OK, I have seen lots of holsters for 2", 3", and 4" barreled small frame Smiths, but the only one for a 6" was a home made example found at a yard sale(!) Does anyone know of a commercial maker of holsters who makes/made a standard police duty style for a 6" barreled HFT or Model 35? I really hate the idea of making a custom holster myself, and only a little more the idea of paying custom prices to have one made. Thanks in advance for any and all advice (that doesn't involve a hacksaw. )

Froggie

The only quality maker I know of that made them and they had two models that were dandys, was Bianchi. I used to sell them in the '70s at my dad's leather shop. They no longer make the models for a small frame long barrel DA.

But here they are:

The 1st and my choice, Model 5BHL has a sight protector, open trigger guard, suede lined, and quick thumb release snap closure. They still list it for the Kit Gun, but 4" only. I'd call and ask if they'd make a 6" for you. If not, I'd buy the 6" K frame size and wet form it to your HFT and see how it works. If too loose, I'd have a saddlemaker or shoe repair run a stitch down the seam about 1/4" inside of the existing stitch line to tighten 'er up. They could also reset a snap in the retaining strap if needed.
Model 5BHL Thumbsnap Holster Bianchi Leather Holsters

The 2nd, Model 111 covers the trigger guard, suede lined, and quick thumb release snap closure. If you prefer this, I'd again get one for a K frame and etc.
Model 111  Cyclone™ Hip Holster Bianchi Leather Holsters

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks, Hondo44. I don't need it right away since I have the homemade one, so I think I'll start haunting the holster boxes at gun shows and shops to see if I can find an example of the 5BHL in the proper size. I wonder what # designation it had, since 02-04 are now for the Js and 05 is for the K/L.

Froggie

I don't know about leather, but if you want a good nylon one, I recommend the KNJ size 14 for $10. I got the ABH 7B for my 4" 34 and it fits perfectly.

KNJ Ambi size 14 holster for 22 revolvers, 6 to 7in barrels

It works for me!

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But then, what do I know?

Thanks, M3Stuart, but I'm afraid my old fashioned, "sot in their ways" I-frames would rebel at being forced into any holster that didn't come off the outside of some crittur. Then again, the same could probably be said of me as well! I've used several ballistic nylon holsters with good results, (usually) but for guns as old as I am (and that's pretty old ) it's just more seemly to carry them in leather. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Regards,
Froggie

I know you don't want to go custom but I just got one from Simply Rugged for a 5" J frame, $65.00 shipped. That's not much if any more than you would have to pay for a new one from one of the big makers. Maybe you can find a good used one, good luck.

Smith and Wesson made holsters for 6" J frames. Check with somebody on this forum for the correct number, my memory says "66". I found one on ebay for a Mdl. 35 I thought my best friend was/is going to sell me. It fit the gun perfectly. I gave him the holster, and he says, "Beaver, I can put the un-fired 35 in the holster and it all fits perfectly in the original factory box." AAAAHHHH!!!!

I love the guy, but I wanted to choke him. I'll keep trying to screw him out of it someway.

Try looking long term on ebay, search for "Smith Wesson holster". The style is not a thumb break, but a nice holster with strap.

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beaver

I would NOT try to shrink a K-frame holster, as much as I like the Bianchi models mentioned above. I wore a 5BHL in black basketweave stamping for over 20 years, and like it very much. (The gun is a M-66-3.)

I think you need to skip a few movies or something and save for a custom rig, probably from El Paso Saddlery. www.epsaddlery.com

Look at their historical holsters and at the Tom Threepersons and 1930 Austin models. Their basketweave stamping & floral carving are superb. I own several of their holsters, two for the M-60-4. You'd probably want longer versions of those holsters. One is like the old Safariland M-29; the other, a Threepersons.

But first, shoot that gun some and see if it extracts empty brass and is accurate. I had a miserable experience with a S&W M-34. Had to POUND out the fired brass. I'll never again buy an S&W .22 revolver!

What have you got, a Model 35? If it works well, treasure it and be happy with it. That's a good way to get six-inch bbl. velocity in a gun light enough for handy carry. If you don't have my extraction difficulty, that gun is worth a good holster.

I SERIOUSLY doubt that you'll find a used J-frame holster for a six-inch barrel. I had to order both of my El Paso holsters for the M-60-4. I also doubt that Bianchi will do any custom work today. I asked them for holsters for my M-60-4 and was told to try to cram it into their usual three-inch 5BHL! Of course, the full-lug barrel made that impossible. I was NOT impressed with their rep's attitude!

Finally , post in The Lounge for Lobo Leather to contact you. Judging from photos, he does really nice work and he's a member. He may be able to beat El Paso's prices.

Texas *, one of my 22/32s extracts fine while the other is in that same category you mention of pounding them out with a hammer. The reason for the problem with the latter seems to be that it was fired extensively with shorts and has a noticeable ring of erosion at the middle of the chamber where the short case mouth is located. Thanks for the suggestion about Lobo Leather and to Nimrod44 thanks for the name Simply Rugged to check out as well. Ultimately, I will be hopefully alternating between carrying a 6" HFT in 22 LR and an upgraded 6" Regulation Police in 32 S&W Long with adjustable sights added in this proposed holster. Thanks to all for the very helpful responses.

Froggie

El Paso is a great suggestion. They will accomodate and make what you want. It's true Bianchi is not the same company it once was when owned by John Bianchi, its founder. But they still make John's great designs with his patented features.

I'm sorry you had a poor experience with your S&W Model 34. My 1st Model 18 had the same problem but I didn't even have to send back to S&W. I isolated the problem to one chamber and found a machining burr in it. Once I removed the burr with the tip of my pocket knife it worked perfectly and I was amazed that just the one burr in one chamber caused such a hard extraction.

I'm sure glad I didn't swear off of S&Ws due to that. Because I have since obtained 6 S&W I and J frame 22s that work perfectly. I would have hated to miss out on them because of one original bad experience.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Froggie,

I would agree with Texas Star, the best way to go would be El Paso Saddlery. I have had them do several holsters in the past two years for some of my S&W's with different, non-standard barrel lengths. The last one I got was for a 60-4, just like Texas Star. Excellent quality and a superb fit. The Tom Three Persons is my favorite pattern for a field-use holster. I recently picked up a Model 35 and was just getting ready to order a holster for it when I saw your post. Give them a try, I know you will like what they do.
Randy

Charlie,

I agree with someone above, it'd be a long shot to find a used Mod 35 6" holster. But a 6" K frame 5BH (unlined) or a 5BHL (lined) would be a much more likely find.

And the looser fit is in my mind a great advantage. When wet formed to the gun the stoutness of a good lined holster makes for good enough retention while drawing and re-holstering is much easier and with much less finish wear than a tight holster. Also with the retention strap and a 6" barrel, there is amost no potential for losing the gun from the holster.

Well you have the anticipation of the hunt to look forward to. Enjoy and good luck!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I knew how lucky I was when my pre-35 came with this lined Bianchi holster. It also came with a proper Tyler adapter but I chose these target grips instead. If it's any help the holster is marked " BIANCHI #5B Kitgun PP" on the back.
My vintage Smith Leather brochure lists Model 21 - 66 only for the M-35, the "Blazer" my least favorite of the Smith holsters. I'd probably spring for a custom El Paso otherwise...
Mine was threaded on this Don Hume belt in the sage brush gopher town last (and next) week.

Ooooh, Steven-

You ARE lucky to get that holster. I had a similar one for my M-34 Kit Gun, but it was the Safariland M-29. Lined and basketweave, too.

I sold it with the gun, and haven't needed it since. But it was an exceptionally nice holster.

What do you do to maintain your holsters? That one looks in need of care. As one of the premier custom gunmakers in the nation, do you have any tips for leather goods care?

OK, T*, I'd love to get some suggestions on how to clean and refurbish a holster like that, or like the 2 in similar condition I have in MY basement.

Nice outfit, SDH. I want to do a similar package for woods loafing, only with an I-frame or two. Hondo44 turned me on to those sweet target grips... they look good on my I-frames as well!

Froggie

I'm almost as nuts about walnut and leather as I am about blued steel and extra screws... My 1955 Model 1953 Kit Gun with fancy targets and Don Hume white-lined holster and belt, acquired separately over a few years. I'm very lucky to have them all.
(BTW: IMO all the 22/23 holster needs is going over with saddle soap to clean it up. It is well worn from protecting that revolver for who knows how long?)

I used to use a cream shoe polish on my black duty rig. It seemed to have less wax and nourish the leather better than did Kiwi, which is still one of the better polishes.
Johnston & Murphy shoe stores had the polish, but not the last time I checked.

I've heard of something called Leather Conditioner. I think Bianchi sells it. No idea what's in it.

I use Kiwi Saddle Soap to clean. Kiwi Neutral Polish to protect and maintain brown leather. And the Russell Moccasin boot company sells Pecard Leather Paste. It seemed to work well. I need to get more.

Great advice TStar! I've used saddle soap & neutral shoe polish for decades.

Froggie,

Maybe you'll be interested in this one, I just pm'd you sir.



[/QUOTE]


Murphy2000

Thanks, Murphy2000. Reply in affirmative sent via PM tonight... I just got back from North-South Skirmish Association Spring Nationals... only one S&W to be seen and it was a First Model carried for show only! I've been trying to get them to have a rimfire match for these little guys but no joy so far.

Froggie

I have 2 model 35's found 30 years apart. Sometime in the past(pawn shop as I remember ) I found a "George Lawrence Co. Portland, Oregon" so marked and it fits perfect. Tried my K-22 and my Browning challenger, no go. It is stamped "14" above & "539" below the company logo. There is a very small (BB size)circle stamped below"539".It's original, unlined, brown, closed end, and a flap with silver steel snap that covers even the target grips. Very Mountie-esque, I've never seen another like it. Hope this helps in your search.

All the Best,
Ischia