Finally, an 1911. How to carry with suit or just suit pants and shirt?

[Para Bellum]

Hi Folks,

after 30 years of pistol ownership, 21 years of carrying 24/7, IPSC competitions, and LEO work, I finally ended up owoning a 1911, which I received as a brandnew gift. It is this Springfield 1911 Ronin® Operator Handgun (PX9120L)



I usually carry a Glock 26 with a +2 mag, a spare mag and a knife in my daytime job where I usually wear a suit.

As a game warden, depending on the task, I carry a Glock 19 or a S&W 629 4" .44 Mag.

I like the 1911 and how it shoots. But how to carry it with a suit or just suit pants and shirt in the office?

I carry my Glocks IWB in a Milt Sparks Versa Max II or a Bianchi 120, depending on what I wear.

I am 52, 5' 10" (178,5 cm) and 167# (76 kg).

Have a good day,
PB

[Note: Image resized by staff to reduce scrolling]

[bamaranger]

If your accustomed to an IWB, I'd think a similar rig for your Ronin would be satisfactory. I recently acquired a Bianchi #3s and am surprised how comfortably a 1911 carries in the rig.

Also a fan of the Yacqui slide type holsters. They leave the gun a bit exposed, but will handle any barrel length if one has the need.

[Paul B.]

My normal carry is a Colt Commander .45 ACP so my usual method of carry is an IWB holster and the shirt tail out. With a suit, I would think the suit coat would be sufficient cover of the firearm regardless whether using an IWB or OWB Holster. Suit pants or any style pant with shirt would probably be an IWB holster with the shirt tucked in and bloused, shirt size being a larger size than what you normally wear. I very rarely wear a suit and tie, more likely to be jeans and an extra large T-shirt not tucked in casual sort these days, especially now that it's getting really hot.
Paul B.

[Ricklin]

The hard but necessary part is a good belt esp. IWB with a 1911, they are nice and flat...and seriously heavy. A big wide belt adequate to support the weight just does not work with a suit. An appropriately narrow belt will quickly become uncomfortable. About the only answer is the fashion faux pa of a wide belt with a suit. Most gun guys will know you are packing by the belt, that's my experience anyway as always YMMV.

[wild cat mccane]

Honest question, how to get a wide belt to work with a suit? Most suit pants are designed for a dress belt which is thinner?

I have never gotten into work attire carry, so I am curious how

[ballardw]

Tailor and custom belt loops, even could reposition that loop that is in the wrong place for your preferred carry.

Or a little deeper cover and and a belly band.

[Nathan]

Why not a shoulder holster? Ritchie makes a nice holster.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Why not a shoulder holster? Ritchie makes a nice holster.

It's impossible to draw from a shoulder holster without flagging half the room. If it's a horizontal shoulder holster, you're constantly flagging anyone who stands behind you.

[bamaranger]

Though popular in film and TV and apparently with many CC folks, the shoulder holster has disadvantages and has sort of come and gone I think in the CC and LE world. The harness system itself may be hard to conceal, and I have heard more than one shoulder holster user complain of it being restrictive and cumbersome. A horizontal rig places the butt forward and in position for a gun grab from an attacker, we had a PD detective here saved by his partner when a perp (bad/stolen check, of all things) grabbed his gun during an arrest. Shoulder and chest rigs do carry a heavy gun well and offer advantages as if sitting in a vehicle or desk. Some versions allow the user to "shrug" in and out of, a convenience. I've seen more than one investigator back in the day, with his shoulder rig hung on the back of the chair at his desk. For the outdoorsman, the gun can be protected from bad weather.

Belts and belt loops are one of those things you have to think about if you're going to waistband carry in some fashion. My best honest to gosh "suit" has tiny loops on the trousers, maybe as small as 7/8", certainly not more than an inch. Had to buy a special belt which is wonky any of my holsters. Fortunately, I don't have to wear it much, but the arrangement is not at all conducive to waistband carry, especially of a full size gun. One of those instances where a smaller firearm works better, or pocket carry.

Then there's the whole appearance of a belt to consider. The various BDU and rigger belts often work well, but scream gun in some versions to anybody plugged in and watching.

I suppose most of us know this but I thought I'd pitch in (again).

[Ricklin]

Few things look weirder than a big wide heavy belt with a nice suit.
And yes most dress slacks have skinny belt loops for skinny belts. Often my working world required dress to impress fortunately mine is a very low risk lifestyle. moreso now since I am mostly retired. My gig was in health care, not health insurance....
Elsie Pea with a laser resides nicely in a pocket holster that works great with Levi's or a Ferragamo suit. Toughest thing there is overcoming muscle memory of putting things in that pocket. I can pull off a wider belt with a sportcoat that is just adequate if I want to carry the G19 on body, mostly it lives in my backpack, with a spare mag. The modern males "purse"
I've been carrying for quite a few years now. Elsie in my pocket is the best adequate carry I've found. In my experience if it is not easy to carry, I will find excuses not to carry it. My most useful habit was established thanks to the Boy Scouts of America, Be prepared.

[Para Bellum]

Thank you for your time and thought.
I carry 24/7 for 20+ years and I use safariland gun belts with my suits. They are not very wide, bud thick, wich you don't see that well. They fit thorugh standard belt loops and hold e.g. my Glock 19 IWB and OWB fine.

Hava a good day!

PS: you know why I always wantet a 1911 .45? Because I thought that Sonny Crockett used one in Miami Vice (original series). Later I found out that it was a more modern S&W pistol (Bren Ten in the beginning, then 2nd Generation series Smith & Wesson Model 645, then Smith & Wesson Model 4506, which are DA/SA and not SA only like the 1911. Still kept wanting an 1911

[Faulkner]

Nice gun and super cool gift, but for carry I'd stick with your G19. You'll be happier in the long run.

[Para Bellum]

yes, my G26 even. But on Sunday...

[Blue Duck]

I have carried a 1911 more than any other gun, concealed for 30 years or more. But a steel 1911 is pretty heavy, so I keep the steel guns for target, competition, and range shooting, and have pretty much stuck with a Colt Lightweight Commander for CCW in a Milt Sparks holster, and I use both IWB and OWB holsters. Milt Sparks makes a pretty good belt that will fit a suit, I think. I don't wear suits much, so I can get away with a heavier belt.

[tuckerdog1]

The Ronin sure is a good looking pistol. Congrats.

[Polinese]

I use a IWB holster from TT Gun leather and a belt from Relentless Tactical. The belt can be a little snug in the loops of suit pants but I've never had it not fit or tear one. Have used this belt to carry a 1911 for years now.