Author Topic: Best way to carry a 1911 45acp (Read 1238 times)

Paul S · « **on:** July 06, 2004, 06:41:50 PM »

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4224828&a=31316281&p=68742637&f=0
You guys that carry your 1911s,what have you found to be the best way hide that big rascal. Here in SW MO we have a lot of hot muggy weather in the summer months and I wear mostly tee shirts and shorts. Do you have any suggestions for good concealment. I thought of getting a small frame wheel gun to carry but I sure like my Kimber if I can hide the thing.I tried to post a photo of my gun here but I'm not real sure how to do it. :oops:

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2004, 01:50:01 AM »

Paul - nice looking Kimber. I generally go for an inside the pants holster and wear loose t-shirts or sleeveless t-shirts and an open loose shirt that still allows me to stay cool, but concealed.

The 44 man had some really good comments on concealed carry and I'm hoping he can chime in here as well. Sometimes this amounts to a crap shoot with the purchase of a number of expensive holsters that usually wind up in a box somewhere while you just add another notch to your belt, cinch it up tight and stuff that rascal into your belt.

For example - I have a Dessert Special from Dillon that looked great in the photos but seems to add so much bulk to the carry process that I don't wear it unless I'm sweating my butt off in the brush. So, I guess it is a matter of anything you can wear that is comfortable and still allows concealed carry and rapid presentation is what you should look for.

I know this isn't a lot of help but search for concealed holsters and set your budget limitations and you will find yourself going through the process of elimination with these things before you find the right one. Mikey.

Savage · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2004, 05:16:37 AM »

I have used a belly band for a compact SS 1911. Don't know if it would work for you with a fullsize. There is a carry clip available that fits under tha grip pannel that allows IWB carry without the added bulk of a holster. I wouldn't carry a blued gun IWB without a holster though. Just a thought. I like my fullsize 1911s too, but find them a bit too big and heavy for CCW.
Good Luck,
Savage

BamBams · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2004, 06:27:44 AM »

I have three ways.

I use a Galco MOB holster (middle of the back) that is also IWB (inside the waistband). This way I can either be reaching for my wallet, or the gun, depending on what I want the perp to think. In the summer, either a T-Shirt, or leaving my regular shirt tail out, or a tactical vest.

I also use a regular, behind the hip FBI canted Galco. This works good with a vest. I believed it is their "concealable" model.

I also have a Galco "Jackass Rig" which I almost never use.

Iowegan · « **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2004, 09:47:59 AM »

I've concluded there is no such thing as a perfect holster. Got a box full of "mistakes" that looked good but didn't work well. I finally settled on a Alessi (much like the Galco FBI). It's a high ride that loops on a belt and puts the grip in the right place for comfort. I can walk, run, sit, drive, and lay down without discomfort. I found a change in summer attire was needed though. A t-shirt won't hide it well but a regular shirt not tucked in is fine.

IWBs don't work for me. Too much sweat and discomfort. Can't drive, lay, or sit with a MOB.

What Mikey said, "So, I guess it is a matter of anything you can wear that is comfortable and still allows concealed carry and rapid presentation is what you should look for."

I carry my Colt cocked, locked, and loaded, just as John Browning designed it. My Alessi has a thumb break that adds a margin of safety plus it keeps the gun from falling out when I get active. I would recommend you find one style and stick with it. Should you need to draw the gun, it's nice to instinctly know where it is and how to present it without shooting yourself or a bystander.

TScottO · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2004, 11:54:51 AM »

I think we all have a box full of mistakes. Here is a holster I've been looking at pretty hard: http://www.holsters.org/covert_22-holster.htm

Be Safe,
Scott

BamBams · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2004, 04:20:08 PM »

Quote from: Iowegan

I carry my Colt cocked, locked, and loaded, just as John Browning designed it.

Is there another way? :grin:

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2004, 02:43:29 AM »

TScott0: that 22H design with the flap between the piece and your body looks pretty good but man that price is high. That said, it is however one beautiful looking holster but carries on the outside of the pants. I prefer the inside the waist band style.

Before you purchase that holster, see if you can find information on holsters by Ken Null. He used to work for Paris Theodore at Seven Trees Holsters in NYC and I still have one of Paris' original inside the pants holsters for a full size 45, and it is still comfortable to this day. Ken has many offerings and you may find a more preferable design there. HTH. Mikey.

AZ223 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2004, 07:11:12 AM »

I was looking for an IWB holster because I normally just wear shorts and a loose shirt here in Phoenix. A lot of choices, but needed to watch money, so I tried an inexpensive Uncle Mike's, one of the soft ones, just to see what worked. Carried at about 5:00 or 5:30 position, it's secure and reasonably comfortable, and easy to draw quickly. The tension of my belt helps keep things in place even though it is just cloth. I did cut off the retaining straps though; it'd take me 5 minutes to get the gun out using those! I'll be getting a better leather one when I can afford it, but for now this $13 "rig" does it for me.

My only problem with a behind-the-hip position is that it's not a good position when I'm in my car. Best I can do (other than just remove it) is tuck my shirt behind it while I'm driving. If I can figure out a way to secure it in the vehicle, I'll do it that way. Probably have to rig something up; I'll let you guys know what I come up with.

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2004, 02:11:09 AM »

AZ223: ya'll wrote 'My only problem with a behind-the-hip position is that it's not a good position when I'm in my car. Best I can do (other than just remove it) is tuck my shirt behind it while I'm driving'. I have the same problem - the behind the hip position does not allow for fast acquision when you're sitting on it.

However, I find that with my Uncle Mike's pocket holsters I can switch to cross draw just by repositioning the holster inside my belt - it works for me and the soft leather band around the Uncle Mikes holds it in place. Not so with my large semi-autos - they stick right into my hip bone in an inside the pants cross daw position so I have to reposition them before I get out of the car. A bit clumbsy but workable. I'm thinking about something under the arm for driving that would also act well enough as a conceled carry, but I'm still lookin' fer that one. Mikey.