I bought a Blackhawk Speed classic holster for my J frame snubbies after watching a few videos on Youtube, and I don't like as much as I thought I would... The gun prints horribly and even with my biggest sweater the bottom shows if I move at all...

Anyone have any good suggestions for a pancake or OWB for concealment? I'm not a big guy so most holsters I wear at 3:00-4:00 position show more than I like, and I have to wear XL shirts to cover them length wise... I wear sweaters or a standard fleece vest or large T-shirts for concealment. Most of the time I carry my Bianchi IWB holster thats made for hammerless j-frames, but it works fine with my 637 and 37. I just want an OWB for comfort when driving a lot or just because I like them. I would like something that the balance of the gun is at or above the belt, so it's no hanging down far, maybe an FBI can't would be better?

Looking for suggestions, and especially post pics!!

I carry a 442 in a pancake holster. I'm a medium size guy and my cover shirt's a large. Works for me. Even if it prints a bit most people aren't observant enough to notice anything, they're usually too busy staring at their cell phones anyway.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I like this Black Hills pancake style high ride.
It's sharkskin and they make it in other exotics, but cowhide too.

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In Omnia Paratus

I like that a bunch, Phil. Thanks for posting it.

Nice hat, too!

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I have three holsters I use for my J Frames. A black Tucker Gun Leather HF3, a brown Simply Rugged silver dollar pancake, and an old Bauer Bros paddle holster for when I have a coat or other heavy over garment. They all serve the purpose, but for the money the Simply Rugged is light, very comfortable, and conceals well.
Summertime pocket carry is handled by Mikas.

What a lot of people don't realize is to properly "Concealed Carry" you have to alter your wardrobe. Shirts need to often be a size larger than you normally wear, and pants the same. I have gone to wearing "Lee" bluejeans, in the "Relaxed fit" for pocket carry. With IWB you normally need an extra 1 or 2 inches in the waist. The style of clothing can also make a difference. With today's clothing Mfg's producing for the younger audience, the cut is often much slimmer than the same size of a few years ago. I have a particular Arrow sport shirt I like, (the long sleeve with the sewn in pen pocket in the left breast pocket) and the same size is now nearly 3" smaller in circumference than just two years ago. Unfortunately, I'm not.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I use the Simply Rugged and it works fine. Sits a little low.
My next J-Frame holster will be from R. Grizzle, the High Country holster.
I have this for my S&W autos and find it the best belt holster for me.
It is high and fits close for a Shield and M&P 9C size, it is almost as concealable as inside the waist band with the short barreled Shield.

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Living on the great plains

Shrove Tuesday.................. Pancake

If you can find one I'd recommend a vintage Roys of Arkansas pancake holster for your J frames. Mine is open top which will accommodate both hammer and shrouded J frames, rides high and snugs in tightly on the belt. Prices have risen but a nice example will still be less than anything new. Another favorite is an old Bianchi IWB holster that is very thin molded to the J frame from years of wearing, you will need loose fitting pants and shirt to be comfortable and concealable.

That hat is a Barsolino. It's my gangster hat.

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In Omnia Paratus

Here is my Wright Leather Works "Predator". This holster will hold your J Frame snug against your body. The fit and retention are perfect. I also have a Predator for my Shield. Leather Concealed Carry Holsters & Belts | Wright Leather Works LLC

S&W 442 OWB by Jerry Jaynes, on Flickr

I really like the CCR model by Barranti Leather. Rides high enough, secure enough, with enough cant, a wide belt loop for weight distribution, and a wedge at the bottom that keeps the gun butt close to the body. It hides as well as any OWB I have tried.

This is an older Galco Combat Master carrying a Colt DS. Galco makes a pretty decent holster.

Funny thing, I bought this holster (used) because it was marked "J-Frame". Turns out it was for a Colt DS. Well, what could I do?

It bothers my wife that I usually wear clothes that are a little large, but she knows that I dress around the gun.

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I second this recommendation. I have been carrying in Roy's Leather pancake holsters since 1978 when I bought my first one. When I began my career with the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Division in 1979 I was issued a 2.5 inch Model 66-1 along with a black Roy Baker Pancake holster. I have examples for S&W J, K,N frames and 1911, in various barrel lengths. I have many dozens of holsters and nothing conceals a gun small or large and carries as comfortably (to me) than one of these. One that has, to date, eluded me is an open top J frame for a centennial.

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Bill

Simply Rugged for me. I own two, one for the J frame and the other for the LCR.

I also got the inside out straps so I can use them IWB too.

GT80,

I have that same holster, it will never work at 3 or 4 O'clock, you need to push it back so it is behind and over your hip. My biggest complaint with it is difficulty in reholstering it, very awkward two handed job.

I use a DeSantis Speed Scabbard or a kydex paddle most times a carry a J.

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Tony

I really like my Galco SM122
IMG_0268 (2).jpg

I also purchased one of the Blackhawk holsters for my J Frame when I first saw them. I didn't care for it and gave it to a buddy who liked it.

I like the Alessi belt slide that I picked up here from a fellow forum member. It does have a pretty decent front cant to it though so that may be something to consider if thin.

I usually add a size to my shirts and it covers great. I have found a standard Carhart style T-shirt and shorts covers well if you are a casual clothes wearer.

I also go toward the pocket holster if the need dictates.

I do have a R.Grizzle leather Georgia Snap for a Glock 43 that conceals very well with the same clothes when I go with the 43.

I like to carry my M438 in a Galco ankle holster or a Galco bellyband. I also use a Robert Mika pocket holster. I have no printing when I use any of the three.

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police651

I've had good success with a Roy Baker pancake and a Galco horsehide pocket holster.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Check out a Lobo Enhanced Pancake. I've been carrying a variety of J frames in one for years and could not be happier with it.

Here's a shot of my lined Lobo Enhanced Pancake with my M&P 340. It works equally well with my 640 Pro and 940. Also works with 36s, but I don't carry any of them in it because of the hammer. I wear it at 4 o'clock, and I wear one of several vests -- no printing. The vests were my "altering my wardrobe to accommodate ccw." I've grown to like them a lot.

I've also become a belt and suspenders guy. My primary belt is a Milt Sparks 1¾" (same size as the loops on the holster). I never know the holster is there. A good belt is as important as the right holster for comfort and security.

Best of luck with your decision.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

In case you don't like black holsters here's a Lobo Enhanced Pancake in dark brown, with my daily carry 632. It has 1 1/2" slots which fit the Lobo belt of the same color that I wear with virtually all my clothing, including dark business suits.

BTW, the holster has the "body shield" that covers the thumb latch but is not big enough to cover an open hammer on a J frame. I don't have any open hammer J frame carry guns so that isn't an issue for me, but if you like to carry a Chief's Special or equivalent I believe Lobo can put a larger body shield on the holster upon request.

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Vote 4 for a vintage Roy's Pancake holster, I still use them for both my S&W J's and a Colt Commander. An older Bianchi Shadow or Model 8 are close seconds. All of these have thumb-straps and can be found lined.

I like both of these features, the strap for security and the lining to reduce bluing wear. Both of these pull the gun, including the butt, tight into the body to reduce printing.

R. Grizzle is worth the wait and the money, well spent. You won't find a nicer artist. If you go for the Grizzle don't forget to ask about getting your holster lined if you have a gun worth protecting and I assume that is the case or we wouldn't be talking Grizzle. Great guy, fantastic craftsman.

That is a beautiful piece of leather! Looks like it fits perfectly

I have been wearing the blackhawk off and on, and I have gotten used to it. Around my house it is very comfortable, and wearing a large shirt it's pretty good- working outside, it is a little annoying when I lift my arms sometimes you can see the bottom of the holster, but if that is an issue, I usually use my Bianchi IWB leather holster, and tuck my shirt in the belt clip in front, and it stays put.

The OWB holster is best for comfort and driving I have found. The Blackhawk is definitely cheaper leather than others I have seen, it scratches easily, but I need to lube it up with some oil a little, and it will be fine.