Holster Style Preferences, particularly for 1911?

[Siberious]

No...this is DEFINITELY NOT a *who do you think makes the best blahblahblah holster*...

Its a question on *preference* of a particular *feature* that seems to be in demand and/or gaining popularity, and I'm curious as to why...

Thumb breaks holsters, be it a IWB or OWB holster, whilst carrying a 1911.

With the safety features of a 1911 (thumb switch must be off and grip safety must be depressed before the gun will fire...) I'm curious as to why people seem to want thumb breaks. Even if carrying in Condition 1, the gun is really quite safe, won't discharge if dropped (unless you've done alot of "COUGH" *custom* "COUGH" trigger work with a Dremel on your own) and a well-made holster will provide the proper retention via friction for an OWB holster, and a thumb break on a IWB seems redundant if the reason is to prevent a gun grab, because, when properly concealed, no-one is supposed to be able to tell that there is a gun under your shirt to grab.

I personally can't see a reason for a thumb break on a IWB as its yet another step in drawing the weapon that you need to be mindful of, and you've already got enough to worry about in getting your cover garment cleared so that you can draw if, God forbid, its a life-or-death situation. Why add a thumb break to the list of possible snag points?

On a OWB, I can understand the reasoning for a bit more safety from a gun grab, especially when the firearm is being OC'd. Then again, you can carry OWB with a cover garment, and if properly concealed, the chances of a gun-grab are practically nil, because if a perp can't *see* it, how does he know to *grab* it?

So...do you prefer thumb breaks on your 1911 rigs, either IWB or OWB, and why?

This question is for CIVILIAN CARRY, not LEO, not Security Guard, not Prison Guard, etc...

The question is for the typical man-on-the-street civilian exercising his 2A rights.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In a properly-designed holster, thumbreaks are not needed. And some are placed so the snap can dislodge the safety lock as you move around.

 

[scaatylobo]

BUT

The only time I agree with no level of security is on a TOTALLY concealed holster.

AND it must be able to hold the gun while doing a sumersualt,not that you need to even be able to do one.Just that it has to hold the gun in case you fall down.

I carry my G-23 in a Glock sport holster that uses friction and will hold secure even with a good shake = upside down.

 

[yeti]

Since I don't own any and don't carry IWB I can't speak for them, but except for my pocket holsters and a couple BlackHawk Serpas, all of my holsters are thumb break.

My reason is real simple, it's what I like, that's all, nothing else, I just prefer them so that is what I get (maybe I'm just stuck in my ways). If really pushed I could say I'm a lefty so all my 1911s have ambi safeties and there is a slightly greater risk of the safety being inadvertently swiped off. It has not happened to me yet, it's not something I really fret over all that much beyond knowing it could happen, I just like that type holster so that is what I use.

There also is the fact that, for me living where I live, carrying concealed just means not worrying if it can be seen. So most of my holsters are better suited for OC, but conceal just fine for my purposes.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

all my 1911s have ambi safeties and there is a slightly greater risk of the safety being inadvertently swiped off.

The cure for that is simple -- you need a holster where the safety lever contacts the back leather. Mould the leather to the lever -- wet it and force it around the lever. When dry, you can add a scrap of leather as a "cam" or button, positioning the top of the cam along the bottom of the moulded mark. This will securely and positively hold the safety lever in the "engaged" position.

On my holsters, a standard test I use is to take an unloaded M1911, cocked but unlocked. Shove it into the holster, and when it comes out, it should be locked -- the cam forces the safety lever to the "on" position.