Late Post - Mrs TEA got me a new holster

[TEA]

for Christmas. Because it is a fully custom build, I didn't get it until January 21st. I've been a bit busy with my wife having twins and all, so just got around to posting now.

No one makes exactly what I wanted (cross draw w/ thumb break and snap on/off belt loops), so this is a truly custom build from Dwight's Gunleather. It is also suede lined to be a bit easier on the finish. He threw in the mag carrier as an added bonus for no extra charge because we're Interwebz friends from the M14 forum and he knew I'd be strapped for cash after the twins came.






This holster is for open carry out at the ranch, not concealed carry, so concealment is not a concern. My main goals for the design were: 1) easy on and off for when I go into town; 2) cross draw so I can reach my pistol easily in my truck or in a blind; 3) thumb break to secure the pistol even if I'm hanging upside down in a tree. If and when I get my CHL, I'm planning on going with a Garret Industries Silent Thunder Fusion.

[doofaloofa]

Congrats on the holster and the twins

[Rock Ape]

Do you normally carry with the hammer back ?

[TEA]

Do you normally carry with the hammer back ?

Yes - "condition one," "cocked and locked." The 1911 has both a grip safety and a manual thumb safety that prevents the hammer from falling unless both have been disengaged. In addition to the two mechanical safeties on the pistol itself, the thumb break on the holster not only serves to retain the pistol in the holster but also as a third safety between the cocked hammer and the firing pin.

[Devil]

Cocked and locked is the appropriate way to carry the 1911.

[Rock Ape]

Thanks for the info guys, having never fired the 1911 I wasn't aware of the weapons mechanisms.

From my Mil background, seeing a weapon in that condition causes me to want to jump up and down in a fit of WI's rage. But that's only because of I'm completely inexperienced in living in a country where civilian possession, open carry and condition 1 is legal :-)

[Devil]

Thanks for the info guys, having never fired the 1911 I wasn't aware of the weapons mechanisms.

From my Mil background, seeing a weapon in that condition causes me to want to jump up and down in a fit of WI's rage. But that's only because of I'm completely inexperienced in living in a country where civilian possession, open carry and condition 1 is legal :-)

Yeah, I didn't get into 1911s until after I was out of the military and seeing them cocked in the holster gave me the willies before I was educated on them.

Now I recommend all Americans who carry a weapon familiarize themselves with the 1911. It's single stack magazine will make it the best game in town whenever the gun Nazis finally succeed in banning high capacity magazines.

[Rock Ape]

What's the weight all up with a charged magazine ?

[Devil]

Don't know how much Tea's weighs, but they're heavy. It varies a lot because unlike Glocks, etc. there are infinite variations of the 1911. Some have aluminum frames, there are different length slides, some parts may be skeletonized, different grip materials. It goes on an on.

They're heavy. Creeping up on the 3 pound range for a full sized, steel frame 1911 loaded with heavier grain bullets. You're going to be several ounces heavier than a loaded Glock of the same caliber and it holds half the ammo.

[TEA]

The one in this video is 2lb 12oz loaded with and 8rd magazine. I haven't put mine on a scale, but since its a pretty standard Colt (none of the mods I've done should have added much, if any, weight), it should weigh the same as the one in the video.