642 holster ?

J

jkmo

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Hi all,

A while back I bought a Blackhawk leather pancake holster (with retaining strap) for my 642. Great holster.

I haven't used it in a while and decided to wear it the other day. Since I bought it I added a Crimson trace grip to the 642. The strap will not snap now with the laser grip. It is about half a snap away from snapping. It is a left handed holster and the bump in the grip that holds the laser just stops it from snapping.

Is there a way to stretch the strap just a bit so it will snap?

Thanks
 
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The way I was taught to stretch gun leather is to thoroughly soak it in warm water and then insert the gun and let the leather dry around it. Since you don't want to rust your gun you wrap it in a plastic lunch bag or a double coating of plastic wrap.

The problem is that even totally soaked the strap might not reach across for you. You can't succeed in stretching if you can't make the strap tight around the gun. So, perhaps soak just the strap (a little water won't hurt the holster) and then hang it from something with a very heavy weight inside the holster. That might stretch it far enough.

Good luck!
 
Mine goes in a SevenTrees that has the strap over the trigger guard.

Jack
 
I was a half snap away on a Safariland OWB for my 92FS. I soaked just the strap, bagged the gun and cut a piece of sponge to put under the strap to allow just a little wiggle room, didn't want to snap to be too tough to snap or worse unsnap. Worked great.
 
The development of revolvers without exposed hammers was a direct result of demand for handguns that could be carried in pockets or purses without worries of an exposed hammer snagging during the draw.

Holsters for the J-frame revolvers featuring typical retention straps or thumb-breaks will not provide adequate retention with the shrouded-hammer revolvers.

Traditional thumb-breaks will not adequately retain the shrouded-hammer revolvers.

Holsters designed for the shrouded-hammer revolvers may feature a retention strap fitted behind the trigger guard, but that will work only with factory 'magna' grips. Oversized grips that take up most or all of the space behind the trigger guard will make it impossible to holster and fasten the retention device.

Bottom line comment, from a 43-year holster maker: You selected a revolver designed and intended for carry in pocket or purse, now you want to carry it in a holster. The only way that is likely to work is with an open-top holster without retention straps.

Best regards.
 
DevilDog72 said:
I think I would like to try a Paddle Holster for 642... any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I have a Safariland Model 6378 ALS paddle holster for a J-Frame S&W (including the 642), and I also have the Universal Belt Loop accessory for it. It works just fine for me when I'm open carrying my 642-2 and secures the little gun without a retention strap. The ALS system for the J-Frames locks on the rear of the cylinder. You can find them online for less than what Safariland's MSRP.
 
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I am a lefty. I have a 442 with Pachmayr compacs on it. I carry it in a DeSantis model 001 1S. It snaps over the hump where the hammer would be and it works well. It also has a tensioning screw at the trigger guard for security. Like the holster a lot. Most concealable OWB holster I own and I've got a box full! It has three belt slots and can be worn in three configurations: strong side FBI cant, strong side extra high ride, no cant and crossdraw.
 
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