Holster for 1911

[JNG]

Well after Buds Guns made a error with my Spencer (I ain't got it) I healed my wounds with a Colt series 70. I'm taking a class in Oct with Larry Vickers. I plan to shoot ~2000-3000 rounds out of it before Oct. My problem is a side Holster. I would like leather with a thumb latch that goes under the cocked hammer. Any ideas out there?

Thanks,
Joe

[Old Ironsights]

You are looking for a belt holster, no flap, with strap...?

I can think of lots of flap holsters, but not too many flapless with strap. The grip safety pretty much negates the need for straps - which is why the Army made JMB add it...

[MrMurphy]

He's talking about a thumb-break holster.


Look into Safariland, they make a wide variety of styles and they're all good.

[alnitak]

Check out the 1911 forum in the classifieds section. There are always holsters there for sale at reduced prices -- most like new.

[Old Ironsights]

He's talking about a thumb-break holster.


Look into Safariland, they make a wide variety of styles and they're all good.

And here I am thinking all "western"...

[gundownunder]

I may be wrong (there is a first for everything ) Isn't the wild bunch 1911 holster set up that way.
Try Mernickle, or Google "1911 wild bunch holster".

[rgates]

Take a look at the 'Tribute' at simplyrugged.com. I use one of these with a Browning HP, thumbreak works with hammer cocked or hammer down.

[zack coyote]

I believe Sprtsmans Guide has them at a reasonable price, about $40.

[Griff]

I'd recommend you look @ Safariland's "Holster Finder", it'll give as wide a choice as you'll probably need. I can recommend the Bianchi mdl 19 & 19L as well as the #5 "Black Widow" from my own use w/1911 pistols and S&W mdl19 revolvers covering about 35 years! You won't find anything better or more durable in a leather holster.

[Hobie]

I think he just described a Bianchi #7 and some others. Easy to find, moderately expensive until you reckon on how you are going to use it and then they are cheap. Good leather goods have never let me down.

[willygene]

elpaso saddlery make some very nice holsters for the 1911.

[Pitchy]

Here`s a few that i like .

[GonnePhishin]

Hey Pitchy,
What make is the last picture [the plastic looking one]?

[Hobie]

That looks like a Blackhawk Serpa.

[Pitchy]

That looks like a Blackhawk Serpa.

Yepper, i`ve learned to like them.

[pokey]

for general wear this is great.

for school this is the one.

different gear for different situations.

[Pitchy, thanks for posting the pics so i didn't have to root around and find mine]

[MrMurphy]

Pitchy, I'd avoid the Serpa.


Not trying to start a fight, but multiple friends have had serious issues with them. Ranging from the gun popping loose on it's own (2006, Afghanistan, twice), the gun refusing to come out when the holster got dirty (rolling on the ground, dirt and other stuff got into the mechanism), there's a good couple dozen known instances of that occurring between 2007-now, ranging from Iraq, Afghanistan, and all over the US, mostly cops in the US case. Anything from small gravel, dirt, snow or sand getting in there=no draw.

Toss in occasional ND's from people with triggerfingeritis......I won't use one. The Safariland 6004 or 6280 are what I use for a security holster.

[Pitchy]

Pitchy, I'd avoid the Serpa.


Not trying to start a fight, but multiple friends have had serious issues with them. Ranging from the gun popping loose on it's own (2006, Afghanistan, twice), the gun refusing to come out when the holster got dirty (rolling on the ground, dirt and other stuff got into the mechanism), there's a good couple dozen known instances of that occurring between 2007-now, ranging from Iraq, Afghanistan, and all over the US, mostly cops in the US case. Anything from small gravel, dirt, snow or sand getting in there=no draw.

Toss in occasional ND's from people with triggerfingeritis......I won't use one. The Safariland 6004 or 6280 are what I use for a security holster.

That is interesting and have never heard that, note taken thanks.
That old Roys pancake holster used to be my favorite but i`ve been carrying a SAA most the time of late.

[Pitchy]

MrMurphy or anyone else, are all the Blackhawks Serpa`s and do all models have the issues you mentioned.
Couldn`t find the word Serpa on mine, it says Sportster .

[JNG]

First off off, thanks for all responses. Alnitak, I could have had a V-8. Great idea. Pitchy, the black basket weave with the thumb release is just what I am looking for. If you would, who makes it?

Thank you,

Joe

[Pitchy]

Don`t know if they are still made, marked on back, Roys original pancake holster.
No. 39
I think there are other makers that make them, try a google search.

[MrMurphy]

Any Blackhawk Serpa holster using that mechanism is suspect, this is a well known issue in .mil/LE circles as the holster has jammed in training and in combat enough times some police departments (and training schools) ban it's use.

And yes, I can get my hands on the rather substantial list of those if you really need it.

A good, decent thumb-break will work fine for the original poster's intended use.

Make sure you get a good GUN belt (not a regular belt) to go with it. If you're on a leather kick, Aker's B-21 is well known as a good belt for offduty/plainclothes use by cops, and not too expensive.

[Pitchy]

And yes, I can get my hands on the rather substantial list of those if you really need it

I believe ya , thanks for the info.
I`ll probably go back to leather as those plastic holsters are hard on the finish too.

[MrMurphy]

Actually, Kydex holsters, if kept clean, wear the gun less than leather.

Leather is a rough surface at the microscopic level, plastic is not, if there's no sand or dirt or any other particles in there.

I've used exclusively Kydex or similar holsters for over a decade and my Glock 30 has effectively no wear on it despite untold multi-thousands of draws. They also don't sweat in hot weather.

[Pitchy]

These Blackhawks arn`t bad but i used a Fobus with my Officers model and it wore alot of blue off, maybe they`ve improved.

[MrMurphy]

Fobus is about the absolute cheapest holster you can get.

I still use one of their mag carriers, but even the Israelis considered it a disposable holster.


Try Comp-Tac, Raven Concealment or a few other brands for good kydex rigs.

[Pitchy]

The Fobus went to the bottom of the pile long ago, thanks.