J-frame concealed carry questions

[TimeIsRunninOut]

I had a S&W 442 about a year ago, and am purchasing a 642 in mid March. My questions are do wood grips help keep shirts from creeping up? I used to have a kydex holster for 4:00 carry IWB (not so good comfort wise), is it better to use leather for a J-frame? I'm interested in appendix 2:00 to 4:00, would it be better for canted or straight? IWB or OWB? Pictures would be a great addition if you have any.

 

[cz85cmbt]

I like comtac iwb, mine is a hybrid model, leather is against you while kydex keeps it shape for easy holstering but their j frame holsters are all kydex. You should call them and see if they can't do something for you. They are great to work with they might be able to adapt their kydex j frame shell to a leather backing. I use the spartan on my cz85.
http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog.php?cPath=28

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My questions are do wood grips help keep shirts from creeping up?

IMO the answer to that question is YES. Wooden grips won't grab the fabric and hold on to it.

I prefer to pocket carry my J frames but I do carry on my belt on occasion. I don't care much for IWB holsters because I don't like the feel but they can be the best choice for many. (just not me) I like this Don Hume holster for the belt. It works well and doesn't cost a ton on money. Also, The Silver Dollar Pancake from Simply Rigged is a great holster. It's comfortable for all day use as are all their products.

 

[ChristopherG]

The most comfortable carry there is, in my experience, is a J-frame in a leather pancake holster. It's short, so it's easy to conceal an OWB holster (and it will be easier when you get some wood grips. The very best there are, made especially for Centennials, are Craig Spegel's available from lightningarms.com; but any smooth wood grip will get you from here to concealed better than rubber). The most comfortable of the pancakes I've used is this little-known guy:

http://www.gun-holsters.com/holsters.html

No flash or razmataz, but a flat out well made, durable, comfortable and concealable holster. When I carry a J it's either in a pocket or in one of those.

 

[heeler]

Thanks for the link ChristopherG.
Just bought an older S&W M37 Airweight and have been researching various holsters for it.
Those holsters look nice and better yet are priced right.

 

[TimeIsRunninOut]

I found some smooth wood grips at midway for 55.00 and does anyone have experience with the Don Hume JIT holster? It looks like a steal at just under 20 bucks

 

[OldMac]

I have several Don Hume's. The quality is superb and the price was great too. I watch their overstocks and clearance for deals. Sometimes you get lucky and other times you compromise. I found a perfect fit for my 638 in brown. I wanted black but at that price it could be green.

 

[myusername01]

I have a Don Hume clip on IWB holster for my J frame:

http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_5&products_id=35

They're not too expensive at $30 and they are well made and comfortable to wear.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

I found some smooth wood grips at midway for 55.00 and does anyone have experience with the Don Hume JIT holster? It looks like a steal at just under 20 bucks

I use the Don Hume JIT slide on my 511 belt. I'm left handed and really like it as long as I can wear a shirt that doesn't tuck in.

For carrying tucked, I've made my own hybrid (Kydex/Leather) IWB that looks somewhat like the Crossbreed "Super tuck". It's extremely comfortable at the 7:00 position (remember I'm a lefty) and I can tuck my shirt in over it. Smooth wood grips (home made) for my Charter "Undercover" keep it concealed.

 

[savit260]

I found some smooth wood grips at midway for 55.00 and does anyone have experience with the Don Hume JIT holster? It looks like a steal at just under 20 bucks

The JIT is a nice holster, but I can't imagine it being usefull as a CCW holster in just a T-Shirt. It just doesn't pull the gun close enough to your body IMO to be usefull without a jacket.

The Don Hume 721 might be a better choice. The listing says "automatics" but there are a bunch of Revolvers listed undere "Fit Code"

http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_5&products_id=44

 

[ChristopherG]

The JIT is a nice holster, but I can't imagine it being usefull as a CCW holster in just a T-Shirt. It just doesn't pull the gun close enough to your body IMO to be usefull without a jacket.

Right; it's half a pancake. Nothing to hold the front of the gun against the body.

 

[Guillermo]

in my experience wooden grips are less likely to "ride up" a shirt...but it can still happen.

 

[ms6852]

I prefere the rubber grips than I wrap them with rubber bands, I than use a cheap foam pocket holster that I use in side the belt either on my side or small of the back, or in a cross draw on the front of the pants.. The rubber grips wrapped in rubber bands along with the foam pocket holster keeps the pistol in place and will not fall out or into my pants. When I practice quick draws in all positions the pistol comes out every time and the holster stays in place.

 

[NMGonzo]

^^ we have the same holster

 

[dairycreek]

From the OP.

I'm interested in appendix 2:00 to 4:00, would it be better for canted or straight? IWB or OWB? Pictures would be a great addition if you have any.

The pic is of a Comp-tac 2 O'Clock Carry which is their version of a dedicated appendix carry holster and, from personal experience, it works exceedingly well for that purpose.

My revolver is a Ruger Sp-101 which is definitely in the J-frame "ball park" and would work very well with the 642. Great CCW combo.

I wear mine IWB with no cant and, for me, that is the perfect position. Easy to conceal and equally easy to draw and present rapidly.

 

[TimeIsRunninOut]

Has anyone had any experience with RKBA holsters? He's got some really nice looking pocket holsters and a custom low ride IWB. How much clearance should the grip have from the belt to make fast presentation? I have a M-tac for my Glock 19, cz85 and agree its a nice holster. I had a C-tac for a 442 and it was not so comfortable, the supertuck sounds like a good option. I have been looking around a lot at different holsters mainly for IWB, but do like the OWB holsters that have been recommended too.

 

[Iggy]

Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake.

Best bang for the buck.


http://www.simplyrugged.com/store/index.html

 

[ir3e971]

+1 to The Don Hume holster myusername01 mentioned.

I use it constantly, closely followed by a sleeve for in the pocket.

Great buy, and a great product.

 

[Paints]

The perceived recoil is a lot higher with wood grips.

My wife's LadySmith .38 special with the pretty wood grips has more "kick" than my .357 Taurus with Hogue rubber grips.

I haven't noticed my shirt riding up on the grips although I guess it could happen. But then it could happen with wood grips too. It depends on the shirt and the holster.

 

[NMGonzo]

Belly band.

Deep conceal and practice.

Is not THAT much slower to draw from it.

 

[John Wayne]

Checkered wood or hard rubber grips do not cling to fabric as much as the soft rubber (i.e., Hogue) type grips, but the checkering still lets you get a decent grip on the gun.

If you already have a J-frame and the next one is going to be strictly for IWB carry, I'd rather have a 3" barrel (you get a full length ejector rod). On that note, I'd also rather have a K-frame to get an extra round, better grip, and better trigger.

 

[Paints]

I definitely agree with the 3" barrel for CCW, although they can be harder to find holsters for. I have a 3" Taurus 605 on my hip at the moment.

 

[7an]

642/442 in OWB Blackhawk leather holster:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Speed-Classic-Leather-Concealment-SW-J-Frame,809,1418.htm

Pulls the gun close to your body, provides good retention and has a nice cant. Very comfortable; the J-frame simply disappears. Easy one-handed reholstering.

Put Crimson Trace laser grips on it and you're done.

 

[DAdams]

642/442 in OWB Blackhawk leather holster:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Spe...e,809,1418.htm

Good choice for OWB. Mika Roundcut for pocket carry.

 

[friscolatchi]

I hate to disagree with the OWB Blackhawk but... I don't recommend it (the speed classic) as I have had retention problems with it. If you are active with the holster, ie lots of bending, kneeling and twisting, the revolver creeps out. It's a beautiful holster but I can't use it as I don't trust it. I dropped my M&P 340 into a stream when out in the bush one day. I gave the holster another chance 2 weeks ago when working around the property and noted that the gun was ready to fall out.

The Mica is the best bet for pocket carry. The gun exits the holster like butter. My Nemesis has a lower in pocket profile but sticks to the gun, so when it's drawn the gun and holster exits the pocket. I have to flip the holster away from the gun when training a draw from the pocket. I don't see a reason for IWB carry for anything less then 3".

Hope this helps.