Every handgun owner needs a quality holster, but the selection can be a complicated process even for the experienced shooter. The last thing you want is to not have your handgun accessible when you really need it. When shopping for a new holster, some of the most important things you need to look for are gun protection, accessibility and ease of use. Luckily for you, there is a wide range of options and styles on the market that will be sure to suit your needs.

The first thing you need to decide is what position you want to carry your handgun in. The most popular positions are inside the waistband, appendix inside the waistband or outside the waistband. You can also carry on your ankle or with a shoulder holster but depending on your attire, these may not always be the best option.

Outside the waistband holsters are typically reserved for larger framed pistols like the 1911. This is the most common carry method for police officers who need quick access to their handgun. A gun in this sort of holster is harder to conceal because you’ll need a cover garment such as a jacket. Most outside the waistband holsters are affixed to your belt utilizing a quick attach paddle or affixed belt loops. For right handed shooters the best place to mount your holsters is in the 3 o’clock position, or 9 o’clock for left handed shooters.

Most concealed carry individuals prefer inside the waistband carry. Once you master your draw using an outside the waistband holster, it is easy to transition to inside the waistband. Many holsters allow you to tuck a dress shirt into your pants, presenting a neat and clean appearance while also concealing your pistol. Belt mounting choices for inside the waistband pistols can get very complicated as there are tons of options ranging from j-hooks to spring clips and belt loops that are both soft and hard. Inside the waistband holsters are typically constructed from leather, kydex (which is also a plastic) or a combination of the two which is known as hybrid holsters. Placement along the belt line for right handed shooters should range between 3 and 5 o’clock or 7 and 9 o’clock for left handed shooters.

Appendix inside the waistband holsters have gained popularity in recent years but should only be used by advanced shooters. That’s because it places the gun in line with arteries in lower extremities. This carry position lets you hide, not only conceal, a 1911 much better than you would otherwise be able to at the 3 to 5 o’clock position. As a right handed shooter try to carry your pistol at approximately 11 o’clock, in the channel between your right leg and groin area. This is where you want the barrel of the pistol to ride. Typically the longer the pistol barrel, the better it stabilizes, especially when you’re performing rigorous activities. Because our mid sections are wider and flatter than our sides, this is a good place to carry a larger framed pistol such as the 1911. Since our arms hang at 10 and 2 o’clock, you have full control over the pistol with both hands and your arms will aid in natural concealment. This all leads to lightning fast draws as your hands require less movement.

Another important thing you will need to take into account is the retention system of the holster. Some holsters have straps that hold the handgun in place. Others have a button release or even use sheer friction and tension to hold the handgun in place. One thing to note is that if you’re at all concerned with the finish of your 1911, a quality leather holster will not scratch the slide of your pistol. Your handgun will be more prone to scratching if you use a holster that is composed of kydex. On the same token, a kydex holster will yield faster draws and re-holstering. These are definitely things you need to consider while shopping for a new holster.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular holsters on the market today.

Galco KingTuk

The Galco KingTuk offers broad, padded leather that extends the length of your 1911’s slide with Kydex molding that grips your gun securely. This prevents slips and makes for a fast draw with easy holstering. A nice feature of this holster is what they call a combat cut, which allows you to get a proper grip while the gun is still completely holstered. Two adjustable metal belt clips allow you to angle angle the holster to the perfect position. The length and overall size of the KingTuk enables the holster to fully distribute your 1911’s weight. The last thing you want with a holster is one where the entire weight of your gun is pulling down on one specific spot and making a burden to carry. After some time, the holster should contour perfectly to your body making it one of the more comfortable inside the waistband holsters.

Fierce Defender IWB Hybrid Holster

This hybrid tuckable holster is constructed out of a single piece of leather which means no stitching to come loose. The front and back edges are completely finished which is a nice touch in regards to aesthetics and comfort. This holster features an adjustable cant so you can adjust the angle of carry that best fits your preference as well as an adjustable ride height (this plays an important role in the weight distribution of your 1911). It also has high carbon spring clips that resist twisting, warping or breaking over time due to fatigue like plastic clips sometimes do. This holster is great for concealment because it allows you to tuck it in between your shirt and pants for the least amount of printing possible. Lastly the kydex offers you that smooth and quick draw that you need from a holster. The combination of both leather and kydex in this holster is what makes it a “hybrid”.

Galco Jackass Rig Shoulder System

Galco also offers their Jackass Rig Shoulder System. This is a classic, tried and true holster system that has been around for years. This rig will accommodate most 1911 model handguns with a secure and confident fit. With comfort in mind, the horizontal holster features swivel connectors that attach to the harness for you to be able to adjust it in a more diagonal position. This holster is made from premium Center Cut Steerhide which has been proven to be durable and dependable. The Galco Jackass Rig Shoulder System is the perfect companion for long drives as you have nothing digging at your waistband while you’re seated. Additionally, vehicle entry and exit as well as seat belt fastening is not an issue with this style of holster. Galco’s Jackass Rig is perfect for colder weather as you can easily conceal the holster with a jacket or blazer. Like most shoulder holsters, this one comes with an ammo carrier that is very secure and sturdy. This comes as an advantage to other holster styles that will not accommodate extra ammunition and magazines. What is great about this holster system is that it is completely modular. You may purchase separate accessories and components for it to really make it your own.

Blackhawk CQC Serpa

Blackhawk’s CQC Serpa is a slick 1911 holster with great value. Right away you’ll notice its unique retention system. Instead of relying on a button-release or strap, the Serpa keeps your pistol in place with a quick-release latch. You can easily pull this latch free while doing a natural drawing motion. This means you can draw and secure with one hand. The retention lock holds the gun firmly in place on the Serpa, with no jostling, bouncing or give. Also, the snap-on clip is sturdy and doesn’t wear or tear and you don’t even need a belt to use this holster, it will clip right on to your pants. The Serpa is composed of kydex so you can be sure that it will last you quite some time. This type of holster is perfect for wearing around the house, hunting or even open carrying if allowed. If you’re looking for a holster that is durable, affordable, and sleek, you’d be hard pressed to find a better deal.

Choosing a holster for your 1911 doesn’t need to be complicated. The majority of handgun owners utilize more than one style of holster because different kinds are needed for different situations. An inside the waistband holster for true concealed carry suits a vast number of handgun owners while paddle holsters are great for open carry, including around your own home, and a shoulder holster can be invaluable on long drives. Figure out what your needs are and select the holsters that best suit those needs. Holsters are a very personal choice and there’s no one design that everyone’s going to like, but we’re sure you’ll be happy with one of the examples we’ve mentioned here.

Originally developed by John Browning, the 1911 pistol is renowned for its longevity, reliability and versatility. Even though a 1911 sidearm is durable and easy to use, it requires routine maintenance to ensure proper function and years of dependable service. You will need a well-lit workspace with sufficient room to lay out the parts of the pistol and the cleaning materials. Cleaning supplies include a toothbrush, gun oil, a cleaning rod and a bore cleaner as well as a clean lint-free cloth and a bore-cleaning brush. Cotton swabs, pipe cleaners and a dental tool make certain cleaning tasks easier.

Clear the Chamber

Before you perform any user maintenance on a firearm, you must ensure that it is not loaded. Hold the pistol in one hand, and place the other one under the magazine. Push the magazine release. Remove the magazine when it falls clear of the pistol. Pull the slide back while pressing up on the slide stop until it engages and locks the slide to the rear. Visually examine the chamber to ensure that no round is present. If no ammunition is present, release the stop by pulling the slide to the rear. Move the slide forward slowly. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and then pull the trigger.

Disassembling a 1911 Pistol

After ensuring that the pistol is clear and safe, disassemble it for cleaning. Ensure that you arrange the pieces so that you can systematically clean the firearm and then reassemble it correctly without misplacing any parts.

Depress the recoil spring plug. Carefully rotate the barrel bushing clockwise until you can release the tension on the recoil spring and plug. Use caution, point the pistol away from you and maintain a tight hold on the plug. The spring and plug are under significant pressure, which can forcefully eject these parts. You will experience physical injuries if they strike your eyes or face.

After removing the recoil spring tension, cock the hammer. Push the slide to the rear until it aligns with the disassembly notch. Push the portion of the slide stop that protrudes from the right side of the pistol inward. Remove the slide stop from the left-hand side of the pistol frame.

Move the slide forward and off the lower pistol frame. Rotate the barrel bushing counterclockwise, and remove it from the slide. Tip the barrel link forward and then remove the barrel and recoil spring.

Push on the end of the firing pin to remove it. Carefully remove the extractor that will be visible after the firing pin is removed. The pistol is now fieldstripped and ready for cleaning. Following the instructions in the owner’s manual, you can also disassemble the pistol further for a more thorough cleaning if necessary.

Cleaning and Lubricating a 1911

Use a gun cleaning kit designed for handguns. Attach the bore brush to the cleaning rod. After soaking the bore brush with bore cleaner, run the brush through the barrel several times. Allow the bore brush to soak in the cleaner for a few minutes between each cleaning. After the barrel is clean, remove the barrel brush and attach a clean, lint-free patch to the cleaning rod. Run patches through the barrel until it is dry, and there is no cleaner or copper fouling on the patches. Visually inspect the barrel to ensure that it is clean.

Soak the toothbrush in the cleaning compound, and brush the interior and exterior of the slide. Wipe the breech face. Clean the extractor. A cotton swab or pipe cleaners can be used to clean the extractor holes. A dental tool may be required to remove residue from the edges of the breech face and slide rail. Dry all the parts with the clean lint-free cloth. Use the toothbrush to clean the top slide rail and the exterior of the pistol body.

After they are clean and dry, apply a thin coat of gun oil to the barrel, the extractor and the interior of the slide. Apply a thin coat of gun oil to the exterior of the pistol. Wipe off any excess once it has been properly reassembled.

Lubricate the trigger, magazine catch and hammer as well as the mainspring housing, sear and disconnector. You should also apply a thin coating of oil to the thumb safety and slide stop.

Reassembling the Pistol

Once the pistol has been cleaned and properly oiled, reassemble the weapon in the reverse order of the steps used to disassemble the weapon. Use caution when reinserting the recoil spring and plug. Pull the slide to the rear, and engage the slide lock. The slide should be under tension. Release the lock. The slide should go forward on its own. Pull the trigger. If the weapon does not function properly, disassemble and reassemble the pistol again. When it functions properly, the 1911 is ready for use.

The .22 is one of the most popular cartridges for a host of reasons. There is the price, which is very low; there is also the fact that it offers little to no recoil which is helpful when teaching new shooters, especially kids.

Most of the scopes that have been designed for .22LR rifles have been designed for either precision target shooting or for use in the field when taking snap shots at small game.

Shopping for rimfire rifle optics is not something that you should jump into without doing some research first. For starters, you will need to find the scope that is perfect for the way that you intend to use your rifle. Note also that you can find scopes in a broad range of prices, ranging from well under $50 for standard models all the way up to $1,000 and above for the powerful higher end optics. However, there is no need for larger and more powerful scopes on a .22LR rifle and most .22LR riflescopes are lightweight and low or fixed power. As a result, it is possible to find quality scopes for .22LR rifles that fall well below the $100 price point.

Choosing .22LR Riflescopes

It is important to note that the .22LR cartridge is not meant to be an all-purpose round. While it can be enjoyable to shoot and can even be used for small game hunting, the ways in which it can be used are relatively limited. Rimfire cartridges can certainly go a considerable distance, but not effectively. By the time it gets to 100 yards, it will drop by a foot or more. When rimfire cartridges are described as not having much range, practical range is what is meant.

The short effective range is the main reason that there is no real need for high magnification, nor is there a need for many of the other features that you might find on a centerfire scope. In other words, you do not need a 16x scope when you are going to be shooting at targets that are within 100 yards. In fact, a more powerful scope may actually cause problems like blurriness and eye fatigue; a larger scope will also be unnecessarily heavy.

Lower magnification will be more effective. The standard magnification for .22LR riflescopes is 3 to 9 but even then you will probably never use the 9 power. Some of the best .22LR scopes are 4x fixed power scopes. Compact 2-7x scopes are also good choices.

As noted above, one of the best reasons to use .22LR cartridges is the fact that they are relatively inexpensive when compared to centerfire ammunition. This makes them ideal if you are training to hunt larger game. If this is how you are using your .22LR rimfire rifle, you may want to choose a scope that is similar to the centerfire one that you intend to use.

Factors to Consider When Buying .22LR Scopes

Weight

Remember, one of the main reasons to use .22LR rifles is to teach new shooters. This includes younger shooters. Rimfire weapons are typically very light and a lighter scope can make them much easier for smaller shooters to use. Heavier optics can affect the balance of a rifle making it awkward to handle. Consider also the fact that one of the main benefits of a .22LR rifle is the ease of shooting small, fast game. The fact that these animals move quickly means that a shooter may have to adjust their aim rapidly in order to get a solid hit. The weight of the scope can affect the ease and speed of that adjustment.

Parallax

To put it simply, this is an optical illusion that can make you inaccurate. A simple definition of parallax is the way that objects within your field of view appear to move in relation to the reticle. Ordinarily, this is not something that you have to worry about unless you are looking for extreme accuracy and using high magnification scopes. However, a fixed parallax of 100 yards is common on most scopes and can be problematic if you are shooting at targets within that range. If your targets are within 100 yards, you will need a scope that allows you to adjust the parallax.

Reticle

When using a .22LR rifle, a simple duplex reticle will be all you need in most cases. It should have thin cross hairs that make it easy to see small targets at different ranges. Most of the targets you will shoot with a .22LR rifle will be close enough to make windage and elevation irrelevant, a mil dot reticle is suggested if you do plan to shoot at longer ranges.

Finger Adjustable Turrets

These are great if you are going to be shooting at long ranges but you may not need them with a .22LR rifle.

Reticle Illumination

These are mostly used for tactical purposes and can may not work well depending on the quality of the illumination. If they are too bright, they can make it more difficult for you to see your targets.

Top Recommended Scopes

A word of warning: if you are shopping for a budget scope, there are many substandard products at the low end of the market. You may find a lot that are not fog-proof or that are inadequate for low-light conditions. Even so, you can still find a few excellent products if you look carefully. Below are some products in various price ranges that you should consider.

Barska 3-9×32 Plinker-22 Riflescope

Yes, this scope is made in China; however, do not let that play too big a role in your decision. Barska is known for high quality products and this scope is exactly that. It is an affordable piece of equipment that offers decent magnification and is lightweight at 11.5 ounces If that is not enough to convince you, keep in that it is priced below the $100 mark. Note that it ships with rings and caps and comes with a lifetime warranty. It may not be the nicest scope available or even the nicest one on this list, but it can certainly get the job done.

BSA Sweet .22 3-9x40mm Riflescope

This is another brand known for providing solid value at a low price. The BSA Sweet offers target turrets that can be adjusted easily, along with a 40mm objective lens that maximizes light gathering. The BSA Sweet is also waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof. Overall, this is definitely one of the best scopes for shooters on a budget; it is especially good for those who want a precision scope. It weighs in at 20 ounces and you will have to buy the rings separately.

Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 Riflescope

The Nikon brand has long been associated with high quality cameras. They have now applied their signature craftsmanship to the construction of rifle optics. Features include coated lenses to provide brightness and image clarity in low-light environments along with being waterproof. ProStaff scopes are also nitrogen filled to prevent fogging. Their versatility offers you the ability to hunt in all types of terrain, whether heavily wooded or wide open. The compact ProStaff scope is designed mainly for .22LR guns and weighs 15 ounces.

Bushnell 2-7x32mm Rimfire BDC

This scope allows you to make fine adjustments for pinpoint accuracy and also has a caliber-specific reticle so that you can fire different rounds accurately. In addition, You get a parallax focus that delivers an even greater degree of accuracy. Furthermore, the lenses are multicoated to ensure that images are clear and sharp. It is filled with nitrogen to keep the interior free of moisture and its exterior is rust-proof and scratch-proof. The Bushnell 2-7x32mm Rimfire BDC weighs 19.6 ounces and is constructed from an aluminum alloy.

Zeiss Conquest 3-9×40 Z-Plex Riflescope

The Zeiss company has been in business since 1846 and has built a reputation for quality design and mechanics since the beginning. The Conquest 3-9x40mm scope is especially designed for .22LR rifles and has a low profile that helps you to track your game without drawing attention to yourself. This scope is on the higher end when it comes to both price and quality but it is designed to be durable and reliable. Along with being nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging, it features multicoated lenses to help with low-light shooting and for precise images.

Leupold 113872 VX-1 Rimfire Scope with Fine Duplex Reticle

This scope offers a number of proprietary features that place it in a different class from other .22LR optics. The glass is about as clear as could be expected and the weight is very low too at about 8 ounces. Leupold has also used a special coating (called “Micro-friction”) on windage and elevation dials that allow for the reticle to be dialed in with greater precision. The exterior of the scope has Diamond Coat, which reduces abrasion and thus provides a degree of protection.