38 j frame holsters?

[Axis II]

well gents-thanks for the help. I found one of these online and going to try it out. worst case I'm out a couple bucks on shipping back if I don't like it. its got a retention screw and thumb break. might be overkill but I don't like my sidearm easily accessible. from desantis this is made for the model 640 and 642. I actually looked at one for another revolver at cabelas today and the thumb break is setup at a cant to go over the area the hammer is but its shaped different than a hammer holster.

 

[.308 Norma]

I think you're going to like it. I wear mine just behind my right hip. I put my belt through the first slot, then through a belt loop on my jeans, then through the front slot on the holster, finishing up with putting my belt through the belt loop in the front of my jeans. That's why I specifically buy the cheap, Wrangler brand jeans at Wallyworld - they have 7 belt loops instead of just 5. The gun conceals easily under a loose shirt.
BTW, I'm a little on the chunky side too. But hey - I'm working on it!

 

[Axis II]

I think you're going to like it. I wear mine just behind my right hip. I put my belt through the first slot, then through a belt loop on my jeans, then through the front slot on the holster, finishing up with putting my belt through the belt loop in the front of my jeans. That's why I specifically buy the cheap, Wrangler brand jeans at Wallyworld - they have 7 belt loops instead of just 5. The gun conceals easily under a loose shirt.
BTW, I'm a little on the chunky side too. But hey - I'm working on it!

I had bdu pants and my Blackhawk serpa with my fullsize m&p on the other day and the loops are not made for holster wearing. the gun would either be in front of my pocket or almost over the back pocket. It was horrible. I would have rather had a paddle holster but couldn't find one.

 

[JTQ]

I had bdu pants and my Blackhawk serpa with my fullsize m&p on the other day and the loops are not made for holster wearing. the gun would either be in front of my pocket or almost over the back pocket. It was horrible. I would have rather had a paddle holster but couldn't find one.

Don't they make a paddle attachment for the SERPA?

If you were looking for a different concealment paddle holster they are available, but good ones are rather expensive (lots of technology and parts) and generally don't conceal as well.

 

[Axis II]

Don't they make a paddle attachment for the SERPA?

If you were looking for a different concealment paddle holster they are available, but good ones are rather expensive (lots of technology and parts) and generally don't conceal as well.

they do, i have one but everyone keeps telling me its printing too bad and i don't wear tight clothes either. you cant tell its a firearm just a slight bulge. if i stand in front of a mirror you cant really see it but the other day at McDonalds i was made. i will try out the pancake and see how it goes.

 

[JTQ]

they do, i have one but everyone keeps telling me its printing too bad and i don't wear tight clothes either. you cant tell its a firearm just a slight bulge.

As you're finding out, the SERPA is not a concealment holster. The holster does not hold the gun close to the body and there is no trailing loop to pull the grip to the body. When you add a paddle to a holster not designed for concealment, you make it even worse.

You're really should probably be looking for two different holsters, one for hiking in the woods and one for concealment around town. I'm not a SERPA fan, but for hiking, boating, ATV riding, etc., it has its' place.

Your new holster will show a bulge, certainly nothing like the SERPA simply because they are designed for different purposes, but you'll still need to dress around an OWB holster. For better concealment, if that is your goal, and there is no reason to expect one holster to do all things for you, there are lots and lots of pocket holsters available for J-Frames.

Here's one example http://www.lefthandholster.com/pocket-aholster.html

 

[Axis II]

As you're finding out, the SERPA is not a concealment holster. The holster does not hold the gun close to the body and there is no trailing loop to pull the grip to the body. When you add a paddle to a holster not designed for concealment, you make it even worse.

You're really should probably be looking for two different holsters, one for hiking in the woods and one for concealment around town. I'm not a SERPA fan, but for hiking, boating, ATV riding, etc., it has its' place.

Your new holster will show a bulge, certainly nothing like the SERPA simply because they are designed for different purposes, but you'll still need to dress around an OWB holster. For better concealment, if that is your goal, and there is no reason to expect one holster to do all things for you, there are lots and lots of pocket holsters available for J-Frames.

Here's one example http://www.lefthandholster.com/pocket-aholster.html

I have a pocket holster but i cant stand having anything in my pockets, even keys and a phone. I have a safariland IWB leather holster but idk if I'm not used to it or what but i find it uncomfortable so went to the serpa. I've gained a little weight so my shirts must be getting a little smaller cause I've carried this way for 4-5yrs maybe a little longer and my best friend who is Mr. deep concealment and gun guru has never pointed out he could tell until this past weekend. If its summer time i usually deal with the pocket or IWB.

I like my serpas for woods carry this way if i fall nice leather isn't getting roughed up.

 

[rvenneman]

I have 2 holsters from Crossbread, IWB for a Glock 23 and. S&W model 60-15 J Frame 3". They are both very comfortable.

 

[Axis II]

Well my new desantis j frame thumb break came today and I have to say I'm not pleased. I put the gun in the holster and it was very loose. I tightened down the retention screw all the way and still with a shake or 2 it would fall out without the snap being done. not a big deal to me. the thumb break is a little shallow for my liking and needs to be higher.

NOW... my main issue with this holster is when using the top belt loops and drawing quickly the cylinder catches on the metal button for the thumb break. I tried 20 times and each time it would catch. the leather seems to collapse on itself making it narrow. unless I turned the gun outwards while drawing each time it grabbed and would not release. if I wear it on the semi canted loop it draws fine. A little hard with the boot grips to get a good grip being so tight to the body and break the snap quickly. I'm thinking about getting the larger grips and seeing if it will help any but as of now I'm very disappointed. to me this holster feels like its for a 6 shot not a 5 shot its so loose. might be looking into something else.

 

[JTQ]

Well my new desantis j frame thumb break came today and I have to say I'm not pleased. I put the gun in the holster and it was very loose. I tightened down the retention screw all the way and still with a shake or 2 it would fall out without the snap being done. not a big deal to me.

From post #20 I wrote...

The thumb break holster is counting on the thumb break for retention and not the holster body, while the open top is using the design of the holster body to provide retention.

ohihunter2014 wrote,
NOW... my main issue with this holster is when using the top belt loops and drawing quickly the cylinder catches on the metal button for the thumb break.

Note the top loop is intended for cross draw use. Is that where you're wearing it when having your problems?

 

[Axis II]

From post #20 I wrote...




Note the top loop is intended for cross draw use. Is that where you're wearing it when having your problems?

this one has a retention screw so you figure tightening it down would give some friction.

I was wearing it strong side using bottom loop. the loop right hand side of the pic closest to the firearm. If I used the furthest away loop all was good.

 

[JTQ]

Yes, my error, the top, front loop is for strong side, the lower loop, closer to the gun is the one for cross draw use.

An open top holster, a good one (I don't know if it would be the case with a DeSantis model) uses the body of the holster for retention. Most thumb break holsters give up that body tension because they are counting on the thumb break to provide it so they don't put much effort into making the body to provide it. Most tension screws are just fine adjustment tools. They are more for getting the holster to where it was when it was new, after it has been used for 10 years and the leather has stretched a bit, rather than as an actual retention device.

 

[Axis II]

anyone use the Blackhawk speed classic?

 

[TRX]

I use a Nevada Gunleather "upside down" holster. It's a variant of the old Brown Shoe rig from the 1950s.

It's a single shoulder strap with an elastic band to the other shoulder to keep it from sliding off. The pistol rides butt-down, retained by elastic and the shaped leather of the pouch.

The gun has stayed put in its holster for four years using that holster.

Teach either hand up under my shirt, then pull straight down. Simpler and easier than trying to hike the gun out from under a conventional IWB or OWB.

 

[bannockburn]

TRX

I had the same sort of holster only mine was a Bianchi 9-R shoulder holster which I used to carry my Charter Arms Undercover with. Very lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods of time it was my first concealed carry rig.