I may be looking for the impossible here... but I would like a holster for my 19-3 4 inch that would hold it securely yet not harm the bluing. My finish is near perfect now and I would hate to add holster wear.

This would not be for CCW but for open carry at the range.

I would like an old school looking "duty" holster if possible, and I actually have a really nice basket weave one, but they all seem to cause holster wear to the finish. Any ideas? Or ideas to modify my existing holster to not cause holster wear?

I have used holsters with an elk suede lining with great success (most were made by El Paso Saddlery).

Bill

Any holster you use will cause some holster wear, especially at the muzzle and front of the cylinder. You cannot avoid wear if you holster your pistol.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

__________________
Support your Police, & NRA

Yeah... I was afraid of that, and kind of knew that.... but was hoping someone had a magic solution

I will have to check out the elk suede lining Bill mentioned.

In the interim, I may just get a cheapo loose fitting nylon holster. As I said it's just for the range so I have a place to put the gun when doing something else like checking/changing targets (it's an outdoor private range).

Respectfully, I think a loose fitting nylon holster is the worst of all worlds. Movement of the gun against a surface is what causes bluing damage. And nylon in my experience is worse than leather as far as blue wear.

A well fitted holster that limits movement is best.

There is someone who makes fleece lined range holsters. Several folks on the forum have posted pictures of them but the name of the maker escapes me. Hopefully someone will jump in with his name.

Of course, if Doc44 says elk suede is good, you can bet it is. His "shooters" would be anybody else's safe queens!

Post 8 in this thread: What do you carry your revolvers in ??

Fleece lined holster.... thanks for the tip!

Post 14 backs up what you said:

However I read this on another forum warns against fleece:

Sadly the posters before me are correct in that ANY holster will eventually cause some wear on the finish. I too would be looking for a suede-lined holster (my Bianchi Cyclone is a winner).

Your just not enjoying your fine Model 19 properly if you are experiencing angst over the potential for surface wear. Make your peace with using the revolver as intended, find the best holster available to minimize the inevitable wear, but recognize that the revolver's surfaces can't remain pristine with use.

The alternative to that is to make it into a safe queen.

I'm just old enough to have purchased new "pinned and recessed" Smith & Wesson revolvers back in the day. They've received steady use in the 30-35 years since and have holster wear. Honest holster wear on a blue Smith & Wesson revolver is not unattractive and can be downright appealing if the owner has forged a history with the gun.

Now its the bumps and scratches I don't much enjoy but I have a few dedicated "hard use" Smith & Wesson revolvers to receive most of those.

I am eying this one: Bianchi AccuMold Holster - Model 7105 Cruiser Duty ~$50

It is not "old school" but looks like it might work and be as friendly as possible to the finish.

Top-draw holster with AccuMold trilaminate construction for duty use
High ride
Unique Coptex inner lining that helps protect gun finish and provides a smooth draw
Ideal for law enforcement use with 50% greater density foam than standard civilian AccuMold holster
Adjustable thumbstrap
High ride
Quick-Slide injection molded belt loop fits up to 2.25" (58mm) belts
Closed muzzle

And they have one specifically for the Model 19 4 inch

LOL yes this has been on my mind as well. The thing is I had my first Model 19 thirty years ago and I have wanted another ever since. Now I have it but I'm afraid to mess it up!! You are 100% correct in everything you said... I need to move that way.... slowly

I have looked at the Bianchi Cyclone as well. In fact I am getting one of these for my sons 6 inch 686. I will have to check it out when it comes and maybe get one for my 19.

Over 40 years of carrying a sidearm has taught me alot. Blued finishes will always expirence some muzzle wear, and on the sharp edges of the front of the cylinder.

I shoot and carry most all of my Smith revolvers. A couple are safe queens that have never been holstered.

I own a plethora of different holsters, classic duty and off duty styles.

Bianchi,Don Hume and Safariland made wonderful duty holsters that were suede lined and withfront sight tracks that helped in drawing the weapon with very little resistance. These are sometimes still able to be found.

Most of the lined models from that era (1970-1985) will have an "L" suffix.

And, I will most likely get incinerated at the stake for my next comment....

Nylon holsters don't make the grade in my book. Even though some of the molded ones are better. I have a couple, of various manufacture. And they ALL over time, get worn edges, frayed and those little sharp bits of the binding are a real annoyance. They are cost effective, I'll give them that, and light weight.

Kydex...tried it. Hated it.

Hope you find some part of this helpful.

Some pics to ponder on:

Bianchi B5HL from the 1970's lined basketweave thumbreak high ride. I use this rig quite regularly when the wife and I dress up to go out. Conceals well under a sport coat or suit jacket.




I've posted this many times, my favorite duty rig. Bianchi Model 99TL. Speedloaders are great, but to get your fine motorskills tuned up, draw 2 rounds at once from a belt slide and see how fast you can reload.

I still practice that move and being able to do a fast 2 round reload, index the cylinder and be ready to fire is an aqquired skill.




A Smith and Wesson USAF Security Police Law Enforcement holster, circa 1974. Unlined, but still a very good holster for it's time. I think I have 4 of these, 2 still NIB.




Another old duty rig I used was this Safety-Speed swivel model with a modified strap/thumbreak. Best duty rig for long hours seated in a vehicle without a doubt.



Years of carrying a wheelgun daily made me practice more than my peers. I would like to think that it paid off.

__________________
Take your time..quickly.

I don't believe that the problem is using fleece lined holsters,as a holster is intended for.The problem is those folks that use the holster as a place to store the gun.

Beautiful pictures! Thank you for posting as well as for your wisdom on the subject.

Bianchi still makes the suede lined B5HL, looks like only in tan now however.

I hope nobody laughs... but I have been watching old Adam 12 shows on Netflix. I am up to season 5. It is interesting to see the change in weapons and holsters over the seasons (Jack Webb, the producer, tried to make tings as accurate as possible).

This website shows the equipment and guns used: Equipment

Season 1-3 they used the 6" Model 14 with the swivel holster I think. In season 4 they started using 4" Model 15's with the dreaded clam shell holsters.

I watch the show ONE... because it is a great show, TWO... I grew up in CA in the 70's and THREE... all the cool old school police stuff they show!

Anyway... after reading oldafsp's post, I think I may shoot for leather, this holster is leather and suede lined and the trigger is covered which I like:

Bianchi Model 111 Cyclone™ Hip Holster



Thanks again for posting the great pictures!!

Don't rule out the nylon holster -- IF it's just for range use.

I'll respectfully disagree with a previous poster: in my experience the nylon is gentler on the finish, especially if worn only for range work, where it's not going to be buffeted about as it would in everyday carry.

They're light, inexpensive, and good to practice drawing from while minimizing wear to the finish.

I do not recommend them for regular carry.

Good choice. The Cyclone is a very well made rig, and I'm sure you will be happy with it. Good leather and craftsmanship is not cheap. But then, neither are our weapons...

Safety-Speed was in Montebello, CA. and a supplier to the LAPD and CHP.

High quality rigs designed for law enforcement work. I do have a 2nd Generation Clamshell btw. Made in the mid '70s. Mine has the spring stop, which was NOT the case on the 1st Gen models.

I had one of those and promptly got rid of it...when you released the catch to open the holster, it would come around and catch you in the back of the thigh with a resounding "WHACK!!"

They were interesting to say the least.

My clamshell with a 1958 Colt Official Police 6 inch.

__________________
Take your time..quickly.

Very cool on the clam shell story!

oldasfp... I was going to ask about the B5HL, it is basically the same as the Cyclone from what I can see, the only difference being the trigger is covered.

I notice all the rigs you pictured have open triggers... given the choice would you go with the BH5HL (which I know you currently carry) or the Cyclone with the covered trigger.

Pros and cons to the covered/uncovered trigger?

Thanks!

okay...here's an idea out of left field...why do you need to have a holster for this particular gun at all if you aren't intending to carry it? Unless your range has rules that guns must be holstered during a cease fire or some such, why not just carry it back and forth to the range in a gun rug (zippered pouch) in your range bag? I'm all for quality leather (believe me you should see my stash), but I don't buy holsters for all my guns if I truly don't think I'll ever carry them. If you just want a holster for it because it looks nice in a nice leather holster at the range, then thats fine too, but in that case it probably won't be in the holster enough, or drawn and re-holstered enough to really have the bluing wear become an issue.

Good points... my range is on private land in an old rock quarry. About 15 of us went in and rented some heavy equipment to clean it up and then put up a couple of benches and targets (4x8 plywood) at 25, 50 and 100 yards. My point is, we make the rules

This is an outdoor range in an area that I would NOT want to drop or even set my gun down, rock ground (except on the bench of course). Also, we move around sometimes doing drills and whatnot so a holster is really required.

And finally, if I find a holster that won't trash my finish to much and one that I can conceal, I may, at times, carry this gun.

Covered triggers have become commonplace amongst the holster makers in recent years. The consensus being, that the inadvertent finger in the trigger guard causes AD's (accidental discharge) or ND (negligent discharge) whichever term you prefer to use.

Law enforcement is comprised of few officers with ANY expirence with firearms safety. That being said, during my day with most all holsters having exposed trigger guards, there were more than the usual AD's.

If you are trained NOT to put your finger on the trigger until your sights become aligned on the target, this will not be an issue...ever. It takes concentrated practice and strict awareness to your shooting mechanics.

Even in a situation where your adrenaline is really pumping, you will automatically find yourself doing what you have trained yourself to do.

Rule No.1- Keep your Booger Picker OFF the trigger until your sights are on the target....

Open trigger guards are not an issue for me,but I can see where some people would like the little extra security of that feature.

__________________
Take your time..quickly.

Any pros as to fast weapon draw with the open trigger? Besides the safety angle that's the only other thing I could come up with.

And the 5BHL appears to be more compact and possibly ride higher and tighter, which if I decide to carry my 19, would be important for concealment.

Having all you retired police officers on this board with your experiences with the older S&W revolvers is invaluable! You guys got intimate with your weapons in a way the younger police officers today don't seem to (generally speaking, there are always the exceptions, but who wants to get intimate with a Glock! .) Your time and insight is very appreciated!

Fast draw from any holster with a exposed trigger guard, can be very dangerous.

Many of us practiced the technique perfected by Bill Jordan, which was to rock the weapon out of the holster, level it at hip height, just above the holster and fire.

Please don't use live ammo.... Blanks or wax/plastic bullets are made for
this type of training.

Your best draw will be smooth, not jerky. Start out slowly and train yourself to in deliberate, smooth motion.

As Bill once said in his book, "No Second Place Winner"...Speeds fine. Accuracy is final. And such is my signature line here, a quote from the master himself...

__________________
Take your time..quickly.

A straight forward Border Patrol style holster that is properly sized for the gun is usually pretty easy to come by and will be a solid choice for general range work.

I carried open trigger holsters with revolvers from the late 70's into the middle 80s. I started with Bianchi thumb breaks, belt level like the 5BH and Border Patrol style and eventually gravitated to Hoyt break fronts similar to below.

Most of mine were an inside break, while the one below is an outside break. Of all the break fronts I tried I found Hoyt to be the fastest and easiest on the finish over time.

Open trigger guards on holsters are not inherently unsafe. The shooter needs to simply follow the rules and not get a finger into the trigger guard until on target. That said, if you look at the photo sequence on page 48 and 49 of Jordan's book you can see his finger clearly in the trigger guard while the gun was still in leather. But he was working toward the fastest possible time to fire so shortcutting like that made sense.

As far as open trigger guards for everyday carry, I wouldn't be so worried about my finger pulling the trigger during a draw (as was pointed out, I can train for that), I'd be more worried about some other object protruding in there and causing an AD as I brushed up against a counter or sat down or something. Probably not likely but it would make me nervous!

Holster by EPS that I have used to carry this Model 29-2 into the Scapegoat Wilderness in Montana on several occasions. The revolver shows no sign of wear after many hours in the holster and on horseback.

Bill

Wow guys! Thanks for all the great tips and info! And I have Bill Jordan's book, "No Second Place Winner"!! Great stuff! I "read" it but need to go back and STUDY it!

Yes.... my thoughts exactly. I think I will go with the "Cyclone" with the covered trigger, that way if I do CC with it I will have the added peace of mind of the covered trigger.

I have very considerable experience with the Bianchi 5BHL and do not worry about AD's, as I trained to keep my finger out of the trigger guard until after the muzzle has cleared my body.

I also have similar holsters by Safariland (their old Model 29 with green Elk Suede lining) and Don Hume. I have several holsters by El Paso Saddley, including a 1930 Austin one like Bill showed with his short M-29 .44 Magnum.

None seems to have caused holster wear, but my guns are mostly stainless. IF I ever see wear, I can just gently polish it off with Simichrome or a similar metal polish.

I do like the more protective Bianchi Model 111 Cyclone and it offers a belt loop that also allows crossdraw carry, for when you have a rifle over your right shoulder. They make it for a range of guns, but not in basketweave finish, which I think they may still offer in the 5BHL. I have seen photos on the Net of the 111 for a snub .38, and it still looked pretty good.

I wore the 5BHL as my primary duty holster for 30 years, for both a M-66-3 and a Ruger GP-100, the latter just being carried occasionally for variety. Yes, I have holsters for both guns; I didn't try to cram the Ruger into the holster for the K-framed Smith. The belt was usually Bianchi's River belt, also in black basketweave. I was never unhappy with this combo, and it worked well even when seated for hours in a car. The Safariland Model 29 was the second most used holster, and it worked equally well. I have an El Paso rig that greatly resembles the Safariland, BTW. They still make that design. Safariland got away from traditional holsters years ago.

Consider this: I have seen many MK VI .455 Webleys with worn fnishes. I found out why when I bought a British military leather holster. It allowed too much motion of the gun, as it fit the holster loosely. I think they meant those holsters to also accomodate the bigger-framed Colt New Service and other guns. One size DOES NOT fit all, and had I been an officer then, I'd have had a holster made to the official pattern, but which fit MY GUN. I think the holster made for the MK VI also fits the 1905 and 1911 Wilkinson-Webleys the same, as they all look the same size and basic design, the Wilkinson Sword -retailed ones mainly being better finished and with hand-honed actions, with nice walnut grips with a gold intial plate.

Some Civil War holsters allowed too much motion as a cavalryman galloped his horse, and the blue wore off his gun soon. I have even seen photos of guns where the motion in the holster allowed the metal to thin, especially near the muzzle. The worst wear may have come from saddle holsters, but I think many belt holsters were also too loose for the gun. A holster that FITS will minimize blue wear.

Beg pardon, but I doubt that the top holster is a Bianchi. Look at it again and see if it may be a Don Hume. I have one, in a nice dark brown color, basketweave.

I have a few open trigger design holsters, all with a thumb break that prevents
the hammer from coming back so inadvertantly having the trigger pulled by an
outside object is probably low on the lists of possibilities with that type of design.

Another factor to consider is that when reholstering with a closed trigger design
holster you have to always make sure nothing, like a piece of your clothing, gets in the
trigger guard. You could find yourself actuateting the trigger with whatever found it's
way into the trigger guard when it, and the trigger, get's even with the top of the holster.

I only mention this because I feel that my open trigger holsters are safer than the closed
when it comes to reholstering. With that said, I always make sure that my trigger guard is
clear when reholstering no matter the type, or design, of holster I'm using at any given time.

No matter what holster you decide on, to reduce wear you
should try and keep the inside clean. Even dust is a serious
abrasive and most any lined holster will hold debris of some sort.

__________________
Ogy

You are correct...wrong picture, my bad.......I went on the hunt for the Bianchi and it's stored away somewhere. When I find it, I'll correct the file name on the pics.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention. CRS strikes again.



Ah Ha!

Correct picture this time.....duh

__________________
Take your time..quickly.

No matter what you have chosen. Please keep it clean and free from dust etc. One grain of sand embedded can really raise heck with blue or stainless after just a couple of holstering actions.