ltwguns.com

Gents,

I'm getting a custom 1911 from Ted Yost in the (more or less) near future, and am looking for some proper gunleather to go with it. However, I have no idea what design would suit me best. I've currently got a Galco Summer Comfort that I picked up a while back for cheap, it is OK but doesn't exactly seem like something to write home about.

I'm 6'2", 180 lbs with a 33" waist. I'm fairly confident I'll stay roughly that shape for a while. I need a comfortable IWB holster for a 5" 1911. My quandry is that every holster maker makes several varieties of IWB holester, and it isn't really clear to me why I'd want one over the other. How would I know if I should get an Alessi GWH, PCH, DOJ, etc., for instance?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

Sean,
I would suggest an Alessi PCH. It rides very close, and for me the right height. I wear one for a 5" gun and have not tried anything better. Burton wore a Summer Special for years and was happy. I think he is now wearing a PCH but he can chime in on that. Lou did his homework on this one.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

I have used a Milt Sparks #1H for years. It's been comfortable for me and has been a constant companion. After reading what the good folks here have said about Lou's PCH, I called and ordered one earlier today. I've got several of his designs and the quality is always extraordinary. I'm particularily fond of his CQC/s design. It's my favorite non-IWB holster.

One of these days I'll get a PCH myself if I don't get short circuited to something from the neighborhood (hanging my hat in Garden City right now).

That said my own choice is the GWH (I have brown and black because I've always thought leather should be rested) but that includes a heavy belt on stiff fabric trousers in a gun friendly casual dress community with lots of time on my feet. The trouser waist band really is or can be a large part of the support.

I agree with Mr. Burns' suggestion that the GWH is an IWB that has a lot in common with an outside the waistband holster - I'll add good and bad depending on what you wear an IWB for.

If I were wearing soft lambswool suit pants, or seersucker for summer comfort or ...... with one of Mr. Alessi's gorgeous dress belts - cut down in front for comfort - I suspect I'd be more comfortable and more concealed with another holster.

Unless I'm really losing it the DOJ is not an IWB though I did inquire about a variation on one for all day belted into a car wear - owb concealment not an issue. I have a Horseshoe I'm still debating about for that application.

Sean,

Based on e-mails back and forth with Lou I went with the PCH this time. I have two GWH holster. Love them! Like someone else said the strength of the GWH is also a weakness in some instance. Without modification of my pants, I'm limited due to the one piece construction of the belt loop on this holster. I've ordered a Nighthawk Talon (not my first full size, just first I would like to carry) and think the PCH will allow easier placement of the holster. Also, I've read some good reviews on the forum from people far more experienced in concealing a full size.

Tim

Sean-

For the last three years leading up to retirement I carried a 5" in a GWH every day, usually from 7AM to 11PM. It was very comfortable (more than once I caught myself checking to make sure I remembered to put the pistol in the holster ) and very concealable under my usual attire of a leather vest.

Having said all of that, I have now purchased a PCH. Because my post-retirement part-time gig is back in uniform, I don't get to carry IWB every day. But when I do, it's a 5" in the PCH. I believe the PCH is more comfortable, although I have yet to take nap wearing the PCH, like I did wearing the GWH.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

Sean,

I can't resist teasing you that your gun might actually be very soon.

I've had a caspian frame with "WPxxxxx" marked U.S. Property on my bench and will probably be test firing it tomorrow to set the sights.

You better get a move on with the holster.

Best,

Ray

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

Gee, shouldn't you guys wait for me to tell you what work to do on that thing first?

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

For the curious, I was just jerking Ray's chain. I sent Ted the full specs months ago.

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

Steve Bailey wrote: Lou did his homework on this one.

I would certainly have to agree. Today I received a package from New York state, containing among other things one beautiful brown shark belt and a cordovan PCH for my Commander-length Baer with brown shark loops, courtesy of Lou.

I've only had the belt and holster on for about an hour and a half, just behind the 9:00 position, and I'm still struck by the seeming paradox of how closely the butt of the pistol is held in, yet how utterly comfortable the holster is.

Sean, FWIW, I'm 6'4 and 200 pounds. I can't imagine that a five inch gun in a PCH would be measurably different. If you order one and don't like it, I'll buy it from you at what you paid Lou for it, and give it to a friend of mine as a birthday present (if you're right handed). If you're a southpaw like me, I'll just keep the thing for my own five inch guns.

Cheers!

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NRA Endowment Member

With respect to other holster makers, I've got to say that Lou's PCH is pretty nice stuff. No disappointment there.

Besides, he bought me a beer one time..........

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

Wow, a PCH landslide!

OK, so how do I order one? Just call Lou? Or did he ever get a real website?

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

Sean - you can email him directly at LFAlessi@cs.com He's very good about checking his email.

There's a place in the Western Time Zone (Lightning Arms Sports) that normally stocks a good amount of Lou's stuff, but I checked with Audrey a few minutes ago and they have no PCH's in stock right now (but some on order).

So hook up with Lou, specify exactly what you'd like (color, belt loop size, etc.), pay the man, then sit back and wait longer than you'd like to. The day you get your new leather will have made the wait worthwhile.

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NRA Endowment Member

Well in case you haven’t been swayed yet let me pile on a bit.

As Steve stated I’ve worn a Summer Special for basically as long as I’ve worn a 5” 1911 and it has probably been my most used holster. I’ve also used the GWH quite a bit and on a briefer timeline I’ve worn and tested most other styles of IWBs that one can think of... to a greater or lesser extent if you can buy it I’ve probably tried it. Most of the holsters preformed admirably and did what they are supposed to do, some better than others. Enter the Alessi PCH...

I’ll be quite honest with you, I’m really picky... ask Lou. I’m also very particular about what I like and what I don’t and what I think works and what does not. I’ve now been wearing the PCH since October when Lou sent me a prototype and with out question I can tell you the rig works, plain and simple. I’ve now had ample opportunity to not only test the rig under various forms of concealment but also during classes, training, and daily wear. I’ve also been able to compare the holster to the staples of my IWB collection in order to see how the PCH measures up, so to speak. Side-by-side tests of the PCH and other IWBs can lead me to describe the PCH simply as pragmatically functional.

Without question there are lots of good IWB holsters, no doubt about it. And while the PCH may not be for everyone (believe it or not I didn’t think it was for me at first) it may truly be the most functionally balanced and well rounded IWB currently available.

See this link for more info... http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=639

Sean you wont go wrong with the GWH or the PCH. I have both and love them.

Just sent you and email as well.

Cheers,
Jim

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An amateur practices until he gets it right. A professional practices until he never gets it wrong. Anon

Another vote for the PCH, I love mine!!

WOW, I need to put all your guys on the payroll
I couldn't buy better advertising than what has been said here.
I can't thank you all enough, but I will try to get everybody's holsters out a little faster now that we are caught up with most of our military orders.

It's been a super busy year, and I have to thank everybody for being so patient with me.

Thanks guys!
Lou

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Alessi Holsters, Inc.
You'll never know it's there, until you need it...

Busy is better than the alternative, though sometimes not by much.

I've already contacted Lou & plan to order a PCH. Go figure.

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China