[blutarsky]

i know the topic of holsters for certain guns seems to have been discussed at length, however most (all?) of the threads i've found by first searching were related to ccw holsters. i'm looking for an affordable (i.e., cheap) holster to use around the house or on the property where i can comfortably keep my revolver safe but accessible. please forgive me if you know of a thread where this was beaten to death... if so i must have missed it somewhere and i apologize.

i have a 3" stainless gp100 (kgpf-331, full lug). i don't plan on carrying this on my person often, however when clearing brush or working out in the woods where we might encounter the odd snake - which has happened more frequently lately - i really want to have it on my hip loaded with shotshells. for this purpose, i don't need a nice quality leather ccw rig or anything fancy -- i was initially turned to the uncle mike's line, but i'm not sure i've found one that fits correctly. it's affordable, not necessarily elegant... but for my purposes i think it (or something like it) could fit the bill.

i picked up one of those uncle mike's hip holsters in size #2 -- it says it "fits 3-4 inch barrel medium and large double action revolvers". when i tried it for size at home, in some ways it seems both too small and too large. there is clearly an inch or more of space in length (obviously since it also accomodates revolvers an inch longer than mine) but the thing that bothers me more is that most of the trigger guard, and even the trigger itself, remains accessible and is not covered -- keep in mind i've not used holsters before so maybe i'm just dead wrong, but being that i'll be carrying in the woods while working, it'd sure be comforting to have everything tucked away, as it were. in the case of this particular holster, not having the additional inch of length would be great so it doesn't hang so low, but being wider to allow the trigger to be entirely covered would be something to look for, correct? to me, the fit just doesn't seem right.

i'll attach an image of the gun in the holster below, but please help me at least understand what to look for in proper fit for a holster, from the gun's perspective, for use as i described above. also, if you have a 3" gp100 and have a holster that fits right and matches what i'm looking for, please point me in the right direction.

many thanks...

[DawgFvr]

Do yourself a favor and get a "good" holster for that GP100. Check out El Passo holsters...I'm sure you will find one to your liking:

http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-9-holsters.aspx

[DaleCooper51]

see if there's a gunshow around anytime soon. There's always at least one table full of old holsters that can be had on the cheap. I recently bought 2 buckheimer holsters for $10. One was brand new and the other lightly used.

just a thought.

[ArchAngelCD]

I own the DeSasntis Speed Scabbard for several of my revolvers. http://www.desantisholster.com/002.html It's all leather so it will last and it keeps the revolver close to your body so it's comfortable. Even though the price is high on the site I have bought 3 for $43 each. If you want something with a top strap the Thumb Break Scabbard might be a better choice for you. http://www.desantisholster.com/001.html

[GRIZ22]

I own the DeSasntis Speed Scabbard for several of my revolvers.

I have one for every gun I carry. I'm a retired LEO and started using these at work and haven't stopped. The gun is very secure without a strap and I've never lost one despite the acrobatics I may have been involved in. If no starp bothers you they offer the same with a thumb break.

[DawgFvr]

Agreed...the DeSasntis Speed Scabbard is a fine holster. They do not, however, make a holster for a three inch GP100. Neither does High Noon or Mich Rosen. I had to buy a FIST holster...and, I know that El Passo makes holsters for the 3 inch barrelled Ruger.

[Euclidean]

Ah but they USED to. I have a Speed Scabbard for a 3" GP100 and it is fantastic.

That's the only downside to this gun, it seems that no one makes a holster for it sometimes.

[Jamie C.]

Blutarsky, for what you're describing, I think something like this would work just fine:

http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/highresimage?saleitemid=572778

And no, having the trigger exposed/partially exposed on a true DA pistol like the GP-100 isn't a big issue.

Here's the link to that holster at Midway: Hunter 2300 SureFit Holster (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/productview?saleitemid=572778&t=11082005)

And here's the link to all the holsters at Midway that they claim fits a 3 inch GP-100:
GP-100 holsters (http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=7&Categoryid=17139&categorystring=10613***694***12659***11234***11235***)


J.C.

[bigmike45]

Though I have not found one yet I can highly recommend the Don Hume 721 OT for OWB carry. I usually go to the big gunshow in Houston, bud have not made one yet this year. I was there a couple of years ago and picked this one up for my 3" Ruger SP-101. I did not have my 3" GP-100 then, but I am sure I saw one there for that gun also. Here is my SP-101 in the Don Hume.

bigmike45

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/mike_seale/DonHumeHolster.jpg

[Rexster]

Pre-owned sixgun leather can be a REAL bargain, with even big-name stuff going for cheap prices in online auctions and at gun shows.

[fletcher]

I have a Don Hume Double-Nine (with thumb break) for my 3". It works very well, and looks good, too.

[Pat Cannon]

I use a Blade-Tech paddle holster (http://www.blade-tech.com/Paddle-Holster-pr-876.html) for my 3" GP100 when I shoot IDPA matches. Works great and super comfortable, compared to the IWB holsters I've used otherwise. $65.95. Their Web site said 3 weeks, but when I called and asked they said I could get it in 2 weeks. It actually showed up in one week. Highly recommended -- unless you really want leather.

[MrGreenMachine]

While not for a 3". Here's a shot of an OWB for a 6" GP100. Made by Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged. Not very expensive and well fit in my opinion. His website http://www.simplyrugged.com

[GRIZ22]

They do not, however, make a holster for a three inch GP100.

DeSantis never made a holster for the Security Six either but all those made for S&W K frames I've seen work for the Security Six. They do list Speed Scabbards for the S&W L frame (no 3" though) which might work just as well with a GP100.

[2ndamd]

I use a Don Hume JIT slide. Very inexpensive at $30. The barrel is exposed at the bottom but, it hols the gun high and tight and I have no fear of it falling out. I know Don Hume also sells a similar model that has a thumb strap.....and don't forget the Bianchi Black Widow. I have not owned one (yet) but, many many people I know and gun scribes swaer by it. The black widow by Bianchi does have a thumb stap too.

I like these open ended holsters because I have 3", 4" and 6" GP100's and these eliminate a holster for each gun. They all ride well in the Don Hume JIT slide. Although I noticed Midway usa has the Bianchi Black Widow. I might have to buy it too.

[ArchAngelCD]

I didn't realize they didn't have a Speed Scabbard for the 3" GP100 but they do have a 4" model. They do have a Thumb Break Scabbard for the 3" GP100 though.

GRIZ22 is correct, they don't have a 3" model for the Speed-Six or for my 2.75" Service-Six but my dealer ordered a Speed Scabbard that is for the S&W 3" K frame 10, 13, 65 and my Service-Six fits perfectly. Part# 002BA13Z0 I'm sure the GP100 would fit in that holster without a problem.

[GRIZ22]

They do list Speed Scabbards for the S&W L frame (no 3" though) which might work just as well with a GP100.

Needed to correct that to read "They do list Speed Scabbards for GP100 (no 3" though).

Part# 002BA13Z0 I'm sure the GP100 would fit in that holster without a problem.


If that's for a K frame I don't think it would fit a GP100 as the frame is bigger on the GP.

[blutarsky]

thanks for all the tips, guys. i think my main concern is in spending the money for a nice one, without knowing how it'll fit. i'd hate to order something and spend the cash, only to have it arrive and not fit the gun very well (i already did that with the cheapo one -- which i'll be taking back to return this week). it's not like it's a cheap gun, so maybe spending $50+ on a nice leather holster should be appropriate.

[DawgFvr]

Agreed...I did the same. Again...I orderd mine from FIST. They make a great holster for the 3 inch Barrel GP100 in either the #12 Basic or the #9 Basic.
http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/holster/12.htm

and, of course, http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-9-holsters.aspx
El Passo will handle the 3 inch barrel GP100 in many of their fine holsters as well.

[Magnum.35744]

Try looking into one of these....http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=7000. There a little pricey but hey you get what you pay for ;). Take care and good luck finding a holster.

[DawgFvr]

Magnum.35744: Again, Bianchi does not make a holster for the three inch barrel GP100.

[Magnum.35744]

I'm well aware of that ;)...but still dosnt mean it can't fit in there right :confused:? blutarsky was able to fit his 3" in a holster made for a 4" revolver chances are it'll fit...although one little inch shouldnt make a difference.

-Tre

[DawgFvr]

One inch barrel length on a holster makes a big difference. It is very similar to having a pair of pants one inch too long. Oh, sure, the pats fit your waist, hips, thighs...but you will be stepping on your pants length which is dragging on the ground. Nope...when you have a quality weapon...one gets the exact fitting holster for it...