5906 Carry Suggestions

[novalty]

Hello I have a 5906 as my only handgun, and have been looking for a concealable holster for it for some time now. Have looked into Milt Sparks Versa Max 2, but the wait time is 6 months now, and they generally fulfill their monthly order quota within in the first few business days of each month. Does anyone here have a VM2 for their 5906 or similar firearm, and what are your thoughts. My second choice would be a Brigade, but not sure I could stand the year plus wait, so I have been considering Andrew's Leather MacDaniel II, and didn't know if anyone else had any experience using one with a 3rd Gen Smith. Any other suggestions or pics would be greatly appreciated. As I currently have a Blackhawk CQC Serpa, which works well, but am going to need a high quality belt to carry the weight of the 5906.

Paul

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Every holster selection involves a degree of compromise among the four major factors:

1. Comfort
2. Accessibility
3. Concealability
4. Weapon retention

If a holster is not comfortable to wear you will stop wearing it, then not have what you need when you need it.

If a holster is not readily accessible you will not be able to utilize your weapon when needed.

If a holster is not concealable you will stop using it (on your own, or because the authorities put a stop to your carrying).

If a holster does not reliably retain your weapon you are placing yourself and others in a precarious situation.

In addition to the major factors, there are considerations such as your physique, your usual wardrobe, the environment in which you will be spending the majority of your time, and other considerations.

What is right for one person is wrong for another. What works very well under one set of circumstances may fail under another set.

The 5906 is a moderately large handgun, particularly the grip frame area. However you choose to carry it will require some thought on your wardrobe selections.

You have tried an option or two and have not yet arrived at one that you are fully comfortable with. You may have to try a few more options to determine what is best for you.

Try eBay, where you will find any number of used holsters from various makers at reasonable prices. When you have fully quantified what degree of compromises you will need among the four major factors, then shop for the holster that best meets your criteria, and expect to pay a reasonable price for it.

I hope this helps.

 

[Filbird]

Originally posted by LoboGunLeather:
Every holster selection involves a degree of compromise among the four major factors:

1. Comfort
2. Accessibility
3. Concealability
4. Weapon retention

If a holster is not comfortable to wear you will stop wearing it, then not have what you need when you need it.

If a holster is not readily accessible you will not be able to utilize your weapon when needed.

If a holster is not concealable you will stop using it (on your own, or because the authorities put a stop to your carrying).

If a holster does not reliably retain your weapon you are placing yourself and others in a precarious situation.

In addition to the major factors, there are considerations such as your physique, your usual wardrobe, the environment in which you will be spending the majority of your time, and other considerations.

What is right for one person is wrong for another. What works very well under one set of circumstances may fail under another set.

The 5906 is a moderately large handgun, particularly the grip frame area. However you choose to carry it will require some thought on your wardrobe selections.

You have tried an option or two and have not yet arrived at one that you are fully comfortable with. You may have to try a few more options to determine what is best for you.

Try eBay, where you will find any number of used holsters from various makers at reasonable prices. When you have fully quantified what degree of compromises you will need among the four major factors, then shop for the holster that best meets your criteria, and expect to pay a reasonable price for it.

I hope this helps.

Your post reminds me that it would be great to have an area of the forum where straightforward, readable, and valuable posts (that we can assume many would profit from) could be placed. Not FAQs, so much, but - I don't know what to call it... I just hate knowing that posts like this one, on a variety of excellent topics, are getting lost over time, as the threads they are part of get buried under...

 

[Poohgyrr]

I carried my 5906 in a Kramer IWB #2& Sparks belt for years and still like it. I also bought a DeSantis Speed Scabbard from RF Holsters ( www.rfholsters.com/rfholsters ) they have good prices and better delivery. I use a Mernickle belt & double mag pouch ( www.Mernickleholsters.com ), or a Kramer single mag pouch ( www.kramerleather.com )

 

[Stubborn Dutchman]

I've carried my 6906 in a VM2 for over seven years now. It is a fantastic holster and still looks brand new. It's worth the wait.

I'm a fat guy and find it comfortable for all day carry. I like the way the loops are spaced away from the gun. It's stable and reduces the overall thickness.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Here is my 4" 5906 in its' Kramer, and two mags in an old Rafter S mag pouch. Booth the Kramer & Mernickle mag pouches hold the mags more securely.

 

[novalty]

Thanks for the replies. I am a smaller guy 5'6" and 145 lbs. Have started to pick up some loose over shirts, and since I lost about 25 pounds last year due to encounter with cancer, I do have some pants that are a couple sizes too big. Since the gun is large, I believe the IWB option is going to be my best way of concealing it. The Blackhawk Serpa rides fairly high, but find it hard to conceal end of the barrel. The features I liked about the VM2 and the MacDaniel 2, are the reinforced mouths and not having any retention straps. Plus being able to add a body shield to prevent agaist the gun digging into my thinner frame. Would like a shoulder rig, but the price and having to conceal a much large harness would be difficult for me during the summers, winters wouldn't be an issue. For OWB I think saw another online thread with a 5906 in a Tucker Gun Leather HF1, and it looks great, but think I would experience the same problem as the Blackhawk

Maybe I'll just to ride the wait out on a VM2, at least with that I know I wouldn't loose all my money if it didn't work for me as I am sure someone would buy it.

Paul

 

[growr]

Lobo has given the most concise and straight forward reply to this question I have seen. Take his advice he is right on the money.
Randy