Full Disclosure: I spent about an hour searching for previous holster recommendations on Gen 3 S&w 45xx pistols. I apologize if I completely missed something obvious.

I'm looking for a "leftie" leather/suede IWB holster for my S&W 4567. Like a good Smith & Wesson Forum member, I went down the list of Smith and Wesson Forum Vendors but came up dry on LH holsters for my circa 1991 pistol.

Other than custom ordering one and waiting months, has anyone had any experience with finding a good, snug, leather IWB holster for the 45xx series? For reference, the 4567 has a 4-1/4" barrel and an overall length of 7" (+ 7/8" for the dovetail).

Thanks!

- Dave

Check out the Crossbreed line of holsters. Some are all leather..some use Kydex/leather.

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

Thanks for the quick reply and tip!

I found the SuperTuck Deluxe, which looks perfect:

SuperTuck Deluxe | Crossbreed Holsters - Super Tuck Deluxe

but the closest 45xx pistol I found in their drop-down list was the 4516. Will that be close enough? According to the Standard Catalog, the 4516 has a 3-3/4" barrel.

- Dave

Any holster made for a non-railed Sig 220 /226 will work fine. There are a lot more holster choices for the Sigs than the 3rd Gen. Smiths. Just my $.02.
Ryon

You might want to give them a call. Many Kydex hybrid style holsters don't provided full muzzle coverage on the Kydex portion of the holster, but allow enough leather on the inner portion to protect the muzzle of longer barreled models carried in the same holster. A maker might list something for the 4516, but it also works with the 4566 and/or 4506 as well. On all leather holsters, longer barreled guns don't always work well (if at all) with too short a holster for the barrel length.

Though there is a wait for the better leather holster makers, you can often find used holsters on eBay from the likes of Kramer or Milt Sparks, who both can provide holsters for most 3rd gen Smith auto. There are DeSantis, Safarilans and Gould & Goodrich holsters to consider as well. You may also want keep in mind that the 10xx and 45xx sized holsters can be interchangeable. IOW, at holster for a 1066 would work with a 4566.

With so many variables for model numbers of 3rd gen pistols, you would do well to consult the S&W Whiz Wheel: The Gun Zone -- S&W Whiz Wheel

You may get lucky on eBay and find a deal on lefty holsters, simply because there is a much smaller market for those holsters, and even less for a lefty 3rd gen Smith. We also have a classified section here where you can look for something now or post a WTB (Want To Buy) add yourself.

Sparks WS_1.JPG
Milt Sparks Watch Six for S&W 1076
Sparks WS_2sm.JPG

As it happens, I just snagged a Milt Sparks Watch Six holster for my 1076 on eBay. While I've had several of the Sparks VM2 holsters, this was my first WS and I am impressed by how thin, yet stiff, this holster really is. It doesn't use a reinforced mouth and is made of high quality horsehide. This makes for one of the very thinnest holsters around.

See Milt Sparks holsters here: IWB holsters

I would contact them before I ordered it. The Kydex is formed to the contours of your specific gun. Here is one I made for my Ruger P95. I plan on making one for my new M&P I just purchased last week. It takes about 3 hours and cost about $6.00 dollars.

[IMG][/IMG]

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

Thanks for all the suggestions to call first. Before I order a fairly expensive, custom holster, I really want to make sure it fits my baby. Good advice. And thanks also to Desert Dog for the eBay suggestion. Given that it's a 21-year-old pistol, there's gotta be somebody out there with a used holster.

That's very handy. I checked the Crossbreed website and there's a SuperTuck Deluxe for both the Sig 220 or the 226. Any feel for which is a closer fit?

I'll still probably call to double-confirm, but your 3rd Gen -> Sig 220/226 mapping trick may come in handy in the future.

- Dave

Take a look at Cleveland Holsters. It appears to be an up & coming company. It reeives high marks on other forums and is competitively priced.

DeSantis holsters

Be forewarned, the Sig trick works better with leather than Kydex, as the leather has more wiggle room, and while the pistols are close to the same size, detailed boning makes the dimensional differences more obvious and does impact retention to varying degrees. I have an Andrews holster molded for a Sig 229 that works okay for a 4513/4516/4536, but the fit is not nearly the same as holsters molded on the correct dummy gun.

As for the Kydex hybrid you are considering, I would also take a look at Tommy Theis holsters if you're set on that style. It is the same style of holster as CB, but less expensive and of equal quality -- plus he makes them for the 1076, so the 4567 shouldn't be a problem. Though I will have to add that I'm not nearly as fond of these holster than others seem to be. For me, its simply too big a big chunk of leather against the body.

I checked Cleveland Holsters, Theis Holsters, and DeSantis Holsters. DeSantis has a very nice suede leftie called the "Sof-Tuck" that's listed as fitting the 4566 (SS twin of the 4567). This is, so far, the most direct match I've found on the interwebs yet.

I'm not excluding making a few phone calls to all the good suggestions above, but it's nice to know the 456x gets mentioned occasionally.

- Dave

FTW, I decided to go with a left-handed DeSantis Sof-Tuck for my SW1911 Pro, partially to test-drive one, and partially because I already have two inexpensive Uncle Mike's holsters for my 4567. I have to say, I'm very impressed with the suede Sof-Tuck! It has an adjustable cant and positions very low inside the waistband. Depth is adjustable to three positions too. Once positioned at the 8-o'clock position (remember, I'm a "leftie") the holster barely shows above my belt, yet holds the 5" 1911 very securely.

I'll be picking up another one for my 4567. IMHO, the DeSantis Sof-Tuck should be on your short list when considering IWB holsters.

Thanks again for everyone's input and advice.

- Dave

I use a Super Tuck with my 4516 and 457. The extra barrel length will not make any difference because of how the holster is made. This is a very comfortable holster.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew. I'm giving the SuperTuck a try. I just ordered a left-handed horsehide combat model for my 1911. If I love it more than my Sof-Tuck then I'll buy another one for my 4567. And thanks also for the reassurance about barrel length. It's good to know the 4516 model will work with my Gen 3.

- Dave

Sent from my Incredible 2 using Tapatalk 2

Give Sam @ Andrews Leather a call on his MacDaniel II model.

I just checked their website and a few of the key features are brilliant:

• Torque Plate (keeps the pistol flush)
• Steel Hardtop (keeps the holster open for easy return)
• Locking Swivel (prevents "cant creep" - a problem I'm having with the Sof-Tuck)

I'm going to wait for the SuperTuck to come in and give it a test drive before going for my fourth holster in a month. The old adage of ending up with a drawer full of unused holsters is coming true!

- Dave

That torque plate idea is fantastic! I don't know about the single belt loop though. Does anyone have one of these that can comment?

Everyone I have spoken with that has one says that the locking screw on the belt attachment does NOT move when in place, and you can adjust the angle of the belt attachment for cant and comfort. This holster will be my next leather purchase.

I'm a big fan of Kramer IWB #2's in horsehide. All my carry guns either ride in one of these or a Kramer Vertical Scabbard if outside the waistband.

I was frankly surpised to read your effusive comments regarding the Sof-Tuck. In my view, those holsters are not well-suited to carrying heavy pistols like a 1911 or 456x. For a subcompact or J-frame, it could be a servicable 'cheap date', but IMHO, it's really not robust enough for a full-figured blaster. I could have predicted the "cant creep" you've experienced. I own an Andrews MacDaniel II and have found the teeth on the locking swivel work well at first, but wear out and will losen over time. Sam does some really nice leather work, but like the Rosen ARG, I find the single rear attachment point allows for more movement than I like. I've also found the MacD II feels 'tippy' if canted too much, likely the result of the balance point moving from over the slide, to behind the trigger. I've thought of sending it back to Sam to address the worn teeth and replace the pull dot on the loop that is broken, but just haven't gotten around to it.

A similar design (to the MacD II), but with the additon of a unique front attachement point, is available from AKJ Concealco. Not as well known as some makers, these holsters are well made, reasonably priced AND available for the 45xx (and other gen 3 pistols). See: AKJ Concealco LLC: IWB Holsters . Do note, the design does not have a metal reinforced mouth. While there are valid reasons that some insist on this feature (like LE who need one handed reholstering), my feeling is that many people who *think* they need this feature, have not really considered the extra bulk it adds, and have never likely owned a top shelf holster with a non-reinforced mouth. Examples, like the Milt Sparks Watch Six posted above and the Brommeland Max-Con V, work exceedingly well and provide slimmer, more discrete carry options.

The other problem with the Sof-Tuck design, is that the J-hook moves the load bearing from the belt to the waistband, by virtue of the attachement method (clipped underneath the belt). The belt should carry the weight, and is why a serious gun belt is an essential part of the comfortable concealed carry equation. The tuckable feature also cantilevers the attachment point and make the J-hook that much less solid. Designs with two attachement points do spread the load a fair bit better than does a single one. I prefer all leather to 'hybrid' designs, as the leather stretches and the Kydex basically doesn't, which can result in retention losening over time. Leather breathes and molds to you, whereas Kydex remains rigid and unyielding. There is a reason why people don't wear Kydex jackets...

Don't fret about the holster box you are filling. Everyone that is serious about carrying guns ends up with one. There is simply no one size fits all answer, as everyone is built a little different. This is why you will find a rave review about all the fan faves, yet see examples of each for sale on the used market. Some, like Sparks, will be much easier to recoup your money (even profit on) than others. Unless you need something oddball, like a left handed holster for an out-of-fashion pistol like a 3rd gen Smith. However, the flip side of that, is you can often pick up such oddball combinations for a song, on places like eBay or gun forum classfieds.

Hey DD.

Thanks for the excellent reply and feedback about your experiences with the various holsters. Experience is a harsh, but well-meaning teacher, and you're right about the Sof-Tuck, although it's my best so far (besting my $12 Uncle Mike's). I suspect that the Super Tuck will be a marked improvement.

For those following along at home, I don't mean to cast aspersions or "dis" the Sof-Tuck too much. It's working quite well for my all-steel 5" SW1911 Pro, but when configured for a very forward cant at the 8-o'clock position, sitting in a hard chair will cause the pistol and holster to "come to attention", making the pistol's butt print against the back of my shirt 'til readjusted.

I checked out the AKJ Concealco and it looks pretty well designed and reasonably priced. I appreciate you adding it to what has become a reference-quality thread for future generations of S&W semi-auto fans.

You really know how to hurt a Gen. 3 southpaw.

Thanks again.

- Dave

Dave,

I actually just double checked and my CBST only has enough leather to accommodate the shorter 4516/457 barrel length. If you were to insert a longer gun in the same holster, the barrel would poke you in the side, which is not comfortable.

I am sure that you talked to CB they will gladly make that section of the holster longer.

Andrew

Thanks Mad Mike. I checked out Kramer's website and they have a direct match for the 4567 on both their IWB #2 and IWB #3:

Inside the Waistband Holsters IWB (IWB #2)
Inside Waistband Holster IWB (IWB #3)

Argh! Too many very good options!

- Dave

Thanks for that link Desert Dog!!

Those look like great holsters and I have been looking for something without double leather and steel in the top for a while. I don't need to speed holster my gun, I'll trade ease in re-holstering for all day comfort every time!

They have the sweat shield so the gun isn't poking me in the skin when I sit and drive, and the price is very reasonable.

Looks like I'm ordering a new holster to try out!

Now which gun do I get it for????

You're welcome. Glad you found the link of interest. I have some of stuff from Concealco that is more than a decade old and still going strong. They also make a really nice reinforced gun belt that is worth considering. The design also works well with revolvers. I can conceal a 5" N-frame(!) with this holster and just an untucked shirt.

Quick impulse buying update.

I've been carrying my SW1911 Pro in the Sof-Tuck for so long, that my 4567 was getting jealous. This morning, I mounted the 4567 in my original Uncle Mike's $12 holster and was immediately amazed at how I once thought this holster was acceptable. To DD's point, it has no adjustable cant *and* hooks under the belt, putting all the weight on my poor Levis (See? I listen.). So with credit card out (again), I was off to get an upgraded holster.

Amazon has spoiled me because I was absolutely not prepared for the lead times on these custom-made holsters! My first choice, the AKJ Concealco, was met with a fairly vague and open-ended warning about the owner having health problems and being uncertain whether he'd continue to make holsters or fulfill existing orders.

I then went to Milt Sparks to purchase a Watch Six or Versa Max 2 and found out that their lead time is 16-22 weeks, so we're talking early 2013!

The shortest lead time I could find was Kramer Leather at "only" 10-11 weeks. I ended up going with them and hope to have a better holster for my 4567 by Halloween.

This has been an eye-opening experience. Purchasing high quality holsters is definitely not for the instant gratification crowd.

- Dave

I am a BIG fan of Theis Holsters. One man shop, great work, excellent communication.

I vote Theis all the way...

Try NM Holsters -  Products I have the #1 IWB holster for my Ruger SR9c and it is great.

Also look at Old Faithful holsters, they have a holster kit for $39. Kydex/leather, the Kydex is already formed, just put it together, also have one of those, very good holster.

Thanks for the link. His prices are very reasonable, and a quoted one week turnaround time is impressive. If I didn't already have two holster orders outstanding, I'd definitely give him a try. There's no mention of any S&W 45xx pistols, but he does offer to make holsters for unlisted pistols.

- Dave

Sorry about suggesting AKJ Concealco, without knowing the full situation there. You have to drill down a few pages to find it, but the whole sad tale is honestly reported. Bummer to see an artisan essentially driven to other work by virtue of health problems. Alas, that is the risk of dealing with one man shops. I have a similar situation with a gunsmith and a custom 1911 that is several years over due now.

You are getting a quick education about the reality of custom holsters and wait times. While there are always going to be new/lesser known makers being 'discovered', it also holds true that those doing the very best work almost always have the longest wait.

The differences in holster design and build quality is not always easily discerned from photos alone. I would encourage you to seek out work from first tier makers, so that you have a chance to at least see for yourself, exactly what that difference is. I would likewise encourage you to track the used market for buying opportunities. There a vultures trying to make money off the holster maker's wait lists (by charging more than new prices), but if you're patient, you can get a fair to great deal on most of the best stuff. A fair share of what you see has little to no actual wear on them. A used left handed holster will often have a more motivated/flexible seller. For your 4567, I would also expand your search to included holsters for 1066, 1076 and 1086 pistols.

No worries on the AKJ Concealco suggestion. I very much appreciate your advice, and the advice of others on this forum and thread. I've been Google'ing my brains out looking for a LH Milt Sparks for sale, but have come up high 'n dry. Even simplifying the equation by looking for one to fit my 5" 1911 hasn't brought me any joy ... yet.

During my quest, I saw several people who decided to purchase the Minotaur MTAC Holster as an alternative to the long wait times for CrossBreed SuperTuck or Milt Sparks VM2. There's no listing for a 3rd Gen. .45, but I was curious what other people thought of the Minotaur MTAC? If the SuperTuck doesn't thrill me 'n my SW1911 Pro when it arrives in ~5 weeks, I may consider giving the Minotaur MTAC a whirl.

- Dave

For Milt Sparks, I would also email their long-time, full-line stocking dealer, Alan Yoast, to see what he might have to offer. Zero wait if he has it...

[email protected]

Sparks also has a Facebook page that shows a few odd and end in stock. Brownells stocks the Summer Special and TopGun Supply the Versa Max II, but not for a lefty; and they are frequently out of stock, though you can get on an email notifcation list with TGS.

World's Largest Supplier of Gun Parts, Gunsmith Tools & Shooting Accessories - Brownells

Milt Sparks Gun Holsters | Shop Versa Max Belts

I received the SuperTuck Deluxe today. It's very different from the Sof-Tuck. I'm not sure if I'm a Kydex fan, but based on all the stellar reviews, I'm giving it a serious trial. The features, quality, and adjustment options are impressive. I've already raised the front mount and lowered the back mount for more of an FBI cant. It's very stable, doesn't sag, and seems very comfortable. There's a nice rubber washer between the backing and steel clips allowing for good shirt tuck.

My only issue is with the Kydex fit when snugging up my belt to keep the grip tight against my body in 8-o'clock position (lefty). The Kydex seems to catch something on the SW1911 Pro requiring an odd counterclockwise twist of the pistol to get it out of the holster. I'll continue to play with the position, cant, and draw from the holster to see if like becomes love.

- Dave
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In a world of compromise, some people don't. We carry Smith & Wesson.

I like my Crossbreeds but having both Horse and Cow versions of the Super Tuck I have developed a definite preference for Horsehide. I purchased a used horsehide Super Tuck supposedly for a SIG P220 a year or so back in a package deal with some mags but it does not fit my SIG P220 very well. But, it does fit my actual carry piece, a XDm 3.8 C, very well. A happy situation to be sure.

Thanks Timber Wolf.

I purchased the horsehide version with the combat cut and it's very comfortable. Compared to all my other holsters, I can't even tell it's mounted.

Can you tell me in what position you mount the holster? I tried my typical 8-o'clock position and the SW1911's pistol grip sticks out quite a bit while seated. I have it at about the 8:45 position now which cures the grip printing, but now the FO sights print from the side.

It's a quality holster for sure, and I think as soon as I get it "dialed in" I'll be very happy with it.

- Dave
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In a world of compromise, some people don't. We carry Smith & Wesson.

Bit late in the discussion, but I went through the same thing a few months ago looking for an IBW holster for my 4563. Being the cheapskate I am, I looked into making my own. Did just a little research and ended up making a leather version of a supertuck using scrap leather from a hobby shop and spent about $16 for everything (and had enough leather left to make myself and my wife simple belt slide holsters also). Plus only took about 2-3 days. Leather work is actually fairly easy (unless you want to get fancy and do the tooling). Forming the leather was fairly straight forward and has held up well. Plus it is a perfect fit since I formed it to my gun. If you ever get bored, you ought to give it a try.

Robert

It's been a while, but I figured I would share my latest acquisitions and opinions.

I finally received the Kramer IWB #3 in horsehide for my 4567. It holds the Gen 3 very well, tight to the body, and the rigid throat band makes it easy to reholster.

I also picked up a Wilson Combat Summer Companion for my Tactical Elite 1911. This is a high quality all-leather holster that positions the pistol a bit higher than most, but tucks in pretty well. It takes up more room inside the waistband, requiring a bit more room in your trousers (read: +2 sized jeans). The 1911 fits nice 'n snug, yet releases the pistol easily for a quick draw.

Overall, it seems that with my drawer full of holster, the good ol' Crossbreed SuperTuck Deluxe is still the champ. It's my "go to" holster when wanting to conceal-carry one of my 1911's for all-day comfort. I've since picked up a real gun belt and tuckable IWB dual magazine carrier (definitely requiring +2 sized jeans), both from Crossbreed, and have to admit that a real gun belt makes a huge difference.

Just today I ordered my first Outside Waistband holster, a Crossbreed SnapSlide in black cowhide, for those occasions when I'm wearing pants that won't accommodate an IWB holster. It would seem that I've become a rather large Crossbreed fan.

- Dave
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In a world of compromise, some people don't. We carry Smith & Wesson.

I (eventually) took your advice, after noticing their ad in one of my many new pistol magazines, and am very happy to report that the Old Faithful holsters rival my current front-runner, Crossbreed SuperTuck Deluxe, in comfort and concealability. They have a Kydex mold for the 4506 that fits the 4567 perfectly:

Assembled - Inside the Waistband - Hip - Gun Holster - Old Faithful Holsters

This is the first viable, long-term wearable IWB holster for the Gen 3 that started it all, and I love that I can finally conceal-carry my "little" 4567 (as compared to the SW1911 Pro I've been CC'ing) proudly and discretely.

- Dave
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In a world of compromise, some people don't. We carry Smith & Wesson.

Check out Side Guard Holsters - IWB Leather Holsters

Just got my new tuckable iwb holster in recently and it is amazing!! fits me perfectly and makes my CS9 disappear!