Holster for .32 Hand Ejector?

[bjmusico]

Anyone have ideas for a good leather holster for .32 Hand Ejector with 3.25" barrel?

I'm not having much luck finding a nice holster for it, searched for both new and vintage used. Would love something in black leather that looks somewhat vintage, probably with a thumb break. Midway offers a DeSantis Mini Scabbard, that their website says will fit, but I'm a bit skeptical.

I believe mine's a 2nd model 5th change (ser#154884), not sure of year (~1912?). It's an old Jersey City Police gun (etched into backstrap) that was my grandfather's. I replaced the broken gutta percha grips, added a missing screw, and disassembled/cleaned/lubed. Shoots great and is my wife's most comfortable "home defense" gun for when I'm out of town (... better than nothing).

Thanks all!

 

[H Richard]

If memory serves me right, that gun is just a little smaller than a J Frame, and a J Frame holster would probably give a reasonable fit.

 

[reccpd101]

Yes, a little smaller than a J frame but probably is going to be a little loose in a thumb break. A good fit in a thumb break is necessary for it to function right. You should be able to find a bunch of vintage holsters with a strap over hammer design that will work well and are more period correct. Thumb breaks didn't show up much until the late 60s and early 70s. I have some leather from uncles of various generations that were elected sheriffs thru 1965 or so. All those LE holsters were strap over hammer. Most, but not all, were custom made locally by harness makers.

 

[delcrossv]

Midway's holster finder shows 18 that will fit a 3.25".32 Hand Ejector.

Holsters by Gun Make & Model | Holsters & Belts

 

[Muley Gil]

I have had good luck buying holsters on eBay. Since the barrel length on an I frame is slightly longer-3 1/4" v 3"- a 3" J frame holster with a thumb break MAY fit fine, as the longer barrel should push the revolver back just a smidge.

 

[needsmostuff]

The Simply Rugged holsters are tough to beat for straight up versatility .
This one does ALL my J frames sized 3" to 4" . In a pinch a snub would be just fine and stay put.
Good protection and great retention with out being fancy. Holds the gun high and tight if going under a jacket. Can be used IWB or cross draw if wanted .

 

[Drm50]

I bought beautiful Lawrence holster here on forum last year for a kit gun.
Turned out it was for a 43 kit gun, 3.5” and my 34 wouldn’t fit at 4”. Had hard time offing it for a loss. Small frame holsters are a dime a dozen for snubbies hard to come by in 3” to 4” barrels. El Paso makes some nice ones that what I’ve got.

 

[Hondo44]

I have had good luck buying holsters on eBay. Since the barrel length on an I frame is slightly longer-3 1/4" v 3"- a 3" J frame holster with a thumb break MAY fit fine, as the longer barrel should push the revolver back just a smidge.

Exactly right!

This is the classic Bianchi small frame thumbreak holster with split cowhide liner. As a Bianchi dealer, my dad sold thousands of these beginning back in the mid 1960s. It's a thumbreak and the snap is correctly positioned on the body side for more natural breaking open the snap with the thumb.

It could be ordered for a 3" J frame. Back in the day we sold many for Pre war I frames with 3 1/4" barrel which were still being carried by some security guards, etc.

 

[Buick]

Midway's holster finder shows 18 that will fit a 3.25".32 Hand Ejector.

Holsters by Gun Make & Model | Holsters & Belts

Well i got bit by the holster bug from that link and bought a strong side slim jim, crossdraw loop holster, and cartridge belt for my USFA .45 single action lol.

 

[bjmusico]

Thanks all! I found the ones on Midway, and the DeSantis Mini Scabbard will probably be my backup choice if I can't find anything more interesting. Good points on thumb break. I think strap-over-hammer may have been what I was thinking of. Now that everyone has provided me with a bit more knowledge, I'm going to dive back into searching. Maybe will take a chance on something vintage on eBay.

 

[Green Frog]

The Simply Rugged holsters are tough to beat for straight up versatility .
This one does ALL my J frames sized 3" to 4" . In a pinch a snub would be just fine and stay put.
Good protection and great retention with out being fancy. Holds the gun high and tight if going under a jacket. Can be used IWB or cross draw if wanted .

With those two stag handled pieces, you could have made a holster and sheath out of an old boot top and still been styling! They really look great!

Froggie

 

[bjmusico]

Just want to "close-the-loop" on my holster question.

I ended up with a Hunter 1100-17 model holster. I got an older NOS version on Gunbroker, but I think they may still make it. Doesn't look like they offer it in black, so I got their standard brown version. The brown looks pretty good once it ages, and I can always dye it black if I want. My NOS is already darkening a bit from age.

Fit:
I think this holster is made for a J-frame, but is the closest fit I could find. Overall, it's the best fitting off-the-shelf vintage-style holster I've found. The holster length in barrel area is probably about 1" longer than it needs to be for the 3-1/4" barrel on my pistol, but not much. It's a close-ended holster, and better than the barrel sticking out (like DeSantis Mini-Scabbard).

The cylinder/grip/hammer area seems to fit well and allows a good depth. However, the securing strap, that goes over rear of trigger guard, is too long. It doesn't keep the position of the gun solidly deep enough in holster. If this strap was shorter/tighter, the fit would be very good. I plan to just take out the rivet holding the strap at back of holster, shorten the strap about 1", the re-rivet.

Thanks for all the recommendations!

 

[ramprat]

bjmusico,

I carried a .32 Colt New Pocket revolver in a Hunter 1100 17 OE holster almost exactly like yours. The only difference was my holster had an open end while yours has the closed end. My New Pocket had a 3" barrel, so to eliminate the problem of my revolver slipping to far into the holster, I inserted a 1" long plug made of extruded styrene pipe insulation into the open end of the holster. With the plug installed, the revolver sat in the holster at the proper depth and allowed the safety strap function as designed. You can easily do this to your holster, but insert it from the top. The extruded styrene pipe or tubing insulation can be found at any decently stocked hardware store and is relatively inexpensive. If I remember correctly, I think a purchased a 4' piece of the stuff for $1.99. This method will eliminate you having to permanently modifying your holster and can be easily removed with a pair of needle nose pliers.
HTH
Gary

 

[bjmusico]

Great idea. I think I might even have some cylindrical foam that will work. Should do a good job of taking up the small amount of open space at tip of holster that barrel doesn't quite fill. Holster keeps it's form, but I would feel better if I filled in the empty space.

Thanks!

 

[nbedford]

Just want to "close-the-loop" on my holster question.

I ended up with a Hunter 1100-17 model holster. I got an older NOS version on Gunbroker, but I think they may still make it. Doesn't look like they offer it in black, so I got their standard brown version. The brown looks pretty good once it ages, and I can always dye it black if I want. My NOS is already darkening a bit from age.

Fit:
I think this holster is made for a J-frame, but is the closest fit I could find. Overall, it's the best fitting off-the-shelf vintage-style holster I've found. The holster length in barrel area is probably about 1" longer than it needs to be for the 3-1/4" barrel on my pistol, but not much. It's a close-ended holster, and better than the barrel sticking out (like DeSantis Mini-Scabbard).

The cylinder/grip/hammer area seems to fit well and allows a good depth. However, the securing strap, that goes over rear of trigger guard, is too long. It doesn't keep the position of the gun solidly deep enough in holster. If this strap was shorter/tighter, the fit would be very good. I plan to just take out the rivet holding the strap at back of holster, shorten the strap about 1", the re-rivet.

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Thanks for the thread. I’ve got 3 4” I frame HE’s and I’ve been wondering how they’d do in a J frame holster. However from reading past comments; if I get a leather j frame holster I will probably water soak it and form it.

 

[StrawHat]

Another option for those looking for leather gear is right here on this forum. We have several members who turn out better holsters at reasonable prices. I am phasing out store bought with custom. Life is too short to carry an ugly holster.

The one on the left is for my 3 1/4”, 32 Hand Ejector.

Kevin

 

[ddixie884]

Those are cool..............