My normal carry for my 642 is OWB with an Andrews Custom Leather pancake style holster. However, when the need arises to pocket carry, I turn to Andrews leather pocket holster. No printing and it is boned to stay open for reholstering. Also has rough side out for pocket retension.

I carry my 642 in a Mika and like it fine. And Robert Mika is a great guy to deal with.

The Mika gets allot of coverage here and is synthetic or Naugahyde I believe and by the comments very good. I have used this Galco most every day for 5 years. Horsehide just doesn't loose it's shape, is tough as nails and can be shipped the day you order.

I've tried a good many commercially-made pocket holsters thru the years. The most expensive have always been the worst. One of the best is the inexpensive Uncle Mike's nylon pocket hosters, usually about $10.

The best I have found, bar none, are simple and cheap to make at home. Many years back, I bought on sale quite a bit of sueded pigskin leather -- but any soft leather would do. I use the pistol as a pattern, and cut out a rectangle of leather big enough to be folded into a pocket around the gun -- I like to cut it long enough to be folded in thirds to make the pocket, I'll explain a bit later. I use Barge cement to close the pocket on the open sides and somewhat fit the interior of the final pocket to the gun. Once the glue dries, I trim the holster with scissors for a perfect fit in the pocket.

Because the original leather piece was folded in thirds, the resulting holster has a double thickness on the outside of the holster, nicely masking the gun. Being suede, it clings to the pocket when I draw, holding the gun securely when I want it held but allowing it to come out freely when needed. A couple bucks' worth of leather and a few cents worth of glue, and you have a holster that performs as well as-- better than-- the most expensive on the market.

Gutpile, does that thing work in blue jeans pockets? Looks more like Dockers style thing.

quote:

Originally posted by SJshooter:
Search for the Mika holster. It's everything you're looking for.

I concur, and in fact, have just ordered my 4th holster. This will be IWB for my Government. Model

Here's my preferred carry for my 2 J-frames. I carried one or the other type of holster for 24 years, both on and off duty , with the LAPD.
Bob

Is that an older Bob Mika holster on the left? I have seen some of his older pocket holsters that don't have the rubberized section applied as his current holsters have. I know he used to make them for the LAPD when he served on the force there....I wonder how the holster is sans rubber on the side.

Yes, cdr, that's an older Mika that I bought at the Academy store years ago- Mika was still a SGT 2 working tactics then. Great guy.
Bob

quote:

Originally posted by OIF2:
Yes, cdr, that's an older Mika that I bought at the Academy store years ago- Mika was still a SGT 2 working tactics then. Great guy.
Bob

Nice!!! Still looks like new. There is no better person to deal with than Bob Mika IMHO. His work is superb and a bargain to say the least....$18.95 for a custom hand made pocket holster is incredible.

Thanks for the great thread. I was faced with the same question. Just ordered the Mika pocket holster. Will give it a shot.

He's running a little behind lately. The flooding hit his town,(he's the Police Chief there). I've got an IWB on order. I've heard nothing but good comments on his products.

quote:

Originally posted by OIF2:
Here's my preferred carry for my 2 J-frames. I carried one or the other type of holster for 24 years, both on and off duty , with the LAPD.
Bob

What kind of grip is that on the left?
Looks nice.

Hi "Bubbiesdad"
Those grips were made by the late John Hurst, an LAPD cop and Academy firearms instructor. Here's another photo of my 649:

These are pretty close.....

http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=1772&lastcatid=191&step=4


and


http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=1760&lastcatid=190&step=4