I have an M&P 340 waiting for me when I get back from Afghanistan and this is going to be my Primary carry pistol (Backed up by a Glock 19 and 27) I am debating holster choices. I plan on pocket carry a majority of the time but belt carry when weather and wardrobe permits. I am considering several holsters and am looking for a little insight from those of you who may have used any of these.

For Pocket Carry I am looking at:
Milt Sparks Pocket Hoster
Kramer Pocket Holster
A-Holster Pocket Holster

For Belt Carry I am looking at:
Kramer Pancake Holster
Raven Concealment Systems Phantom Modular Holster

For pocket carry I would suggest looking at Mika or Uncle Mike's. I think the one's you have listed will end of being too much holster for an M&P 340. What I mean by this is that the material will be too thick and/or too heavy for such a lightweight handgun. I also think that the kydex will tear up the finish pretty quick.

I hate to make suggestions like this, but have you considered also getting either a Model 442 or 642 to compliment your M&P 340? All three are available in a no-lock version.

The reason I suggest this is that I think you may prefer a 442/642 as a primary pocket carry and practice revolver. When you can belt carry, I'd recommend carrying the Glock 27 on your belt with the Model 340 in your pocket as back-up.

The extra weight of the 442/642, while minimal, does help to soak up a little more recoil.

I think you may find that in the long run it makes more economic sense to get a 442/642. While most J-frames will outlast their owners, the Airweights and Airlites tend to show wear pretty quick. Since the 442/642 is about half the price of the M&P 340, it is easier to accept.

Personally, individuals not employed in Law Enforcement, I'm an advocate of carrying a J-frame as primary carry and then supplementing with some type of semi-auto when feasible. By doing this, you don't have to worry about getting confused as to what you are carrying as you will always have a J-frame on you. S&W is currently making no-lock all-steel, airweight and airlite centennials right now. So I think the concept has a lot of merrit right now.

Note, however, in many cases the 442/642 will require a different holster from a 340. The reason for this is the barrel. The 442/642 is a standared one-piece barrel. The 340 has a two piece barrel and is thicker.

Myself I normally only carry one handgun. So when I carry my J Frame, it is my Primary weapon.
I have been looking a 340- M&P over myself. I really like the sights on it. The XS 24/7 Tritium front sight should be great for low light encounters.

For belt carry I have been carrying my 638 in a Lobo Model 1 Pancake with Optional Inner Hammer Shield and also Detail Boned. This holster carries the 638 very well at the 4 O'Clock position. Ray has normally a 5 week back log. Do not forget a good HD belt either.
Go to his web site for a look. I have 5 of his pancakes at this time. I have just about retired most of my other leather.
How I order: I decide what I want, then e-mail Ray my requirements.

Holster: Model 1 Pancake
Gun Model: Smith & Wesson 340 M&P (J Frame, 357 Magnum)
Barrel Length: 1-7/8"
Color: Tan
Belt Slots: 1.5"
Carry Side: Right
Option 1: Detail Boned
Option 2: Add Inner Hammer Shield

Note: I will get you a check in the mail. Provide me a mailing address.

Ray will e-mail you back that you are on the list, and the estimated completion time. Normally about 5 weeks. And a mailing address for the check. No credit card orders with him.

Lobo Gun Leather - Home

For approximately $60 he makes a very good holster in my opinion. The wait time is not bad either. I do not have one of his belts so far. I normally have a local saddle maker Matt Cornman make my belts for me.

My pocket holster is a Nemisis. It is not a bad holster to carry in. I pocket carry normally in an inside jacket or vest pocket. The Nemisis breaks up the gun outline fine. It holds the gun in a good position to get ahold of the handle. The only negative is reholstering when wearing the jacket or vest. It goes flat when the gun is removed. A holster that stayed open might be handier. It is not enough of a problem that I have changed pocket holsters so far. The price is not bad either.


Thank you for your service to our Country.
Have a Merry Christmas.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

Thanks for the replies very much. I'll address a couple of points.

The 442/642: Yes I like them both and had planned on a 442 the price is great but the night sight ICW the nice rounded out trench rear sight is light years better than the 442/642 sight and even though the price is more expensive, to me that makes enough difference. Even though the 442/642 is cheaper with those sights it's so hard to get a good quick sight picture that the XS sights are a real asset. The only way to get a 442/642 to compete is money spent on a front night sight install or a pair of laser grips both of which would decrease the favorable margin between the 340 and 442/642.

But as reasonable as they are I may get one or two in the future as back ups to the 340.


Is Kydex harder on finishes than leather? I was un sure.

JP

I have a Blackhawk Serpa holster for my 638. I got it when I was Police Chief for a secure open carry holster for day shift wearing 5-11 pants and a dress shirt. It put a couple wear marks on my 638. I have quit using it completely for that reason.

The sights on a 340 M&P are way ahead of a 442/642. Like you said this can be addressed to some extent, but costs money. By the time you had a Tritium front sight installed on a 442, you would probably be within $100 - $150 of a 340 M&P and still have the small trough back sight. Anyone not impressed with the 340 M&P sights, probably has not ever handled one.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

Kydex is very hard on finishes. Think about it as hard plastic versus pliable leather.

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Dick

I carry my 340sc in my right front pocket in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster. They work great for a J-frame. I also have a 442 that's a little heavier but carries the same. Inexpensive enough that if you ever do wear it out, get another one. I have two and one is pretty old but still stays in pocket when you draw. Add one or two Bianchi Speed Strips in the off pocket and you're good to go. Of course what's good for one is not always good for another but this system has worked for me for years.

I have only recently bought and started to carry my 340 M&P.

The only holster that I have used so far, is a Remora clipless holster. These holsters are not perfect, by any means, but for the super-light airweight series....they are great.

I can position the holster anywhere along my beltline, and it will absolutely stay exactly where I put it. Being a big advocate of loops (vs clips) for holsters...i was really hard-pressed to accept a holster that does not secure at all to the body...but it works.

Having said that...the drawbacks to Remora are: I cannot easily obtain a firing grip from the holster....due to the high cut of the holster. Also, the sweatshield is overly large, and often the front portion actually prints through a t-shirt (when worn just behind the hip).

I am about to try an Alabama Holsters Kydex IWB, which offsets the clip to one side, making for a slimmer package.

The person who said that Kydex is tougher on a gun's finish...
I will have to respectfully disagree, at least in my experiences.
I carried daily for two years with a Fist, Inc Ultra-thin kydex holster...and practiced drawing many times per day.
I kept the holster blown out with compressed air, and wiped it down with an oily gun rag (making it slick to draw from).....
And i never had a single wear spot or scratch on my weapon!

Leather is more abrasive than kydex...as the surface of the leather is like tiny brillo pads, and catches debris in the lining.
If kept clean...kydex can be very smooth on a gun's finish.

Thanks for your service, make it home safely, and the 340 will serve you well!

JP
Below is a link showing a holster my wife made for me about 2 years ago, she went ahead and made several at the time thinking that they wouldn't last however I still use it everyday, nearly 2 years now I would guess without any frays or holes. Once you get back from Afghanistan send me a pm with your name and address and if I am still alive I'll send you one of the spares that I have, try it out for a few weeks and if you
don't like it throw it in the trash or give it to someone. Just my small way of saying Thank You for your service to our country.

Terry

I need your expertise gentleman, your thoughts on...

Here is something that fits my carry method, IWB Tuckable. It's a combination of several designs that I put together into something that works for me... I usually carry it around the 1:00 position.


Sorry for the crummy Iphone pics.

My primary carry is a Smith M&P340 in a Galco pocket holster. I have two Mikas on order and plan to switch to them after they arrive. I carry a Smith 438 as a BUG in a left hand Don Hume JIT slide at 8:30 for use with my left hand. A couple of speed strips are stashed in pockets.

Nice. Who makes that?

Thanks! I did that one myself.
I got tired of not finding the right holsters, so I figured I would give it a go.

[QUOTE=royal barnes;136246337] I carry a Smith 438 as a BUG in a left hand Don Hume JIT slide at 8:30 for use with my left hand.

I just ordered one of the JIT slides for my 65. I believe it's a version of the old Yaqui slide. I've read good things about them and want the least amount of holster I can get by with. All these IWB holster that are 9" wide with all kinds of belt loops is not for me.

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Dick

I carry two guns. I consider them co-equals, not as a primary/back up.

I am now carrying my Glock inside the waistband, and a 340PD in a Galco Ankle Glove.

In hot weather I will put the Glock 27 on my ankle and the 340PD in my pocket.

I always want one weapon that is easily accessed while standing (pocket or inside the waistband) and one that is easily accessed when seated (ankle).

A cross draw might work for both. I am considering that too.

Well, you did an excellent job. Wish I could do decent leather work like that.

M&P 340 , in the pocket no holster , no problem drawing , no problem concealing , no worries of accidental discharge .
Actually a retired County Sheriff recommended this carry also , although that is what I had planned before talking to him .
If you want a M&P 340 , don't let anyone except you Wife or Loved one or of course the Man above talk you out of it , you will always want one .
I would never get rid of mine but , I really don't care for the front sight , my "OLD EYES" just don't pick up on it that well .
I do actually have a couple of holsters for mine but it always goes into the pocket "bare nekked" . I would never put mine in a kydex holster , the plastic puts accelerated wear on any handgun , mine still looks brand new , not even the typical cylinder ring , but it only has a few hundred rounds thru it and maybe a thousand dry fires .
One of these days I need to get the belt sander out and cut a relief in the grip panel for a better ejection and reload , they are not factory grips , but with the extra meat on the backstap I get a much better finger placement with my hand moving back the extra 1/4" .

If you want a really nice custom holster look up rayban on here http://www.rgleather.freehomepage.com/index.html , this is my last leather I got from him , holster , belt and mag pouch . Rick does fine work at a reasonable rate and you don't have too wait long either .

I have several different holsters that I use for my SC 340.
1) Uncle Mike's Pocket Holster- it works fine, could be a little thinner and stickier.
2) Desantis IWB holster- works ok, is adjustable and was cheap. The only thing I don't like is it needs a pretty thin belt to work with the clip.
3) Don Hume JIT- love it for OWB. Great holster for a great price.
4) Desantis paddle holster- a little pricey but a great holster for slipping on your belt for walking the dog and running to the store etc.

personally, I love the Kramer holster. I have been carrying my 442 in one for YEARS.