I'm looking for a holster for my newly acquired 1911 (it's not my carry gun, at least not for a while but it could be someday) and I'm wondering what style holster people prefer. Searching these terms gives way too many results. I want to know what people think right now.
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Thumb break or no for 1911? I'm curious as to who does what.
- Thread starter JRyan
- Start date
With something like this http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23715/catid/22/5JR_DL there is no need for a strap. It stays put until you draw.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I ordered one from K and D which has no thumb break, I love those Thunderbird defenders.
I am just really curious about the why of thumb break, what to believe etc.
OnTheRoad - That is the article that got me thinking about this.![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
I am just really curious about the why of thumb break, what to believe etc.
OnTheRoad - That is the article that got me thinking about this.
OnTheRoad
NES Member
For me, I've just always used thumb break holsters so the unsnap and draw is more or less one movement. Also with my luck, I'd be taking off a jacket or getting up out of a chair someplace and the damn thing would snag and go clattering onto the floor or fall into a restaurant booth. It's never happened to me but for my peace of mind it's worth it.
seanc
NES Member
Hammer down on a live round in a 1911 is bad juju.. Just as bad as hammer down on a single action with a hammer firing pin.
If the person does not feel comfortable with hammer back- safety on- carry, then they probably want to consider a different type of pistol.
OnTheRoad
NES Member
Well, according to the guy who wrote that article there is!
I haven't had any experience like that - when carrying the 1911 (which given the bulk isn't that often; usually it's just the far more discreet 638 IWB) it's "cocked and locked", with the strap fastened between the hammer and back of the slide. No retention worries, no hammer drop or impact AD worries. YMMV, but it works just fine for me. I can't comment on the Kydex as I've never used one.
No straps on any of my holsters. None needed.
If you are worried about the hammer falling, put on your holster, clear the gun, and holster an unloaded gun. Wear it around the house that way for a week. See if the hammer falls. It won't. And, btw, your S&W has a firing pin safety, so even if the hammer falls, the firing pin won't move.
So, what would be the point of a holster strap for a S&W 1911?
If you are worried about the hammer falling, put on your holster, clear the gun, and holster an unloaded gun. Wear it around the house that way for a week. See if the hammer falls. It won't. And, btw, your S&W has a firing pin safety, so even if the hammer falls, the firing pin won't move.
So, what would be the point of a holster strap for a S&W 1911?
OnTheRoad
NES Member
Not sure if you meant the OP; I don't have a S&W 1911. Mine's a 1911A1 knockoff I built on my kitchen table, and although confident that the gun functions properly I am certainly not a professional gunsmith by any means. You're right, in 2 years I've had the gun the hammer has never fallen on its own or via handling but I still feel more comfortable carrying with a strap. Again - that's just me and odds are there is nothing wrong with an open-top holster. I've never carried that way so I am certainly not qualified to critique it. The original post asked who did what, and that's what I do.
like I mentioned I ordered the K and D which has no strap, I'm not worried about it.
What I'm really doing is sorting out some things that I have been reading online, which seem a mix of fact, worshipful wishful thinking, complete nonsense and idle speculation.
J
Jose
No straps, retention buttons, or thumb breaks on any of my holsters. Just like none of my pistols have manual safeties.
I have a Don Hume thumb break holster and this was my very first holster in leather. I had a fobus plastic paddle and that sucked.
I do not mind the thumb break and have incorporated it into the draw.
I also am a professional martial arts teacher and sometimes teach private students at my house. I want the gun to have an extra method of staying in the holster while Im being VERY active.
But that's me.
To each his own.
My advice is to practice with a holster you like and get real good at drawing the gun out of it over and over and over.
First comes slow, then comes perfect (and fast)
I do not mind the thumb break and have incorporated it into the draw.
I also am a professional martial arts teacher and sometimes teach private students at my house. I want the gun to have an extra method of staying in the holster while Im being VERY active.
But that's me.
To each his own.
My advice is to practice with a holster you like and get real good at drawing the gun out of it over and over and over.
First comes slow, then comes perfect (and fast)
I'm a novice martial arts student taking a break while I get physical therapy to repair my shoulder, for time being I'm not moving as much as I should be, which is not fun.
I definitely agree with the practice part, in fact that's partly why I always order the same holster.
I'm really wondering what is actually possible with different types of 1911, I was thinking if people posted things like, I have the same 1911 as you, no need for the strap, or I have an old school model that can fire if you look at it sideways or show it pictures of hippies, etc. Been reading a lot but there is much contradictory info out there.
Can anyone recommend me a reliable book on the history and or mechanics of the 1911? Actually I'd liek to read about John Moses Browning as well.
Merry Christmas everyone.
If you want to know how a 1911 works, then buy the Kuhnhausen book. Not an easy read, though: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=199119
JRyan,
I make injury liniments for martial arts training injuries and have had good success with treating various injuries at the school clinic where I am working on my masters in Acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Let me know if you would like to try some of my liniment.
I make injury liniments for martial arts training injuries and have had good success with treating various injuries at the school clinic where I am working on my masters in Acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Let me know if you would like to try some of my liniment.
J
Jose
A kydex holster with a retention dimple on the trigger guard will keep the pistol in the holster through anything short of a direct pull upwards on the gun.
Yup. One time at a class I was doing a Tueller drill. I was carrying a full-size 1911 in an open top kydex holster, with the type of dimple that Jose describes. At the end of the Tueller drill, running full speed, I stumbled and did a full-on shoulder roll on the floor. My 1911 stayed in its holster.
I can understand the requirement for retention devices if you are carrying openly (as a defense against a snatch attempt). But I don't understand why people want them for concealment holsters.
being that I might be kicking and punching, I really want to know my gun is not going to be somewhere else when I need it.
That's just me.
That's just me.
J
Jose
All quality kydex holsters will have the dimple molded into the trigger guard. The gun's not going anywhere unless someone pulls it out.
You might want to try one before you decide that a thumb break is the only way to guarantee retention short of a gun grab.
As I said, I did a complete shoulder roll. Ass over teakettle. Carrying a fullsize, stainless steel M1911. It went nowhere.
Do as you wish, but realize that your concerns are unfounded.
Not particular to 1911's, but straps can get lodged inside trigger guards while reholstering if you're not paying enough attention. Something to consider in your decision making.
Kydex will wear out and loosen up eventually. It can also break apart if you roll over on the holster, unlike a pancake with a snap.
Kydex will wear out and loosen up eventually. It can also break apart if you roll over on the holster, unlike a pancake with a snap.
