bigpappa160
Member
What is a good holster for a SW Model 66, 2.75" barrel or 2.5" barrel, Model 686-6 Plus 3" or 2.5" barrel?
IWB Holster
- Thread starter bigpappa160
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I like my Alien Gear 3.0, although I'm only sticking a compact pistol in it. Price is decent, and there's a 30-day try-it-out policy. The only caveat is that the shell is pretty rough on the finish.
If you'd prefer a leather holster to treat the finish a bit more gently, lots of people seem pleased with Milt Sparks.
If you'd prefer a leather holster to treat the finish a bit more gently, lots of people seem pleased with Milt Sparks.
I don't think you will like the Model 686 snubbie, 3" or 2.5", in an inside the waistband holster. They are heavy and they are, in a word, fat, so I only carry such guns in an outside the waistband holster. The K frame Model 66 is different. I carry 2" K frames routinely IWB (doing it right now) and I know I can do it with my 2.5" Model 19 but I generally just stick with the shorter barreled guns.
I recommend a Galco Summer Comfort or a Milt Sparks Summer Special. The Galco derives from the Milt Sparks; I'd go with the original.
I recommend a Galco Summer Comfort or a Milt Sparks Summer Special. The Galco derives from the Milt Sparks; I'd go with the original.
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ContinentalOp
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Milt Sparks Summer Special II is a good option. I used one with a 3" 65 and it worked well for me. Some people like the VMII, but from what I've seen they ride a little on the high side. For revolvers I like holsters that carry the cylinder more-or-less in line with the belt as it's more stable. There are other versions of the VMII-style IWB holster out there. Some of them may carry lower. The advantages of the VMII-style holsters are that the belt loops are spread out, which gives a lower profile as well as spread the gun's weight over a larger area.
While I like a single offset clip with my 642 IWB holster, larger K- and L-frames would probably be better carried with some kind of dual loop/clip arrangement, like the SSII- or VMII-style holsters.
I require reinforced mouths on my IWB holsters. It makes re-holstering easier and less fumble-prone, especially if you practice regularly (which I hope you do/will). Others will disagree.
I'm not a fan of hybrid holsters. Either all leather or all kydex are good. I'm not familiar with kydex holsters, though. I have a preference for leather. Again, others will disagree.
I agree on the need for a good belt. Get a good, stiff, double-layer gun belt, 1.5" wide. I like Beltman belts. Some people like to also use Perry Suspenders because they mount to the belt and take some of the weight off the hips, which can be important in the bigger, heavier guns like L-frames.
Remember to keep in mind you'll be carrying the gun and the holster inside your waistband when sizing the belt. You may or may not need to get pants with a bigger waist-size; that's dependent on how you wear your pants, your body size/type, etc. I can wear my usual pant size, but I do have to add an inch to the belt length to accommodate everything when carrying a J- or K-frame; L-frame may require more.
Finally, and most importantly, nothing I or anyone else suggests really matters. What works for us may or may not work for you. It's a process of trial-and-error to find out what works best for you. Hopefully you'll find out sooner rather than later. In the meantime, you may as well go ahead and set up your holster box...we all have one (or more).
While I like a single offset clip with my 642 IWB holster, larger K- and L-frames would probably be better carried with some kind of dual loop/clip arrangement, like the SSII- or VMII-style holsters.
I require reinforced mouths on my IWB holsters. It makes re-holstering easier and less fumble-prone, especially if you practice regularly (which I hope you do/will). Others will disagree.
I'm not a fan of hybrid holsters. Either all leather or all kydex are good. I'm not familiar with kydex holsters, though. I have a preference for leather. Again, others will disagree.
I agree on the need for a good belt. Get a good, stiff, double-layer gun belt, 1.5" wide. I like Beltman belts. Some people like to also use Perry Suspenders because they mount to the belt and take some of the weight off the hips, which can be important in the bigger, heavier guns like L-frames.
Remember to keep in mind you'll be carrying the gun and the holster inside your waistband when sizing the belt. You may or may not need to get pants with a bigger waist-size; that's dependent on how you wear your pants, your body size/type, etc. I can wear my usual pant size, but I do have to add an inch to the belt length to accommodate everything when carrying a J- or K-frame; L-frame may require more.
Finally, and most importantly, nothing I or anyone else suggests really matters. What works for us may or may not work for you. It's a process of trial-and-error to find out what works best for you. Hopefully you'll find out sooner rather than later. In the meantime, you may as well go ahead and set up your holster box...we all have one (or more).
That's a lot of gun to stick between your belt and your body.
When I carried a J frame IWB I liked the Crossbreed Supertuck style - leather against the skin, kydex on the outside for molded retention, thinness, and ease of re-holstering, with belt clips ahead of and behind the gun for adjustability and stability. But they don't make that style for K frames.
The two separate belt clips were the most important element of a successful IWB holster, in my personal experience. A single clip on top of the gun simply adds extra thickness to what is already the thickest part of the package. A single clip behind the gun (I have a Side Guard holster in that style) always ended up with the gun rotating forward over the course of the day.
Good luck with the search. Personally, my carry holster for K frames is an OWB Enhanced Pancake from Lobo.
When I carried a J frame IWB I liked the Crossbreed Supertuck style - leather against the skin, kydex on the outside for molded retention, thinness, and ease of re-holstering, with belt clips ahead of and behind the gun for adjustability and stability. But they don't make that style for K frames.
The two separate belt clips were the most important element of a successful IWB holster, in my personal experience. A single clip on top of the gun simply adds extra thickness to what is already the thickest part of the package. A single clip behind the gun (I have a Side Guard holster in that style) always ended up with the gun rotating forward over the course of the day.
Good luck with the search. Personally, my carry holster for K frames is an OWB Enhanced Pancake from Lobo.
Bill In Texas
Member
Simply Rugged Pancakes are pretty good. Spreads the weight of a K frame out nicely! LEATHER GUN HOLSTERS
Been carrying 3" 65 (later added a 3" 66) in a Sparks Summer Special since the mid-80s. Prior I carried a 2 1/2" 19 in a IWB; "Pistol Pocket" IIRC a Bianchi design.
Tried to like a 3" 586 for concealed carry but given a choice between a K and L frame I always chose the K frame.
If I'm going to carry an L-frame it's a 4" round butt 686 or 586 outside wast ban...... generally in a Bianchi Cyclone ( model #111) cross draw
Tried to like a 3" 586 for concealed carry but given a choice between a K and L frame I always chose the K frame.
If I'm going to carry an L-frame it's a 4" round butt 686 or 586 outside wast ban...... generally in a Bianchi Cyclone ( model #111) cross draw
blues7
Member
I carry a 3" 686+ AIWB with either this Triple K #314 or a kydex holster by JM Custom Kydex.
It works way better than folks would think...but I prefer appendix carry to traditional IWB at 3 o'clock or further back. For me it's both more comfortable and more secure.
Try it, you may like it:
It works way better than folks would think...but I prefer appendix carry to traditional IWB at 3 o'clock or further back. For me it's both more comfortable and more secure.
Try it, you may like it:
OP
bigpappa160
Member
Thank You for everyones input! I have carried IWB and I always carried in a dual clip kydex holster, because I really don't care for single clip holsters because it feels like the gun is falling off my waist and I was always grabbing holster. I'm going to look through each reply and write down all the holsters if someone mentioned one and go do some research.
zogger
Member
My 2 cents. For my Model 60 3" I went with Garrett Industries IWB Silent Thunder Revolver. It is a leather lined kydex-the best of both worlds IMHO.
It has an adjustable cant. You do have to get the right clip for the width of your belt (you can buy multiple clips and change them). I like how low the gun sits. It is just at the top of the belt.
It has an adjustable cant. You do have to get the right clip for the width of your belt (you can buy multiple clips and change them). I like how low the gun sits. It is just at the top of the belt.
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twodog max
Member
I tried to carry my 2 1/2 inch Model 19 in an IWB from Simply Rugged. Nothing wrong with the holster but IWB with a revolver that size sure did not work for me. I am sticking with belt holsters. Felt like a huge growth on my hip.
ContinentalOp
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kydex holster by JM Custom Kydex.
I was not aware that JM Custom Kydex made revolver holsters. I've been looking at possibly getting one of their IWB holsters for my Beretta 92FS. It's a nice looking rig...for kydex.
Thanks for posting.
blues7
Member
I was not aware that JM Custom Kydex made revolver holsters. I've been looking at possibly getting one of their IWB holsters for my Beretta 92FS. It's a nice looking rig...for kydex.
I live to serve.
I had actually ordered a different holster from Tony for the 686+ but after Tony looked at my requirements he contacted me and suggested we go another route. He knows what works.
I've got a few holsters from him for both semi-auto and now revolver. He does excellent work.
I have a 686 2.5" in a iwb made by Craft Holsters. It's very comfortable and the tension is adjustable so I can carry any one of my 4 N frame snubbies. The only thing I did was have a shoe maker attach a leather sweat shield. As far as that gentleman that suggested the Alien Gear iwb. I have 3 of them but I don't think they make one for the L frame or bigger.
OP
bigpappa160
Member
I have decided to get a IWB holster from Theis Holsters. Why you may ask, well I've always wore a all Kydex holster with 2 clips to disperse the weight, it didn't matter what gun I was wearing, som how the one clips which I've wore before just doesn't keep gun steady, It's always leaning forward or backwards or feeling like the whole gun and holster was going to flip out of waistband and Yes that was wearing a good belt too. So Theis holster had a Kydex holster with leather backing and 2 clips and yes, I know there's a lot of company's that make this same holster or one with a padded back leather and made in the USA, but really couldn't tell you why I went with Theis, but I'm all set when my Model 60 comes in I hope this week!
Excellent choice, based on my own IWB experience. And if you've downsized to a Model 60 it should be a comfortable fit. There are indeed several choices for this style of hybrid holster for J frames, but I wasn't aware of any for the K and L frames you referred to initially.
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