The Best Holsters for 1911 in 2024

The original Colt 1911 is a classic, designed by John Browning in the years leading up to (you guessed it) 1911 when the U.S. military first adopted it. Over a century later, it’s still a popular design, though, of course, it has been modernized somewhat over the decades.

The 1911 is not a small handgun, so while it can be concealed while carrying, it was not designed with concealability as a high priority. The best holsters for the 1911 are the ones that work best in the situations that the 1911 itself thrives. My choice for best overall here is the Cytac 1911 Full-Size OWB Holster.

It’s important to note that this article does not discuss duty holsters. There are so many holsters available for the 1911 that it would be impossible to cover every situation, and duty-carry has so many of its own considerations. 

Product Reviews

1. Cytac 1911 Full-Size OWB Holster

For those well-versed in holster-buying, it might be odd to find a Cytac take the #1 spot. And I’ll be the first to admit that the Cytac is not perfect, but in my opinion, it does a fantastic job at being exactly what the 1911 needs and does it at a crazy good price.

The biggest drawback is that it’s made of “military-grade polymer materials” instead of Kydex or Boltaron. The holster is plenty durable, but you might notice it start to scuff your gun after you’ve been using it for a while, especially if you take it out of the holster every day instead of putting the whole set-up in your safe.

The scuffing happens with Kydex holsters too, but it’s something to be aware of. This Cytac holster has level II retention with a forefinger release, which I am a big fan of when you’re not carrying concealed. This is an outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster and comes with a paddle attachment, and you can buy a belt clip separately if you would like.

It will fit the Colt 1911 like a glove and should fit most clones as well, though some might have a bit of a wiggle, and others might be just a bit too big, depending on the manufacturer. It’s not designed for concealed carry, so I wouldn’t plan on using it for that, nor would I recommend it as a duty holster.

Pros:

• Level II retention
• Paddle & belt clip options
• Custom-formed for 1911
• Low price
• Adjustable cant

Cons:

• Polymer instead of Kydex or leather
• Sticks out too far for concealed carry

2. 1791 Gunleather 1911 OWB Leather Holster

Many gun owners don’t care if their handgun gets scuffed over time as they use their holster. Other gun owners prioritize keeping their guns as nice as possible. Neither philosophy is wrong, they mean that a holster that’s great for one person isn’t great for another.

If you’re in the latter camp and you want to keep your handgun nice, a leather holster can be the way to go. And as long as you’re going for appearances, you might as well get one of the coolest-looking leather holsters out there.

1791 Gunleather offers their 1911 holster in a variety of different colors, and they all look great. The holster gives you an FBI cant with good passive retention but no snap or other form of level II or III retention. The leather is thick and will last a long time, but you’ll be making the typical sacrifices on adjustability by going with leather instead of Kydex.

Pros:

• FBI cant
• Double-thick leather
• Looks fantastic

Cons:

• No adjustability
• Passive retention only 

3. Relentless Tactical “The Defender”

Maybe it’s because I’m an average-sized guy, but a 1911 is bigger than I would want my concealed-carry firearm to be. That said, I can see a few different cases where concealing a 1911 would be the best way to go, and if that’s the case, The Defender is a holster that’s worth looking at.

If you want to carry a 1911 IWB, I personally feel like leather is the way to go. It will be more forgiving on your skin and hold temperature a little better than Kydex or polymer. Relentless Tactical’s Defender line is premium leather at a very reasonable price, and the leather is reinforced where the holster will be under the most stress.

It’s hard to find faults with the Defender, but a lot of the complaints about leather holsters generally apply to this one: lack of adjustability, occasional maintenance, etc. The stitching holds up very well, and overall I would recommend this one for IWB carry of a 1911.

Pros:

• Relatively soft on the skin
• Better temperature regulation
• Reinforced belt clip and top of holster

Cons:

• No adjustability
• Leather needs to be maintained

4. Aysesa 1911 Leather Rig

Shoulder carry obviously only works in a few situations, but if that’s what you’re looking for, then I’d recommend the Aysesa. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but it’s less expensive than some and is very competitive in quality.

One of the things it does right (in my humble opinion) is that two snap-straps hold the gun in place in the holster. I like this because it’s functionally like level III retention in that it requires two actions and a good yank to get the gun out of the holster. Since shoulder carry isn’t always for concealment (and even if it was), this is a great touch.

The snaps are positioned well, too – one in the thumb break position and one in the forefinger flick position.

The shoulder straps are adjustable to your size and there are two spare magazine pouches on the opposite side from the gun. 

Passive retention on the firearm is fine, and the build quality is fantastic. Whether you’re open carrying or concealed, this is a great option that is made specifically for the 1911.

Pros:

• Two spare mag pouches
• Functionally equivalent to level III retention
• Adjustable for sizes
• Strap to anchor to belt

Cons:

• Shoulder straps are thin enough that I worry about endurance
• Warranty is only five years, not lifetime

5. Aomago Belly Band Holster

There are a lot of belly bands out there, but many of them are designed for compact and subcompact handguns. Since I would consider the 1911 a full-size pistol, you want to make sure to get a band that will properly accommodate it. The Aomago is one that will.

Belly bands are usually neoprene, which is soft and comfortable against your skin while being strong enough to support the weight of your firearm and an extra magazine. Neoprene isn’t great for OWB carry or any other type of open carry, but it has a place in the conversation when we’re talking about concealed carry.

A belly band is similar to carrying IWB, but you can strap it higher than your waistband if you’d like. You also get the extra magazine pouches when you go with a belly band. One of the disadvantages is that you will end up buying replacement belly bands more often because the velcro tends to go out pretty quickly, especially if you wear the band daily.

This isn’t so much a manufacturer issue as it is just the nature of velcro in general, but if you (or someone you know) have a sewing machine, then grabbing some replacement velcro and sewing it on is a 5-minute job. This can extend the life of your band indefinitely.

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Extra magazine capacity
• Can position higher or lower on your torso
• Snap retention on the 1911

Cons:

• Velcro goes out quickly
• Can get hot while wearing

6. Fobus R1911 Evolution Holster

There are a lot of different priorities when you’re carrying a firearm, but one of them might be a lightweight solution that doesn’t interfere with your mobility. Ideally, for something like this, you’d have tight enough retention that you can trust the firearm not to come out of the holster when you’re running, jumping, or otherwise being agile while carrying.

Ideally, it would also be small enough to be helpful when concealing, and a big bonus if it can accommodate an optic. 

Yeah, the Fobus R1911 checks all those boxes. It has a paddle attachment, which you might either like or dislike, but it’s an incredibly compact holster that adds very little weight or mass to your 1911. Depending on what 1911 clone you have with which optic, it might just barely not fit, but it should fit most.

If I were to knock off any points from the Fobus, it would be because it doesn’t have Level II retention, which would ease my mind if I were running and jumping while wearing it. The passive retention is really solid, though, and you can always tighten the retention a bit if you’re worried about it going somewhere.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Small
• Adjustable retention
• Optic compatible

Cons:

• Level I retention only

7. Cytac Universal OWB Holster

If your 1911 isn’t the only gun you want to carry regularly, it might be appealing to pick up a universal holster that will work with each model of handgun you might want to use it with. If that’s the case, Cytac’s universal OWB paddle holster is a good option to consider.

You get adjustable retention, and you get level II retention as well, which is quite the feat for a universal holster. It’s not technically “universal”, of course, so don’t plan on using it with any subcompact or micro pistols, but it should fit most full-size or compact handguns you throw in it.

The cant is fully adjustable (literally 360 degrees of cant), so at first it may be hard to see what’s wrong with this guy. 

Being universal, your pistol might end up rattling around a bit, and you may need help to adjust the passive retention to get it to fit nice and snug. You still have the active retention to keep it in there, but the rattle can be disconcerting. It’s also made of polymer instead of Kydex. This is part of why it’s so affordable, but it also makes me worry about its longevity.

Pros:

• Universal
• Fully adjustable cant
• Level II retention
• Adjustable passive retention

Cons:

• Gun may rattle when holstered
• Paddle is big

8. 1791 Gunleather 3-Way 1911 Holster

You want to carry on your back; I understand that situation well, having carried concealed on my back many times. Finding the right holster that allows you to have a quick and reliable draw from behind you can be annoying. One solution I found was to buy the left-handed version of an IWB holster, so the grip points away from my body when it’s on my 5 o’clock.

The 3-way holster from 1791 Gunleather is another solution, but the name isn’t particularly accurate. As you might have guessed from the photos above, it doesn’t give you 3 ways to holster, it actually gives you 6 because it has belt slits on both sides of it for either left or right hand carry.

It’s fully leather and reinforced where necessary to ensure that it lasts for a long time. Retention is passive only, but it’s intended for concealed carry so that makes sense. The fit is tight because it’s hand-molded specifically for 1911s. I still wish it had at least a thumb-break since it’s OWB, but that may be a sacrifice you’re willing to make.

Pros:

• Lifetime warranty
• Versatile carry positions
• Great for back carry or cross draw
• Leather

Cons:

• Level 1 retention only
• May not be as tight on some 1911 clones

9. Blackhawk Serpa Sportster Holster

I feel like I include the Serpa on just about every holster article I write, but there’s a good reason for that: it’s ridiculously affordable, offers level II retention, works with optics, and has both a paddle and belt clip option for whichever your preference is.

Blackhawk also has different versions of the Serpa depending on what model you have, which helps make sure that your gun fits snug and comfortably inside the holster. The Serpa is a good solution for everyday carry, and while it could work as a duty holster I’d be a bit cautious with the polymer construction.

There are three cant positions – forward, backward, or straight up, so most people should be able to find a position that works for them, and you can adjust the passive retention if needed to make sure that the gun doesn’t rattle in the holster. It’s a solid entry in the lineup.

Pros:

• Adjustable retention
• Adjustable cant
• Paddle or belt clip options available
• Level II retention

Cons:

• Polymer
• Cant only has three positions

10. Blackhawk Serpa Level 3 Tactical Holster

If you want to carry on your thigh, there are no shortage of thigh holsters to choose from, and many of them are good. My pick for number one is another version of the Serpa from Blackhawk (I’m trying to one-up myself by including it twice in one list).

The holster retention is the same as with the paddle version – level II with a detent adjustment screw for the passive retention. You need to make sure to pick up the size for 1911s, though, or it won’t fit correctly.

You’ve got two straps that go up to clip on your belt, and two more that go around your thigh to keep everything in place. Not much to say about it other than that it works. Blackhawk sells attachments if you want to add slots for knives, extra magazines, etc. or if you just want to be tacticool.

Again, the serpa is made from mold-injected polymer, which, despite its reputation, should hold up just fine. Moving parts and pieces tend to be the things to fail first, so I wouldn’t consider the polymer construction to be a massive drawback, just a minor one.

Pros:

• Four straps keep the holster firmly in place
• Level II retention
• Can add accessories

Cons:

• Polymer
• Have to pay extra for mag pouch

Buying Guide

Notes on the 1911

As I mentioned in the beginning, the 1911 is not what I would consider to be a small handgun. You may want to carry it concealed, and more power to you if that’s the case, but the 1911 is a gun that is usually a better fit for open carry, in my opinion.

The 1911 and its many clones can also be either single-stack or double-stack. For most holsters, this shouldn’t make much of a difference as the extra width will mainly be in the grip (which isn’t inside the holster), but depending on the pistol + holster combination, there is a chance that your gun may be just barely too wide or narrow in the wrong spot for a perfect fit.

The 1911 also has a longer grip than many other handgun styles, which means when you’re trying to conceal the gun, you’ll have to deal with it sticking out further than you may be used to. If you already own a 1911 then I’m sure you’re well aware of its quirks.

Retention

Unlike size, retention really does matter. If you’ve read one of my articles on holsters before, you may notice I always talk about retention. As responsible gun owners, we want to get the chances of a tragic accident down as close to 0% as we possibly can, and how our firearm is retained in its holster can play a big role in that.

When you’re carrying concealed, you often have to sacrifice retention in exchange for a slim profile and a quick draw. Since any threat that might take your firearm has to know you have one in the first place, concealing your firearm acts as the first line of defense against such an attacker.

Even if the attacker knows (or guesses) that you have a firearm, they won’t know where it is on your person, and even then, they’ll have to navigate past your clothing to retrieve it, giving you just as much opportunity to fight them off as you’d have if they were struggling past your OWB holster.

When you are open carrying, I recommend a minimum of level II retention, which means you have to take one action in addition to a strong tug on the gun in order to get it out of the holster. Usually, this is a forefinger button, but could take the form of a thumb release as well.

Carry Location

As you might have noticed in the product recommendations, there are many different places where you can carry a 1911 on your body. The most common is probably OWB, because it puts your gun within easy reach and is by far the most comfortable place for it. Most other places on your body are appropriate for concealed carry but not all.

Shoulder-carry puts the gun just underneath the arm opposite the one you draw with, resting on your rib cage. This is a popular option for those wearing a jacket for work. It gives you a fast draw and usually offers additional magazine capacity, but it is harder to conceal than you might want unless you keep your jacket closed.

Belly bands can work if you can have your shirt untucked while you carry and if you either can’t or don’t want to carry IWB. Belly bands can be a good option for overweight folks or women who have issues with the gun printing when IWB. Belly bands are usually universal and also give you that extra magazine capacity, but drawing is slow, and they can get hot to wear all day.

Thigh holsters are a niche product, but they can be effective for anytime you want a quick draw but you also want your arms to have a little more freedom of motion. Having a gun holstered on your belt causes you to move your arms differently to avoid bumping it, but having it down on your thigh lets you move your arms normally.

IWB is the most common place to carry concealed, possibly because it’s the most straightforward. Most of the time you can carry IWB without needing to go up a pants size, unless your pants are already tight. In my experience, the belt needs to be loosened before the pants do.

Are you looking for best sights for your 1911? Go through this article to find out more!

Context

The situations that you’ll be carrying your 1911 in should play a role in your decision how and where on your body to carry. A teacher conceal-carrying in a school is a very different beast from a hunter bringing his sidearm along to deer camp.

I’m sure you’ve already thought through most of those implications, but in case you haven’t make sure you consider what the most likely situations are that would cause you to need to draw your weapon. What if you’re sitting? What if you’re standing? Are you likely to have at least a little warning or do you need a lightning-fast draw?

Are there going to be children around who are young enough not to know better than to reach for your gun? Your choice in balancing retention, concealability, comfort, and accessibility should be affected by the context that you’re carrying in.

Leather vs. Kydex

This is possibly one of the oldest debates around holsters, and it’s a little bit silly because there are other materials that should be in the conversation here. Boltaron is gaining popularity as basically Kydex 2.0, and neoprene and suede also offer good functionality, particularly as IWB holsters and belly bands. Polymer holsters are popular as well.

But I’ll stop dodging the point: leather is clearly superior to Kydex.

In terms of durability and strength, they are actually very similar, but Kydex takes the win here because it offers those things without requiring any maintenance from you. Leather doesn’t take a lot of maintenance, but you need to treat it every now and then to keep it nice.

But in terms of appearance, it’s hard to argue with the rugged appeal of an old leather holster. Much like fine wine, leather holsters get better with age. As an added bonus, leather holsters won’t scuff your gun because of the retention the way that Kydex holsters will. The more frequently you draw your gun, the faster Kydex holsters will start to scuff the finish on your pistol.

Neoprene

Neoprene gets its own section because there are a few types of holsters where neoprene almost has a monopoly on the market. First is belly bands; I don’t think I’ve ever seen a belly band that wasn’t made of neoprene. It has some stretch to it, it’s very soft, and it’s lightweight.

Neoprene is also common for ankle holsters, which we didn’t discuss in this article (because this article is about the 1911, and only a crazy person would try to carry a 1911 on their ankle), and IWB holsters.

The main problem with neoprene is that the actual holster portion is usually some thin stretchy fabric that sometimes feels like it barely holds the gun in place. Often there’s a strap with a snap at the end to keep the gun in place, but the snap anchors on that same stretch fabric, so the whole housing can keep bouncing up and down just like it would without the snap.

My general rule is avoid neoprene unless you want a belly band or ankle holster.

Cant

For those new to the holster world, I wouldn’t worry about cant too much, except to make sure it works for where on your waistband you’re carrying and how it’s comfortable for you to draw. For cross-draw, a backward cant is a strong possibility, while you may want an FBI cant for a standard draw.

If you’re not new to the holster world, you probably already know about cant.

Features to Look For

Extra magazine pouches are nice, but they’re uncommon for OWB and IWB. For OWB carry, I’d look for either a paddle or a holster with two belt loops instead of just one. Paddles will make the gun stick out a bit further than belt slits, but are also a bit easier to put on and take off. Pick your poison.

Level III retention takes more practice but keeps your gun safer than lower levels, and adjustability all across the board is good to have.

FAQs

Conclusion

So, to recap, my number one pick for best overall is the 1911 Full Size Holster from Cytac. To be clear, I simply view that holster from Cytac as the best place to start looking. There’s a good chance you’ll like what you see and your search will be over, but even if it’s not you’ll have something to compare with the other holsters you look at.