IWB holsters

B

brianidaho

New member
I have recently purchased a Witness Compact Polymer. I'm looking for recommendations for holsters for concealed carry with this gun. I'll primarily be wearing light dress shirts or tee shirts and jeans, rarely a sport coat or suit. I'm leaning towards some sort of IWB holster, but am open to recommendations for others. Does anyone have any recommendations? Also, as this gun isn't all that common, I'm wondering how much trouble I'll have finding a holster designed for it. I understand Kydex (sp?) is a thermoplastic-can I heat one up and "custom fit" if required?

Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm not having alot of luck at my local gun shop.

Thanks.
Bri
 
IWB's are the easiest to conceal. Yesturday, I went to the range with a buddy from 1911forum.com (ROSANGHAL) and we were doing some draw from concealment drills. According to his Pact Timer, my fastest time drawing AND firing an aimed shot from IWB (with a T-Shirt covering it) was 1.26 seconds. I wear my holster strongside, right hip.

When I did a lot of practice, I had times that ranged from .95-1.04 seconds. Practice Practice Practice!

My holster is a Mitch Rosen DL with a full size 1911. Mitch Rosen holsters are not cheap. They run anywhere from $85-200.

Other options you can try are Milt Sparks, Kramer, and Aless for leather. If you want kydex, go with Springbok, Talon Tactical, or SKD Tactical Accessories.

www.mitchrosen.com
www.kramerleather.com
www.miltsparks.com
www.rfholsters.com (Alessi dealer)
Talon Tactical
www.skdtac.com
www.springbokinc.com


[This message has been edited by ArmySon (edited September 18, 2000).]
 
I have to agree with ArmySon, IWB is a very good method of concealment. I don't usually tuck in my shirts so this works great for me. My Glock 27 in an IWB is all but invisible under a t-shirt. Since I got my CCW, I've been buying my pants a size big so that the IWB will fit comfortably. Stay away from the cheap holsters like Uncle Mikes makes. I used one for about a month until my glock worked itself loose and fell out. Fortunately I was in my house when it happened and not in the middle of the grocery store. Any good brand name fitted holster should do.

As far as reshaping kydex goes, I don't think it'll work.

Start by checking some of the links that ArmySon posted. Also, you can go to http://www.pla-net.net/~rcomer/acc.htm
and check out some of the holster manufacturers on that list.

Good luck.
 
Any custom leather shop will be able to work up a holster for you. Go to glocktalk.com and there are some holster manufacturers listed there (Mark Waldon and Mark THG) who do great work at very reasonable prices. As for IWB, i't sthe only way to go with most weapons. Just remember to get your pants and belts 1-2 sizes larger, which will greatly add to comfort.
 
I can not say enough good things about the Sparks VM2. It can be used as an IWB or a tuckable. Very stable and comfortable. Can be used with a belt or without using the provided clips.
 
Kydex can be worked if you heat it up in the oven at 175 degrees. You can use a hair dryer but it's not as effective as the oven.

One other important note is to use a good sturdy belt. A well made holster is almost pointless with a GUN belt.


------------------
Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
 
Okay.. so I'm a simple guy.

I wouldn't so easily bash Uncle Mike since I've got at least one IWB holster to fit each of my handguns. I'd rather have Uncle Mike's over an EXPENSIVE holster any day, as I find these more comfortable to wear than leather in most cases. That, and I find that it is extremely easy (for me) to draw from a plain-jane Uncle Mike holster... okay.. and I'm a cheap-o kinda guy too.

My opinion, of course.

------------------
God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
ak9, I was looking at the Versa Max 2 on the Sparks web site, the arrangement makes sense to me. Do you or does anyone else have any experience with his Watch Six Dual Talon? Its quite a lot less expensive than the VM2, and still offers clip-on attachment. Also, does anyone offer a holster of this basic design that retains loops for OWB wear? I'd like the IWB for CCW around town, but when I'm out in the hills hiking, I'd just as soon have it outside.

Also, can most custom leather shops get the clips like used on either of these Sparks holsters?

Thanks.

Bri
 
You can get the clips from Sparks. I have them in Khaki and blue for jeans. The loops and clips come with each holster and additional clips and loops (for belt size) can be purchased. I have no experience with the watch six talon. I will have check it out.
 
I have used a Galco NSA for eight years, and it works better for hiding the gun - ease of presentation, and I have never lost the gun even while running (no retention strap) - than any holster I have ever used. Different holster makers have different style loops, and some work better than others. You could not give me a Kydex holster, and the CHEAP nylon holsters are for those who don't know better. My local indoor range which gives training will not allow a person to participate if he cannot reholster the gun w/ one hand, and unless you are a baggy pants punk with your wasteband below your crotch, and using suspenders, it AIN'T gonna happen with an Uncle Mike's IWB holster.
How much is your life worth? If you want it to work right, use leather, whoever the maker.
 
Thanks for the info. I've talked with the folks at Sparks, they don't have a pattern for my gun and would need it for 5-6 weeks. I'm thinking of working with a local leather worker to have him make me one. May have to see if Sparks will sell me the clips alone.

Also, thanatos, you mentioned that you don't like Kydex. Is it the appearance or does it make you sweat too much? I've never used or had a good look at one.

Thanks.
Bri
 
Like many things, it is a matter of personal preference. Have not seen a Kydex holster for a 1911 around here, they seem to be primarily a Glock thing (which I detest having shot 1911's for 40 years; Glocks just don't FEEL right to me), and the Kydex holster I tried was very uncomfortable for me. If it works for you, be my guest!!! I use Uncle Mike's nylon holsters as a thigh holster, or a Super Belt Slide, but for an IWB, it just doesn't work.
 
Try contacting Lou Alessi. His Talon Plus IWB is tought to beat. I know he makes it for CZ75s, he just might it for your pistol.

------------------
"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
 
Thanatos, there are plenty of Kydex holster for M1911s, including:

Mad Dog Tactical: http://www.mdenterprise.com/holsters.htm

Blade Tech: http://www.blade-tech.com/holsters.html

KyTac: http://www.kytac.com/

I have holsters from Blade Tech and Mad Dog. They work just fine.

I also have some good leather holsters. They work just fine too.

I have three Galco holsters. They sit in my box full of holsters that don't quite work. The problem is that those Galco holsters collapse after drawing. I hate that, because when you are reholstering, you have to fumble around trying to get the gun back in the holster. The temptation is then to use your weak hand to help hold the holster open, which places your weak hand near your gun muzzle. Real bad idea.

But, whatever works for you...

M1911
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top