Best Way to Carry a 1911

J

Jamie Young

New member
I'm getting my carrying permit sometime soon and I'm going to carry my Colt 1991A1. I won't be carrying it without a jacket on because I know its ludicrous thinking i can conceal it any other way. I am a tall thin guy. I was wondering what your opinions are on carrying the gun on
1) Shoulder Holster
2)Waste
3)Inside the Jacket
Does anyone carry them inside a coat or is that a bad idea? I have a few well placed pockets on the inside of the jacket.
 
I can easily conceal a full size 1911 in an inside the waistband holster under nothing more than an untucked button down shirt.
 
Given an ideal world (where your jacket or overshirt stay on all the time), I'd go with a pancake style holster. I personally have a Galco Concealable for my P13.45 and can speak very highly of it.

However, as reality sets in I would go with an IWB. Eventually, you're going to have to take your jacket off. And when you do, everyone will see what you've got. With an IWB (I have more than one Uncle Mike's Sidekicks; they are thin, confortable and inexpensive), if you get smooth enough you can pull it off and wrap it in your jacket as you take it off. Likewise, slipping it back in is a snap.

Shoulder holsters I would recommend against. Sure they were good enough for James Bond and Sonny Crockett, but they are not very comfortable (IMHO) and the jacket problem becomes even more pronounced. I do have a nylon shoulder holster for my Beretta, but rarely use it. One caveat is that for particularly large guns, a shoulder holster may be the only way to go. I've carried my 6 inch Anaconda in one, and it was no problem other than the fact that I was leaning to my left for three days after.
 
Jacketr carry is a problem too. Unless you jacket is made of saddle leather, it will droop under the weight of a full size .45.

I carry my para p13.45 in a Dillon IWB holster that has nearly become unnoticable on my belt.
 
I would recommend against a shoulder holster. You say that you are thin, so you will probably not be thick enough to easily conceal the long barrel in a shoulder holster.

I would recommend against pocket carry. First, your pockets would have to be REALLY big to hold an M1911. Second, the M1911 is heavy enough that your pocket would really sag.

The best way to go would be either a pancake holster or an IWB holster. The IWB holster will be much more practical if you can find one that is comfortable for you. The M1911 is a rather large gun to be carrying IWB.

Jared
 
I agree with Branrot. I carry a Kimber Compact in IWB, strong side. It's concealed easily enough under a shirt with the tail out or under a sweater, sweatshirt, or jacket. I'm 6'3", 205 lbs. When the weather gets real hot and I'm in a light t-shirt, I move to something smaller, like my trusty j-frame, still IWB. I like the easy on/off feature for those times when you have need to have it out of the waistband.

RJ

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"Never turn your back on the crew."
 
IWB strongside is the best way to carry a 1911.
jtduncan, you're dead wrong. I carry IWB with a full size 1911 every day in the Central Florida heat under an untucked polo shirt or light athletic vest and it is not uncomfortable nor is it detectable.
It also has the advantage of putting the barrel inside your pants/shorts so if you bend over or reach up, the barrel won't poke out.
 
Whether IWB is uncomfortable or not depends on the shooter, not the gun. Personally, I don't like it (and my love handles *really* don't like it), but I can carry my 92FS IWB with no printing problems.

Soda, in carry, as all else in the gun world, use what works best for you. Try a number of different methods, then settle on the best one (or two) for you.

ps: I carry open, being fortunate enough to live where open carry is legal, so I don't have to deal with all that concealment stuff. ;)
 
COINNEACH do you live in the Wild Wild West or something? LOL
I actually own a leg holster and that has been by far the most comfortable way for me to carry my gun but its not legal. I don't have an IWB I guess i'll try one. Thanks for the advice.

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[This message has been edited by SodaPop (edited May 09, 2000).]
 
SodaPop, open carry is legal here in CO too, and I have done it several times. However,I have stopped because I realized that I'd be the first to be shot when the crap hits the fan. Try IWB with a good belt and a good holster (try Mark DeCoveny with a CS holster).

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Frontsight!
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"Put a rifle in the hands of a Subject, and he immediately becomes a Citizen." -- Jeff Cooper
 
Mad Dog Gun Glove IWB (Kydex). Works great with a light fleece vest. Noone has ever noticed that I know of. Once my brother-in-law caught a quick glimpse of a spare magazine at the family dinner table (I live in CA with a CCW-BTW). He asked, "what is that silver thing on your belt? A pager?" I answered, "well, that's the spare magazine for the pistol I'm carrying." Everyone at the table laughed, and my brother-in-law said, "no really is that a pager?" And I said yes it is. My wife laughed so hard that she spit peas out of her mouth. They just refused to believe that I had a pistol at the dinner table. ;)

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It is far better to dare mighty things, though riddled with failure, than to live in the dull grey of mediocrity.
 
Good posts here. Shoulder holsters are a waste of time and money. They are uncomfortable, and difficult to deploy safely under stress (too easy to cover half the room when you are drawing.)

IWB is good if you find it comfortable. The Mad Dog GunGlove IWB, as Mendocino posted, is an excellent choice. I have one for my USP40C and it is surprisingly comfortable.

I typically carry in my fanny pack as well. Be sure to get a good strong side holster like a GunGlove Taylor Thunderbolt, as these allow fast presentation and conceal well under an outer garment.

Good luck!

Tim
http://www.streetpro.com
Street Smart Professional Equipment
 
while photographer's vest screams GUN! to many "in the know" a fleece vest in colorado screams HI I'm from Boulder! Or HI I'm a trendy jogger type of guy/girl! Think about it.

Also for you fashion concious type the bowling shirt is big and its back.. and you never have to tuck it in.

READ the fashion section guys.. its possible in everyday attire to conceal a good sized pistol if you dress right. Ask your SO for help.

My 1911 goes in a galco slide.. as does my commander or hi-power 3 guns 1 holster. Works like a charm.
 
Try http://www.rfholsters.com for a list of Lou Alessi's hoslters. http://www.miltsparks.com for the line of Sparks holsters.

I have carried a full sized 1911 IWB under a dark colored, patterned, textured shirt and it was not detectable. Light colored shirts and/or shirts of smooth material make it harder to conceal a pistol. The pattern and texture of the material helps hide the pistol.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
I agree with Jim on the Milt Sparks line of holsters. Their "Summer Special" is an excellent IWB holster. Soda, I'm afraid that you are going to be like most of us. You will end up with a box in the closet full of holsters that you tried and rejected or rarely use. I use the Sparks or Kramer holsters but, if it's not hot, I have to admit to using a "Mexican carry" in the small of the back. It is the most comfortable and concealable for me. And while many preach against it, most of the "pros" that I know do the same (that's where I got the idea). But don't tell anyone. It's not supposed to be a good idea!
:)



[This message has been edited by Prof (edited May 09, 2000).]
 
Being scrawney myself I can sympathize with trying to hide a full sized 1911. I prefer a strong side belt holster. But for informal wear in warmer areas that extra barrel length really does hang down unless you're into mid thigh vests or light shirts. My Officer's Model is much more manageable in that respect.

An IWB holster is a much more functional holster in warmer areas. In addition to the other suggestions such as darker/patterned shirts, etc. I'd suggest that you consider a custom holster in IWB with just a shade more cant than the standard FBI (about 15%). Not a lot more, but enough so that when you move the holster to "almost" on the hip, the butt is tucked in and elevated more in line with your torso. This is a difficult ballet - because the more you cant the butt in line with your torso - the more that 5 inch barrel prints above your hip pocket.

One of the LFI systems with the velcro would allow you to play with angles until you found an optimum angle. Also something like the YCS from M/D holsters - with the right cant - would afford you the option of IWB or belt carry (in cooler months).

Good luck - and if you find something that really works good - let me know. I'm OK with what I use - but like everyone else I always think there must be something better.

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Jim Fox
 
I carry a full size 1911 in a Bianchi Black Widow Hip holster. I cover it with a sport coat or if I am dressed casual, with an unbuttoned denim shirt over a T shirt or polo shirt. Mendocino is right. Most people will not believe you are carrying. I think that some could even see parts of your pistol and believe that it is something else.

Halffast

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"I say that big talk is worth doodly-squat." Granny Hawkins from the Outlaw Josey Wales
 
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