3 inch s&w 65 Holster

[Browns fan]

Group,
Looking for a holster for my 3 inch 65 and i'm looking for recommendations , Any one use a paddle holster ? thanks for your help and guidance

 

[BAM-BAM]

Carry my 3" K-frames in a Milt Spark Summer Special IWB.

Double loops with snaps.... easy on..... easy off

 

[ContinentalOp]

Lots of options. I'd suggest doing a search as this topic has been discussed many times.

I would generally recommend against paddle holsters. They tend to be the least concealable belt holsters available. If you want easy-on/easy-off, you'd be better off finding a holster with snap loops or clips.

I prefer IWB holsters, but there are plenty of OWB options, too. Holster makers I have experience with, and make good, high-quality gear, include Milt Sparks, Kramer Handgun Leather, Side Guard Holsters, and TT Gunleather, in no particular order.

Holsters are a personal matter, so the only way to find out what will work for you is to experiment. We all have holster boxes filled with gear that didn't work as well as we'd hoped.

A good belt is important. I prefer a double-layer leather gun belt. My favorite is The Beltman, but there are plenty of other makers. For a less expensive option, Wilderness Tactical makes their Instructor belts with reinforced nylon. There are several makers who make this kind of belt, too.

My general recommendation for revolver carriers is to look for a holster that carries the cylinder about even with the belt. You can tell by looking where the molding for the cylinder is in relation to the belt attachments. Carrying the cylinder even with the belt helps with stability, which in turn helps with comfort and concealability.

I think those are my usual talking points on this topic.

Hope that helps.

Good luck with your search.

 

[jimgoldth]

When I got my 3" Model 13 I found this 4" Basket weave in the used holster box and modified it a bit for my 3" Model 13.

 

[Cruiser1]

Carry my 65, 4" in a Lobo pancake when turkey and bow hunting

 

[SLCDW]

Followed forum member Archer276's recommendation and purchased a kydex IWB holster for my M65 3" from PJ Holster and am very happy with it.

 

[Igiveup]

I carry my 3" M10 in a pancake made by Rodek Leather of Springfield, Il. I have four of his holsters and find them very durable, attractive, and the price is right for the quality. All of mine are basket weave.

 

[Cruiser1]

Correction to my above post; my M65 holster is an El Paso Saddlery. rides well. I do a lot of walking with it turkey hunting

 

[dirty & hairy]

My recommendation is a Lobo IWB Belt Loop (in horsehide for easier reholstering).

 

[Onomea]

I like my 4" M65 in a Mitch Rosen 5JR. Retention is excellent without a thumb break: On the Belt Holsters | Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather

Thought I had a photo somewhere but can't find it.

 

[ContinentalOp]

That reminds me. If you can't find a 3" holster, you can always use a 4" holster. It'll work just fine. I used to carry a 2" 64 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II for a 3" 65 and had no issues with it. My current EDC is a PX4 Compact in an IWB holster for a full-size PX4.

 

[FiveG]

Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 for my 3-inch M65.

 

[eclayton]

I sometimes carry a 3" Model 10 in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake. I also have Sourdough Pancakes for a 4" GP100 and a 4" Security Six (which also fits my 4" S&W K frames nicely). It is my favorite revolver holster. Aside from riding very flat (conceals well) and comfortably, it is easy to switch between IWB and belt carry.

 

[LEO918]

Here's a used Safariland for 3" med. frame I picked up recently.

 

[chief38]

If you want the absolute best top of the line holster, order one from Kramer Leather in HORSEHIDE. Their Horsehide holsters, gun belts and accessories are incredible and the best there is IMHO.

If you want a less expensive option, contact Snubby (Wayne) here on this Forum. He makes custom holsters out of Cowhide, will get back to you with questions on a regular basis and his work is excellent! Sometimes he does a video of your holster being made - which is cool to watch step by step.

If you want a really affordable option, look at DeSantis Leather. While they are a commercial holster maker and are produced in numbers, they are very reasonable and will work for a while. They will not last as long or perform as well as the Kramer Horsehide, but they are 1/3 the price.

 

[ryxlyx]

Ditto Kramer Horsehide--

this one a Vertical Scabbard w/ tilt, shown w/ my 3" 65-5 LS. Light, stiff, snug, comfy. I like the full-frame coverage offered by Kramer's Belt Scabbard for general use but the lack of a front loop on the Vert Scabbard allows me to slide the gun further out to the side, comfortably. Bum shoulder appreciates that. I was concerned the lack of a front loop might mean a little slop but the holster might as well be riveted to my Beltman, it's that secure.

 

[Faulkner]

I carry my 3 inch 65 in a pancake custom ordered from Nixon Leather. I discovered some years back that a custom holster does not cost much more than a quality name brand off the shelf holster, plus you can custom order it the way you want it.. Lance Nixon has made 6 custom holsters and a custom belt for me, he does great work.

This pancake is in natural leather finish with covered trigger and has a hammer guard.

Here's a picture of one he made for a buddy of mine that's for a 3 inch 686 that is a little more exotic.

 

[Jebus35745]

Lot of good ideas here, bet your confused now on which to get. Larry

 

[krsmith58]

off topic a bit . after reading thread i revived my post from February . BOX for 65-1 . check it out . kenny

 

[jimgoldth]

I found this SAFARILAND model 530 for 3" Kframe in a dealers Junk box. Check or ask when you go to a gun store.