Need a duty holster for an L-Frame

[Nightcrawler]

Hey folks, need some advice on this. Friend of mine asked me about good duty holsters for a security company he's a supervisor of. The guns are S&W Model 620 seven-shot .357s, but anything made for a 686 might work. It needs to have a thumb break or other positive retention device (no opened topped CCW gear) and work on a 2.25" duty belt. Black color; open to leather, cordura, or kydex. It should allow for one-handed reholstering as well.

Any suggestions? What's good, what should be avoided? 'Cause right now they're stuck with Galls catalog Pleather holsters, but they've gotten approval to upgrade.

Thanks everybody!

 

[Black Knight]

Do they use leather or nylon? Some companies to check are Safariland, Desantis, Don Hume, Stallion Leather, Uncle Mikes, Tex Shoemaker and Sons, Gould and Goodrich, and A.E. Nelson Leather. One of these should have what he is looking for. Tex Shoemaker and Don Hume were cops when they started their holster companies so they go way back. I would suggest Bianchi but they don't have much for law enforcement revolvers any more. I contacted Bianchi about a decent period holster for a 4" Colt Python made in 1978 and came up empty. I couldn't even get their version of a Border Patrol holster. Good luck most makers have chosen to ignore the revolvers and concentrate on the semi-autos. In all fairness though most agencies swithed to semi-autos long ago.

 

[W.E.G.]

Available for all size S&W revolvers
Level II retention rating
http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum2089.php

 

[W.E.G.]

The 620 would appear to be a K-frame according to this article.
Model 620 (seven shots) "replaces" the venerable model 66 (6 shots).

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/seven_102105/index1.html

 

[jato]

Bianchi Hurricane for my 686.

The 620 is a L frame like the 686.

 

[Jenrick]

Safariland makes a 070 for 686's, very good holster. It's what I used before I added a tac light to my duty weapon, very secure, smooth, and fast.

-Jenrick

 

[Jeff F]

I like the Bianchi gun leather myself, but some do not.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

The 620 would appear to be a K-frame according to this article.

Nope.

"To replace the venerable K-Frame Magnums, S&W wisely chose to use the seven-round L-Frame platform but with cosmetic changes that were guaranteed to appeal to fans of the discontinued models. Thus it is that with its four-inch, heavy barrel and fixed sights the Model 619 apes the appearance of the Model 65 while the Model 620's adjustable sights and underlug barrel are reminiscent of the Model 66. Readers should know that the Models 619 and 620 will fit most holsters designed for K- and L-Frame revolvers."

ECS

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Bianchi 7105 Cruiser Duty Holster
http://www.craigsfirearms.com/bia_am_7105.html

Don Hume H727 High Ride Duty Holster
http://www.gunnersalley.com/product/H727

Just two I found in a few minutes.

ECS

 

[Seven For Sure]

If he get's a molded holster, make sure it's for a 7 shot cylinder or it won't fit right or at all.