Have a problem I need help with... I do not wear a belt and now have a need to carry my J frame while walking and horseback riding. Open carry, OWB. I wore a friend's Comp-Tac paddle holster to see if I liked the concept and it was comfortable and just what I wanted but they do not make them for my J-frame. Can anyone recommend a paddle holster similar to that one? I would take either Kydex or leather.

Karen

I would really look into a belt. It stabilizes the holster a lot better.

Plus 1 on Arik's post.... a sturdy high quality belt does wonders in distributing the weight of the firearm on your waist..

The finest paddle holster I have ever used is my Kramer MSP......not an inexpensive holster by any means, but it is the best I have ever used.

Randy

I once had a Fobus paddle holster. I could see how it'd be handy.
Personally, I didn't like it and gave it away, choosing instead to use a leather pancake holster on a sturdy belt.
Didn't work for me but then again, I always carry concealed.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I had one Fobus rotary holster. You could rotate it front/back for different cant. Well it took a few days and the rotary mechanism broke and my gun turned upside down. Good thing I was in my neighborhood walking my dog. Last Fobus I bought. Went to iwb afterwards

To answer the question, based on the stated parameters, I have kydex paddle holsters from G-Code and Omega holsters. Both do an excellent job for what they do.

Take a peek at Safariland's #5181 paddle. I agree it is better to wear a belt but find many of my female students do not wear belts, so this is a holster that can be worn clipped to the waistband with no belt needed. It is light, comfortable, has adjustable tension and it is suede lined so it does not make the snap noise when the gun is drawn like some kydex models do.

Unlike Arik, my Fobus paddle holsters have held up very well and they won't break the bank.

Edit to add this slow thought:

Foxeee, you posted that you used a friends paddle holster and liked it sans belt. Where you able to draw the gun without the holster? I've found that without a belt a paddle holster stays with the gun on the draw.

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Quando omni flunkus moritati.

I am also a fan of the Safariland paddle holsters for use without a belt.



Safariland Model 568 with a homemade sweat guard added that you won't need unless you are wearing it under a bicycle jersey against your skin on an Arizona summer day.

The bicycle shorts I wear do have a drawstring in the waistband that makes the paddle easy to draw from without any issues.

Yes, I was able to draw no problem at all. The holster was comfortable and stable hiking as well as driving.

I like the Galco Speed Paddle.

I actually carry a 442 or 438 with a Blackhawk Serpa sportster quite frequently and it works well. I would recommend level 2 retention if you are riding.

I sometimes carry a 637 in a plastic Israeli holster (not Fobus) with good luck. I have used without a belt (prefer with a belt) and it stays in my pants when I draw.

http://www.imidefense.com/black-poly...e-Holster.html

If you wear a paddle holster without a belt you run a pretty good risk of pulling off the holster with the gun during an emergency draw. I would advise against it.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

Try Cook's Holsters. I have a holster on order for my J frame from them, they make good stuff. I have a holster from them for my Shield and really like it.

I would go classic and collectable:

An SD Myre's "Barton's Special holster" similar to this one:





Very stable in the pants, easy to remove and put on. Even though it is "collectable" I use mine a lot.

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Dave

Gold Star Holsters can help you. they make a lot of different types of holsters. check them out. Goldstar Holsters | Custom Handmade Holsters

Just try with or without belt. I don't wear one except loosely fitting due to a surgery but found that both Serpa with a 637 and Fobus (not rotating) with LCR work without. That's just me and I understand the misgivings about it. Feel better with a belt though, as I typically conceal a G26 appendix carry these days and my Safariland holster catches even on loose belt. Otherwise, pocket carrier.