holster whats best

REVL33

REVL33

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just got a 686+ 2 1/2 , i want to get a good holster i have read about simply rugged, lobo, Kramer , rgrizzle, so i want some input on what you guy are using .

Here is is some of the things i want it has to durable , comfortable owb no iwb good retention and able to conceal well , i am a big guy about 265lbs not fat but very broad and wide shouldered , any and all opinions welcome i want to order soon cause i know it will take 6-8 weeks to get one .
 
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I own two sourdough pancake holsters from Simply Rugged. One of them for a J frame 442 and the other I bought for a L frame 696 which has a 3" barrel. Both retain the guns very well and hold them close enough to my body to conceal the guns very well while wearing a long shirt or jacket. Both are extremely well made and were delivered quite quickly. They were about $60.00 each. I also use the L frame holster to carry a K frame 66 with a 2 1/2" barrel and although it does not fit quite as snug it still retains the gun.
 
thx all who replied, i was looking at that galco i saw it for sale somewhere cant remember , are they usa made, also how are the snap on holsters are they tight or do they sag easy on easy off would be a nice option.
 
I have two Simple Rugged holsters, best money I've spent. Made in the USA, you can talk to a real person, and the products are first class.
 
I have 4" revolver holsters from Grizzle and Alessi, which have the finest materials and workmanship you could want. I even have an IWB holster for a 686, which is problematic because the belt puts so much pressure on the cylinder it is hard to draw. On the whole, I prefer pancake holsters for comfort, function and concealability. Quick snap pancakes put too much tension on the cylinder too, so I recommend the belt slot type.

Barrels 6" or longer are hard to draw from a high-ride holster. For longer barrels, look for a western style or duty-type holster, or a shoulder holster for convenience and limited concealability. I have an Alessi "Fieldmaster" for a 6" 629, which I like a lot.

Galco makes are some of the better mass-produced types, but the fit is generally poor and the leather too soft. You probably need a thumb break Galco for adequate retention. Galco tends to tout certain popular features, like high-ride, even if they don't make functional sense.
 
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Pancake from simply rugged - carry a 4" N frame more often then not - I'm 5'9" 215lbs and I can hide it with a t shirt
 
Neumann said:
I have 4" revolver holsters from Grizzle and Alessi, which have the finest materials and workmanship you could want. I even have an IWB holster for a 686, which is problematic because the belt puts so much pressure on the cylinder it is hard to draw. On the whole, I prefer pancake holsters for comfort, function and concealability. Quick snap pancakes put too much tension on the cylinder too, so I recommend the belt slot type.

Barrels 6" or longer are hard to draw from a high-ride holster. For longer barrels, look for a western style or duty-type holster, or a shoulder holster for convenience and limited concealability. I have an Alessi "Fieldmaster" for a 6" 629, which I like a lot.

Galco makes are some of the better mass-produced types, but the fit is generally poor and the leather too soft. You probably need a thumb break Galco for adequate retention. Galco tends to tout certain popular features, like high-ride, even if they don't make functional sense.
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thank you that is exactly the feedback i was looking for , and thanks to the rest of you for the input as well keep it coming.
 
I carry my 2-1/2" S&W 66 in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake.
I have another for my 2-1/2" S&W 310 Night Guard.
I have a Lobo Model 1 Pancake for my 3" S&W 625.

I can keep going for a while, I have 8 total, and two more on order. My brother has 4. Ray does very good work. The wait time is 4 to 5 weeks normally. His prices are also very reasonable.

I have a couple Model 1 Pancakes, the rest are his later Enhanced Pancake design.
I normally get mine in Medium Tan.
I add the Inner Hammer Shield to mine for concealed carry.
Thumb Break Retention is also an option.
The Enhanced Pancake comes Detail Boned to the gun.
With your 686 if it is a 7 shooter, which I believe yours is. You will want to specify to NOT Bone the Cylinder Flutes, unless he has a 7 shot Try Gun to fit it to. I requested that he not Bone the Flutes on my LCR holster, as I use the holster to carry both my 5 shot LCR 357, as well as my 8 Shot LCR 22.
I carry everything from my 4" Model 610 N Frame, down to my LCR 22 in the Lobo Enhanced Pancake holsters. The only time I carry in anything besides the Lobo Pancakes is when bumming around in the woods. Then I might use one of my old Bianchi holsters with Thumb Break Retention for a little better retention, and to not scuff up my Lobo holsters which are all still in great condition.
I have all 8 of my Lobo Pancakes in the Open Top design with Inner Hammer Shield. I use them all for concealed carry. If I had a dedicated bumming around in the woods gun that I needed a new holster for, I would probably switch to the Lobo Enhanced Avenger Model, and get it with Thumb Break Retention.
I have a horse riding holster on order for the Wife. She trailrides her horses all over Southern Missouri, and has been known to go Brush Popping with fair frequency. I consulted Ray and he recommended a Lobo Full Flap holster with Zero Cant for the LCR. With Zero Cant it can be worn on either side. The LCR is not a Thumb Break Retention friendly handgun, so the Full Flap was the best answer for handgun security. It is also a good design for the application as she can take the holster off if she wants to and throw it in the saddle bags, or floor board of the truck and not worry about scuffing the gun up. In this application the main concern was in not losing the UltraLite handgun, and not fast accessability. She will be open carrying, and probably have a couple shotshells up front in warm weather for snakes.
The point is, Ray makes several different holsters, with several options. His prices are great for a Custom Made Holster. You can still afford to have it your way when you order from him.

Check out the Lobo website. He is a great guy to deal with. Between my brother and I we have I believe 12 of his holsters, and 2 more on order. Everyone has been of great quality.

Lobo Gun Leather - Home

Bob in Misouri
 
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RVL33,

All of the above mentioned holsters are very good. I have probably at least three of each mentioned for various weapons. I am about your size and have carried for many years. I would caution you to spend a great deal of time in the selection of the belt that will carry the holster. The belt is often ignored and holsters blamed for "floppy" and sloppy carry results.

Regards

Bill
 
I agree with the folks who said Simply Rugged. Well made and at a good price. I also have a Tom Threepersons holster for my 28-2 made by El Paso Saddlery. It's also is a very well made holster.
 
Biginge said:
RVL33,

All of the above mentioned holsters are very good. I have probably at least three of each mentioned for various weapons. I am about your size and have carried for many years. I would caution you to spend a great deal of time in the selection of the belt that will carry the holster. The belt is often ignored and holsters blamed for "floppy" and sloppy carry results.

Regards

Bill
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yeah i got a good belt same one i have been wearing for 20 yrs now, it was custom made from a local cobbler and is about 1 3/4 and thick as a truck mud flap ,the guys at work would tease me about that lol!!!
 
do any of you get the smooth option on your holster or is it only really good for a blue gun as not wear the blue off.
 
BobR1 said:
I carry my 2-1/2" S&W 66 in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake.
I have another for my 2-1/2" S&W 310 Night Guard.
I have a Lobo Model 1 Pancake for my 3" S&W 625.

I can keep going for a while, I have 8 total, and two more on order. My brother has 4. Ray does very good work. The wait time is 4 to 5 weeks normally. His prices are also very reasonable.

I have a couple Model 1 Pancakes, the rest are his later Enhanced Pancake design.
I normally get mine in Medium Tan.
I add the Inner Hammer Shield to mine for concealed carry.
Thumb Break Retention is also an option.
The Enhanced Pancake comes Detail Boned to the gun.
With your 686 if it is a 7 shooter, which I believe yours is. You will want to specify to NOT Bone the Cylinder Flutes, unless he has a 7 shot Try Gun to fit it to. I requested that he not Bone the Flutes on my LCR holster, as I use the holster to carry both my 5 shot LCR 357, as well as my 8 Shot LCR 22.
I carry everything from my 4" Model 610 N Frame, down to my LCR 22 in the Lobo Enhanced Pancake holsters. The only time I carry in anything besides the Lobo Pancakes is when bumming around in the woods. Then I might use one of my old Bianchi holsters with Thumb Break Retention for a little better retention, and to not scuff up my Lobo holsters which are all still in great condition.
I have all 8 of my Lobo Pancakes in the Open Top design with Inner Hammer Shield. I use them all for concealed carry. If I had a dedicated bumming around in the woods gun that I needed a new holster for, I would probably switch to the Lobo Enhanced Avenger Model, and get it with Thumb Break Retention.
I have a horse riding holster on order for the Wife. She trailrides her horses all over Southern Missouri, and has been known to go Brush Popping with fair frequency. I consulted Ray and he recommended a Lobo Full Flap holster with Zero Cant for the LCR. With Zero Cant it can be worn on either side. The LCR is not a Thumb Break Retention friendly handgun, so the Full Flap was the best answer for handgun security. It is also a good design for the application as she can take the holster off if she wants to and throw it in the saddle bags, or floor board of the truck and not worry about scuffing the gun up. In this application the main concern was in not losing the UltraLite handgun, and not fast accessability. She will be open carrying, and probably have a couple shotshells up front in warm weather for snakes.
The point is, Ray makes several different holsters, with several options. His prices are great for a Custom Made Holster. You can still afford to have it your way when you order from him.

Check out the Lobo website. He is a great guy to deal with. Between my brother and I we have I believe 12 of his holsters, and 2 more on order. Everyone has been of great quality.

Lobo Gun Leather - Home

Bob in Misouri
Click to expand...

thx bob for the reply , i really like the avenger style did you get one for the wife , and would it be just as concealable as the enhanced pancake in your opinion.
 
The holster Ray recommended for the wife to carry a Ruger LCR in while riding her horse was his Full Flap Holster, with Neutral Cant so that it can be worn on either side. The main concerns were protecting the handgun, and her not losing the gun in the middle of no where.

I do not have one of Rays Enhanced Avenger holsters at this time. I will probably get one for my XDm sooner or later. I do have an Avenger made by Rafter S Holsters in Black Shark for my Custom 1911. It is a great holster for the 1911.

Will the Enhanced Avenger be as concealable as the Enhanced Pancake? I am not sure. My first couple Pancakes worked so well that I have ended up with 8 of them so far. My guess is that the Enhanced Pancake will be a little tighter to the body than the Enhanced Avenger carrying a Revolver.

Another concern is your belt loop locations. I normally wear either Rustler Blue Jeans, or Woolrich Elite Tactical Pants.

I normally carry at 4 O'Clock.
With the Pancake Holsters I have a pants belt loop under the holster wearing the Blue Jeans.
Wearing the Woolrich Tactical pants the Pancake Holster is between belt loops at 4 O'Clock.

I have the Enhanced Pancake for my 2-1/2" 66 out. It looks to be a hair over 6" from where the belt enters the holster belt tunnels, to where it exits. You have about 4" of belt exposed under the holster.

With the Avenger you will probably have the holster between belt loops, as the holster belt tunnels will be closer together. I would estimate about 4" of belt taken up by the holster.

With luck someone with the Lobo Enhanced Avenger for a Revolver will post some information.

Bob
 
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