I have a question on the carry of my j-frame. I just got this new kydex leather lined IWB holster. As you can see the trigger is exposed and I have some concerns about this as having the trigger covered is one of the essential characteristics I look for in a holster. I have 7 days to return the holster - what are you thoughts, what would you do?

I would like your advice and thanks in advance!

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Try one of these. It's a pocket holster and very fast on the draw. I've practiced with it and can draw and get 2 shots on target in about 1.2 - 2 seconds.

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You've answered your own question. Send it back, then look at Lobo and Charter Oak offerings (Ray and Lefty are forum members) and even Bob Mica pocket holsters. Sam Andrews also makes ultra-high quality rigs, of which I have several for J-frames.

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I'm with the banned ...

Thanks for the quick reply - I'm specifically looking on advice on whether my concern is valid and should return this particular holster.

I am not a fan of any holster that leaves the trigger exposed when you are carrying it.Send that holster back and look at the offerings of Charter Oaks,Lobo,Desantis and Don Hume.Spend the money on good leather holsters that fit your needs and not waste it on those Kydex rigs.JMHO...Mike

The holster you just got is probably safer for holstering than some others, possibly less safe on drawing. Your call. I could probably live with it, but there are others I would choose sooner.

I prefer a holster that covers the trigger. I'd send it back, but as was said, your call.

I'm not sure I would have bought it knowing a covered trigger was a priority. That little snub sure don't have a hair trigger, so I could live with it.

It sounds like your not comfortable with it so I'd say send it back and choose a different holster.

Yea, I don't like an exposed trigger either. I do not own, and would not buy, one of those. And I have a whole box of holsters!

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But then, what do I know?

why does it matter? if your trained properly so you keep your finger out of the trigger guard till your ready to fire and you have the thing covered and no one can see it I really dont see the issue here.

and its in a holster and you'd really have to be trying to get that thing to go off if it got caught on anything to begin with, although I doubt it could to begin with as you've got a good amount of leather covering both sides of the front of the trigger guard, more so on the side facing you.

I have nothing but white hot hate for that poorly-designed kydex rig. If the trigger is exposed, you must dispose.

Trigger not covered, holster not kept. Period.

Check out the Alessi Deep Cover; it's a J-Frame specific IWB. Excellent rig, just don't expect it to be delivered very quickly.

I'd send it back, but not so much because of the partially uncovered trigger. Drawing won't put any forward pressure on the trigger, and while holstering it's always your job to keep the trigger protected until the gun is in the holster. Once the gun is fully in the holster, the trigger is fully covered by either the holster or the waistband on your pants - nothing can get to it.

No, the reason I'd send the holster back is so I could replace it with one that has its belt attachments somewhere other than right on top of the cylinder, the place that's already the thickest part of the package. AND that allows you to tuck your shirt over the gun and between the holster and your pants. You probably won't need to do that very often, but it's worth having the option the few times that you do.

The Lobo IWBs have the offset belt attachments, but neither the "belt loop" models nor the offset clip type appear to be tuckable. It looks like almost all of the Charter Oak models for revolvers have their clips on top of the cylinder, so I'd skip those. None of the Don Hume models appear to be tuckable. The Simply Rugged model for J frames looks like an OWB model that can have straps attached to make it an IWB, but it doesn't seem to be tuckable.

Of tuckable models I'm aware of, DeSantis has the Intruder with two offset clips, while their FlexTuk has a single clip. Crossbreed has 2 models that take a J frame, with one or two belt clips. Kholster offers a very similar design that's a lot less expensive than the Crossbreed, but benefits from some trimming with a utility or Xacto knife once you have it set up the way you want it, to let you get a firm grasp on the grip for the draw. (I use a Kholster for my 649.) Side Guard also has several offset clip models that are tuckable, some with one and some with two clips. I like their Tuck Clip model, which is what I use when I carry a 442 (it's a good bit lighter than the 649, and is reasonably stable with only a single belt clip.) CompTac makes their superb CTAC for J frames, but I find kydex to be uncomfortable against my bare skin in the summer.

Aside from the 1911, there are probably more holsters for a J frame than any other gun on the planet. Don't see the point in compromising on a holster where there are hundreds of other designs that do it better.

I was extremely lucky with my IWB holster.I suffer from that dreded disease called "Left Handed Syndrome" so finding gun shops that think everyone is right handed are plentiful here.I went on ebay and found a "new old stock" lefty Desantis IWB holster still in it's shipping bag for 15 dollars.Had the two offset belt loops and everything.With my holsters the trigger must always be covered.Besides preference,the trigger,when exposed,can get alot of foriegn body material caught in it when in concealed carry mode.It is the central part of the action and should be protected as much as the rest of the gun.JMHO

I got my first revolver in 1978. A covered trigger was not a priority then. Indeed there was little or no mention of keeping your finger out of the trigger guard until you were ready to shoot.

I think it became an issue when lots and lots of people with minimal training started carrying handguns.

All my current holsters cover the trigger guard but it has not been an overriding issue for me. And I now pull my firearms from the holster with the trigger finger alongside the frame instead of in the trigger guard. (I'm trying to keep up with the times.)

Thanks for the additional replies / Thoughts. As a side note the exposed trigger is less of a concern for my trigger finger draw placement as it is a bigger concern for possible shirt / or other item getting caught, pinched within the trigger and trigger guard while being worn. I understand its a slim possibility but it is a possibility and a concern.

A legitimate concern, nonetheless.

Get a rig that covers the trigger. When gearing up, place the firearm in the rig before putting it on, paying special attention to the trigger as you slip it in to see that nothing snags it, even slightly (while following the basic rules of firearms safety, of course). Then slip it onto your waistband.

That way you you know the trigger is secured in the holster, and can carry with more peace of mind.

Nice looking holster who makes it? I was raised in the era of holsters not having the trigger covered, so it don't bother me as much as others. If it's a nice tight fit I doubt the cylinder would turn in the holster. I guess it's up to you but I'd keep it if you like it and it's a nice solid fit to the gun.

I guess I will offer a differing opinion and say that on an IWB holster the trigger guard is already covered in your pants. To me it is a non-issue, if you like the holster keep it and put it to good use.

Randy

I'm curious--who is the holster maker?

Garret Industries

Thanks for the replies

If you're not 100% comfortable with your carry equipment, get rid of it.

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Centennial Every Day

Personally, I don't have a problem with holsters that expose trigger guards. I have a problem with Kydex and nylon. I'm currently waiting for an L-frame holster that covers the trigger guard because my agency has a problem with my Tom Threepersons holster. In the meantime, I'm using a nylon Uncle Mike's duty holster.

All that aside, I don't see the purpose in an exposed trigger guard in an IWB holster.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I'm not familiar with kydex as it pertains to collapsibility. An all leather holster such as the Simply Rugged fits so tightly the cylinder will not turn when the revolver is holstered resulting in the gun not being able to be fired when holstered. The back of the trigger guard is exposed but not the trigger itself. Accidental discharge is impossible if that is your concern.

IMO this is a poorly designed holster and i find it hard to believe it was actually designed for a J frame. The two things i look for are a covered trigger and being able to get a full grip, which on some holsters is not possible, example the Pager Pal.
I would return it the day I got it.
For my J frame I use the Blackhawk Serpa level II retention holster with a belt slide or paddle.

if your having doubts on this holster, send it back. if your not 100% sure on a carry rig, you wont be comfortable carrying it. dump it and get something better. i love the galco speed scabbard.

You can still buy DeSantis holsters made for S&W from S&W Accessories, like my 3" J-frame model below:



My 3" 60 Pro is holstered - my 3" 63 alongside also fits. It can be worn high enough that the cylinder bulge clears the belt (Get a better belt!), but then, if you are volumettrically challenged like me, it will have your fat rolls (Dunlop disease...) to contend with. Still - a well made holster - for ~$65 + s/h + s/t.

Stainz

I bought one for my 640 Pro and I concur. Nicely made and well-designed. I got the speed scabbard version--no thumb break.

It is comfortable, presents quickly and has good retention. It really hugs the body. Nice.

You have to assume that S & W has more resources available for testing holsters. I would doubt they have a single dog in the store.

Just curious - how solid is that DeSantis holster on the belt that doesn't completely fill the belt slots? I have a Bianchi with 1.75" belt slots for my M10 and it will tip forward and back quite a bit on my 1.5" Wilderness Instructor belt. I've been reluctant to spring for a DeSantis, Bianchi or Safariland for my new (to me) 3 inch 65-3 because those holsters all seem to have the 1.75" belt slots. Other makers like Lobo, Side Guard and Simply Rugged specify 1.5" slots, but they can take longer to get and can be more expensive.

So I'm just wondering.

The longer the barrel, the more solidly the holster will carry. The longer barrel length acts as a lever against your hip so that the belt is no longer the only thing holding it solidly.

So a 4" barrel will ride more solidly than a 3". I find that there is little difference between the 3" and 2" barrel length in terms of how it rides in the holster.

I have a Glock plastic holster that will carry a G23 or a G27. The G23 carries with the butt of the gun much closer to my side than does the smaller G27.

(G27 = baby Glock; G23 = mid sized Glock)

I suggest you look at the holsters made by the following holster companies.

Mernickle holsters

Diamond d custom leather

Friend it sounds like you have enough doubt in your mind to ask the question on the internet to a world of strangers, which tells me you doubt the safety of the rig. Go ahead and return it and find one that makes you comfortable carrying your j frame pistol. You know that's really what you want do do, right?

What I don't understand is why they did not cover the trigger. All the other holsters that they show in their catalog do have the triggers covered.

Perhaps they had the models confused? You should querie them on that point.

If they replaced the existing holster with one that had the trigger guard covered would you be happy with the holster?

I do not think I would keep it. I never gave it much thought but after read this thread I realized I do not own a single holster, even my open tops that expose the trigger.
Cheers

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"Chiefs Special" 637 & 442

I carry my 642 in my right side pants pocket without a holster and with nothing else in the pocket. That said, I would not feel comfortable with a visible gun and exposed trigger.

I would send it back.

ML

Yes I would, I actually really like the fit make of the model minus this point.. just sent it in and hope to have a dialogue about it early next week - I will update the board what I find out.

Guess it's my age and 'up bringing', but I've never owned a holster with a covered trigger guard and I carried every day for 31yrs (Still do), but if it bothers you, get another. You're the one who's going to be using it.

Uncle Mikes makes a nice IWB holster & Pocket holster at a reasonable price. I've used both for years with my J frames & they cover the tigger.
Steve