If it's your first venture into th ew 1911 world, buy a Sparks Summer Special - check brownells/stocking dealer. check the classifieds, etc. there are other holsters; few that have stood the test of time. while you might find some you prefer eventually, you will alwasy return to the SS

 

If MS SS worked fine for you, why to change? Especially for everyday carry. Less changes, less problems.

I don't know how coating holds on at S&W Pro but without something hard, like DLC, it may wear out in kydex holster.
Check Tucker Gun Leather or JM4 Tactical (Relic Series) - these make hard case holsters with leather inside liner to preserve firearms.

But, everything depends on how you carry, how you feel with hard or soft holster. And do you really want to change anything if something already worked for you?

 

I know the MS SS worked fine for me a decade ago, but I didn't try a lot of other options before I settled on that (mostly based on other folks' recommendations). I also hear people talk about how well pancake holsters work for concealment, but having no experience with them, I'm not sure. OWB is typically always going to win over IWB in terms of comfort, of course, but usually at the expense of concealability.

I don't trust a 1911 finish to kydex, honestly, so that's mostly off the table as far as I'm concerned. I'm totally fine with just picking up another MS SS, but didn't want to discount an alternate option that I wasn't aware of.

 

TT Gunleather.... Problem solved.... And reasonable wait time... Usually 3-4 weeks...

 

I find pancake holsters draw easier or harder according to how tight the belt is, and that they take up a lot of belt space. If where it falls is comfortable, great, if not you don't have many choices other than skipping or straddling a belt loop.

I now have two Garrett Industries OWB holsters and plan to add one, maybe two, more. I like them better even than a high end leather holster and a lot better than a plain Kydex holster, whether a hand crafted one, or production line. I have not tried one of their IWB holsters but that is in the plan after the Christmas season. If you decide to buy one, spend some time figuring out what you want, some holsters have multiple mounting options, belt tunnel, clip over tabs, leather snap on tabs etc.

If you like leather I would consider an Askins Avenger style, narrower than a pancake, but with the rear loop to pull the butt in. They don't lie as flat to the belt, but nearly. I have an Alabama Avenger in Kydex, but it had to be returned to be adjusted for fit and now I don't see it on the website. It is an amazingly stable and secure holster for as small as it is.

If I had tried a real Sparks SS maybe I would like them, but I tried to save a buck with a factory copy and they made it smooth side out, so the draw was draggy (Glock slides aren't exactly smooth and polished) and the outside was slippery against my clothing so the holster wouldn't stay put, it wanted to slide around.

 

El Paso Saddlery - multiple styles including IWB! GREAT holsters!

 

I think you will have to buy and try. Sometimes it takes few purchases before you find the One.

I use pancake kydex holster for my 2011 (5") and I'm happy with it. It conceals well, but due to long barrel it works with long jacket or coat only.

I don't know how much are you willing to spend, but I personally prefer good quality holster. These have never let me down.
You may look at Wright Leather Works (Predator Pancake Holster). Remember - whenever you go with pancake leather holster, be sure the mouth of the holster keeps open for holstering (I did that mistake buying my first holster ).

 

Yeah, I think we all have that drawer full of holsters (I have two of them, much to my wife's dismay). The S&W Pro Series is a 3" bbl, so any officer sized holster is going to be a tad long, but it shouldn't matter too much. As far as price goes - I'm no stranger to paying for quality, but I do have a hard time waiting a month or two for a holster (call it a character flaw). Between Amazon and MidwayUSA, my patience for shipping times has gone to hell...

 

Ross Gun leather out of South Africa... Found it by Accident... Wear it Every Day

 

I have a VERSACARRY IWB for a commander sized 1911. It works very well.

 

So I recently stumbled into a great deal on a "used-never fired" S&W Pro Series 1911 in 9mm (3" bbl).

View attachment 622665

I used to carry a Sig C3 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special and I recall that I liked it, but for the last 10 years or so, I've been mostly carrying polymer pistols in kydex.

I'm tempted to just pick up another MS SS and be done with it, but I'm wondering if anyone has any other opinions? How are pancake holsters for CCW?

I'm not sure that I want to stuff the 1911 into some kydex - it seems like sacrilege somehow.

Thanks

I've used a Milt Spark Nexus for many years now for a 3" 1911, and I love it. My Dad has a Versa Max 2 with the metal reinforced mouth, I think his re-holsters a little easier. Make sure to get the kydex clips as well so you have the option to wear it under a tucked-in shirt if you need too.

 

So I recently stumbled into a great deal on a "used-never fired" S&W Pro Series 1911 in 9mm (3" bbl).
..
I used to carry a Sig C3 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special and I recall that I liked it, but for the last 10 years or so, I've been mostly carrying polymer pistols in kydex.

I'm tempted to just pick up another MS SS and be done with it, but I'm wondering if anyone has any other opinions? How are pancake holsters for CCW?

I'm not sure that I want to stuff the 1911 into some kydex - it seems like sacrilege somehow.

Thanks

Ronin Leather Holsters:

roninleatherholstersllc.com/

 

As far as IWB, I have a commander size 1911. I had someone custom make mine certain specks. It has an extreme cant but not as much as a SOB. Works for me. His company name is Bang Bang holsters. As far as OWB, I prefer a pancake holster. MTR and JBP holsters work for me. Good luck.

 

I'm tempted to just pick up another MS SS and be done with it, but I'm wondering if anyone has any other opinions? How are pancake holsters for CCW?

You might be interested in a holster that can be used as a conventional pancake and if deeper concealment is desired the same holster can be used IWB. Simply Rugged Cuda with outside straps does both. The Cuda is a pancake I currently own 6. Add the outside straps and the holster can now be used IWB with the straps being used for belt loops. Base price of a Cuda is $80. I think the straps will set you back another $20. Great leather .

www.simplyrugged.com

 

I’ve been carrying my Counselor (3.5”) in a IWB made by Jason Ingle the past 3 weeks. I typically carry 10-12 hours a day and this holster has proven its worth since receiving it.

https://inglegunleather.com/

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

So I recently stumbled into a great deal on a "used-never fired" S&W Pro Series 1911 in 9mm (3" bbl).

View attachment 622665

I used to carry a Sig C3 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special and I recall that I liked it, but for the last 10 years or so, I've been mostly carrying polymer pistols in kydex.

I'm tempted to just pick up another MS SS and be done with it, but I'm wondering if anyone has any other opinions? How are pancake holsters for CCW?

I'm not sure that I want to stuff the 1911 into some kydex - it seems like sacrilege somehow.

Thanks

Nice! You may want to consider the Criterian over the Summer Special...much more comfortable to me.

 

Here is my S&W1911 Pro 9mm in a Delta Carry holster (Versacarry).

 

Check the Want to sell/trade section - I have several listed at about 1/2 of retail

 

I like a high ride rig and the MS #60TK works very well for me with my Colt OACP. Tucked up under my side virtually impossile to detect and protected from the occasional person who wants to “bump and frisk.” As I spend more time sitting I have also been looking at the Wright Leather Regulator cross draw. I also use the 60TK for my Colt Clapp Cmdr. Works well for that application. I never got used to IWB and live in rural area so really don’t need super concealment. I have the MS Nexus as well but I find a PIA for holstering for me. The simply rugged Cuda is a great option as well. And you wonder how you get a drawer full of holsters … just keep going and you will get there!

 

Am not a fan of plastic holsters for steel guns. Leather is always the way to go for 1911s.

It does not matter whether your holster is IWB or OWB;. I carry either one depending on my whim.

Wear the gun and holster you want, and dress to conceal--Me

 

I ended up with a Milt Sparks SS for IWB and a pancake-style for OWB. I just can't bring myself to put a 1911 in a kydex holster.

 

I know... My Glock No Problem, But that Plastic against Steel... Can't do it. . Like A Suede lined Condom

 

For small guns, small holsters.

I love my Galco Stow-n-Go for compacts and CCO's

 

I carry a Sig Sauer C3 as well.
Been looking for a compact 9mm as well.
I like leather OWB holsters, just never could get a IWB holster that was comfortable for me. Have tried a couple different styles.