Hello folks, I ordered a Smith and Wesson Model 686 Deluxe a day or so ago and I was wondering if y'all would be kind enough to maybe recommend a holster for me? The barrel length is a 6 inch. I've also been looking for a sturdy gun belt. This gun is going to my daily open carry. Any help is appreciated!

EPS belt and either a Tom Threeperson or Bill Jordan. the Jordan will hang lower, may be more comfortable with the longer barrel. I carried my Python and 1911 in that rig with a cartridge slide/magazine case.

I don't own an L Frame, but I've read that L Frames fit K Frame holsters,
so that gives you a little more variety. If you are open carrying, you may
want to think about something relatively "snatch proof". That, to me,
would mean at least a security strap or thumb break. Personally, I like
the contrast of black leather with stainless gun.
Here are some suggestions, left to right:
Askins (shown), Hume, or Myres Border Patrol holster.
Brauer Bros. with dog ear and security strap.
El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons, basketweave belt, Navajo buckle
by O. Nezzie, and Piranha knife.
Myres #624 on a Sparks belt. Knife is the Piranha again.

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In Omnia Paratus

For open carry I'd use retention.

Here are a couple from Galco.

Belt Holsters | Galco Gunleather

I can't help with the holster as I neither carry a gun that big nor open carry, but I can suggest Beltman belts for a good, sturdy belt. I've used a 1.5" bullhide belt for several years and it did a good job supporting a 3" 65 carried IWB. For a gun like yours, you may want to consider their horsehide and/or reinforced options. They also have 1.75" options if that interests you. If you want to go the Beltman route, you could probably contact them and see what they would recommend.

Lobogunleathers holster and beltman belt.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

Ck. out Andrews Leather,Sam is a great guy & will be happy to answer any questions you may have.I have 4 of his holsters & will probably buy one for my K6s 3"revolver.NEVER had a problem with any of his holsters & I bought them yrs. ago! Sam did the holsters for the Magnificent 7 with Denzel Washington! Thought it was kind of neat when I heard the movie didn't give him credit in the listings at the end of the movie...BUT....they did something better...ANDREWS LEATHER...is on one of the bldgs. in the movie !How neat is that!!
Jim Clifton

Well, If I had it to do over... I would buy a quality rig at the outset. I have boxes of holsters and only use maybe 2 for each weapon.

Get the belt, holster and spare ammo carrier from the same mfg.... El Paso Saddlery comes to mind. Lobo, Snubby Fan and a few other members. Never be afraid to buy quality.

Not sure about the holster, but This guy: http://www.tuckergunleather.com/gun-belts/ Makes a super good gun belt.

I don"t believe L frame revolvers will fit K frame holsters, the grips are interchangeable but not holsters. you can't go wrong with El Paso saddlery or Doc Barranti for quality leather for handguns.

There are some holsters that are advertised for K/L frames. I've found them to be a little oversized for K-frames, especially after they've been used with L-frames, unless they have a tension screw adjustment.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I bought a belt and a couple of holsters from him about a dozen years ago. The belt is very stiff, thick, and has a nylon insert. The leather in the holsters, it seems to me, is too thick. The leather is layered, rather than being one piece. What I noticed with the N-frame holster was that reholstering led to the leather at the opening “delaminating” above the stiching line from repeatedly encountering the cylinder.

In my case, I moved on to Mitch Rosen, from whom I have continued to buy, and about whom I have no complaints. I think his is a much better holster for not that much more money.

You want something that rides fairly low for a 6" revolver. Too high and you have to be a contortionist to clear leather. A Tom Threepersons is okay, but the trigger guard is completely exposed - not the best choice for walking about. El Paso makes several models with a drop, including Tom Threepersons style, or with better cover. I like the Patton holster, but I don't live in an open-carry state.

There's a lot of difference between a K and L frame. An L-frame won't fit into a K holster, and a K frame will drop out of an L holster. You want enough retention so that you can invert the holster without the pistol dropping out (without shaking).

I recommend a stitched, double-layer, 1-1/2" leather gun belt. Good belts are expensive ($80 and up), but last a long, long time in daily use. You don't need a nylon liner. It makes the belt too stiff for comfort, hangs on your waist like a barrel hoop, and is too thick to fit some holsters (or belt loops). My latest purchase is from Ryan Grizzle. It was worth the wait. Most holster makers sell belts too, better than anything off the shelf and about the same cost.