Holsters, Educate Me Please....

[OhioYJ]

Ok I a few days ago I picked up what I think is a nice holster for my 1911. It works well for the range and such, but I need one for more of a concealed carry.

http://www.cdmfabrication.com/bbpics/stiholster.jpg

Preferably something that I can have on me while strapped into the Jeep, so I was thinking mid chest area? I've been coming across tuckable holsters, but I don't think that would be comfortable in a sitting position.

Is there something made that I can use my current holster with, some sort of shoulder harness? What should I look for in a nice holster? Do you guys prefer leather, plastic, nylon material (I think that's what it is). Any particular brands?

[Jason Clark]

What you have there is a pancake holster. It is designed for concealed and duty carry, however, unless you live under a coat or jacket, it isn't going to be ideal for most situations.

There are several different styles of holsters, each with varying levels of retention. You have IWB (Inside the Waist Band), OWB (Outside the Waist Band (pictured)), shoulder harness, cross draw, apendix, and SOB (Small Of the Back).

These are the major different styles, some of which are varying degrees of another.

The first thing you need to figure out is what kind of lifestyle you have.

How do you dress when you are at work? At play?

What kind of environment do you work in? Office? Retail? Business? Causal?

A tuckable holster typically works best for those that work in a professional atmosphere where a jacket is normally worn outside the office, but not necessarily in the office. The tuckable allows for the shirt to be tucked into the pants and around the holstered firearm, yet still allowing for it to be easily accessed.

Your pancake would be good if your jacket never comes off, or during play in the fall/winter where you do wear a jacket.

I tend to favor an IWB for several reasons. One, a simple shirt covers it up. Two, it tucks the gun close to my body which makes it dissapear much better. Three, I have carried that way for fourteen years.

I will grant you that IWB is not the most comfortable way to carry, but concealed carry isn't about comfort.

There are holsters with driving in mind, but personally I would leave these to bodyguards and military guys.

I will forwarn you though, holster selection is as much a personal issue as what kind of underwear you choose. You will likely be like most of the shooters in the world who have a box full of holsters that just didn't work right or were too uncomfortable to wear. I have been luck in that I have used three different holsters for two different guns for most of my time carrying, however, I have tried carrying in just about every fashion conceivable over the time that I have carried, yet I keep coming back to the hip, and more notably strongside IWB.

If you spend a majority of your time in a vehicle, I would consider a shoulder system. I found that worked very well for me when I was a driver, however, was a nuisance when I was not in the vehicle, especially in a desert in the middle of summer (remember the jacket?) One nice part about the shoulder holster is that the weight of the weapon and the spare mags are distributed across the shoulders and doesn't wear you out at the end of the day.

If you spend the bulk of your time on your feet or in a moving environment, you will likely find that strongside hip is the most convenient fashion for concealment. Notice I didn't say comfortable because it really isn't comfortable, however, once you get used to it, you will feel undressed if you decide to leave it home or in the car one day.

Before I get even more long winded than I already have, decribe to me an average day. I don't care what you have for breakfast or how many times you go to the bathroom. Just tell me how you dress for work and what kind of work it is. I might be able to help you eliminate or narrow down what to look for.

[Jason Clark]

If I can, I will try to get some pics tomorrow of my carry set up and how I wear it. Perhaps that will clarify some things.

[jeep229]

As a former LEO, I agree with Jason 100%. But, I would also add that a 1911 is a difficult weapon to conceal simply due to it's size. Using the proper holster for the proper activity will help.

[fatoldfool]

JC didn't leave much else to say. I think I have tried everything at one time or another and I usually carry the 1911 IWB appendix position. I can even get by with driving, but I don't know how bad it would injure you in an accident.

[StrongWind]

Here is a link to a company I like.
They have many different variations of conceal holsters.
I have a few of their products - really nice stuff.

I typically carry my XD 40 subcompact in their paddle holster (FBI cant)
They also have a some really nice IWB holster options.
Worth a look.

www.comp-tac.com

[WD97TJ]

I carry a glock 19 in a IWB leather holster. As JC stated it makes it that much easier to hide the weapon. That being said no its not the most comfertable however I feel its the safest way to carry conceled. I woud not try to moditfy your curent holster to make it work in a way its not designed. When I purchesed my Glock I ordered a pankake holster and an IWB holster. I found that I don't use the pancake holster much but I am starting to use it mre now that the weather is getting colder and I am wearing layers and am able to better concel the holster. I tried a sholder holster that a friend owns and found it to be extremly uncomfertable and impracticle since I usualy don't wear a jacket in day to day life. as JC said take a good look at your day to day life and think about how you dress and then try to figure what will work with the way you dress. Here is a link to the site I ordered my holsters from being Left handed makes buying holsters a little harder since most do not stock them.

http://www.officerstore.com/store/category.cfm/cid_1495_holsters/

[OhioYJ]

Typically I'm either in dress pants and shirts, or jeans and t-shirts. No jackets are anything. I guess what I get doesn't have to be completely concealed, since I mainly want something for wheeling that is not open in plain site.

My SIG is considerably smaller I guess I could use that, but my main concern was with a wild animal in the woods, I'd prefer to have the stopping power of the 45 if I ever needed it.

Thanks for the input so far guys!

[Jason Clark]

For the jeans and T-shirt dress code, you can get away with an IWB and a button up shirt left open. This is how I dress just about year round.

For the dress shirt/pant combo, a tuckable might be a better option. It is a deeper method of concealment, and one that will require you to practice retrieving the weapon.

Smaller guns are easier to conceal, but even with that, a little practice and trial/error periods, you will find that even the smallest person can conceal the biggest handgun. You would also be amazed at how many guns one person can conceal on their person at one time. With a little creativity and imagination, you can have enough firepower at your disposal to arm a hand full of people. There does come a point where too much is just that.

Doc posted a picture recently of himself wearing a shoulder harness that was outfitted with two holsters both loaded with 1911's. Under a light shirt or jacket it would be unnoticeable.

What it boils down to is this: carry what you are comfortable with, in the most comfortable fashion you can find. You may have the best gun ever made, but if it is too heavy, or the holster is too uncomfortable, it will be left at home and that does you no good when you need it. The .22 in your pocket will do you more good than the .45 in the safe at home.

I carry a fullsize 1911 everywhere just about everyday, but it isn't something that is for everyone. I also carry a Taurus PT-101 on occasion, and did for many years (those who have been active service any time since 1988 is/should be familiar with it's Beretta cousin). It is also a big gun, but with the proper holster it too can be carried discretely.

Smaller guns are easier to conceal, however, what you gain in concealability, you stand to loose in firepower and/or controlability.

Allow me to go back to something I said further up about the tuckable and practice. No matter what holster/gun/clothing option(s) you choose, practice retrieving the weapon. Unload the weapon and stand in front of a mirror and watch your self draw the weapon. Repeat this over and over until your arm is tired, and then do it some more. I have carried for over 14 years and I still practice my drawstrokes and reloads about once a week. After a while, you will be able to draw the weapon and point at a target directly in front of you blindfolded. I can't stress this enough: DO NOT PRACTICE DRAW STROKES OR RELOADS WITH A LOADED FIREARM!! Do practice, but do it smartly. All it takes is one accident...

[Jason Clark]

Ok. Time for another long winded diatribe from the Official BB Gun Nut. As promised, I have the pictures of how I carry day-in, day-out. Hopefully this won't be a one page thread.

First we have two guns perfectly concealed. From the front:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/purple88yj/S4012940.jpg

Now the side. Strong side by the way.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/purple88yj/S4012941.jpg

Now the shirt is swept back so that the blued steel surprise is revealed. Please note that this is not my normal drawstroke, and is for demonstration purposes only.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/purple88yj/S4012942.jpg

This is closer to what the normal drawstroke would be like. What you can't see is the thumb is slightly extended to provide a hook for the shirt to ride in so to keep the pistol from getting hung up as it is being drawn. Also note trigger finger placement. There is no target that I need to shoot at that is near my foot, and I am kind of attached to it so high speed lead removal of said ped is not needed nor intended.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/purple88yj/S4012943.jpg

This picture shows how the holster and weapon would ride if you could see through my jeans. I tend to carry just behind the hip at about the 2000-2030hrs position and with about a 15 degree rake (FBI cant).
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/purple88yj/S4012944.jpg

Remember a moment ago I mentioned two guns? Well, here it is. Right front pocket, also in a holster (a DeSantis Nemesis).
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/purple88yj/S4012945.jpg

[Jason Clark]

Did I mention I am an idiot? I tried to rotate the pictures to be upright and appearently failed miserably.

[OhioYJ]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone. Jason thanks for the pictures that really helped.

Jason, With the 1911 IWB like that how does that affect you sitting down?

Plastic said he had an IWB that I could borrow to see how I like it, which will be nice to get an idea about it befor dumping the cash on it.

Doc hopefully will stroll through here, what kind of holster was that you had Doc (who makes it?) I haven't come across anything but the cheaper nylon deals.

[Jason Clark]

I am sitting, standing and walking all day long. The worst that happens is my shirt tends to work its way up and out of my shorts/jeans. You will occasionally have to address your dress to either facilitate concealment, comfort, or security of draw. If you have to present your weapon (let's hope not) and you grab a handful of T-shirt at the same time, could spell bad ju-ju. The times I find the most difficult to manage are times when I am sitting in a hard backed chair like you would find at a restaurant. Other than that, I can't think of any other times that I have run into a real problem.

One thing I will add is no matter what or how you carry, you need to occasionally check your weapon. When you hit the head is a good time. Check to make sure your magazine is still engaged and the safety (if so equipped) is on. Once in a while I will bump my gun and partially eject my magazine or knock off the safety. A simple and discrete press once in a while ensures that everything stays where it is supposed to be.


When you do get the holster, don't just strap it on and head out in to town. Wear it around the house. Get used to the idea of having the gun on your hip. Get used to the weight. Stand in front of a mirror and look at your self. Adjust your clothing and clothing choices as needed to properly conceal the handgun. Different holsters/weapons will require a change in attire and vice-versa.

The first time you go out in public you will swear that every eye is on you...that everyone knows you have a gun. Expect this. This feeling will go away after time. Just go about your business as if nothing were any different than it was yesterday. In other words: don't draw any undue attention to your self.

The best way to get over that initial fear of carrying in public is to just do it. Start off small. Go to the gas station and pump some gas. Feel good about that? Go to Wal-Mart. For now, avoid the high traffic areas like electronics and toys. Walk through the garden center, into the tools and home improvement area, then to sporting goods.

The electronics section is probably the biggest test of confidence. Lots of people who are completely engrossed in their own little world and kids everywhere, especially around the game systems. Pay more attention to the people than you normally would. You will notice that hardly one of all those people will give you more than a passing glance.

[fatoldfool]

One thing I have not seen mentioned so far in this discussion is the novice CCW reaching and patting the pistola, like they just have to make sure it is still there. That is a dead giveaway that you are carrying something you are very concerned about and may bring unwanted attention to yourself. Resist that temptation unless you are sure you are unobserved.

[PB2]

I would think the weight would be reassurance enough that it is still there.

[Jason Clark]

I would think the weight would be reassurance enough that it is still there.

You would think so. I know that I did the "Newbie Check" quite a bit until I got the holster in just the right position. Now if I feel the urge to check I can with just a light squeeze with my elbow.

If you have never carried a gun, you can't imagine how quickly you can get used to the weight. Now I notice when I don't have the gun more than I notice actually wearing it.

[DrLewall]

I carry so much that alot of the time I forget that I have it on..and then someone will say something (I open carry alot on my place) then I realize that I am armed..after carry'n for more than 10 yrs now, you get use to it..now as for holsters, what are you interested in Mike? I have and use ALOT of different ones..from shoulder to OWB and IWB to the Smart Carry..just depends on how I dress, the mood I am in etc..when I open carry (usually in the summertime) I wear the OWB..and I will OWB in the winter for conceal carry (OWB is much more comfortable than IWB)..the shoulder holster, packing with 2 45's, tend to wear you down late in the day..I do have a nylon/rubbery IWB holster, from Unlce Mikes I think, that I do like...for conceal carry it works for me and it's fairly comfortable..it will hold the 1911 in place and keeps the gun off my skin..it will sometime rotate or pivot and its real easy to put it back in place, no big deal for me.

I use to carry SOB and it's probably not a good idea to carry that way, but I think if I have a SOB holster, I would carry SOB every now and then..I will try and get some pics for you if you'd like..

[DrLewall]

Doc hopefully will stroll through here, what kind of holster was that you had Doc (who makes it?) I haven't come across anything but the cheaper nylon deals.

That pic with the two 45's is the Jackass holster from Galco..it's okay but as I said, with two guns, it wears you out after a while..

[OhioYJ]

The best way to get over that initial fear of carrying in public is to just do it. Start off small. Go to the gas station and pump some gas. Feel good about that? Go to Wal-Mart. For now, avoid the high traffic areas like electronics and toys. Walk through the garden center, into the tools and home improvement area, then to sporting goods.

Great tip, you are right even out in the woods under a jacket I get a little uneasy about I worry about people knowing, so it's definitely something I need to get used too.

novice CCW reaching and patting the pistola, like they just have to make sure it is still there. That is a dead giveaway that you are carrying something you are very concerned about and may bring unwanted attention to yourself. Resist that temptation unless you are sure you are unobserved.

Another great tip, I'm sure if I wasn't thinking about it, I'd probably be making that mistake.

That pic with the two 45's is the Jackass holster from Galco..it's okay but as I said, with two guns, it wears you out after a while..

Looking at their website now actually, that's who makes the holster that I bought for my 1911.

Anyone heard of CrossBreed Holsters (http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/contact_us.html)? They offer handmade IWB holsters that appear to have a large piece of leather added for comfort, reasonable price, and they are a small business (always like to support the little guys if I can), and they offer a lifetime warranty. Out of all the ones I've looked at so far on the internet, that looks like it would be one of the more comfortable ones?

[Texas Tech Jpr.]

It is also amazing, once you start carrying concealed, that you start picking up the other "folks" who are walking around and packing.

[DrLewall]

CrossBreed is a very good holster..as is Bluegrass holsters (I have two of those and LOVE EM!)

[Jason Clark]

Crossbreed uses a combination of polymers and leather to create some nice holsters.

If the loops are an issue, you could try using "J" hooks in their place. I haven't had a whole lot of luck with them. One thing that you will find with them is that you really must have a belt that fits them snugly otherwise you will be constantly adjusting the holster which is more of a give away than the "Newbie Check".