Title bout sums it up...any recommendations? Any pictures?

I'm hopeful ya'll can help.

Kind regards,

T.H.

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Rather be outdoors

There are lots of good holsters for 1911s. The gun does not conceal all that well to start with though.

A good pancake holster will conceal well. Adding suspenders to your pants will help keeping the pants up and comfortable.

I wore a Gold Cup for several years under a sports jacket and no one ever called me out on it. The Gold Cup had lots of sharp edges and left my jacket linings in tatters though. Modern carry 1911s for carry are generally better dehorned than the old Gold Cups.

Galco makes a few; DeSantis too. Or you can get a custom holster from any of the good makers out there.

I carried inside the waistband too, but it was not very comfortable for me, and I usually wore a jacket so I went with the pancake holster.

I regularly carry a Colt Combat Commander. I use Ray Cory's (Lobo Gun Leather - Home) Model 1 Pancake or Enhanced Pancake, depending on whether I want an open top or thumb-break, and don't have a problem. I occassionally carry in a IWB holster, but it's not as comfortable as the Lobo holsters.

Milt Sparks VM2 is one of the most recommended holsters for IWB concealed carry--however, they have about a 6 month lead time on orders. I would recommend Andrews Leather, my favorite holster maker, check out his McDaniel II design. I am hoping to get one in the future for my S&W 1911. I currently have his Wrap-id model, excellent craftsmanship--plus Sam (owner) is a great guy to deal with. Here are a couple pics of the Wrap-id with my 1911.



Apologize in advance for this picture, but it shows how well the holster pulls the gun in tight to the body.

Do your homework and you shall be rewarded.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

The top holster on the right is a Milt Sparks VM-II (ignore the other stuff). If you like IWB holsters, it's the cats meow!

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"I also cook."

Milt Sparks Summer Special 2, stock item via Brownell's is excellent for IWB.

I have a Brommeland pancake holster for my 1911 and that is excellent for an OWB holster.

For other guns, I use the MS VMII and as others stated, I've never looked back. It's the best, but you will wait a long time for one. [NOTE: I do not have the VMII for the 1911.]

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MA Gun Law & NRA Instructor

Years ago when I carried a full-sized M1911A1, it concealed well in a Bianchi Askins Avenger.
Haven't seen one for YEARS.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I believe the Askins Avenger is out-of-production, but several people make a version of it. My favorite version is from AdamsLeatherWorks.

Milt Sparks Summer Special, pants and belt a size larger. Gun doesn't show below the belt, THE most comfortable rig I own, although I have some OWB revolver rigs that aren't too bad, either. Whenever I am worried about whether I'll be comfortable carrying all day and into the night, I break out my stainless Government Model and my old Summer Special, and all the worries go away.

You may want to look into UBG Holsters.
Nate puts out a great product at reasonable prices. LOBO, as mentioned, also has a good line of reasonably priced holsters.

YB

A Milt Sparks Summer Special is the best choice for ultimate concealment.

I have been using them for several years. I always buy my pants 2" bigger in the waist.

Also any of the other Milt Sparks holsters work great as well. I wear a 55BN a lot with just my shirt tail untucked.

As others have stated a pancake style holster works good too.

However you MUST have a good belt, a stiff belt, designed to support a hand gun and extra magazines.

The belt is JUST as important as the holster.

Milt Sparks belts are well worth the money.

I have two Milt Sparks rigs, a Summer Special and an older 55BN. The 55BN is more comfortable with my 945 and I don't think there is a big difference in "print".

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Look into Pure Kustom's Black Ops. It's similar to a VMII only adjustable for height and cant..
i liked it so much i traded my VMII...

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I used to be disgusted..

I tried an Askins Avenger syyle rig for my Colt DS and it didn't conceal no where near as well as my Lobo panacake holster...the front is just not pulled into the body enough for great concealment.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I disagree completely.

The M1911 conceals VERY well. It's flatter than most "modern" semi-autos, especially those with very large magazines.

I carry one all of the time.

I used to carry in a Don Hume 715M, then switched to my own tuckable IWB.

The Milt Sparks VM-II for the 5" and the Summer Special for the Commander length works for me.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

This holster style began with Bruce Nelson's "Professional Model". The "Askins Avenger" was made by Bianchi International, reportedly with the input of Colonel Charles Askins. With Bianchi's huge distribution and marketing this general design became commonly known as the Avenger style holster.

Thanks for the additional info, I knew it was in relation to a Bruce Nelson design, but didn't know the history behind Bianchi and Colonel Askins. Does Bianchi still offer the Askin's Avenger?

I agree it is flat and hugs the body, but the grip prints through most light fabric jackets and all shirts from my experience.

I suppose the new rounded butt would help. But if you want a fully concealed weapon, the full sized 1911 is not at the top of the list. And the Glock 23 is just 1.18 thick; according to Jeff Quinn of GunBlast.com the S & W 1911 measures 1.31" at the grip.

I think that the 1911, if fully dehorned is OK under a sports jacket, but not under a camp shirt. It will print too much and will be too obvious under any shirt. Like I said, my main complaint about carry was that it chewed up the linings on my jackets. Colt does not seem to pay too much attention to the dehorning process.

I NEVER carry OWB, always IWB, usually under a tucked polo shirt (I HATE untucked shirts). My M1911 doesn't "print" to any noticeable extent. Certainly nobody has EVER noticed.

Of course Ohio is an open carry state. My gun could "print" like the New York Times and the Washington Post combined and it would have no legal meaning whatever.

The Sparks 55BN is an excellent copy of the original Bruce Nelson holster and works well for concealed carry. Galco also makes an excellent "Avenger" holster that is a good choice. The Fobus paddle holster is a good buy for small $$ but stay away from the "Roto-Tilt" for concealed carry.

#1 Professional holster by the late Bruce Nelson; a great, minimalist approach to OWB carry; thin, with wonderful detail and perfect fit; the proof is in the puddin. every holster made by Bruce Nelson was known to be made by Bruce Nelson, himself. examples put on the secondary market are quickly grabbed by the collectors circuit. my most highly prized items of gun leather that i possess... are pieces made by Bruce Nelson.

Milt Sparks 55BN; for many, adds to the allure of the #1 Professional; the 55BN is a great tribute to Bruce Nelson, with the addition of extra strip added to the mouth of holster for ease in reholstering. nice sight channel built into the holster, as well. my examples of the 55BN were made when the late Milt Sparks was still turning out his works. the ongoing quality of work from Milt Sparks, Inc. remains very high.

Alessi DOJ; Lou Alessi's interpretation of the Bruce Nelson #1 Professional is not just an also-ran offering. my examples were made when the late Lou Alessi was still at the helm; great work. i haven't purchased any Alessi holsters/accessories that have been manufactured after Lou Alessi's passing; can't give firsthand opinion on current production pieces.

I use a Tucker "Answer" IWB for all of my 1911's from the Office size through the full size. All of them carry very easy and are very comfortable. The concept is very similar to many others on the market now like the Crossbreed and King Tut. It allows you to adjust the cant and height of where the pistol rides.

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Galco Avenger..........This is the one I believe that Kimber uses in their advertisements too. Good under a jacket or some shirts.

First , you need to be more specific in what you do and don't want, what features you want or don't, what materials, what type of holster OWB/IWB /Paddle etc.

Your request is much like asking what car is the best to drive....

Many excellent suggestions posted already. Most of my herd rides in Milt Sparks VM-2 or Kramer #3, All manufacturers offer 1911 holsters so refine your request.

Randy