Contemplating holsters - 1911

[Petrol & Powder]

I got completely out of the 1911 game many years ago but I drifted back into that scene (doesn't everyone?)

Back during the first go-around, I used a Milt Sparks Summer Special and a Bell Charter Oaks pancake holster to carry a Commander style 1911. All of that leather gear is now gone.

I'm probably never going to carry a 1911 again as an EDC or even an occasional concealed weapon BUT, I want some type of holster for my 1911 style pistols - just for the sake of having appropriate leather gear for the pistols.

So, I'm in that contemplating mode.
It needs to be leather (I'm just too damn old school for synthetic), it needs to be OWB (no inside the waistband rigs), Strongside only (no cross draw, S.O.B. or appendix carry).
I'm not sure about open top or thumb break?

I don't mind spending a little money to get ONE holster but I am opposed to buying two,... if that makes any sense.

Don Hume has been a good source for leather gear and always near the top of my list.
As a true East Coast Dweller, DeSantis is always on my list.
I like Mitch Rosen and their 5JR Thumb Break rig would be an acceptable option.
Milt Sparks is still a possibility
El Paso makes some good gear


Any Input ?

 

[CZ93X62]

Most of my hip holsters have been of the pancake persuasion, worn at 4 o'clock/strong side, and all had thumsnaps. I have been known to get turned upside-down a few times during working hours, and retention was and is a factor in my selection-making. I have and use a couple Bianchi Black Widow model holsters, for both wheelguns and autopistols. These are kind of a "minimalist" design, they are receiver-specific but open for barrel length. 3"-4" barrels on revolvers and 4"-5" barrels on bottom-feeders actually help keep the rig from bowing outward from the belt line. The best-feeling hip holster I own, though is a semi-pancake meant for the Browning Hi-Power that holds my CZ-75B PERFECTLY. Condition 1, thumbsnap between slide and hammer-face. PERFECTION. Tex Shoemaker & Son #PC_53 HIPOWER is inscribed on the back of the holster.

Very close to this design and only nosed out in a photo-finish is the GALCO (PHX, AZ) #492 meant for my SIG-Sauer P-220 and -226. Same general form but with barrel end stitched closed.

 

[Ian]

You said no plastic but a Fobus retention holster is tough to beat for "just works" if you're bumming about.

 

[RicinYakima]

I have used a Yaqui slide on belt holster from Don Hume for over 30 years and have no complaints. Even fits me after I retired and put on 40 pounds of fat in the middle.

 

[Matt]

I like my Yaqui slide too. Fits all my 1911s from Officer Model to full size. Never have had a retention problem as long as I replace them when they get worn.

I know you said no plastic, but another favorite 1911 holster is the Blackhawk. I wore one everyday for 10+ years. We were required to have some type of retention device on a holster . The Blackhawk release is a very natural release paddle right under your trigger finger and it was very secure during some dust-ups and some rough foot pursuits. They don’t rust your gun. And if kept clean seem to wear your finish less. They don’t wear out. Current models give you a choice between belt or paddle attachment. I have an Officers Model in one set up with the paddle. Works nice in the summer with the shorts I wear.

That said I have a lot of holsters for 1911s and every other handgun. I think Jeff Cooper once said he could live with one handgun, but needed several holsters to cover different situations. A wise man.

 

[Winelover]

Don't own a 1911 but my Browning HP gets carried in a Yaqui slide.

 

[Rick H]

My choice for all around carry, not worried about concealment is the El Paso Saddlery Thumbreak #2. Leather, traditional, quality.....checks all the boxes. Not inexpensive. I like a thumbreak on a holster, particularly for a 1911. It is a simple instinctive draw. Some of these modern retention devices seem just gimmicky enough to get one killed. I understand the need to protect the weapon but come on folks, I need to be able to get the gun out without doing a gang sign exchange with my holster before drawing it.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I forgot about Tex Shoemaker ! Thanks

A Yaqui slide is a possibility, but I may be leaning towards something that covers the slide.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have a few favorites.

For a ITW Holster, The COZY PARTNER has been around a long time and I find mine to be like a old friend. Always there when I need it.

I also like a Cross draw and the 111 Cyclone from Bianchi has been a good companion as well.

For a strong side OTB holster I turn to a discontinued Safariland also in leather.
its too worn to read a model but its much copied today. Has a dbl thick strap to heepmit open. Even with almost fourty years of "life" and twenty olus on my belt it stays open after a draw.
CW

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm probably overthinking this WAY too much. This will not be an EDC rig and is unlikely to even be an occasional concealed carry rig.

Like CZ93x62, I gravitate towards some type of positive retention, which on a leather holster is typically a thumb break.

I probably should go with a holster that has an open bottom to accommodate full sized and Commander length pistols.

The Bianchi Black Widow looks promising, but it would need to be compatible with "cocked & locked" (Condition 1) carry. Not sure that it is.

Matt mentioned the Blackhawk and I'm familiar with that pattern. And yes, it's plastic and yes, I've used them. And although plastic doesn't meet my current criteria, I'm not absolutely opposed to plastic; it's just not on my current list. I will say that I have two objections to the Blackhawk design: 1. it holds the pistol noticeably far from the belt, which makes it a bit bulky. 2. I know of a failure to release a pistol when debris got into the holster and locked the retention device.

 

[Cherokee]

Take a look at Rob's products at Simply Rugged Holsters — Holsters, Gun Belts, Ammo Pouches and Accessories
I've been very happy with the cattleman for my 1911 but he has a good selection of quality items.

 

[Charles Graff]

If I were in the market for gun leather I would look at Simply Rugged and Barranti and no further. Top quality and plenty of designs to choose from between the two. Both great guys Rob and Doc are top notch people.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

So, like anyone in the gun game, I have accumulated a box of holsters (more like a shelf full).
I decided to organize that mess and in doing so, found an El Paso Saddlery "Tom Threeperson's" holster for a 1911. While not exactly what I'm seeking, it fits one important category - I already own it !
I'm going to give it a try and see if it fits my needs.

I looked at some of the other suggestions and there's some good stuff out there. If the El Paso holster doesn't satisfy my need, I have some excellent suggestions. Thanks to all !

 

[Charles Graff]

Caveat: EPS has fallen way off in quality, delivery time and customer service as of late. Barranti offers the Threepersons design as well as other old S.D. Myers patterns.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Caveat: EPS has fallen way off in quality, delivery time and customer service as of late. Barranti offers the Threepersons design as well as other old S.D. Myers patterns.

I dont argue his quality but BOY HOUDY HE IS PROUD OF THEM!! (Read that DEEP
POCKETS required!!!)


He wanted more for his harness than I paid for a complete harness and holster from Double Diamond in Alaska!!!

CW

 

[CZ93X62]

Good gunleather costs the earth these days. Buy once/cry once.

My old shop has gone all synthetic, and that was under way when I was still working almost 16 years ago. The biggest reason? DRUG LABS/PROCESSING SITES. Leather cannot be decontaminated effectively, ballistic nylon and most other synthetics can be. The nylon uniform rigs save some weight over the old leather stuff, too.

 

[Rick H]

My last duty holster was a Safariland, looked and acted like leather, wore it for 9 years before retiring and hung it in the closet on the duty belt with cuff case, magazine pouch, radio holder and keepers. All was Safariland but only the cuff case and holster were newer models purchased when they mandated the change over to Glocks. Some years ago I heard a clunk of something hard and metallic hitting the hardwood floor of the closet...opened to check and found that the cuff case had disintegrated dropping the cuffs to the floor.

The new holster was also coming apart. That was when I discovered that they were faux leather....synthetic. Ugh. I still own my very first duty holster, a black basketweave Bucheimer, real leather. It is still perfectly serviceable. I purchased it new in 1975.

Sorry to hear about EPS, they used to be a first quality shop.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm not absolutely opposed to plastic and I'll be the first to admit it has its place.
Leather gear, when properly constructed, is still my favorite. You do have to pay for it and there's a bit more maintenance involved. Well cared for leather gear will last a long time. Plastic can be very functional but it is a bit more disposable in nature.
Overall, the leather v. plastic thing isn't a huge deal for me, but there are some applications where leather gear is the only option for me.
It really just comes down to the end use.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Good gunleather costs the earth these days. Buy once/cry once.

My old shop has gone all synthetic, and that was under way when I was still working almost 16 years ago. The biggest reason? DRUG LABS/PROCESSING SITES. Leather cannot be decontaminated effectively, ballistic nylon and most other synthetics can be. The nylon uniform rigs save some weight over the old leather stuff, too.

I think for organizations, cost is the first factor, followed by the fact that the younger generations seem to be completely incapable of performing maintenance on their gear.
I hate to sound like that old dude complaining about "the kids these days......" But..........I've met very few people under the age of 40 that have even the slightest clue about drying leather gear that got wet. The idea of occasionally cleaning, preserving and polishing leather also seems to be a foreign concept to a generation that grew up with synthetic gear for just about everything in their life.

Nylon web gear and plastic holsters are a lot more forgiving than leather if you ignore them.

 

[smokeywolf]

P & P, hope your found holster does the job for you. But, if not, Tucker & Byrd in Porter, TX make a fairly good thumb-break, pancake, leather holster for carrying a 1911 in condition 1. On mine, the strap over the back of the slide is just a skosh longer than I'd like, but I'm more than a little OCD about fit and finish. My old black basket weave duty holster is the best I've ever come across for condition 1 carry of a 1911. Haven't dug it out yet since the move.
Was using a ballistic nylon chest holster around the homestead for a while, but found accelerated holster wear on the old Colt. Back to leather.

Thursday 9/24
EDIT to add:
Found old leather goods, including the old Sam Brown. The basket weave duty holster for the 1911 was made by Safety Speed of Montebello, CA. They made very nice holsters, including the spring loaded clam shell for K frames. As I understand it, Safety Speed died when the owner died.