Our Top Picks For A Great 1911 Holsters

Our Research And Review Of The Best 1911 Holsters

FoxX Holsters Colt 1911 5″ Government

The foxx holster is a tuckable design with clips that fasten to your belt or pants. The main holster is made from molded Kydex and provides a very snug fit for a Colt 1911. The fact that the holster fits inside the waistband and the Kydex is specifically molded for the 1911 could be the reason why Foxx decided to not have the usually adjustable retention screws.

The ride height can be adjusted using the belt clips. There are three holes for the clips which give three different height options and the cant can also be played with. The Foxx holster also has all of the other essential features such as a raised back cover which prevents the tang and hammer from coming into direct contact with your skin. That’s also pretty important for the 1911 design as the tang and hammer are not rounded which can cause discomfort for everyday carry.

The holster also fully covers the trigger guard and the full length of a five-inch barrel. The Foxx is a quality choice for people that like the tuckable design and the price is also reasonable.

Pros

•         Adjustable cant and ride height
•         Perfect molded gun fit
•         Comfortable

Cons

•       The retention is not adjustable

1791 Gunleather 1911 Holster

The 1791 leather holster comes in four different color varieties and the quality of the leather and stitching is of the 1791 company’s usual standard, which is good. The leather is well molded to the 1911 frame and the holster design has two belt holes on the slide side for adjustable cant.

The belt holes can fit belts up to 1.75-inches in height and for added retention, the holster has a thumb strap that fastens to the inside. The thumb release is pretty fast to flip open but because it connects on the inside, a bit of practice is probably required to draw quickly.

One issue with the 1971 holster is that it is a right-hand draw only. Like with most other 1791 designs, the holster is affordably priced considering its quality. The 1791 is our choice for 1911 owners that like leather OWB design and also want an extra retention feature like a thumb strap.

Pros

•         Quality leather
•         Two belt holes for cant adjustment
•         Thumb strap retention

Cons

•         None

Relentless Tactical The Defender Leather IWB Holster

The Relentless Tactical is an IWB leather holster that comes in three different colors, Whisky Brown. Charred Oak, and Midnight Black. The top of the holster has two layers of leather to make it tougher, particularly where the clip connects- which is where the wear and tear can take place over time.

The holster covers the trigger guard and the full length of a five-inch gun barrel, although it can fit any length of barrel. A possible point to consider is that this holster fits inside the waistband but the leather stops well short of the hammer and tang. Depending on your body shape and how the holster sits on your waist, this could cause discomfort for everyday carry.

The Relentless Tactical is a simple leather design of great quality and is also available in a left-hand option. This is our pick for 1911 owners looking for a leather IWB holster.

Pros

•         Left and right-hand designs are available
•         Good quality leather
•         Accommodates all barrel lengths

Cons

• The holster does not cover the tang and hammer

TACwolf IWB Holster

The Tac is made from soft neoprene material with extra cushioning on the inside of the holster. Neoprene and Nylon holsters are generally cheaper options but the Tac holster is well made and has double stitching around the clip and a screw tac to ensure that the belt clip will be firm and withstand everyday use.

The holster also has a thumb strap for retention which is easy to flip open. The Tac covers all of the trigger guards and the bottom of the holster is open to accommodate all barrel lengths. A bonus feature of the TAC is that it ships with two magazine holsters for people who want to carry a spare magazine. The TAC is comfortable to wear but as has been mentioned with other holsters on our list, it’s an IWB holster and it does not have extra material at the back to cover the tang and hammer. This may or may not be an issue for you. Unfortunately, the Tac is a right-hand only holster but is our choice for a nylon/neoprene holster that also has spare magazine options. The holster fits belts up to 1.75-inches and is a good value-for-money buy considering that you get two mag pouches.

Pros

•         Thumb strap retention
•         Two magazine pouches

Cons

• Neoprene design will not offer the same snug fit as Kydex or leather

Fobus R1911 Evolution Holster

Fobus is an Israeli company that originally designed holsters with the military in mind. As such they are simple, rugged, and based upon a great deal of user feedback. It’s an OWB paddle design that is very comfortable to wear.

The Fobus incorporates passive retention and it can be adjusted with a screw. The holster is designed to ride lower on the hip for better concealability. A standout feature of the Fobus is that it can accommodate 1911s with frame rails for light and red dot accessories. The holster can fit 1911s with any barrel length and it is our choice for people that are looking for a holster to fit a 1911 with a frame rail.

Like all Fobus designs, the evolution holster provides very quick access to your gun and has a very fast draw. Unfortunately, the evolution holster is a right-handed option only. It’s also important to note that some users have stated that the holster is not a great fit for guns with longer than five-inch barrels that have rails.

Pros

•         Accommodates 1911s with frame rails
•         Comfortable paddle design
•         Fast draw
•         Adjustable retention

Cons

•         Not the best fit for 1911s with six-inch and longer barrels with frame rails.

Buyer’s Guide for 1911 Holsters

The 1911 design is an all-time classic. There are many holsters out there that are made for 1911s and all of the clones. We have clouted around to select five holster options that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Our picks will also give you a choice of good-quality holsters that cater to those that prefer different materials and carry styles. We have leather, Kydex, IWB, OWB, and paddle choices. Between our five picks, you will find a holster that suits your carry style and comfort requirements.

There are a few basics to a good holster, particularly if you are selecting one for everyday carry. Firstly, your holster should cover the trigger guard of your gun. This is a safety feature that limits the chance of grabbing the trigger when drawing under pressure.

Retention is another important factor, particularly if you do not like extra safety measures such as thumb straps. A good holster will retain a very firm grip on your gun but at the same time, it will allow for a smooth and fast draw. This also applies to holsters with thumb straps for added retention and safety. A good thumb strap will hold your gun securely but will also be easy and quick to flip open when drawing.

All of our picks have been selected with these features in mind. The other features that each selection will have are more about personal preference and carry style.

Model Specific Issues

Apart from a few 1911 guns and clones that have double-stack magazines, the 1911 is a thin gun. The gun itself is quite tall and the grip is wide and thin. Even though it may be easier to carry compared to other full-sized steel semi-autos, there are many who still consider it to be unsuitable for everyday carry.

If you want to carry a 1911 concealed then you should also bear in mind that many 1911s have pretty long and sharp tangs. Many also have sharp-ended hammers. These features can cause discomfort depending on how the holster sits on your belt. Some 1911 holsters will have large sweat covers that provide material between your body and the tang and hammer. This issue may not affect everyone but it should be noted. This potential issue may be more applicable to IWB holsters.

Your Belt

1911 style guns are all-steel auto pistols. Together with a full magazine, they are heavy. The long grip of a 1911 with a full magazine can cause some movement because of how the weight is centered. This makes having a rigid and sturdy gun belt essential even with really well-designed holsters.

Choosing A 1911 Holster With Rail

The 1911 Holster with Rail is a unique accessory for those who prefer to carry their handguns in an additional hand-held style. The holster itself is really nothing more than a simple and flat-strap pistol holster, but the attachment allows for a secure and comfortable hold on one’s gun, while still allowing it to be completely removed if need be. This type of holster is popular among both regular and military handgun owners alike. A bonus of these holsters is that they can be easily converted (using the included removable magnetic rails) to either a standard belt pouch or a pocket holster. This means you do not have to be burdened by having to choose between a comfortable grip and a handy place to store your gun.

Holsters first became popular with the concept of the military. Soldiers would carry their handguns around in an attached clip which was later converted to a holster, thus creating the first type of holster. This changed drastically when officers began carrying their handguns around in a canteen bag or on a belt, which was quickly adopted by civilians. This meant that not only were there several different types of holsters available for purchase, but that they could also be purchased in different styles and configurations. Holsters are usually differentiated from other kinds of storage devices by their form factor and design.

Holsters first began to gain popularity among law enforcement officers. This was because they found the canteen bag a convenient and secure way to transport their handguns, whether for tactical purposes or during regular day to day use. After the invention of the MOLLE system, it was even easier for law enforcement personnel to use holsters as an alternative to their standard equipment. While MOLLE gear was originally designed for special operations, it has since been adopted by most police forces for use with their handguns. A typical MOLLE holsters will include an extra strong cantilever, webbing, and/or straps to securely hang a handgun over the top of the wearer’s clothing.

A holster can be either rigid or flexible. A flexible holster is one in which the firearm is secured by mechanisms that enable it to rotate and move freely, often using simple push buttons or other types of controls. A rigid holster is one where the gun is secured by a rigid frame, often consisting of a steel or aluminum clamp. This kind of holster can either rotate freely (like a traditional belt holster) or be fixed in one position.

One type of popular holsters includes those made entirely out of leather. Leather is quite durable and is also typically very comfortable to wear. One disadvantage of leather holsters is that they tend to get dirty more easily than those made from other materials. Another option is synthetic leather, which is much lighter than leather and tends to stay looking new longer. Synthetic holsters are also commonly used in military applications, since they are less likely to get worn down in constant use.

Another common type of holster is made from a nylon material. Nylon is a very strong and durable material that’s designed specifically for stability and strength. These types of holsters are ideal for someone who is using their gun every day. The advantage to this particular type of holster is the durability and stability that it provides.

However, the disadvantages of these types of holsters are that the gun cannot be held as securely in them as it could if it were in a traditional belt holster. It is also difficult to choose which belt loops to attach the gun to, since there are so many different styles. Some people might prefer to place their guns on a different belt altogether, but many of us have guns that need to be attached to a belt at some point in our daily life. There isn’t any other holster that allows you to attach your gun more securely than one that attaches to the user’s belt.

A Left Handed 1911 Holster – What You Need to Know About This

The best left handed military or law enforcement holster is probably the one that you are going to be carrying every day, month to month. You know the type of gun you’ll be getting. From a nine inch pistol to a thirty six inch rifle; a gun holster is a basic requirement for carrying any kind of firearm. Your choice should have these three important attributes:

Easy to Use

The most important consideration when selecting a left handed 1911 holster must be how easy it is to put on and take off. No matter what your weapon is, be it a pistol, a rifle, a shotgun, or even an Ipod, it should be easily accessible. The top ten rated left handed 1911 holster according to my personal experience is all attached to the user by either a buckle or some kind of clip. If the holster does not attach securely to your belt, the weapon will not be able to be carried around the body easily and the concealment will be less effective.

The ease of use for a left handed person is not just about the physical handling of the holster, but also how it fits on the individual’s body. There are many IWB holsters available that are easy to use. One example is the shapeshift shoulder holster. It has a comfortably padded paddle that adjusts to the user’s shoulders and is secured with an elasticized flap. This is one of the easiest holsters to use since the entire system is secured by elastic or soft-fitting material. Also, the adjustable canteen ensures that the firearm is kept securely in place.

Durable

The best holster systems are designed to last a lifetime. As with anything, the most durable products are those that are made with high quality materials and constructed with the best craftsmanship. Many high quality gun holsters shapeshift shoulder holster systems are made from materials such as leather and other sturdy yet comfortable materials. In addition, many are available in different gun sizes so that the most basic size gun can be accommodated. As a note of caution, never buy a cheap IWB holster, even though there are many of them, because these are usually made of poor quality material that will most likely not last.

Attractive Design

The traditional style of a pistol holster is that of a pistol belt. This belt looks nice, but is too bulky and large to comfortably fit a large gun like a 1911. Another option is to purchase a nice leather belt that attaches to your pants with the use of snaps. These are nice, but again, they are too big to comfortably conceal a heavier pistol like a 1911. One option that is growing in popularity is a compact padlock style holster that attaches to your belt through the use of expandable holes.

Adjustable Canteen

A major problem with using a traditional belt holster, especially if you are a lefty, is that the canteen often rides up and out of position. The shapeshift padlock is fully adjustable so that the holster can be adjusted to fit the most comfortable position for your shoulders. This is great for people who are constantly on the go and carry their handgun in different stages of their lives. For instance, a female salesman might need to adjust the canteen based on the level of sexual attention that is paid to her during various stages of her job.

Custom Fit

Most gun owners have their own preferences when it comes to the size of a paddle that fits their pistol. Although many of the vendors provide standard paddle sizes, many offer custom fit pouches as well. A fully adjustable canteen is nice, but what if you really wanted a paddle that was made specifically for your pistol? Well, a Left Handed 1911 paddle will allow you to fully customize your gun. In fact, the company has several designs available in both paddle styles and attachment options.

Owb Holsters are made from high quality leather and feature an ultra-light yet durable construction. When used with a standard paddle, the owb holster will cover the entire firearm from the base of the slide all the way to the front sight of the gun. If you carry more than one handgun, this is a great option to add to your arsenal. After all, every gun owner needs a way to secure both the pistol and the ammunition for when you are not using the gun. If you are looking for a way to carry your weapon in a smart, safe way, try the owb holster. It will give you a solution that will work for both you and your firearm needs.

Final Thoughts

That covers our top picks for 1911s and clone models. One final word, if concealment is a major selection criterion for you, then the IWB options will be your obvious choices. The 1911 design is thin but it is a high gun with a grip that tends to protrude quite a lot from OWB holsters. This limits your clothing options and is not ideal for all-year-round carry.