carrying a J-frame concealed

[jon_in_wv]

I personally carry my Taurus 85 in a pocket holster in my front pocket. The biggest advantage of a snub nose is the fact it carrys so well in your pocket. Anytime you feel the need you just put your hand in your pocket and the gun is in your hand without alarming anyone. In a coat pocket you can even have it pointed at your potential threat withour having to draw your weapon or escalate a situtation by going for your waisteband prematurely. The fastest draw is when the gun is ALREADY in your hand you know. For IWB carry I clearly prefer a semiauto. I don't see any real advantage to carrying a snub IWB when I can carry much more effective semiauto that is easier to shoot and carries more ammo. (example: Kahr, Keltec, Glock subcompacts)

I know someone is going to say that a semiauto can be carried just as well in the pocket but a hammerless snub is much quicer to draw and can also be fire while still in your pocket if needed. I give the edge to the snub .

 

[Frandy]

When I wear my 640 OWB, it's in a Wild Bill paddle:

And when it's IWB, a simple Galco works for me:

 

[SAWBONES]

Another recommendation for "appendix" carry.
This is an ideal carry position for revolvers, but IME not for semiauto pistols. (YMMV, etc.)

While inexpensive holster examples adaptable to this location of carry abound, most are actually intended for behind-the-hip carry, and are less than ideal for appendix carry, though workable. IME, the most compact and comfortable appendix carry holsters are custom made examples which place the clip or strap for belt attachment BEHIND the cylinder location, so that the maximal overall thickness of the holster is less. (The inexpensive nylon and leather types all place a clip directly over the cylinder.)
Lou Alessi also makes a very nice holster for this location of carry, called appropriately enough, the APX, which places a clip well in front of the gun. I've had some difficulty with mine tipping backwards due to the weight being notably behind the point of attachment, though it obviously works well for many folks.

My left-handed example of an "appendix" IWB holster from Matt Del Fatti, nicknamed the "DD", is shown below with a S&W 642.
For those interested, very nice examples are available by request both from Matt (http://www.delfatti.com/) and from Eric Larsen of HBE (http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/).

 

[JERRY]

when i carry IWB, comfort is the issue. i have to use holsters with a "sweat guard" so the gun itself doesnt dig into me......an IWB without a sweat guard just doesnt get it done for me.

 

[enfield]

This is just my humble opinion, but I think J-frames belong in a pocket holster. If you can conceal a pistol on your belt, you should carry a bigger caliber/gun - like a 4 inch .357, a compact .40, etc.

 

[Jamie B]

Frandy-

Very nice pictures, as always.

Jamie

 

[BullfrogKen]

Chris,

Come on up and visit with us at West Shore Sportsmans Assoc. in Lewisberry this fall. We meet every 3rd Saturday of the month. www.teddytactical.com

You'll have an opportunity to see some of the different ways we find to walk about society armed, and you'll meet a lot of fellas who have years of experience doing the same.