1911 holster issues

[Member 66568]

Hello everyone,
I have a colt 5" 70 series 1991a1 that I am trying to find both IWB and an OWB for. Second challenge: I'm left handed.

I ordered a 1911 leather OWB and it's so tight that the leather tries to chamber a round; I'm not even going to try breaking it in and just send it back. It does smoothly fit into an urban carry size 203 but doesn't lock.

Now I am working with a sample size of 2, but here is my question:
Does anyone else have problems finding leather holsters for 1911 style guns?
Any budget friendly options?

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[orygun]

I ordered a 1911 leather OWB and it's so tight that the leather tries to chamber a round; I'm not even going to try breaking it in and just send it back.

I would wrap the gun in a zip lock bag and stuff it into the holster then let it sit for a while. The leather should relax a little and then fit perfectly. This is the way that 1791 recommends the fitting of the gun to the holster.
I only have one 1791 holster, but I think it was a great deal for the money.

Shouldn't the safety be keeping your slide locked?

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Does anyone else have problems finding leather holsters for 1911 style guns?
Any budget friendly options?

I am notoriously poor by forum standards, but I am also too poor to buy cheep. There are great options for quality leather out there but we don't know what your budget is so it may be hard to recommend things that fit

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Being left handed as well....I understand that good holsters are difficult to find.

If it was me I would.....
Lightly oil / grease up the pistol and cover it with plastic wrap....
Soak the holster in warm water till it is floppy....
Put the pistol in the wet holster...
Let it dry....naturally....It will then fit / shape around the pistol.

Andy

 

[edzz]

Can't think of any reason I'd be buying a NEW holster for a 1911 unless its fitted with odd (for a 1911) accessories. What your looking for is one of the most common holsters on the used market (yes even for south paws). Lots of quality 1911 holsters available at LGS, pawn shops and gun shows.
As has been mentioned, its a lot easier to loosen a tight leather holster than tighten one.

 

[drstrangelove]

"so tight that the leather tries to chamber a round"… that can't happen if the gun is inserted the way it was meant to be carried… hammer back and safety on.
Agree with all the other advice.

 

[Koda]

I am notoriously poor by forum standards, but I am also too poor to buy cheep. There are great options for quality leather out there but we don't know what your budget is so it may be hard to recommend things that fit

Fully agree, when it comes to full leather holsters one will spend more money on cheap holsters than one good expensive one. I find that a good leather holster starts at least $100 and only goes up from there. There are some really good kydex holsters for under $100 that just work and will last if the OP is one a budget.

 

[Koda]

I ordered a 1911 leather OWB and it's so tight that the leather tries to chamber a round; I'm not even going to try breaking it in and just send it back.

Typically a leather holster that requires breaking in is a sign its a quality leather holster, you need to break it in properly before judging how it fits.

 

[deadeye]

As others have mentioned, wrap pistol in plastic, shove into holster fully, let sit or warm it up with blow drier to loosen leather and let sit to cool. Avoid using conditioners or any softening agents on it as well, they will over loosen it and it will be useless.

 

[Catfishmoon]

I agree with the comment that a leather, 1911 holster is probably the most common holster there is... R/H - L/H - OWB - IWB...
It just depends on your budget and L/H is always less common for any style holster.
And it does takes time to "break-in" a quality leather holster just like a quality pair of leather boots.
You may want to look on E-Bay if you want a used, less expensive option.

Part of being a handgun owner is finding the correct holster, we all go thru the process...

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Vintage Bianchi Pistol Pocket IWB Holster For Colt 45 1911 Government 5

Vintage Bianchi #3 Pistol Pocket for the Colt 45 1911 Government Model 5", LEFT draw. This is a early design prior to adding the rotating loop. Holster has Reinforced retention strap, two Directional snaps and a loop for a belt up to 1 3/4". Just a classic Bianchi IWB. Leather, stitching and...

vintagegunleathertoday.com

Vintage Alfonso's Brown Leather / Suede Lined Holster For 1911 Colt Government

Beautiful New Old Stock Alfonso's Holster & Gun Shop H2 High Ride Holster. Holster fits a Colt .45 1911 5" and is left draw. Plain brown leather and smooth leather lined. This is Alfonso's Threepersons style holster. Loop fits a belt up to 2 1/4". 1911 carries condition ONE meaning hammer back...

vintagegunleathertoday.com

Don Hume Brown Leather H726 Optics Ready Holster For Colt 1911 Government LEFT

Vintage new old stock Don Hume Optics Ready H726 NO. 10-5 brown leather holster. Holster is for the Colt 45 1911 5" Government Model, LEFT draw. This will carry Condition One meaning hammer back with SAFE ON.. This holster is no longer offered by Don Hume in brown.. This reminds me very much...

vintagegunleathertoday.com

Vintage Don Hume Brown Leather H721 OWB Holster For Colt Government 1911 LEFT

Vintage new old stock Don Hume H721 Double 9 Holster. Holster is plain brown leather with 1 1/2" open belt slots. This is LEFT draw for: Colt Government 1911 5". Pistol will carry Condition 1 meaning hammer back with Safety on.. H721 The Double 9 Holster is built to government specifications. An...

vintagegunleathertoday.com

Vintage Don Hume PCCH IWB Leather Holster For Kimber Springfield 5

Vintage new old stock Don Hume PCCH Holster, LEFT draw. Loop has two directional snaps and will snap over or slide onto a belt up to 1 3/4". Holster has sight channel and sweat guard between you and your pistol. This is LEFT draw for the following : Kimber Custom TLE / RL II 5" Springfield 1911...

vintagegunleathertoday.com

Don Hume Brown Leather H724 10-5 OWB Holster For Colt 5

Vintage new old stock Don Hume Askins' Avenger style Holster H724 OT 10-5. Holster is Saddle Brown and black stitched with sewn sight rail. This is for the following: Colt 5" Government Model Holster is leather with sewn sight track and covered belt slots for a belt up to 1 1/2". Covered slots...

vintagegunleathertoday.com

 

[washagonian]

Shouldn't the safety be keeping your slide locked?

@orygun - that was the first thing that flashed in my mind as well.

I am a leather holster fan-boi. I do not own a kydex holster (despite having a lot of different handguns). I have a few nylon holsters (for pocket carry or OWB carry out in the woods).

All new leather holsters (if properly made) will be a skosh too small and need to be broken-in. That is pretty much the rule, not the exception, for high quality leather holsters.

@orygun and @Andy54Hawken suggest two popular methods of fitting a leather holster to a pistol or revolver. There are other, similar methods you can find out about via YouTube.

I've tried many methods. I am not a fan of water submersion (but that's my opinion). Instead, one of my favorites is the sock method. Put a pistol into a men's nylon dress sock (thinner and more slippery than a standard cotton sock), and insert into the holster. At first, I'll let the socked pistol sit in the holster over night. Then, the next day I'll draw the sock covered pistol from the holster and then reholster a hundred times or more. Then let it sit in the holster over night again. Then draw and reholster another bunch of times.

This method will slowly but surely make the leather stretch out just a tiny bit, but enough to more easily accommodate the pistol, while at the same time retaining the stiffness, finish, water sealant you want in a good leather holster.

My two cents.

TWYLALTR

Cheers.

 

[LoganLittle77]

Hello everyone,
I have a colt 5" 70 series 1991a1 that I am trying to find both IWB and an OWB for. Second challenge: I'm left handed.

I ordered a 1911 leather OWB and it's so tight that the leather tries to chamber a round; I'm not even going to try breaking it in and just send it back. It does smoothly fit into an urban carry size 203 but doesn't lock.

Now I am working with a sample size of 2, but here is my question:
Does anyone else have problems finding leather holsters for 1911 style guns?
Any budget friendly options?

Warm water and a blow dryer helps the leather take shape. Make sure to oil the gun well and wrap it in plastic wrap before attempting this (also mentioned by others in this thread).
Alternatively look at hard/composite holsters, I have a Gunfighter INC holster that I like for my 1911.

 

[techieguy]

Milt Sparks VM II holster is my preference for a IWB for the 1911, while it's not cheap it's worth the cost… you may have to stretch it with the supplied bag depending on your firearm, my 2 1911 fit perfectly.

 

[1911Fanatic]

Leather is always the way to go. I would check for a Galco Combat Master or Concealable. They make them for left handed use and the are reasonably priced.

 

[oremike]

I'm a lefty as well, for 1911's OWB I have an old Binachi and for IWB I have a 1791 holster. Both needed to break in so don't dispare. It just is what it is.

 

[titsonritz]

Milt Sparks VM II holster is my preference for a IWB for the 1911, while it's not cheap it's worth the cost… you may have to stretch it with the supplied bag depending on your firearm, my 2 1911 fit perfectly.

Just be prepared to wait 10 months. If you don't want to that long take a look at Kramer, then are on par with Sparks with a quite a bit shorter lead time.

As others have mentioned, your cocked and locked 1911 will prevent the slide from moving. Sit in front of the TV and work it in and out of the holster, probably wouldn't even need oil or water it with a little elbow grease.

 

[toywin12]

TTgunleather is excellent. I own various 1911 OWB and IWB holsters from them.

 

[TKB]

Hello everyone,
I have a colt 5" 70 series 1991a1 that I am trying to find both IWB and an OWB for. Second challenge: I'm left handed.

I ordered a 1911 leather OWB and it's so tight that the leather tries to chamber a round; I'm not even going to try breaking it in and just send it back. It does smoothly fit into an urban carry size 203 but doesn't lock.

Now I am working with a sample size of 2, but here is my question:
Does anyone else have problems finding leather holsters for 1911 style guns?
Any budget friendly options?

Yes, I am having a hard time finding a holster for my 1911, any suggestions?

 

[30Govt06]

Yes, I am having a hard time finding a holster for my 1911, any suggestions?

View attachment 2039884

Hey, it comes with a mono pod.