Open carry holsters for pocket pistols
- Thread starter theCan
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smalls
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Kind of defeats the purpose of a pocket gun, doesn't it? Open carry is great for bigger, easier to control guns, because you don't have to dress around a big gun. Those small guns are pretty much useful for pockets, or as a BUG. If you're going to open carry, why not use a larger, easier to shoot gun? Just my $0.02.
JTQ
Member
While I generally agree with smalls point, and I think the "neener" emoticon was uncalled for, you may want to try El Paso Saddlery. They have a variety of "classic carry" holsters with retention straps.
http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-12-classic-carry.aspx
I would think the problem is going to be finding a retention strap holster, of any kind for a pocket pistol. Most of the top leather concealed carry makers are going away from retention straps as they feel their holsters provide enough retention without the strap. The concealed carry makers are the guys with molds for the pocket pistols. The western holster makers that do open carry with straps often don't make anything for pocket pistols.
You would probably want to find a maker that offers both a concealed carry and western line-up. Other options that have a concealed carry and a western lines are ...
Mernickle
http://www.mernickleholsters.com/index.htm
Kirkpatrick
http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/
Davis Leather
http://davisleathercompany.com/
http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-12-classic-carry.aspx
I would think the problem is going to be finding a retention strap holster, of any kind for a pocket pistol. Most of the top leather concealed carry makers are going away from retention straps as they feel their holsters provide enough retention without the strap. The concealed carry makers are the guys with molds for the pocket pistols. The western holster makers that do open carry with straps often don't make anything for pocket pistols.
You would probably want to find a maker that offers both a concealed carry and western line-up. Other options that have a concealed carry and a western lines are ...
Mernickle
http://www.mernickleholsters.com/index.htm
Kirkpatrick
http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/
Davis Leather
http://davisleathercompany.com/
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Ludasmith
Member
It'd be easier if you told us what kind of guns.
smalls
Member
While I didn't give you the information you were looking for/ wanted to hear, I do feel that I gave you a good opinion. You don't have any other guns for carry? If not, that's OK, but I'd seriously consider a more suitable carry weapon, especially since concealing isn't a worry.
smalls
Member
Nope, we open carry. That's why when I was looking for a 1911 for carry, I went with a commander length (way easier to grab/shoot) instead of officer's, because staying concealed isn't a major priority.
Well as much as I'd like to afford a 1911, I cant. I'll probably be getting a S&W 64 or maybe a 36 eventually, but I don't have $650 to swing right now. So I'm sticking with a cheapo pocket pistol for the time being. Not sure what its going to be yet, but I'm not ruling anything out. I've got a bid on a J22. LOL.
I feel like if I spent $400 on a used cheap 1911 I'd regret it. Where as if I win the bid, I get a gun with 2 mags AND a holster for $100. You cant beat that. Something is better than nothing for the time being.
The gun shop locally does have 2 of the older Charter Arms Bulldog .44 SPL that were popular back in the day for $269 each. Really smooth DA triggers. If I can talk them down a bit.....
I feel like if I spent $400 on a used cheap 1911 I'd regret it. Where as if I win the bid, I get a gun with 2 mags AND a holster for $100. You cant beat that. Something is better than nothing for the time being.
The gun shop locally does have 2 of the older Charter Arms Bulldog .44 SPL that were popular back in the day for $269 each. Really smooth DA triggers. If I can talk them down a bit.....
smalls
Member
I don't mean to sound argumentative, or like I'm trying to tell you what to do, but please do some research. The J22 is not a proper defensive weapon. If you want to stay with a pocket pistol, there are plenty of good, inexpensive guns. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg for a midsize gun, either. I own a S&W Sigma, and it ran me $300 brand new. Not all $400 1911's are garbage, either. RIA's, and other Fillipino 1911's are great bargains.
There are options, you just need to do some searching, shopping, and most importantly, researching.
There are options, you just need to do some searching, shopping, and most importantly, researching.
I don't know your definition of "good" but you can get some cheap nylon holsters from Academy that will work with a pocket gun. I think this one cost $9 or so and works fine. The pistol is a HP22 which is a relatively large pocket gun near the size of the Keltec PF9. I do not carry the HP22 for SD but it is in this holster in the truck.
You can probably find a nice selection of leather holsters that would work with many small semi's as well.
You can probably find a nice selection of leather holsters that would work with many small semi's as well.
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Mainsail
Member
You can get a Commander sized 1911 from Rock Island NEW for around $400.
The fancier model isn't much more either.
Image credit Summit Gunbroker
You can add little upgrades from time to time as you see fit. I have a very expensive Sig GSR 1911, but now I'm carrying this RIA instead.
The fancier model isn't much more either.
Image credit Summit Gunbroker
You can add little upgrades from time to time as you see fit. I have a very expensive Sig GSR 1911, but now I'm carrying this RIA instead.
mdauben
Member
Again, do you have a specific gun in mind? Every holster is not available for every gun, a properly made holster is fitted to a specific gun. For example, the Galco Fletch holster shown below, (although made for CC, has a thumb-snap retention which would make a reasonable choice for an OC holster), is available for the Walther PPK, but not the Sig P238.
Unless you are looking at generic, one-size-fits-all type holsters, which I don't generally recommend.
fasttheo
Member
What about a flap holster?
This isn't quite what you described, but I have a holster similar to this for my PPK, and whenever I do open carry (which isn't that often), I use it:
The flap is going to be a little more cumbersome than a straight retention strap, but with a little practice I've gotten pretty good at drawing/firing at the range, and it offers the added bonus of concealing the gun (although anyone who has ever seen a WWII movie will know what it is). Just a thought.
As an added bonus, you can get these pretty cheaply on ebay. A WWII era German holster will be pricey, but a lot of German police holsters or East German Mak holsters (which would fit your PPK/Bersa) can be had for not much money. The one I have is over 50 years old, and it's in great shape.
This isn't quite what you described, but I have a holster similar to this for my PPK, and whenever I do open carry (which isn't that often), I use it:
The flap is going to be a little more cumbersome than a straight retention strap, but with a little practice I've gotten pretty good at drawing/firing at the range, and it offers the added bonus of concealing the gun (although anyone who has ever seen a WWII movie will know what it is). Just a thought.
As an added bonus, you can get these pretty cheaply on ebay. A WWII era German holster will be pricey, but a lot of German police holsters or East German Mak holsters (which would fit your PPK/Bersa) can be had for not much money. The one I have is over 50 years old, and it's in great shape.
toivo
Member
Don Hume makes the little JIT holsters for a wide variety of guns:
http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=53
They fit very snug and don't really need a retention strap.
http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=53
They fit very snug and don't really need a retention strap.
robinkevin
Member
I use carried my P3AT in a Barsony leather holster when I had it. Still have the holster actually planning on selling it on Armslist when I get around to it. Anyhow they can be found for a little over $30 on their website or they also sell on ebay (where I bought mine). They are pretty well made holsters and can even get a little fancier ones with horse hair or snake skin.
http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Sourdough-Pancake™-.cfm?item_id=151&parent=669
You might consider calling Rob Leahy at Simply Rugged. While revolver holsters are his specialty, he does make holsters for autos. The Sourdough comes with a retention strap as an option. I have one for one of my revolvers. I dont know why a strap could not be added to any other holster (for autos) in his line.
You might consider calling Rob Leahy at Simply Rugged. While revolver holsters are his specialty, he does make holsters for autos. The Sourdough comes with a retention strap as an option. I have one for one of my revolvers. I dont know why a strap could not be added to any other holster (for autos) in his line.
Kanevex
Member
toivo has pointed out an excellent option for your needs.
I both conceal and open carry my Sig P238. Concealed is in a Crossbreed, and open carry in my Don Hume JIT Slide. It is, by far, my favorite holster. The craftsmanship is excellent, and it carries (an admittedly light gun) very easily. One thing I've also found is that due to its design, it works as a pocket holster in a pinch. I just love this holster.
I both conceal and open carry my Sig P238. Concealed is in a Crossbreed, and open carry in my Don Hume JIT Slide. It is, by far, my favorite holster. The craftsmanship is excellent, and it carries (an admittedly light gun) very easily. One thing I've also found is that due to its design, it works as a pocket holster in a pinch. I just love this holster.
rayban
Member
You open carry a pocket gun in Michigan you're sure to get laughed out of town.
Kanevex
Member
Glad I live in Alabama then, where you can carry any gun you want any way you want and not worry about pious firearm owners. 
JTQ
Member
I'm pretty sure you'll get laughed at by the folks in Alabama too. If you're carrying a gun, it's your responsibility to laugh too.
One sign I'll always remember from a gun store I used to frequent.
"You can have a gun, and you can have a temper, but you can't have both."
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