Picking a holster can be far harder than picking a handgun . I would say a Tucker HF-1 would be the best choice for tight to the body concealment but never as good as some iwb hybrids where concealemnt is far easier and I can carry a pistol even higher on my side with the forward cant I want for the position I prefer and also use my arm to aid with concealment . I used a comp-tac MTAC for 17 years with a few handguns as the body is easy to change and have no issues with a one handed draw . After selling my last primary carry I'm back to a 1911 and have lw commander but I can carry a 5" version too in the same rig .

Now I'm not slender and fit , 5-9 and 205lbs 65 year old guy and I wear at 3:00 and can get buy with a many pull over shirts from carhartt force delmont t shirt as there cut fuller around the waist to a polo style that fit's well and button downs are no problem along with a nice guayabera style when I have dressed up a bit .

My son in law is 6'-0 160lbs 29 inch waist a wears the same MTAC with a tp40 kahr with a 1911 body that I carried for 7 years too . He carrys it at 3:30 and has no issues ether .

Check out Nelson holsters too . Good luck finding what works for you .

 

Galco is pretty thick leather. Mitch Rosen is nice and thin.

 

My Kimber and it's Galco Combat Master. Thick leather is a bonus when discussing OWB as it reduces the "flop". IWB thinner is better.

 

The Kramer horsehide OWB belt scabbard is as GOOD a holster as one can find. I have been using one of these for my EDC, off-duty, or plain clothes carry guns since the early 90s. Have carried different guns in them - SIG P220/226/225/239/228/230/232, Glock 19/26/43, Springfield EMP, Walther PPS M2, S&W J frames and K frames, HKP7 M8, and maybe a few others that I can't recall. (My wife has also used this holster with assorted guns - SIG P228/230, S&W 3" Ladysmith J frame, P7M8, Kahr T9 & K9, and Glock 26)

Its my EDC holster for my Shadow Systems MR918 - I primarily use it during the Spring, Fall, and Winter months. During the Summer I will usually switch over to an IWB holster - Sparks SSII.

I've had a couple of Galco Concealable holsters too, while they are good holsters - they are not in the Kramer's league. The only other holster that comes close to the Kramer horsehide OWB belt scabbard that I have owned is the Rosen 5JR and President.

You can't go wrong with the Kramer.

 

Hold out for the Kramer. By far my favorite OWB, I have one for every size pistol I own. Years ago I tried a Galco Concelable. OK holster, but quickly became "mushy". Galco is local to me, it is just an assembly line factory. The only thing going for them is you can find them anywhere. That's not necessarily a good thing.

 

I've got a Kramer scabbard. You can tell the difference between horsehide and cowhide when you have both to compare side by side. The Kramer doesn't have the pretty boning that some of my other high-end holsters have, but there is no doubt it is a quality holster that won't get soft on you.

Mitch Rosen was mentioned in this thread. I have the President express line holster (PRES-EXP) and it is also a very nice holster without the detailed boning. The express line pricing is quite a bit cheaper if you can live without customization and the boning.

 

I'd go Kramer bwtn those two choices especially in horsehide as it is considerably more dense of a leather than cowhide and is the reason why it doesn't have excessive boning as it being so dense it doesn't take to it very well. Considerably tougher material to work with than the other.

 

Of the two brands you mentioned, Kramer wins it hands down. Galco is cheap for a reason. Kramer holsters wear like iron. I have some that I wore undercover for years that still look brand new.

 

A Combat Master runs $103 while the Kramer Scabbard Holsters runs $126. Neither are what I would call cheap nor are they that far apart in price.

 

I usually buy Galco because they are cheaper - Kramer uses better leather, but horse is usually more expensive than cow.

 

Speaking of Galco, I have an SOB for a Colt officers ACP and their version of the Yaqui Slide plus a couple of mag pouches. They might not be Milt Sparks cool but they’re still well made holsters.
Anyway much baloohey is made about horsehide. Yes, it’s tougher than cowhide but since that a well made cowhide holster will literally lasts you a lifetime of daily wear, it’s a moot point.

yes it’s more waterproof than cowhide and supposedly Navy SEALs use Kramer holsters to do their froggie things. But if I were to have to take my pistol into water, it ain’t gonna be with any leather holster.

about the only advantage I can see with a horsehide over cowhide holster is if you’re carrying IWB in Florida or one of those swampy areas day in day out where your sweat would permeate the leathers, and you only have ONE holster to use without the possibility of letting a sweat soaked holster dry out for a day or two.

 

One cool thing about horsehide is that it takes the dye unevenly and next thing you know, you have a holster with interesting dye patterns.

 

Thanks everyone. I went with the Glaco for now. If that wears out, the Kramer will be next.

 

Another one to take a look at is Ritchie leather. He worked for Lou Alessi and Lou was a master with few peers at his level until he passed away. Many of the designs Ritchie sells now came from Lou and he has held prices very well considering the quality.



Catalog of Products

 

I own several of the Concealable, awesome design but they don't stay tight compared to many of the more custom holsters. I had one Kramer which was a great holster and seemed nicer that the Galcos but I traded away the pistol it was for.

 

I have always had good service with Don Hume 721OT with my glock 17/22. Holds it tight to the body and holds its shape for reholstering.

Don Hume H721OT Belt Holster

The Hume H721-OT is an open top belt holster designed to be worn on the strongside of the belt. We stock a number of H721-Ot holsters for various handguns.

www.gunnersalley.com

I like my Bianchi Assent for my 1911, leather with a plastic liner that has decent retention on the trigger guard, and keeps moisture away from pistol.

Remedy™ Belt Slide Holster - Comfortable and Secure Holster

This concealed weapon holster offers an open-top design for quick and easy access. This quality leather belt holster is perfect for hip or rear hip carry.

safariland.com