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How the heck do ya'll carry ya'll's 1911's? I have a Springfield GI .45, and have tried with the holster it comes with, but it comes too close to my shirt tail than I am comfortable with. Too bulky for my belly band, and I think it's too long for an IWB. I just got a shoulder holster in the mail, so I will try it out. Let me know what ya'll have found to be the easiest. She cries everytime I leave without her. Thanks for your help.

I always carry in an IWB. Strong side and small of back works well for me. BTW, my gun is Commander length with a 4 1/4" barrel.

The trick is to wear a leather vest or a pullover type shirt. The best "gun shirts" are woven (NOT KNIT!!!!!), a size bigger than you would normally wear, and have an elastic gather of some type along the bottom. These kinds of shirts will "balloon" outward and keep the gun from printing in most positions.

This style goes in and out of fashion. When I see a store that has them, I usually buy one or two of every color they have.

Knit shirts will cling to every contour. Casual bystanders will almost be able to read the serial number of your gun.

I carry a commander size in 9mm. I like Tucker's "The Answer" and I also use a OWB.

I have both the Tucker's Answer and Texas Heritage (all leather).

http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/answer.html

http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/teheiwb.html

I think the Texas Heritage is slightly more comfortable, but one handed reholstering is difficult.

Although I don't have one for the 1911, the Milt Sparks Versa Max II is one of the most popular.

http://www.miltsparks.com/

You can't carry a 1911 comfortably in a cheap holster.

Mike1951 wrote:You can't carry a 1911 comfortably in a cheap holster.

And Besides All That They DESERVE BETTER THAN CHEAP!

carlson1 wrote:

Mike1951 wrote:You can't carry a 1911 comfortably in a cheap holster.

And Besides All That They DESERVE BETTER THAN CHEAP!

Yup,

Pearls of wisdom.

My sentiments too.

Here is my lightest vest & under it my full size Springer.
Agree w/ all of the above. You cant do it w/ a $9.95 WalMt belt & a nylon holster w/o a winter Parka.
Also on the shoulder rig. You will need to be very thick in the chest to carry one horizontal. I cant do it. I have no chest. Virticle needs a good coat for me.

Back to belt carry. If you look at my yesterday post on my new shoulder rig, I cover this 1911 w/ the dennim shirt I am wearing there.
I have a Kakki one also. They cover OWB w/ no trouble at all.
The key is a quality belt & holster. They are imperative.

I am going to be in San Antonio Sat. to visit w/ Son & family. Yall know each other I think.
PM me w/ a tele # & we will try to get together & I will show you.
LT

I also use LT's method of carry but at times I wear an oversized squared off tail shirt Hawaii style. Works very well. I have yet to lose enough weight to carry it IWB.

But as stated before, GET A GOOD HOLSTER.

longtooth wrote:Here is my lightest vest & under it my full size Springer.

"Y'all excuse my outfit, I just came from a weddin'." -- Larry the Cable Guy
"...where I was officiatin'." -- Longtooth the Preacher Man

I carry my 1911 IWB in a Blade-Tech UCH - I think it carries quite well. 1911s are really thin guns - my only gripe is the weight.

I carry my full size Kimbers in a Fobus paddle. I wear a tucked in undershirt with a long, untapered overshirt covering the handgun. I've found this method very comfortable. In hot weather I don't use the undershirt, just a tee-shirt that's two sizes too large. It's not as comfortable as the other method, but it's not too bad.

I carry my Kimber Ultra in one of a Fobus paddle, a Safari Land belt slide, and Uncle Mike's belt slide or a Nemesis pocket holser (It takes a pretty big pocket!) I use a Wilderness belt. They all work well. However I think I am going to have to make my own pancake holster pretty soon

I carry a bigger gun than a 1911...I pack an XD-45 these days. While the barrel/slide is an inch shorter, the overall size of the gun is much thicker than a 1911, especially in the grip with the double-stack 13-round magazine. Currently carrying OWB using a Fobus paddle while my Brigade Gunleather M-11 IWB rig is on order, I have no issues concealing it under an untucked Hawaiian or denim shirt.

Don't be concerned about a little printing...the average sheeple will never notice.

packina40 wrote:I carry a bigger gun than a 1911...I pack an XD-45 these days. While the barrel/slide is an inch shorter, the overall size of the gun is much thicker than a 1911, especially in the grip with the double-stack 13-round magazine.

Actually, my XD-45 Service model is only about 1/10" of an inch thicker than my 1911s at the widest respective points...not measured with a scientific caliper, mind you. And that's not measuring across the 1911's ambi safety, the ones that have 'em.

It's the barrel, though, that's noticeably thicker on the XD, by about 3/10" of an inch. So the part that goes into an IWB holster and pushes out the pants and belt is thicker. But the XD Service model, fully loaded, is also noticeably lighter than a full-sized, steel-frame, 1911. With 14 rounds of FMJ (just for comparison), the XD weighs in at about 32 ounces, an even two pounds. The 1911 with 9 rounds at 43.5 ounces, or 2lbs, 11.5oz. 'Course, you go to 4-inch barrel, aluminun frame 1911 and you get a more valid weight comparison.

I don't mean this to sound overly picky. It just so happens that the venerable 1911 and the new XD are my two most favorite .45ACP platforms. So I'd already done some of my own comparisons. I'd choose one of these first out of any sized arsenal of handguns.

The good news is that I can own both kinds! I'll probably get a Tactical model XD-45 next month. And I your choice.