Daily-Wear IWB Holsters

So, you think that carrying two IWB 1911's is challenging? Cumbersome? Heavy? Painful? Stupid? Ha. Try carrying both of them IWB for weeks at a time. Open-Carry you say? Neigh - otherwise what would be the point of getting all those CCW permits?

This cowhide/sharkskin IWB holster comes from Steve & Della Schafer of Rafters Gun Leather. I have been wearing the holster approximately 15 hours a day for the past 1.5 weeks while doing some extensive traveling and training. My initial impression of the holster is positive: the draw is smooth and steady even before break-in, re-holstering does not require much probing, there are internal leather "guide-rails" inside the holster which allow an exceptionally smooth and consistent feeling draw/insertion, and the holster remains in a single stable position on the hip, even when doing dynamic motion (running, jumping, groundfighting, etc.)

Della was exceptionally pleasant to work with when ordering the holster and accompanying mag-pouches, even going as far as getting me the gear on an abbreviated time-frame in order to my trip. Kudos to Rafters, and thank you for your fine products.

Grievances? Well, while the black cowhide looks gorgeous - it comes with a price. It bleeds into your clothing. IMHO, that is a small price to pay for a such a quality piece of gun leather.
Second comment: this IWB is the most robust hide-based IWB I have had the luxury of wearing - however it is not as lightweight nor as unobtrusive as my well tortured McDaniel IWB by Andrews Custom Leather. After a 15 hour day, I do feel my Rafters holster whereas I barely notice the sidearm holstered in my Andrews. This is entirely due to the light-weight cowhide Sam at Andrew's Custom utilizes for this ultra-light-weight piece of gun "dress".

More to come as the weeks continue and the Rafters holster continues to break in.

Lastly, if you choose to carry two 1911s in IWB fashion, I highly recommend you purchase:

1) A sharkskin shooting belt: Rafters makes a quality one, Wilson Combat offers a pricier version with a slightly quicker turn around time
or
2) Some kind of Wilderness Instructors belt. I would recommend the 5-stitch version, however having a liner inside the belt would certain help once you are carrying two 1911s, two mags, a leatherman, a flashlight, several blades, a cell phone ....