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I've been looking at maybe getting an SOB (small-of-the-back) holster for my full size Colt 1911 as my concealment holster. They appear to be convenient and make concealment fairly easy. SInce I'm new at this concealment thing I'm hoping someone here can tell me a bit more about the SOB-type holsters and if they're a good option for concealed carry. I also have a Colt Commander but I'm not sure if I want to carry that gun yet. I really like the idea of having the full frame weapon on me! I have a Galco Yaqui Slide holster that is nice but I'm not sure how well that will conceal the gun. Any comments will be welcome!

The biggest negative people mention about SOB holsters is the possibility of severe damage to your spinal cord if you fall flat on your back. It would also be difficult to draw quickly while sitting in your car.

SOB holsters have one advantage and several disadvantages. The advantage is that is conceals very well when some is looking from the front.

Disadvantages:
1. Conceals very poorly from a side or rear view, if the wearer is doing anything except standing perfectly erect;
2. Very uncomfortable when sitting down;
3. Much slower to access than a holster worn anywhere from the 3:00 o'clock position to "kidney" carry;
4. Virtually impossible to draw while riding in a car;
5. Difficult to draw from any other seated position, such as in a restaurant;
6. If seated in a hard-back chair or booth, it's very common to hear an audible "clunk" when you sit down or change positions;
7. The person standing behind you has better access to your gun than you do;
8. Risk of spinal injury in a fall and falls are very common in a fight.

Chas.

Charles L. Cotton wrote: The advantage is that is conceals very well when some is looking from the front.Chas.

The biggest problem with your other option is that your gun can turned into a projectile if it gets bumped from the bottom (pushing it out of the holster). You do know that this will happen a worst possible time too.

Thank you all for your advice. I guess the SOB isn't really a good option then (unless I know I'll be just walking around). What other holsters work well for a full frame 1911 then? The idea of buying bigger pants for an IWB holster really bothers me. I've fought my weight all my life and really don't want to buy bigger pants! I know some smart alec is going to tell me to lose weight then . That's OK though, Weight Watchers is my friend...............

I don't care for IWB - personal comfort thing. I do like OWB and there are some great holsters out there for that type of carry. And they can be very concealable if you can go with an untucked shirt. If not, my preference is for a shoulder holster. I love them and it is my preference for daily carry if I need to go with a tucked in shirt.

If you can go with an untucked shirt, and get the big and tall variety in your size, so they're even longer, a belt slide should work well.

rmclain3 wrote: What other holsters work well for a full frame 1911 then? The idea of buying bigger pants for an IWB holster really bothers me. I've fought my weight all my life and really don't want to buy bigger pants! I know some smart alec is going to tell me to lose weight then . That's OK though, Weight Watchers is my friend...............

I too was concerned about having to buy a whole new wardrobe for concealed carry...but the reality is I didn't. I tend to wear my pants a little loose at the waist and although concealed carry snugs them, it's still not uncomfortable.

Here's what I use when I carry a 1911...http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product ... ument.html

Being an open muzzle design you can carry a Commander or Govt length in the 5" length. I routinely carry both lengths in mine and IMO, there's not much difference in carrying a Commander and a Govt. The forward cant helps hide the butt of the pistol which is more of a problem than slide/barrel length will be.

I bought a tuckable design for added options but the truth is I carry mostly untucked with a t-shirt or polo shirt with ease. I have carried a couple of times tucked but I really have to blouse the shirt at the waist to make the bulge hide well. The same holster can be had without the tuckable feature...http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product ... _clip.html

I bought the cowhide version and have driven 5 hours with it on and although I knew it was there, it was very comfortable. Walking around or alternating between sitting and walking, you will never know it's there. It is a very tight holster from the factory and will require some loosening up. It also has a retension screw to aide in retention. (Definitely NOT a problem when new!) Other pluses, it has a backing shield between YOU and the pistol and is covered by a lifetime warranty.

And now the downside... the wait time was about 6 months on mine because it is a non-stock item meaning they only build as many as they sell. Highnoon has similar stocked holsters that are significantly less $$$ but I don't know how they compare to the cowhide/horsehide.

For years with various different pistol I used a SOB holster. I recently bought a Les Baer SRP. For this I swithed over to a Tucker Answer IWB and wish I had done this years ago.