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?

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
My daughter, 5' 2", 130 lbs, carries via a waist band.

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/10...xoCoRMQAvD_BwE

(c) Midway USA 2021

Barsony:


(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.

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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.



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:



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.

My 2 favorite pocket holsters are the nemesis and sticky holster. Mostly sticky though.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

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.

I asked a similar question for my wife, of a Well Armed Woman instructor. Answer: Sticky Holster.

Also, have her check out TWAW organization. Good People.

Will

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.

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.

Attached Images

SAM_0739.jpg (98.5 KB, 84 views)

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Aholster pocket.

Works great with my 624.

The Pocket | AHolster | Custom Kydex Concealed Carry Holsters

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.

Take a look at a Mika pocket hoster. I've had good experience with them for a 442 and a vintage 38 Bodyguard.

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.



https://www.rei.com/product/129511/k...ator-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.

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

Mika’s and J’s just seem to go together. I carry a 640, 342, and a Chiefs at different times in my Mika.

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SWCA#3597

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

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NRA Member

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. 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

NOW you tell me?!

Bought one a few years ago, Size 3. Didn't really fit my 642. Oh, well...I guess I could use it if I ever get a pocket .380. *shrug*

Mika's are great holsters but this is for a woman 5'3" and the Mika will not fit in the pockets of a woman who is probably a size 2. I know because I have a daughter 5'7" and there is no way that gun/holster combination works. I have both sitting on my bench right now and had my wife 5'8" and size 12 and even that is a no-go. I am 6'3" and walk in the mornings with a 340PD in a Mika stuffed in the rear pocket of my jeans and the entire handle of the gun sticks up out of the pocket which is why I like that holster so much for that purpose. Easy to get to if needed.

What wonderfully thoughtful responses. A big thank you to each and every one of you.

I learned a lot and will look up the various links.

Someone mentioned overthinking. I do tend to do that; also to take things too literally. If a nice-looking holster specifies a fit for a 2 to 2-1/2' barrel I'll write it off because the 642 has a 1-7/8" barrel.

I have one advantage. I buy my daily-wear shorts in the men's department so I have pockets, big pockets, too. *sm*. Dress shorts I can find in the women's department.

One thing I have realized is that I'll need at least two types of holsters: one pocket one for walking around, going to the beach, etc. and one for my pocketbook. Crossbreed makes a "purse defender" insert that I think will work well in my purse.

If I had to wear a handgun all day long and be mobile, like going for a hike, the waistband holster seems to be the solution. Or a fanny pack; I already have several; just need to get a "sticky".

Again, thank you all. I'll be busy reading and checking out the makes and models mentioned. Oh, for a gun show in town before fall!

Same here for my 642 Airweight with Crimson Trace grips.
Pocket Holster

If you love to read and deep-dive, I believe the finest single resource of women and guns, defense, carry must be Kathy Jackson’s Cornered Cat.

Probably not any specific product tips for items currently on the market, but loads of thought provoking work here for women gunners.
Cornered Cat | If you have to fight, fight like a cornered cat.

Groo here
I use to fit peoples with holsters at local big "Toy Store"...
The problem with holsters/clothing is ladies have a very pronounced
waist, unlike men who tend not to have hips.[as big ,Viva the Difference]
Find a place where you are flat , or hip huggers that don't roll up toward the hip.
Some of our girls at the IPSC range would repossession their belt loops
down to use the more common holsters....
It even took a while for the LE suppliers to learn that a woman's belt
needed to curve to fit the hip and the holster needed to lean out more to compensate...
I use Remora and Sticky for in pocket, or inside the pants as they "grab"
and come off when drawing ,are thin and light, mask the outline,and
when in the waist can be put most anywhere...
Try if you can before you buy but the Sticky / Remora are cheap
enough just get one....

I bought the wifey an M642 1 7/8" "hammerless" snubby last April for her birthday to replace the 2" barreled Colt "Agent" she's been carrying the last 7 years. The Colt with it's hammer would get caught up on her purse strap and drag compact cases out upon presentation as she carries strictly in her clutch or slim line strapped purse(s)... Honestly, she carries the M642 in a nice and fitted Bianchi "belt" holster... just inside her purse to keep the trigger covered. She's also carried it in a DeSantis Nemesis at time but prefers purse carry with the Bianchi that is meant to be worn on a belt... Go figure. It works for her and presentation is fast.

After I put in a Wolff reduced power trigger return spring, and reduced hammer strut/spring kit... "Polished" the trigger return slide to a nice bright hue on all sides and then "Polished" trigger/hammer sear contacts... taking "ZERO" material off just strictly polishing only to a bright sheen. The 9+ pound OEM DA-Trigger went to a silky sub 6lbs DA trigger that feels more like 4.5lbs trigger that pops off everything from Steel Cased Ball to 150grain Underwood "Hard Cast" Full-Wads.

She'll always carry that reliable and palming, svelte, belly gun that is perfect for any sexy woman to carry just about anytime and anywhere.

With the addition of some Vintage OEM "Magna's" off of eBay and a Tyler-T the grip really fits her hands and makes for a positive purchase, fast presentation and cylinder dump if need be.

Attached Images

	M642 Airweight with Magna's and Vintage Tyler T right side.jpg (46.9 KB, 13 views)
	M642 Airweight with Magna's and Vintage Tyler T.jpg (42.3 KB, 11 views)

It sounds like she has a pretty good setup.
I would suggest her getting a purse (or two) that has a dedicated gun compartment designed for CC. That would eliminate any snag/drag issues.
Nice B day gift.

I use a Ace case friction pocket holster. They last for years and stay in most pockets. A 442 is always in my pocket in one. They are not stiff and form around the gun somewhat.

Attached Images

132206B8-D623-4C68-B33C-3F9F22396AF2.jpg (55.5 KB, 11 views)

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Two Handguns every day