1911 carry

[Chocolate Bayou]

Does anyone carry 5" 1911 on belt holster and is it a problem to conceal?

 

[mnhntr]

Yes I do No it isn't.
I normally carry in a White Hat IWB but occasionally carry in a Kydex OWB belt slide on holster that conceals easy enough with a jacket or one of the fleece lined long sleeve shirts I usually wear in the fall and winter.

 

[gunsablazin]

I used to carry one in a Fobus paddle OWB, with a vest or light jacket it's no problem to conceal. I now carry a Springfield Lightweight Champion, it's 10 oz lighter than a Government model, and therefore much more comfortable to carry all day, and it too is no trouble to conceal.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I used to carry one in a Galco similar to the FLETCH, if it wasn't that model. I don't have it handy.

Either way, it was just fine as long as your cover garment is long enough. That's the biggest issue on longer barreled guns.

 

[mesinge2]

I often do and there is no problem. The better the holster the easier it is to conceal.

 

[malakili]

Current edc is a 5" rock island 45 cal, and i find it fairly easy to conceal. The grip of a full size 1911 is fairly short and quite thin compared to a lot of other service-size autos, and tends to disappear (on my body) under an XL polo or button up shirt.

Caveats: The 1911 is heavy (just under 3lb loaded) and it helps a lot to use a good quality iwb holster with double belt attachment points set wide apart (ie a crossbreed or mtac), and also a proper gun belt. I like the 1.5" wilderness instructor belt, it's inexpensive (around $40) and nylon, but seems to work as well as the $90+ custom leather gunbelts.

 

[hardluk1]

It depends as much or more what you do for a living and what you wear as much as what gun you carry and what holster you use. For me a 1911 is thin enough but to long and to heavy to cc for a blue colar kind of guy. Mine is my house /fun gun. Hard to hide it under a t-shirt or tucked in botton down and a coat of any kind is only used if needed when cold. Nothing stands out like guy wearing a lite jacket when its 9 or 95* out. I do have a great 1/1/2" jaypee double thick belt and several great rigs that my 1911 fs also fits but I draw a line at a 22, 23oz empty pistol and prefer a smaller 17, 18oz model for CC at work. I don't dress to carry and carry accordingly .

 

[deadeye dick]

Mesinge2, What is the name and brand of that holster?

 

[mesinge2]

Mesinge2, What is the name and brand of that holster?

I sent you a PM. Its a custom holster from a member of an invite only forum. I'll sponsor you there if you like.

 

[Milt1]

Look also at Kirkpatrick Leather Co., their Texas Strong Side!

 

[mattk]

Sparks Summer special 2 from Brownells makes concealing a 1911 fairly easy for me.

 

[savit260]

I've used a Simply Rugged Cuda with inside out straps (can switch from IWB to OWB) with very good results.

A full size 1911 isn't really hard to carry or conceal with a good holster and belt combo. It's actually rather easy as they are quite slim.

An untucked Tshirt is all that's needed for cover.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I carry a full size Springfield Loaded Lightwieght. I use either a Simply Rugged Cuda, or an El Paso Dual Duty. The Simply Rugged conceals slightly better, as the gun is tighter to the body, but the El Paso is slightly more comfortable. Both are very secure.
Of course a good belt is a must. I use one from The Beltman
www.simplyrugged.com
www.epsaddlery.com
www.thebeltman.net

 

[chiltech500]

The holster you saw pictured is under the general category known as "pancake" every holster maker and their brother makes a pancake of some sort

Here's my favorite pancake, a high grain horsehide from Exodus with a Dan Wesson Valor 5" barrel:

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For a cheaper holster ($49) but still nice handmade with many options:

http://www.lobogunleather.com/3_model_1_pancake_holster

I carry a lighter variant of the steel 5", a 4.25" barrel "commander" sized 1911 aluminum alloy in a pancake style holster. Tight up against the body it can be concealed with an untucked shirt, necessary for me because I am short with a short torso. Taller folks can hide them well with a tucked in short (almost everybody is taller than me LOL)

 

[MDI_Weapon]

Yes - I carry a 5" 1911 in a pancake or other OTB holster all the time and it isn't hard to conceal. I normally just use one of the holsters I have made for it. A really good gun belt certainly helps as it keeps the weight of a 1911 from shifting around too much. Pic of my "going through the TSA scanner" belt attached...

 

[JTQ]

Thanks for the picture. I always like the holsters lined up on a belt so you can see the relative cant and ride height of the different models.

Could you identify the holster models, left to right?

 

[fallout mike]

I carry one sometimes but its just too heavy & bulky. Normally go another route.

 

[huntershooter]

I carry a 5" 1911 all the time.
A favorite belt holster is Kevin Nightingale's (Nightingale Leather) Bruce Nelson hommage he calls the "Harrier".
With a "sweat shield" it's extremely comfortable and concealable.

 

[Iggy]

Old school carry.

 

[MDI_Weapon]

Thanks for the picture. I always like the holsters lined up on a belt so you can see the relative cant and ride height of the different models.



Could you identify the holster models, left to right?

Left to right - all thrown together by me in my garage/shop.

However, I can tell you the angles and holsters which are very similar.
Far left is 15 degrees forward cant, metal reinforcement band, wide loop spacing with one way snaps. Very much like the Sparks Versa Max 2 and several others on the market.
Second from left: about a 10-12 degree forward cant, high ride. Similar to the Milt Sparks 60TK but a slightly different cant.
The next two are basically the same design except one is cut shorter for a commander. 15 degree forward cant. Much like a Kramer belt scabbard holster or a Rosen 5JR.

The one on the far right....between a 15 and 20 degree forward cant IWB. My DIY Nexus before there was a Milt Sparks Nexus.

 

[tomrkba]

Does anyone carry 5" 1911 on belt holster and is it a problem to conceal?

I used to carry a 1911 in a Milt Sparks Heritage. The problem was the weight of the gun caused it to tilt back, even on a gun belt. A holster with split loops, such as the Milt Sparks VM 2, prevents the subsequent printing.

As usual, a loose shirt (with the gun possibly under another shirt), good belt and holster combo, and holster with lots of forward cant make concealment of the 1911 easier.

 

[bainter1212]

I carry a commander size Kimber and am able to conceal it very well. I use an IWB kydex holster with two widely spaced belt clips. A 15 or 20 degree cant seems to work best to keep the grip close to the body.

One of the best accessories for heavy gun carry (besides a good belt) are suspenders. People scoff at suspenders for fashion reasons, but I wear mine underneath a T shirt so nobody knows I am even wearing them.
I wear "Perry" type suspenders that hook onto the belt. This way, I can lug around a heavier service type pistol without having to hitch up my pants or tighten my belt uncomfortably tight.
I guarantee nobody sees my suspenders (except for my wife; unfortunately for her she sees me undress )

Good luck.

 

[tarosean]

This is my 4" but the same holster fits my 5" without an issue

 

[Nickb45]

I carry a Ruger CMD, the only time it can really be seen is when my shirt comes up and bottom of the holster shows (if carrying OWB). IWB there isn't anything to see.




My belt, OWB holster and mag pouch made by CCS Gunwear out of Yakima, WA, the IWB holster is from firearmholster.com. The belt and holster make it very comfortable to wear all day.

 

[kwil13]

I carry a 5" 1911 in a Tucker Gunleather HF1, conceals a lot easier than I thought it would with just a loose shirt. It's a great holster.