concealing a J-frame
- Thread starter soccerguy83
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heeter3
Member
My carry depends on what Im wearing and the time of year.My 442 gets carried in a pocket holster,IWB,small of the back,ankle and OWB belt or paddle.It seems I tend to accumulate these as the need arises and the makers vary on each holster.Sometimes it takes a little research like you are doing now to see what might work carry wise and brand.The guys here have a wealth of experience so wade through the suggestions try a few and youll find what works for you.
sipowicz
Member
Wranglers are my favorite "gun jeans"....my GAP 1969 "designer" jeans look way cooler, but they don't have the support in the waistband like the Wranglers do....of course, my wife hates my wranglers, and when we go out together I compromise and wear the Gap jeans with an ankle holster...when she isn't around, i could care less and wear my "old man" wranglers as she calls them...
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I carry a M60 and about 75% of the time it's in my front right pocket in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. It is extremely comfortable in my LL Bean natural Fit Jeans because their pockets are more generous than most other brand Jeans. Because of the Natural Fit style they are not as tight and so the gun is not pressed up against my leg.
The other 25% of the time I wear an OWB Kramer Horse-hide Belt Scabbard on one of his Horse-hide 1 1/4" belts. Now that's comfortable!
After 35 years of concealed carry, these two methods are the best i have found.
When I was a few pounds lighter (about 20+ years ago) I would occasionally carry IWB - cross draw at the 9 o'Clock position and that was relatively comfortable with one of those very thin suede non reinforced holsters. I was not concerned about re-holstering with one hand so the lack of a thick piece of leather to keep the suede holster opened was a non issue to me. Had I remained at that weight the IWB would still be an option but loosing 20 pounds has become a real p.i.t.a. IWB - strong side was always too uncomfortable for me, even at 20 pounds less.
Chief38
The other 25% of the time I wear an OWB Kramer Horse-hide Belt Scabbard on one of his Horse-hide 1 1/4" belts. Now that's comfortable!
After 35 years of concealed carry, these two methods are the best i have found.
When I was a few pounds lighter (about 20+ years ago) I would occasionally carry IWB - cross draw at the 9 o'Clock position and that was relatively comfortable with one of those very thin suede non reinforced holsters. I was not concerned about re-holstering with one hand so the lack of a thick piece of leather to keep the suede holster opened was a non issue to me. Had I remained at that weight the IWB would still be an option but loosing 20 pounds has become a real p.i.t.a. IWB - strong side was always too uncomfortable for me, even at 20 pounds less.
Chief38
Triggernosis
Member
Unfortunately for us slim folks with 32-33" waists, nothing is going to disappear like it does on more bulky people.
Have you tried a shoulder holster (vertical)?
Have you tried a shoulder holster (vertical)?
tom turner
US Veteran
My Model 37 literally "lives" in my DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster!
Low cost, won't sweat and mess up the finish like leather holsters can, and super easy to put in the pocket in one smooth motion. The gun does NOT snag either on the draw.
Low cost, won't sweat and mess up the finish like leather holsters can, and super easy to put in the pocket in one smooth motion. The gun does NOT snag either on the draw.
I carry a model 38-2 or a model 49 every where in a Ryan Grizzle pocket holster in the right front pocket of my jeans. I specifically buy brands of jeans with large deep pockets and a quality made belt designed to carry the weight of a handgun.
Learning how to dress is only the first part of concealed carry. Understand most people are so busy, they never take the time to look at you or what you may be carrying. The first sign of most people carrying is they are constantly touching the gun, poking it and adjusting it. Find a holster, belt, combo that works for you and go with it. In a short period its like your wallet, you will forget that it is there.
Learning how to dress is only the first part of concealed carry. Understand most people are so busy, they never take the time to look at you or what you may be carrying. The first sign of most people carrying is they are constantly touching the gun, poking it and adjusting it. Find a holster, belt, combo that works for you and go with it. In a short period its like your wallet, you will forget that it is there.
Faulkner
Member
I have a couple of suggestions. If you're wearing a inside the pants holster you may want to consider on size larger jeans. I usually wear a 34 inch waste Levi or Wrangler and inside the pants holsters are uncomfortable. I bought one pair of 35 inch Levi's and problem solved (except I just don't particularly like inside the pants holsters).
Second, I have a Lobo pancake that is what I use most. It'll draw up tight at about the 4 o'clock position and with a loose shirt it's pretty well concealed. I also agree with the comment above about a good belt, without a good belt a good holster can't do it's job.
I also like the 5.11 concealment shirts, they are comfortable and do a good job at concealment.
Second, I have a Lobo pancake that is what I use most. It'll draw up tight at about the 4 o'clock position and with a loose shirt it's pretty well concealed. I also agree with the comment above about a good belt, without a good belt a good holster can't do it's job.
I also like the 5.11 concealment shirts, they are comfortable and do a good job at concealment.
Made myself a new concealment holster. It's wet molded, hardened, dyed black, burnished and buffed. It's my new favorite. Only problem I'm having is that since my disability and reduced activity level my belt seems to have shrunk a bit much so I need a new one. I'm thinking of making my own out of some heavy strap leather.
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Nice work, what does the flipside look like? Cut slot or sewn loop?
Stitched on belt loop. I'm currently working on a holster for a Model 60 for an American Indian friend. It's gonna have some beadwork on the side.
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David LaPell
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I don't wear jeans anymore, too many years of wearing BDU style pants at work. So now I wear cargo pants or cargo shorts when warm weather arrives. I carry my 649 in a pocket holster although I have no idea who made it its unmarked. I have never had any issues with it and no one is ever the wiser.
palmettosunshine
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As many have said here, pocket carry and J frames just go together. I wear business attire during the week and jeans on Fridays and the weekends. If I have pants on a J frame is in my pocket. Previously a 340, now a 638 that I dearly love. And whether in my slacks, suits or jeans, no one has ever noticed.
photoman
Member
Buy yourself a good IWB clip holster and carry at 1 o'clock.
Stophel
Member
For me the ONLY semi-viable concealment option is in the pocket. IWB is absolutely not a possibility. OWB works fine... in the winter. The other 9 months out of the year, a jacket of any kind is out of the question.
And blue jean pockets are BARELY deep enough...
And blue jean pockets are BARELY deep enough...
Deputy Marshal
Member
I carry my 642 in an Aholster pocket holster. It does not print and the holster stays in my pocket when drawn and stays in position when I reholster. Best snubbie holster I ever owned.
37airweight
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IWB never worked for me either. A good pancake holster like the Galco Concealable pictured below makes my 37 disappear for off duty carry. Try just behind your hip and hopefully you will not be so apt to see the gun.
photoman
Member
The Galco Concealable is an excellent J frame holster.
Kadonny
Member
The Galco concealable is a great holster, but it is a bit pricey. Try a Don Hume JIT slide for OWB. Similar to the Galco at 1/3 the cost. The Don Hume products have a great reputation and I have a few of them.
I also just got a Remora for IWB, boy is that thing comfortable for IWB. My only issue with it is the tendency for it to move around a bit. Other than than, it's really comfortable. The other IWB I have on order is a Crossbreed. I'm really interested in trying that one as I hear great things about it.
I'm taller and thinner too, the only way I can totally conceal without wearing a super bulky sweatshirt is IWB.
I also just got a Remora for IWB, boy is that thing comfortable for IWB. My only issue with it is the tendency for it to move around a bit. Other than than, it's really comfortable. The other IWB I have on order is a Crossbreed. I'm really interested in trying that one as I hear great things about it.
I'm taller and thinner too, the only way I can totally conceal without wearing a super bulky sweatshirt is IWB.
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