I hope to be looking for a good quality holster for an S&W .45 by the end of next week. [NOT interested in the commercial junk that is readily available for most guns.]
So, I’m looking for some recommendations, based on the following parameters:
- OWB pancake that rides high enough NOT to get caught under my ballistic vest. [NOTE: Gary Brommeland’s holster for the 1911 is great in this regard, many pancake holsters don’t work well with vests.]
- IWB that also won’t try to get under the ballistic vest. [Buying two holsters is OK]
- I can’t afford a 20-30 week wait, although 4-6 weeks is acceptable. It’ll take me that long to break it in and get comfortable/confident with it as a carry gun.
- No thumbbreak. Both must have sweat shields.
- MUST be able to re-holster with one hand. Non-collapsible opening.
- Comfortable on a slightly pear-shaped 190#, 5’8” guy!
Most mfrs are only listing the M&P 9/40 or they simply list “M&P” which means the same models. The M&P .45 is wider and needs a different design holster for a proper fit.
Based on my 1911, the holsters that work for me are my Brommeland pancake and my Milt Sparks Summer Special 2. Coal Creek Armory doesn’t list any M&P .45 Brommeland holsters and Brownells doesn’t carry the Milt Sparks SS2 for the M&P .45 either.
I’m intrigued by the Bluegrass Holster Convertible model, but would like to read some unbiased reviews of this or his other products. I know he’s a forum sponsor and I have 4 pages of a thread to read on his holsters.
Any unbiased input greatly appreciated.