Iwb For 3" 1911 With Laser Grips

[jrvinny]

Has anyone made an IWB holster in the style of the attached picture for a compact 1911 with laser grips? Have a customer request and I'm trying to figure out the best solution.

Thanks in advance!

[Sixer]

I haven't made one for a compact 1911... but I have made a similar holster for a Glock 26 with crimson trace grips. I lowered the mouth of the holster so the top was just below the laser. You should still have plenty of gun to work with for tight retention.

[jrvinny]

I haven't made one for a compact 1911... but I have made a similar holster for a Glock 26 with crimson trace grips. I lowered the mouth of the holster so the top was just below the laser. You should still have plenty of gun to work with for tight retention.

I was looking at that option but with such a short barrel, making that side lower seems to make the holstered gun a bit top heavy. I was thinking of making a cut out in between the snaps to accommodate the laser. Do you have a photo of your G26 holster?

Thanks!

[Fredo]

Not IWB but I made this one a cpl of weeks ago. It fits the CT laser grips on the kimber ultra carry II. I added a wooden dowell when molding to set the grove for the lazer section of the grips. Owner of the kimber says it fits great. The gun is in Texas, I'm in So Cal so I was a bit worried but it all worked out.

Edited February 24, 2011 by Fredo

[jrvinny]

That's sharp Fredo. I wish I didn't have to deal with the snaps panel and it would be a lot easier. I've done half a dozen holsters for this customer and he really likes the IWB with the snap loops. I guess the bright side is he likes my work. I have an idea that I hope works well. I'll post photos when it's finished. Thanks for the example.

[Sixer]

This is one of the first few holsters I'd ever made... but maybe it will give you an idea.

Edit - I see what you mean, the laser grips on the 1911 will be farther forward on the gun... hmmmm?

Edited February 24, 2011 by Sixer

[Samuel]

I've never done Crimson Trace before. Would you just add some tape and a pencil where the Crimson Trace goes or is there dummy kit you can order from Crimson Trace you can attach to your blue gun?

[jrvinny]

I have the gun. The trick is the snap panel. I don't want to mold over the laser because that will rub against the belt more. I think I'm just going to make a cut out in the holster and snap panel where the laser goes. We'll see if it works.

[Bobby hdflame]

I have a Springfield 1911 Champion with Crimson Trace sights. Mine is full size, but I like the looks of your holster. Why don't you just make your leather holding the snaps a little wider and space the snaps far enough apart to get them out of the way of the laser? Then you could notch the leather just like you talked about....or maybe that IS how you were going to address the snap problem.

I'll be interested to see how you address this. I may make one for myself.

Bobby

[jrvinny]

Alright folks, here's what I came up with. As far as I can tell, it seems to be the best solution. It took a little figuring to get the notch to line up and take into account the height of the sight channel in the pattern. The customer loved it so I guess that counts as a success. Thanks for all your input. Let me know what you think.

Edited March 4, 2011 by jrvinny

[Big O]

That is one beautiful holster!

If it's not perfect, it's damn sure too close to call.

[particle]

Nicely done! Did you get it right on your first attempt?

[jrvinny]

Nicely done! Did you get it right on your first attempt?

Surprisingly, I did. I had to do some fine tuning during molding to get the notch centered, but not enough to even make it worth it to adjust my pattern. I'm sure you know how frustrating it is to get all the way down to the molding process and find out your pattern was "almost right".

Thanks for the compliment. (You too, Big O.)

[particle]

Yep - Very frustrating to get to the molding and realize you have to make adjustments. I'm not sure of your workflow, but I tool (if necessary) and dye at the very beginning, so I waste a lot of time if I have to go back and edit my pattern. That was the case with the last two holsters I posted - they were both firsts for me (S&W J-Frame and a Sig P238), and the Sig was not usable beyond showing me what I needed to fix in the pattern for my next attempt - too tight and the leather was too thin.

Glad to hear you got it right on the first attempt.

Out of curiosity - will you carry that notch forward for all your future 1911 IWB holsters of that design? Or only incorporate it on special requests? I've always wondered if something like that would be good to incorporate across the board to allow greater flexibility to the customer's firearms collection.

[jrvinny]

Yep - Very frustrating to get to the molding and realize you have to make adjustments. I'm not sure of your workflow, but I tool (if necessary) and dye at the very beginning, so I waste a lot of time if I have to go back and edit my pattern. That was the case with the last two holsters I posted - they were both firsts for me (S&W J-Frame and a Sig P238), and the Sig was not usable beyond showing me what I needed to fix in the pattern for my next attempt - too tight and the leather was too thin.

Glad to hear you got it right on the first attempt.

Out of curiosity - will you carry that notch forward for all your future 1911 IWB holsters of that design? Or only incorporate it on special requests? I've always wondered if something like that would be good to incorporate across the board to allow greater flexibility to the customer's firearms collection.

My workflow is the same. Molding comes almost last. I've made more than a few throw away holsters. I saw your J-Frame holster. Very nice. I made my first small frame revolver holster a few months back. Not sure how I managed it, but I got that one right on the first try too. I'm either getting lucky or good. Not sure which. I know it's a bit off topic for this thread and I hope no one's offended, but here's a photo of that one.

As for the notch, I probably won't include it on all the 1911 holsters. Just as requested. Interesting thought though. I know I would get faster at it but it does take more time to do than the standard version. I suppose I could just charge more on all of them but a gun with no laser grips looks cleaner in my standard version (I think).

[Sixer]

Nice work! That came out GREAT.

[Bobby hdflame]

Alright folks, here's what I came up with. As far as I can tell, it seems to be the best solution. It took a little figuring to get the notch to line up and take into account the height of the sight channel in the pattern. The customer loved it so I guess that counts as a success. Thanks for all your input. Let me know what you think.

That turned out very nice! Makes me want to make one for mine. Did you have to widen your belt keeper straps or just put in the notch? Since I have the same basic model (longer barrel) with Laser Grips, I'm wondering if there should be a thin piece of leather added over the notch in order to cover and protect the laser sight? I wonder how the sight will rub against the inside of the pants since it's IWB?

What do you think?

Bobby

[jrvinny]

That turned out very nice! Makes me want to make one for mine. Did you have to widen your belt keeper straps or just put in the notch? Since I have the same basic model (longer barrel) with Laser Grips, I'm wondering if there should be a thin piece of leather added over the notch in order to cover and protect the laser sight? I wonder how the sight will rub against the inside of the pants since it's IWB?

What do you think?

Bobby

I did have to spread the snaps apart a little bit. Not quite 1/4 inch from my original pattern. I though about only notching the holster body and not the snap panel but decided not to go that route. That section of the holster actually rides above the belt and outside the pants so the laser won't rub on anything. Plus the two layers of leather (depending on thickness) will be thicker than the height of the laser.

Edited March 4, 2011 by jrvinny