•••revolver holster question•••?

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I posted the following in another thread regarding a question about the #1 Professional/Avenger style...

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/shield-and-j-frame-owb-holsters.839605/

They work well for a lot of folks, but I look at them as the "jack of all trades, master of none" holsters.

I'll use the Lobo line-up as an example because they cover the three OWB styles I'll reference.

Their Combat Classic ( http://lobogunleather.com/owb-outside-the-waist-band/combat-classic/ ) is the old style OWB holster. It has a single tunnel loop on the back side of the holster. It has a mouth that stays open for easy access for draw and reholstering, is straight drop and allows for easily grasping the grip, but concealment isn't very good as the grip tends to stick out a bit and the straight drop doesn't help concealment.

To improve concealment, the Nelson #1 Professional/Avenger style was developed. The Lobo Enhanced Avenger is an example of this style ( http://lobogunleather.com/owb-outside-the-waist-band/enhanced-avenger/ ). It retained much of the easy access of the Combat Classic style, but to improve concealment, a trailing loop was added to rotate the grip closer to the body. For concealment, this is an improvement over the Combat Classic, but many are still straight drop, though there are many canted version (admittedly not that big a deal with little guns), and the leading edge of the holster still sticks out a bit.

Next came the pancake design as represented by the Enhanced Pancake ( http://lobogunleather.com/owb-outside-the-waist-band/enhanced-pancake/ ). It kept the trailing loop of the #1 Professional/Avenger, but added the leading loop to bring the holster even closer to the body, and with the classic pancake it increased retention just by the simple shape of the design. The pancake downside is they often close up when the gun is drawn sometimes making reholstering difficult.

In a nutshell (limited to my opinion of course)

- the Combat Classic is a great range/competition holster where concealment isn't needed, but lots of drawing and reholstering is required.

- the #1 Professional/Avenger keeps some ease of access features, but adds some concealment.

- the pancake gives the best concealment, but gives up some access.
 
With a long enough shirt, I can conceal my 5.5" barreled Redhawk I a Simply Rugged pancake holster. Perhaps there's something even better out there, but I haven't found it yet.
 
If the slots on a pancake are too far apart then the leather will stretch and let it pull away if it's not good heavy stiff leather. I have learned that I really like the gun to ride off my hip just a little. If it's in "tight" it can be a struggle to get your thumb in between the gun and your hip. I don't really worry much about printing anymore. With almost any kind of cover people will never notice it. I like the "Neil Young look" with baggy shirts worn tails out. Most people are in a daze walking around looking at their stupid phone and don't really look at stuff. But invest in quality leather that will hold up. It's not cheap but it's worth it.
 
A large frame snub is pretty top heavy when carried OWB , I would think any good holster would do the job as long as it's made for your revolver . You should also have a good belt like the Kore Essentials EDC gun belt . Best belt I ever owned , wear it all the time . Check it out you won't be disappointed. Hope I Helped.

Chris
 
If going to a trackbelt, I would recommend Anson over Kore. Better prices and appear to not get damaged as easily.
I have a kore and within a week or two the holster (H&K P30SK; not a heavy gun) was able to notch the belt at the top. Also, it now has a permanent bend in it. Kore did replace it, but guess what, the second belt did the same. My old Levi belts were better, but the trackbelt idea is great.

Purchased an Anson and so far, it is holding together better.
 
Over the years I've found and tried just about every format of leather holster made and yet still find myself most often choosing one of my old Bucheimer PerfectFit holsters for my revolvers.

PerfectFit #4:
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PefectFit #7 (Colt Army Special, Smith K&L frames & Webley IV 38/200 ):
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A few exceptions. When carrying the Colt Detective Special my old Lou Alessi snap break kinda pancake seems to get the most field time...

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but the little Smith & Wesson DA Model 4 fits in a Galco J frame holster.

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I have another question:
I am making a pancake style, the belt slots is my Q.
I have seen some slots run parallel, some half moon shaped, and some not parallel.
Are there any advantages to either style?
 
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