covering garment. In cool weather, a heavy jacket will hide the larg- est pistol or revolver. But once the jacket comes off, you’re right back to square one. We need to consider a system that will effectively conceal our handgun 12 months of the year, indoors or outdoors. The difference between a compact
The Colt Lightweight Commander has defined the ideal concealed carry pistol for six decades.
the Commander remains a tough act to follow. I recognize other shooters may prefer a DA or a striker-fired pistol, but if you’re a cocked-and- locked kind of guy, a 1911 pistol built around the Commander theme is still top dog. Not only is Colt still turn- ing out their rendition of this classic, but other companies such as Kim- ber, Para USA, SIG SAUER, Smith & Wesson and STI, have also gotten on the bandwagon. I currently own a pair of Colt
Commanders including a light- weight version in .45 ACP and steel- frame copy in .38 Super. Both have been the recipients of a few custom touches, such as better sights and cleaning up the trigger, as well as an ambidextrous safety to accom- modate my “wronghandedness.” Truth be told, neither are part of my everyday carry mix, but they could certainly fill that role. Although other 1911 manufactur-
ers have gotten into the “Command- er” act, I still prefer Colt’s original spin. I don’t need an accessory rail and prefer the short recoil-spring plug to the full-length guide rod of more modern variants. In short, the few frills Colt suits me just fine. I find the Commander infinitely more reliable than the chopped and chan- neled subcompact 1911s and despite some more modern variations, it’s far from obsolete.
Holsters Regardless if your preference in
pistols runs to full size, compact or subcompact pistols the best place to carry it is on the belt. Unless you’re working on a ranch or knock- ing around the outback, there is a need to keep your pistol out of view. Merely covering it with a garment is not enough to avoid detection. Your concealed pistol is part of a system that includes the holster, belt and
and subcompact pistol is typically less than an inch in both length and height. Width and length of the grip of an auto pistol is what often gives you up when attempting to hide it. With the right holster, the disparity in size between a compact and sub- compact is mitigated and you end up with the better gun on your belt. The most effective way to discreetly carry a compact-size pistol is in an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster. Not only is the slide tucked down in- side your trousers, but the grip frame of the pistol is tucked in, close to the body, behind the strong-side hip. Despite its many advantages, IWB
rigs no longer work for me. Three de- cades of wearing a handgun every day have made my hip extremely sen- sitive and stuffing a pistol inside my trousers becomes unbearable in very short order. More than likely, this mode of carry will work for you and it is certainly worth exploring. My preferred
concealed-carry holster
features either a neutral or forward rake, which enables me to wear the pistol just forward of the hip. Com- fort factor is high and I can access and draw my pistol very fast from this position. Of late, I have been utilizing a
Vertical Speed Scabbard crafted by the Ritchie Leather Company. Many seasoned shooters are familiar with superb holsters crafted by the late Lou Alessi. Skip Ritchie was an employee of Alessi Holsters, and in January of 2010, he, along with his brother Bob, took over Lou’s shop and began turning out some excel- lent designs. The Vertical Speed Scabbard is a
neutral rake holster designed for a straight-up draw. Made of 8-ounce vegetable tanned leather, it holds the gun very close to the body, enhanc- ing concealment. This classic design is superbly executed and is wet mold- ed and hand boned to precisely fit a specific handgun. My copy is cut for the Springfield XD Compact, which it renders nearly invisible under a light covering garment.
Compacts Rule For general concealed carry, a
The VSS by Ritchie Holsters carries Mike’s Springfield XD Compact in style. It represents an ideal compromise of comfort, speed and discretion.
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compact pistol continues to make the most sense. If you’re that rare individual willing to put up with the
PERSONAL DEFENSE • SPRING 2011 SPECIAL EDITION
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