I use a Sparks 55BN.

No strap at all.

 

No strap at all.

Same here.

Holster maker High Noon comments on thumb breaks at #25 in their FAQ section

https://www.highnoonholsters.com/faqs

 

Just wondering if blocking the hammer is in error or a legitimate way to secure the gun. I 100% understand the safety mechanisms, but it doesn't freak me out less carrying with the hammer back on a live round. For reference, my first gun and the only one I really used for many years was a Beretta 92FS. Hammer drop safety.

 

None of my holsters have a strap either, with the exception of the military reproductions.

Your use case will determine when a strap is appropriate. Chest holster on a horse, for example, I would definitely want a strap.

Tom

 

I have never carried a 1911 in a thumb break holster...but if I did, I would try a Don Hume H726 ( https://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=49 ) I carried a Sig P226 in one years ago, and it was a very slick setup! The ones for 1911s do put the thumb break between the hammer and the slide when carried cocked and locked.

 

Here's the problem I had with the straps. They rub up against the thumb safety and knock it off safe. Skip the straps. Your body, shirt, jacket, whatever won't knock it off safe unless your thumb safety is very light. I see people complain about a stiff thumb safety, but I prefer it. It stays on safe until you positively thumb it off. And it stays off safe while you're firing with maybe less than a perfect grip.

 

Amen to that.

Full agreement here, too.

 

I had a Galco with a thumb break that blocked the hammer. Worked fine, but hung a bit too loose compared to kydex or IWB holsters.

It's up to you, but that thumb break was easy to pop and draw. And if the extra extra extra redundant safety of the thumb break, makes you feel better about cocked and locked, so be it.

Thumb break holsters are perfect for people scared of cocked and locked carry.

 

You definitely don't want a strap that goes around the grip frame, which would require unsnapping it as a separate step before you could grip the gun.

 

For most persons:

Keep it simple.

Holster with good, snug fit; so that the gun won't come out unless properly and firmly drawn.

Nothing that might get in the way.

The 1911 already has excellent safety controls. Use them and you're quite safe.

(No input from me on non-1911 pistols; guns with weak safety systems need to be considered separately).

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm used to carrying a hammerless revolver or a striker pistol, so the only important feature really there is securely holding it and completely covering the trigger.

 

I suggest the Simply Rugged Cuda. Great holster, covers trigger guard, no strap, with the inside out straps it'll go IWB or IWB. fantastic holster.

 

I may be wrong on this and if I am, somebody please correct me...but I thought the primary purpose of a strap was really for retention (ie keeping the gun in the holster). Any additional benefit such as a barrier between the hammer and firing pin is really secondary.

With that said, I am generally a fan of added retention on a holster if/when the gun is going to be carried OWB, OPENLY. I am not a fan of open carry in general but if you're going to do it, I believe it's best to have some added retention. This is just MY opinion.

And if you are going to step up the retention, I am much more a fan of Safariland's ALS system or even their SLS system, than I am a leather retention strap. Straps, by the way, can get in the way when re-holstering so you need to be really careful to make sure that strap doesn't enter trigger guard and you ND.

 

NO open carry so no added straps needed . As it is my 1911 is in a MTAC iwb at 3:00

 

I have no straps on any of my 80-holsters.

 

Holster fit is all the retention that is needed on a concealed carry holster and secondary retention devices present a potential obstacle to a fast and smooth defensive draw / deployment of the defensive handgun.

For duty holsters, field holsters, open carry holsters, jogging/running holsters, etc. secondary retention is prudent.

 

All mine are strapless.

 

Which is appropriate for occasional OWB carry?

What is appropriate? No strap.