The best Concealable rigs for the 3" K-frame

[S_O_Laban]

The title says it all. Those who carry a 3" k-frame, what rig are you using and why?

Below is a review of my current carry rig, (seen here ) I posted in response to a question by another board member at MOcarry.com.


I've had Hoffner's ITP Mirage for the 3 and 4" K frame revolvers since the begining of this year. I used it to carry both a 4" square butt and 3" round butt model 65 K-frames.

Several thoughts:

Excellent price/personal service. They delivered what they said they would when they said they would.

It's sweat proof.

Easy reholstering as it will not colapse.

It's very light weight and adjusts to several different belt sizes. It does have an adjustable tenson screw allowing you to set the level of retention you feel comfortable with, but put locktite on it when you decide where you want it. Without the locktite the screw will work loose in a day's worth of carry.

I found that it was important to wear it with a wide belt for increased support. (see my comment below about the straps)

It took me a couple of days to find the "sweet spot" on where to wear it.

It does ride the gun up high, which does cause printing when you bend over to pick something up. It does allow for a quick draw though. I've also been able to use the same size jeans with this holster because it does ride the cylinder of the gun above the belt line. YMMV in this area though.

I'm fairly big in the middle (6' and 250lbs) and while it does work for me I suspect those with a more hourglass shape will find it works even better as it does a good job of holding the gun into your side.

Overall I'm happy but I can see room for improvment. If possible I would like to see a more secure way to attach it to the belt, I feel the loops are too close together to provide the rock solid feel I would like. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it a 8 It's what I currently carry in, allthough I plan on trying some top end leather rigs as soon as the budget becomes available.

 

[Trebor]

M 65 3" in an Alessi Talon IWB clip on carried in the "appendix carry" position. Very comfortable and concealable. Doesn't reholster easily, but I'm not as concerned about that.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Wow I feel lonely..... am I one of the apparently very few actually packing a K-frame???

 

[Sparky]

Actually...no you're not.
I swap between a Model 65 3 inch and a Kimber compact 45.
I carry the 65 in a holster made by Kenneth campbell called a Bama Special.
Great holster for me. I don't care for IWB holsters . So I generally wear a vest for cover up. Anyway, I really like the 3 inch Smith's and am thinking about a 3 inch ruger GP 100 just to try out.

 

[Hutch]

Sparky's Bama Special looks almost identical to my Don Hume "Double Nine". Mine seems to be made of somewhat thinner stock, but it's a joy to tote any of the 3" K-frames. A fine piece of kit.

 

[Coronach]

Laban-

You could also do what I did to my Hoffner's Mirage. Take it out (empty) and lay it on a table. Note how the two belt loops are both close together and one is over the cylinder swell. Note also how you can remove the hardware for the loops, and they both come right out. Now, note that the only thing done to the holster to make the loops attach is the drilling of a hole through the kydex. Observe how there are plenty of other places for you to drill holes in the kydex, which will enable you to adjust height of carry and cant, and also will let you reduce the thickness of the holster by getting that thick loop off of the top of the cylinder swell. As a bonus, this will also allow for better stability, because two loops far apart are more stable than two loops close together.

Now. You own a drill, right?

Best of all, if you don't like it, you can always just put the loops back in the old position. Just make sure that don't position the new holes someplace where the revo will rub up against the metal backing during the drawstroke.

Mike

 

[xring]

Mdl. 13 and 65 in an AKJ Concealco. IWB and very comfortable. I have a couple of his holsters. Quality and comfort is unrivaled even by a Sparks holster I have. Anyone looking for qualty at a great price is doing themselves a disservice by not checking them out. I'm going to order one for my 3" GP's.
http://www.concealco.com/

Randy

 

[powertoast]

On the rare occassions when I carry one, its in a blade-tech kydex IWB holster. Its thin, light, rigid, and works well. Nothing to complain about.

best regards

 

[S_O_Laban]

Well... I'm feeling better already. Many thanks for the replies, this is the kind of info I'm looking for.


Coronach: Based on something I saw over at the S&W forum I have been planning on trying a "few things" to it my self. I feel like the basic holster is great but as I said in my review, feel like the design needs tweaking in the attatchment dept...... yes.... I have a drill

 

[4thHorseman]

The 3" model 65 is IMHO is the finist Combat/Concealed carry revolver ever made. The problem is finding a holster for one.
Aker Leather's make a fine holster for them. You can call them and talk to them and they will make you one to your liking.
They do NOT charge more for making a 3" than any other of there holster models.
I had mine made for me. Same low price as the other ones listed.
Browse there site and give them a call. It will take three weeks if they have to make you one.

http://www.akerleather.com/

 

[farscott]

My wife carries her M65-5 LS in a Sparks VM-2 with the clips. I personally like the same holster for my three-inch M64-5 with the regular belt loops. Having the belt loops offset from the cylinder helps to keep the whole package trim.

 

[Bulldozer]

There's plenty of good leather out there for 3" K-frames.

I personally rotate between a Hume M715-SOOT IWB, Wild Bills Summer Heat IWB, and my favorite, a custom Del Fatti ISP-4 modified to allow for FBI (+15 degree) strong side or crossdraw (-5 degree) carry.

Bell Charter Oak Holsters makes several good designs for 3" snubbies. Alessi's OWB Speed Scabbards are good designs, but I do not like OWB for the increased risk of "peaking." Hoffners has a decent kydex model, but I don't cotton to plasticware on an all-metal gun.

Kramer also makes very nice stuff.

 

[CAS700850]

Technically, it's a 2.5 inch K-frame (Model 19), but I carry it on occassion, in a Bianchi Hawk shoulder holster. Hides well under about any jacket.

 

[Golddog]

3" K holster

I carry a 3" 66 in the most comfortable IWB of them all - the Tucker Texas Heritage. The leather is thin and soft and the plastic belt loops are widely spaced to distribute the weight of the revolver. Those clips seem to be unbreakable and they don't come loose when drawing, yet they're the easiest clips I've encountered for putting the holster on the belt or taking it off. Mine does not not have the reinforced mouth for easy reholstering, a feature I usually prefer, but I'm reluctant to tamper with the comfortable thinness of the rig.

It's also tuckable, so you can fit the shirt tail around the gun butt for total concealment.

The Tucker has put all my other holsters in retirement, since it's even more comfortable than any OWB I've worn.

Second place goes to the Milt Sparks Summer Special. Sparks holsters are works of art, and I may try his Versa Max someday. I found the Alessi Talon, a Wild Bill IWB, and various Bianchis, Galcos, and a De Santis to be less satisfying.