Holster for 686
 

Gents,
I have a 686+ 4" that I would like to carry some during the winter months. I am looking at a Mernickle PS6-DA or a Simply Rugged Pancake.
If anyone is using one or both of these, or if you have other suggestions any advice would be welcome.
Thanks in advance, Mike

Extreme high rise configuration may not work well with a 4" revolver. It's hard to draw in the limited space under your arm, and the butt may not be well supported against your side for concealment. The P6-DA does not look as "high rise" as their advertisements would suggest.

I am very pleased with my Alessi CQC holster for a 686-6 4". I was pleased to find that the leather reinforcing band at the mouth is cut to extend upwards, covering the sights and hammer. This was not obvious from the illustrations, and will go a long way to protect your jacket from wear. A thumb-sized section is molded outward to clear the cylinder for one-handed reholstering. Overall, it is well thought out and constructed with the finest materials. It is invisible under a jacket, as long as the muzzle is covered.

Neumann,
I saw your post and checked out the website. I'm impressed. Very nice holsters at a reasonable price.
What you said about the high rise is correct. I'm not as limber as I was in my youth.:rolleyes:
Mike

I've got a Galco Summer Comfort for my 3" 686+, and love it. Worth what it costs, and it rides low. Might be worth looking into. I also use it for my 4" GP-100.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMG_4641.jpg

I have a Galco Fletch high ride. As Neumann wrote, the high ride holster is not the quickest or easiest to draw from but it carries very well and conceals a full size 4" revolver quite well under a jacket or even a sweatshirt. I have worn it all day comfortably. After some practice I can draw fairly smoothly. I would recommend it.

Galco holsters; Holsters; Gun holster, pistol holsters, western holsters, shoulder holsters, leather holster and Glock holsters

I just bought the Mernickle holster you mentioned for my Ruger and LOVE it!

I packed my 610 4" the last 2 days in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake with Optional Inner Hammer Shield. I carry my Pancakes normally at 4 O'Clock strong side. I was in slacks and a tucked in dress shirt today. I was wearing a Moss Green Carhartt Jack Shirt as a cover garment.

With the 686+ you will need to make a note to Not Bone the Cylinder Flutes because your gun is a 7 Shot.
That should take care of any fit issues. I am reasonably sure Ray will not have a 7 shot 686+ try gun to fit the holster in. Not boning the flutes should fix that issue.

When carrying a 4" at 4 O'Clock I move my billfold to another pocket, like my left front with the pants I had on today. This takes care of getting your billfold out with the holster covering it up.

Ray is normally about 4 to 5 weeks out on orders. The cost delivered as described above is app $70. Choice of colors, choice of belt sizes, Optional Hammer Shield well worth $5, keeps your shirt out of your holster, and also keeps the gun out of contact with your shirt, helping to keep your shirt oil and carbon free.
I prefer Medium Tan (Russett) myself

I e-mail Ray my orders, then mail him a check.

Lobo Gun Leather - Home

Good suggestions here guys. I like the fact that I have a couple of makers here I haven't looked at before this post.
Thanks, Mike

When it comes to Galco Holsters I have a strong recommendation, stay away from the Wheelgunner unless it would strictly be used for range work.

I have one around here somewhere that I picked up for my 4" 686 SSR and it is one poorly thought out design. It's not stable in any configuration and they should have included a slot to tuck in the tab that holds the gun portion of the holster to the belt portion. That tab is just waiting to catch on something & come undone and when it does the gun and the gun portion of the design is gonna fall out.

This is a design that tries to fill more than one role, strong-side & cross-draw, and does neither well. :o

The Simply Rugged holster I have is high ride in cross draw only. The strong side position is a medium ride.

I agree that a very high ride will tip away from the body even with a very stout belt. The barrel below the belt stabilizes the gun and forces the butt against the body.

Alessi made my CQC specifically for a 686+. They have a mold for that revolver. The other holster was for a 29-8 Mountain Gun, which is also on their list.

Another member (XCOP) had issues over delays in delivery. It took 10 weeks for my holsters in the same time period. Among other things, they had to reject some leather stock, and moved their operations lock-stock-and-barrel to another location. There was a brief period before their website was updated with a new phone number, so I could not reach them. Otherwise, they have always answered their phone and given reasonable updates on delivery. Getting an email response is slow, but not everyone is comfortable with a keyboard. Their product is worth waiting for. Out of courtesy, I never called before the promised date, and then only once a week.

One that I would consider is the PWL. They have a number of styles that might suit your needs. And they have some models in stock for quick delivery.
PWL USA: holsters, pouches, belts

Good suggestions gents. This has given me some good alternatives to my original two choices. I'm starting to think perhaps the ultra-high ride may not be ideal for anything heavier than a j frame or a less than full sized 1911 with an aluminum frame. Anything with much more weight is going to quickly pull away from your body. I guess a compromise between height and clothing will have to be reached.
Thanks, Mike