A better IWB holster?

[TheArmedFarmer]

I've been carrying for a long time using my DeSantis IWB holster. It's extremely comfortable, but my complaint is that it has this leather tab that, I suppose, exists to prevent the pistol from touching my waist.

The tab is much larger than it needs to be, however, so it actually pokes out quite a bit (see second picture) and causes a small amount of printing when I'm wearing a t-shirt. I've thought about just cutting the tab off, but I'd like you all's advice before I do such a drastic thing.

Or, if anybody can recommend an alternative IWB holster that's comparable to the DeSantis (and doesn't involve a ten year wait to get it), I'd love to hear it!

Here are pictures of the holster with the tab I was talking about. It looks like I'm carrying at 9:00 but I'm actually carrying at 3. The pictures were taken using my bathroom mirror.

[fm2]

You could trim or cut the tab off. I use a flagged thumb draw, so my holsters don't have that tab.


Here's a good holster maker
http://www.leatherarsenal.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I e-mailed Rusty a while back and he has a 5 week turn around.
http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/holsters/insidewb.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm a bit more "horizontally challenged" than you are and consequently have more waistline to play with, but like you, I am left handed, and I do carry a 1911. It seems to my like you could eliminate the problem simply by rotating your holster about five minutes toward your posterior. Instead of carrying at 9:10, try pushing it back to about 8:55. Then that tab will be parallel to your side, instead of sticking out forward.

My regular IWB holster now is an MTAC, and I carry both a 3" Kimber and a 5" Springfield with it, and quite comfortably for all day wear. My complaint about belt loop type holsters like yours (I have three - a Galco Summer Comfort, a Galco Royal Guard, and a D.M. Bullard IWB) is that they are not anywhere near as stable as the MTAC. They are likely to shift draw angle of the gun forward or backward, as well as shifting the entire holster forward or backward. The MTAC stays where I put it, all day long, without shifting anything at all. Also, it spreads the weight of the gun out over a larger area of your belt, and it spreads out the amount that the holster body presses into your hip and side. Plus it's tuckable if you need it to be.

Hope that helps.

PS: Comp-Tac's turnaround on the MTAC holster is usually not more than about a week, and their customer service is the best I've ever seen.

[TheArmedFarmer]

I've seen a lot of people here who use the Minotaur but I've always been turned off by the kydex (which I'm not a fan of). The leather backing, though, eases that concern for me somewhat. The other issue is the sheer size of the holster. As you can see in the photo, I'm pretty small and a larger holster tends to stick out a bit on my waistline.

I think I may give the Minotaur serious consideration. I talked to the wife and she mentioned that she was already a little interested in that same holster for herself, so perhaps we can get it and see which one of us likes it. If we both like it, we'll just buy a second one.

It helps that we both carry 3" 1911s.

Thank you both for your replies!

[Wildscar]

I have used the MTAC for over a year now. My review has helped alot of people make up their mind about it. If you care to look the link is in my Signature line. I swear I dont work for Comp-tac in anyway. I just like the company and they are always great to their customers.

[roberts]

If you like the holster except for the flap it's easy to trim the flap so it doesn't extend much past the gun. My concealed holster is a companion from grandfather oak but it's kydex so different feel than the leather holster you like.

[gemini]

Yours is attached similar to a Milt Sparks Summer special. Sometimes Brownells has them for sale / in stock.
If you don't mind waiting about 4 months and can go with the attachment points spread abit kdholsters.com .
Local guy (Mansfield, Tx) has a turn around of about 3-4 weeks nm-holster.com . Or try dmbullardleather.com
another local guy (Azle, Tx.) . Last but not least, try trimming the tab on the body shield with a razor blade.
You may need to sand and polish the edge afterward for comfort. Good luck.

[TheArmedFarmer]

Good review, Wildscar. I'll be placing my order this afternoon.

roberts: I'll probably not trim the IWB; in case I ever sell it I want it to be in unmodified condition. It's a good tip to do it, though, and I would if I wasn't considering the Comptac.

[Wildscar]

Good review, Wildscar. I'll be placing my order this afternoon.

Glad I could help. FYI you should get the new clips with 5 holes that makes it more adjustable that the clips I have. I think you will be happy and will get it about this time next week.

[TheArmedFarmer]

Would you suggest the "Standard", "C-Clips" or "Velcro clips"?

[TheArmedFarmer]

Belay that question. I found on their website all the information about the clips. I'm going with the standard clips!

[Darwood]

I recently bought a MTAC and absolutely love it. I have the standard clips but what to try out the c clips now for better concealment.

That is all.

[Frost]

Trim the leather?

[TheArmedFarmer]

Frost: I'll probably not trim the IWB; in case I ever sell it I want it to be in unmodified condition. It's a good tip to do it, though, and I would if I wasn't considering the Comptac.

[smyrna]

It seems to my like you could eliminate the problem simply by rotating your holster about five minutes toward your posterior. Instead of carrying at 9:10, try pushing it back to about 8:55. Then that tab will be parallel to your side, instead of sticking out forward.

Rotate that puppy back a little and I bet the flap disappears. I too carry a 1911 on ocassion and I just simply can't make it disappear if I carry at 3 o'clock (I'm right handed) but not because of the backing shield of the holster. I look as if I have this grotesque mass that is packed into my clothing that sticks out from my side...think freak show at the county fair.