DeSantis Right Hand Black Thumb Break Mini Slide Holster for J-frame
SKU: 085BA02Z0
THUMB BREAK MINI SLIDE
Retail: $77
Commonly had for ~$45
========
I own several snub-nosed revolvers and holsters for them. Most times I tote a snubby, it is a J-frame in a pocket holster. But some times a proper OWB belt holster is the best mode of carry for the task. My most-carried J-frame is a SW638 with the main & return springs tuned for my preferred loads and a Crimson Trace laser grip. And the Plug. It is the carry gun I default to when I can't tote my SW1911s. Heck, I stuff it with hard cast wadcutters and it becomes my backup gun for hunting and/or sole woods carry gun at times. For such a task, a good OWB belt holster with thumb snap is called for and DeSantis makes one, the Thumb Break Mini Slide (TBMS)
Overall quality of the TBMS is good to very good with regard to execution, design is excellent, and fair to good with regard to materials. The leather is thinner than most custom & semi-custom holsters I have bought. I have several DeSantis holsters and none has ever outright broke, though they can become sloppy over time. Matter of fact, after about ten years, my TBMS has suffered that fate. It started off relatively snug and the thumb snap held my SW638 securely in the face of a determined wrenching. Not so much after ten years. A good wrenching on the butt can cause it to slip out from under the strap.
I started looking for a replacement and it turns out there are not many holsters for the SW638 that incorporate a thumb snap.
Bianchi makes the 55L "Lightning" and it is a more stoutly-made bit of kit than the Desantis TBMS. Two problems with it, though. First, the holster does not cover the trigger guard (not a big deal for some, but I prefer it). Second, the belt tunnel/loop is made for a whisper-thin belt. I own several nice gun belts, 1.5" and 1.75" wide and single and double thickness. Only the thinnest 1.5" of them will work.
Model 55L Lightnin'(R) Belt Slide Holster - The Safariland Group
Aker makes the 137 Bodyguard and they claimed it will work for my SW638. It is a pancake design with thumb snap like the TBMS. I have not yet held one in my hands, though and can not compare it to the TBMS, other than to say the TBMS captures the back of the trigger guard, while the Aker 137 captures the hammer shroud.
137 Bodyguard Revolver Pancake Holster | Aker Leather
Before I sprang for yet another belt holster for my J-frames, I figured I might as well try to modify my DeSantis TBMS. It is unsuitable for purpose if it will not secure my SW638, so I had little to lose.
I did the following:
1. Determined how much play and found some black leather from another DeSantis holster that was suitable. (That DS holster never really worked well for me).
2. Cut a shim close to the dimension I thought appropriate to take up the slack inside/between strap and trigger guard.
3. Glued shim in place & let dry.
See results in images.
My much-carried SW638
DeSantis TBMS
SW638 Stuffed Into TBMS
Reverse of SW638 Stuffed Into TBMS
Closeup of SW638 stuffed all the way down into TBMS
SW638 pulled out to limit of vertical play in holster
Closeup of SW638 pulled out to limit of vertical play in holster
Vertical play between SW638 triger guard and thumb strap when SW638 stuffed down into TBMS
Welders, a great contact cement for little tasks
View 01 of leather shim glued on inside of strap
View 02 of leather shim glued on inside of strap
View 03 of leather shim glued on inside of strap
View 04 of leather shim glued on inside of strap with SW638 in holster
Yes, the shim was too wide. I would suggest to any that might try this to:
1. Make shim only slightly wider than trigger guard.
2. Use the worked-in crease near the snap as your guide/left limit.
Despite the imperfect width, I must declare the modification a success. The strap is now quite snug and it requires more force than I am willing to apply to rip my SW638 free from the holster.
Also, I suspect that other thumb snap holsters made for SW638 may benefit from this sort of modification. Most holsters that manufacturers declare fit the SW638 are a bit generic in that they are also supposed to work for the SW642 enclosed hammer J-frame. A bit of thickness of leather, cemented into the right spot inside the strap may snug up the strap for a more secure holster.
Hope this review & modification post helps or at least interests some of y'all.
SKU: 085BA02Z0
THUMB BREAK MINI SLIDE
Retail: $77
Commonly had for ~$45
========
I own several snub-nosed revolvers and holsters for them. Most times I tote a snubby, it is a J-frame in a pocket holster. But some times a proper OWB belt holster is the best mode of carry for the task. My most-carried J-frame is a SW638 with the main & return springs tuned for my preferred loads and a Crimson Trace laser grip. And the Plug. It is the carry gun I default to when I can't tote my SW1911s. Heck, I stuff it with hard cast wadcutters and it becomes my backup gun for hunting and/or sole woods carry gun at times. For such a task, a good OWB belt holster with thumb snap is called for and DeSantis makes one, the Thumb Break Mini Slide (TBMS)
Overall quality of the TBMS is good to very good with regard to execution, design is excellent, and fair to good with regard to materials. The leather is thinner than most custom & semi-custom holsters I have bought. I have several DeSantis holsters and none has ever outright broke, though they can become sloppy over time. Matter of fact, after about ten years, my TBMS has suffered that fate. It started off relatively snug and the thumb snap held my SW638 securely in the face of a determined wrenching. Not so much after ten years. A good wrenching on the butt can cause it to slip out from under the strap.
I started looking for a replacement and it turns out there are not many holsters for the SW638 that incorporate a thumb snap.
Bianchi makes the 55L "Lightning" and it is a more stoutly-made bit of kit than the Desantis TBMS. Two problems with it, though. First, the holster does not cover the trigger guard (not a big deal for some, but I prefer it). Second, the belt tunnel/loop is made for a whisper-thin belt. I own several nice gun belts, 1.5" and 1.75" wide and single and double thickness. Only the thinnest 1.5" of them will work.
Model 55L Lightnin'(R) Belt Slide Holster - The Safariland Group
Aker makes the 137 Bodyguard and they claimed it will work for my SW638. It is a pancake design with thumb snap like the TBMS. I have not yet held one in my hands, though and can not compare it to the TBMS, other than to say the TBMS captures the back of the trigger guard, while the Aker 137 captures the hammer shroud.
137 Bodyguard Revolver Pancake Holster | Aker Leather
Before I sprang for yet another belt holster for my J-frames, I figured I might as well try to modify my DeSantis TBMS. It is unsuitable for purpose if it will not secure my SW638, so I had little to lose.
I did the following:
1. Determined how much play and found some black leather from another DeSantis holster that was suitable. (That DS holster never really worked well for me).
2. Cut a shim close to the dimension I thought appropriate to take up the slack inside/between strap and trigger guard.
3. Glued shim in place & let dry.
See results in images.
My much-carried SW638
DeSantis TBMS
SW638 Stuffed Into TBMS
Reverse of SW638 Stuffed Into TBMS
Closeup of SW638 stuffed all the way down into TBMS
SW638 pulled out to limit of vertical play in holster
Closeup of SW638 pulled out to limit of vertical play in holster
Vertical play between SW638 triger guard and thumb strap when SW638 stuffed down into TBMS
Welders, a great contact cement for little tasks
View 01 of leather shim glued on inside of strap
View 02 of leather shim glued on inside of strap
View 03 of leather shim glued on inside of strap
View 04 of leather shim glued on inside of strap with SW638 in holster
Yes, the shim was too wide. I would suggest to any that might try this to:
1. Make shim only slightly wider than trigger guard.
2. Use the worked-in crease near the snap as your guide/left limit.
Despite the imperfect width, I must declare the modification a success. The strap is now quite snug and it requires more force than I am willing to apply to rip my SW638 free from the holster.
Also, I suspect that other thumb snap holsters made for SW638 may benefit from this sort of modification. Most holsters that manufacturers declare fit the SW638 are a bit generic in that they are also supposed to work for the SW642 enclosed hammer J-frame. A bit of thickness of leather, cemented into the right spot inside the strap may snug up the strap for a more secure holster.
Hope this review & modification post helps or at least interests some of y'all.
