Holster Comparison: Kramer vs. DeSantis Nemesis
Naturally, after getting my 642, finding a good pocket holster was a high priority. I did a lot of reading and web shopping, and settled on the Kramer and the DeSantis Nemesis as two top choices, and acquired one of each. After a month of carrying the two holsters, I've formed some distinct impressions and preferences, and thought I'd pass them along.
The Kramer looks and feels like a piece of fine sculpture in hard leather. A flat, wallet-like outer surface minimalizes printing. It fits the gun very snugly. In fact, it fits a bit *too* snugly. The revolver snaps into place with a positive action: the outside rim of leather just above/behind the cylinder kinda "locks" down, holding the revolver in. In a belt holster, this would be a great feature. In a pocket holster, not so much: sometimes the revolver doesn't want to come out, so the holster wants to come out of the pocket with it. With the holster's hard, slick outer finish, the only thing keeping it in the pocket is a hook or lip of leather projecting outward from the holster above where the hammer would be on a conventional snubbie. In fact, in one practice draw, the holster did come out along with the gun. Also, the stiff construction makes the revolver both look and feel a bit like a brick in your pocket. Finally, it's pricey: about $100.
The DeSantis is made from flexible, grippy fabric with a neoprene or neoprene-like outer coating. A flange of doubled fabric extends below (or, when it's in your pocket, beside) the trigger guard. This flange both increases resistance to pulling the holster out of the pocket, and helps keep the gun securely positioned (this is an issue with the large-pocket cargo shorts I use for yard work). The revolver slides in and out of the holster easily. Also, the flexible fabric is extremely comfortable, and it does a good job of softening the lines of the gun: printing is minimal. The flange design makes the holster quite wide. I can imagine that it wouldn't fit well in some trousers with narrow pockets, but this hasn't been a problem with any of the pants I wear. With the textured, grippy outer surface, the smooth inner surface, and the extending flange, I really think it would be impossible to accidently pull this holster out of the pocket when drawing. And, at $20, it's a good value.
Bottom line: I really wanted to like the Kramer. From my reading, I'd formed the impression that this is the Cadillac of pocket holsters, but it's a bit uncomfortable to carry and (far more important) I don't have 100% confidence that it will perform as needed when needed. With my gun and my wardrobe, the DeSantis beats the Kramer on every metric.