imported post
Well, My own personal taste might be different than yours, so you will have to weigh your preferences against mine.
I use one of several criteria for my holster selecting.I have already seen the word "affordable" mentioned. This is not one of the criteria I use, so my choices probably won't "mesh" with yours very well.
The way I look at it is: It is one item to purchase (holster) for one item I will carry (my firearm)....for a long time. It's not like I will need a new one every week. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why folks will spend $600 on a nice new pistol.....then refuse to spend more than $5 on an item that they are going to need as long as they need the pistol.
They will then spend $500 over the next ten years trying to find a $5 holster they like and end up with 100 poorly made, cheap, crappy holsters.
So I toss out cost as a criteria for holster selection. I use comfort as my primary choice. Not only comfort meaning "fit to my body" but comfort as it pertains to "mode of carry" or the way I prefer to carry my firearm.
I carry an STI 1911 at 5 o'clock (Over my right rear pocket) In a Bianchi CarryLok
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=885982when I am OC'ing because of the retention, but I like my Galco
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=710314when I CC. (Note: these are links to holsters for
MY firearms and might not necessarily fit yours!)
I will list several holster types and my reason for liking/disliking each. Please don't feel like you need to follow my preferences. You should determine this for yourself.
I like a forward cant because my presentation is faster with this style. You may draw quicker from a straight cant or cross draw.
I like leather as opposed to Kydex. Kydex is too "stiff" for me. I like the feel of leather and how it conforms to both my gun and my body. I have a kydex paddle holster (Fobus) and it works, but it isn't
comfortablefor me. Feels kinda like sticking a 2x4 into my waistline.
Speaking of waistlines, I'm a strictly OWB guy. IWB looks nice, is easily concealable, and offers good retention.....but once again...comfort. I'll probably have the Milt Sparksfans all in a tizzy about how their holsters are very comfortable, but for
MY preference, the only thing that belongs in my pants is me, or a pretty girl. I'll stick with my gun OUTSIDE my waist band, thank you. You might like it inside your pants with you. That's your choice.
I prefer open top holsters. I'm just not a thumb strap guy.
I like belt loop holsters. Just personal preference. Paddles just feel like stickinga board in your pants. Once again, the only thing I want in my pants is me.
Well Assod, those are a few of my likes and dislikes. The way I look at holsters is the very same way I look at shoes. They're not that much different. One accessory goes on your feet, the other on your waist. I'd use the same method you use for choosing your shoes to choose your holster. Some of us are more utilitarian and prefer function over form, some of us are more stylish and want something that looks good, some are more price inclined and want cheap versus expensive, and some like me are comfort oriented and favor feel over style, or function. I would argue that due to comfort, function is greatly increased due to ease of use. This is why I personally choose comfort over other methods of selection ilike price and style. Since I am
investing in an item, my return is years of good service. Although, I would not rule out trying a few cheap holsters before making a major purchase. This way, you could try a few inexpensive ones to help you determine your prefences before plopping down a hefty sum. Although, in the long run, I reccommend eventually making the investment.
Good luck. Although, since you are now a 1911 owner, you evidently have plenty of skill, style, knowledge, and ouright coolness to outclass ten Glockheads.
