We carry firearms for countless reasons – for competitive, duty, concealed carry, or any other use. But regardless of why you carry a firearm, there are some universal truths. One of them is that you’re always going to want a smooth, comfortable draw. And there’s nothing more important to a good draw than using the right trigger. If you’re a southpaw, that means getting a left handed holster. We’ll look at some of the things that make a good left hand holster, along with a top left handed IWB 1911 holster, in this post.

Do I Really Need a Left Handed Holster?

If you shoot from your left hand, you definitely need to consider using a left hand holster. There’s no two ways about it: you won’t be able to smoothly draw without a holster made specifically for your handedness.

If you’re a lefty shooter and don’t use a lefty holster, everything will be backwards. Using an outside-the-waistband holster on your strong side? The holster’s grip will point forwards and if you can even successfully draw it, you’ll be holding the gun upside down. And if you’re wearing an IWB concealed carry rig, you’ll find yourself in the same situation. What’s more, there’s no place you can put the wrong kind of holster on a belt to make it work. Long story short, you need to make sure you’re using the right holster.

Should I Put My Holster on the Right or Left Side?

Here’s a more important question for southpaw shooters than if they need a left handed holster. Once they get one, where should they carry their firearm? That’s a topic with much more nuance.

If you’re open carrying, you generally can put your firearm in one of two places. First, you can keep it on your “strong side,” or the same side of the hand you shoot with. This is probably the most common place to put a firearm. On the other hand (see what we did there?) you can place your holster on the side of the hand you don’t fire. This is called a “cross draw.”

If you carry concealed, “appendix carry” is one of the most common options for lefties and righties alike. This involves placing a holster under your shirt, strapped to the inside of your belt, kept at around 1:00 (11:00 for lefties). This position offers a great balance of stealth, security, and quick access.

Finding the Best Left Handed 1911 IWB Holster?

Whether you’re looking for an IWN, OWB, or any concealed carry holster for a 1911 or any other firearm, we’ve got your back. At the Southern Trapper, we can custom-build you a unique, personalized leather holster for any application. Just tell us your gun’s make, model, and any specific upgrades like an optic or light. We’ll take care of the rest. And to top it off, all of our products come backed by a 100-year guarantee. To learn more, check out our complete selection of leather holsters here.

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