Holster for 686 3"

[Reloadyour9]

Hello everyone. I have been searching frantically for a 3" holster for my 686. I am new to S&W's, and therefore have no experience with the available holsters for them. Can anyone recommend a company and style of holster for a 686 with 3" barrel. I will be carrying as my side arm while pig hunting and camping next weekend. Because of that, I really need to find a quality holster that is readily available.

Thanks in advance,
Reload

 

[Gregwilson357]

I know there's a fobus paddle holster do them. Or did you want a certain style?

 

[Smith357]

I was going to suggest you hit a few gunshows and dig through the boxes of $10 holsters, you try one out and if you don't like the way it works then your only out a few bucks and pick up another $10 holster until you find the style that suits you, but since you seem to be pressed for time I would just head off to the gun stores and look for a Bianchi, Desantis, Safariland, or Galco field holster. Your local store may have an old box of used duty holsters, they are generally dirt cheap and of very good quality. They are not very good for CCW but will work just fine for the field.

 

[luis]

Welcome to the forum.

Try to find a Bass Pro or Gander Mountain store they should have some ballistic holsters that will work. WalMart has also started carrying a cheap but good copy of an Uncle Mike.

 

[MO_mule]

Reloadyour9:

Lobo Gunleather (member and good egg) can fix you up: lobogunleather.com.

Tucker makes a nice, tuckable IWB holster but I doubt that he has any in stock. http:// rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

Welcome to the forum, too! Good people here.

Chris

 

[Mack]

Three inch barrels are a little hard to find holsters for. For leather look at Desantis or Galco, for nylon look at Bianchi. Also look at holsters for the Ruger GP 100 3", they are real close in size but you might have to modify the holster a little to clear the adjustable rear sight on the 686.

 

[snakeman99]

If it's the seven shot variety, I've got a brand new Milt Sparks for sale. Here is the link...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/access...milt-sparks-pmk-holster-3-7-shot-l-frame.html

 

[jas22]

Still waiting on the mail, but I just bought one of these for my 3" 686 (seven shot). Note: the cylinder is the same size in both the six and seven shot so don't be detered if the holster only says it fits a six-shooter. I will post a photo when I get it.

Comp-tac Belt Holster

 

[jughed440]

you need the holster asap, maybe there are some "buy it now" deals on ebay. i recently bought this one off of ebay fairly cheap, and the 3" 686 fits nice. the seller had several of the very same holsters listed.

 

[Cashdog]

you need the holster asap, maybe there are some "buy it now" deals on ebay. i recently bought this one off of ebay fairly cheap, and the 3" 686 fits nice. the seller had several of the very same holsters listed.

This, or a cheapy from Bass Pro or Gander Mtn to get you thru next weekend. Then I would check out Lobo & Simply Rugged. They're pretty much the only two I use anymore, but you'll have to wait a few weeks on their fine work.

Come to think of it, Simply Rugged does have a section on their site called "Gear to Go" or something like that. It's holsters that are already made and ready to ship. You might get lucky.

 

[snakeman99]

Still waiting on the mail, but I just bought one of these for my 3" 686 (seven shot). Note: the cylinder is the same size in both the six and seven shot so don't be detered if the holster only says it fits a six-shooter. I will post a photo when I get it.

Comp-tac Belt Holster

The cylinders are the same size but the shape and position of the flutes are not the same. The Milt Sparks holster that I have is custom made for the 7 shot cylinder. A six shot gun will fit, I've tried it, but it doesn't fit as securely as the 7 shot it was designed for...

 

[Garybock]

Holster

Last August I ordered a PMK holster from Milton Sparks for my S&W 686+ 3 inch barrel. It arrived last week and it is sweet. While this won't be my primary carry gun, during the recent cold weather I have had it with me most of the time.

Sparks looks to be a very good holster for me and looks to be worth the wait.

 

[MoPoPo]

I have a milt sparks summer special for my 686 and a street combat holster from El Paso Saddlery. Both very good holsters. The milt sparks took a little over six months to get, but it is a really nice and srprisingly easy to wear. The el paso holster is good too, The leather is softer, but VERY nice and comfy.

 

[RightWinger]

wow, talk about leading the man in the wrong direction.....Fobus? Uncle mikes? going to Wal-Mart to get a holster??.....please don't make that mistake, friends don't let friends wear cheap holsters!

Good holsters are expensive, you just bought a nice gun and should get a decent holster to compliment it. 3 Inch guns are indeed harder to find holsters for, but if you look hard enough you will find a good quality leather rig. Galco does not offer a factory 3 inch holster, but they will trim a 4 inch one down to fit a 3 inch gun, they do this in their custom shop. They do charge extra for this but it might be worth it to get a good holster that fits your gun well.

 

[357larry]

Try Gould & Goodrich. I have a 3 inch model 66 that is double action only with a bobbed hammer. Found one of their holsters that works great.

 

[Big Foot]

I was going to suggest you hit a few gunshows and dig through the boxes of $10 holsters, you try one out and if you don't like the way it works then your only out a few bucks and pick up another $10 holster until you find the style that suits you

Good advice from one of many that have a damn "boxful of WORTHLESS HOLSTERS!!"

 

[ab4ka]

This is the Simply Rugged Sourdough I have for my 2-1/2" 686. I bought it with the IWB straps, which are removeable. Great holster!

 

[Rio Vista Slim]

Since you stated that you wanted a holster quickly, Galco makes their "Silhouette" holster which will work well.

The barrel will be exposed, and this type is less-than-ideal for concealed carry, but it should suffice for your immediate needs.

Kramer makes an excellent holster for the 3" S&W 686. The one in the photograph is horsehide.

 

[flgolfer29]

Lobo

I'll second Lobogunleather.com, good quality and reasonable prices. The 686 3" in the middle is from Lobo...

 

[concrete tom]

686 3''

i think galco makes a speed paddle that fits!

 

[islamoradamark]

lets not forget about Snubby he make custom holsters also he also has a shrunken head on his work bench for inspiration

 

[M.Cunningham]

Mitch Rosen made this for my 686 3". It's not quick but damn is it nice.

 

[loveaffair#686]

I've got one of these, which I like: DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard Belt Holster Right Hand Smith & Wesson

 

[snubbyfan]

lets not forget about Snubby he make custom holsters also he also has a shrunken head on his work bench for inspiration

Don't forget the carved skull.

Or the thumb break for a 3" 686.

 

[concrete tom]

cunningham

very nice rig there!

 

[concrete tom]

where did you get the grips

 

[loveaffair#686]

Isn't that a fake plastic gun? If you're referring to the blue grips.

 

[raylan007]

Simply Rugged vs. Lobo

For a very well made functional holster in leather that you can customize to your personal needs call Simply Rugged. They state 3 weeks out for production, I usually get mine in half that time. Another Forum member already mentioned is Lobo, a cut above SR and you will wait 3 weeks aprox. His hand made custom pancake holsters are beautiful for both fit and finish. Keep in mind that either will have a break in period so I go along with the others that recommend getting something cheap to make do then order a nice leather holster from Lobo you will both like and be proud to strap on your side. Lobo is all about custom work and is very detailed oriented so in the end there is no question you will have the perfect fit for your M686 3" which I would guess he has made more than a few of. Pictured is a Lobo custom pancake holster with easy snap on and off belt loops. It could have been further customized for my M66 2.5". Ray is a super guy to work with and I promise you won't be disappointed. This was my first order with him and there will be more to come after this. Good Luck
P.S. I forgot to mention as I should have being so satisfied in their grips/stock, by Ahrends.

 

[concrete tom]

Isn't that a fake plastic gun? If you're referring to the blue grips.

i was referring to cunningham

 

[fat tom]

FWIW,this thread started FOUR YEARS AGO next week! Apparently the OP found his holster since he hasn't been back on the forum since April 2011! And he didn't even say thanks.
f.t.