closed or open muzzle

[John Hill]

I am looking at two different leather holsters from the same supplier, "My Holster" on eBay. They are for my new S&W mod 60, J frame 3" .357. For casual conceal carry for an OWB holster, which is preferable, open or closed muzzle? If one is preferable, why?
Thanks
John

 

[2wheels]

For EDC, I prefer open; lint and stuff can accumulate in a closed holster. For trucking through muck and brambles, closed keeps the muzzle clear of stuff.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Closed muzzle end tends to collect dust, lint, grit and debris over time. Open muzzle end tends to shed more easily.

Naturally, the closed end protects the muzzle more completely. It is always possible that we might sit down somewhere and bang the muzzle end of the barrel on something unintentionally.

Open muzzle end makes a slightly shorter holster, while the closed end takes a bit more length. Makes a little difference when getting into and out of the car frequently, especially with the longer-barreled handguns. We are only talking about 3/4", but it can be a factor.

I always tried to allow for drainage in closed-toe holsters, a little open space to let water escape rather than filling the holster while out in the open during a rain or snow storm.

For occasional uses I doubt most folks would notice any difference. Those of us who have carried every day for years on end might have stronger preferences.

 

[stansdds]

I prefer open ended, allows for lint, debris, or water to drain out.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Open allows the option of carrying a longer barrel than design intent.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[sipowicz]

I use open but none of mine have the barrel or slide longer than than the holster to protect the muzzle

 

[robertrwalsh]

I prefer open, for all of the reasons given above.

 

[Fishinfool]

I own and use both. For longer barrel side arms, especially while hunting or woods walking, I prefer a closed muzzle. Twice, I have sat down and ended up burying my muzzle in snow or dirt with an open holster. Otherwise, I guess an open muzzle does provide some advantages as noted above.

Larry

 

[jack the toad]

Definitely prefer open bottom with covered muzzle for various reasons already posted.

 

[CH4]

Open ended because it will take guns with longer barrels if needed.

 

[John Hill]

Thanks to all for your ideas and advice

Thanks to all for your ideas and advice. I already have a couple of open holsters for my Mod 60 .38 sp with 1 7/8" barrel. When I receive the 3" .357 I will see if the new revolver rides ok and draws ok without hanging up because of the ramp front sight.
John

 

[AAPSG.Group]

Having both would be a good idea

 

[lkabug]

I've carried with open for years. But muzzle doesn't extend beyond opening.

 

[Llance]

I'm a cheap ******* and as such when I find a holster which fits my gun and looks right for my use, I use it. For deep woods carry, as much as I don't like added retention devices, I like a holster which has a flap over the grip to keep crud and weather out and a small hole in the toe of the holster to allow any liquid to drain free. I only have one that doesn't have this feature and it has a sheep lining. It holds my 45 auto when I take it to the range.

 

[gwpercle]

I had to go look ! Seems I have some of both and to be honest ...
Don't see a big advantage one way or another .
Never had one fill up with rain water ... don't recall anything collecting in the closed ends of any of them . The better more expensive holsters and the ones used by our local police departments have closed ends.
My cheaper holsters have open ends .
I would advise to buy a holster not based on the end being open or closed but based on other features .
One of my favorite holsters is a DeSantis Wart Hog belt holster ...
you can wear it ... on your right side or left side or cross draw right or cross draw left ... very versatile and ambidexerous for lefties ...and it has an open muzzel pouch ... but it does this because of the unique construction that allows right/left /crossdraw carry ... it doesn't bother me . I didn't buy the holster because it has open end .
Open ends allow you to carry like Alan Ladd did in Shane ...watch the movie ... neat gun rig he uses ... but it is a movie and in real life holsters should fit open or closed end .
Gary

 

[Biggfoot44]

Another factor is everything else equal . closed end will be a bit stiffer ( in the sense of holding its shape ) .

But for the most part it's not really a big factor , compared to the rest of a holster's attributes .

That said , for OWB concealment of a full size gun like a 1911 or 4 inch revolver , the 0.75 to 1 in shorter of a properly designed open toe can make a difference .

 

[jcs266]

I have both. Not a huge factor to me. If I like the design of the holster then I use it. Open or closed isn't a major focus for me. Generally mine are open though.