The best 1911 holsters worth carrying

The Fobus R1911 is the minimalist solution to OWB carry. With a snug fit and low profile, it’s virtually invisible when you use a smaller barrel model 1911, and the rubberized paddle retention is extremely comfortable for all-day carry. Wearing both jeans and tactical pants, I was able to go about my yard work, walk the dog through the woods, and sit down to eat without any need to adjust my pants.

The only drawback I found with the Fobus is that out of the box, it was a bit too difficult to draw from. When you pulled, it tended to snag and drag the entire assembly up along with your pants and belt. However, you could correct the issue by adjusting the retention screw at the clasp of the holster with a Phillips head screwdriver.

Retailing at around $40, the Fobus was the best mixture of comfort, affordability, ease of draw, and firearm retention that was evaluated, and gets our rating for Best Overall holster. You can’t go wrong with this one.

While most of the larger brands focus on plastic and polymer options, the nylon Bulldog Extreme equals, and in many cases exceeds, the quality of its counterparts.

When I started putting all the options through their paces, I kept coming back to the Bulldog Extreme 1911. There’s nothing super sexy about a nylon holster with a belt loop option and metal belt retention clip, but when taken as a package, the Bulldog has it all. During draw tests, I found the reinforced snap button retention strap was perfectly placed for a quick thumb release that feels surprisingly robust for what it is. When secured, the pistol was seated deep in the holster and drew with a satisfying slide over and over again, without snagging.

I’d like to see the metal pants clip (Bulldog’s answer to the paddle) be a little longer for a firmer hold when carrying on the waistband, but the belt loop option worked just fine. Additionally, the flexibility of the nylon allows you to use the clip and wear it inside the belt for a concealed option (if you like carrying a three-pound brick in the small of your back), and the added magazine pouch ensures you’re getting the most value for your money.

Retailing for under $30, the Bulldog is without a doubt the best option that provides a bare bones solution for everything you need in a 1911 holster without breaking the bank.

The Blackhawk Omnivore is probably the most flexible plastic-molded holster I’ve ever tested. Large or small hand size, abnormally long fingers, none of that matters with the Omnivore. It has a unique press-thumb release that elevates the weapon directly into your palm as you press it and includes three different pad sizes to change the height of the push release so the holster perfectly matches your draw type.

The free-floating design, which allows you to draw, holster, and secure the weapon without metal or fabric dragging on the frame is a brilliant innovation. This is done by attaching a box-shaped plastic retaining accessory onto the lower accessory rail. When you slide the pistol into the holster, the bottom part of the frame clamps onto the box and holds it firm, while the rest of the weapon sits free. Before assembling the Omnivore, I was skeptical that the single box point of contact would be enough to secure a 1911 with a fully loaded magazine, but am happy to report that I was very wrong.

Once I had the thumb button sized properly, the Omnivore lived up to the hype of its reviews, and the draw was unlike anything I’d experienced with other brands. The 1911 practically leaps into your hand in a ready shooting position as a natural extension of the pushing motion.

If you prefer a belt loop carry to a paddle, no worries. The Omnivore belt loop attachment comes with sizing adjusters to change the width for normal belts all the way up to ultra-wide tactical rigs.

Reasonably priced, with a little setup time that is completely worth the effort, the Omnivore is an outstanding choice of holster for any 1911 enthusiast. The only reason it didn’t receive our Best Overall rating is because the holster can only be used with a 1911 that includes accessory rails, excluding a lot of popular models currently on the market.

The Galco Miami Classic II Shoulder Holster will surely impress the Miami Vice cosplayers out there. I’ve never been a huge fan of shoulder holsters, but I see why this was the highest rated of the options available. Once the straps are tightened, cut, and seated properly, it’s by far the easiest way to carry a 1911.

One negative was that the straps seemed to be missized out of the box. I’m six-foot-one and 185 pounds, and the leather straps that loop onto your upper back didn’t have enough holes to tighten the holster properly. When I used the smallest option available, the heavy weight of the 1911 dragged the left side of the rig down and pulled the opposing magazine holder uncomfortably into my armpit. This was easily corrected by using a nail to add an additional hole further up the strap, but I would have liked to have that option out of the box without extra modification needed.

However, once the straps were correctly sized and secured, the pistol rode very comfortably, much more than either a belt or paddle option. If you’re carrying the 1911 without two fully loaded magazines in the other pouch to counterbalance the weight, it can feel a little awkward as the pistol side makes the rig ride unevenly across your back. When properly balanced, the comfort is outstanding.

Another factor to consider with the Galco is that the hammer must be in the cocked position to completely secure the retention strap, which may make some people uncomfortable if they don’t like carrying a round in the chamber.

While shoulder holsters aren’t for everyone, and only provide a concealed option in colder weather where coats and jackets are regularly worn, if you’re in the market for one, the Galco Miami Classic is by far the best option available.

For the holster connoisseurs out there, 1791 products are hard to beat. Thick, treated leather with an iconic stamped 1791 logo and a perfect fit, there’s not much on the market that compares. The 1791 Gunleather Ultra Custom is a belt loop-only holster, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices anything in comfort. The extra large flap on the top ensures that even a large firearm like a 1911 won’t come into contact with your skin while you’re carrying for long periods of time.

During the walk test, I found there was a tradeoff for the comfort of the oversized flap; sweat buildup where the holster was seated against my upper hip was noticeable. Nothing worth worrying about, but it may be a concern depending on what type of shirt you’re wearing.

Draw testing found the pull a bit tighter than other models, but the 1791 gets a pass, since with any leather product this will smooth out with proper treatment and seasoning of the material. We gave this holster an extra 30 tests, and by the end found that the release was no better or worse than the nylon and polymer equivalents we tested. Unlike many other leather options, the 1791 sets your pistol at a slight cant (handle forward), which helps the draw without tugging on the belt unnecessarily.

It’s a bit pricey (around $100 on the low end), but that’s what you get when buying high-quality leather. Plus, at a relatively whopping 1.3 pounds, the holster — when coupled with a fully loaded 1911 — means you’ve got almost five pounds hanging on your belt. If you’re looking for something durable that will last for years to come and turn heads when worn, the 1791 is likely your best fit.

Safariland’s ALS (Automatic Locking System) concealed paddle holster is a crowd favorite. Priced just over $50, it’s on the slightly higher end from similar models, but the ALS system means drawing your firearm has never been easier. Also called a thumb release or lever, the ALS uses an internal locking mechanism that secures the gun in all directions simply upon re-holstering. No buttons, levers, or catches. The weight of the pistol sliding into the holster triggers the mechanism, and the act of drawing it back out provides enough to release it.

It’s a nice piece of engineering. Only the Omnivore had smoother draw ergonomics out of all the holsters we field tested.

When first unboxing the Safariland ALS, it appears to be larger than similar offerings, but there’s a reason for that. Inside the holster are raised standoff surfaces which create an air space around your weapon, which means any dirt or moisture on the frame can dry or wick off while worn, instead of corroding and/or abrading your 1911. The molded paddle will also make your pistol practically disappear during waist carry, even with the boxier outer shell. The 1911 fans can’t go wrong with the Safariland ALS.