Posted: 9/17/2007 10:36:34 PM EDT
 I just picked a new 1911 a few weeks ago, S&W SW1911 PD. I have wanted a 1911 for quite sometime, for shits and giggles I wanted one with a picatinny rail on it. I didn't give it much tought when I bought my 1911 about having to find a holster for. Now usually finding a holster for a 1911 isn't a problem; I am a southpaw also, again finding a left handed holster for a 1911 is a big deal either. But when you combine that I am left handed and my 1911 has a picatinny rail on it, I don't think there is a big market for left handed holsters for a railed 1911. I already tried to see if my 1911 would fit in a Blackhawk Serpa and it won't. It looks like Safari Land makes left handed thigh holsters for 1911's with lights. I plan on taking one Defensive Edges carbine coarses in the future and I remember that unless you are a LEO or military, you can't wear a thigh holster. Correct me if I am wrong on this one. If I find a leather molded pancake/paddle holster for it, would the leather mold or breakin with time around the picatinny rail? Would a molded leather hoster even allow me to insert my pistol into it enough for it to break in around the rail? So if I can't find a "stock" leather holster to fit my 1911, I might have to go with a custom holster. Any custom holster makers in the Twin Cities area? Also I should mention, I am not looking for a holster to fit it with the light one it. Comment? Suggestions? Thanks. Don |
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As for the Defensive Edge Carbine Course, there shouldn't be any problem using a Drop-Leg holster. In fact, many use the Safariland 6004 drop-leg for both 1911's & glocks. I just wouldn't recommend using a Drop-Leg holster for Concealed Carry. You'll likely find that some different lights don't fit in the 6004 (with light) drop-leg, but since it's an integral rail 1911 (and not an aftermarket bolt/weld on) you probably won't have any problems in that respect. As for CCW Holsters, you're probably going to have to go with a custom leather holster, or a nice Kydex holster from Comp-Tac (make sure you specify that it has the picatinny rail & that you're left-handed). You'd probably like the Comp-Tac CTAC or (my favorite - bought before the CTAC came out) the Shirt-Tucker model. The CTAC is more versatile and concealable though (and still allows you to tuck in a shirt over the gun). Also, welcome to the addictive world of the 1911!  You're gonna find that you made a wise choice going with the S&W 1911PD model! It's a sweet shooting 1911 that's usually (unless you got a lemon) 100% reliable out of the box! It's also got a REALLY nice trigger for a factory custom 1911.After a nice 1911 like that you're not much gonna like a handgun with any other trigger & grip angle... 
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Thanks for the suggestions guys. I actually found a holster that fits my 1911 and didn't even have to special order it. I bought a Bianchi Black Widow holster, leather pancake type that encloses it just down to around the trigger gaurd area. Thanks Matt for setting me straight on the use of drop leg holsters in DE classes. Also from looking on SafariLands website, it looks like the 6004 will fit my S&W. They have one for the SA Operator with a Surefire XS200 and I can't see it would be too different from mine. I will have to call them and confirm it with them before I order it. Thanks much, Don |