Holster Recommendation

Murphy55 · Feb 8, 2023

I'm looking for recommendations on a OWB leather holster for a Model 69 Combat .44 Magnum with a 2.75" barrel...

No real specifics at this time, I just need to be pointed in the right direction to places to shop around...

Thanks!

two-bit cowboy · Feb 8, 2023

Rob Leahy at Simply Rugged Holsters.

Here's Rob's lined Sourdough Pancake™ with Celtic Knot carving and my 2 5/8" 627.

Fantastic.

I had Rob do 1¾" loops for my lined Milt Sparks 1¾" belt. Hard to beat the combo. You simply gotta have the right belt for whatever rig you carry.

URIT · Feb 8, 2023

I'm pointing the way to: Gunnersalley dot com

They carry 3 named brands and holsters for your L-frame S&W Model 69. Just use their "search" for:

28 results for Smith & Wesson L-frame 2.75 inch barrel

I tend to favor the pancake style too for OWB. Oh, MTR Custom Leather does use some exotic leathers too, but you'd need to go to their site for a deep pockets purchase.

Also, purdygear dot com has a custom hand carved Idaho Roy holster for a 2.75" L-frame in their Available Now section.

Hope these suggestions help.

Baxter6551 · Feb 8, 2023

I can highly recommend Kramer - here is my model 28 in their belt scabbard. Their horsehide holsters retain like kydex. I’m not a big guy but with the proper holster and belt I can carry a big gun. Their MSP Paddle holster is awesome too (shown with 66 2.5 inch). More money and wait time than your volume shops (DeSantis / Galco / Safariland etc) but in my opinion (just like Milt Sparks and others) worth the wait time and expense. They wear like iron. Good luck in your search. Just remember a quality belt makes the holster work as designed.

Papa Lee · Feb 8, 2023

Holster

Another consideration is the El Paso Saddlery #88 Street Combat.

DevilDog72 · Feb 8, 2023

I picked Desantis for near term till Doc Baranti can make what I want. It carries close and tight to the body. ... just say"n

Sixgun100 · Feb 8, 2023

Lots of great recommendations! I like Simply Rugged for everyday carry of revolvers, as well. Good luck!

Paul105 · Feb 8, 2023

Barranti direct line ccr: Direct Line Carry Confidence CCR (Gun Model: 3” S'&'W L frame)

Mine
.

.

Simply rugged and Kramer horsehide also recommended
.
Paul

DevilDog72 · Feb 8, 2023

Sixgun100 said:
Lots of great recommendations! I like Simply Rugged for everyday carry of revolvers, as well. Good luck!

i do like this rig

ProCarryNAustin · Feb 9, 2023

+1 for Simply Rugged.

chief38 · Feb 9, 2023

IMO Kramer Horsehide Leather is the best you can get! Throughout my 44 years of EDC/CCW and buying and using dozens of holsters of many brands, nothing has come even close. I also use the Horsehide belts, magazine and cartridge carriers Kramer makes as well. A bit more than most holsters but IMHO worth every cent I paid!! I'd buy them all over again!

chief38 · Feb 9, 2023

Oh - just wanted to say this as well......

Horsehide Leather from Kramer is thinner than Cowhide, however it is stronger, stiffer, lighter and will last many times longer than regular Cowhide. He molds the leather to the exact pistol or revolver and they need no retention devises such as snaps, velcro, screws, straps, etc. It's almost like Kydex - it snaps in! You can even turn the holster upside down and shake it - the gun will be retained. If you need to pull it, doing so is easy and fluid. The key is a smoother, stiffer, lightweight and properly molded holster to the exact firearm. When you buy one of his belts, the fit of the whole system is exact and there is no wobble or play.

Note: I've got no association with Kramer at all. He wouldn't know me if he sat next to me so I have no horse in this race and no personal interest in his Company. I just like to promote great products when I find them!

Baxter6551 · Feb 9, 2023

Well I posted above about Kramer - but Chief38 in his two posts above said everything I forgot to say and more! Totally agreed. He’s not kidding about the holster fit and retention and it stays the same over time. And all day long comfort. The horsehide is superior - they sell cowhide holsters also but spend the little extra for the horsehide it wears like iron. I also use their mag pouches and pocket holsters if the need arises. They sew a sheet of kydex type material to the outside to break up the outline of the gun. All my other EDC holsters went into the holster tote once I started using Kramer. The little Seecamp holster shown is their regular paddle, the MSP paddle uses a removable retention strap. I wish I had back all the money I spent on other holsters over the years.

chief38 · Feb 9, 2023

Baxter6551 said:
Well I posted above about Kramer - but Chief38 in his two posts above said everything I forgot to say and more! Totally agreed. He’s not kidding about the holster fit and retention and it stays the same over time. And all day long comfort. The horsehide is superior - they sell cowhide holsters also but spend the little extra for the horsehide it wears like iron. I also use their mag pouches and pocket holsters if the need arises. They sew a sheet of kydex type material to the outside to break up the outline of the gun. All my other EDC holsters went into the holster tote once I started using Kramer. The little Seecamp holster shown is their regular paddle, the MSP paddle uses a removable retention strap. I wish I had back all the money I spent on other holsters over the years.

Baxter - a little Lincoln or Kiwi shoe polish and those Kramer's will look new again.

I do that once every year or so. Yup - I couldn't say enough about Kramer's products - but many here are not aware of the Company.

I have had some of mine for about 25 or so years now however I did order another one & mag. pouches for my newest CCW / EDC Sig P365 about 4 years ago when I started carrying that. I've also ordered a few belts (in a larger size) so now I have a Kramer belt to fit the holsters no matter how my waistline has fluctuated over the years - LOL!! I was a good boy recently and lost about 20 pounds, but started enjoying eating out a bit too much lately - hence the different sizes.

Baxter6551 · Feb 9, 2023

Thanks Chief. Yes they are due for a polish. I do that every 6 months or so - used to do it more when I wore everyday working and wanted to be a show off in the office.
. The J frame pocket holster pic was taken before I polished it after rescuing it from a holster bargain bin for $7. Yes that’s correct I said SEVEN dollars !

Murphy55 · Feb 9, 2023

Wow! This holster information is much appreciated guys!!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, great stuff!

Now I have what I need to go spend some money on a good quality leather holster for my new Model 69!

gwpercle · Feb 9, 2023

If you are looking for a decent leather holster and don't have much of a budget ... Take a look at the offerings by Bianchi .
I've noticed that every one of my favorite and most used holster's all are stamped Bianchi . Nothing fancy , most are brown leather , my 1911 holster is black but well made , very nice leather work and I've used some since 1972 .
I feel like I got more than my monies worth with every holster ... my favorite IWB is a Bianchi with an adjustable canting mechanism built in ... Sweet !
Check them out ... you get your monies worth !
Gary

Tanners Owner · Feb 9, 2023

I’ve had good luck with Privateer Leather as well as Warbird Leather. Both quality leather holster makers

TheTinMan · Feb 9, 2023

Kramer has a very good reputation.

I recently got a pancake holster from TT Gunleather for a 3” Model 66. I am happy with it.

Fishinfool · Feb 9, 2023

It really depends on how much $$ you want to spend. Several years ago, I purchased a DeSantis pancake / thumb break holster for my 2.75 inch model 69 (Look for the holster designed to fit the 3 inch 686 - It fits perfectly, and gives 1/4 inch of leather on the open bottom between the muzzle and the bottom of the holster - Nice for woods carry). On sale at Midway for like $50, and has held up fine. That it fits my 3 inch Python as well is a bonus.

Larry

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