J frame holster?

[LIMPINGJ]

I just finished putting a Tyler T Grip on a new to me 33-1 with a 4 inch barrel. This should be a great little piece to carry around the place when I don’t want to carry a rifle when on walks. Anyone carry a J frame in a field style holster and which do you like?
Thanks

[colt38sp]

Yes. The offerings from Simply Rugged Holsters are excellent. You should check them out. My 438 Airweight carries perfect in my holster.

[mattw]

I like the old S&W Hunter holsters very well. They are substantial, well made and wear well on the outside.

[stubshaft]

+1 on Simply Rugged holsters. I use the Pocket Protector for CCW and the Silver Dollar Pancake for regular carry.

[Bazoo]

I carried a 642 a while and I had a fobus holster that I used a spell. Obviously it didn't conceal well, but worked well for round the farm.

[jonp]

I just bought a holster for my wife's Chiefs Special from Mayhem Leather in Franklin, NC. Nice work and she is very happy with it.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

This is what I would get https://www.miltsparks.com/products-pmk.php

[winelover]

My IWB (kydex and leather) by Thesis Holsters provides double duty. I always wear it outside the waistband, when working outside around the acreage. Mostly, because the waist of the pants is too small for IWB and pockets are too narrow for my usual mode of carry........ the Mika pocket holster.

Winelover

[charlie b]

Depends.

Uncle Mike's makes nice functional holsters for field use.

I also like Simply Rugged. My 1911 got a Milt Sparks when I used it for CCW. I also like Bianchi.

But, most of the time I make my own. Piece of heavy leather and thread. Sometimes a couple of rivets and snaps.

[rintinglen]

242287242288
I like a Bianchi 5H style, only with an extension that covers the trigger guard. These are my favorite woods-walking guns, a Colt Police Positive, an S&W M-63, and a relative new comer, a 327 SP-101. Each of them rides in a similar holster. I make my own, but a Hunter holster will also do very well.242289

you pays your money and you takes your choice.

[Goldstar225]

The Bianchi 5BHL serves nicely as a field holster. I do wish that they would make their 111 Cyclone to fit a 3" J frame.

[Mytmousemalibu]

I carry a 442 every day, it is my primary carry. I carry it in my right front pocket in a Sticky holster. Its well concealed and the most comfortable carrying ever. I understand the limitations of carrying a little J-frame in the pocket and accept it. Its so good that in letting 2 of my buddies try it, the replaced their carry gun/method with the same!

[curioushooter]

First -1 for Simply Rugged.

I had a holster made for my 60-18 and I get back this stiff, overly heavy ridiculous looking thing for that svelte revolver. Guy totally ghosts me when I gave him some feedback. Should have just returned it.

Anyway, the Uncle Mikes side #3 fits well.

But for my money if you want an outside the waistband holster that will fit right and not be made of pachyderm hide get an AE Nelson #396.

My EDC is a 442 that I keep in my right front pocket in a DeSantis nemesis.

It sort of depends on if concealment is of issue and barrel length.

[Green Frog]

How about a holster for a J-frame with adjustable sights and a three inch barrel with full underlug? My Model 60-4 looks (and shoots) like a miniature Model 686 and I’d like to find a secure and protective belt holster to carry it in the field (and woods!) 8-)

Froggie

[TNsailorman]

I used 2 holster years ago in competition, one was Milt Sparks(closed front for Factory Class) and the other was a Davis(open front for Unlimited Class). Both excellent holsters and served me well. I liked the Milt Sparks a little better as he made it special for me to my specifications and fit me like a glove. I gave it to a fellow competitor when I quit competition in 89. Neither were cheap by any stretch of the imagination but they were extremely well made and were worth the money. james

[megasupermagnum]

First -1 for Simply Rugged.

I had a holster made for my 60-18 and I get back this stiff, overly heavy ridiculous looking thing for that svelte revolver. Guy totally ghosts me when I gave him some feedback. Should have just returned it.

Anyway, the Uncle Mikes side #3 fits well.

But for my money if you want an outside the waistband holster that will fit right and not be made of pachyderm hide get an AE Nelson #396.

My EDC is a 442 that I keep in my right front pocket in a DeSantis nemesis.

It sort of depends on if concealment is of issue and barrel length.

So you got a simple and rugged holster, made by Simply Rugged, and you are surprised? :kidding:


Simply Rugged does use stout leather, and stout designs. They are not for those who put a high emphasis on fancy looks.

I'm quite happy with mine, I have a silver dollar pancake for a 3" SP101, and a flap jack for a 5" GP100. Both are rugged holsters, and I love that robust, simple quality about them. That said, the flap jack is a poor design, and I would never recommend that one if you are looking for a covered holster. The swing up flap swings up when walking, but is a real barrier when drawing the handgun. It doesn't work at all under clothes. Luckily all I had to do was pull the cover off, it is only held on with two snaps, and toss it to the far back of the closet. Now it is nothing more than a Sourdough pancake holster.

Simply Rugged does not make a flap holster for a small frame handgun, so that makes the selection easy. Go with the Silver Dollar pancake. I would recommend adding the removable hammer strap. It can be removed easy if you don't like it. I have it on my flap jack (sourdough), but not on my silver dollar. The strap is a good design, with a long tag end. The holsters cover the entire frame, and hold firm without them too.

[curioushooter]

Mine is a Silver Dollar pancake. It's twice the size and weight it needs to be. It is a well fitted and made holster, but it is simply inappropriate, uncomfortable, and looks rudiclous. Sort of like attempting the Indy 500 in a Crown Vic ridiclous. It's rugged alright, but it isn't appropriate.
Another holster maker has recently disappointed me, so I have decided to just make them myself.
Any holster maker who doesn't have a no-bull excrement money back satisfaction guarantee like AE Nelson I would not recommend. AE Nelson can make many holsters for 3" j-frames.

[DGNY]

Another vote for Hunter. Green Frog, for my model 60-4, 3 inch with full lug, I use a hunter 1100–8. Works fine, despite an extra 1" of barrel space. Mine is a left-handed one, which I bought for a small dollars at a gun show, used.

Regards,

Dyson

[megasupermagnum]

Mine is a Silver Dollar pancake. It's twice the size and weight it needs to be. It is a well fitted and made holster, but it is simply inappropriate, uncomfortable, and looks rudiclous. Sort of like attempting the Indy 500 in a Crown Vic ridiclous. It's rugged alright, but it isn't appropriate.
Another holster maker has recently disappointed me, so I have decided to just make them myself.
Any holster maker who doesn't have a no-bull excrement money back satisfaction guarantee like AE Nelson I would not recommend. AE Nelson can make many holsters for 3" j-frames.

That is odd, maybe he uses the same holster pattern for all silver dollar holsters? Mine is for a 3" sp101, and I couldn't imagine a more compact belt holster than the silver dollar pancake, at least not one that is comfortable. It's only long enough to barely cover the barrel.

I like the looks of that #77 pancake holster from AE Nelson, good price too. I might have to try that for the P220.

[charlie b]

I think the problem for the OP is the 4" barrel. Pancake holsters start to be a bit 'big' with longer barrels. Goes to the reason for the pancake, to break up the pistol profile. With a long barrel that means a lot of leather down low. You can make a belt slide holster for longer barrels, but, technically it is no longer a 'pancake' since it isn't round anymore. I had the same problem with an Uncle Mike's holster and a Colt 4" .357 revolver.

Also, some like to use thinner leather and give up on the sturdiness of heavy leather that most makers use. I do that on holsters I make. I usually do not have the ability to reholster with one hand, but, I have never had a reason to do that with these holsters either. I give up some durability but I like the way they 'fit'. And when one does wear out I make another. A bonus is the thinner leather is much less expensive and easier to work with.

[white cloud]

I think Charlie B is correct. I have a Simply Rugged Sourdough for a large frame short barreled revolver. It looks and carries great. I would not consider a pancake for a longer barreled gun. I think it would work okay but would not look right. Also Simply Rugged recommends the Silver Dollar for smaller guns.

[megasupermagnum]

I think the problem for the OP is the 4" barrel. Pancake holsters start to be a bit 'big' with longer barrels. Goes to the reason for the pancake, to break up the pistol profile. With a long barrel that means a lot of leather down low. You can make a belt slide holster for longer barrels, but, technically it is no longer a 'pancake' since it isn't round anymore. I had the same problem with an Uncle Mike's holster and a Colt 4" .357 revolver.

Also, some like to use thinner leather and give up on the sturdiness of heavy leather that most makers use. I do that on holsters I make. I usually do not have the ability to reholster with one hand, but, I have never had a reason to do that with these holsters either. I give up some durability but I like the way they 'fit'. And when one does wear out I make another. A bonus is the thinner leather is much less expensive and easier to work with.

I think that would depend on a lot of factors. Breaking up the profile was never a consideration for me, especially for open carry. My favorite thing about the pancake holster is that it hugs your body. It doesn't flop around, I can run with mine comfortably, where I can't with a more traditional design. Sure the pancake holster for my 5" barrel GP100 is no longer a perfect round shape, so what? The pancake design doesn't flop, it doesn't snag easy, it stays when you sit down rather than flare out like some. It has a lot going for it beyond a smooth exterior.

[curioushooter]

Pancake holsters have some advantages and disadvantages I observe.

Advantage: easy and rapid costruction, very forgiving design, high riding for jacket level concealment, they can be adapted to chest rigs, and can result in a good functional holster.
Disadvantage: their width doesn't bend around your waist so well if you have a 35" or less waist. Rob Leahy may have a 50" waist by the looks of him so he may have never experienced this. They are bulky. They put a lot of stress on pants' belt loops.
In the end I think that you basically cannot beat a side holster of typical taco construction, with a open bottom, and a retention system of preference: I like bianchi thumb snaps. For the ultimate in speed and security but for no concealment the old front break holsters are hard to beat. A E Nelson still makes them. If you don't mind plastic virtually all modern quick draw revolver holsters are kydex with press releases and usually a paddle attachment.

[curioushooter]

You know what. My holster for the 5" j frame could be cut down for a 3". It might be a decent holster with all that material removed. PM me if you are interested.

[megasupermagnum]

Pancake holsters have some advantages and disadvantages I observe.

Advantage: easy and rapid costruction, very forgiving design, high riding for jacket level concealment, they can be adapted to chest rigs, and can result in a good functional holster.
Disadvantage: their width doesn't bend around your waist so well if you have a 35" or less waist. Rob Leahy may have a 50" waist by the looks of him so he may have never experienced this. They are bulky. They put a lot of stress on pants' belt loops.
In the end I think that you basically cannot beat a side holster of typical taco construction, with a open bottom, and a retention system of preference: I like bianchi thumb snaps. For the ultimate in speed and security but for no concealment the old front break holsters are hard to beat. A E Nelson still makes them. If you don't mind plastic virtually all modern quick draw revolver holsters are kydex with press releases and usually a paddle attachment.

That is a good point I never thought of. I'm 6'5" with a 42" waist. I never noticed it putting any stress on my belt loops. I am using a steel reinforced 30 dollar brand gun belt. With small guns it doesn't matter, but with the heavier guns 40 ounces or more, I feel like the pancake holster doesn't pull down as much as something like the Bianchi single loop style.

[curioushooter]

Yea...well if you are 6'5" with a 42" waist you should be able to conceal an AK47. This also puts you in perhaps 1% minority.

I'm 5' 11" with a 35" waist. I find basically any holster that is supported by the belt alone for a 20+ ounce gun to be uncomfortable for daily use. I either wear Perry's Suspenders (which clip onto a belt) or use shoulder suspended holsters.

I have found that suspenders make all the difference. A $10 set of Perry's will do more to make a handgun carryable than a whole truckload of different belt holsters all of which have the same fundamental problem.

[onelight]

I’m a Perry’s suspenders guy to. :-D good stuff with a good gunbelt , holster and the perry’s Gun weight doesn’t make much difference.