Can anyone recommend a good holster? It has been hard to find anything here in the Commonwealth to try for fit.

Full-size SW 1911 - Performance Center 170261 w/ambi safety.

Thank you!

I recommend looking at these guys. Andrews Custom Leather

I have not yet ordered my Monarch rig for my E-series tactical, but I have done quite a bit of looking around on the net and these folks have a great reputation. I called and asked if they can do a holster for a 1911 with tactical rail like mine and was told it was no problem, do it all the time.

I'm not saying to buy from them hands down, but have a look and see what you think. Give them a call. I hope to be ordering my Monarch rig in a couple of weeks.

Another vote for Sam Andrews of Andrews Leather. A much underrated craftsman in the holster business. Here is my first, and it certainly won't be my last holster from him. Oddly enough, a full-size stainless steel S&W 1911 (108284) with ambi-safety in a Sam Andrews Wrap-id, along with 1 of his snap-on mag pouches. The holster is quick to put on or take off while your belt is already on, the snaps connect solidly and require effort to undo, the fit is very tight and even includes a retention screw--he makes a standard pancake style that is almost identical to this one, and for IWB his MacDaniel II, is another fine choice.
The camera flash made it look more orange in color than it actually is, the second picture shows the color better.




Some other fine makers are: Kelley's Gunleather, Brigade, Overland, Winthrop, Adam's Leatherworks, Bulman, D. M. Bullard, Pure Kustom.

milt sparks vmII is always a first choice. usually a long wait but worth it. They can be had sooner but come with a high price tag.

Are you looking owb or iwb?

You can also have a custom made at Lobo gunleather for about a 5 week wait. I just got one of his IWB and its fantastic.

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God Bless Our Troops.

A full sized 1911 in a VMII has been my choice for a while. As long as IWB works for you, it is a system that is hard to beat.

Chubbs

A number of folks make really good holsters such as the one pictured above. If you decide on an OWB holster, some will not make it with a sweat shield. I for one, favor the shield, especially if you are going to carry in warm weather. Also, regardless of who's holster you end up buying, you need to attach it to a good, dedicated gun belt. Your common dress or jeans belt will not get it done.

There are a number of excellent leather workers out there. Milt Sparks, Allessi, Del Fatti, etc. I just bought a really nice rig from Overland Gunleather in Missouri. Nice work, reasonable wait and prices and a joy to work with.



Bruce

Overland Gunleather- St. Louis, MO

I have both Milt Spark's holsters for my 1911's; the OWB (Axiom) and IWB (VMII) models.
They're both great and you cannot buy a better concealed carry holster, BUT, I have also grown very fond of the Don Hume J.I.T. Yaqui Slide holster.

Any of those are a good place to start... and end.

I had difficulty finding holsters that will accomodate the 1911 with ambi safety. If the holster has a retnetion strap, the strap would be a little short in snapping due to the extended widthof the gun. Not one I tried worked well with ambi safeties.

Finally I ordered one from a man in Magnolia, AR. He built a holster at a very decent price with a strap, full tooling and it worked well.

However, I use many different holsters with time. What I need one day may not be what I need the next. Therefore I found a solution that works with every holster and does not interfere with retention.

Take an exacto knife and make a cutout for the right side safety. A photo is shown. Just cut exactly what is needed. The holster will retain it's shape, the retention strap will work and the gun will hold secure in the holster.

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My vote is for the holsters made by Simply Rugged. They are very reasonable in price and Rob can make them out of croc or shark skin for a very good price. I have 5 or 6 for various guns. Look him up. I hae one for my 1911 5 inch from croc that is a wonderful (to my eye).

Don't rule out Ray at Lobo Leather. Ray does quality work at very reasonable pricing compared to some of the other high $$ holster makers. I had Ray make a snap on, since I'm left handed, for my Springfield Champion, 4" barrel. Out of curiosity I tried the full size Springfield, 5" barrel, in it also. Both pistols have ambi-safeties.

4" Champion


5" Full size 1911-A1

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Mike in SouthCentral Kentucky