High Quality Leather Holsters For S&W N Frame

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DesertRat

DesertRat

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Hey folks, I'm posting this seeking recommendations on high quality leather thumb break holsters for a S&W M-28 Highway Patrolman (N Frame). Currently, I'm looking for something that is made of high quality leather, rigid, an FBI cant (~15 degree), rock solid on the belt with a very secure, traditional thumb break and some hand boning preferred.

I've purchased many holsters over the years from various makers - Andrews, Alessi, Arratoonian, Kramer, etc - almost all for semi-autos, so I know good leather when I see it. Despite my experience, I have simply not kept up with the latest list of who's on top and making the very best currently available. I also know there's now likely some relative new comers making excellent quality of whom I'm not yet familiar. Consequently I've come here to ask those in the know.

Thanks in advance. ~ DR
 
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Barry the Bear said:
For heavy revolvers I love Simply Ruggeds Sourdough
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I'll second the Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake. I sure like the one I have for my Smith Model 69 anyway. Mine has the removable strap and some fancy stamping around the edge.
For a traditional "thumb-break" style though, I'd recommend a DeSantis "Thumb-Break Scabbard." However, if that metal button on the inside of the thumb-break is rubbing against your gun, put a piece of plastic electrical tape over it, and replace the tape occasionally. Otherwise that button will wear a hole through the finish on your gun - especially if you carry your gun a lot, like your EDC. You can probably guess how I know that.:(
 
I will second the choice of Barranti Leather...Doc makes a good holster. I also like Milt Sparks, but their turn-around time is three times longer.

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Here is my Model 25-9 in my Barranti holster. It does not have a retaining strap, but the tension screw holds it tight as can be.
 
.308 Norma said:
I'll second the Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake. I sure like the one I have for my Smith Model 69 anyway. Mine has the removable strap and some fancy stamping around the edge.
For a traditional "thumb-break" style though, I'd recommend a DeSantis "Thumb-Break Scabbard." However, if that metal button on the inside of the thumb-break is rubbing against your gun, put a piece of plastic electrical tape over it, and replace the tape occasionally. Otherwise that button will wear a hole through the finish on your gun - especially if you carry your gun a lot, like your EDC. You can probably guess how I know that.:(
Click to expand...

They sell small 'buttons' that pop into a snap to protect it from scratching anything; around $1 each. Knifekits.com sells them, among others.

Larry
 
Howdy

I had a Slim Jim holster made up for one of my antique Smith and Wesson Top Breaks from El Paso Saddlery a few years ago. I was very pleased with it and I had another one made up when I bought a second, similar revolver. I spent a little bit extra and had them lined and some simple border stamping done on them.

pl81G1j5j.jpg

pmc9MzbUj.jpg




It turns out my Merwin Hulbert Pocket Army fits in the same holsters.

pndfiTKDj.jpg




Their 'Austin' holster may be something similar to what you are looking for. I recommend El Paso highly for quality.

https://epsaddlery.com/product/1930-austin-holster/
 
Thank you for all the replies. I'm seeing that the two makers with products closest to what I'm looking for are available at Lobo and Desantis.

I'm well acquainted with Desantis and hope their quality is comparable to years past. Lobo I've heard of and their offerings look real nice.

Everyone in the know, knows El Paso and I've been meaning to order from them for years, so thanks for the reminder on them.

The other makers all have nice looking stuff some of which may meet other needs. Now it's time to decide between Lobo and Desantis. Maybe I'll get both.
 
DesertRat said:
Thank you for all the replies. I'm seeing that the two makers with products closest to what I'm looking for are available at Lobo and Desantis.

I'm well acquainted with Desantis and hope their quality is comparable to years past. Lobo I've heard of and their offerings look real nice.

Everyone in the know, knows El Paso and I've been meaning to order from them for years, so thanks for the reminder on them.

The other makers all have nice looking stuff some of which may meet other needs. Now it's time to decide between Lobo and Desantis. Maybe I'll get both.
Click to expand...

I highly recommend you stick with Lobo for this, a large revolver needs a quality made holster for the most comfortable carry experience. Desantis makes serviceable holsters but for large guns a custom to gun holster should be used. This is a Lobo used for a 629 Trail Boss IWB it works well IMG_20150405_200631.jpg
 
DesertRat said:
DT Guy / Larry ~

Hey, I did some searching for those protective buttons you recommended on Knifekits and used every descriptor I could think of and I cannot find what you were referring to in your comment. Perhaps you can provide a link.
Click to expand...

Well, that's because I gave the wrong site; sorry about that! I knew I'd seen them, but confused the site I'd seen them at. It's actually at the Bluegun Store-direct link : http://www.bluegunstore.com/clearplasticsnapprotector-line24size-1-1.aspx

Apologies for the confusion, DesertRat.

Larry
 
Kramer horsehide for me
 

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BobWright said:
When I went to El Paso holsters for my holsters, they told me they could not make a holster outside their standard pattern, and they could not sell a holster without either a retaining strap or thong loop. Went to Doc Barranti and got my holster to my specifications. For quality holsters, I'll pick Barranti.

View attachment 966736


View attachment 966737

Bob Wright
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I went to El Paso Saddlery and told them I wanted a pancake holster for my Colt New Service, but without a restraining strap. Their answer was, "That's our #88."

So I asked, "do you make it for a Colt New Service?"

Their answer was, "Order it for a Colt Anaconda, which is the same frame, and in the remarks section, indicate it's for a New Service."

They definitely will sell a holster without a restraining strap and will go outside their standard pattern at least to some extent..
 
Vern Humphrey said:
I went to El Paso Saddlery and told them I wanted a pancake holster for my Colt New Service, but without a restraining strap. Their answer was, "That's our #88."

So I asked, "do you make it for a Colt New Service?"

Their answer was, "Order it for a Colt Anaconda, which is the same frame, and in the remarks section, indicate it's for a New Service."

They definitely will sell a holster without a restraining strap and will go outside their standard pattern at least to some extent..
Click to expand...

Well, i reckon they just didn't want to fool with me.

Bob Wright
 
DesertRat said:
Hey folks, I'm posting this seeking recommendations on high quality leather thumb break holsters for a S&W M-28 Highway Patrolman (N Frame). Currently, I'm looking for something that is made of high quality leather, rigid, an FBI cant (~15 degree), rock solid on the belt with a very secure, traditional thumb break and some hand boning preferred.

I've purchased many holsters over the years from various makers - Andrews, Alessi, Arratoonian, Kramer, etc - almost all for semi-autos, so I know good leather when I see it. Despite my experience, I have simply not kept up with the latest list of who's on top and making the very best currently available. I also know there's now likely some relative new comers making excellent quality of whom I'm not yet familiar. Consequently I've come here to ask those in the know.

Thanks in advance. ~ DR
Click to expand...
If you want something more functional than fancy, but still good quality and workmanship, look at Triple K. I have one for my M19 and another for my M28 (also works with my M57 and M29) The cant is like you mention, has a snug thumb break trigger strap and the belt loop will take a fairly wide belt. Prices are very reasonable. They come in a reddish brown with no tooling, or a black basketweave or no tooling finish. It's called the Carrylight.
DSC09044_LI.jpg DSC09045 (2).JPG
 
If I'm not going to make one, I'll buy it from El Paso or finally follow through with my threat to patronize Purdy Gear. My preference would be a Threepersons though, not a thumbreak.
 
Barry the Bear said:
I highly recommend you stick with Lobo for this, a large revolver needs a quality made holster for the most comfortable carry experience. Desantis makes serviceable holsters but for large guns a custom to gun holster should be used. This is a Lobo used for a 629 Trail Boss IWB it works wellView attachment 966837
Click to expand...


Barry The Bear ~. You know what, I think you're right. I've done quite a bit of looking through Lobo's website and their youtube reviews and videos and I'm going to contact them.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to provide their comments and opinions!
 
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