I need a quality 1911 holster.

polymorpheous · #1 03-08-10, 11:41

I have a full size 1911 government. I need to find a good versatile holster for it.
I want to run a couple of courses, so it has to be able to stand up.
I've researched the Blackhawk Serpa. Seems they fall apart during hard use.
I've looked at the Safariland ALS. Very pricey.
Are there any other options out there for me?

WillBrink · #2 03-08-10, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by polymorpheous

I have a full size 1911 government. I need to find a good versatile holster for it.
I want to run a couple of courses, so it has to be able to stand up.
I've researched the Blackhawk Serpa. Seems they fall apart during hard use.
I've looked at the Safariland ALS. Very pricey.
Are there any other options out there for me?

I and others have very good "luck" with Comp-Tac.

I can't speak highly enough about their products. Also look at their mag holders, they are great,

Lee Indy · #3 03-08-10, 12:04

comptac bladetech and Raven concealment seem to be the good kydex ones. you could try the bladetech 5.11 injection moled ones if your on a budget.

Ranger325 · #4 03-08-10, 12:17

Look at Tucker Gunleather - Silent Thunder. Leather lined kydex.............love mine!!

VooDoo6Actual · #5 03-08-10, 12:30

BladeTech IWB have served me well through the years.

Tried others (i.e. Raven Comp-Tac etc.) and always come back to BladeTech.

YMMV...

polymorpheous · #6 03-08-10, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Indy

comptac bladetech and Raven concealment seem to be the good kydex ones. you could try the bladetech 5.11 injection moled ones if your on a budget.

I like this one. Is it considered a level 3?

Lee Indy · #7 03-08-10, 14:42

level one.

level 3 is pretty crasy. youre looking at some bucks for good level 3

Shawn.L · #8 03-08-10, 15:05

If you NEED an active retention holster stay away from the plastic marketing device blackhawk calls a serpa. You can read my opinion and experiance with them here if you wish:
http://www.firearmstrainingandtactic...t-SERPA-review

For OWB carry I prefer a Sidearmor. It hold closer to the body than the bladtech, and while still strong the plastic is thinner. Also it has a rotating cant so that you can adjust the cant gradually and lock it down.
http://www.sidearmor.com/
Raven makes a great holster, but on OWB I prefer to be able to get a full firing grip on my "1" count and holsters that either ride up the thumb safety of press into the body prevent that. just my preferance.

IWB I prefer a comp-tac. they make a very well designed and well excecuted product.

Alpha Sierra · #9 03-08-10, 20:03

IWB: FIST #20

OWB: O'Rourke Leather pancake

O'Rourke

FIST

polymorpheous · #10 03-09-10, 10:23

are there any kydex holster that could be mounted to a drop leg platform but also be worn on a belt?

again, something that would hold up in a course.

thanks fellas!

Lee Indy · #11 03-09-10, 12:07

serpa

rathos · #12 03-09-10, 13:00

What kind of course are you taking? I see so many people post that they are taking a course and want to buy a holster specifically for it. Why not use the holster you use for concealed carry or duty regularly? That way you will gain the muscle memory required for using your holster and not flub when it really counts.

As for serpa's not holding up that is BS. My department uses serpa duty rigs and a lot of the plain clothes guys use serpa concealment rigs. If they were unsafe or didn't hold up we would not be using them, period.

The ALS is also another good holster. From my understanding they can be mounted on a thigh rig. The duty rigs can get a bit spendy, but the concealment versions are generally around $40. Below I have posted a link to the ALS for $36.99

http://www.code3tactical.com/safaril...7-holster.aspx

Good luck in your search.

Hat Creek · #13 03-09-10, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by polymorpheous

Is it considered a level 3?

Safariland uses the "Levels" as a retention grading system unique to their products. It is not an industry standard.

Most likely you'll get the level of performance that you pay for. The failure date may be sooner with cheaper products.

polymorpheous · #14 03-09-10, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by rathos

What kind of course are you taking? I see so many people post that they are taking a course and want to buy a holster specifically for it. Why not use the holster you use for concealed carry or duty regularly? That way you will gain the muscle memory required for using your holster and not flub when it really counts.

As for serpa's not holding up that is BS. My department uses serpa duty rigs and a lot of the plain clothes guys use serpa concealment rigs. If they were unsafe or didn't hold up we would not be using them, period.

The ALS is also another good holster. From my understanding they can be mounted on a thigh rig. The duty rigs can get a bit spendy, but the concealment versions are generally around $40. Below I have posted a link to the ALS for $36.99

http://www.code3tactical.com/safaril...7-holster.aspx

Good luck in your search.

this is the holster i've been eyeballing.
http://www.code3tactical.com/safaril...e-holster.aspx
the mounting platform for a thigh rig is another $35
seems versatile, and it gets good reviews.

signal4l · #15 03-09-10, 22:39

I just switched back to leather from kydex. I am quite happy with the OWB holster offered here:

http://www.bulldogleathercompany.com/

Pay the extra $10 to reinforce the mouth. Wait time is only a few weeks.

CAVDOC · #16 03-13-10, 10:09

one of the best are the various styles available from Alessi they are up and running again after lou Alessi's death and make great stuff. call them they have a lot of items in stock- the very long waits previously experienced are gone

Sparky5019 · #17 03-13-10, 10:39

I love the Blackhawk SERPA level 2!

polymorpheous · #18 03-13-10, 14:40

I went ahead and ordered the Safariland 6378 ALS from Streicher's.
I should have it in about a week.

kjdoski · #19 03-13-10, 17:46

For a strictly range rig, I really like the Comp-Tac paddle holster. Great speed, adjustable retention, and it's the ONLY paddle I've ever used that stayed put ALL the time.

We just got a couple of ALS holsters to T&E. I found them at Optics Planet at a pretty good price - not what I'd call VERY expensive at all.

We've been running Serpas for about the last 18 months, both on the range for in-house training and qualification, in our Sims shoot house, in some fairly rigorous contractor training courses, and on multiple trips to nasty, dusty, sandy places - including multiple moves by rotary wing - and have never had a SINGLE problem with any of our 12 holsters.

I know that's a small sample, and we're T&Eing the ALS's because I can't get past the nagging concerns caused by other peoples' problems with the Serpas, but, we haven't had an issue yet...

Regards,

Kevin