Holster for a model 66-8 4 1/4" barrel
- Thread starter lbm
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For a strong side OWB field holster i prefer the Bianchi 5BHL.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
The fly in the ointment is the 4-1/4" barrel. Holsters closely formed for the (far more common) 4" barrel will probably result in a disappointing fit.
Suggest you order from a reputable maker and make it absolutely clear the exact revolver you need to have fitted with a holster.
Suggest you order from a reputable maker and make it absolutely clear the exact revolver you need to have fitted with a holster.
.357magger
Member
Lobo brings up a great point imo.
A possible solution to being able to use less expensive off the shelf products is that OWB Pancake holsters tend to be open toe, allowing the final 1/4" to protrude. That may or may not be okay depending on the activity you engage in.
Or you could go slightly in the other direction and use a 5" open or closed toe of whatever design strikes your fancy.
Just my $.02.
A possible solution to being able to use less expensive off the shelf products is that OWB Pancake holsters tend to be open toe, allowing the final 1/4" to protrude. That may or may not be okay depending on the activity you engage in.
Or you could go slightly in the other direction and use a 5" open or closed toe of whatever design strikes your fancy.
Just my $.02.
Last edited:
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Old Lobo remembers when the 4.2" barrels started showing up on the US market. My understanding is that Canada adopted a new minimum barrel length standard, so S&W started making firearms for the Canadian market, then some of those guns started showing up in US gun stores. We had a few customers who ordered 4" K-frame holsters and found that their new guns were not 4" barrels. The first I heard about it was when an angry customer contacted me about his new holster.
As for 5" barrels, holsters made for the 5" guns are about as plentiful as hens' teeth. Very few major holster companies bothered with 5" holsters over the years. The volume producers tend to concentrate production on the most popular currently produced handguns; everything else is frequently ignored.
geokeg
Member
This works for me
I have a 4" 686 and the 4.25" 66. They both work fine in my Galco DAO Outdoorsman. The Bianchi is a no go for the 66. I like the Galco because it is strong side or cross draw capable.
I have a 4" 686 and the 4.25" 66. They both work fine in my Galco DAO Outdoorsman. The Bianchi is a no go for the 66. I like the Galco because it is strong side or cross draw capable.
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