I have switched to carrying appendix style for this exact reason. Any weight on my hip leaves my back in intense pain. I carry a p229 Sao with a light and optic with no problem or pain now
I made one for a right handed friend of mine, he traded the gun before I finished. Brown, horse hide leather. Its just sitting in a box. I can send a pic if you like.
I love my Sig 1911 extreme as it has become my carry, since I shoot so well. Holsters can be a pain (i make my own).
Having had many 1911's from Kimber, Colt, Taurus and Springfield, now Sig, ditch the factory mags and buy Wilson Combat or Chip McCormick
They never worked as good as OEM in my 3 p220's. They were fine as range mags wi fmj. The follower did not seem to push hollow points up far enough for consistent feeding
One of the reasons I make my own leather holster is left handed is hard to find with out a custom shop. Lots of good ones here in GA. I am just not that patient so taught myself how to do it.
I have the full size. Over 1000 rds down range no problems. Ran it wet, dry, dirty, clean. Mine was not free, nor tried by an agency. It has become my defensive weapon of choice. With it I am fast and accurate. Best trigger on a striker I have found. Really the first ply gun I even liked
I have not had good results with promags in either p6 or p220. Out of 4 mags non fed reliably. Tried with different ammo, people, gun wet, gun dry, etc. Now, they are range only.
I also use a hill people gear kit bag to carry a p229 for my daily runs. It may look out of place but it works, it's comfortable, and keeps sweat of my gun.
Have and love both. P229 has been my main carry weapon for years. I will take more rounds over the limits of single stack. Can't go wrong here. Btw get one with the SRT. Weight doesn't bother my. With a good belt and holster I made, not a problem
I use a recon kit bag from Hill People Gear. http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/tabid/762/CategoryID/1/Default.aspx
I probably look goofy as hell but it works.