Holster suggestions for New Model 66?

[Moritsuna]

I have the new model 66 with the 4.25 inch barrel, I am wondering if you guys have any holster recommendations? I am also curious about using this gun for concealed carry, any recommendations for that too?

(I live in Texas which is Open carry legal, but I don't want to scare random people)

 

[Coop de Ville]

Hi,

I am responding to your question mostly because I am very interested in the 66 for myself as a carry weapon. I have been carrying concealed daily for the better part of 20 years. Usually a Glock 19, but sometimes a 1911 or Browning Hi Power.

OWB is much more comfortable that IWB. In terms of IWB, something that has a flat or smooth back will be less likely to pinch or irritate your skin (ex: Cross Breed or Alien Gear).

It really depends on your build. I am short, 5'7" and about 160. I find it pretty uncomfortable to carry in general. I find that taller people are much more comfortable carrying in different manners, especially IWB.

dress is important too. My job allows me to wear casual clothes, so having an untucked shirt is pretty standard for me. Also, being North of you, I can wear heavier clothes for more of the year, which helps.

A good quality OWB leather holster, such as Galco or Safariland should suffice. Your belt will probably be more important than any good holster. I typically wear a 1.5" Wilderness Tactical instructors belt. Beltman makes nice affordable leather belts. Stiffer is better in my experience.

Kydex is another great option. Great retention, stays put and feels secure. It's also not as affected by environmental issues. 3-5 o'clock belt positions are standard and hide well, as does small of the back. Shoulder holster are good for driving but pretty much suck otherwise.

Probably not much help. If you elaborate a little on your body type and normal dress pattern it can be narrowed down a bit. Most importantly, post pics of your 66. I really would love to get one. After all these years I've never owned a revolver. But for some reason, I feel that I need one.

Regards

 

[Pizza Bob]

My son just bought a 66-8, so I've been doing a little research. Apparently because of the barrel profile (it's a two-piece barrel), holsters for the old style 4" 66's (66-6 and before) won't fit the 66-8's fatter barrel. However, I'd speculate that holsters made for the 66-8 would fit the older guns.

Blade-Tech is making holsters for the 66-8. While their listing doesn't come right out and say this, they have a listing for a 4.25" model 66 - and the 66-8 is the only 66 that I know of that came with that barrel length.

They make both an OWB and an IWB. I love my Kydex holsters for OWB, never tried one IWB as I prefer Milt Sparks VM II for that application.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[bowzette]

I have a Simply Rugged pancake holster and very pleased with it. I would also check out Lobo Leathers. You might want to post your question in the Holster/Leather forum

 

[gwpercle]

You say Texas...Check out El Passo Saddlery Holsters, they don't get much better !
Gary

 

[saemetric]

I carry a 4" 586 in this DM Bullard holster. Very high quality and comfortable.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I have just gone through this decision process for my M&P 340 so all I can offer is my methodology and my choices.

I read every thread I could find related to holsters (and belts, but they're less frequent). Then I went to the sites of the recommended leather makers and poured over their specifics. Took me more than a month to make a decision (there are lots of makers and styles).

I ordered a Milt Sparks 1 3/4" belt because I like that Milt cuts the belt leather on the contour and it's double thickness. Since all of my belts through the years have ended up with a contour it seems logical that a new belt with a contour will be more comfortable during the break-in time. I'll wear this belt every day so I want it to be comfortable.

I really like the appearance of Milt Sparks' PMK, but his site says he made it to ride lower, which is obvious when you begin comparing rigs. I went with Lobo Gun Leather's lined enhanced pancake because it rides higher and I really appreciate the design, where the belt disappears behind the entire holster. Mark Fedders had no trouble accommodating the 1 3/4" belt (Lobo's standard loop is 1 1/2").

Hope this helps some.

Bob

 

[ISCS Yoda]

All good recommendations. So let me add a note about concealed carry with a 4" or greater barrel length. It's crazy uncomfortable, IMO, IWB, so you have to go OWB, which is wildly comfortable, as you might imagine. However, concealing a full sized barrel on a belt is a special task except and unless you routinely wear a coat. I don't mean a top coat but a suit coat/sports jacket - country club blue blazer-type, etc. Or you wear loose shirts untucked. Long barrels are not actually designed for concealed carry. It can be done, some folks do it every day, but that doesn't make it easily done.

Even if you're very tall it's a challenge; if you're short, as I am, it's nearly impossible, so I don't even try. Compact pistols and snubbie revolvers rule my concealed carry world.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I carry a Model 10 4" barrel. Not exactly the same, but comparable. I use a Lobo Leather IWB with an inner hammer shield. I would recommend horse leather, esp if you sweat a lot.
I'm not a tall or big guy, but I mange to make it work.
Lobo Gun Leather - IWB belt-loop style, for revolvers and autos

 

[joe44va]

Mine fits fine in a Galco I bought for a KGP100. On the back it has:
F149HO
FL104
It also holds my Model 69. The barrels stick out about 1/8".

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

I have a new model 66 and I use my El Paso Saddlery Strong Side Select that I bought for my 4" 617. It's a great holster that works well with the model 66 with the 4.25" barrel. I don't use the 66 for carrying concealed I use 66 for in the field and woods.

 

[Texas Star]

I wore my M-66-3 in a Bianchi Shadow under a coat. Sometimes, a short uniform jacket. Four-inch barrel.

For open wear, an El Paso or similar good Threepersons holster with thumbsnap closure is excellent. I want a Bianchi M-111 Cyclone for both strong side and crossdraw carry. When hunting with a rifle, crossdraw makes sense.

If you're lucky, you may find a nice used Bianchi No. 5 BHL or Safariland M-29 at a gun show or shop. The M-29 is almost identical to the El Paso Model 2. Safariland long discontinued that style, but EP had the wisdom to make it.

Look at what the FBI used for generations with revolvers. Of course, if an agent's gun was spotted, they'd just show ID. But in most public settings other than among close co-workers, you'd be surprised how few people will ever notice a gun under a suit jacket or light sports coat. You do need to beware of strong wind gusts. Use an elbow to prevent the coat blowing open. Use the elbow to avoid gun loss when running, too, if you don't have a retaining strap on the holster.


Learn to "step" the coat open in a high speed draw. Treasury agents used to be able to do that in about a half second.

Find Online and buy Chic Gaylord's "Handgunner's Guide", about 1960. Read it and learn...a LOT.

 

[SeamasterSig]

I have the new model 66 with the 4.25 inch barrel, I am wondering if you guys have any holster recommendations? I am also curious about using this gun for concealed carry, any recommendations for that too?

I can recommend Ryan Grizzle as a holster maker. I carry a 4" model 66-2 in one of his GS2 holsters along with one of his 1.5" belts and it keeps the butt pulled in very close – so close, in fact, that the Ahrends Target grips pictured below were digging into my ribs, so I ordered a different set of grips for it (Ahrends Retro Combat). You might want to specify that you have a new model 66 due to the slightly longer barrel length.

I carry my m66 concealed under an untucked shirt with this holster in south Florida. Obviously, a shorter barrel length would be easier to conceal, but four inches is still feasible OWB if you're motivated to try. I have also spoken with Sam Andrews about his Springbreak shoulder holster for this revolver and will likely order one soon equipped for Bianchi speed strips and an off-side custom sheath for a Bark River Bravo 1 knife.