Holster for K-Frame 4" Barrel

[ZombiesAhead]

So I have passed this S&W Model 15 on to my Mother for home defense (she has been properly trained at the local indoor range). She's done a total 180 from super-liberal - being afraid to shoot my .22 rifle to looking forward to range-trips and supportive of RKBA issues. The pistol is 4" (?), .38 special using WWB +P HP rounds.

Can you guys recommend any nice leather holsters? I CCW and I know this is a really big pistol but I think I could conceal it in the winter. Is IWB possible with something like this or am I stuck with OWB? I would definately like something in leather to go with the classic 1959-era looks of the pistol.

I am looking for leather only, hopefully less than $100. If you guys think this gun can be concealed (I conceal a Glock 19) are there any IWB options for me and my mother to share? If not, OWB is fine for me and the moms at the range (and maybe CCW under a winter jacket). I've looked at several online leather-holster manufacturers but they don't seem to list applications for these older models.

1. Can you conceal a pistol this big IWB?
1a. If so, what kind of IWB (leather) holster do you recommend to be shared between a large (6'1", 175lb man) and a stout (5'9(?), 155lb(?) mother)
2. If this can't be concealed IWB, what leather OWB semi-concealable holsters do you recommend that could be shared by me and my mom.

Budget is hopefully around $100 +/-$40 - I would like to save money if possible.

THANKS

My mom loves this gun - WAY less intimidating (for her) than my CCW Glock 19 and is serving as a great Home Defense gun for a single, older woman without a man in the house.

-Alex

 

[lance22]

Well ...

I have a K-Frame but there is no way no how that I'd be able to conceal it. You can't hide an elephant. That said ...

Kydex is thinner than leather so your best bet is BearClaw Holsters, Comp-Tac, Dan Hilllsman, RM Kydex or something like that. Leather is more luxurious but you will need to cut every bit of extra material in order to minimize printing.

The barrel looks a little bigger than 4 inch and if so you will probably need a hi-ride or sorta hi-ride or the gun will push upwards when you sit down. You could go with shoulder carry but then you get the bra strap effect We could all have a few laughs here if one of the thunderwear / smart carry people chime in to get you to tuck that thing 'down south'

Might be easier to just go for a J-Frame Humor aside - best of luck and shoot safe!

 

[rcmodel]

In my experiance, Kydex will wear the bluing off much faster then a pig-skin lined leather holster. Especially after it gets grit & dust in it from normal use.

Try El Paso Saddlery for classic leather:

http://www.epsaddlery.com/

Nobody does it any better!


rcmodel

 

[dbarale]

PM sent.

 

[armoredman]

The Masters Leather that I find at The Marksman II in Tucson AZ, has a nice IWB rig for a 4 inch K frame that is well made, for $43. Yes, you can hide a 4" K frame, you just have to work a lttle harder. First - grips. You can't get round butt grips on a square butt frame, but Eagle Grips make a Secret Service Boot Grip for square butt K frames that drop the size down. Or, go with the Magnas, and add a Tyler t-grip adapter for controllability.
Don Hume listed a nice IWB for a 4" K, for under $30, but they never delivered my order.
Hope that helps - this is my other CCW sidearm. My boot grips are on order...

 

[Snubster]

I am able to conceal a 4" Model 19 in a Milt Sparks VM-2 (IWB). The key for me is a good belt and being willing to dress around the gun. I have it at 3:00.

I also have a pancake that works equally well but have to be more careful about raising my arms high. The pancake is more comfortable. Again, good belt and dressing around the gun is necessary. I believe my pancake is a Bianchi.

 

[Old Fuff]

One of our members, "robbt" sells original leather revolver holsters of many kinds from the 1950-70's era. Prices are very reasonable at around $30 to $50 plus shipping. Take a look at the following link:

http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?searchid=2942150

His stuff isn't some kind of copy or 21's century style stuff. It's the real thing.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a big fan of DeSantis and Don Hume holsters. They produce a quality product without a huge price tag. I carry my 4" Model 686 in a DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard and my 3" Ruger Police Service-Six in a DeSantis Speed Scabbard. They List for $62.50 but I bought both for $43 each from a local shop. Here is the link for the Thumb Break Scabbard and the link to the Speed Scabbard.

 

[armoredman]

Nice rig, ArchAngelCD!

 

[wcwhitey]

I have a Desantis holster for every gun I own, Speed Scabbords mostly but thumb break for my service weapon as that is required. Good Quality, good pricing and some well thought out designs. Bill

 

[ZombiesAhead]

Thanks for the help - so it looks like IWB is out of the question but that's just fine because I'm sure it would be a pain in the ass.

You've shown me some great options for OWB concealed carry - especially helpful because my mom prefers OWB to IWB. The DeSantis is especially appealing and the price is RIGHT.

I'm sure OWB could be practical in the winter with sweaters, sport-coats, etc, etc.

 

[BikerRN]

The only reason IWB is not possible is twofold, you have been listening to the wrong people and you haven't invested in a "GOOD" leather holster.

I wear Cargo Shorts, flip flops and a one size too large Polo Shirt and haven't been made yet. While we are at it, change the stocks to something like Eagle Secret Service Stocks, more concealable and your hands will thank you.

I'm 5'06" and 140 pounds soaking wet and I hide a 4" barrelled N-Frame Revolver daily as my Off-Duty EDC. Get ready to spend some money and call Milt Sparks for a Holster and Belt. Then wait six months for it to come in. When you order the Milt Sparks Belt and Holster also call Matt Del Fatti and order a Holster and Belt from him. Then wait two years.

You will be glad you did.

Biker

 

[bakert]

A K frame gun can be concealed pretty darned well with an IWB or pancake holster unless maybe you're a small framed person. Even some of the cheaper holsters work pretty good. And I for one think a 4" is just as easy to hide as a snubbie. The cylinder width is the most important factor, at least to me.

 

[Walkalong]

So I have passed this S&W Model 15

Must be my eyes. Is that a Model 15? Not that it matters to the question at hand.

 

[RandomMan]

I carry a 4" K-Frame IWB, I'm 5'6" 170 pounds, it conceals fine. The holster is a Rafter S IWB made out of cowhide and I got a fancy Ostrich leather mouthband and sweat guard. Works great with a THICK belt for carrying. I just ordered a OWB Rafter S for my 4" GP100 and I don't expect it to be anything less than top quality and concealable.

I would recommend the Rafter S products for concealment, they work great.

-Rob

 

[ZombiesAhead]

Sorry to revive this old thread but I never did buy an IWB holster. I think this gun will be better suited to open carry with an OWB leather holster.

from Walkalong

So I have passed this S&W Model 15

Must be my eyes. Is that a Model 15? Not that it matters to the question at hand.

[/QUOTE]

Hey Walkalong,
The revolver is currently in a friend's safe so I don't have access at the moment but I believe it said Model-15 inside when I flipped out the cylinder (moments before posting this many months ago). What makes you think otherwise?

Just curious as I don't want to mess up what OWB holster I am about to buy.

Also, I can't double-check the barrel length at the moment (again, I'm several hours away from the safe it's in) but that is a 4" barrel, right? I believe this was what I got when I measured; also I think the M15 only came in 2" and 4" and that's certainly not 4". Any thoughts?

BTW, I've put many rounds through the gun in the past months and single action I am so much more proficient than with my semi's!

Thanks all.

 

[Oro]

Yes, that's a 4" barrel. It's either a 15 or a pre-15 "Combat Masterpiece" - I used to have one of these. Any holster for a 4" K frame is going to fit it.

So your mom isn't using it as a HD weapon, or you are carrying it? Doesn't seem like it's going to do either a few hours away in a safe! Personally, I'd leave the gun in the safe and buy a 2" j frame or RB 2" model 10 to carry. Or if you want a stainless model to carry and not wear that one to pieces, I'll trade you an excellent early Model 67 (same gun in stainless steel) that I have. That is a nice looking early 15 or pre-15 in what appears excellent condition.

But if you are going to carry it, make sure most of your practice with it is DA, and not SA as you mentioned. DA is how you use a revolver defensively. SA is for playing at targets and hunting. Developing the correct DA pull takes practice (tip: dry firing helps a lot). Lastly, if you do carry it, take off those diamond magna grips and put them in the safe. Go to ebay or the accessories classifieds here and buy some PC magnas (rounded bottoms) that will "print" less through clothing (pc means "plain clothes" - they were designed for cops to conceal more readily), and perhaps a Tyler or Pachmayr grip adapter. That's about as minimal as you can make a SB K frame for concealed carry. Here's a Round butt 19 .357 I have set up with aftermarket fake ivory magnas and a Tyler adapter, if it helps you visualize what I mean.

 

[Black Knight]

A 4" K-frame is relatively easy to conceal. Check Bianchi's web site to see the many holsters they have for it. I have a 4" S&W model 10HB that is carried in an old model 7 Shadow from Bianchi. I also conceal a 4" S&W model 686 (L-frame) and a 4" Colt Python in another model 7 Shadow with ease. The S&W model 15 was a good revolver for police officers who were not allowed to carry the 19. In fact LAPD carried the 15 back in the 1970's.

 

[ShowMeState1977]

I carried my 4" Model 66 in a DeSantis holster like the one above today for the first time and it was very comfortable! It was a lot more comfortable than my XD9SC carried IWB.

 

[Ala Dan]

I'm a bit old fashioned, but I love real leather products as made by both,
Bianchi and Safariland back in the early 70's; so I'm gonn'a go out on a
limb, and recommend a nice leather OWB rig from one ot these quality
manufactuer's~!

 

[ZombiesAhead]

Thanks for the confirmation guys - Right now my mom's using a newer K-frame for HD. I realized how nice this was and relegated it more to the safe.

I'm sure I _could_ conceal it but I'd rather use my G19 for CC. I just like having a holster to go along with all our pistols for use at the range and potentially open carry. This is certainly not my main carry gun - I don't have enough DA practice for starters.

Right now I'm looking at Bianchi, Galco, and El Paso for nice leather OWB holsters. I'll take all of your other manufacturer recommendations into consideration as I carefully make this purchase.

 

[Oro]

If open carry is all you want, then this is the way to go. Cabela's sells a decent US Navy Pilot's Victory Holster for $38. Yes, it's a Chinese made import, damaging our economy. Or get a Vietnam surplus one cheaper on Ebay. Or order direct with more choices from Pacific Canvas and Leather. It also comes with a 12 or 13 shot ammo sleeve. I have one for my k-frame 4" guns and use it when I don't need to carry a .44. It's a great way to open carry - off the hip, well distributed, out of the way.

Here's a .44mag snubbie I carry that way, but in an El Paso "Tanker" rig.

 

[Sato Ord]

"Leather only" leaves out my first thought, which would be to make your own custom holster out of kydex.

Look around and be sure to ask your local gunsmith. Often they have stuff laying around somewhere they haven't thought about in a couple of years, and in this auto-loading world of ours a nice used leather holster for a revolver just might have fallen into that category.

Also, keep checking the local thrift shops. You never know what you might find. They often get the darndest things donated. I found a brand new fabric, tactical holster that fits my friend's Glock at a Humane Society thrift store: I paid three dollars for it. Remember, most of the time, thrift stores have no idea what they have or how much it is worth when it comes to things like this.

 

[fishdog52]

I second the motion to take a hard look at the stuff from Bianchi. They offer several good options for your situation. Unfortunately, they dropped their IWB for the 4" K. This was/is a truly great holster, their model #3 Pistol Pocket. Mine still gets 3 or 4 days of use every week.