Awkward, Weird, and Uncomfortable Holster

[NCBeagle]

One of the large Charlotte, NC gun shops has a "bargain bin" with a mix of grips, holsters, ammo, soft cases, etc. I have, over the years, found great deals on nice grips, holsters, and other items. Everything priced at just a few dollars, so I grab something that looks good and do not think too much about it. Well, complete fail this week.

I snatched a couple old-school Gould & Goodrich holsters for J and K frame. Did not notice that they do not cover the trigger guard. Also, they are VERY high-ride. This is, perhaps, the most uncomfortable and awkward holster that I have ever tried. Uncovered trigger, it flops out from the body, pits the grip up by my armpit.

Does anyone actually use a holster like this?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Ya, grew up in the late 70s/80s with the Bianchi 5BH.

Uncovered trigger doesn't bother me as the thumb break secures the hammer....

That said the cylinder should ride at the belt to get the correct center of gravity ; to keep the gun from floping away from the body!

Nice 3" K-frame; 13 or 10?

I snagged some great holsters from the "bargain bin" back in the day including several Milt Sparks IWB holsters; only worn once!!

 

[crows]

I have found that holsters that ride that high tend to allow the top of the gun to lean out too.It doesn't matter how tight I pull the belt. I don't mind the uncovered trigger guard so much, or the ride height, but with the gun leaning out away from my body, it is counter to the idea of concealment. I know plenty of people who say they like this style, so I guess they won't have me competing in the supply.
Of course, makes you wonder why it was in the bargain bin...

 

[Denverd0n]

Not my cup of tea, but some people like a very high riding holster. To each his own.

 

[NCBeagle]

Nice 3" K-frame; 13 or 10?

)

It is a 13-3

 

[Nomadmax]

Now you know why it was in the bargain bin. You found out for a lot less money than the original owner did

 

[geeollie]

You need a true gun belt for this type holster.
Holsters of this genre were all the rage....for some.

 

[murphydog]

Agree it would need a strong belt to keep it in place with the high CG.

Also, I think it would work better with certain body types (taller, longer upper body).

 

[Papa Lee]

Holster

Your Gould & Goodrich holster was one of several S&W Leather Products holsters that G&G continued producing after it acquired the assets of S&W Leather Products in the 1980's. G&G continued using the S&W numbering system for fit, in this case, "33" = K frame 3" Barrel. As mentioned, this holster design needs a stout wide belt and generally works better with J Frame revolvers and perhaps best with airweight J frames. Pictured is the J frame "62" version from S&W Leather Products with a Model 60.

 

[cmansguns]

I always liked the S&W branded

For most all of my EDC years carrying Model 36, Model 60, Model 637 I always used S&W B 502 32 with very stout Galco belts. The Galco belts are wide, stiff, and carry the gun weight correct for me at 4-4:30 strong (right) side. I use my 1-1/8" Galco
dress" belt for the J Frame guns, the wider 1-5/8" Galco belt for larger, longer K Frames, N Frames, & 1911's.

The holster puts the cylinder right at belt centerline and has been no problem with cars, seat belts, snagging coats, etc. and I have found the printing is minimal at best.

I have carried my Model 36-1 with 3" and transitional RB to SB grips and it still carries fine, but is a tad "bulkier".

Note that none of the triggers are exposed and the thumb break engages easily on the S&W from back when they were in Lillington NC, before G&G took over.

 

[crows]

I understand the idea of a "proper" gun belt. I use an El Paso Saddlery belt, among others.I'm not over weight and this design simple leans too far away at the top. I guess if I wore a sport coat to conceal it might work.

 

[w.r.gun]

No belt can overcome the fact 3/4 of the gun is above the belt.Ad d an inch or two of barrel it would be fine.some time short guns dont carry better.They do require a better designed holster.

 

[Baxter6551]

I have a Galco of similar design but find it comfortable and dosent lean away even with 686. And I wear it with a narrower 1.25 inch belt. But I’ve had other holsters that did lean away and didn’t like them.

 

[dsf]

I have an older Buchmeier (sic) that uses a looped base for the belt with a metal stem and snap. Slip the holster over the stem, snap it in place. Rides extremely high. As in nearly up to my elbow.

 

[Papa Lee]

I have an older Buchmeier (sic) that uses a looped base for the belt with a metal stem and snap. Slip the holster over the stem, snap it in place. Rides extremely high. As in nearly up to my elbow.

If what you describe is what I think it is, it's called a "Semi-Shoulder holster". Made by Bucheimer and a few others.

 

[Matt_X]

We can see some minor looking but apparently significant differences in the two 29L holsters pictured.
Scaling the photos and assuming the slots in both are the same length we get this side by side image.

1. S&W's 29L for the 2" J frame places the cylinder below the top of the belt line. In contrast the G&G 29L places the 3" K frame's cylinder entirely above the belt.

2. The belt slots of the S&W are closer to the revolver, have more leather surrounding the outside of the slot and has stitching that doubles back above and below the slots. Notice the bending wrinkles on the G&G in the same location as the S&W has stitching.

3. Snap surface is larger on the S&W.


I suspect the first results in a higher center of gravity for the heavier revolver, and the second provides less support for the holster against bending. A stiffer belt won't help if the holster itself is bending around the slots.

Even though it is top heavy, I suspect the G&G 33 would work better with the design details from the S&W. Also if more of the holster continued below the belt line, it might help keep the top from rotating away. Perhaps the 4" version did?

 

[ColbyBruce]

Uncomfortable holsters can be attached to furniture, vehicle steering columns/consoles/door panels, trunk lids, boat consoles, UTV/ATV, etc. uncomfortable doesn’t necessarily mean useless.