Thank you in advance for your time,

I am an Illinois resident, and have a Utah CCW permit.
With any luck CCW will be coming to Illinois soon.
I have a S&W 638 and am seeking advice as to the best belt hip carry holster out there.

Leonard

I can't recommend a brand because I make my own holsters but personally I prefer leather holsters with molded in retention. No levers, clips or snaps to fumble with. You just grab your snubby and yank.
The first pic is my personal holster the second pic is one I made to sell.

Attached Images

	snubholster.jpg (22.4 KB, 85 views)
	OWBholster.jpg (59.5 KB, 90 views)

Don Hume IWB for my j frame. Comfort and quality at a great price.

From the Forum, except for "snubbyfan" there are two
more members listed in Forum Vendors.
LOBOGUNLEATHER BELLCHARTEROAK
I don't which of the three makes the best holster, but
they are all high-class folks, with well-crafted holsters.
These guys Know what they're doing!
TACC1

I have a Lobo Model 1 Pnacake for my 442. Ray makes a very good holster.

I have several of Rays holsters. Between his Model 1 Traditional Pancake holster, and his Enhanced Pancake is a rough decision.
Lobo Gun Leather - Home

My last holster purchase that has been delivered is a Rocky Hill Leather by Oren Grainer. Oren is new in the business, and doing very good work. I have been carrying one of his Traditional Pancakes the last 3 weeks with my 2" Model 15 Combat Masterpiece in it. I have an additional 2" K Frame Pancake on order for my 2" Model 10 Snub. I also have a Traditional Pancake on order for my 4" 686 SSR gun.

Orens web site is not up and running yet.
Cel 417-247-1964

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ICORE MO2908

Go with the regular pancake from LOBO. The pancake is probably the most popular style of OWB holster because it holds the gun close to the body for concealability, is comfortable and stable.

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Very interesting...

Thanks to you all! Contacting LOBO.
Leonard

Good advice...I don't have one for 442 since I usually ankle or IWB with it...but I do have one for my P2000....if you decide on one, try the horsehide...nice and stiff yet thinner than cow...Ray curves the wings in nicely so it pulls close to the body...





I do have one of Ray's minimal IWB clips for my 442....even if you want an OWB, it's nice to have one of these for quick trips and it doubles s a pocket holster....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Contacted Ray at LOBO, very prompt response. Told him what I want to carry and for what. Replied right back Enhanced Pancake, and why.
Sent the check today. Again, thanks all for your input!
Leonard

Just curious...what reason did he give for the enhanced over the standard pancake? I have both but actually prefer his regular pancake since it's slightly easier to thread the belt through...for me anyway....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Yeah, I have an enhanced pancake for my J-frame and a nice Mitch Rosen regular pancake for my Kahr CM9. I find it very difficult to feed a stiff gun belt through the slots, it doesn't stay open as well as I like and it doesn't pull the gun in quite as tight as the regular pancake. Ray does beautiful work and my lined enhanced pancake is a keeper, but I stick by my recommendation for the regular pancake.

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Very interesting...

05-03-2013 03;23;18PM.jpgTo sipowic and JFootin, the attachment is Ray's email to me about the Enhanced pancake

You'll like it!

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Very interesting...

Look at TT Gunleather, Tim does great work, custom holsters, great prices, and good turn around time, you won't be disappointed.

Well Leonard there are pros and cons to both types of holsters, but there are two factors that should be considered when making a selection for OWB or IWB and one is comfort and the other is how you dress around the weapon, IWB is good for most any wardrobe style while OWB may necessitate a change of clothing, not to mention your body build.

I use a Minotaur MTAC for all my M&P's on a daily carry basis and a Blackhawk Serpa for the range as an open carry option. In Tennessee we have a carry permit you can carry concealed or openly it is your personal choice here, but I usually carry concealed.

The Minotaur MTAC is very comfortable to me at about 3:30 or 4:00 with great retention. I carry a fullsize M&P40 daily and am not a large man...I am 5'6" and 140 - 147 pounds and no one ever notices printing (even myself) but I am used to carrying so it is just second nature, to someone new to concealed carry it will not be it will be like the pimples you had in high school and you are certain everyone else notices the same one you are concerned with and pick at daily in front of the mirror ( glad those days are long passed )!

Get a quality holster that you can try at the store in person (with an unloaded firearm) and give it a test run kinda like buying a new pair of shoes you know that there will be a breaking in period till the new holster will adjust to you, but if it don't feel right at the store try something else.

Do not cheap out and end up with a drawer full of useless holsters that you never use (Note to self throw out all those ****** holsters or give them away TODAY)!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

Welcome, I also am a Illinois resident with a Utah permit. I have a box full of holster just waiting to be worn.

June 9th is fast approaching!!

After trying numerous holsters I settled on the Bianchi "Professional" IWB. It's comfortable and holds a j frame very securely without a retention strap.

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"Shall not be infringed"

Whatever you get, I'd get something with a thumb break.