Qualities of a good pocket holster?

[Aux]

I have a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for an Airweight J-Frame. It seems to hold the gun in the right position, but my concern is how easy the gun slips in an out of the holster - almost too easy. I do understand that a pocket holster cannot have the type of retention that belt mounted holster have.

Given my observation, what makes for a good pocket holster? They come in a range of prices (like everything else), but all basically do the same thing. Any suggestions on what makes/models are considered the better designs?

 

[Compliantguy]

I believe that a good pocket holster should:
1. Eliminate/reduce gun "printing".
2. Keep the gun in a vertical position.
3. Be lightweight and not bulky.
4. Have just enough retention to keep the gun in place, but allow the gun to be unholstered while keeping the holster in your pocket after you draw the gun.

With all of that said, I recently ordered the Milt Sparks Pocket Concealment Holster for my S&W 340PD. Milt Sparks PCH-R

 

[azrael]

AHHHH finally a subject that I know a little bit about....

A good pocket holster should as Complaintguy said...

1. Eliminate/reduce gun "printing".
2. Keep the gun in a vertical position.
3. Be lightweight and not bulky.
4. Have just enough retention to keep the gun in place, but allow the gun to be unholstered while keeping the holster in your pocket after you draw the gun.


Could not have said it any better myself.

For small frame revolvers I like the one made by wildbillsconcealment.com

Price can run you anywhere from $15.00 for a synthetic to $85.00 for a horsehide one made by a "name" outfit....waiting time is also something to think about..

just my .02 cents

 

[Compliantguy]

That is true... waiting time is something that you'll have to deal with if you order a custom holster. For instance, when I ordered my Milt Sparks holster last week, I was told it would take from 8-12 weeks! And, typically you will pay a premium price for a custom holster. I've owned some custom made holsters, and in the end, it has always been worth the wait and price for a great quality product.

 

[azrael]

8-10 weeks for a Milt Sparks?? Yup thats about right...and yea they are worth the wait...

Wild Bill's Concealment's wait is about the same and worth the wait...

For a small airweight revolver I still like Wild Bill's better...No I do not work for him...he IS from the same state as I am (NC)

Another custom maker that might be of interest is Ron Graham...is wait is about 8 weeks and his reputation is top notch...grahamholsters.com

Let's see...Ahhh...another one that is nice is RJ Hedley...hedleyholsters.com

 

[DDGator]

I agree with the qualities for a pocket holster stated above -- but I will add one-- the holster must cover and protect the trigger.

My company makes pocket holsters for S&W j-frames. I carry my 342 in one all the time.

You can check out our stuff at: www.kdholsters.com

Time from order to delivery is usually a week, but always less than 10 days. Pretty fast considering each holster is made for a customer -- not just mailed from stock.

I should add that we have a money-back guarantee too. We pride ourselves on 100% customer satisfaction.


Duane
[email protected]

 

[Old Fuff]

I have been using one of DDGator's holster that I won in a contest on this forum. It has proved to be very satisfactory -- even when used with an all-steel Taurus .38 snub. Steel revolvers are heavy, but this one doesn't print at all when carried in a pair of medium-weight slacks. A heavy gun represents an acid test for a pocket holster, but when it works (and this one does) you have the advantage of a much better weapon then one of the lightweight kind.

Pocket carry requires some care in picking out one's pants. You want deep side pockets made out of substantial material, and I suppose people give me strange looks when I walk around a store picking up pants and checking out the pockets .. but so be it.

A pocket holster doesn't need to retain the gun, that's done by the pocket itself. You want the gun to slip out when drawn and leave the holster behind. The purpose of the holster is to keep the gun in position. Otherwise it may move around and end up butt-down and muzzle-up.