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I like and own both a fullsize and cmndr. length 1911. Instead of purchasing both length of holsters I like to simply purchase the fullsize one and use it with both. Unfortunately, my fullsize is an earlier SA "loaded" model with the squarer and larger dimensioned dustcover. This has turned into a pain in the !@#! fulfilling my objective above. My cmndr. length is a Colt Cmbt Cmndr, which fits well into most or all of the holsters I've owned. The SA; however, is too tight a fit in many of the closely molded holsters (leather or kydex) I've tried it with.

I've recently tried out a holster that I may possibly order a fullsize version of. My questions are these - does anyone know the dimensional differences in the orig (Colt) spec dustcover and the earlier SA ones? If so, would it be possible to email them to me so I can send them to the maker, who doesn't have a orig handgun/model to use for reference? Also, am I correct in assuming that if the other molding in the holster is nicely done, this should work, i.e., the holster will give adequate retention for both 1911's?

Thanks for any opinions and info, including telling me I'm just cheap not to buy two separate holsters !

EricO

EricO,
I don't know the exact dimensional difference, but yes the Springfield is squared off and slightly thicker in the dust cover. A holster molded to the Springfield should work fine with a Colt retention-wise though. If made properly the retention lock-up is primarily in the ejection port and trigger-guard molding. Good luck!

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I can confirm this first-hand.

As the owner of a Springfield Pro, (large dustcover) I have Alessi build all my holsters to fit it, and all of my various Colt's (regular size dustcovers) also fit fine in the same holsters, with no issues at all.

Mark and BlkTalon, thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it. While I mentioned it was a pain in the !@#@ I should've also noted that some of the holsters I currently own work well with both, including a Sparks VMII, Rafter S iwb (cmndr length though), Safariland 5183, FIST #20 (cmndr length), and a Bladetech owb. I mention the cmndr. length versions because there probably won't be a difference between that and their fullsize version. A Cendex iwb, a Sparks SS, and a recently acquired (traded for) Comptac Gurkha don't work though, unfortunately. The SS I'm particularily sad about but it will most likely be sacrificed to fund one that'll work.

Mark, can I assume that you have a SA with fuller dustcover to mold with? Why is it that many holster makers don't seem to accomodate this small oddity?

Thanks again, I'll be working on a replacement.
EricO

The reason a lot of holster makers can't accomidate you with the correct Springfield is because the "mold guns" are not available. The company that makes "mold guns" for many holster makers is quite disorganized and drops the ball a lot when it comes to keeping any kind of an inventory of what we would use. Instead they have/make castings of guns that no one owns, or that have been out of production for 30 years. I don't think they have offered one of the wide framed S Fields for several years. It is frustrating to say the least.

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