellent.

If you live in a reasonable climate, cowhide is preferable to horsehide as it molds a bit better and is not as stiff on the break in. The cowhide holsters are backed with horsehide close to the body anyway.
 
Climb14er has it right when he mentions a good belt. The belt is the support structure for your carry system. Get as wide a belt that will fit your slacks, and have the holster loops made forthat width. It's not a problem to carry a full sized 1911, as long as you are using a quality rig. If you want Kydex, Sidearmor is a quality product backed by great people.
 
Denny (and others): How do you like the Sidearmor IWB? I have one on order and am hoping I didn't make the wrong decision. I could have spent the same and gotten the Milt Sparks VMII. Time will tell... can't wait to get it and try it out.
 
I use a Summer Special. I'll probably order a new Sparks belt and holster rig soon though. I'll planning on getting the Executive Companion.
 
IWB one of my own
OWB one of my own or a Wild Bills Belt slide that I have had for several years and still works like new.
 
mpthole-
I had an IWB leather holster from a well-respected manufacturer literally mold itself to the pistol and I had to remove my pants to get the darn thing out, using both hands. This has happened to a couple of other people I know. Since then it has been Kydex only when I wear an IWB--which is most of the time.

To answer your question, I have owned Kydex rigs from just about all the manufacturers. IMO, Sidearmor is the best of the lot. Period.

Denny
 
Wow...interesting. As a holster maker that carries a 1911 IWB in a holster of my own make......I guess I can see this happening.

Questions.......did you practice draw with the gun? How often?
Did you try a product such as leather lightning to slick it up?

Sorry...not slamming Kydex at all....have many good setups. But question why this happened as Ive never heard of it.....

Shoot well.
 
OK, hate to name names but the holster was a five-year-old Kramer made out of horsehide. I perform around 20-30 drawstokes daily, and fire about 400 rounds a week if that qualifies as practice.

I worked outside for several hours in about 100+ degree weather getting my range ready for a 3-day shotgun class. Between the tight fit of an IWB and my sweating, the leather became damp enough so that the front serrations on my Kimber, the area around the tigger guard and the ejection port molded to the pistol. After I came inside and it cooled off, the "fit" was pretty permanent. You're a holster maker and I work with leather myself quite a bit (including making two saddles) so you understand about hand-boning a holster. I could not have hand-boned it more perfectly to the fit of the pistol if I had worked on it for a couple of days.

One of the other folks I referred to was Louis Awerbuck. IIRC he was wearing a Summer Special when the same thing happened to him.

To tell the truth, I love leather and hate Kydex for handguns, and this may not be a factor in an area with low humidity/temps. But if this has happened three times that I'm aware of, it will happen again--probably at the worst probable moment. I'm stickin' to Kydex for IWB.

Denny
 
Denny,
are you saying that the Holster was 5 years old or that it was five years ago?? If it was 5 years ago then it would make a little more sense to me..just wondering...

If it was 5 years ago then the sealant might have worn off..

I like Kydex myself for different situations and am planning on offering kydex as an option for my pocket holster line...
 
Don't overlook the Rafter S Gunleather IWB unit. I as you pondered the 45 IWB question for weeks. Given the few basic designs configurations their IWB is an excellent value at $49 (plain leather) and comsumes less real estate than the famed VM-2. Nice folks to deal with and was about a 3 week wait. My new Wilson 4" loves to go for a ride.
 
I got ya.........LOL :D It "Self Boned" the slide for you.........what a nice holster! :rolleyes:

azrael could be right.....a water proof as HH is supposed to be its not moisture proof.......any good leather dude could redo the "self boning" for you and reseal it.....it would help but may not completely fix the problem.

Id seriously recommend hyde glide or leather lightning for your problem also.........it would make the holster useable again. Its a shame to let a nice rig go to waste............

Shoot well.
 
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