Holster for 3" Model 65 Smith

[Deanimator]

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding a concealment holster for a 3" S&W Model 65? I'm short and stocky in build if that's any help.

Thanks.

 

[jdmb03]

IWB or OWB?

I have a Fist kydex belt slide that works well. It rides high keeping the trigger guard above the belt line. Fist offers great products.

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/k1/K2.htm

 

[Deanimator]

IWB or OWB?

I have a Fist kydex belt slide that works well. It rides high keeping the trigger guard above the belt line. Fist offers great products.

I have no experience, and therefore no preference regarding type.

I saw something favorable about Fist holsters last night.

Thanks for the information.

 

[jdmb03]

In my opinion carrying a revolver OWB is more comfortable. But if I wanted to carry IWB I would get a Hoffners holster.

http://www.hoffners.com/min4a.jpg

 

[Deanimator]

In my opinion carrying a revolver OWB is more comfortable. But if I wanted to carry IWB I would get a Hoffners holster.

That looks like an interesting rig. Reasonable price too. Thanks for the information.

 

[defiant73a]

The CABO holster works very well for me (IWB) as does the EP Saddlery "Tortilla" (OWB). The CABO is the most comfortable and effective IWB I have ever tried.

 

[perpster]

Holster Links

The most comprehensive list of holster makers I've come across yet:

http://www.alumbankweb.com/cc-riglinks.htm

I recently ordered a Sourdough from Simply Rugged but won't have it for 4-6 weeks, so I can't comment on it yet.

 

[Huddog]

I did some research on holsters for a 4 inch Mdl 10 a while back and that is when I discoved Hoffners. I find the idea intriging bc the cylinder is not in the waist band. However, due to those old devil financial constraints and wife's birthday coming up I haven't been able to order one yet. I am also short and stocky (some would correctly say fat) so a cylinder inside the waist band is highly impractical for me at this time.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I don't know nothin' 'bout no concealed carry; however for a general all-around holster, I can recommend El Paso Saddlery highly.

Here a 3" S&W 547 (9 mm) in mine:



You can choose a hammer thong like mine, or a regular safety strap.

 

[ktd]

Any decent pancake type holster would work great. Revolvers will conceal surprisingly well with this type of holster. My preference is a thumbsnap leather holster. I have several different brands, they are all generally okay. If you wanna be picky, I recommend just spending the money and get it at a shop where you can try it out for fit. If you are not picky, just get a name brand like desantis or bianchi off a site like ebay or gunner's alley or cheaperthandirt. Don Hume is a good value holster.

 

[Black Knight]

Wish I knew of these others when I got my 65. The holster I finally found is a Desantis Viper paddle holster. Check it out. It is the only holster I have for my 65 right now. I need to find another. Thanks guys.

 

[reload4me2]

holster

Everybody has there favs.
Have always liked leather.
I use an OWB Alessi. Great fit, comfy, well made. Has a pull through style snap. Don't have a pic available now but if you are interested will take a few and PM to you. If you are short like I am - bear in mind that a high rise holster will make it difficult to clear leather due to your torso length and shoulder biomechanics.

 

[Deanimator]

The most comprehensive list of holster makers I've come across yet:

http://www.alumbankweb.com/cc-riglinks.htm

That looks very useful.

Thanks.

 

[Deanimator]

I don't know nothin' 'bout no concealed carry; however for a general all-around holster, I can recommend El Paso Saddlery highly.

I could be mistaken, but isn't that exact model in Jordan's "No Second Place Winner"? Not exactly a trivial recommendation...

 

[Deanimator]

The holster I finally found is a Desantis Viper paddle holster.

Thanks.

 

[armedcitizen]

One word: Kramer!

If you want something quick, check out item 160037198567 right now on ebay. It's a pretty nice looking Galco for a 3" k frame.

 

[pete f]

Galco, Bianchi, Haugen, DeSantis, Rosen, Hume, and many others make K frame holsters. Just have to look around, Google 3 inch K frame holsters.

 

[stealthgoat]

Sparks SS II

For IWB a Milt Sparks Summer Special II has worked well for full size 1911's.
I just got one for my M13 3", and seems to work very well too.

 

[Trebor]

I carry a 3" M 65 in an Alessi Talon cip-on IWB holster. Very comfortable and conceals very well.

I also like the Milt Sparks Versa Max II. I don't have one for the 65, but I do like it for the guns I use it with.

 

[s&w 24]

bianchi pistol pocket. Nice IWB rig thats adjustable for cant. The other holster I used alot was an old upside-down bianchi sholder rig. If you can handle having a gun pionted at your armpit it hides a gun great under a light cover garment.

 

[Hutch]

I love my Don Hume "Double Nine". Spreads the weight on the belt to minimize the sag. Many out there like it, btw. The folks at www.gunnersalley.com will make you a good deal on one.

 

[ktd]

Just gonna shotgun comments on stuff.

Blackknight: it sounds like you do not like the Viper? (a little hard to tell if you do or not) what was wrong with it?

S&W24: The upside down holster is the 9R, and is not made for 3 inch guns. Also, it requires the old skinny grips because the holster clamps down behind the triggerguard.

Deanimator: Bill Jordan's holsters were good for the time, but not very retentive for a ccw rig. Though he was so friggen tall I doubt anyone could reach his revolver up on his hip! But I think the El Paso holster pictured is a Tom Threeperson's style, another well known old time lawman. If I remember, a Jordan holster is a drop rig with a swiveled snap so that you could snap it over the hammer or over the front of the holster. Yeah, I am a hoslter junkie.

Actually, have you given thoughts on how to carry spare ammo? To me that takes more effort than picking a decent holster style. It took me quite a while to figurej out stuff that works for me.

k

 

[Deanimator]

Deanimator: Bill Jordan's holsters were good for the time, but not very retentive for a ccw rig. Though he was so friggen tall I doubt anyone could reach his revolver up on his hip! But I think the El Paso holster pictured is a Tom Threeperson's style, another well known old time lawman. If I remember, a Jordan holster is a drop rig with a swiveled snap so that you could snap it over the hammer or over the front of the holster. Yeah, I am a hoslter junkie.

I wasn't referring to the Jordan holster, but to the Threepersons style pictured [among others] in the book.

I have several K-frame speedloaders, but I'm thinking of getting some Speedstrips as well, since they carry better.

 

[ktd]

I often use the speedstrips too. I figure if I am carrying a revolver I obviously do not care about firepower, and the speedloader is somewhat bulky since they are carried right at belt level typically. I have found a nylon large pager case at the gunshow that works great for strips, I put two in, with one facing forward and the other backwards, overlapping. I just recently found a little paddle rig designed to carry two small cell phones each in their own flap pouch. And in each pouch I put two strips for 24 rounds. That is my new "firepower" rig.

 

[Black Knight]

ktd:

Nothing is wrong with it. It is the only holster I have for it. It took me almost 4 months to find a good holster for the 65. The first one I found was from Ted Blocker. It was the worst thing I have ever seen. The holster was cross draw instead of FBI tilt and the thumb strap was off by a serious amount. There was no way to stretch it enough to fit. I got the Desantis Viper in little more than no time when I ordered it. I recommend it to anyone whole heartedly. The only thing that I would change on it is the rear sight guard. The way it sticks out it catches on a pocket in one jacket I have other than that it is perfect.