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While it’s true that many—most—gun owners utilize compact and sub-compact firearms for daily carry, there are exceptions. After all, it is possible to conceal a full-size gun. Sometimes it takes more accommodating cover garments, and it might only be doable for some of us in the colder months, but it can be done. If you’re a fan of double-stack 1911s, you’ve likely been hunting for the right holster to go with it. Why not get one holster that does it all? The Tucker Leather Gunleather Deep Carry DC-1 is the answer, and I’m going to tell you why.
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What’s the Tucker Leather Gunleather Deep Carry?
Tucker Gunleather designs and manufactures an entire lineup of high-quality holsters, and the Deep Carry line is a big part of that. Deep Carry holsters are made to do exactly what the name implies—allow for comfortable, effective carry and concealment of various firearms, including many full-size handguns. Within the Deep Carry family, there are several variants with different footprints and features.
You could go with something like the DC-2, which is a streamlined paddle holster, or try out the DC-2 for appendix carry. It’s the DC-3 we’re covering today, and it’s really an ideal option for anyone looking to carry their double-stack 1911.
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The DC-3 is a versatile holster that can be used for OWB or IWB carry. It’s a custom-order item, and because of that Tucker Gunleather states it can take two months to be delivered. Time from order to delivery will vary depending on demand. Tucker Gunleather offers an impressive list of custom options, and the DC-3 is available for everything from Desert Eagles to Glocks to Stacattos.
In my case, the holster is for my Cosaint Arms DS21 chambered in 10mm. Calling the DS21 a 2011 might be more recognizable, but in reality, the 2011 moniker is specific to the Stacatto brand. This is simply a double stack. It’s a gun that’s a bit challenging to fit, but Tucker Gunleather’s Deep Carry DC-3 does it.
What’s the Tucker Gunleather holster made of?
Tucker Gunleather makes its holsters from a combination of Boltaron and leather. It’s far more common to see holsters made from Kydex, but the use of leather-lined Boltaron is a winner. Boltaron is a thermoplastic that’s incredibly durable, chemical resistant, and fire retardant. Using Boltaron with a slick leather lining gives you the best of both worlds: a rigid shell molded to the shape of the gun, and a protective, quality interior for smooth holstering and protection of the gun’s finish.
There’s no denying leather tends to be easier on finishes. Although we all take some pride in having a gun we use enough for it to show signs of wear, we also don’t want to see them totally worn out. My Cosaint Arms handgun is one such gun—it’s beautiful, but I don’t believe in safe queens. The answer quickly became the Tucker Gunleather Deep Carry DC-1.
The backplate of the DC-1 is softer leather with the skin-facing surface being brushed for comfort. It does feature a tall sweat guard that’s specifically created to maintain its shape rather than simply folding over as some brands do. According to the holster maker, the leather used is Hermann Oak Leather, something that’s noteworthy because they’re considered the premier vegetable-tanned leather supplier in the country (many think they’re the finest in the world).
Not all cuts and treatments of leather are made the same, and Hermann Oak’s leather is of excellent quality. The leather backplate and Boltaron-leather shell are attached with rugged hardware and heavy-duty stitching.
What are the features of the Deep Carry DC-1?
Due to the company’s holsters being highly customizable, it’s worth mentioning that you can adjust some features as desired. However, Tucker Gunleather doesn’t currently make holsters for guns with weapon-mounted lights. They do, however, make them for guns with red dot sights, accessory rails, and a variety of iron sights (think standard versus suppressor height versus co-witness).
Red Dot Ready
This DC-1 is cut so it would work with a red dot if I choose to mount one to my gun (currently, I’m running it with a red fiber optic front and blacked-out rear irons). The muzzle end is open which allows for threaded barrel pass-through and the blackplate arcs up to shield the back of the slide—but nothing more. There’s no wasted material hanging around to bend and twist with use. The mouth of the holster remains open thanks to the Boltaron sheet molded over the shell.
Adjustable
Tucker Gunleather makes the DC-1—and all their holsters—adjustable. With the DC-1 that means it can be adjusted for retention, ride height, and cant. The hardware used is solid brass with a black oxide finish—a conversion coating used to protect the brass from corrosion and wear. Screws for adjustments have Phillips faces and flathead-compatible backs.
My holster is set up with solid, one-piece belt loops rather than clips. It’s in an OWB configuration right now, but it’s quick and easy to change the loops for IWB use (and yes, I’ve concealed Government-size 1911s before, so it’s something I’m likely to do at times). I’m right-handed, and so is this DC-1, but Tucker Gunleather does offer left-handed configurations. A thumb break strap is a custom option I didn’t go for, but you certainly could get one if you prefer it.
How does the Tucker Gunleather holster work?
Because I have loops on the DC-1 rather than clips, this is a holster that has to be slid onto a belt rather than clipped over it. That’s not a big deal at all, and if it does bother you, you can get clips. With the larger footprint of this holster—something I like, personally—this is one I wear between 3 o’clock and 4 o’clock behind my strong side hip.
Once it’s in place, the holster rests snugly against my body without sagging, tilting, or shifting. Now, part of the reason it stays so firmly in place is the stiffness of the gun belt, but the holster design matters, too. The last thing you want is a holster that doesn’t keep your gun rigidly upright and secure. Fortunately, the DC-1 does a great job.
This is a comfortable holster and doesn’t cut into my side. It keeps the gun precisely where I want it and doesn’t move around even during lengthy live-fire sessions and classes. Thanks to the stiffness of the holster mouth, I don’t have to worry about it collapsing and creating an unsafe re-holstering situation (yes, the mouth of your holster should remain wide open even without a gun in it).
Originally, the Deep Carry DC-1 was just a tiny bit snug on my Cosaint Arms, but that was easily remedied by backing retention off. Since that first minor adjustment, I haven’t needed to touch it. As for cant and ride height, once I found the right spot, I left the screws in place.
Read More: Safariland: New Fits for the Incog X IWB Holster
Now my Favorite Holster
The Tucker Gunleather Deep Carry DC-1 has stood up to cross-country drives, ranch work, hunting, and high round count classes. You could say it’s a well-made holster.
Full disclosure: it was my dad who introduced me to Tucker Gunleather. Even though Tucker’s is based in my home state of Texas, it wasn’t really on my radar before. Now that it is, there’s no going back. The fact that the Deep Carry DC-1 so neatly—and comfortably—fits my Cosaint Arms makes it a favorite. It has a clean aesthetic, too, which is a great bonus.
If you’re a fan of leather holsters like I am but want the rigidity of molded thermoplastics, check out Tucker Gunleather. They’ve got the best of both worlds in their hybrid designs and their holsters are made to last. Get a custom holster from Tucker Gunleather. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Get a better look at the Tucker Gunleather Deep Carry line here.
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