Even a 1911 with an Officer frame is a fairly large, heavy pistol. If you own and carry a 1911, a quality 1911 holster is well worth the investment. This short post will cover two of the most common types, along with their relative advantages and disadvantages.
Belt Holsters
In the world of 1911 holsters, your classic belt holster is a leather holster that is designed to be carried on the belt. A modern CCW permit holder might call these OWB, or outside waistband, holsters because they are designed to be carried on the outside of the belt and generally are not intended for concealed carry.
These holsters are generally but not always made of leather. Where they are made of leather the design might incorporate a flap or strap that covers and secures the gun.
The benefits of 1911 belt holsters are that they offer excellent access to the firearm and are the best in scenarios in which you might need to draw quickly.
You don’t need to worry about printing as these holsters are generally not intended for concealed carry, but they also can drag down one side of your belt, so some people consider them less than ideal as far as comfort is concerned.
Shoulder Holsters
A shoulder holster is a type of holster with a harness or straps that a user wears over his or her shoulders; the holster itself is integrated into the design on the wearer’s non-dominant side. This requires the wearer to reach across the body for the gun, which is why shoulder holsters are sometimes referred to as cross draw holsters.
Shoulder holsters allow for concealed carry with most types of clothing and are particularly effective at concealment when wearing a uniform or jacket. This is one advantage over belt holsters.
Another is that shoulder holsters generally have room for a spare magazine or a few, integrated into their design.
In addition, shoulder holsters distribute the weight of the gun more effectively, and as a result, most consider them more comfortable to wear and use, especially for prolonged periods of time.
There are, however, some shortcomings associated with shoulder holsters; one is that it can be nearly impossible to draw the gun if you are flat on your stomach or pressed up against a well.
Another is that, when drawing, you need to reach across your body, which also means that you have to be very careful when drawing so as not to muzzle yourself or any other unintended targets.
Modern 1911 Holsters: Are Thermoplastic or Leather Holsters Better?
While the majority of 1911 holsters have been classically made from leather, there are modern thermoplastic 1911 holsters, generally made from Kydex or nylon, which offer some advantages over leather.
Whereas leather is more comfortable to wear and affords a more classic look, thermoplastic holsters do not need to be broken in, can be lighter, require effectively no maintenance, and sometimes afford superior retention.
Ultimately, however, it’s really about what you want. Both leather and modern thermoplastic leather holsters can be serviceable depending on the circumstances.
Where to Explore a Wide Variety of 1911 Holsters
Whether you’re here for a modern thermoplastic 1911 holster or are more interested in the classic appeal and function of traditional leather 1911 holster, take a look at what they carry over at SARCO, Inc.
SARCO carries a wide range of holsters along with 1911 accessories and parts. Visit their website and get in touch with them directly if you’re looking for something specific you don’t see listed; they’d be happy to help.
For More information about 1911 accessories and rifle parts Please Visit : Sarco Inc
