The 1911 is a classic - full stop.
Between 1911 and 1985, the Colt 1911 was the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces. It accompanied soldiers from WWI to Vietnam.
We’ve put together a reliable guide of the best 1911 holsters out there, just for you.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 1911 Holsters
- OUR TOP PICK: BLACKHAWK! Serpa Sportster Holster
- RUNNER-UP: 1791 GUNLEATHER 1911 Holster
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Galco Combat Master Belt Holster for 1911
Comparison of the Best 1911 Holsters
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What Size of Holster Do I Need?
Size is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a holster. As you know, 1911 is an interestingly shaped pistol, which makes it unique. It also means that many holsters won’t fit the gun comfortably.
You’ll need to know the details of your handgun to answer this question because 1911s vary in size. Government models have a barrel length of about 5”, whereas the Officer model is just 3.5”. Generally speaking, the 1911 is less than an inch wide.
Check the dimensions of your gun before buying a holster - you’ll want to ensure that you have solid retention and sufficient length.
What Should I Look For When Buying a 1911 Holster?
The selection process for a holster for the 1911 is much the same as the process for any other gun. The important things to look for include comfort, position, size, material, trigger guard, cant angle, retention adjustability, and locking mechanism.
When picking out a holster, you need to think, first, about how you will be carrying the gun. Ask yourself some basic questions. Do you carry every day? Are you on the job? How long do you need to carry for?
After that, you need to factor in the more functional questions: Do you need adjustable cant? What retention level do you like? Will the gun sit inside or outside your waistband?
You should also get familiar with the 1911 itself - figure out how it draws. Will you be comfortable drawing cross? Will you be comfortable drawing from the ankle?
We can’t state this enough - buy a holster designed for 1911 to improve security, fit, comfort, retention level, and support. A poorly fitted holster will be awkward, and potentially, dangerous. The last thing you want to be concerned about when you need to access your firearm is whether or not you’ll be able to draw it safely.
Review of the Best 1911 Holsters
There is a wide range of holsters available for 1911, which should come as no surprise. With its history, 1911 is a popular gun.
Fortunately for you, we’ve gone through the available holsters and put together a complete round-up of the best options. Take a look:
Best Overall:
BlackHawk Sportster SERPA Paddle Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, recent buyer feedback is positive. People stand by this product. Buyers love the fit, the feel, and the security of the holster. It is military-grade but designed for civilian use - users find that it gives the best of both worlds.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When we decided to check out the BlackHawk Sportster SERPA Paddle Holster, we expected to like what we found. We didn’t expect to like it this much. SERPA means quality, and this is no exception. The Kydex material feels durable and long-lasting.
We loved the fit of the paddle. It is comfortable and secure as an OWB carry. It fits like a glove and gives the optimal level of retention for a secure and smooth draw. Whether you take this to the range or the job, you’ll feel safe knowing that the Sportster won’t fail.
Bottom Line
The BlackHawk SERPA Paddle is the best holster we reviewed. It fits comfortably, holds your gun securely, and encourages a smooth and safe draw. Its quality is also unmatched. As far as we’re concerned, this is the way to go.
Runner-up:
1791 GUNLEATHER 1911 Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
It seems like nobody has a bad thing to say about this holster. Buyers report that it truly is a top of the line product. The leather is incredibly well crafted and of very high quality. Some customers muse that it could even outlast the gun itself.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If we ran this contest on looks alone, 1791 would win by a mile. It is a beautiful holster. That said, the American steer hide not only looks awesome, but is durable, long-lasting, and well crafted.
This holster secures to your belt and sits outside your waistband. As a result, it’s not an entirely concealed carry unless your coat or jacket covers the gun. Therefore, it’s a better option for those who carry open or work with a firearm.
The leather molds perfectly to the gun, which means your holster is not just tailor-made for the 1911 but is tailored specifically to your 1911.
Bottom Line
We love this holster. The American steer hide leather is high quality and well crafted. It looks great and fits 1911 perfectly, with optimal retention and a custom mold. This one is a very close runner-up to the BlackHawk.
Best for the Money:
Relentless Tactical Comfort Carry Leather Holster & Mag Pouch Combo
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
For the most part, feedback is very good. People love the option to carry a second magazine. The fit seems to be comfortable and secure. However, some people have found it to ride a little high.
In terms of holsters in its price range, the consensus is that The Defender takes the cake - hands down.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Comfort Carry caught our eye right away. Of course, our first concern was the price point of this little rig. That said, we never look for cost alone. Unless a cheap holster also comes with quality, it’s no use. A poorly crafted holster is no good to anyone. With The Comfort Carry, Relentless Tactical brings both affordability and reliable design.
As far as basic holsters go, this is a strong contender. It has a separate pouch to carry an extra magazine and has effective retention on most 1911s. While we generally don’t recommend opting for a generic holster, The Defender seems to have accounted for the 1911s unusual shape.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a bang for your buck, check out Relentless Tactical’s Comfort Carry. It is a reliable, baseline holster that fits 1911 well. That said, it doesn’t have all of the advantages as some of the top-tier models on our list.
Best 1911 Shoulder Holster:
Galco Jackass Rig Shoulder System
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers consistently praise the premium steer hide leather of this gun holster. People also find the entire system to be comfortable, practical, and well-fitted. After following the break-in procedure suggested by the manufacturer, buyers had no difficulty fitting their guns snugly into the leather.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When you think of shoulder holsters, what comes to mind? Smokey rooms, dark alleyways, and grizzled private eyes - noir film. With the Jackass Shoulder Rig, Galco hit the nail on the head.
This harness comes with a handy ammo pouch on the right-hand side, which means easy access for loading and reloading. It also means you don’t have to worry about running back to the car for an extra clip if you ever need to use your EDC.
Shoulder holsters are timeless and pair wonderfully with a classic gun like 1911. If you want to look the part, stop your search right here.
Bottom Line
Galco’s holster is an impressive piece of equipment. It looks great, fits well, and is well-manufactured. The leather is both premium quality and stylish in appearance. If you’re looking for a shoulder holster, this is our number one pick.
Best 1911 Leather Holster:
Relentless Tactical The Defender Leather IWB Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Feedback for Relentless Tactical’s The Defender is impressive. The holsters use high-quality, American leather. The craftsmanship is beautiful. Furthermore, the holster fits a wide range of guns comfortably and securely.
Buyers speak warmly of the great experience, the care instructions provided, and the reassuring lifetime warranty.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Defender immediately caught our eye. At first, we focused on the sheer aesthetic beauty of this piece. From the light brown, charred oak to the equally cool Whiskey Barrel Brown, we were very impressed with the options available. After discovering that the leather was handcrafted, we were sold.
Don’t let its looks overwhelm you - The Defender is a great holster all around. It attaches to the belt with a reliable clip and easily fits inside the waistband. The leather is sturdy, dependable, and form-fitting, which gives it the perfect middle ground - allowing it to hold your firearm against your waist with no discomfort or obstruction.
Bottom Line
The Defender is a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship and a wonderful holster. The leather molds easily to 1911. Overall, it demonstrates that you really can have it both ways. It looks great and works just as well.
Best 1911 IWB Holster:
Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Feedback is positive regarding Alien Gear’s holster. Customers report that the retention level is great, the draw is smooth and easy, and that the holster itself is highly adjustable. It seems like the only downside is the size, which is slightly larger than comparable holsters.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Alien Gear’s Cloak Tuck IWB is a great holster. The materials and construction are both high quality. Also, it is very comfortable to wear. Though the size and shape had us a little concerned at first, we were very impressed by just how concealable this holster was.
Despite not being designed specifically for 1911, we had no issues with the fit because the particular model you receive is custom-fitted to your gun.
If you’re looking for an IWB holster, this is our number one pick. It is durable, flexible, and highly adjustable.
Bottom Line
This product is the best IWB holster we came across. It fits securely and comfortably beneath the beltline. Also, it draws smoothly and quickly. We loved how customizable it was, with numerous adjustment options at the turn of a screw.
Best 1911 Drop Leg Holster:
Nehostertfy Drop Leg Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
We have yet to see any serious criticism of this drop leg holster. The tactical appearance is not just for show - it stands up to trial. From lawmen to security professionals, people stand by this product. In particular, commendations focus on its adaptability and convenience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We should note that this is not a concealed carry holster. If you can’t open carry, this is probably not the holster to choose. For anyone else, we highly recommend it.
We loved how this holster fit. Unlike many drop leg holsters, Nehostferty’s holster keeps your gun from swinging. It feels secure and can be adapted easily with several adjustable straps. The material itself is soft and flexible, making this ideal for active movement or long days.
The quick-release buckle is a handy feature. If you want to unstrap quickly, you only need to unclip the latch and pull it off.
Bottom Line
Nehostertfy’s drop leg holster is a serious contender, even beyond the bounds of its category. It is convenient, secure, and durable. If you’re in the market for a thigh strapped holster, check this out before going anywhere else.
Best 1911 Kydex Holster:
Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Once again, Concealment Express’s product has a loyal fan base. The Kydex holster is very easy to conceal, highly adjustable, and well built. Many people do suggest that it might take a little fiddling and adjusting to get the holster to fit your gun, initially. After that, it’s smooth sailing.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Kydex is very popular at the moment. It is light, durable, and long-lasting. Concealment Express’ IWB Kydex holster is no exception to the rule. It is fiber reinforced, aluminum molded, and crafted in the USA.
We were particularly impressed by just how easy this was to conceal. It takes up barely more space than the gun itself. As a result, it is practically as close to bare as you can get without just sticking your gun in your waistband. Of course, that’s out of the question.
If you’re looking for a Kydex holster, check this one out. We are big fans.
Bottom Line
The 1911 fits snugly into this holster. Once again, this holster is not built specifically for 1911; however, it gets the job done. It is durable, lightweight, and very concealable. In terms of Kydex holsters, this is our favorite.
Best 1911 OWB Holster:
Galco Combat Master Belt Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Galco is a name that you can trust. Buyer feedback for this leather holster supports this. Not only does the leather mold itself perfectly to your gun after a few wears, but it also stands the test of time without any issue. Simply put, people love this holster.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you’re familiar with firearms, you’ve probably come across the name Galco more than once. Their reputation tends to precede them. If this hand-molded OWB is anything to go by, the reputation is well-deserved. Galco employs skilled and professional craftsmen who work exclusively with top of the line material.
The Galco Combat leather holster is an impressive piece of equipment. It is comfortable, highly concealable, and compact, plus it draws smoothly and maintains a good retention level. One of the perks of leather is that the optimal retention level forms naturally over time as the leather shapes your gun.
To be frank, we can’t imagine anyone regretting this purchase.
Bottom Line
This product is another great leather holster. It sits comfortably outside the waistband and attaches right to your belt. The inside is soft suede, preventing any scratching or wear to your gun. You really can’t go wrong with the Galco Combat Master Belt Holster.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
To help you to make the smartest buying decisions possible, we’ve decided to give you a little heads up. Here’s a little breakdown of some factors to be aware of when buying a holster for 1911.
Though its size varies, 1911 is a fairly big gun. As a result, you may need to be extra cautious about the size and shape of your holster. If your holster adds much bulk, your concealed carry will be uncomfortable or conspicuous.
Also, a 1911 can be heavy. If you opt for a cheaper holster or don’t have a solid belt, you might wind up with a drooping gun at your side, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. It can even be dangerous to draw your gun from an unfamiliar or unexpected angle.
Lastly, 1911 is not a standard size or shape. Most handguns do not look or feel like it. As a result, you will be far better off buying a holster intended for the gun you have.
That said, you really can’t go wrong with 1911. Pay attention, buy smart, and you’ll wind up with a reliable product that serves you honorably and reliably, day in and day out.
Conclusion
The 1911 is timeless. If it was good enough for the beaches of Normandy, we’re fairly sure it’ll do the trick as your EDC.
If it’s your everyday carry, you’ll need a good holster for it. As far as we’re concerned, the BlackHawk Sportster SERPA Paddle Holster is the best of the best. Do yourself a favor and start your search there!
People Also Ask
If you’re thinking about switching to 1911 for your day-to-day concealed carry weapon, you likely have quite a few questions. It’s important to have all of the facts when making such an important decision.
To help you out, we’ve taken the liberty to answer a few more common questions.
Is a 1911 a Good Concealed Carry Gun?
Yes. Though some people will disagree, 1911 is an excellent concealed carry. First, just pick one up. It won’t take long to notice how well 1911 fits into your hand - it is an example of masterful ergonomic design. It is also a mere 0.9” wide.
Are 1911 Holsters Universal?
It is possible to find generic or universal holsters that fit 1911 fairly comfortably. That said, the best 1911 holsters cater specifically to the gun, accounting for the model’s exact weight, size, and shape. We highly recommend getting a tailored holster for your specific gun.
