Pocket or paddle holster for 642 for a woman

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catsanddogs

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Living in Florida, I wear shorts and T-shirts nearly year round. I am also small (5'3") and not overweight, which does not leave me many places to carry concealed.


I am looking for recommendations which holster for a S&W 642 .38 special snub-nose revolver would be best for my situation. Preferably would like to hear other women's experiences.


I am surprised at how many pocket holsters are made from leather. Yes, they are beautiful and will last but they are also heavy and bulky. Any well-made light-weight pocket holsters being made?
 
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There are many nylon pocket holsters that you can use for your M642. The DeSantis Nemesis is one of the best:

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1...u2dGgyOMszhdGgifvTvCAc-jSMxZrDQxoCoRMQAvD_BwE

(c) Midway USA 2021

Barsony:

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Barsony-Pocket-Holster-Snub-Nose-Revolvers/dp/B07C2FGVK7[/ame]

(c) Amazon 2021

There are plenty more. eBay, Amazon, they are everywhere.

I carry a S&W J frame in a Galco nylon pocket holster but I can't find it on line so they probably discontinued it.

Since I'm not a small woman my answer has to be sort of limited but I'm not more than 2 inches taller than you. So I can relate at least a little.

Here's a key - first, your shorts or slacks have to be moderately loose to conceal a revolver in your pocket. Most guys routinely wear loose, comfortable shorts like cargo shorts if they're concealing weapons. What they make for ladies I can't tell you but loose is critical. Bike shorts won't do. ;)

And the pièce de résistance that I have used for decades is a small square of stiff leather 3.5" x 3.5" that slides into my pocket directly in front of the holster so the chance of the revolver shape being detected is near zero. It's barely a 32nd of an inch thick. Just one 7" slab of thin, smooth leather folded over a very thin piece of "something". I can't even remember what we used; probably a very, very thin piece of plastic.

My local cobbler made me these a couple of times. Ten bucks or so; it's perfect. I originally used a business card-type of case but then I went thinner. It looks like a wallet in your pocket for the entire world to see and expect to be there.

If you decide to use any kind of a belt holster try to shop for the ones made specifically for women. Just realize that if you have a gun IWB or OWB then your T-shirt has to be loose, too. Flattering, form fitting T-shirts won't do.
 
I never put anything in my pockets, so never looked at pocket holsters.
I wear baggy tops and prefer IWB inside the waistband just behind the hip point.
I also have holster handbags that work with all my carry choices.
A sub-compact pistol makes concealment easiest.
I've seen women very successfully appendix carry, but that's not my thing.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Not a woman, but I'll share my suggestions.

I have a Blue Force Gear pocket holster for my 642. Very thin. The material is kind of like a semi-rigid neoprene. One does have to make sure the little tab catches on the pocket when drawing or it will come out with the gun. It's more comfortable and less bulky than my Nemesis, but it doesn't break up the outline of the gun as well. It works well with my relaxed-fit jeans, but sitting down it becomes more obvious.

642-BFG-2-24-2020.jpg


In general, paddle holsters aren't going to be as concealable as other types of belt holsters.

For IWB carry, a holster with an offset clip or loop can work. I use this Quick Clip holster by Side Guard Holsters when carrying my 642 on my belt:

642and-Quick-Clip-3-9-2015.jpg


There are also IWB holsters with dual snap loops on either side of the gun, typified by the Milt Sparks VMII.

For OWB carry, there are pancake-style holsters with snap loops to make them easy-on/easy-off.

Hope that helps.
 
ContinentalOp said:
Not a woman, but I'll share my suggestions.

For OWB carry, there are pancake-style holsters with snap loops to make them easy-on/easy-off.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Not a woman either. I carry and all steel J frame in an OWB snap loop cross draw. I tried a paddle holster and found it stuck out too much. Downside is you still need a cover garment like an untucked shirt.
The upside is the weapon can be drawn when you are seated in a car. Pocket carry, pretty difficult.
 
It's best to have several options so that you can adapt to whatever situation, IE: weather conditions, you might encounter. Pocket carry is not as easy as it sounds. Anything in or on the waist usually requires some type of belt. External carry options, like a purse, requires that the external carrier always remains in your control. They all have advantages and disadvantages so my advise would be to acquire several systems and find the one you are most comfortable with. Just keep in mind that your number one advantage when in a self defense situation is surprise. That means that whatever method you use, no one should know that you are armed unless you are drawing your gun to shoot someone. Good luck and be assured that you will experience a great sense of confidence in taking responsibility for you own security.

As an afterthought, The Well Armed Women groups are a great place to interact with other women shooters who can sometimes be a little hard to find. My club recently started to host a chapter and in a short time they have become very popular. Check them out on line.
 
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I gave CWL classes for many years. A good percentage of students were
women, so I am familiar with your quandary. Another important factor
is that we found that most women do not wear belts.

So, after a lot of study, thought, and experimentation, we came to the
conclusion that what worked the best is an IWB (inside waist band) holster
at about 2 O'Clock. The kind that can be clipped to the waistband material.
And, very important, the clip must be strong enough to not come out
wrapped around the gun on the draw.

Based on my experience, I recommend FIST'S K1. It is kydex, very light
and very tough. The clip hangs on to the fabric very well. Quick and easy
on and off.

Here is a picture of the FIST K1 with a Ruger LCR .38 Spl. When my
great granddaughter wanted protection, I gave this gun and holster to
her.
 

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Check out a Soft-Armor PH-3 (probably on Ebay).

This is an inexpensive "sticky" type holster. It's the only holster I've bought 2 of because I like it so much.

Works as a pocket holster; thin and stays put.

Works appendix; thin, handles sweat well, stays put, can be placed at any tilt/ride height you like. No clip so it doesn't need a belt.

Haven't tried it at 3-5:00 but I imagine it would work the same.
 
For IWB, Harry's Holsters "Icon" model. Awesome holster. The DCC clip is secure even on sweatpants, gym shorts, etc.


Icon J Frame Kydex Revolver Holster by Harry's Holsters



For pocket, Alabama Holsters. They just work.


Front Pocket Holster | Alabamaholster.com


I wouldn't expect a short, trim female to be able to conceal a paddle holster in shorts and a t-shirt. I have a Safariland ALS paddle for J-frames that I love. It's secure, and it's FAST. But I'm much bigger than you, and I don't use it in shorts and t-shirts.
 
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catsanddogs said:
Living in Florida, I wear shorts and T-shirts nearly year round. I am also small (5'3") and not overweight, which does not leave me many places to carry concealed.


I am looking for recommendations which holster for a S&W 642 .38 special snub-nose revolver would be best for my situation. Preferably would like to hear other women's experiences.


I am surprised at how many pocket holsters are made from leather. Yes, they are beautiful and will last but they are also heavy and bulky. Any well-made light-weight pocket holsters being made?
Click to expand...

Being in Florida, you've got social acceptance of the best carry option ever, the fanny pack! Most men's pants that fit right and aren't purpose built suck for pocket carry, I cannot imagine how annoying pocket carry would be if they were even smaller.

I use this when I'm running or biking somewhere that I still feel the need to carry, pictured it has my wallet, keys, and a P365XL, it also fits a J frame with room to spare, but it doesn't have too big of a footprint.

ndByDJX.jpg


https://www.rei.com/product/129511/kavu-spectator-waistpack

Other than that, don't overthink it too much, look at decent IWB or AIWB holsters that aren't sex specific and choose looser around the waist clothes or accept a little printing. The J frames conceal pretty easily.
 
catsanddogs said:
Living in Florida, I wear shorts and T-shirts nearly year round. I am also small (5'3") and not overweight, which does not leave me many places to carry concealed.


I am looking for recommendations which holster for a S&W 642 .38 special snub-nose revolver would be best for my situation. Preferably would like to hear other women's experiences.


I am surprised at how many pocket holsters are made from leather. Yes, they are beautiful and will last but they are also heavy and bulky. Any well-made light-weight pocket holsters being made?
Click to expand...

I bookmarked this video years ago and used it extensively in my classes.
I hope this will help you. Although she is no longer putting up videos, she has a number of similar offerings in her Youtube channel
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogGBPVk5GQk[/ame]
 
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For a pocket holster I highly recommend Mika pocket holster.There has been one in my pocket every day for many years.Usually it is second gun but sometimes primary. My wife who used to shoot three gun and was a hcp instructor always carries her Glock 43 iwb.However sometimes she carries a North American arms mini revolver in her pocket in a holster from that company.
 
I picked this up from my Aunt .
J-Frame AirLite , placed in the folds of a bandana and then into her purse , in my case , the front right pocket of cargo shorts , jeans , vest or coat pocket ...depending on the weather .
Remove from purse or pocket and it looks like a big hankerchief folded up .
My Aunt was kinda sneaky ... but you didn't give her no gruff .
Gary
 
Has anyone mentioned the nylon pocket rig from Uncle Mike's? Available at Walmart for $9-10, so if it's not to your liking, you still have $ for groceries. Should also work ok in a purse: you want the trigger shielded from other items therein. I prolly have one of these for every J-frame I own, don't ask. :eek: The size chart says Size 3 for J-frame, BUT choose SIZE 4 instead. The recent mfg has the interiors cut more tightly so take size 4. Hope this helps.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
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