What Style of Colt 1911 Holster Should You Buy?

If you’ve chosen to carry a 1911 style semi-automatic pistol, whether that’s a Kimber or a Colt, you may wonder what kind of holster would best accompany your weapon. There are many concealable holsters on the market to choose from, and it can be a daunting task to sift the high-quality products from the mediocre ones. Luckily, there are great Kydex options available for you to find a great holster that can last you for years of use.

Buy Colt 1911 Holster

The Colt 1911

Your choice of firearm can help you determine the best kind of holster for your needs.  The Colt 1911 and pistols based on that platform range in size from the compact Commander and subcompact Officer’s ACP to the full-size Government Model.

Regardless of what variant you opt for,  the 1911 platform is reliable, versatile, and highly customizable. The variants of the 1911 platform include:

• Government Model: The full-size, steel-framed service pistol. The Government Model has a 5” barrel and weighs approximately 39 oz. unloaded.
• Commander: This is the compact variant of the 1911, sporting a 4.25” barrel as opposed to the 5” standard length. Pistols of this type are available in several chamberings, but the most common are 9mm and .45 ACP.
• Officer’s ACP: This can be considered a subcompact 1911, featuring a 3.5” barrel. While more concealable than the Commander, the recoil of full-power .45 loads is noticeably sharper.

Holster Criteria

Regardless of the type of firearm you intend to carry, the criteria that you should consider when selecting a holster for open or concealed carry are the following:

• Safety: Ensuring that you carry your pistol safely is your responsibility, but the design of the holster can help you practice safe firearms handling when drawing your weapon. One of the most critical components that a safe holster must have is an enclosed trigger guard. This prevents your index finger from entering the trigger guard as you perform the draw stroke, reducing the chance of an unintentional discharge.
• Retention: The primary purpose of a gun holster is to retain your firearm securely so that it won’t fall out or be easily taken from you. A good holster should let you adjust the retention to suit your circumstances.
• Stability: Whether it’s an OWB or IWB holster, it should evenly distribute the weight of the firearm across your belt to prevent sagging. This will also help when carrying accessories, such as spare magazines. 
• Speed: You don’t need to be a quick-draw artist to value speed. When you need to draw your pistol, you need it fast. Your holster should not hinder your draw speed.
• Durability: How well does the holster stand up to regular drawing and reholstering? How does it handle water and perspiration? Will it retain its shape and remain open? These are all questions to ask when selecting a holster, especially for self-defense.
• Concealability: This is only relevant if you’re carrying your 1911 concealed, such as in a waistband IWB holster. Ideally, the holster shouldn’t print excessively through clothing and allow you to adjust the position and cant.

Leather or Kydex?

In the past, leather was the default holster material, providing comfort and molding to your firearm and your body over time. However, leather has been eclipsed in recent years by a relatively new material called Kydex.

A polymer composite, Kydex, is thermoformed to your weapon’s external shape, providing a custom fit from the beginning. Unlike a leather holster that can warp or wear out from regular use,  Kydex gun holsters use friction to retain the weapon, allowing for a rapid draw stroke unencumbered by thumb breaks or locking mechanisms.

Final Thoughts

At Incognito Concealment, we take concealed and open carry seriously, and that’s not limited to any one firearm. We manufacture Kydex holsters to suit a wide variety of handguns, including the legendary 1911 pistol. Give us a call at  (586) 999-5820, and we’d be happy to discuss which holster is the best fit for your favorite 1911.