Looking for Conceal Holsters

[4Freedom]

Hi, I am looking for the best type of holster for a reasonable price. I was hoping to spend under $60 for each of my holsters and heard a company called Galco had a few in the $20 or $30 range.

I am looking for the following type of holsters:
1. Pocket HOlster for my S&W 442 J-Frame. I want a holster that will not imprint the gun.

2. In the waistband or Over the waistband Holster for Sig P229 Elite. This will be the piece I will be carrying mostly, both in Summer and Winter, so I need to be clever here.

3. Side Holdster or Shoulder Holster for S&W M&P 45 Full size.

In the state where I live, if anyone sees your firearm you can be arrested and charged with a felony, for branishing a firearm. So I have to be really carefully what I carry and how I do it, especially in the summer months. Also, I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on custom made holsters, etc. I am on a real budget, but I don't want a holster that will fall apart either. So, I would be interested to hear what opinions people have and if they know any decent brands for a decent price and where to get them. Most stores where I live only carry glock holsters, so I suppose I will need to order them online.

 

[geronimo509]

i really like the highnoon's bare asset! I have one for my kimber, para, and the kahr. I usually pocket carry the Kahr, but i figured you never know so I got it becuase they are cheap. They seem to be well made, have had them for about 6 months now and they are great. it has a 15 degree cant, but they do have a no cant version of it.

 

[Dorkfish]

The highnoon's a good suggestion.

Blackhawk makes an in-the-pocket that's reasonable.

IWB: www.crossbreedholsters.com (I have 1 for Baby Eagle .45 and 1 for XD9SC) Supertuck is great, but I also like the Quickclip. Have yet to try the S.O.B.
Galco, but get one with leather j-clips or j-style leather loops.

Side holster, there's no comparison to the Serpa level II (personal carry) or Level III (for duty carry) by Blackhawk. They make this in belt, paddle, belt and paddle combo, and tac thigh rigs. I've personally tried several holsters that are kydex, injection molded plastic, and others. The Blackhawk Serpa has release mechanisms that are in ergonomic positions to make them natural for shooter release.

Why the Serpa in my opinion? The Fobus stuff sat too far away from the body and I couldn't conceal it well under a jacket at all. The 5.11 holsters were still just a tad too big or bulky for me. The Serpa had the right features and right sizing to help me conceal if I wanted to as well as draw for reactive shooting without hang ups (rapid draw).

 

[4Freedom]

Thanks.. I will be investigating them. So, are Galco holsters garbage? I know they are cheap, but I see they have some higher models. I am really confused on the whole holster thing. Well, it sucks that all our local stores don't carry holsters for my guns, so I cannot try them on. Theere is a local holster guy who makes custom holsters, but it will probably cost me like $500 for one holster and I will have to wait like 3 months before I can get it, NO THANKS.

 

[bps3040]

I use a Mika pocket holster for my 642. Works great...and about $20. I use a Crossbreed Supertuck for my XD. One of my Mika's with 642, One with it in pocket

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I am trying to use a big "Uncle Mike's Holster for my gun,

I find I have to up a size or two to hide the "Printed outline" of my weapon.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Mika makes a simple but 100% functional pocket holster.

 

[EMT40SW]

Fist holsters are quality gear for a fair price, especially thier combos:
http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/Default.htm

 

[model67a]

deep concealment

http://www.activeprogear.com/holsters.html

 

[trayzor]

1. Pocket HOlster for my S&W 442 J-Frame.
Ans: Mika, High Noon, etc.

2. In the waistband or Over the waistband Holster for Sig P229 Elite.
Ans: AKJ, Alessi, Crossbreed, Del Fatti, DeSantis, Desbiens, Dillon, Don Hume, Fist, Galco, H.B.E., High Noon, Kramer, Milt Sparks, Rosen, Tucker, UBG, etc.

3. Side Holdster or Shoulder Holster for S&W M&P 45 Full size.
Ans: See item 2 above. Many have these. Kramer, Tucker, UBG

Questions to you - What are you willing to spend, and how long do you want to wait? Custom holsters take longer and cost more. I just ordered a holster for my S&W 686-6 Stainless from Tucker Gun Leather with special stamping on the holster. Current wait is 9 months.

 

[Bald Eagle]

I have a High Noon IWB and it is not bad.

However, I have really come to prefer my elastic belly band. I got it through The Sportsman's Guide. It comes set up for left and right side gun holders. These are 'generic' pockets, they'll accept most any auto or revovler. I had my wife (good with a sewing machine) move one of the holders to the back and turned the other gun holder into a spare magazine holder. I also had her put some extra stitching in so the gun rides the way I want it. Now I can put it on with the gun in the small (or off to the side a bit) of my back. You can adjust it side to side and up and down to find the most comfortable fit. Nothing shows outside my pants and nothing is hanging on my pants or belt. Also, I think it is more concealed becase the elastic pulls the gun into my body rather than being pushed out against my belt and pants like standard IWB holsters do. This belt also makes it alot easier to tuck in a shirt. It is cheap to try out. Mine was the 4" belt and was $21.45 including shipping and insurance.

 

[BikerRN]

Mika makes a simple but 100% functional pocket holster.

He also makes a simple, yet fully functional IWB Holster, and that's what I'd recommend if you absolutely can't let anyone see your weapon.

OWB is nice for the Range, but for concealed carry I prefer IWB unless there are physical reasons to not do so.

BikerRN