Best Browning 1911-380 Holsters

The Browning 1911-380 pistol may not be your first thought when it comes to weapons you use while hiking or hunting. It’s a great choice for personal protection while navigating the unpredictable wilderness. You can choose between classic three dot sights or night sights on most models, and there’s even a compact version. No matter which 1911-380 model you choose, you’ll need a holster to carry it! We wrote this review of the best Browning 1911-380 holsters we could find, and we’ll pick our favorite of the bunch at the end.

Since the 1911-380 isn’t the most popular weapon out there, it can be a little tricky finding holsters that will accommodate them. There are a plenty of leather options available, but any other material and you may find yourself scrolling to the bottom of a seller page with no luck. Don’t worry, we did the dirty work and found some very worthy advocates for you Browning pistol. Our main focus for this review is on the retention levels, since you’ll likely be moving around quite a bit while you’re outdoors.

DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard Holster

Materials — This first option from DeSantis is made entirely of premium grade leather in all black. It’s designed for right handed shooters and has a closed muzzle. Featured are three belt loops, allowing the wearer to position their Browning 1911-380 at either strong side or at a forward angle cant. There is additional stitching for reinforcement around each belt loop, near the trigger guard and rail. The leather is highly molded to the shape of your weapon. For retention, there is an adjustable screw at the trigger guard. There is also a wide thumb break that secures with a snap closure.

Performance — DeSantis is certainly a go-to for leather holsters, no matter what type of gun you have. We like this option particularly for any hunting or hiking purposes, thanks to the thumb break. Your 1911-380 has a little weight to it, and that barrel length isn’t necessarily compact, so you’ll need that retention. As you travel through any outdoor areas, the DeSantis holster will keep your handgun secured well against your body. On the other hand, you might end up fumbling with that thumb break a little when it’s time to draw. We suggest practicing with it a little bit before wandering into the wilderness. The additional retention screw will help out with your needs as well!

What we say — This is the best Browning 1911-380 holster for those who need an option that will leave your wallet happy. If retention is a big concern for you, this will be one of your best bets in this review.

Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Leather Gun Holster

Materials — As another leather option, Relentless Tactical makes a high quality leather belt holster that fits any size Browning 1911 style handgun. The open muzzle allows for any length barrel to comfortable fit. Control the retention and cant by utilizing the three belt loops to tight the holster against your hip as much as you need to. You can choose between a straight up and down cant or a forward FBI cant. A leather sweat guard protects the entire length of your Browning 1911-380, making it comfortable to wear all day against the body. There is double stitching around the belt loops as well as around the entire exterior edge of the holster.

Performance — What we like most about this holster from Relentless Tactical is that you can carry any of your Browning weapons in it. If you have other 1911 style weapons, you should be in good hands here too. For the right buyer, you could definitely get your money’s worth out of this holster. On the other hand, you have to be careful with the retention level here. You have to rely entirely on friction and how well you attach this to your belt. The benefit of this, however, is you can quickly and smoothly draw your Browning 1911-380 as soon as you need it. If any type of tricky situation comes up while exploring nature, you can feel safe and confident.

What we say — This is the best Browning 1911-380 holster for those who are less concerned with the retention level and more concerned with having quick access to their weapon. If you own multiple 1911 style guns, this would be a great choice for you.

Masc Holster Leather Paddle OWB Holster

Materials — As the final leather holster, Masc makes their products using premium genuine leather. Each holster is hand molded to the exact shape of your Browning 1911-380. This selection is available in a light tan color. There is rail space available inside the holster to protect the leather and your weapon. The muzzle is closed and the top is open for easy drawing. The top edge is reinforced to guide your handgun as you draw. For retention, there is double stitching at the trigger guard. Instead of using belt loops, this holster attaches to your hip with a paddle attachment. Two screws allow for adjusting the carry angle.

Performance — If belt loops aren’t your thing, then this option from Masc Holsters is a great option for you. This is certainly one of the more high quality leather holsters on the market for your Browning 1911-380 handgun. You’ll get one of the smoothest draws that is guided, so you don’t have to look down at your hands or mess with any thumb breaks when it’s time to grab the grip. While there’s no retention screw near the trigger guard, the additional screws at the paddle attachment should help. Despite having an open top, you shouldn’t be too nervous about moving around a lot while outdoors. Just be a little thoughtful with your cant angle.

What we say — This is the best Browning 1911-380 holster for those who still want leather but don’t want to rely on belt loops for any retention. You’ll get that from plenty of other areas on the holster.

Black Arch Browning 1911-380 IWB Hybrid Holster

Materials — As a hybrid holster, this option offers the best of both worlds: leather and kydex. The kydex holster portion is molded to the shape of your handgun, and it’s bolted into place using six screws. These screws also act as a retention source, so you can decide on how secure your weapon is. The kydex holster is capable of covering the entire trigger guard and barrel of your gun. The back panel is constructed with a layer of leather, flexible polymer insert, and a suede backing. The suede is comfortable and acts as a sweat guard between yourself and your Browning 380. There are two belt clips installed, which can be adjust for carry height and cant.

Performance — As the only option within this review that includes kydex, you may feel a little limited. There are very few kydex options available online for 1911 style handguns, let alone good quality ones. Thankfully, this hybrid holster from Black Arch is decent for your outdoor needs and should protect your handgun well. Plus, with that gigantic leather and suede back panel, it should be comfortable to wear throughout the day. That’s good because this is an inside the waistband holster. Perhaps this is not the most ideal for a long day of hiking, but you can expect your Browning 1911-380 to stay well in place during any activity.

What we say — This is the best Browning 1911-380 holster for gunowners who aren’t interested in a leather holster for their weapon, and are mostly concerned with protecting the gun from any elements.

Our Favorite Browning 1911-380 Holster

Without a doubt, our favorite holster for the Browning 1911-380 was the Masc Holsters Leather Paddle OWB Holster. The hand molding of the leather is really nice, both aesthetically and structurally. We think the paddle attachment might be the better bet for this style of weapon and holster as well. Despite not having a thumb break or a retention screw at the trigger guard, there is plenty of points of retention to rely that aren’t based on belt loops. You get just enough versatility, comfort, and protection at an affordable cost. You’ll be able to easily grab your weapon at a moment’s notice and re-holster it just as easily when the time comes. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors with your Browning 1911-380 pistol, you’ll want to check out this holster.