It has been the pistol of choice for the military, law enforcement, and civilians. However, to use it effectively, the right holster is essential. This is where challenges arise as gun owners struggle to choose an option that offers the right fit, comfort, concealed-carry benefit, and accessibility. The firearm's revolutionary design, featuring a distinctive single-action trigger, grip safety, and rugged construction, makes choosing the best 1911 holster for your gun a careful process. But we'll make it easier for you through this post.
Understanding the 1911 Pistol
1911 is not a single gun type. It is the name of a big family of pistols that vary in size, weight, length of the barrel, and overall design. The differences in various guns impact how your specific model fits into a holster, how comfortable it feels, and the ease with which you can disguise or conceal it.
Common 1911 configurations fall into the following groups:
Government Model
- Barrel length: 5-inch
- Grip: Full length
- Weight: 38 to 42 ounces unloaded.
- Benefits:Strong recoil control and accuracy.
- What you should know:The size and weight make the gun harder to conceal.
Commander Model
- Barrel length: 4.25-inch
- Grip:Full length
- Weight: 33 to 29.4 ounces unloaded
- What you should know: It is easier to conceal and shoot accurately.
Officer Model
- Barrel length: 3 to 3.5 inches
- Grip: Shorter grip
- Weight: 34 to 39 ounces unloaded
- What you should know: Slightly snappier recoil because of the shorter slide. It can have reduced magazine capacity.
When choosing the best 1911 holster for your gun, keep in mind which category your pistol falls into. For example, a big Government model needs a holster like a quality OWB leather holster with a belt that distributes weight evenly and feels comfortable. The smaller Officer model will feel more comfortable with lighter IWB or appendix holsters.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best 1911 Holster
A lot of factors, like the fit and retention, concealability, comfort, and ease of accessing the firearm, come into play when choosing the best 1911 holster.
1. Fit and Retention
The holster should fit your gun snugly. Otherwise, it’ll cause unwanted movement. Your gun will be ready to use whenever you want to. So, look for holsters customized to the size and features of your 1911 model. Leather IWB and OWB holsters usually have a custom fit, so keep your firearm secure.
When the holster fits the gun snugly, it ensures effective retention. This is passive retention, meaning the form-fitting construction retains the pistol. The other type of retention is active retention. You need to release a strap or press a button to free the pistol and draw it. If you prefer concealed carry, look for leather holsters with passive retention, as it will help with your drawing speed.
2. Comfort & Concealability
The design of the holster impacts how comfortable you feel carrying the gun. This is important, especially if you carry a 1911 daily. For example, if you want to carry concealed but your holster has a poor design, it will cause printing.
So, find holsters made of a soft material, like leather, which allows you to adjust ride height and cant. An ergonomic holster fits the contours of the wearer’s body. It does not show under your clothing and allows for ease of access and drawing.
3. Draw Speed
Besides comfort and retention, consider how quickly and efficiently you can draw your 1911. If you need to defend yourself, any delay in drawing the gun will matter. How you position the holster on your body impacts the draw speed and reaction.
Wear the holster and check how easily you can reach it when moving, crouching, or while seated. Appendix and shoulder holsters are better than traditional hip holsters for those who need to be in a seated position often.
If being seated is not important, strong-side hip, or 3 o’clock, and Appendix carry, or 1 o’clock, are the best positions.
4. Material and Durability
When choosing the best 1911 holster, durability matters a lot. Materials like leather, Kydex, and nylon are known for their strength and resistance to extreme environmental conditions. Hybrid holsters, made of Kydex shell and a leather backing, are also durable and highly comfortable for everyday wear.
Types of 1911 Holsters
OWB (Outside the Waistband) and IWB (Inside the Waistband) are the two major types of 1911 holsters.
OWB Holsters
An OWB holster is worn on the exterior of your trousers or pants. It rides high and tight on the body, so you can use it for concealed or open carry. Leather OWB holsters have a custom fit, a stiffening support welt that keeps the holster's mouth open for easy holstering, and 1-3/4" belt slots. The slots are often punched at a 15° cant to allow for efficient drawing. If you want the OWB holster to be compact, go for a paddle holster. It has a high-end G-Code “Large Paddle” that can be worn in any position where the user feels comfortable and facilitates easy attachment and removal of the holster.
IWB Holsters
An IWB holster fits snugly inside your waistband or trousers. Naturally, it is the best option for concealed carry. This type of holster has a low profile and is suited for shorter guns. Some of them also have tuckable deep concealment clips through which you can make your 1911 ride lower in the trousers. Another advantage of IWB clip holsters is that they make your 1911 tuckable.
Shoulder Holsters
A shoulder holster for a 1911 is a great option if you need to remain seated often and desire concealed carry. You wear it over your shoulder, and a harness secures the gun. The holster also has a pouch to store spare magazines under your opposite arm. A well-designed shoulder holster has a custom fit and can even work ideally to carry bigger models of the 1911. However, you must practice drawing the gun consistently with a shoulder holster to use it effectively.
Concluding Words
Now, you must be clear about the key considerations when choosing the best 1911 holster. Use this post as a guide for your first purchase. At Wright Leather Works, we have a huge collection of high-quality and secure holsters. They are carefully recommended to customers after understanding the make and model of their 1911s. It ensures that you benefit from a custom holster that retains your pistol securely and serves you when needed.
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