ltwguns.com

Here's my dilemma. I have a 2000 era SA "loaded" fullsize with some mild customization, that has the blocky, standard dustcover that Springfield Armory built then. I like to purchase fullsize holsters for this handgun that I will also use for my Jardine cmndr. The Colt has the standard spec dustcover, and herein lies the problem. Many quality holsters are so finely molded/boned, that while they work with the Colt they won't with the SA because of the dustcover. I currently have a fine shark 5 Shot fullsize holster I purchased used (like new) that won't work with the SA. Granted, the holster wasn't ordered from the maker, but it's always a gamble whether a holster will work with my Springfield. It's quite frustrating. Also, it seems many people aren't aware of this issue.

As a question to the fine holstermakers that are on this forum, do you have any suggestions, and do you mold holsters that will accomodate that Springfield? Will my double duty idea work with a finely molded leather holster?

Pics showing the differences below.



EricO

I know Sparks does. Not sure about others.

_________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

This is a fairly standard request, and I expect that most of the custom makers could accommodate you. But you will probably have to bite the bullet and order something made for that gun rather than hoping to find a miracle on the second hand market. Good luck with it.

Wearing a 4¼-inch Commander in a holster made to fully cover a 5-inch gun is an expedient maneuver at best: It might 'save' some money on the short run, but you eventually get what you pay for (or not...).

If it simply must be done, then I would recommend trying a Milt Sparks Summer Special. The 'original' design is not particularly closely molded, but it is nonetheless a very fine holster, and one of these in standard, 1911/Govt trim should 'fit' both of your pistols (albeit with obvious consequences, such as the end of the holster eventually collapsing around the Commander slide...).

Other than that, I think you will find really closely molded holsters a losing proposition in many cases, not just the obvious ones such as your SA dustcover issue. What you usually get is a holster that fits only the 'gun' it was molded to and none other. This, too, has obvious consequences, and I have come to prefer holsters that do not look as if they were 'just painted on this morning.'

YMMV/HTH

As a parallel question to those here, who can recut that dust cover to standard dimensions as well as the front strap? I have a .40 Springer with the blocky dust cover and front strap.

It doesn't look like it can be done - the frame is cut lower, but the thickness is the same. If you tried to make it like a Colt, you whouldn't have anything left.

_________________
I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, I'll just have to stop being a cheapskate and pony up for individual holsters for each handgun instead of trying to have holsters do double duty. It sounded good in theory, and worked sometimes, but it's not optimal I know. Regarding the fullsize holster collapsing, has anyone had this happen? I've never experienced it and I don't think a quality holster would have that problem.

A kydex holster I just received worked out well. The manufacturer listened to my concerns and was able to make a slight alteration to allow both to work just as well. As for my excellent 5 shot full shark CBS, it looks like it'll be on the market soon for a trade (for a commander sized holster) or for sale so I can replace it.

EricO

Post a pic of your rig...I might be able to help

_________________
I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Springfield armory can do it. It is listed on there custom shop worksheet.

I wasn't aware of this proble. It it on all springfields or just a specific model?

_________________
http://www.landsharkleather.com/
Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

John, I'll get on it and post a pic or email it to you.

Rccolt.45, my SA "loaded" model was purchased new in 2000, so they were apparently during that time period. I'm not aware yet of what models and when they stopped either. Emails to Springfield Armory haven't been responded to yet. I'll update here if I get an answer.

EricO

Ed Brown pistols have somewhat the same problem. Was in a gunshop where a customer was purchasing a Kobra. He had gone to the holster isle and come back with 3 choices, one being a BH Serpa. Luckily the salesperson was knowledgeable and showed him that the pistol would not fit in the Serpa. Dimensions of the triggerguard were too large?

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Update: I received a response from someone in their Dealer Response and Assistance Team. In summary, they acknowledge that my Springfield was made during a time that they did "use a slightly different dimension on the dust cover. " Unfortunately, they don't have a blueprint or technical drawing for me that I could provide to a holster maker. Furthermore, he recommends that I could provide my own gun to the holster maker so that they could make measurements for a custom holster. Blah, blah, blah........Yes, I know this already.

Anyways, no help from Springfield on this. I thought it would be a simple matter for them to just email over an attachment of a tech. drawing of the dustcover measurements, or just type out the diferences without a blueprint. Perhaps it just didn't get to the correct person. Perhaps not enough people have asked. Maybe it's just not a big enough problem.