The Best Retention Holster for 1911: A Buyer’s Guide
The 1911 is a classic American handgun that has been in continuous production for over a century. It is a popular choice for self-defense, concealed carry, and competition shooting. However, choosing the right holster for a 1911 can be a challenge. There are many different factors to consider, including the type of retention, the material, and the fit.
In this guide, I will discuss the different factors to consider when choosing a holster for your 1911. I will also recommend some of the best options on the market. So whether you are a first-time buyer or you are looking for a new holster for your existing 1911, read on for all the information you need to make an informed decision.
I Tested The best retention holster for 1911 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1911 Full Size Holster 5 inch, OWB Holsters for Colt 1911 / Elite Force 1911 / Kimber 1911 / Rock Island Armory 1911 / Springfield 1911 – Index Finger Released | Adjustable Cant | Autolock -Right Hand
OWB Holster Compatible with 5” 1911 No Rail, Fits for 1911 Colt/Elite Force/Kimber/Springfield/RIA/S&W/Taurus/Ruger and More, Soft Silicon Paddle 360-Degree Adjustable, Level II Retention Release
1911 Holster, OWB Paddle Holster Fit 1911 Colt-Elite Force -Kimber-Springfield-RIA-S&W-Ruger-Taurus-Rock Island and Most 1911 5” No Rail Handguns, Index Finger Release/Adjustable Cant, Right Hand
Colt 1911 Holster, OWB Kydex Holster Fit: 1911 5” No Rail Colt/Elite Force/Kimber/Springfield/RIA/S&W/Ruger/Taurus Pistol w/ Optic, Outside Waistband Carry Paddle Holster, Adj.Retention, Right Hand
POLE.CRAFT Colt 1911 Holster IWB Kydex for Colt 1911 Commander .45 9mm 4.25” Inside Waistband – IWB 1911 Commander Holster – Kydex IWB Holster 1911 4.25 (Black, Right Hand)
1. 1911 Full Size Holster 5 inch OWB Holsters for Colt 1911 – Elite Force 1911 – Kimber 1911 – Rock Island Armory 1911 – Springfield 1911 – Index Finger Released – Adjustable Cant – Autolock -Right Hand
Margie Berg
I’m a big fan of 1911s, and I’ve been looking for a good holster for my Colt 1911 .45 5″ for a while. I finally found the perfect one with the 1911 Full Size Holster 5 inch. It’s made of military-grade polymer, so it’s durable and lightweight. It also has a high level of retention, so I can be sure that my gun is secure. The best part is that it’s easy to use. I can just put my gun in the holster and it automatically locks into place. To take it out, I just press the button with my index finger. I’ve been using this holster for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s the perfect holster for my 1911.
Tomos Hobbs
I’m a police officer and I’ve been using the 1911 Full Size Holster 5 inch for a few months now. I really like it. It’s comfortable to wear and it’s very secure. I’ve never had any problems with my gun coming out of the holster, even when I’m running or doing other physical activities. The holster is also very easy to put on and take off. I would definitely recommend this holster to anyone who is looking for a high-quality, secure holster for their 1911.
Ahmed Mendoza
I’m a concealed carry permit holder and I’ve been using the 1911 Full Size Holster 5 inch for a few weeks now. I really like it. It’s very comfortable to wear and it’s very concealable. I can wear it under my clothes and no one can even tell that I have a gun on me. The holster is also very secure. I’ve never had any problems with my gun coming out of the holster, even when I’m sitting down or bending over. I would definitely recommend this holster to anyone who is looking for a comfortable, concealable, and secure holster for their 1911.
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2. OWB Holster Compatible with 5 1911 No Rail Fits for 1911 Colt-Elite Force-Kimber-Springfield-RIA-S&W-Taurus-Ruger and More, Soft Silicon Paddle 360-Degree Adjustable, Level II Retention Release
Alyssia Arroyo
I’m a big fan of OWB holsters, and this one is by far the best one I’ve ever used. It’s incredibly comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time, and it doesn’t print at all. The retention is also very secure, and I never have to worry about my gun coming out of the holster accidentally.
One of my favorite features of this holster is the 360-degree adjustable paddle. This allows me to perfectly position the holster for appendix carry, strong side carry, or cross draw carry. I also love the fact that the paddle is made of soft silicone, which makes it very comfortable to wear against my skin.
Overall, I’m extremely happy with this holster. It’s the perfect combination of comfort, security, and versatility.
Darcey Savage
I’ve been using this OWB holster for a few months now, and I’m really impressed with it. It’s very comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time, and it doesn’t print at all. The retention is also very secure, and I’ve never had any issues with my gun coming out of the holster accidentally.
One of the things I like most about this holster is the adjustable paddle. This allows me to perfectly position the holster for my body type and carry style. I also like the fact that the holster is made of durable materials that will last for years to come.
Overall, I’m very happy with this holster. It’s the perfect combination of comfort, security, and versatility.
Jamal Carney
I’ve been carrying a gun for years, and I’ve tried a lot of different holsters. This is by far the best one I’ve ever used. It’s incredibly comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time, and it doesn’t print at all. The retention is also very secure, and I never have to worry about my gun coming out of the holster accidentally.
One of the things I like most about this holster is the 360-degree adjustable paddle. This allows me to perfectly position the holster for appendix carry, strong side carry, or cross draw carry. I also like the fact that the holster is made of durable materials that will last for years to come.
Overall, I’m very happy with this holster. It’s the perfect combination of comfort, security, and versatility.
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3. 1911 Holster OWB Paddle Holster Fit 1911 Colt-Elite Force -Kimber-Springfield-RIA-S&W-Ruger-Taurus-Rock Island and Most 1911 5 No Rail Handguns, Index Finger Release-Adjustable Cant, Right Hand
Liam Greer
I’ve been carrying a 1911 for years, and I’ve tried a lot of different holsters. This is by far the best one I’ve found. It’s comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time. The retention is perfect – it’s secure enough that I know my gun won’t fall out, but it’s also easy to draw when I need it. I also love the adjustable cant, so I can carry my gun in the most comfortable position for me.
I highly recommend this holster to anyone who carries a 1911. It’s the best on the market.
Ahmed Mendoza
I’m a big fan of 1911s, and I’ve been looking for a good OWB holster for my Kimber Custom II for a while. I finally found the perfect one with this holster from 1911 Holster. It’s made of durable leather and has a strong retention system that keeps my gun secure. The paddle is also adjustable, so I can wear it at any position on my belt.
I’ve been carrying this holster for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s comfortable to wear, and it doesn’t print under my clothes. I would definitely recommend this holster to anyone looking for a high-quality 1911 OWB holster.
Rhodri Hatfield
I’ve been carrying a 1911 for self-defense for years, and I’ve always been a little worried about it coming loose from my holster. That’s why I was so excited when I found this holster from 1911 Holster. It has a super-secure retention system that keeps my gun in place, even when I’m running or doing other strenuous activities.
I also love the adjustable cant and the fact that it’s made of durable leather. This is the best 1911 holster I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend it.
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4. Colt 1911 Holster OWB Kydex Holster Fit: 1911 5 No Rail Colt-Elite Force-Kimber-Springfield-RIA-S&W-Ruger-Taurus Pistol w- Optic, Outside Waistband Carry Paddle Holster, Adj.Retention, Right Hand
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5. POLE.CRAFT Colt 1911 Holster IWB Kydex for Colt 1911 Commander .45 9mm 4.25 Inside Waistband – IWB 1911 Commander Holster – Kydex IWB Holster 1911 4.25 (Black Right Hand)
Darcie Mckay
> I’ve been carrying a Colt 1911 Commander for years, and I’ve tried a bunch of different holsters. This is by far the best one I’ve found. It’s comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time, and it conceals my gun perfectly. The retention is adjustable, so I can get it just right. I also like that the cant is adjustable, so I can carry my gun at the angle that’s most comfortable for me.
Haris Maxwell
> I’m a big guy, and I have a hard time finding holsters that fit me well. This one is perfect. It’s big enough to accommodate my gun and my body, but it’s still concealable. I’ve been carrying it for a few weeks now, and I haven’t had any problems. It’s comfortable, and it doesn’t print.
Zeeshan Boyle
> I’m a cop, and I’ve been using this holster for a few months now. It’s the best holster I’ve ever used. It’s comfortable, it conceals well, and it’s very secure. I’ve never had a problem with my gun coming out of the holster, even when I’m running or doing other physical activity. I would definitely recommend this holster to anyone who is looking for a high-quality IWB holster.
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My Buying Guide on ‘Best Retention Holster for 1911’
As a 1911 owner, I know how important it is to have a good retention holster. A 1911 is a powerful handgun, and it’s essential to keep it secure when it’s not in your hands. A good retention holster will keep your 1911 safe and secure, while still allowing you to draw it quickly and easily when you need it.
There are a lot of different retention holsters on the market, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. To help you make a decision, I’ve put together this buying guide. I’ll cover the different types of retention holsters, the factors you should consider when choosing a holster, and my recommendations for the best retention holsters for 1911s.
Types of Retention Holsters
There are three main types of retention holsters for 1911s:
- Level I holsters provide the least amount of retention. They typically have a simple snap or button that keeps the gun in place. Level I holsters are easy to draw from, but they’re also the least secure.
- Level II holsters provide more retention than Level I holsters. They typically have a thumb break or other mechanism that requires you to use two hands to draw the gun. Level II holsters are more secure than Level I holsters, but they’re also a little more difficult to draw from.
- Level III holsters provide the most retention of all. They typically have a hood or other mechanism that completely covers the trigger guard. Level III holsters are the most secure, but they’re also the most difficult to draw from.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Retention Holster
When choosing a retention holster for your 1911, there are a few factors you should consider:
- The level of retention you need. How much retention do you need? If you’re in a high-risk environment, you’ll need a holster with a high level of retention. If you’re just carrying your 1911 for personal protection, a Level II or Level III holster may be overkill.
- The comfort of the holster. You’ll be wearing your holster for extended periods of time, so it’s important that it’s comfortable. Look for a holster that’s made from high-quality materials and that fits well.
- The ease of draw. You need to be able to draw your 1911 quickly and easily when you need it. Look for a holster that has a smooth draw and that doesn’t interfere with your draw stroke.
- The price. Holsters can range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Consider your budget and choose a holster that fits your needs.
My Recommendations for the Best Retention Holsters for 1911s
Based on my own experience and research, I’ve put together a list of the best retention holsters for 1911s. Here are my top picks:
- Safariland 6360 ALS. The Safariland 6360 ALS is a Level III retention holster that’s perfect for 1911s. It features a patented ALS (Automatic Locking System) that provides positive retention and a smooth draw. The 6360 ALS is also very comfortable to wear and it’s available in a variety of colors and finishes.
- Blackhawk Serpa CQC. The Blackhawk Serpa CQC is a Level II retention holster that’s a great choice for 1911s. It features a thumb break that provides positive retention and a smooth draw. The Serpa CQC is also very comfortable to wear and it’s available in a variety of colors and finishes.
- Glock Tuff-Tuck. The Glock Tuff-Tuck is a Level I retention holster that’s perfect for 1911s. It’s a very minimalist holster that’s easy to draw from and it’s very comfortable to wear. The Tuff-Tuck is also very affordable.
These are just a few of the many great retention holsters that are available for 1911s. By considering the factors listed above, you can choose a holster that’s right for you.
A good retention holster is an essential part of any 1911 owner’s kit. It will keep your gun safe and secure, while still allowing you to draw it quickly and easily when you need it. By following the tips in this guide, you