Holsters

[hsc]

Looking for a holster for my 4" 586, what do you guys recomend.

 

[silvershot]

Bianchi 5BHL

 

[BCDWYO]

Depends a lot on how you want to carry it: concealed? Open? Strong side? Cross draw? Etc. For general range work or carry I like this rig custom made for a 4" L frame by Tauris Gunleather:

 

[hsc]

Looking for OWB, leather and not to worried about concealment. It be a woods packing gun.

 

[Tcoburn]

I pick up Don Hume when I can, good heavy leather will last forever. Bianchi is also a good pick. good 8 oz leather with insert leather added to the bottom side from trigger guard to the barrel and a shimmed trigger section for easy smooth draw and smooth easy return and recovery. Good thing is I have picked up some fine holsters in bargain boxes at the local gun and pawn shops because they are what some would call dated but still fine leather works of art. I got to say that Tauris Gunleather piece looks good. I am personally not to crazy about some of the suede leather products and know little about the woven nylon products.

Be Well
Ted

 

[dbltapster]

I'm looking for a holster for my 25-5, and read a review of Mernickle Custom Holsters - Performance series. They are nice looking, with a reasonable price point.

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ps/ps6dar1.html

http://www.gunblast.com/Mernickle-PS6.htm

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Looking for OWB, leather and not to worried about concealment. It be a woods packing gun.

Have you thought about a shoulder rig? I find shoulder rigs to be much easier to carry when I don't have to worry about concealment.

Here's a cheap nylon example:
http://www.cowboyneeds.com/pass_bandolier_holster.html

 

[Rangerpat]

Kramer horsehide Speed Scabbard is an excellent woods carry holster that protects the weapon from the elements and no hardware to worry about making noise or failing to snap closed. I have two of them (J-frame and N-frame revolvers) and use them while riding a ATV in the woods and in a boat on water.

 

[old bear]

Contact one of our forum members, Ray at Lobo Leather he does great work. He did this Threeperson's rig, for me and I can't be happier.

 

[TrueTexan]

Also consider the Simply Rugged sourdough Pancake great holster. I have one for my 686+ 3 inch and my 44 mag Alaskan It is very versatile can carry OWB or crossdraw and with straps IWB.

 

[S&W Fan]

What kind of woman do you like? Ok, just kidding but it's kind of the same thing with holsters. For my purposes I've found the Galco Phoenix a great "over the counter" holster for med/large revolvers-use one for my 686; can be either strong side or crossdraw, high quality. I also like the Threepersons design, have one for my 629. These get used when concealment isn't a big issue-camping, hiking, that sort of thing.

I think you'll find most of us in the firearms community have boxes or drawers filled with holsters-some we use, others we don't. What works for one, might not for another.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Bianchi 5BHL

+1

When I was in uniform and carrying "in public" I tried a number of holsters. They all worked pretty well but my favorite ended up being the Bianchi 5BL (different belt loop than the 5BHL). The 5BHL holds your gun slightly higher on the belt and, for me, put the center of gravity a little too high (but certainly still acceptable). These are "high ride" holsters.

I favor eBay for finding older holsters. The 5B/5BL have to be chased on eBay, not many appear. But the 5BH/5BHL are still in production and appear frequently on eBay. They work best on a 2 1/4" belt (the 1 3/4" belt loops hold the holster way too high). I wear five "keepers" on my belt, one keeper directly in front on the holster to prevent it being pushed forward while getting into and out of a car. (Just a note to add, the 5BH for four inch and longer barrels uses a different belt loop than the 5BH for K-frame 2 1/2" revolvers [stamped as S&W 38/357]; the 5BH for 2 1/2" barrels holds the gun at the same height as the older 5B/5BL).

You might take a look at Tex Shoemaker leather. They offer a thumb break (TB) holster. It is pretty conventional as high-ride thumb-breaks go but Shoemaker will make it to whatever specs you supply for a very reasonable price. I use a 1 3/4" border patrol belt for carrying and they have custom-made several accessory pieces for me without complaining about my peculiar specs (e.g. I like to have 1 7/8" belt slots, try asking for that from the mega-leather companies).

 

[silvershot]

+1

When I was in uniform and carrying "in public" I tried a number of holsters. They all worked pretty well but my favorite ended up being the Bianchi 5BL (different belt loop than the 5BHL). The 5BHL holds your gun slightly higher on the belt and, for4 me, put the center of gravity a little too high (but certainly still acceptable). These are "high ride" holsters.

I favor eBay for finding older holsters. The 5B/5BL have to be chased on eBay, not many appear. But the 5BH/5BHL are still in production and appear frequently on eBay. They work best on a 2 1/4" belt (the 1 3/4" belt loops hold the holster way too high). I wear five "keepers" on my belt, one keeper directly in front on the holster to prevent it being pushed forward while getting into and out of a car.

You might take a look at Tex Shoemaker leather. They offer a thumb break (TB) holster. It is pretty conventional as high-ride thumb-breaks go but Shoemaker will make it to whatever specs you supply for a very reasonable price. I use a 1 3/4" border patrol belt for carrying and they have custom-made several accessory pieces for me without complaining about my peculiar specs (e.g. I like to have 1 7/8" belt slots, try asking for that from the mega-leather companies).

Yes I have a few different holsters from Bianchi and love them all. This is a 5BH for my newer 686 4" that is with a gunsmith buddy of mine currently getting a master polish and trigger job(something I'm usually dead set against when it comes to S&W). For the three main issues of a good product; quality, performance and affordability, no leather holster brand can beat a Bianchi.

My dad has the Fastdraw rig from Blackhills leather, just an amazing piece, almost outshines the Colt he houses in it. But I do know Shoemaker and have seen more than one of their shoulder rigs at the pistol only range I hit throughout the year. Very good quality. Kramer out of WA and Diamond out of Alaska are high quality to. Again though, price should always be a factor in any purchase IMO.

 

[Jaysq]

Looking for OWB, leather and not to worried about concealment. It be a woods packing gun.

Take a look at Wright Leather Works, they have good looking holsters and very high quality. The company is owned and operated by two brothers that are very good to work with.

They are very popular though and are 12-14 weeks out, but well worth the wait.

Classic Collection | Wright Leather Works LLC

 

[lhump1961]

Contact one of our forum members, Ray at Lobo Leather he does great work. He did this Threeperson's rig, for me and I can't be happier.

+1 for Ray Lobo...he can make anything you want. I have at least 5 from Ray!

http://www.lobogunleather.com/

 

[M.Cunningham]

Mitch Rosen 5JR works for me.

 

[ptgarcia]

I'm really happy with my R Grizzle Georgia Snap.

 

[RGMoore]

Give Ed Rodek a call. He made a very nice holster for my M39. Very reasonable, quick turn around and he can make whatever you like.
Rodek Leather Works, Inc. - Holsters
For an off the shelf holster the Bianchi's are good. Either belt or an X-15 for a shoulder rig. I like the X-15 because it gets the gun up, out of the way and protected. Might be a good idea to pick up one of those just to have around.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Try Ken Null's Super Speed Scabbard.

 

[flyguy958]

Also consider the Simply Rugged sourdough Pancake great holster...

I agree, these are reasonably priced, delivery is reasonable, and quality is top notch. If you want a working holster this is a great tool.