Readers will remember that I’m worried about my Ruger LCP’s reliability on the 2nd shot after sitting holstered for a couple weeks.
So I’m on the hunt for a new carry weapon. A slow, no hurry , hunt. Especially since my truck needs new tires (-:
So whilst I search I’m experimenting with carrying our Kimber Desert Warrior:
This morning I got dressed in my normal work attire of khaki shorts and a Columbia Titanium sports shirt. I got the spare 1911 magazine and stuck it in the pocket reserved for cell phones – fit well. Then I put on the Blackhawk Serpa holster we have for the Kimber:
I quickly determined that not only did the gun/holster print, but that REALLY printed. So I put it back in the case and carried the LCP today.
Tonight I went over to Sportsman’s Warehouse. They graciously let me bring over a bunch of holsters for 1911’s and try them with my Wilderness belt and a Kimber 1911 for sale there.
First… a surprising number of holsters for “5 inch 1911” do not come close to fitting. Of the four that fit the one that offered the least printing and the most comfort was the $22 Uncle Mike’s #5:
It fit well and I could use on the outside or inside of the belt. I brought it home, cleared the Kimber (and stowed the ammo in the safe), then I practiced sitting, standing, walking, crouching to find the best spot on my belt. Then for about 1/2 an hour I practiced draws and re-holsterings. Tomorrow I’ll run through some actual live rounds at the range and do some Bill Drills and maybe an the first course of the IDPA classifier to see how it feels with live ammo.
Assuming that works out, I’ll be packing the Kimber until a) I decide it is too big, b) I forget it is there, or c) I think I can slip a Commander sized 1911 past the little lady (-:
July 24th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Good post.
July 25th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Read my earlier post from the 22nd. Learn from someone who has been through what you are going through.
Don’t discount the 2 ” revolvers, especially the ones made of lightwight metals. Yes, only 5 shots, but how many are you really going to need? I have two, and if I didn’t have the Glock 26, I’d carry them. Idiot proof, failry accurate out to ten yard and easy to carry.
July 25th, 2009 at 8:10 am
I read it. I just don’t have a Glock 26 laying around. I like Glocks quite a bit. They seem a bit wide. I’m selling a Taurus 9mm, which should put me in good $ range of a Glock or other similar.
July 25th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Glock 30, or 36 I think, is a .45 slim profile.
July 25th, 2009 at 9:31 am
My carry is a Para 1445 – a double stack 1911. IWB (inside the pants) at 4 o’clock with a loose shirt works quite well. You’re pants will need to be a tad loose to make this work. You will print when you bend over. However few will think “gun”.
I’d recommend a Crossbreed, Answer, or Comp-Tac MTAC for IWB. All are adjustable for cant and the leather backing makes them quite comfortable. Yes, they cost more. They are worth it. When I started buying expensive holsters, I stopped buying holsters that live in a drawer.
July 25th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hey Ludwig – thanks for writing. I just got a customized STI 2011 – it is way lighter than the Kimber. And having 20+1 in the tube of .40 sounds comforting, But it has a big honking magwell that would probably print resoundingly. I’ll try it out though.
I tried holsters ranging from $22 to $140. Oddly, the cheapest one felt most comfortable. But… should I decide to pack the Kimber around, I’ll definitely get some good leather.
I just finished a 2.5 mile walk with my wife and wiener dog. It carried very comfy on that. Next up today… 50 mile drive and then a 45 mile ATV ride. We will see how it handles that.
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December 21st, 2011 at 10:58 am
Number of teams by 2012-conference affiliation in jones Top 10 as of this coming Tuesday (if today’s rumors pan out):