Hi,

I need advice on the best, and (I know) the most cost effective shoulder holster for a 4 inch barreled N frame S&W 625. I am short and stocky and have concluded that a belt holster, either OWB or IWB is simply not going to work for me. I'm not a real fan of shoulder holsters, except for the one for my upside down J frame. But as I have my 625 set up the way I like it, and it hits where I point it, I'd like the option of being able to carry it. I know there are some leather shoulder holsters out there. but they are very pricey and I have a family to feed. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I was wondering about the Ken Null shoulder holsters as they are very reasonably priced, and their reputation is excellent.

Any ideas and advice would be very greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

There are 2 ways to go on this holster:
[1] Go to E-Bay and bid.
[2] www.gunleather.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=128
They run about $100.00.

Madison,

Thank you for your response. I called Ken Null today and was very surprised to reach Mr. Null personally. What a gentleman! We discussed his SMZ holster that would work on my Model 625 without any problems. He is going to add a small shoulder pad to help disperse the weight of the piece. Best of all, his price is $60.00 and he can have it to me in 2 days. Compare that with Bianchi's customer service - I called them this morning and got 3 different answers to my question of which of their company's shoulder holsters would fit my Model 625 (one of the answers was Bianchi doesn't make ANY holster for a model 625). Again, thank you.

Regards,

Dave

Kudos for carrying cannonage, Dave. Is that .45 ACP or Colt? Good luck with the Null holster. Have you actually tried IWB? If you have, then disregard my question. The reason I ask is that I qualify as short and stocky too (at least in SW Michigan, the land of the dutch giants). I'm 5'7" and 190 lb.ish, but I don't have a huge spare tire. It's there, just not huge. If you do then I can see where that might be an issue. I carry a 5" full underlug 629 IWB and it works. Once I get a better holster it will work even better. L frames disappear with ease. Even a 6"er. Like I said, if you know for sure, then disregard, and perhaps for your lifestyle shoulder carry will work better.

Mr. Flop-shank,

It's a .45ACP. I was an Army medic and a retired ER nurse and learned that big holes let air in and blood out - which is very desirable if you are trying to put something living down and out (I made the mistake of saying this at my recent CHL class and I made a few people queasy.) I'm 5'5" and 175lbs, and very short waisted. Being that I have lived most of my adult life in service to others, I have suffered a number of bodily injuries - including permanent damage to my right (firing) wrist, and arthritis to both hands. I can draw my H&K P7 without problems, but that is a very unusual piece with most of the pistol above the belt line. I can carry and draw a 2.5" revolver without problems, but I love my 625, and again, the big hole that lets... Anyway, I think I'm going to go with my 432 for my BUG and/or summer gun, and the 625 for my travel and winter time gun. Thanks for the advice - I really appreciate your response. I will follow-up with a report on the Null holster once I'm able to sneak the order form past Mama.

Regards,

Dave

Thank goodness you didn't go with El Paso Saddlery...It's been two years & I'm still miffed with their N-Frame Shoulder rig for my S&W 1917...

Lately, I've read nothing but complaints about them - people placing orders and never getting their holsters. It's a shame as they are an old company with quality (at least once upon a time) goods. I have an inverted J frame should holster that I love. I need to make some modifications to it (remove the handcuff case as I am not LEO, but I think I'll go to a local shoe maker/cobbler/saddlesmith instead of sending it back to El Paso Saddlery.

Good luck,

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Big Foot:
Thank goodness you didn't go with El Paso Saddlery...It's been two years & I'm still miffed with their N-Frame Shoulder rig for my S&W 1917...

Over the last 50 years of shooting I have come to like the Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster.
I got my holster [NEW] of www.ebay.com for less than $60.
You could go with a "JACKASS" holster for $145.00 and take a chance on it showing through in the back.

Bianchi's customer service is a joke. I called and talked to 3 different people and got 3 different answers ranging from " we don't make any holsters for a 625", to "the X-15 was not made for the 625", to " the X-15 (size 5) will fit the 625, but only for a 6" to 8.5" barrel. It's a real shame as they make a good product but with crappy customer service I'll shop elsewhere.

Regards,
Dave

quote:

Originally posted by MADISON:
Over the last 50 years of shooting I have come to like the Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster.
I got my holster [NEW] of www.ebay.com for less than $60.
You could go with a "JACKASS" holster for $145.00 and take a chance on it showing through in the back.

Dave and BigFoot don't want to rub you all the wrong way,I have a Elpaso Saddlery Co. model N4 shoulder holster for my 625-6 .45 Colt Mountain Gun has the 6 shell loops above holster on the backside part of the shoulder harness,I love this rig for the woods or while traveling in the car on trips,I've had this rig for about 6 years now,got quite a few of their rigs from my law enforcement years,of course I've not bought anything from them since this N4 shoulder holster,but I have nothing but praise for this piece of leather.I hate you all have had such bad luck with them as of late,I did'nt realize they were giving such bad customer service now.But I am very pleased with this rig,this is the only leather shoulder holster I've held on to for a revolver.
Equalizer

If it weren't for the all of the consistently bad feedback about El Paso Saddlery, I'd probably be inclined to give them a chance. My inverted shoulder rig for my J frame is light and fits like a dream. I've sent them emails and they don't return a response. I think I'll have to pass on them, but I'm glad you've had such good luck with your rig.

Regards,

Dave

Dave,

Do you have a website address for Ken Null? I knew he made good stuff, but I had no idea that the prices were reasonable, also. If no web address, perhaps a telephone number.

Many thanks.

520

Model 520 Fan,

You bet:

http://www.klnullholsters.com/

Here's his phone number as well: 706-625-5643

He was very pleasant to talk to, and willing to (mildly) customize my holster (small pad on the shoulder strap). I'm waiting for my wife and kids to go on vacation so I can place my order. His leather work is expensive, but legendary. The shoulder holsters are polymer and elastic, but I've read several sources that indicate that the CIA and other alphabet groups use the holster for their pistols with suppressors, etc.

Best of luck to you.

Regards,

Dave

El Paso just delivered my shoulder holster only two weeks past their estimated delivery date. I have ordered about six pieces from them with about the same experience. The quality is tops.

I carry my 629-6 and my 25-5 in a USGalco Classic Sholder rig and I have a Miami classic for my Glock 21 and another one for my S&W 1911 SS.
I dig their products as I am a 6'4" 245lb. kind a guy and those sholder rigs hang so perfect on me that I hrdly know I'm wearing one.

I do alot of hiking on large area farmlands in North Florida and when I am not relaxing, I am on the road alot performing at music festivals around the south where the promoter sometimes pays us in cash...late at night....out in some field.

US Galco is my brand and Opticsplanet.com has great prices.

Be safe out there