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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 03-17-2011, 06:55 PM
Reloadyour9 Reloadyour9 is offline
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Default Holster for 686 3"

Hello everyone. I have been searching frantically for a 3" holster for my 686. I am new to S&W's, and therefore have no experience with the available holsters for them. Can anyone recommend a company and style of holster for a 686 with 3" barrel. I will be carrying as my side arm while pig hunting and camping next weekend. Because of that, I really need to find a quality holster that is readily available.

Thanks in advance,
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Old 03-17-2011, 07:11 PM
Gregwilson357 Gregwilson357 is offline
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I know there's a fobus paddle holster do them. Or did you want a certain style?
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Old 03-17-2011, 07:13 PM
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I was going to suggest you hit a few gunshows and dig through the boxes of $10 holsters, you try one out and if you don't like the way it works then your only out a few bucks and pick up another $10 holster until you find the style that suits you, but since you seem to be pressed for time I would just head off to the gun stores and look for a Bianchi, Desantis, Safariland, or Galco field holster. Your local store may have an old box of used duty holsters, they are generally dirt cheap and of very good quality. They are not very good for CCW but will work just fine for the field.
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Old 03-17-2011, 10:02 PM
luis luis is offline
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Welcome to the forum.

Try to find a Bass Pro or Gander Mountain store they should have some ballistic holsters that will work. WalMart has also started carrying a cheap but good copy of an Uncle Mike.
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Old 03-17-2011, 10:17 PM
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Reloadyour9:

Lobo Gunleather (member and good egg) can fix you up: lobogunleather.com.

Tucker makes a nice, tuckable IWB holster but I doubt that he has any in stock. http:// rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

Welcome to the forum, too! Good people here.

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Old 03-18-2011, 01:11 PM
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Three inch barrels are a little hard to find holsters for. For leather look at Desantis or Galco, for nylon look at Bianchi. Also look at holsters for the Ruger GP 100 3", they are real close in size but you might have to modify the holster a little to clear the adjustable rear sight on the 686.
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Old 03-18-2011, 10:00 PM
snakeman99 snakeman99 is offline
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If it's the seven shot variety, I've got a brand new Milt Sparks for sale. Here is the link...

WTS Milt Sparks PMK Holster (3" 7-Shot L-Frame)

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Old 03-19-2011, 02:31 AM
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Still waiting on the mail, but I just bought one of these for my 3" 686 (seven shot). Note: the cylinder is the same size in both the six and seven shot so don't be detered if the holster only says it fits a six-shooter. I will post a photo when I get it.

Comp-tac Belt Holster
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Old 03-19-2011, 07:21 AM
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you need the holster asap, maybe there are some "buy it now" deals on ebay. i recently bought this one off of ebay fairly cheap, and the 3" 686 fits nice. the seller had several of the very same holsters listed.
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  #10  
Old 03-19-2011, 09:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jughed440 View Post
you need the holster asap, maybe there are some "buy it now" deals on ebay. i recently bought this one off of ebay fairly cheap, and the 3" 686 fits nice. the seller had several of the very same holsters listed.
This, or a cheapy from Bass Pro or Gander Mtn to get you thru next weekend. Then I would check out Lobo & Simply Rugged. They're pretty much the only two I use anymore, but you'll have to wait a few weeks on their fine work.

Come to think of it, Simply Rugged does have a section on their site called "Gear to Go" or something like that. It's holsters that are already made and ready to ship. You might get lucky.
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Old 03-19-2011, 11:50 AM
snakeman99 snakeman99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jas22 View Post
Still waiting on the mail, but I just bought one of these for my 3" 686 (seven shot). Note: the cylinder is the same size in both the six and seven shot so don't be detered if the holster only says it fits a six-shooter. I will post a photo when I get it.

Comp-tac Belt Holster
The cylinders are the same size but the shape and position of the flutes are not the same. The Milt Sparks holster that I have is custom made for the 7 shot cylinder. A six shot gun will fit, I've tried it, but it doesn't fit as securely as the 7 shot it was designed for...
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Old 03-19-2011, 08:58 PM
Garybock Garybock is offline
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Default Holster

Last August I ordered a PMK holster from Milton Sparks for my S&W 686+ 3 inch barrel. It arrived last week and it is sweet. While this won't be my primary carry gun, during the recent cold weather I have had it with me most of the time.

Sparks looks to be a very good holster for me and looks to be worth the wait.
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Old 03-25-2011, 09:14 PM
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I have a milt sparks summer special for my 686 and a street combat holster from El Paso Saddlery. Both very good holsters. The milt sparks took a little over six months to get, but it is a really nice and srprisingly easy to wear. The el paso holster is good too, The leather is softer, but VERY nice and comfy.
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Old 03-28-2011, 02:18 PM
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wow, talk about leading the man in the wrong direction.....Fobus? Uncle mikes? going to Wal-Mart to get a holster??.....please don't make that mistake, friends don't let friends wear cheap holsters!

Good holsters are expensive, you just bought a nice gun and should get a decent holster to compliment it. 3 Inch guns are indeed harder to find holsters for, but if you look hard enough you will find a good quality leather rig. Galco does not offer a factory 3 inch holster, but they will trim a 4 inch one down to fit a 3 inch gun, they do this in their custom shop. They do charge extra for this but it might be worth it to get a good holster that fits your gun well.
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Old 03-28-2011, 02:29 PM
357larry 357larry is offline
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Try Gould & Goodrich. I have a 3 inch model 66 that is double action only with a bobbed hammer. Found one of their holsters that works great.
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Old 03-28-2011, 04:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smith357 View Post
I was going to suggest you hit a few gunshows and dig through the boxes of $10 holsters, you try one out and if you don't like the way it works then your only out a few bucks and pick up another $10 holster until you find the style that suits you
Good advice from one of many that have a damn "boxful of WORTHLESS HOLSTERS!!"
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:08 PM
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This is the Simply Rugged Sourdough I have for my 2-1/2" 686. I bought it with the IWB straps, which are removeable. Great holster!
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Old 03-29-2011, 11:17 AM
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Since you stated that you wanted a holster quickly, Galco makes their "Silhouette" holster which will work well.



The barrel will be exposed, and this type is less-than-ideal for concealed carry, but it should suffice for your immediate needs.




Kramer makes an excellent holster for the 3" S&W 686. The one in the photograph is horsehide.
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Old 03-29-2011, 11:35 AM
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I'll second Lobogunleather.com, good quality and reasonable prices. The 686 3" in the middle is from Lobo...
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Old 03-07-2015, 10:35 PM
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Default 686 3''

i think galco makes a speed paddle that fits!
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Old 03-08-2015, 09:54 AM
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lets not forget about Snubby he make custom holsters also he also has a shrunken head on his work bench for inspiration
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Old 03-08-2015, 10:18 AM
M.Cunningham M.Cunningham is offline
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Mitch Rosen made this for my 686 3". It's not quick but damn is it nice.

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Old 03-08-2015, 11:17 AM
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I've got one of these, which I like: DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard Belt Holster Right Hand Smith & Wesson
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Old 03-08-2015, 11:24 AM
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Quote:
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lets not forget about Snubby he make custom holsters also he also has a shrunken head on his work bench for inspiration
Don't forget the carved skull.

Or the thumb break for a 3" 686.
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Old 03-08-2015, 01:13 PM
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very nice rig there!
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Old 03-08-2015, 01:21 PM
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where did you get the grips
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Old 03-08-2015, 01:30 PM
loveaffair#686 loveaffair#686 is offline
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Isn't that a fake plastic gun? If you're referring to the blue grips.
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Old 03-08-2015, 02:01 PM
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Default Simply Rugged vs. Lobo

For a very well made functional holster in leather that you can customize to your personal needs call Simply Rugged. They state 3 weeks out for production, I usually get mine in half that time. Another Forum member already mentioned is Lobo, a cut above SR and you will wait 3 weeks aprox. His hand made custom pancake holsters are beautiful for both fit and finish. Keep in mind that either will have a break in period so I go along with the others that recommend getting something cheap to make do then order a nice leather holster from Lobo you will both like and be proud to strap on your side. Lobo is all about custom work and is very detailed oriented so in the end there is no question you will have the perfect fit for your M686 3" which I would guess he has made more than a few of. Pictured is a Lobo custom pancake holster with easy snap on and off belt loops. It could have been further customized for my M66 2.5". Ray is a super guy to work with and I promise you won't be disappointed. This was my first order with him and there will be more to come after this. Good Luck
P.S. I forgot to mention as I should have being so satisfied in their grips/stock, by Ahrends.
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Old 03-08-2015, 11:11 PM
concrete tom concrete tom is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by loveaffair#686 View Post
Isn't that a fake plastic gun? If you're referring to the blue grips.
i was referring to cunningham
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Old 03-09-2015, 12:20 AM
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FWIW,this thread started FOUR YEARS AGO next week! Apparently the OP found his holster since he hasn't been back on the forum since April 2011! And he didn't even say thanks.
f.t.
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Old 07-29-2017, 04:19 PM
jake1956 jake1956 is offline
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How about the 3" 686+ with an unfluted cylinder? Just purchased a Talo edition .357 series and looking for holster recommendations. And I will say thanks!

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Old 07-29-2017, 05:20 PM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
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I would say look at the Simply Rugged website, They are a custom shop in Arizona, their turn around time is about a week right now. I have about 7 of their pancake holsters for various models and barrel lengths. Couple the holsters with a great belt, and you have a rig you can wear all day and forget you have it on. I've tried a lot of the big name production holsters, I have a draw full of them now, once I went to simply rugged I never looked back.
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