FAVORITE J FRAME HOLSTER

[the perfesser]

442 in Nemesis in right front pocket.

 

[old tanker]

A classic S&W Model 03 shoulder holster with a Model 40 makes a comfortable rig while driving. It won't get trapped between the seatbelt and the console.

 

[tlawler]

I got this old DeSantis IWB from a fellow forum member, don’t remember who. I think I paid $15 plus shipping for it. It turned out to be very comfortable and has good retention. Works great with my 342Ti. The snaps were worn out, so I just superglued them shut and have to thread my belt through the flap, but other than that, some of the best money I’ve spent.

 

[mike campbell]

A classic S&W Model 03 shoulder holster with a Model 40 .....

I like old war ponies that have been rode hard and cared for. Like this one.

 

[crazyphil]

Here is a cut & paste from Ritchie Leathers web site. In this he speaks of their connection and history with Lou Alessi.

About Us: Ritchie Leather Co. Inc
I'm Skip Ritchie and in January of 2010, my brother Bob and I opened up Ritchie Leather Co, Inc., makers of fine holsters and belts.

For those of you who don't know us, I'll give you a little background. In 1984 I became a partner in Alessi Custom Concealment Holster, with Lou Alessi and Matt Vassalo. This is when Lou taught me the art of holster making. Honing my skills until one day Lou said to me "Skip, I can't tell if you or I made this holster!".

In the late 80's early 90's we were very busy with government contracts and that's when my brother Bob would come on to help us out.

In the mid 90's the government contracts and business in general slowed down, thanks to the Clinton administration. I left the holster shop to pursue other endeavors while Lou kept the shop open.

In 2009 I heard Lou was sick again, and I went to help him out in my spare time along with two other close friends, Bruce and Rich. In a matter of hours, it was like old times. MaryLou, Louie along with Bruce, Rich and myself, telling stories and laughing about silly things we had done. While Ali listened intently, laughing along with us. This is what rekindled my love of holster making.

My dear friend of thirty five plus years, left the holster shop on February 20th, 2009, for the last time. Lou Alessi passed away the next morning, a legend, never to be forgotten.

Thanks for that C&L. I haven't been acquainted with Ritchie,
but like his work. It shows the Alessi influence. Both Alessi
and Ken Null were influenced by Paris Theodore aka Seventrees.
Here's a couple by Ken that shows the influence.
On the left holding an S&W Model 10 2". On the right an IWB
holding Colt's Agent.

 

[webley green]

Mika pocket holster for my Model 38. Works well in the front pocket, side pocket and rear pocket. Think I'm going to spring for one of the new IWB models. Waybackwhen I was relief bailiff, I used an older black Hunter belt holster with screw tension. Of course concealed by my navy blue blazer.

 

[hostler]

I've got a HighNoon OWB holster for my old model 60 that I love. Problem is I just recently "modernized" my carry gun to a 442. Because it has an internal hammer, I can't use this Highnoon holster with the 442. I didn't know how difficult it would be finding an OWB thumb break holster for an internal hammer J frame. I usually carry the 442 in pocket, in a Blackhawk pocket holster. The Blackhawk is cheap as could be but I like it because it is small and thin while being padded and soft at the same time. It also works well with my LCP.
I do at times carry a J frame OWB so yesterday I ordered a Desantis thumb break pancake holster for the 442. Can't wait for it to get here so I can start breaking it in.

 

[hostler]

DeSantis.

After 19,000 hours on my belt and 3000+ rounds downrange, this combo is starting to feel comfortable.

Mike, I just ordered a Desantis thumb break, haven't gotten it yet. How does it fit with the CTC grip?

 

[mike campbell]

In this rig the CTC is a non-issue. The gun sits so that the bulge of the laser just barely touches the top of the strap.

You can see the stretch marks in the retention strap. This one required some break in. This strap is good for the 340 style, wouldn't be so good for the humpbacks.

Finding a strap holster for the hammerless J frame was pretty frustrating. Apparently, there's a not a big market for them. When I was shopping I had to send a couple of other brands back; some adds claim they work with hammerless J's and they simply don't. Doesn't seem to it requires a huge engineering feat....just a different angle to the strap.

 

[gnystrom]

Most of my favorites will interchange with my Kimber K6s. I love that bonus.

OWB this from Matt Whitefield in TX

IWB

Sideguard with snap.

 

[Coyote56]

Here are a couple of rare ones. Rare because they are 30+ years old and the maker no longer makes holsters for revolvers. Only wish I had bought a few more of them when I could have. Anyone else own some of these from across the pond???

Horseshoe Leather...excellent product by Andy Arratoonian. I have a holster for a SIG P220 on order with him. Patience is a must.

 

[hostler]

Finding a strap holster for the hammerless J frame was pretty frustrating. Apparently, there's a not a big market for them. When I was shopping I had to send a couple of other brands back; some adds claim they work with hammerless J's and they simply don't. Doesn't seem to it requires a huge engineering feat....just a different angle to the strap.

That's been my experience as well. There were only two or three major holster manufacturers that seemed to make a thumb break OWB for a hammerless j frame. I found a couple no-name holsters on Ebay that say they fit a hammerless revolver but I didn't trust that to be true.
I've got a Blackhawk Serpa that the 442 fits nicely but that stupid thing sticks out so far from my body I may as well carry an "N" frame.

 

[DevilDog72]

Some very nice rigs on this thread. I have a few J frame holsters and the one I use most is a Galco SM122 and a speed strip in a Galco carrier. The gun is a 640 ND .38 and the rig rides on a belt our own Eaglestroker made for me.

 

[old tanker]

...Finding a strap holster for the hammerless J frame was pretty frustrating. Apparently, there's a not a big market for them. When I was shopping I had to send a couple of other brands back; some adds claim they work with hammerless J's and they simply don't. Doesn't seem to it requires a huge engineering feat....just a different angle to the strap.

The only one that I recall was marketed by Bianchi for a time. Their Model 55, I think, the strap went over the trigger guard.

Curious, did you have any luck with one?

 

[WCCPHD]

As I have said many times before, I only carry OWB and my favorite holster is a pancake. My favorite pancake holster is an original Roy Baker. I usually buy them when I find them at a reasonable price.

These are most of my J frame Roy Baker Pancake Holsters.

 

[raljr1]

Here's mine. Bianchi 105 OWB. Not a comfortable as the Colt Pony inside the waist band...

Robert

 

[Bob L]

Here is my favorite, a snubbyfan original.

 

[Father Joe]

Bianchi 152 pocket

 

[StrawHat]

I rarely carry a J or I frame. But, I have a Sunday holster for them so when I do have to carry small, I can.

Kevin

 

[Buford57]

Galco Horsehide Pocket Holster. I have a Baker pancake, but the thumbsnap is set up for an external hammer, so I never use it with my 642.