Shoulder holster for a 629?

Klein Helmer

Klein Helmer

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
146
Reaction score
26
Hello again,

I hope everyone is doing well. I would really appreciate it if someone could point me in the direction of a shoulder holster for my 629. I am looking for one with as little bulk as possible to wear underneath suits and sport coats. Obviously quality is important, but I'm not looking for anything ridiculous (I'm waiting for my performance center 627 to show up before I the custom made route). This is the model:

Product: Model 629

163606_01_md.jpg


Thank you in advance.
 
Register to hide this ad
I was just doing some browsing and came across this one. Does anyone know anything about this brand? My instincts are telling me to steer clear of a thirty five dollar holster, but I admittedly know nothing about this. I forgot to mention I would also like something that can hold speedloaders/moon clips (I think those are the same thing.)

Amazon.com: Shoulder Holster for 6" S&W 29 & 629 Double Speedloader Pouch: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41THuC-FVbL.@@AMEPARAM@@41THuC-FVbL

719WS50qAFL._SL1500_.jpg
 
I read a bit more and saw that while a lot of people liked the Bianchi X15, many were saying that the straps visibly peak out around the shoulders. I have also read good things about the Original Dirty Harry by Lawman Leather. I also saw an endorsement for the Spring Break by Andrew's Leather. Any thoughts on any of these?

I suppose weight distribution is pretty important as well for an N frame.
 
A 6" 629 takes some doing to conceal. Most shoulder holsters, such as the Galco versions, are made for much smaller pistols. There are two which would probably work for you - the Alessi "Fieldmaster," and the tanker holster made by El Paso Leather. Both have relatively discrete straps and a tie down, holding the pistol vertically.

The Alessi holster is pivoted, making it easier to draw. It snaps into position for carry, but is easily pulled free to a 30 degree angle. There is a thumb snap for retention, which is also easy to disengage. The straps cross high on your back, which is less likely to print than in the center of your back, and have a wide neck strap for support. The holster can be easily replaced with another, using the same harness.

The tanker holster has a single strap which crosses your chest and back from the opposite shoulder, and ties down to your belt. That makes it harder to conceal than the Alessi, but works well when hiking with a backpack. Many companies make tanker holsters, but El Paso Leather is known for high quality materials and workmanship.

I have an Alessi Fieldmaster, but haven't used it much. There are a lot of handguns easier to carry and conceal if you don't need a long barrel.
 
Neumann said:
A 6" 629 takes some doing to conceal. Most shoulder holsters, such as the Galco versions, are made for much smaller pistols. There are two which would probably work for you - the Alessi "Fieldmaster," and the tanker holster made by El Paso Leather. Both have relatively discrete straps and a tie down, holding the pistol vertically.

The Alessi holster is pivoted, making it easier to draw. It snaps into position for carry, but is easily pulled free to a 30 degree angle. There is a thumb snap for retention, which is also easy to disengage. The straps cross high on your back, which is less likely to print than in the center of your back, and have a wide neck strap for support. The holster can be easily replaced with another, using the same harness.

The tanker holster has a single strap which crosses your chest and back from the opposite shoulder, and ties down to your belt. That makes it harder to conceal than the Alessi, but works well when hiking with a backpack. Many companies make tanker holsters, but El Paso Leather is known for high quality materials and workmanship.

I have an Alessi Fieldmaster, but haven't used it much. There are a lot of handguns easier to carry and conceal if you don't need a long barrel.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, the Field Master sounds great.

I was looking at their site and it seems that none of their holsters come with rigs. I also did a search for both "rig," and "strap" on their site but nothing came up. The way you described the straps really appealed to me. Do you know where I could find them or something comparable?
 
Klein Helmer said:
Thanks for the info, the Field Master sounds great.

I was looking at their site and it seems that none of their holsters come with rigs. I also did a search for both "rig," and "strap" on their site but nothing came up. The way you described the straps really appealed to me. Do you know where I could find them or something comparable?
Click to expand...

Never mind this comment, I just looked again and I was mistaken. The Smith and Wesson Field Masters do not say "No Rig."
 
Look around on the Alessi site. There's a couple of pictures of their (new) owner wearing the harness with a Fieldmaster holster.

They make two types of cartridge holders, which fit on the opposite side of the harness - dump pockets and quick-loader pockets (double). You may prefer to carry quick loaders on a belt pouch.
 
Just as a basic reality check , a 6in M629 is a big gun. And vertical shoulder holsters inherently add bulk themselves. You will not be able to conceal such under the same suit/ sport coats you wear normally. You will need to upsize and/ or have altered.

The Bianchi X-15 is indeed iconic most vertical SH that aren't a specific historical replica will be influened by the X-15 .

I particularily liked the one from S&W Leather. Of course they are long out of production , and G&G didn't continue them.

It is told that in the early years of Jackass Leather ( predecessor to Galco ) , that Richard Gallager used his holster ( that later became known as the "Miami Vice type" to carry a 6in M29 on sales calls , and astound the prospective wholesale buyers. Nominally diagonal , he adjusted it to be nearly upside down.

And the concept of carrying spare ammo on offside sounds better that it works in real life. It's not nearly enough weight to balance out the gun. I prefered the simple elastic strap for offside , and ammo carried on belt. What would be comfortable and well balanced is to carry another gun on the offside.

Not the info you were looking for , but what you would have eventually discovered.
 
Many years ago when I purchased my 629 8 3/8" I purchased vertical draw leather holster for it direct from S&W. Don't know if they still handle them but it was a well made holster. If I remember back I think I only paid $75. for it too! ;)
 
The one you want is the bianchi holster (wrong spelling) but it's a leather holster with a suede lining I believe. I have one and it never showed any wear on my gun yet from being holstered. I think it's around $100.
 
Good luck concealing that 629. I hope you find what you are looking for. I have found that if you want to conceal a large frame revolver you have to have a large frame yourself.

Post a pic once you get your holster as we'd all like to see it and hear how you like it.
 
Get a good holster that has a lining so the finish won't get any wear.
Click to expand...

There is no such thing. Any gun which is carried in a holster regularly will develop holster wear whether said holster is lined or not. Ask any quality leather maker.

Regarding the Galco shoulder holsters and the ammo on the offside balancing the rig, this works a lot better with an autoloading pistol than a revolver. Galco makes leather hold down strips which attach to your belt if you have an issue.

The best vertical shoulder holster I've seen for carrying the N-frame Smith's is the one used in the original Dirty Harry Movies. My was built by Buchheimer. The gun is carried vertically but is retained by a spring around the cylinder. The weapon is drawn with more of a forward motion than straight up and down.

s02m.jpg



Lawman Leather currently makes this ring but dealing with this person appears problematical as depicted in threads on this forum and files kept by the the Nevada BBB. The family operating Lawman Leather also seems to running another subsidiary leather company making similar products. Proceed as you feel prudent. That said, the holster is really nice.

Bruce
 
Last edited:
I think the key to a comfortable shoulder holster is having a leather harness instead of the elastic straps. Those elastic straps loose their strength over time and carrying a large revolver with a weak strap makes for an uncomfortable carry. The revolver sags, flops around and feels unsecured.

HPIM9074640x480.jpg


P1220060800x600.jpg


Also, having the right cover garment is a must.

P1010092s.jpg
 
+1

The key to comfort in any shoulder rig is the harness.

Regarding the Jackass Rig, there is a subtle but important difference between it and the Miami Classic. On the original Jackass Rig which was used on Miami Vice (and the film "Thief" before it) the rear harness strap attached to the holster below the muzzle of the gun, not above it as on the Miami Classic. This allows for a much more vertical carry-important for guys with more slender builds such as Don Johnson.

Bruce
 
Hunting season is almost upon us and my constant companion throughout is a 6 1/2" 629 Classic. I spent the money for a Galco Big Sky shoulder rig with 12 round ammo carrier on off side which loops to the belt. This carries wonderfully with a Kifaru Spike Camp pack, the only problem with a pack is the holster side can't be looped to your belt with a waist belt pack. No problem though. I've worn this set up under a normal button up long sleeve shirt, though untucked in public settings w/o problem. One thing you have to determine is does your torso length compliment? I'm long and skinny so this contributes to my "success" with this setup. Even under a shirt tucked (with no belt attachment) I can get around okay but wouldn't want to run very far that way. I call it my ultimate in underarm protection.

Someone mentioned stick with leather and no elastic strap. I completely agree. Have tryed a couple elastic systems and they are uncomfortable. I optioned my Big Sky with the wide leather shoulder straps which distribute the weight nicely with thin leather. Absolutely no problem with pack shoulder straps.

For another data point I've tried a Bianchi set up for a 4" 686. It has the elastic strap for the off side. It pinches and bunches and is uncomfortable and much more bulky than my Galco. It is availabe for shipping to anyone interested. Freinds who have bought nylon type rigs because I spent too much don't use theirs. My son will be using mine someday. Hey, I'll make it a point to take a picture of him with it this weekend and post next week! like many things, buy once and the leather allows you to adjust the fit which remains in place. Much better than the elastic straps.
 
I vote for the Dirty Harry shoulder holster. Not cheap, and delivery times are too long, but the man who was making them did deliver exactly as promised, and the quality was first class.

I believe I read about some sort of reorganization of the company, such that the man who was associated with the company now operates a different company by a different name, still making the holster.
 
I suggest belt carry if just for hunting. I carried a Glock 20 w/ 16 rounds of 10mm in a shoulder rig and the weight was really unbalanced. The Glock loaded was quite heavy but Shoulder carry was the only way to conceal it. With another magazine on the other side helped but it never was absolutely comfortable/balanced feeling. A 6" N-Frame is even heavier yet. A tanker rig looks to be a decent option but never tried it myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Competition holster for 629 Performance Center Competitor
Replies
6
Views
681
gerhard1
G
S
Grips for a 629
Replies
14
Views
685
Jcon72
J
S
A couple of 629's
Replies
10
Views
822
CWH44300
C
S
Mag-Na-Porting a 629
2
Replies
31
Views
890
SteveJewels
S
Mannlicher
Manufacture Date for Model 629-5?
Replies
4
Views
139
Mannlicher
Mannlicher

Latest posts

Back
Top