Purchased my first revolver today, a 360 snubnose. I gather these are somewhat an anomaly with S&W, as they are never listed in their catalog, but seem to pop up online and elsewhere NIB. I don't understand...

But I like the gun. I gather it's a J-frame. Does that mean any J-frame holster will fit? It's only a 1.875" barrel (does that make it effectively a 2"?).

If you've got such an animal and want to share a pic of it, as well as your recommendations, I'm all in. I prefer IWB.

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Eschew Obfuscation.

J frames and the model 60 family come in different flavors. You can't just say you've got a 360 and have us understand what you've got. I have a 360 that is a 38 special, not a 357. The difference is the size of the frame window and how long the cylinder is to fit it. The magnums have longer cases and a longer cylinder. That becomes important because the longer cylinder might not fit the holster or seat itself all the way. If that happens, the retainer strap might not close (if it has one.)

Buying holsters can be an expensive and unhappy experience for you. I would suggest you visit a well stocked gun shop and ask them for help. Take your gun along, but don't be pushy about it. Always ask if you can test fit your gun to the holsters you're looking at. They'll want to see the gun is empty. But some stores have a full rack or two of holsters. Its no guarantee you'll find one you like. You may not even find one in the first week or month of looking.

Gun shows are a terrible place to test fit your gun to a vendors holster. Many of the accidental discharges occur during this activity. Worse still, the show promoters will require a "wire tie" on your gun to prove its empty. Makes testing in a holster nearly impossible.

I wish you luck, because you'll probably need it. In some gun stores its even hard to get help. They want to sell semi-autos, and will question your manhood for even carrying a revolver. Usually caused by their ignorance, but they may not even be capable of offering any help.

Most of us have owned and carried a J frame over the years. We develop preference for both style and brand. I've tried and owned a bunch of holsters over the years. I can't get comfortable with IWB style. You've got to loosen the belt to accommodate the gun. I've found I prefer Galco these days, having liked the Bianchi brand in the past. My current favored style is ***. I've tried pocket holsters and can't find one that works for me. This won't be cheap because it often takes 2 or 3 purchases before you can find one that even works.

As an aside...I found a brand new but old Bianchi at the flea market last Saturday. It was actually unused! And it had a $9.50 price sticker, but I cheated the guy down to $5. Always keep your eyes open.

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Dick Burg

The *** the program inserted was the abbreviation for Small Of Back, a style I guess the forum refuses to recognize. Chalk it up to big brother being everywhere.

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Dick Burg

Yeah, Bianchi! Look on EBAY and find an older one. If it doesn't quite fit you still have a nice holster. I haven't been in an LGS in years that can afford to inventory quality holsters. Just lots of junk for all the semi-autos they sell. I think I have a picture here of a Bianchi for the J Frame. Actually the new Bianchi (first picture) is a really good holster. The older one from the 1970's just has a little more class. . .comes with the age.

Attached Images

	Wife's Airweight.jpg (94.5 KB, 27 views)
	M60 Carry.jpg (92.4 KB, 28 views)

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Dr. B

Congrats on your new firearm- now, if you plan on carrying, you need to figure out what is going to be most comfortable/concealable for you. A J fr. is often the gun of choice for pocket carry, but having a hammer spur requires a good technique for a clean draw. Belt carry is obviously next, less concealable, but more comfortable. But then, where on the belt? In the standard strongside position, 3.30-4.00? Straight drop, forward cant? Or maybe crossdraw or appendix carry?

As you can see, there's good reason most of us have boxes of holsters...

ETA, there are several members here who bend hide. Srigs and Snubby Fan jump to mind, and I'd say Lobo if Ray hadn't retired. I hear the new owners of Lobo are still producing a first rate product with Ray's designs, though.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I've posted this several times so I'm sure people are sick of seeing it, but I really like my Side Guard Holsters Quick Clip IWB holster for my J-frame (a 642-1).

Thanks everyone, for some quality answers. Dick Burg, the 360 I purchased is the .38 Special [+P] model, if that helps. I don't think there's any way I could shoot .357. Not happily, at least!

I'm familiar with the "box o' holsters" as I have four semis that I've tried to fit out (well, not the M&P9 Pro C.O.R.E. - that's my range gun. And my favorite shooter. It's the gun in my avatar, although I've added a light to it since). Most of the holsters I've seen for J frames are leather and not Kydex (and I'm OK with that). But it's hard to tell from descriptions offered by vendors if they're specific to a particular model, or just fit J frames in general.

There is a gun show nearby this weekend. I was planning on going, but didn't think of taking my gun(s) with me. Rather, I thought I'd just cruise and spec things out, and perhaps grab a business card or two...

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Eschew Obfuscation.