S&W 642 OWB CC holster suggestions

[MJD]

I'm interested in buying an OWB CC holster for my 642. I already pocket carry it in a Mika pocket holster, but there are times that it seems to be more convenient to have it on my belt. I generally dislike IWB carry, hence the OWB preference.

There's quite an array of holsters out there. The Simply Rugged Silver Dollar, Galco Combat Master, and Bianchi 58 look to be well regarded, as well as others from the various custom holster makers.

This holster would primarily be worn under an untucked t-shirt/polo in the summer and a fleece vest in the winter; I would like it to be pretty tight to the body. I'd like to go at or below $60; what would be a good J-frame holster to meet those criteria?

 

[lowercase]

I occasionally carry my 642 OWB in a Don Hume JIT Slide.

A minimalist holster that only cost me about 25 bucks and works great for the 642. In fact, they still go for $25 and free shipping on eBay.

It's such a light combo of gun and holster that I can wear it with just an ordinary belt vs my much thicker gun belt.

 

[Striker]

I like the Hume JIT, but they seem to be scarce right now.
http://classic.gunauction.com/buy/8198996/

I also like the Blackhawk take on the Berns Martin.
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Speed-Classic-Leather-Concealment-SW-J-Frame,809,1418.htm

Both are great fo an airweight J-frame and within your price range.
As always, YMMV.

 

[burrhead]

I have a Lobo Leather pancake for my S&W m638 I like very much. Well made and holds the weapon in nice and tight. $49.00 shipped.

http://www.lobogunleather.com/

 

[MJD]

Thanks for the feedback. The JIT by Hume looks useful--how high would you say the holster rides?

 

[lowercase]

Thanks for the feedback. The JIT by Hume looks useful--how high would you say the holster rides?

While not specifically a "high ride" holster, the JIT does ride high on the beltline simply due to its design. As shown in the pictures, virtually the entire holster rides at or above the beltline. The 642 doesn't protrude much below the holster due to its small size.

For a large, heavy gun, I would go for a traditional "pancake" design because the tiny JIT slide would have trouble pulling the gun in as close as a pancake holster. However, the JIT works like a champ for something small and light like a 642. With this rig, my 642 disappears under a simple button-up shirt (untucked) and is so light that I forget that it is there. I wear it at 4:30 and typically center it over the belt loop at that location.

As mentioned above, the JIT Slide holsters are kinda scarce right now. I guess they're decently popular. I just tried to find one for my Charter Mag Pug which fits the one for a Ruger SP101 and Colt Detective Special and there were none to be found. I ended up ordering one from Gould & Goodrich off of Amazon.com. Don't know how they stack up to the Don Hume, but they look like the same design. I'll find out when it arrives. From the pictures, I think the Hume holster looks better.

Here's a link to the G&G holster:
http://www.amazon.com/Goodrich-B891-62-Concealment-Holster-Revolver/dp/B004WB5XGO/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1341614500&sr=1-5&keywords=gould+and+goodrich+b891

 

[MJD]

That's a great help, lowercase, thanks for the picture reference.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

I have a LOBO and highly recommend them http://lobogunleather.com/

Also, Mika makes an IWB style holster that could easily be reversed and worn OWB.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

American Pride Leather pancake...about 30 bucks.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There are a few I like and can recommend. You might want to give the El Paso Saddlery Street Combat Holster #88 a good look. I also like the Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake and I like the DeSantis Mini Scabbard.

The El Paso Street Combat holster is a very good and comfortable holster and that would be my first choice for a J frame strong side belt holster.

 

[skt239]

I carry my snub OWB most of the time in a leather pancake holster. I, like you, don't like IWB and find carrying on the hip far more comfortable.

You might want to check out Rick Garcia Leather. He's quick, great to deal with and makes a quality product that's reasonably priced.

Here is the holster, belt and pouch he made for me...





The holster was $45 dollars shipped and took about 7 days.

 

[FLRon]

Milt Sparks PMK works great for me. Great quality and functionality. It's a few dollars more than what you mention ($95) but you get what you pay for.

 

[lowercase]

That Milt Sparks holster looks awesome.

 

[lowercase]

I carry my snub OWB most of the time in a leather pancake holster. I, like you, don't like IWB and find carrying on the hip far more comfortable.

You might want to check out Rick Garcia Leather. He's quick, great to deal with and makes a quality product that's reasonably priced.

Here is the holster, belt and pouch he made for me...





The holster was $45 dollars shipped and took about 7 days.

Thanks for posting those pics.

I like the look of that pancake holster and will probably order one for my Mag Pug.

 

[skt239]

No problem, lowercase. Here's his contact info...

http://www.rgleather.freehomepage.com/contact.html

Email is the best way to contact him and he replies quickly.

 

[MJD]

Fellas, you guys have made some convincing arguments and the holster pictures look like fine pieces of work. Thanks for all the feedback.