Carry methods for J-Frames
- Thread starter Practical
- Start date
AZretired
Member
Thanks for the link
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Since I purchased my first J-frame (Model 36) 40 years ago these are the methods I have used to carry:
1. IWB holster, strong side
2. IWB holster, appendix position
3. IWB holster, clipped inside boot
4. Pancake-style holster, strong side
5. Inside pocket of leather jacket (motorcycle riding)
6. Jacket pocket of uniform coat (uniformed police)
7. Upside down shoulder holster underneath uniform shirt, back-up piece on duty
8. Back pocket of jeans, no holster
9. Lower right pocket of suit coat or sport coat (back-up piece, plainclothes)
10. Map pocket inside car door while driving
11. Vest pocket while fly fishing
12. Velcro pouch stitched inside lining of Stetson hat (fairly simple two-handed draw, but a little heavy on the head)
13. Inside left sleeve of winter coat (elastic wrist closure to keep it from falling out)
14. Inside arm sling while arm in cast
15. In my camera bag while playing tourist
Given a little more time I can probably remember a few more. Maybe I'll even remember where I left that gun.
1. IWB holster, strong side
2. IWB holster, appendix position
3. IWB holster, clipped inside boot
4. Pancake-style holster, strong side
5. Inside pocket of leather jacket (motorcycle riding)
6. Jacket pocket of uniform coat (uniformed police)
7. Upside down shoulder holster underneath uniform shirt, back-up piece on duty
8. Back pocket of jeans, no holster
9. Lower right pocket of suit coat or sport coat (back-up piece, plainclothes)
10. Map pocket inside car door while driving
11. Vest pocket while fly fishing
12. Velcro pouch stitched inside lining of Stetson hat (fairly simple two-handed draw, but a little heavy on the head)
13. Inside left sleeve of winter coat (elastic wrist closure to keep it from falling out)
14. Inside arm sling while arm in cast
15. In my camera bag while playing tourist
Given a little more time I can probably remember a few more. Maybe I'll even remember where I left that gun.
photoman
Member
You forgot the (always useful) brown paper bag. Surely you used one of those. Doesn't everybody?
Hi:
As we speak I am CCW a "Lobo" pancake dual carry OWB holster
with a S&W "N" Frame 4". I discovered that the weapon's grip had a tendency to "lean" outward. To correct this I have the belt on the outside of the holster which pulls the weapon in close--works great.
(PS-don't tell Ray that I am using his holster wrong)
Jimmy
TripPowers
Member
I carry my model 60 no dash with larger custom wood grips in a iwb holster & my 645 in a cheap shoulder rig. Way easier to draw the 60 faster.
JFootin
Member
My customized 638 is my favorite carry gun. I had her Duracoated a Gloss Black color, the barrel ported and a trigger job that reduced my DA pull to 4.25 lbs with positive primer strikes that go BANG every time.
I found a way to carry it on my belt that I'll bet will work for anybody: AIWB. This gun is perfect for carry there. I am middle aged with a spread and I thought for the longest time that AIWB wouldn't work with my belly. But I started experimenting using an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. The rubberized gripper strips really lock the holster in place behind a good belt and it stays put all day. I am a lefty, so I carry it at about 10:30 with the cylinder hiding behind my left front belt loop, low riding with a reverse cant that lays the grip down horizontally just above my belt. My belly expands above it, making any untucked shirt or T-shirt drape over it wthout printing. The reverse cant also presents the gun for a quick draw from that location, and it moves the muzzle far enough inward that it doesn't jam against my leg when I am seated. Drawing when seated is every bit as effortless as when standing. And it is perfectly comfortable for all day carry.
More recently, I found another pocket holster that works even better for AIWB carry: the Stays-Put Ultra, which is just $14.95 shipped and works great in the pocket, too, staying put better than the UM or any other pocket holster I have ever tried.
I have a friend who is a real artist in leather holsters; James Dean Gun Leather. He uses finest Herman Oak leather and does his holsters with hand stitching and finely finished edges. I came up with a concept for a reverse canted, low riding holster with a tuckable clip. I specified the rounded edge so there would be no corners to dig into my soft lower belly. It came out perfect! It is comfortable and holds the gun securely.
I found a way to carry it on my belt that I'll bet will work for anybody: AIWB. This gun is perfect for carry there. I am middle aged with a spread and I thought for the longest time that AIWB wouldn't work with my belly. But I started experimenting using an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. The rubberized gripper strips really lock the holster in place behind a good belt and it stays put all day. I am a lefty, so I carry it at about 10:30 with the cylinder hiding behind my left front belt loop, low riding with a reverse cant that lays the grip down horizontally just above my belt. My belly expands above it, making any untucked shirt or T-shirt drape over it wthout printing. The reverse cant also presents the gun for a quick draw from that location, and it moves the muzzle far enough inward that it doesn't jam against my leg when I am seated. Drawing when seated is every bit as effortless as when standing. And it is perfectly comfortable for all day carry.
More recently, I found another pocket holster that works even better for AIWB carry: the Stays-Put Ultra, which is just $14.95 shipped and works great in the pocket, too, staying put better than the UM or any other pocket holster I have ever tried.
I have a friend who is a real artist in leather holsters; James Dean Gun Leather. He uses finest Herman Oak leather and does his holsters with hand stitching and finely finished edges. I came up with a concept for a reverse canted, low riding holster with a tuckable clip. I specified the rounded edge so there would be no corners to dig into my soft lower belly. It came out perfect! It is comfortable and holds the gun securely.
357-RevolverGuy
Member
I've tried a few different holsters for my 642 and 60 and settled with a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB. It's so comfortable that I sometimes forget it's even there.
semperfi71
US Veteran
I have an acquaintance who was a Border Patrolman and later a DEA agent.
One day he was carrying a Chiefs Special with the Barami "Hip-Grip" attached and in his waistband.
As he was walking a newly arrested man to the car his handgun fell to the ground.
The prisoner bent over, picked up the gun, and handed it to my friend and said, "Senor, you dropped your peestol."
One day he was carrying a Chiefs Special with the Barami "Hip-Grip" attached and in his waistband.
As he was walking a newly arrested man to the car his handgun fell to the ground.
The prisoner bent over, picked up the gun, and handed it to my friend and said, "Senor, you dropped your peestol."
A cool thread with even cooler posters (LoboGunLeather). The Js are delightful to carry: a Bianchi suede IWB, a Blackhawk (formerly Uncle Mike's) #3 size pocket, or the Mernickle belt scabbard work for me. If you haven't experienced Jim Mernickle's scabbard, you're in for a treat. Find him on any search engine.
I laugh inside when people say they can conceal a bigger gun under a coat in cold weather. But how do they get to it if necessary? Love my Js in the coat pocket and my American Derringer Corp. guns in the other pocket. Let's keep this thread going, people. Stay safe.
I laugh inside when people say they can conceal a bigger gun under a coat in cold weather. But how do they get to it if necessary? Love my Js in the coat pocket and my American Derringer Corp. guns in the other pocket. Let's keep this thread going, people. Stay safe.
badge 851
US Veteran
I carry my J frames in a Theis® Hybrid, or DeSantis® Cozy Partner® IWB. Both hold the gun very securely and don't print. My BUG(s), also J frames, are carried inside my pants or jacket pocket in an Uncle Mike's® #3 pocket holster; and in a Galco® Ankle Glove. These four holsters work very well for me carrying a brace of J frames daily.
ibewbull
US Veteran
Great thread. Thanks for starting it.
I have a 642 , 2 1/8 ported and an older 640.
I like the R9 Bianchi upside down "McQueen rig"
Milt Sparks in last photo is very nice.
Also Desantis OWB zero , only problem with it is the strap is a bit tight for some grips. Mostly the ones with behind the trigger guard filled. It is fine with Grasshorn Stags and a Tyler T adapter.
Then there is the Simply Rugged Sourdough IWB/OWB combo. I just love this one.
Never forget winter carry inside a mitten works just dandy for walking about in the city. May want to call it the ever-ready carry.
I have a 642 , 2 1/8 ported and an older 640.
I like the R9 Bianchi upside down "McQueen rig"
Milt Sparks in last photo is very nice.
Also Desantis OWB zero , only problem with it is the strap is a bit tight for some grips. Mostly the ones with behind the trigger guard filled. It is fine with Grasshorn Stags and a Tyler T adapter.
Then there is the Simply Rugged Sourdough IWB/OWB combo. I just love this one.
Never forget winter carry inside a mitten works just dandy for walking about in the city. May want to call it the ever-ready carry.
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Knightrider03m
Member
I tried to carry it on my belt but didn't care that much for it.
Faulkner
Member
In only carry on my belt. For J-frames, I have a Blackhawk and a Lobo pancake. Both have served me very well, but the Lobo pancake is the most confortable.
jwk
Member
I have one with a Galco harness with a left and right hand holster. Set up for 2.5" M686s.
You could do the same thing with J frame holsters.
Recently saw an article on Mitch Rosen(?) doing a double J frame rig. Think it was in Handgunner Magazine for the editor.
Best part of carrying two guns like that in a double rig is that they balance the weight out which I find to be more comfortable.
Jim Keene
jwk
Member
Personally carry a 642 in my jeans pocket when dressed casually. I buy my jeans a bit baggy (just big enough for a IWB holster with a full size revolver or auto) not gangbanger baggy and it wears fine. No problem with a draw. No problem with it turning. No problem with it printing. If you do this however, the only thing you carry in that pocket is the revolver.
I have also used a Bladetech IWB kydex holster for my 3" barrel M60 in .357. That carries very well. The only reason that I don't carry that way all the time is that after a shoulder surgery, I switched to shooting left handed. (I'm left eye dominant but got my hand slapped when I was a kid if I did anything left handed). Anyway my Bladetech holster is right handed. I need to order another one.
I have also used a Bladetech IWB kydex holster for my 3" barrel M60 in .357. That carries very well. The only reason that I don't carry that way all the time is that after a shoulder surgery, I switched to shooting left handed. (I'm left eye dominant but got my hand slapped when I was a kid if I did anything left handed). Anyway my Bladetech holster is right handed. I need to order another one.
Horace & Daniel
Member
I carry my Model 38 in an Akers OWB.
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