What OWB holster for a j-frame?

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ChristopherG

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Looking for a comfortable, concealable, quality made OWB belt holster for my 340. One that's caught my eye is this one from Bell Charter Oaks, which looks really nice but leaves the trigger uncovered (??!!) (see attach.).

What are your favorites? Anyone care to share their experience with those I've mentioned or any other j-frame suitable OWB belt holster you've known and loved? Thanks
CG
 

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Bell Charter Oak

I can't speak for their OWB rigs, but I've got one
of their "Deep Drop Bandit" ( IWB ) holsters for my 442. Very good quality, a little high priced, but worth it...

Mike
 
I carry my 640 in a Galco SpeedMaster:

galco.jpg


I love it.

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterT3.asp?ProductID=2425&CatalogID=4

Bought mine from here:

http://www.specialtymile.com/indianaarms-ammo/

You can buy direct from Galco but as you can see from these links other dealers are cheaper.
 
The Galco Concealable and Dillon Master are both excellent. The Dillon is the value bargain, about half of what the Galco costs and very good quality. My way of carrying my J frame is very simple and works great for me; I use an Uncle Mike's IWB holster and secure it between my pants and belt (strongside) with the clip going over the belt. This keeps it very snug and close to my body and very easy to draw from.
 
Rafter!

My two nicest belt & holster combos are from Rafter. A great 1.25 inch gunbelt and matching holster in brown shark skin for my J-frames and a great 1.5 inch gunbelt and matching holster in black shark skin for my Glock. Plus, the price is great too! (And the triggers are completely covered.) Leather and several exotic skins are available at good prices. Somebody here (Skunkabilly maybe??) just got a black elephant hide belt & holster set. It is BEAUTIFUL!!! (I remember the picture of the gunbelt & holster but, right now I can't remember the member who got them. :confused: )

KR
 
The little Js have the advantage of size, and the pancake style of holster puts this to the best advantage for OWB. My favorite is the Kramer Belt Scabbard, but the Dillon mentioned above and the Alessi as well as the Galco all have the rake and construction to make this gun comfortable, well hidden, and very available just behind your hip.
 
Based on this and other photos that I've seen of the Bell Charter Oak holsters, they seem rather basic, and certainly lack the leather quality and workmanship of the Gaylord holsters they claim to replicate.

You'd be better off to look at a gunshow for a good used Bianchi Model 5 or similar old Safariland styles. Bianchi may well still make the Model 5; I haven't seen a recent catalog. My Model 5 (I also own one for a K-frame) is about 20 years old, and still in excellent shape. I think I gave $10-15 for it at a gun show about 1990.

Galco quality seems very good. If you want something "traditional", El Paso Saddlery can't be beaten!

Lone Star
 
Thanks, everyone, for your recommendations. I'll get myself to a gunshow (never been to one) to actually put my hands on some of these if I can; if not, then your recommendations give me a good basis to shop the net.
CG
 
Chris-

I'm pretty sure that most major holster makers have Net sites, although I don't know the addresses. A search or looking in ,"Gun Digest" indices should give you that info. Good luck!

Lone Star
 
First off . . .

anything by Sam Andrews http://www.andrewsleather.com/
His stuff is top notch and rides beautifully. That being said, I have a fascination with the Model Vam by K.L. Null Holsters http://www.klnullholsters.com/ ,however, the Null holsters are not as reasonably priced as Sam’s. Additionally, I have neither seen them up close nor carried one in order to give you an educated opinion.
 
I forget the model number but I carry a Ruger SP101 (basically the same size as a J frame) in a Milt Sparks holster. The most comfortable holster I have worn in very long time.
 
Ken Null is probably doing the closest work now available to what Gaylord used to make. His range is, however, quite limited.

I wish he'd make basic belt holsters, like Gaylords' version of the Threepersons theme with his thumbsnap that was so widely copied.

Lone Star
 
Lonestar,

El Paso Saddlery makes the best copy of the Threeperson's holster I've seen, and they are a great company to deal with.

Michael
 
I carrry mine exact;y like MikeJ....the gun is so light it doesn't need a big stiff piece of leather...(for me, a pancake rig kind of defeats the purpose of carrying such a small, light gun)...the uncle mike's cost about 8 bucks and not only does it work between the belt and pants and as a standard IWB, it makes a very nice pocket holster, either all the way inside or with the clip over the back pocket....the only modification I made to mine was to sew the material at the top of the back strap to give it a bit of retention....
 
I like Galco. I don't like Fobus. I used to carry a snubbie in a Fobus but it would "grab" the gun sometimes and not let me draw it, that is not good.

I have never had any problems with any Galco.

I won't buy High Noon hosters anymore because of lousy coustomer service. I had a paddle hoster from them and the plastic paddle broke. I tried to get them to replace the hoster but they refused and were rude. I then asked if they could just send me the paddle and they were rude and refused. I then asked if I could buy the paddle from them and they would not let me unless I sent them the holster so they could look at it.:cuss: I finally gave up and tossed the $70 holster in the trash. I will NEVER buy from that company again! They should have replaced the faulty product or sent me the paddle at no chage so I could fix it myself but they were rude and acted like I was trying to trick them or something. I don't what the problem is if I offer to pay for the part that broke.
 
MrStang-

I realize that. I have two El Paso Threepersons rigs, and a 1930 Austin. I think El Paso makes the finest "traditional" holsters now on the market. Their basketweave stamping (and floral carving, if you like that) are probably the absolute tops!

However, the way these are cut and the thickness of leather used, makes them "open wear" items. I think the thread starter is after a concealment rig. El Paso has a "Tortilla" or Model 88 or somesuch like the pancake style that may be their best concealment rig.

Frankly, I think Galco has the edge in concealment leather.

Lone Star
P.S. Thanks for mentioning El Paso. They're among my favorite holster companies. I've met owner Bob McNellis a few times, and he has an excellent feel for the sort of leather that Skeeter Skelton might have worn...and sometimes did!
 
What about Bianchi?

My M-36 came with a Bianchi 5BH sized for it. It's a neat little canted belt holster with a stylish user-friendly thumbsnap retention strap.

5BHL%20Thumbsnap.jpg


This one's for a full-size Ruger, so you'll have to use your imagination. I THINK they still make the little ones. Dunno the price, but Bianchi makes good stuff if my holster is any example.

The triggerguard is open, but the retention strap runs directly behind the hammer. It fits like it belongs behind my strongside hip on my skinny 5'8" frame. For the 2" J-frame, the holster nose floats just above the top edge of the back pocket of my jeans.

It'd vanish nicely under an untucked shirt, while still allowing easy access to my wallet. Nice "ok-ok-here's-my-wallet-don't-hurt-me-Surprise!" fast, easy draw. Very nice thumbtab setup for popping the strap. Canted nearly perfectly for me to get a good grip as soon as I touch the grip.

Bianchi Leather holsters.

I just wish I could use it. No CCW for ME, I'm not special enough. To darn citified 'round these parts of the PRK, an' I ain't a Feinswine. :( :rolleyes: :mad:

(Grumble grumble...) Stupid state. (Ras-a-frassin lying liberal know-better, criminal-making, socialism-pushing hypocrites. :fire: :banghead: :barf: )
 
Blackhawk Serpa holster (belt loops currently, also paddle occasionally) is what I carry my 642 and 37 in, and a Bianchi 111 Lightning is what I carry my M60 in. Both set up for cross draw. Both extremely reliable and quick and, best of all, SECURE!
 
I got one of these for my 642 (Don Hume H710) and the same model fits the 640:

H710_web_LRG.jpg

For $28.95, it seems like a good value. The only downside is that the mouth isn't reinforced so holstering or re-holstering takes a bit of work. On the other hand, the fit is good and secure.
 
Speaking of Don Hume, his JIT holster is close to perfect for the J frame. And the cost is in the $25 range.
 
I REALLY like my Blackhawk SERPA retention (yes, for the J-Frame), and it comes with both paddle and belt attachment in the same package. Very easy to conceal, and the paddle is very secure in shorts/without a belt. Easy to adjust the cant angle. I've been through several Defensive Pistol classes with it...no troubles. I keep it in the paddle as an extra safety when it's in the nightstand at night. I like it.
 
ALSO: I'm Retired, so no kids around...but I even figured out a place to drill a hole for a lock on the SERPA (just behind the trigger)...if I ever decide to lock it into the holster if kids are around. It's more like a sweet piece of the system...than just a holster.
Can't say enough good experience I've had with it.
 
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