So I picked up a commander sized 1911 and want to use it as my primary carry gun. Id prefer to use a IWB holster as opposed to OWB. Seems to me IWB holsters hold the gun closer to your body making the gun a bit easier to conceal and not print as much. Thanks

In my experience, you are correct: IWB provides greater concealment to just about any handgun, 1911 or otherwise. That said, there are some good, well-riding OWBs out there that might do the trick for you.

For me and carrying a 1911, I like the weapon riding high and canted forward, something that a Summer Special-style IWB holster provides quite nicely. Below is an example of same with a full-size 1911. The holster is from Erik Little / Rafter-L Combat Leather’s resurrection of the old Bruce Nelson Combat Leather line. Milt Sparks Holsters and likely some other makers craft something similar.

Also shown is my favorite OWB holster for a 1911, the Milt Sparks Roadrunner. It rides high and is canted forward “just like I like.” The Roadrunner is no longer in the official Sparks lineup, but can still be made on-request for 1911s and Browning Hi Powers at the very least.

Congrats on that 1911 and happy holster-hunting!

Milt Sparks VM-2

Worth the usual wait and every penny they cost.

Milt Sparks Summer Special. Mine is 20+ years old and going strong.

As stated above, Milt Sparks VM-2.

Milt sparks makes a great holster.
For IWB I prefer Crossbreed Supertuck. It's THE most comfortable holsters I've used (and I have a box full of them.)

IWB has advantages in concealment and disadvantages in forcing larger waist size pants and belts. When the firearm isn't holstered some won't retain shape and the pants start sliding down. If they are reinforced, they are likely less comfortable or become more expensive to find the "right one" that is.

IWB became common as a result of the no flashing laws similar to FL's initial carry situation, where if even a glimpse of the firearm was seen, it was prosecutable. That no longer exists there and with half of the CCW states also Open Carry, highly unlikely. IWB is now more a traditional form for most Americans, not a necessary one. If concealment is a goal, it's also done better with a smaller firearm.

We do as we like, good recommendations for holsters are made and OWB has a place, along with limiting the expense of wardrobe changes plus avoiding fit issues if the gun is being used at a range, etc. Since most don't tuck over the firearm with a shirt now the slight difference in visible length is becoming moot for many. YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by KevH:
Milt Sparks VM-2

That’s what I used when I carried a 1911. I’m more of a Kydex guy these days, so I would choose a holster with dual offset belt attachments like the VM2.

IWB has been my preferred method of carry since my first Milt Sparks Summer Special in 1973. Have had several variations since for other guns, culminating in the VM-2.

Some don't like IWB because "it's too tight" or "uncomfortable". Either can be rectified by either size/choice of clothing or losing some weight around the middle. Advantages:

1) Conceals better than OWB (obviously).

2) More versatile than OWB. If wearing vest/jacket the outer garment obviously does the concealment. If you have to take your outer garment OFF, just pull the shirt out of the waistband and cover the gun with it.

3) A good IWB is/should be quite comfortable for most people.

Some thoughts on maker selection:

1) I've used only Sparks IWB & OWB leather since 1973. Totally satisfied after using for seven different pistols over many decades. Other good stuff out there nowadays. Expensive, long wait times - worth it.
https://www.miltsparks.com/

2) Started playing with IWB Kydex last couple of years. Given my age and gut, wanted something thinner for fat guns like the G19 and P229. Now have Kydex IWB from PJ Holster. Fair prices, good quality, good delivery times, huge variety of options and great CS. Pistol comes out very fast and is very comfortable.
https://pjholster.com/

Finally, I have always ordered BOTH IWB and OWB for each carry pistol. I prefer OWB in colder weather with sweat shirts and sweaters. Less likely to cause draw problems. With outer jacket, sweater is between body and holster. If outer comes off, put sweater over the pistol/holster.

PS: Buy a good quality gun belt to use with it. While it's more important on an OWB, it's still important on an IWB. Aids concealment, comfort and draw speed.

I have used IWB holsters from Kramer Holsters before. They were very comfortable, concealed very well, and held up great.

quote:

Originally posted by smithbc:
I have used IWB holsters from Kramer Holsters before. They were very comfortable, concealed very well, and held up great.

The last few holsters I have purchased were Kramer IWB holsters that I use for Appendix Carry. Their #5 to be exact. I am quite pleased with them. I didn't like the choices from Milt Sparks for Appendix Carry.

+1 on Kramer Holsters. I've been using them for 28 years--ever since Greg was making them in his garage in Tacoma, WA.--the first holster I bought for my P228 back then is still as good as new. Same goes with his belts.

I’m a long time fan of the Milt Sparks Executives Companion for IWB carry.

Lots of good comments and thoughts on my holster options, I going to shop around this weekend and see what I can find locally and if necessary I'll have to order online. I'm accustomed to carrying IWB so all my pants have enough room for the gun and holster.

Milt Sparks VM-2 is the answer. Will outlast you. Will conform to your body and the gun. Will be worth the wait and the cost. I've used one for decades. The same one. Almost daily for work and for general use. It's still a functional work of leather art.

There's a few questions

Leather or Kydex

Leather- Milt Sparks is at the top of the list.
there's a few here that are holster makers as well.

I like Kydex.

https://www.tacticalholsters.c...-iwb-holster-system/

Ive been using the GCode for a while with my G-19 & G43X, works out perfectly

Crossbreed is another great setup

https://www.crossbreedholsters...stband-holsters.html

Alien Gear is another good, solid product.

I've tried quite a few IWB holsters for my 1911's over the years, and the Milt sparks SS is the only one I still have. Mine's probably over fifteen old, and I guess it's about as comfortable as a 1911's going to get stuffed inside your pants.

I've tried a bunch of 1911 IWB holsters, both leather and Kydex. The one I keep coming back to is the Milt Sparks VM2. The others have all wound up in Ye Olde Holster Box. The one that came closest to the VM2 was the RGrizzle CS2. It differs from the VM2 mainly in that it uses clips instead of belt loops and has slightly wider wings, and between those two features it tends to poke me uncomfortably in my hip or ass when I'm sitting.

I don't care for IWB holsters that use a single loop or clip, they tend to rock back and forth around that point and generally be unstable.

All that said, most any OWB holster will be more comfortable for extended wear than even the best IWB models. I'm serious considering switching to an OWB pancake type rig and just wearing a longer shirt over it. The Duluth Trading "longtail" tee shirts work well. I buy them one size larger than I would normally wear, and I can usually just wear that in public in summer without printing.

+1 for the Milt Sparks Executives Companion, I ordered mine with the separate belt loops to account for varying pant belt loop widths...

Ryan Grizzle, Kramer and Milt Sparks are all perfect!!!