Those that carry 1911s, two questions

[TestPilot]

45_auto:
Exactly how do you normally hold a gun?? What do you pull the trigger with if you're using all 4 fingers to grip it? Why would you ever hold it loosely ?

If someone else asks the same question, I'll gladly answer it.

 

[johnmcl]

I have a full length 1911 that's carried a lot. This is the very same gun which I use in IDPA (which probably makes me a minority these days in that my carry gun is my IDPA gun.... )

On holsters I vacillate from an IWB Milt Sparks to an OWB holster from Kirkpatrick Leather.

I went with a single side safety more to reduce the width of the gun rather than to enable any left handed jedi moves.

Practice, practice, and more practice trumps most everything equipment.

 

[Tom Fury]

I carry all sizes; prefer left side only; I like an Askins Avenger or El Paso street combat; a friend who carries and rides a motorcycle said he liked the Galco crossdraw and preferred it to a SH. I tend to prefer OWB's. Above holsters retain by tight molding and El Paso has a retaining clip in the nose that will set off a metal detector; can be had with snaps and strap.
Cheers, TF

 

[Mr.357Sig]

I carry my SR1911 5-inch in a Galco Jackass shoulder rig. For heavy 1911s, I much prefer that mode of carry to carrying on my hip.

I despise ambi safeties on 1911s.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

First, do you have a single sided or ambi safety on your carry piece? I would like to hear the pros and cons that folks have run into with either style.

I see no need for an ambi safety -- you can always disengage a regular safety with either hand.

Second, what holster rig are you using with your 1911?

I use a tuckable IWB of my own design. Basically, my holster has high leather that prevents the gun from touching my skin when I wear IWB.

If you have a pancake style holster, you can easily make a tuckable IEB by punching two holes -- one about even with the front sight, and the other on the other side of the slide. Make two "Reverse J Hooks" from Kydex. Start with a strip 3/4 inch wide and about 6" long. Heat and bend over the very tip of each strip, then make another bend about 2" down from that, so the first "J" touches the inside of the larger "J". Drill holes in the other end and attach to the holster with Chicago screws (also called Post screws.)

Dress normally, but leave your belt unbuckled. Shove the holster down inside your waist band, with the small "Js" outside the waist band, riding over your belt. They will click into place and lock the holster in place. Put your gun in the holster, then pull your shirt out from behind the holster, drape it over the holster and gun, and tuck it in between the holster and waistband (behind the "Reverse Js.") Buckle your belt -- tight -- and position your holster as you like.

Now "blouse" your shirt. Pull out about 2-3 inches of shirt all around and let the slack hang naturally. The gun will simply disappear.

 

[mesinge2]

I carry a SIG Scorpion Traditional slide commander with an ambi-safety in a Bianchi IWB holster at about a 4:30 position. I am a righty but I like the ambi because I can easily check if the safety is on just by feeling the gun through my shirt.

I have also modified the SIG as the original G10 MSH and grips were too aggressive IMO for comfortable carry.

 

[mesinge2]

When I want to carry OWB, I carry my Nightmare Carry SIG; it is essentially a Bobtail commander. The bobbed grip frame is easier for me to conceal OWB then the traditional grip frame, especially with the mag well I added to my Scorpion. I carry it at 3 o'clock in a custom built rig due to the SIG profile slide.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I know the issues involved, since I have tried it. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend it as a standard way of fighting when it can be avoided.

The problem is the delay and insecurity of the grip while I am doing it. It is physically impossible to be as fast as when I am using a thumb to move the lever while my finger is moving toward the trigger.

The question that should be asked is, How did you get the gun into your left hand with the safety still engaged? What scenario would produce that result?

Well, suppose you're shot in the right hand or arm before you draw.

Okay. Now try drawing from a right side holster with your left hand -- with someone shooting at you.

 

[cwl1862]

I have three 1911's that I carry (not at the same time though, my pants would fall down!)
I have a Colt Combat Elite 5", A Ruger 1911 Commander, and a Kimber Ultra Carry II. All with Ambi safeties as I'm a southpaw. All my 1911's are carried in Don Hume's H715M IWB with a thumb break.

 

[KC&97TA]

I've fallen in love with "don hume" leather holsters IWB... cheap too, $35 on Amazon. I have a couple years on my 1911 holster, ordered the Gov't model and carry champion/commander and officer sized pistols in it with no issues.

Single sided safety on all that I carry... I tried ambi on a loaded model SA Compact and it's getting swapped.