I am looking a nice durable holster for my new model 36. I would like a holster that will provide great protection for my pistol and not damage the finish. I am not going to be carrying my pistol at all times, but this holster will be used for a nightstand holster or be used to hold my pistol while carrying it in the car. Money is really no issue but i do not want nothing outrageous neither.

Can anyone here direct me in the correct path?

I have owned several pocket holsters for j-frames and probably the most economical and well made is a mika pocket holster. Robert Mika is a retired LAPD officer and now chief of police of the town he resides in. He contacts each customer personally once the order is placed and each holster is not only habd made but is also addressed to the owner inside the holster and signed by Robert Mika himself. All of this for the outrageous price of about 15.00. I guess I should mention that the holsters are leighweight, easy on the finish and they stay put in the pocket when the weapon is drawn.

I can't remember his web address and I type this from my blackberry but you can google him or I'm sure someone will be along shortly that knows his web address. His e-mail address is akim@frontiernet.net

Good luck

You might go to the Bianchi web sight and look and the model 111 or the model 5bhl (a lined holster) or the model 55. I have one of each and enjoy them all equally. Galcos are nice as well. Look on eBay.

Leather Gun Holster, Concealed carry holster - Simply Rugged, Proudly made in Alaska , got my silver dollar pancake with inside out straps in less than two week and i like it alot.

I've been carrying a M36/M60 24/7 for the past five years. My primary carry (99% of the time) is in my right front pocket. On the few times I've not pocket carried, it has been in a Bianchi shoulder holster.

In my pocket I use the Bianchi "Pocket Change" which is an inexpensive (about $15.00) cloth, stiff, pocket holster. At first I tried a rough out leather as well as an Uncle Mike pocket holster. The Uncle Mike's simply do not have enough "body" and do not hold their shape well. The leather holster was just "hard" and was kinda like carrying a brick in your pocket. The Bianchi is "just right". In fact it is so "just right", I've never gone back to any of the other pocket holsters, even once.

Here is the "Pocket Change" with a J frame.



I carry extra ammo on a Bianchi Speed Strip in my left rear pocket. This rig is so comfortable that I can forget I'm even carrying. As I am typing this right now, I had to reach down and touch my right pocket just to make sure my heat was still there! Yes, it's that comfortable.

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G.P. Charlie

Very good questions.

1. Protection for the pistol. Several points can be addressed here:
a. The holster must be properly fitted to the handgun, minimizing the movement of the handgun within the holster. This constrant friction will result in more holster wear than inserting and withdrawing the holster hundreds of times. Wet-formed, hand-fitted holsters will retain an excellent fit to the handgun indefinitely.
b. Material used: leather holsters should be made only of vegetable-tanned leather. Other tannages are available, but most utilize chemical salts in the tanning process, and those salts remain as residue within the leather. Moisture and warmth can result in chemical corrosion of the handgun (even stainless steels can be damaged).
c. Linings: holsters can be lined with many types of material, probably the most common being suede. Most suede leather is chrome-tanned, producing the softness, however see the comments regarding chemical salts above. There are smooth vegetable-tanned leathers available that might be better for the purpose.

2. Uses desired:
a. A nightstand holster, or one for use to hold a handgun in the car, must permit quick and easy access. Complicated retention devices will be a hindrance should the need arise to be armed, especially when just awakened at night and in the dark.

Please note that all leather products will attract, absorb, and retain moisture (from the atmosphere, from perspiration on the wearer's body, etc). No firearm should ever be stored for extended periods of time in a leather holster! Get into the habit of removing the handgun after each day's use, wiping down the handgun with a lightly oiled cloth or silicone treated rag. Store the holster separately when not in active use, in an area having good airflow to permit residual moisture to evaporate out.

Good quality leather gear does not have to be terribly expensive. My product line starts at $39.95, and most of my regular production models are under $50.00. There are other excellent makers who are members on this forum (Sideguard Holsters, Bell Charter Oaks Leather, Country Boy all make excellent designs with outstanding workmanship at reasonable prices). A quick site search on the S&W Forum should provide you with several e-mail addresses and websites to follow up with.

Best regards.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

The good ol' "Uncle Mike's" #3 pocket holster.

It's only about $12

The synthetic material is soft to baby the revolver's finish and also won't hold moisture against the gun like leather.

It works great in the pocket . . . and it works great when you sit is somewhere like in a nightstand drawer, etc.

After a year or so, you may have to replace it if you use it daily like I do. Cheap and effective!

It is in my pocket right now . . . and it is so comfortable that I sometimes forget it is there!

T.

"After a year or so, you may have to replace it if you use it daily like I do".

I've been using the same Uncle Mike's pocket holster for my P3AT for about 2 1/2 years. If it gets icky from use, I just throw it in the wash with my clothes. It comes out clean as new, but still broken in.

Here's another. Nice to hear all these folks carrying a traditional and very effective weapon!

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That's a nice looking J you have there cheetah4570.

For a nice Model 36 holster, try the Galco Concealable. Very comfortable holster.

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Centennial Every Day

Oh go all out and get a custom jobbie from one of our member holster makers...they are top notch and don't cost muc (sometimes less) than an off the shelf rig...check out Lobogunleather, sideguard and Bell charter oak. Then you can have bragging rights...can't have them with an off the shelf holster...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

SWEET looking snubby.

I have used a clipdraw. I confess. I also bobbed the hammer on my 37. I confess...I did it.

Check these out - very soft material - have one for my 3913 and they make 'em for M36 snubbies as well.
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Prod...are_asset.html
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Prod...lip_black.html

Pete

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Don't tread on me