Best 1911 Holsters for Concealed Carry

Updated August 2024: Removed Floodlight from list.

John Browning’s most popular pistol, the 1911, has long dominated the industry. It remains a favorite handgun with concealed carriers, hunters, home defenders, and everyone else, it seems!

With that in mind, we sat down to consider just how you should tote around that ole’ 1911.

After all, you are going to want a holster for it, right? Unless you’re just sticking it in your pants…not recommended, by the way.

So, we’re tackling the subject of 1911 holsters today. We’ll look at what features you need to consider when holster shopping and list some solid options you should consider.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

THE QUICK LIST

1. Best Shoulder Holster

   Galco Miami Classic II

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2. Best Budget Holster

   Bravo Concealment OWB BCA 3.0

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3. Best Universal

   Blackhawk Omnivore Multi-Fit Holster

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4. Best Leather Holster

   DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard

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5. Best Convertible Holster

   Blade-Tech Total Eclipse

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6. Best Hybrid Holster

   CrossBreed SuperTuck

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7. Best Paddle Holster

   Safariland 7378 ALS Concealment

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How We Chose the Best 1911 Holsters

For this article, we focused on 1911 holsters that balance concealability with value and features. Travis Pike took the lead in testing and writing for this article — assessing a variety of holsters based on his experience to determine the best options for carry. 

Travis is an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry instructor who served in the Marines before jumping into writing. He’s been a gun reviewer for several years and has tested and evaluated hundreds of products in the time. 

Holster Considerations

Before we dive headfirst into the best 1911 holsters, we need to discuss some critical holster considerations.

You can use these critical considerations to guide your choice in holsters now and in the future.

These considerations include:

Safety: First, is the trigger wholly covered when the gun is holstered? If not, toss it.

Ninja Skills: If it is made to be concealed, how easy is it to hide? Not a deal-breaker, but you’ll need to do how well it can accomplish its mission.

Ease of Draw: Does the holster hug the gun too tight? Or does the holster tend to shift and move when the weapon is drawn? These accessibility issues are unacceptable. Your holster should stay put when the gun is removed.

Fit and Retention: Does the gun flop around like a cat in a bathtub? If so, toss it. It’s dangerous. The gun should stay in the holster under normal conditions.

Durability: Everything breaks, but how long will it take your holster to break? Is it made from proven materials and by a reputable holster manufacturer?

Comfort: Last on the list is comfort. Comfort is essential, but the above is much more critical.

Best 1911 Holsters

1. Galco Miami Classic II – Best Shoulder Holster

The Galco Miami Classic is undeniably the flag bearer for shoulder rigs. It set a standard for comfort, durability, safety, and support.

Most importantly, it was the star of Miami Vice, where it gained its namesake.

The key to a shoulder holster’s comfort is the user’s ability to move without the rig holding them back.

1911 carriers can move and groove without restraint with the Miami Classic II.

That glorious freedom of movement comes from four independent points that tie into its Flexalon plate. Your straps pivot independently of each other, allowing for a dynamic range of movement and undeniable comfort.

A premium steer hide leather design ensures comfort and support, even for a heavy gun like the 1911. The straps measure 1.5 inches wide, so they spread out the weight of the weapon instead of focusing it in one area, creating discomfort.

Retention comes in the form of a thumb break device that snaps over the rear of your 1911 and keeps it sitting pretty.

You can choose from tan or black to match your belt and shoes. The Miami Classic II accommodates nearly every 1911-size profile. You’ll feel like Bond, James Bond, but with more stopping power!

2. Bravo Concealment BCA – Best Budget Holster

When I say 1911, I think of a standard government profile with a 5-inch barrel in .45 ACP. But maybe some of you who love the 1911 picture an entirely different weapon.

Maybe it has a rail, perhaps a 4.25-inch barrel, or maybe the manufacturer included some uncommon features.

Regardless of the design, Bravo offers a holster for it.

The OWB BCA line offers many 1911 options. For example, they don’t just offer a 1911 with a 5-inch barrel—you can choose your manufacturer, barrel length, and rail or non-railed option.

Bravo’s BCA provides a modern holster design made from Kydex.

The BCA rides tight and high to keep the gun tucked under your shirt. It makes carrying 1911s — both big and small — much easier.

With a Bravo holster, you gain some modularity. This includes attaching paddles, pancake-style loops, and adjusting cant.

The Bravo Company BCA holster system is unbeatable if you like to mix things up a bit. I’ve used the BCA for several different firearms and always found them quite comfortable.

At one point, I was training to beat Tom Cruise in Collateral for a box drill, and guess what? I did it faster, and I did it with a Bravo Company BCA rig. Suck it, Cruise.

3. Blackhawk Omnivore – Best Universal 1911 Holster

The Omnivore is hard to beat if you want a budget 1911 holster.

This is a quasi-universal holster that accommodates 1911s with a rail. Even 1911s equipped with the Recover Tactical rails will fit in the Omnivore holsters.

Blackhawk’s Omnivore requires a rail system of some type to wear a light or plastic locking block.

The rail-only model attaches a block to your rail, and that block interacts with the retention system of the Omnivore. The light-bearing models retain around the light of the gun.

The Omnivore is a budget-busting OWB rig far from suitable for concealment. This is a big rig, especially the light-bearing models.

However, they fit 1911s oh-so-perfectly and provide a big thumb-driven active retention device, so they’re both secure and easy to draw from!

Press the thumb-driven release and draw your gun. It’s safe, effective, and ergonomic. Blackhawk includes several various thumb-driven attachments for different hand sizes.

The “click” is satisfying to hear as you holster your gun. That sound lets you know it’s tucked in and locked down. Various 1911s will fit in the Omnivore, including 4.25, 5, and even 6-inch barrel models.

The Omnivore is made entirely from polymer and is rock solid in both durability and reliability. I’ve used mine for nearly four years now with dozens of different guns, including a 1911, without issue.

4. Desantis Thumb Break Scabbard – Best Leather Holster

1911s are classic guns, and leather options can give you that traditional feel. However, when choosing a leather holster, you have to be picky — very picky.

Desantis is a company I trust, without fail, to produce finely tuned leather holsters.

The Thumb Break Scabbard is an excellent modern leather OWB.

Featuring a pancake design, the Scabbard rides higher and tighter than a Sergeant Major’s haircut.

The Scabbard clings tight and high to increase concealment under light garments like t-shirts. A third belt slot allows for cant, and a small screw adjusts retention.

Those little features add up for an easy and comfortable way to carry a big ole’ honking, all-metal 1911. A high ride height makes up for the 5-inch barrel, and the thick leather design makes it easy to support the weight of a fully-loaded .45 ACP 1911.

The Thumb Break Scabbard design means you have an active retention device in the form of a thumb break (duh).

Your thumb falls naturally where the thumb break sits and is easily defeated with a natural draw stroke. Plus, it gives you that cool, gunfighter-like feel as you unsnap the thumb break.

5. Blade-Tech Total Eclipse – Best Convertible 1911 Holster

The Blade-Tech Total Eclipse provides the perfect contrast to the Desantis Thumb Break Scabbard. An OWB rig, it’s an entirely modern take on the design manufactured from Kydex.

Unlike the Scabbard, the Total Eclipse quickly converts to an IWB holster by swapping clips and loops.

Modularity is also beautiful, and the Total Eclipse offers plenty of it. Every now and then, you get a holster that pokes and prods, but the Blade-Tech uses rounded corners.

This allows for a tight OWB fit to the body without pinching and poking as you carry all day. The Total Eclipse offers plenty of support for your 1911, making getting down and dirty at the range a safe and efficient affair.

It features a loud click to let you know your gun is locked in place and secure. The cant can be adjusted, perfect for those who want a little extra concealment.

This is easily the most modular option for the 1911 and gives you more than enough options to end the day satisfied.

6. Crossbreed SuperTuck – Best Hybrid Holster

Looking for a dedicated strong-side IWB 1911 holster? Then the SuperTuck is tough to beat. Crossbreed uses a hybrid style design that mixes a leather backing with a polymer shell.

The leather portion of the holster sits against your body and provides plenty of protection for the gun and comfort for you.

It’s all about comfort with the SuperTuck…tough to do with a hefty 1911. But the leather backing on this hybrid design brings superior comfort and support.

Your big 1911 stays concealed with the SuperTuck. Heavy-duty powder-coated steel belt clips support the weight of the gun.

These big bad clips are not only supportive but latch onto the belt with sheer, unmitigated authority. When you go to pull that smoke wagon, you’ll have confidence knowing the stays put.

You can change the ride height at will, add cant, swap belt clips, and more for a modern degree of modularity. The SuperTuck is also tuckable if the name didn’t give it away, so dress like quite the dandy while packing a fistful of .45 ACP.

The Crossbreed SuperTuck is a superbly comfortable option for carrying a variety of 1911s.

From full-sized government models to Commander variants, and even those teeny tiny, hardly really 1911s Sig Sauer P238s — plenty of options exist for nearly every type of 1911 on the market.

7. Safariland 7378 ALS Concealment – Best Paddle Holster

Safariland is one of the premier holster companies out there. So, it’s no surprise a Safariland holster made this list, the Safariland 7378 series, to be exact.

The Safariland 7378 features the ALS system, which stands for Automatic Locking System.

ALS is a retention system that requires you to draw the weapon upwards to retrieve it. At weird angles, the gun stays put and is nearly impossible to lose.

The Safariland 7378 series clings tight to the body for concealment, and the paddle system provides comfort. This bad boy can also be fitted with a belt loop if you prefer that route.

The Safariland 7378 features an internal non-abrasive finish that keeps that beautiful 1911 finish intact.

You’ll see no scratching or marring over the thousands of drawing repetitions. Made from a proprietary nylon design, this holster is plenty tough and robust.

Countless police agencies choose Safariland holsters. The United States military even chose Safariland for their Sig M17/M18 series.

So, these holsters are some of the most well-proven rigs on the market.

Admittedly, it’s rather large for concealed carry, but it’ll disappear easily enough if you are willing to size your shirt up.

Final Thoughts

The 1911 may not be my choice for a concealed carry pistol, but it is the choice of thousands of people across this great country. The good news about popularity is that it breeds options.

From modular optics to hybrid to light-bearing, hopefully, we’ve given you enough holster variety to find a model you can confidently carry your 1911.

What are your favorite 1911 holsters and brands? Let us know in the comments below. Looking to add a new 1911 to your collection? Check out our list of the Best 1911s for the Money or upgrade the 1911 you already have with our list of Best 1911 Mods & Upgrades.