ltwguns.com

Hey all,

Right now the only way I can carry my Colt XSE Commander is with an IWB Kydex made by Blade-Tech. It's nice but to be honest, carrying a Commander in an IWB rig after carrying a G19 is a pain. I am just not used to all the extra weight. So I would like to try a nice OWB holster and see how that works and see if it makes carrying a Commander as comfy as my G19. I have a good belt so that's not the problem.

I would like to have some recommendations for an OWB holster for my Commander and since I will be using it for CCW, I would think it would have to be a kind of HIGH RIDE rig. I don't think a regular OWB holster would conceal well enough. I doubt I could strap on a BlackHawk paddle SERPA and be confident that my shirts would fully cover it. I also am on a budget so keep that in mind with your reccomendations. I'd love to get a Sparks Versa Max, but I can't afford it. I would like to spend no more than $75 on a holster. I would like it to be leather and naturally at my price range it ain't gonna be anything exotic.

So if you have any ideas of what might work for me, I would appreciate hearing about them. What has worked for you or your CCW buds?
Any ideas will be helpful.

Thanks for your time and help.

BD

The Milt Sparks 55BN is one of my favorites, rides fairly high and tight and is just a great all purpose rig. John Ralston at 5Shot also makes a nice scabbard but I have no experience with it. I own two of the Sparks, one for a Govt and the other a Commander.

I would highly recommend the Eagle Defender model from K&D holsters. I have two of them, one is for a fullsize 1911 and the other is for a HK USPc. They ride high and tight to the body and are very stable. Very comfortable as well with either of of my guns.

I have several 55BN's for Govt. Models, Commanders, and Hi Powers. The only problem with the 55BN is that the front of the holster is cut high making clearing a 5" or even a Commander difficult for some people. I love the Heinie DOJ that Lou made for Dick. It is a 55BN with the front cut down about 1/3 the holster. Even a full size Govt. Model clears in a heart beat. Others offer a similar design.

Rob

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We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. George Orwell

Josh Bulman makes a high-ride “belt slide” style holster, the FBS-H. The rig is about 1” higher than his standard FBS and, from my limited experience with the holster, it’s about as high as you can go with this style holster and still have the rig be supportive and stable with a holstered pistol.

I think it would be worth a good look to you.

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

I have a Bullman rig like Jason described and if is a very quick and comfortable holster.

What I can't get my head wrapped around is that you can feel a loaded Commander being heavier than a loaded Glock 19. Is your XSE steel or alloy?

I use a blade-tech IWB for a 1911 more than any other holster and I can barely tell if I'm carrying a Lwt. OACP or a Government Model by the weight. A wide (1 3/4") belt adds very much to the comfort of an IWB.

ML

Sparks 55BN don't conceal well for me. Rosen's UPL express is real nice and fits your price range. I have one for my G19 and it rides high and tight!

One more to consider is UBG's Bonneville. Nate's rig is excellent qulaity, rides pretty darn high, is priced right and his turn times are great.

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He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
-Marcus Aurelius

Can't belive I forgot to mention Alex Nossar's pancake. Here is a pic of mine for my Custom CCO (thats Alex's Gun in it)

Yep and Nate will go out of his way to make sure you get exactly what you want.

You want to be careful about getting something that sits too high. The gun will constantly flop around when you walk or turn quickly. Also, keep in mind your height and body type. Also be aware of the slide length and where the guns weight is. If a lot of the weight is in the grip and rear of the slide, you will need a holster that rides lower on the belt. If you are like 5'7" and carrying a commander, something that gets the guns ride height at its upper limit of stability will not be quick to extract from leather. In fact it be will be quite awkward.

Alex's rig pictured above would be excellent for your Commander. It is at the perfect height and ride angle for a high riding holster.

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Bulman Gunleather
http://www.bulmangunleather.com
(814)696-8615

Probably some great advice. I'm 5'6" and with a Sparks 60TK, a Commander works perfectly, but with a Govt. length gun I have to do some bit funny contortion to make a quick draw due to my shorter torso. You might not want to go too high.