Onewolf426
Professional
I am looking at getting a nice holster for my Springfield 1911 Loaded. I am considering an OWB, and would like opinions on which is best. With or without a thumb break. I would be wearing a shirt or cover garment over it.
So, thumb break or not on OWB holster?
- Thread starter Onewolf426
- Start date
Area52
Professional
I always go and when asked, with at least Level 2 with OWB, weened of leather thumb breaks since the advent of plastics and limited availability of strong, gun specific, well formed TB leathers. Never was satisfied with just relying on older leather to hold a heavy metal secure.
Also, had a thumb break for years that eventually stretch out causing a loose fit, and in case of a SHTF situation, I never was totally confident of the TB either breaking, wiggled/forced out or the snap popping off.
I have Blackhawk Serpa OWB Sportsters in Kydex that have the index finger release feature with adjustable friction too.
Also, had a thumb break for years that eventually stretch out causing a loose fit, and in case of a SHTF situation, I never was totally confident of the TB either breaking, wiggled/forced out or the snap popping off.
I have Blackhawk Serpa OWB Sportsters in Kydex that have the index finger release feature with adjustable friction too.
Hammer67
Professional
X 2
HansGruber
Ronin
If you’re going to open carry (which is a bad idea, but…we don’t need to get into that), yes, a thumb break would be wise. Look at a Galco FLETCH.
Otherwise? Nah. Get a Galco Combat Master or Desantis Speed Scabbard and you’re good to go.
Otherwise? Nah. Get a Galco Combat Master or Desantis Speed Scabbard and you’re good to go.
Onewolf426
Professional
Thank you all for your advice! I do appreciate it. Now I know what to let my wife know what to get me for Christmas! 
Keystone19250
SAINT
I never liked Thumb Breaks at first however I now own 2 holsters with them, 1 is a leather piece for my XDM Elite Compact 10mm considered a level 1 retention, (Craft holster) $100.00 the other is a polymer unit for my XDM 4.5 45ACP considered a level 3 retention. (SafariLand) Suede leather lined for gun finish protection. $300.00
They both have their pro’s and con’s…….
My opinion for a heavy 1911 is to use/have at least a level 1 or 2 retention rated holster for security/safety and gun protection.
Bassbob
Emissary
I have a Blackhawk Serpa. It doesn't have a TB, but it has the little paddle thing you have to push to release the firearm. I don't really like it much for that reason and when I carry a 1911 it's usually in a shoulder rig.
wolfpack076
Professional
I only use thumb break holsters for daily duty carry at work. That's it. I never open carry even though PA is an open carry state so concealed without a thumb break. Just my two cents...
Keystone19250
SAINT
I have 2 of the BH Serpa’s I rotate them in occasionally, they’ve been given a bad rap as the finger used to release the retention is in line with the trigger as you draw but that has never been an issue for me during practice.
kenpomaniac1958
Master Class
I think if the firearm fits in the holster securely a thumb break is really not needed. Some people who carry are used to holsters with thumb breaks. For them disengaging the thumb break as they draw is part of their draw sequence and gives them an extra piece of mind as far as safety, when carrying concealed.
As others have stated, when you carry a firearm openly(in my case I carried one as an armed security officer for many years) a thumb break does help with retention. If you're in uniform around crowds, especially when alcohol is involved, sooner or later some idiot will reach for your firearm.
Holster manufacturing is so much better now and I believe thumb breaks are not needed like they were in the old days. You can purchase a good holster for almost any firearm. And once you break it in(the old trick of wrapping your firearm in plastic and letting it sit in the new leather holster(unloaded) for a day or so, usually helps the firearm fit even better...)
The only holster that I have that has a thumb break is for my New Model Ruger Vaquero(7.5 inch barrel). The only reason I got it with the thumb break was it came with it and the price of the holster was very reasonable.
In my opinion revolver holsters look cool when they have thumb breaks. But you do have to practice the extra step of disengaging the thumb break when you draw.
I will also admit that having a thumb break on a holster is handy when you're subduing a bad guy and get them on the ground to put handcuffs on them or to calm them down. But aside from that scenario I don't see how thumb breaks really add to holster retention.
As others have stated, when you carry a firearm openly(in my case I carried one as an armed security officer for many years) a thumb break does help with retention. If you're in uniform around crowds, especially when alcohol is involved, sooner or later some idiot will reach for your firearm.
Holster manufacturing is so much better now and I believe thumb breaks are not needed like they were in the old days. You can purchase a good holster for almost any firearm. And once you break it in(the old trick of wrapping your firearm in plastic and letting it sit in the new leather holster(unloaded) for a day or so, usually helps the firearm fit even better...
)The only holster that I have that has a thumb break is for my New Model Ruger Vaquero(7.5 inch barrel). The only reason I got it with the thumb break was it came with it and the price of the holster was very reasonable.
In my opinion revolver holsters look cool when they have thumb breaks. But you do have to practice the extra step of disengaging the thumb break when you draw.
I will also admit that having a thumb break on a holster is handy when you're subduing a bad guy and get them on the ground to put handcuffs on them or to calm them down. But aside from that scenario I don't see how thumb breaks really add to holster retention.
The Night Rider
Professional
And that's where I stopped reading.
The Night Rider
Professional
It is nap time now that you mentioned it