Let me add a bit to what my pal Bailey has already commented on...
I had the pleasure of putting this holster through some testing and
real use for about two months or so. I’m a disciple of IWB holsters and someone who actually wears one all day, every day with a 5†1911. Lou and I have discussed the merits of IWB holsters on and off for the last 12 months or better and when Lou offered to send me this prototype I jumped at the chance. During our conversations about the rig, Lou had described to me a
truly new design that didn’t require a reinforced mouth band in order to keep the holster open once the gun was withdrawn. I think Lou’s words were something to the effect of “the holster, mechanically, cannot collapseâ€. Being a certified holster junkie I’m always excited to see new gun leather... especially when it’s from Uncle Lou. When the holster arrived I gave it a good look over and soaked up the details. As with anything Lou sews, the quality of the rig is top notch and is built to last but this holster is really something different and off the beaten path of what’s currently available from other makers.
One of the things I immediately liked about the holster was the split belt-loops. This feature has always been a plus in my book and it has become something that I can hardly live without for obvious reasons. During the course of wearing the holster I found that I had no wardrobe considerations in the pants department... it works with every pair I own. Positioning was easy as was securing and removing the rig. Pretty obvious stuff here but it's something that is often taken for granted and well worth pointing out.
Another important aspect of an IWB, and something few users take into consideration, is the ride height of the rig. The ride height on this holster is, IMO, more than adequate for most users and basically mimics the ride height of one of my favorite IWBs, the Sparks Summer Special. While one could easily make due with it being slightly lower, the ride height facilitated plenty of clearance between the belt line and the butt of the gun and I never had any problems grabbing the gun that were due to lack of clearance. Again I think this is something most users, and especially casual gun wearers, don’t think much about. But IMO, due to the way an IWB holster and gun is bound to the body by the belt, a slightly higher ride helps to facilitate an easier draw stroke.
Lou’s new rig is also very stable. Many people feel that split loops placed directly over the body of the holster is a design that is antiquated and no longer a viable when compared to designs that place the loops for and aft of the holster body. I couldn’t disagree more and anyone who thinks a split loop design can’t be stable only need to give this new rig a try. One will notice that the hefty belt loops are precisely fit to the width of Lou’s belts and I found that aided in keeping the rig in place under even the most strenuous movement. Grounded drills, drawing the gun while seated, drawing on the move, and any other combination you can think of were in no way hampered by the rig shifting... 'cause the rig don't move!
Undoubtedly the most interesting design aspect of this rig is the way Lou got rid of the reinforced mouth band but still insured the rig would not collapse. In this day and age of sloppy, floppy, soft, collapsible nylon holsters it has become clear to me that many pistol packers either don’t realize or don’t care about the rig staying open once the gun is withdrawn. I consider it to be of paramount importance not only because it makes holstering the gun easier while standing (especially if you’ve only got one hand available
) but it makes holstering the gun
possible while sitting in a car or chair or while lying on the ground. However, I think the most over looked aspect is how a holster that stays open will help a shooter in the even that they have to run the pistol one handed
(such as clearing malfunctions or reloading the pistol) with either ones strong side or support side hand. Both of those operations are made easier when one has a stable platform to reciprocate the gun on and place the gun
in when performing these vital skills. Try inserting a pistol into a collapsed holster using
only your support side hand during an empty load or while performing a malfunction clearance
and one will quickly realize the importance of a holster that won’t collapse.
With his new design, Lou “bunches†the leather at the front of the holster during the molding process to create a sort of “compound arc†that will not flatter under tension or pressure. The fold at the front of the holster aids the rig to stay open as it is pushed away from ones body by the hip. It seems the natural action of pushing the fold outwards as one wears the rig forces the back of the holster to stiffen a bit and that creates tension that helps the arc hold its form and thus keeps the mouth of the holster open. Additionally, the bunching of the leather that keeps the holster open also forms a sight track so there is no need for the traditional stitched sight tracks.
This all may sound complicated but it’s really not. “Bunching†the leather to create an “arc†at the front of this one-piece holster body and molding the rig to perfection has done away with the need for a mouth band reinforcement and it’s a very trick design. I have to give Lou credit for coming up with something truly innovative here. Although I tried I could not get the holster to collapse once the gun was drawn... and I really tried too.
I rolled around on the ground with the holster empty, I laid on it, I pushed on it, I did just about everything except pound on it with a hammer and not once did the rig collapse.
One last aspect of this rig, which will no doubt be important to those who want or need the most concealment available, is how tightly the holstered pistol hugs ones side. I have worn just about every style of IWB holster available and I have never worn a rig that tucked the gun butt into my side better than this new offering from Lou. Once the holster is on and the belt cinched tight, the holster sort of “tilts†the butt of the gun towards the user and makes a full size 1911 disappear underneath a tee shirt. I found this to be a far more concealable rig than even the Sparks VM-2, a holster that many consider the pinnacle of IWB concealment, and when worn with a O-ACP sized gun ones pistol is virtually undetectable.
You got a good one here Lou!!! 
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By the way, Lou calls this one the PCH for Professional Carry Holster. 
