There is no doubt these aren't as pretty as the SP but I've used them (the summer Special) for both 1911's and the 92FS. I could not get away with hiding either gun on the right hip without it being very obvious I was packing. With the Blackhawk! I can carry either on the right hip or, my preference, appendix IWB. They are much more comfortable and get the gun deeper. Some people say you can't carry a full size 1911, especially appendix IWB but I can with that holster and its easy and comfortable and 100% invisible AND its accessible while sitting in a car or truck without without doing gymnastics. As a side note, my 4" GP100 fits in the 1911 holster perfectly and I can carry it in either method as well. I never understood the Summer Special as it worked just fine as long as the user wears a coat but with cargo shorts and a t-shirt not so much...at least not for me. I gotta go with function over style but there is no doubt the BNSP is one of the prettiest holsters for daily carry, especially in the horse hide variants.

I've packed a 1911 more and longer than any other gun and living in TX and working outside/in a shop, the one thing I've learned about doing so is you're gonna sweat, it's gonna get under the left grip panel and inside and under the plunger tube and safety lever and no matter how much Ballistol I went through or tried to keep up with it I was always flushing rust out of those areas. Same with under the grips on stainless revolvers. For me, I will never carry in the summer again without the leather protecting the gun from sweat. That little bit of thin leather does not add any bulk to the holster and protects both gun and user. The only drawback might be it doesn't "look" as sleek and when reholstering you may have to push it back with the thumb while reholstering but you can still reholster with one hand. Anyhow, I'll go back in my cave now:)