IWB For a 19?

[Hiram Jr]

Could anyone advise me on an inside holster for a 4" M19 or GP100 .357 Magnum? At the present time these 2 are my only options for CC.
Thanks.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Lots of options. You should do a search here and the Carry Gear subforum as this topic comes up fairly often.

Custom makers I like and know from experience make good quality IWB holsters are, in no particular order, Milt Sparks, Kramer Handgun Leather, Side Guard Holsters, and TT Gunleather. There are production makers, too, but I don't have any personal experience with them.

A few general tips I usually give in threads like these...

1. A good gun belt is important. I prefer double-layer leather belts from The Beltman, but each of the holster makers I mentioned also make suitable belts. For less money, you can also use one of the many nylon gun belts out there, with the Wildnerness Tactical Instructor belt being a good example. Belts like these will better support the weight of the gun, helping with comfort and stability, which helps with concealment.

2. For revolver holsters, I recommend looking for a holster that carries the cylinder at the same level as the belt. You can tell by looking at the belt loops in relation to the molding for the cylinder. It may seem counterintuitive to stick the thickest part of the gun in your waistband directly underneath the belt, but I've found this to be the most stable design, which helps with both comfort and concealability.

3. Most importantly, finding the right holster is generally a trial-and-error process. Holsters that work for any of us may or may not work for you. You won't know until you try it yourself. There are a lot of variables, such as your body/build, the clothing you wear, what kinds of activities you may do while armed, how important concealment is to you (i.e., just covered vs. secret squirrel covert carry), etc.

Just my opinion. Good luck in your search.

 

[growr]

Continental OP's advice is spot on!!

Randy

 

[Hiram Jr]

Wow, fast and well-presented. Thanks, Continental! Very interesting about the cylinder level. Great info!
Steve

 

[Lostaro]

I can highly recommend Simply Rugged pancake style holsters...
Carry a 3" GP100 often in one with great results and good concealment,
Have one for a 4 5/8" .41mag Blackhawk also...carries well IWB, although it's not exactly a T-shirt and shorts rig

 

[Hiram Jr]

I can highly recommend Simply Rugged pancake style holsters...
Carry a 3" GP100 often in one with great results and good concealment,
Have one for a 4 5/8" .41mag Blackhawk also...carries well IWB, although it's not exactly a T-shirt and shorts rig

Gotcha about the T-shirt and shorts. I've seen good reviews on SR. Thanks!

 

[URIT]

I'd give serious consideration to the Don Hume H715-M holster for an IWB holster for a Model 19. I carried that model revolver as my duty weapon for nearly a quarter-century. Mine was a 4 inch that weighed around 37 ounces empty.

You didn't mention where around your beltline you'd be carrying the gun, so I suggest a clip-on style that can be moved around as necessary.

I've used the H715-M holster for my EDC gun, an S&W 3953 semi-auto. Don Hume has been a long time police holster supplier so it's not surprising they have this holster for the S&W K-frame models, i.e., Model 19 in a variety of barrel lengths.

I've found these holsters wear well, are comfortable, and are serviceable after several years of daily wear. I highly recommend it.

Check out the video below from a company that has the best price I've found for these holsters.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BphFIlB7bfk[/ame]

 

[jimmyj]

IWB holsters for a K Frame 4" does not work for me.
I use a OWB pancake holster with a loose fitting outer garment

 

[Hiram Jr]

I'd give serious consideration to the Don Hume H715-M holster for an IWB holster for a Model 19. I carried that model revolver as my duty weapon for nearly a quarter-century. Mine was a 4 inch that weighed around 37 ounces empty.

You didn't mention where around your beltline you'd be carrying the gun, so I suggest a clip-on style that can be moved around as necessary.

I've used the H715-M holster for my EDC gun, an S&W 3953 semi-auto. Don Hume has been a long time police holster supplier so it's not surprising they have this holster for the S&W K-frame models, i.e., Model 19 in a variety of barrel lengths.

I've found these holsters wear well, are comfortable, and are serviceable after several years of daily wear. I highly recommend it.

Check out the video below from a company that has the best price I've found for these holsters.

Don Hume H715M W/C IWB Holster Review - YouTube

Thank you, sir, for linking this. Beautiful holsters, and a great presentation.

 

[LCC]

Consider the Lobo offset clip IWB. Excellent holster.
Offset Belt Clip

 

[Suburbanite]

2. For revolver holsters, I recommend looking for a holster that carries the cylinder at the same level as the belt. You can tell by looking at the belt loops in relation to the molding for the cylinder. It may seem counterintuitive to stick the thickest part of the gun in your waistband directly underneath the belt, but I've found this to be the most stable design, which helps with both comfort and concealability.

While holsters are a personal thing I have to second a couple of recommendations made here.

I have both 3" and 4" K frames. I have a Bianchi 3S for the 3". I found a Don Hume H715-M IWB holster for 4" K frames in a used holster bin. The Hume holster felt much better to wear and I couldn't figure out why. Eventually I figured it was because the cylinder rides at belt level with the Hume just as ContinentalOp recommends. The stability of the low riding Hume holster leads to comfort and concealability.

I like the snaps on the belt loop on the Bianchi and I prefer having at least a thumb break for retention even with a concealed carry holster. But now the 3" stays home and I carry the 4" because the Hume rides so well.

URIT made a great recommendation with a useful link.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Ops summed it up well

While I prefer a 2 1/2 or 3 inch 19/66 for concealed carry I can carry a 4 inch 19/66 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. 5'9" 165lbs... 34" wranglers

 

[Hiram Jr]

Ops summed it up well

While I prefer a 2 1/2 or 3 inch 19/66 for concealed carry I can carry a 4 inch 19/66 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. 5'9" 165lbs... 34" wranglers

Same height & weight here!

Are the 34" Wranglers an inch big to accommodate the setup? I ask because I normally wear 33's (Wrangler's).

 

[happyhunter1911]

I recently got a Sparks VersaMax 2 for my J frame. I like it a lot and want to get one for either a K or L frame. I've been carrrying a Model 12 in a cheap IWB holster and I am sure it would be better in the VM2.

This cheap IWB I have now carries the cylinder above the belt and it does not conceal as well or as comfortably as the VM2. Now I know my VM2 is for a J frame but I feel the VM2 would be good with a K or L frame. It carries the cylinder at the belt level. I good belt does help a lot. I like Mitch Rosens belts a lot but they are spendy. I found that belts form Magpul are quite nice, very stiff and supportive. THey have a plastic stiffener inside and work very well.

Have a Good Day!
HH

 

[Hiram Jr]

I went with the Hume H715. Started out pretty rigid, but after some wear and a nice application of conditioner, it's really well broken-in and very comfortable. The 19 is probably a little big for CCW, but I hardly know it's there.

 

[blues7]

Tony at JMCK (JM Custom Kydex) makes great holsters, (I have three or four) and the IWB 3 gets rave reviews from those who carry IWB.

IWB 3 Holster: JM Custom Kydex

I carry AIWB as IWB is not as comfortable or convenient for me, but I'm sure you'll be pleased with the workmanship and quality.

Outside of leather options, it's the most popular holster for IWB I've come across in the past several years.

ETA: I see you've made your choice. Perhaps the suggestion will be helpful to another member.

 

[uncleted327]

My first carry gun was a 4" 686, I used a Simply Rugged sourdough with IWB straps. Not my favorite holsters for IWB, I much prefer them as field/hunting rigs, but it certainly worked for over a year for me.

 

[Hapworth]

Tony at JMCK (JM Custom Kydex) makes great holsters, (I have three or four) and the IWB 3 gets rave reviews from those who carry IWB.

IWB 3 Holster: JM Custom Kydex

I carry AIWB as IWB is not as comfortable or convenient for me, but I'm sure you'll be pleased with the workmanship and quality.

Outside of leather options, it's the most popular holster for IWB I've come across in the past several years.

ETA: I see you've made your choice. Perhaps the suggestion will be helpful to another member.

Always good to spread the JMCK word -- to which I'll add that the IWB 3 for Js and Ks is now available for quick ship.

 

[ContinentalOp]

FWIW, I have a JM Kydex IWB#3 for my Beretta PX4 Compact, and it is well-made and comfortable. I don't really use it anymore because I much prefer my Kramer horsehide IWB#3, but I keep it on hand in case I need an easy-on/easy-off holster with the clip.

 

[NCBeagle]

I regularly carry a 2.5” Model 19 IWB (winter months) in a TT Gunleather KX Lightweight. TT Gunleather also has a nice model with IWB belt loops. Can order them for 4” if necessary.

Here’s mine concealing reasonably well under an untucked polo shirt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk