IWB Dangers?

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Dave P

New member
I like to carry my 1911 IWB, at about 2 oclock. Fairly comfortable, and pretty easy to get to. But, it often ends up pointing into my leg, esp when I sit. This of course violates one key safety rule.

What do you-all think? Is this really careless when it is cocked and locked?

Now if I carried behind the hip, the gun would be pointing at my butt at times, but I would not consider that to be life threatening!

And, no jokes about being cocked!

Dave
 
This isn't a particularly safe practice with most guns, but:

You've got a light trigger held in place by a fairly light safety that is brushing up against your body as you move. So the question is: would you be bothered if you found the safety was off on the cocked weapon pointed at your privates?

I'm only comfortable with such carry with a stiff DA trigger or the like.
 
I carry my 1911 IWB at 3 o'clock. When I am seated, the holster pivots around a bit and the slide is almost vertical -- the barrel is pointing at the ground. I use a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 IWB holster, for what it's worth.

-Hal
 
A wellmade IWB holster will cover the trigger. If you carry a 1911 it will not fire unless the trigger is pulled. Also you would probably have the thumb safety on and then there is the grip safety.
In view of all these safety measures it really doesn't matter where it is pointing does it?
 
I knew a fellow who carried a Colt SAA Buntline in that position. One day he sat down hard in a car seat. The gun did not go off, but the result was still unfortunate.

Jim
 
I carry my 1911 at 3 o'clock and sometimes at 4 o'clock.I wouldn't worry about an A/D.The thumb safety should not get swiped off in a good holster and if it did you have to be holding the grip safety and pull the trigger to fire it.What are your chances of that?
 
my concern with where you are carrying it is in the case of AD/ND of damaging Captain Winkie and his two nutty buddies (credit to hogballs on that one). I would definately go to behind the hip if for nothing else than the piece of mind.
 
I agree with AAChange: behind the hip.

Its a disadvantage when you're driving, but in all other situations, it allows for a safer draw and in almost every case, its far more CONCEALABLE -- and that topic has been totally overlooked.

At 2 o'clock, your ability to NOT SHOW your weapon -- often desirable -- is greatly diminished. Its less of a problem at 3:00, but still an issue. A small of the back holster is very concealable, but can be very uncomfortable if you must sit. (And almost incapacitating if you happen to slip and fall... That big hunk of polymer or metal, hitting against your spine, down low like that, it can really be damaging.)
 
When I carry my 1911 IWB, it is at 3:00. It is also carried C&L. C&L isthe only way to carry a 1911. Do you have a holster that covers the safety?
 
I'm assuming that you are using a holster, so may I ask what holster you are currently using? I currently use a Milt Sparks Versa Max II, and it is outstanding. It covers the trigger guard and the thumb safety. I'm 5-11, 170#, and I carry at approximately 4:00, right behind the point of the hip. I really don't even mind it while driving (not to say I don't NOTICE it, but I don't mind). It's a very natural draw, almost looking like I'm reaching for a wallet. As Walt Sherrill stated, its very concealable. If my cover shirt/coat is unbuttoned and I feel a gust of wind, the handgun is still covered.
 
You have the grip safety that must be depressed inorder to fire the gun, incase the thumb safety is accidentially swipped off. I carry my 1911s IWB CL and have never had a problem.This is not a major concern of mine and I feel comfortable carrying this reliable, powerful weapon in this manner.
7th
 
IWB

What works best for me so far is using no holster at all, at 2 oclock; sometimes I use a cheap Unka Mikes IWB. I find this very concealable with just shorts and a t shirt; fits my body well. With the gun in front, I don't worry about someone staring at my back, wondering what is on my belt (like when you are waiting in line!).

This is a stock full size Kimber, no trigger work of any kind.

What I also like about no holster, is that I can readily adjust the angle of the gun when I want to for comfort. Grip rides horizontal, right on the belt; grip creates just a small lump on the shirt (yeah, that's my cellphone). Most carring is for short trips to the store, not all day carry.

I do want to look into the VMII holsters, but so far I always have a noticable (to myself!) lump when I carry behind or on the hip.

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen!
 
Please, oh, please buy a holster. No, I see you have an Uncle Mike's, please buy a good holster. Do not carry a pistol "Mexican."

You should buy a good holster because:

1. Provides a stable platform for the drawstroke. You will not knock it down your pants (read P.J.'s experience with the Balto Cong at Miami-Ohio--the undercover cop, during his drawstroke, knocked his 1911 down his trousers). This becomes extremely important during off-hand work;
2. In a fight where will you likely be? Yes, that's right--the ground. As you fall to the ground, you do not want your pistol to go one way and you the other.
3. Having a holster is a great boon during one-handed mal drills. The holster can secure the weapon as you reload as well.
4. A good holster will not make you look like a "mope" to the responding police. True, a clean shoot is a clean shoot and the prosecutor makes the call; however, why not limit liability where you can?
5. During a Mexican draw you if you do something dumb like tough the trigger, the probabilities of an additional (in sensitive areas where you carry) hole will increase dramatically.
6. A holster helps when you put it away.

Please reconsider this method of carry. The guys at Milt Sparks are very friendly and can help you out. I use the Executive Companion everyday. It holds the weapon, Les Baer 1911, snugly, and with my suit coat, there's is no "lump."
 
I have an Unkle Mikes "clip" holster that covers the trigger and safety, on my Smith 5904... I will be casrrying it "small of back" and INSIDE the wasteband...

if it DID AD/ND, all I'd get is a flesh wound... but that is unlikely...
 
listen to KS....I carry my P7 at 4:00 in a delfatti IWB...it's a nice feeling to know the gun will stay put since you are more likely to get into a fist fight than a fire fight (which most people fail to realize when carrying Mexican) It also protects your weapn when you take it off or you just wan to throw it under your car seat.

By the way, I don't just carry at 4:00. I usally carry at night too.
 
Alright, don't, why would you be taking the pistol off and putting it in your car? Do you have to take your pistol off to go see the prosecutor for a witless conference?

Master Don'tShootIt'sMe reminds me of another reason to have a holster. Comfort. BTW, buy a belt from the same people you get the holster. This is important for guys like Don't because his pockets are full of phone numbers from nubile, young hotties and he needs the pistol belt to hold up his pants because of this extra weight

BTW, Don't I tried standing on one foot on a pier footing in the Wabash, but the bugs nearly drained me and a school of gar attacked me.
 
Don't Shoot posted: By the way, I don't just carry at 4:00. I usally carry at night too.

Yeah, that's the problem. It's ok to carry at 2, 3 or 4 PM but 2 AM? Guy would be a cop or no-good criminal on the job, in that case don't post here anymore until you've repented and paid back all you stole!!!

Seriously, a close up blast from a major caliber, in the groin/upper thigh area can be fatal, which may or may not be worse than damage to certain parts for which I have a great fondness (hey, I mean mine). The blast will splatter flesh, and since we all have major arteries going from groin to leg, just don't carry there. Loosing a chunk of bun may hurt but worst-case you watch the telly standing up for awhile. And maybe get your dress slacks tailored on one side.

Bart Noir
Every time we invent an idiot-proof machine, nature invents a better idiot.
 
Hemi, careful with that "small of the back" carry method too. In a fight you will end up on the ground whether you are pushed, you trip, or you are shot.

If you fall backwards you could land on your pistol which will collide with your spine. This may be a very bad thing as you may need your legs in a fight. (I need my legs before the fight because I'm going to run away).

I know, I know this could never happen to all of you GSCs out there because you are so buff and have a huge chest and shoulders from lifting weights in the SAS or SEALs or wherever you were.
 
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