J-frame carry method (other than pocket)?

[Dollar An Hour]

I know there's alot of fans of pocket carry for the venerable J-frame. That's how I've been carrying, but I think there are times when IWB or OWB may be better for CC.

Can you guys recommend some good holsters for concealing a centennial J-frame? It's warm almost year-round here, so most of the time I'm wearing shorts & t-shirts or tucked-out button up shirts.

Oh, and where can I get a good gun belt to work with said holster setup? Never really needed a belt with pocket carry.

Thanks for the help.

[orangeninja]

A belt slide made by www.gunleather.net is the best thing for a revolver OWB. IWB, I just use an inexpensive, unsexy but very useful Uncle Mikes.

[MikeJ]

My favorite method of carrying a J frame, aside from pocket carry, is to holster it in an Uncle Mike's IWB but clip it on to the inside of my belt and in between my pants. In other words my belt is on the outside of the holster. I find that this method keeps it real snug and virtually undetectable with an untucked shirt.

[JNewell]

For IWB, consider a Mitch Rosen Workman. I bought one from a dealer who was closing out his Rosen inventory several years ago and it's a first rate piece of leather. He does belts, too, though kind of premium-priced.

http://www.mitchrosen.com/product_line/product_line.html

[OBXMIKE]

I picked up a bianchi slide a few months back for my 340sc. The holster was made for a "chief's special" (I think...) but it fit the gun near perfect, so I hooked myself up. I carry under a windshirt at work, and it's virtually undetectable. A very comfortable set-up, IMO.

Mike

[BillinNH]

Another alternative is to get a Clipdraw belt clip that secures to the gun with two of the existing screw holes, fits close to the gun and does not interfere with operation. The gun rides high for quick access but you need a covering garment. I used one on my model 38 for a while, took it off because I decided I didn't like the high ride. Worked fine though. They are in Malvern PA and you can google them.

Just another way to go, thought I'd mention it.

Bill

[Skipper]

Another alternative that I've been using for several years is a Belly Band. It just does not matter what you wear, you can COMPLETELY hide any small to medium revolver or auto. I absolutely would never be without a good belly band.
The only thing really wrong with it is that it destoys most excuses to buy another concealment holster.
Regards,
SKIP

[Marshall]

I carry mine IWB 95% of the time. Appendix carry.

[TOADMAN]

Bianchi # 105 Size 1 - works best for me. Fits the J-frame perfectly. I have several big brand name high dollar J-frame holsters. The Bianchi is the one I always use.

[Dollar An Hour]

Bianchi # 105 Size 1 - works best for me. Fits the J-frame perfectly. I have several big brand name high dollar J-frame holsters. The Bianchi is the one I always use.

Thanks Toadman, I'll check it out.

Another alternative that I've been using for several years is a Belly Band. It just does not matter what you wear, you can COMPLETELY hide any small to medium revolver or auto. I absolutely would never be without a good belly band.


Skipper - the problem I see with the Belly Band here in Phoenix is most of the year heat is an issue and the Belly Band looks HOT. :eek:

[Iggy]

Check out the Alessi Talon holster.

It has a kydex clip that goes behind your belt. It has a little "talon"like hook that catches your waistband and forces the cloth into a slot in the holster. You can use this holster without a belt.

It does NOT come loose easily.. your belt hides the clip and the holster is virtually invisible.

Lou guarantee's the clip as long as he lives.;)
If I carry IWB,I use a Sparks VMII. It is a tiny bit thinner than the Talon, but the Talon would work better without a belt. You do need a good "gun specific" belt both for comfort and security.

As to belts. Check out Gunner's Alley *the beltman* for the best belt for the money.

[Hawaiian]

Other than pocket in a Kramer, I also carry mine in Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB

[HiWayMan]

I've slowed down my pocket carry lately and have been leaning heavily upon IWB. I started with an Uncle Mike's IWB rig (#36 I think), but constant use wore a hole in it on the body side at the front of the cylinder. So I took some leather I had and sewed the UM's clip to it and made my own leather IWB. It works very well and is stiff enough to allow one handed re-holstering.

[scbair]

Barami Hip Grips offer lower carry than the Clip Draw, without the bulk of a holster. Very low profile, but slow on the draw.

Add a Tyler T-Grip Adapter, and you have a shootable, easy-to-hide sidearm.

[Skipper]

Dollar An Hour:

It IS hotter than most other options. I live in central Ga. where it is hot and also extremely humid. You'd think the thing would get to smelling pretty bad,but that hasn't been the case. I leave mine stretched out at night to dry and air out. The good thing about the band is, it just doesn't matter what you wear,it works well with everything. You can also wear it in any position( I almost always carry appendix position with my shirt tucked in). I can even carry in my office this way and no one's the wiser. Also great if you have to drop your pants in a public restroom. BUT, It IS a little warmer than other options in the summer.

SKIP

[LJWebster1]

Anybody have any experience with these guys? The holster looks very concealable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/J-frame-S-W-Taurus-SP101-Leather-Pancake-Holster_W0QQitemZ7223070284QQcategoryZ73975QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[orangeninja]

Belly band = way too hot.

[22luvr]

My wife's uncle, who was an L.A. bank robbery investigator, put his mod 36 right in the small of his back IWB.

[13.45]

alessi or sparks, you'll be glad you did ;)

[dairycreek]

I carry my M60 3" two ways. I use the Clipdraw as pictured here

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/dairycreek/SWM60W.jpg

which I find to be really quick, secure, and effective. And, if I want to I can still put the gun into a holster Clipdraw and all. Really handy thing, the Clipdraw:what:

[Lumberjack98]

I use one of these.

http://www.uncle-mikes.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=4135543&catky=3407251&subcatky1=4548802&subcatky2=2000017

They are cheap and really stay in place (unexpected based on looks). Mine doesn't have the strap though and it stays in place just fine.

[orionengnr]

SmartCarry, also sold as Invisible Holster. About $50 on eBay, etc

Similar design, different material--Google for Gun Hyder or Hyde your gun, about $25.

I own one of each. They come in several different sizes, and can fit anything from a j-frame to a full size 1911 depending on your wardrobe and physical dimensions.

Do not require an untucked shirt, and if carrying a j-frame or other small pistol, it is mostly forgettable.

[BackCountry]

I use the clip draw, not the one shown above, but one that attaches with a piece of high strength two sided tape. Carries a lot lower IWB. Not noticeable with a loose t-shirt over shorts. A little clip and a bit of the black handle are all that show. Even if my shirt rides up, no one has ever noticed it. Stays in with or without belt. Have it on me all the time. No problems. Tried the Uncle Mikes IWB, fell off one day. Don't know how, but almost lost my gun. Threw it away...

Actually have it mounted to the exact same gun as pictured above... Sets it down about 1 1/4 inches lower IWB. Still works with my other holsters... Great product.

[280PLUS]

Don Hune IWB. It's reinforced around the opening to keep it from collapsing after yoiu draw which allows for MUCH easier reholster. When I carry it in a holster I carry at 3 o'clock.

[kjdoski]

Off duty, in shorts & t-shirt, I usually carry my 642 in an IWB crossdraw holster from FIST (ultrathin kydex). It works like a charm, and the 642 disappears under light cover...

Regards,

Kevin

[gitarmac]

I just ordered one for my snubbie a few weeks ago, I havn't gotten it yet. Heard great things about them and the website looks nice. The have IWB, OWB, and convertable models. They even have models just for women. A fella on another site posted a pic of himself with an OWB fist and a glock, it really held the gun high and tight and a loose fitting shirt will cover it just fine.


http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/Default.htm