Author Topic: 1911 concealed carry help (Read 4009 times)

cipher · « **on:** December 11, 2007, 03:24:10 PM »

I would like to carry my 5" 1911. I'm not tall (5'6") and wonder what you folks think might be my best options. Don't suspect that an ankle rig with dungarees would be the best idea. Anyone have experience with the middle of back holsters available? Thanks

jhm · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2007, 03:54:19 AM »

I tend to stay away from the middle of the back carry myself, just isnt comfortable and its just a littlr too far a reach to get the weapon, I always carry just behind my (R) hip the same place all the time that way its not too dificult to get the weapon and to re-holster it also, JIM

BUSHMASTER1 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2007, 05:21:26 AM »

I am 5'10" and 170 lbs. I carry a 5 inch Kimber in a Bianchi 100 behind my right hip. I have to say it's uncomfortable at times, but if I'm carrying it's gonna be a .45. Most people say wear pants 1" larger, I say 2". Make sure holster covers the muzzle. I'm dying for a Kimber Ultracarry! I can wear this gun with loose shirt and it will not print.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2007, 05:52:56 AM »

Even with a little .380 the SOB holster is uncomfortable in the car and I end up taking the gun out of the holster more than in. I moved and can no longer carry here in CA. But when I lived in VA I had one on me most of the time. I agree with Bushmaster get an in the waist band. Carry it on your strong side and wear larger pants.

KN · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2007, 12:31:08 PM »

High Noon!!

It's all I use any more.
Here's my favorite.
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/Split_Decision/split_decision.html

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2007, 01:14:56 PM »

I wish they'd make that clip, on the IWB holsters, masqueraded to look like a key ring holder. That'd alleviate a lot of suspician.

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2007, 12:07:51 AM »

I have, for more years than I admit to, carried without a scabbard--in a number of ways.
Now don't take this as personal as I also have a couple of scabbards.
I have carried the Mexican stuffed way.
In the pants pockets.
In the waist band behind the hip--strong side--.
SOB--don't care for this method as it is uncomfortable---for me.
Scabbards are good---but---they are not at all necessary.
Sometimes they are even not desirable.
Blessings

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2007, 12:39:53 AM »

I've carried my handguns Mexican style for almost 40 years. On some of my hunting pants and jeans I have a small leather or cloth strap sewn into the inside waistband that keeps the pistol in place and prevents it from falling out or down my pants leg but neither has ever happened.

I have found that regardless of the holster brand or style, a holster adds almost twice the width and bulk to any pistol I carry so I forego them. JMTCW. Mikey.

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2007, 02:44:30 AM »

Wow! William and Mikey! You guys must be old. I too, have carried holsterless for over 40 yrs, both before and after the enlightenment, when were were told that we shouldn't do that. Can you say mexican string holster? Like Mikey, I often find the added bulk of a holster to be too much for easy concealment. Now days I find myself using the pocket clips on my .380/9mms, and yes, even a .45, to carry IWB without a holster. I have yet to find and IWB holster that I like, and I have several.
Savage

jhm · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2007, 03:30:41 AM »

When I lived up North and wore a undershirt I often carried without a holster as Mikey and William stated, however without a t-shirt on anymore I use a inside the waistband Don Huam holster. JIM

williamlayton · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:38:55 AM »

OLD?

I have just outlived some folks.
Hummmmmm---I do remember one time when me and Moses was talking and he was in a hurry for John Moses to invent the 1911.
I only stretch the truth a little.

Blessings

44 Man · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2007, 04:08:58 AM »

If I carried Mex style, I would rust my gun to uselessness in less than a year! I have used (for the last 20 years) Blade-tech IWB. It's light weight, won't sweat through and you can easily re-holster the weapon. I often use a 'tuckable' when wearing just a shirt. I asked Blade-tech to make me a belt clip with a 'D' ring on the bottom to use for a key holder. It camouflages the tab on your belt and is also useful. This is my IWB Blade-tech carrying my Colt Defender .45. 44 Man

cipher · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2007, 12:17:50 PM »

Thanks to everyone who replied!

Who Me? · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2008, 11:15:44 AM »

Quote from: jhm on December 13, 2007, 03:30:41 AM

When I lived up North and wore a undershirt I often carried without a holster as Mikey and William stated, however without a t-shirt on anymore I use a inside the waistband Don Huam holster. JIM

You'll never find a holster made by Don Huam.

Try Don Hume in Miami, Oklahoma http://www.donhume.com/index.cfm This is the one that I use and it is very comfortable:
H715-M S.O.O.T.: Waistband Snap On
This inside the waistband holster is made of lightweight leather and form molded. The top opening of the holster is reinforced to aid in reholstering the weapon. The design works well strong side, crossdraw or behind the hip. Snap on belt loop

I also have one of his for my S & W 3" model 66.

JeffG · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2008, 11:47:38 AM »

Quote

Can you say mexican string holster?

Still the best and easiest...yes, I guess I am old too. Still kickin'.
for me it's a Bianchi IWB pistol pocket, or Milt Sparks Executive Companion, where holsters are concerned.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2008, 12:52:10 PM »

I can't personally recommend stuffing it in your waistband. I used to carry a colt 380 that way and one day at a golf course in a bad neighborhood, on the first tee I went back with the club and it fell out right on the grass in front of me. I snatched it up pretty quickly but I'm sure some people saw it.

Mikey · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2008, 01:20:37 AM »

GRIMJIM: smaller guns like the Pony, snubbies and other 'near' pocket pistol types really beg the use of at least a soft pocket type holster, whether clipped to your belt (inside or out) or hidden in a pocket under a shirt that is not tucked in. The larger handguns, at least the military sized handguns sit pretty snuggly in my belt and I can even run without losing it.

I have, on occasion, carried one while golfing but I can't hit the ball, and then draw and fire before it gets out of range. The other guys get nervous when I try that............... Mikey.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2008, 12:46:49 PM »

Bet that would make you a lot of money if you could.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2008, 11:33:43 PM »

I carry full sized 1911s occasionaly but find there pretty tough to conseal except in the fall and winter when you can wear a shirt or jacket. I dont mind a commander lenght gun in an in the wasteband or mexican but the 5 inch guns bother me like that. To me a 5 inch gun is best carried in an owb high riding pancake holster under a jacket. those stripes look like Coast Gurard stripes

44 Man · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2008, 03:43:36 AM »

Lloyd, how did you manage to conceal a full sized 1911 wearing those hospital gowns?

44 Man

williamlayton · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2008, 12:49:09 AM »

Sounds like Mikey knows Titanic Thompson.
My group is the reason I need a gun--not the neighborhood.
Blessings

cipher · « **Reply #21 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:08:18 AM »

Lloyd,

Yep, those ARE official USCG stripes. USCGC Gallatin 1969-1970, New York, NY, and USCGC Mariposa 1970-1973, New London, CT.

When I reported aboard the Mariposa, she was armed with M1s (as was the Gallatin), .45s and .50 cal BMGs. The barrels on 4 of the M1s were in such bad shape that I doubt you could have gotten a .22 through them - there were only two that I would actually shoot.

Eventually the first class bosun on the Mariposa and I hauled them to Governor's Island in NYC on a flat bed truck and traded them for M16s. While I was at the armory dealing with the transfer, Boats was getting drunk. (He was supposed to be along to drive the truck since my government license didn't qualify me for anything that big.) Then, I had to drive the #%&* truck back through NY loaded with guns and ammo while he slept (or passed out).

Ahhh, Those were the days...

torpedoman · « **Reply #22 on:** March 07, 2008, 07:13:38 PM »

Quote from: cipher on February 17, 2008, 10:08:18 AM

Lloyd,

Yep, those ARE official USCG stripes. USCGC Gallatin 1969-1970, New York, NY, and USCGC Mariposa 1970-1973, New London, CT.

When I reported aboard the Mariposa, she was armed with M1s (as was the Gallatin), .45s and .50 cal BMGs. The barrels on 4 of the M1s were in such bad shape that I doubt you could have gotten a .22 through them - there were only two that I would actually shoot.

Eventually the first class bosun on the Mariposa and I hauled them to Governor's Island in NYC on a flat bed truck and traded them for M16s. While I was at the armory dealing with the transfer, Boats was getting drunk. (He was supposed to be along to drive the truck since my government license didn't qualify me for anything that big.) Then, I had to drive the #%&* truck back through NY loaded with guns and ammo while he slept (or passed out). sound like the navy i was in. No help on the 1911 carry i'm 5'6 160 and there is no way i can carry mine as much as i like it co my carry is a walther pp or a cz82 9 makarov.

Ahhh, Those were the days...