holster for cocked & locked 1911

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IrvJr

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Hi All,

I'm looking for a thumbstrap OWB holster for my Kimber Pro Eclipse that would allow me to carry the thing with the hammer cocked and the thumb safety engaged. I have a Desantis holster which is a nice holster, but part of the holster (the thumb snap part) pushes against the thumb safety of my gun and disables the safety as I holster the gun.

Can anyone recommend a good leather OWB holster that has a thumbstrap that will allow me to properly carry my 1911 cocked & locked?

Thanks
 
why not open top?

Good retention can be had with no thumb strap. I've been carrying 1911s cocked and locked in open top holsters for years with good retention. Get one molded well around the trigger guard, or with a tension screw. These offer good retention, and you can carry your gun C&L.
 
I have the Bianchi Black widow for my 1911 and it works great. CCW capable with the right clothing and fast to get to with a little ipsc style practice.
 
"Good retention can be had with no thumb strap"

I concur with SteveR, thumb straps can be irksome during a quick draw due to design of various snaps and holster design. It can snag at the least inopportune time...:eek:
 
Hey Steve - I'd love to see the holster. PM sent.

As for the open top design, I do have a "strapless" holster for my 1911, but I think I'd like the added security of a strap. The open top holster is secure enough and fast on the draw, but for some occasions I like the idea of having a strap.
 
Pics, you say?

This is the Milt Sparks Watch Six.
Best IWB holster in the world. (my opinion)
 

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Thumbstraps are downright dangerous in 1911s. The Galco Fletch, for example was notorious for disengaging the safety -- pressure of the body against the holster rubbed the snap against the safety. There is nothing quite so embarassing as drawing and finding your safety is already disengaged.
 
I carry a CZ 75B cocked and locked, and wouldn't think of using a thumbstrap. They're too likely to nail a safety or a trigger. Sparks, HBE, and Tucker IWB's are at the top of the heap, in my experience.
 
Sportsman's guide has a couple of extremely nice, but very reasonably priced thumb break holsters that can be had as a multi-position, or as a horizontal SOB. I have one of the SOBs for my Taurus PT-145, and had one for my Kimber Ultra Carry. I wore it at 4:00-4:30 and it was extremely comfortable, even in the car. The thumb break will work with the hammer down or cocked.
 
If you're worried about retention and don't need it stuck right up against your body take a look at the Blackhawk CQC with Serpa. Their ads may be silly but their products really are top notch. I picked up one for my Glock 20 and I love it. For a full size gun I can't imagine anything much more ideal. Open access, solid retention, fast draw, light weight, durable, what's not to love?

There are lots of little details that make it an excellent holster. There's a retention spring to keep it solid and quite in the holster. It comes with both belt loops and a paddle with adjustable cant making it very versatile. The metal parts are all stainless or brass. It's solid but still lightweight. The only thing I could fault it for would be bulk but in that department it's still better than the other molded plastic competition. On top of all that it's not even that expensive being cheaper than even mediocre leather.
 
I am currently using a Don Hume Agent 711 for C&L carry with hammer hood, only way my boss would let me carry C&L style pistol on company time.

When holstering index is on the frame and thumb is on the hammer and before I close the thumb break, I check the safety, to make sure it's on then close the strap, my grip safety works and the trigger is fully covered, the chance of an ND/AD, doing it in this fashion should be non existent and with my index present, my finger pushes the strap out of the way, preventing it from entering the trigger guard.

One must adapt and if a little piece of leather, satisfies the boss, and allows me to carry my 1911 on the job, I am not going to complain:D
 
This is for CCW, right?

If this holster isn't for CCW, then disregard.

A good fitting holster made specifically for your model handgun will provide all the retention you need in daily life. I have played volleyball wearing shorts, an untucked T-shirt, a 5" 1911, spare mag, and knife. I've yet to attempt a trapeze, so maybe my holster isn't as good as I think it is. Galco Concealable is an open top model and serves me well.

The thumb strap knocking off your safety is a common problem and few holster makers address it. If you insist on a thumb break, get a holster that has a steel liner in the strap to spring it away from the holster when you unsnap it. If you don't have this feature (or something that performs like it) you are going to risk carrying a cocked and un-locked handgun.
 
Take a look at the De Santis Speed Scabbard. I have one for every handgun I carry and found them to be very secure and have no strap. I've used them as a LEO for over 15 years and have never lost a gun no matter what activity I was engaged in. The ones I have that are over 15 years old I still use. De Santis is one of the companies that makes a lifetime holster.
 
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