JMB
As I mentioned in my last post, The Inconvenience and I have downed the JMB Kool-Aid.
I am all-but-set on either the Springfield 1911 Champion Lightweight Loaded or the Champion Operator. I’m indifferent on the rail issue, but can’t find a LW Loaded anywhere, so I’m leaning toward the Operator just for availability. I’d consider the Champion Stainless Loaded if I got a really, really smokin’ deal on it, but it’s definitely my last choice of the three.
Yes, I do intend for this to be my primary concealed (and open) carry gun. I love my XD40 Sub-Compact, but rarely carry it because it’s just too thick. I do not love my Kel-Tec P3AT, but carry it anyway right now because it’s so bitty and easy. Obviously the 1911 will not be bitty, but I think I will be happy with it. I carried a friend’s full-sized Kimber the other day (at about 4:30 in a Milt Sparks VM2) and found it rather comfortable, if a little longer than I’d want. (Hence the preference for 4″ models.)
I’d love to hear holster recommendations from y’all, especially women. I’d never concealed anything behind the hip prior to the Kimber, and I have reservations about it. I don’t really like having the gun somewhere I can’t see it and the garments covering it, y’know? I generally prefer appendix carry, but realize it can pose a bit of a challenge with a medium-frame gun.
Anyway, I’m open to thoughts and suggestions, but anyone who says “You can’t carry a .45, yer a GURL!” will promptly be banned from PGB forevermore.
(The Inconvenience said I shouldn’t threaten to ban anyone because it’s mean. You all know I’m kidding, right? And besides, none of you are stupid enough to tell me I can’t do something. :-p
Also: Anyone in the market for a Beretta 96, ping me.)
If you can shoot it (and I have no doubt you can) then you can carry it. Even if it is about as big as you are.
I carry a Kahr CW45 in a Comp-Tac Minotaur, and it’s by far one of the most comfortable holsters I own. My girlfriend carries a Kimber Ultra Carry in a Kholster and she swears by it.
We have the Minotaur for the XD. I emailed them to ask if they make the bodies for railed 1911s, and unfortunately, no dice. So, I’m either going to have to go with a different holster or wait on the Loaded.
I will check out the Kholster. Thanks for the recommendations!
If what you really want is the Springfield 1911 Champion Lightweight Loaded, take the time necessary to find it. If you get the Operator or the Champion Stainless Loaded, both fine guns in their own right, you may find yourself forever wishing you had waited to find the model you really wanted. Just some food for thought.
Oh, I totally agree. I subscribe to the get-the-one-you-want-the-first-time theory in a big way. I’m just honestly indifferent between the Loaded and the Operator – I really don’t care about the rail one way or the other (as a feature). That said, I am a little concerned about the availability of holsters for a railed 1911 – I emailed Comp-Tac about their bodies and they said no dice. So, that might push me toward the Loaded.
First, JMB, good choice. Proven platform. Second, my most recent ex-girlfriend carries her Nighthawk in a Galco purse. My girlfriend before that, carries her tiny Kimber in a belly band, just beneath her chest area, the draw is reach, uh, between (seriously). Once you settle on a carry location, method, remember Bianchi’s Law: the same gun, the same way, everytime. That way you won’t revert to prior training and reach for an empty hip, or wherever…
I’m interested in belly bands – I’ve never used one, but think it might work for me. I’m just concerned about accessibility… I think I’d have a more consistent draw from underneath my shirt rather than down-through-the-valley, so I’m worried about speed. I’d like to check one out, though.
Thank you for weighing in. I really appreciate hearing what other women have done, especially.
“Once you settle on a carry location, method, remember Bianchi’s Law: the same gun, the same way, everytime. That way you won’t revert to prior training and reach for an empty hip, or wherever…”
Or, if you get REALLY confused, just leave a separate gun at each possible draw point. I call this “Keanu Reeves’ Law”.
Phil, LOL..I’ll have to remember that one.
Next time we’re up, I’ll have to bring something ELSE for you to play with, then.
I just bought it off a guy, it cost a lot less than a .22LR upper, but IMO it’s just as fun for a 1911 shooter as that upper is for an AR shooter.
WHY DO YOU HAVE ALL THE COOL TOYS!?
Have I seen your 1911? I’m drawing a blank. (Huuurrrr)
Also, it’s hardly kool-aid. The 1911 is one hell of a well-balanced gun, and both fun and easy to shoot accurately.
JMB sure knew how to design a clunker shotgun, but his pistols feel like he actually shot the things.
I have no 1911. I had an old Spanish knock-off from WW II or so, but I sold it. It didn’t shoot worth crap. Eventually, I’ll end up with a 1911, I’m sure. At this point, I’ll have to sell some stuff to get it.
But I have a Ruger .22 toy that’s designed as a 1911 trainer, and it’s very fun to shoot. Bought it off a guy in front of a gun shop a week or two ago. The shop offered him next to nothing, so I followed him out, asked him about it and bought it in a parking lot.
He said it jammed a fair amount. I happen to know about that type of gun, and they don’t tend to jam — EVER if nothing is bent or broken. Let’s just say that some people need to clean their guns, at least every once in a while. After I got the layers and layers of crud out of it, it’s been working great!
The shop offered him next to nothing, so I followed him out, asked him about it and bought it in a parking lot.
GOD. BLESS. IDAHO.
What is it with people not cleaning their weapons? Seriously? I don’t particularly enjoy it, but I appreciate the necessity. I don’t get it.
Yeah, I don’t love cleaning guns, though sometimes it does bring a feeling of satisfaction.
But when it’s either that, or selling the gun for half what I paid for it, to some random dude in a parking lot, I think I’ll clean it, right?
I can’t give you a woman’s opinion on a holster for the 1911 but you might want to check out http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/
I got a custom IWB for my full size kimber from him and it fits the pistol and myself, like a glove. I hardly feel it when I am wearing it. It retains well and looks good too.
I have to agree with the “wait til it’s available” crowd. Nothing beats knowing that you got exactly what you wanted.
I’m a guy so my preferences don’t take into account the female curvature. I have a whole drawer full of holsters that I’ve purchased over the years. Some worked fairly well and some were a total disaster. Lately I find myself coming home to the Milt Sparks Versa Max 2. I liked it so much for my 1911 that since the original purchase, I’ve bought three more. One each for my Glock, XD45 and the wife’s EMP.
My wife has an EMP (already mentioned) that shares ride time between the VM2 and a Milt Sparks Axiom. For some reason, she also likes to use my Kimber Gold Combat (full size) at IDPA and uses the VM2 for that one as well. All of those guns though place a distant second to her primary carry gun …. that would be a S&W 340PD that she carries in a Uncle Mike’s Pocket Holster (Size 3) inside her right front pocket.
The barest minimum for both of us during the summer months (when comfort dictates), usually involves the Joab Appendix Carry Holster from One Source Tactical. This holster I have found to be the fastest presenting holster with the added bonus of being easily accessible while seated/driving. Anyway, I’m sure you realize by now that you have many options.
Also, don’t forget, it’s not really the length of the barrel/slide that affects concealability as much as the grip length. That is why I purchased a compact tactical XD. I get a very concealable grip with little printing and still retain the longest sight radius available.
While I don’t carry a 1911-design fowling piece, I like the Kramer line of holsters(particularly the IWB for my Hi-Power, and a belt scabbard for my CZ75B). I have felt for a long time that JMB should be considered as a Higher Power.
Did someone say “used Beretta”?
No, but in all seriousness, I know at least one woman that carries a 1911 all day, she uses a (I think) Milt Sparks IWB holster for the gun. I’m not a big fan of belly band holsters because I don’t personally feel like they offer the stability of platform that you want with a heavy gun like a 4 inch 1911, but as many things go, YMMV.
Raven Concealment FTW (if you like kydex.)