J-Frame Holster Help!

I have always liked Alessi holsters out of Buffalo, NY. They make a great product and have never had any issue with the holsters I have from them. They aren't cheap, but make an awesome product.

I have a talon IWB holster for my 642. The gun stays put in it and it won't come out when you pull the gun. The clip they use is a polymer plastic, but guaranteed for life if it ever breaks ( Short of catching it on something sitting down I don't know how you could break one. I've pulled mine out quite a ways and it has never broken on me ) . I use an inch and a half wide gunbelt and that clip pretty much snaps over it, so when you pull the gun, the clip is around the belt and it won't budge.

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I mentioned Cardini holsters on this thread for IWB carry. They make both leather and nylon. I have a mid rim bulge as I like to call it and carry AIWB at 11 o’clock. I prefer the nylon for its minimal padding,sweat guard and protection from perspiration. I don’t wear a T shirt but wear my cover shirt untucked year round (advantage of being retired).
Pictured is the nylon holster with a J frame size Taurus M85 with 2” bbl. See post #21 for cost.

Have to again add my 2 cents and say that the only time you draw a loaded pistol/revolver from the holster is if you HAVE to use it! You practice your draw with snap caps or just dry fire the gun!
You remove the holster from your belt with the loaded gun INSIDE! JMO

Be SAFE and Shoot often!
 

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I've been using a Cardini for two years. They are well made and very comfortable.
 

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I have used a Galco pocket holster and a Galco Sto-n-Go for IWB carrying a 640-1 .357 with a 2.25 inch barrel. The pocket holster works very well with some jeans and less so with others. I'm less satisfied with the IWB set up.

I recently acquired a sub compact 9mm for concealed carry and, taking my son's advice, went with a StealthGear standard Ventcore IWB holster with a Kydex shell. It works amazingly well. I went back to their website and saw they are now offering a Kydex shell for the 640-1 and immediately ordered a complete second holster set up. I've always been very old school and thought leather was the way to go but I may have to come to the conclusion that some other more modern alternatives may work as well or better. There is an 18 day lead time on orders, so I expect a 3 or 4 week wait but will report back on my level of satisfaction with the Kydex/revolver combo.

Just a word of caution... I also looked at Aliengear (which my son has for his Sigs and CZs) and saw awful reviews for their J Frame Kydex shell. According to reviews they failed to compensate for the difference in cylinder size between .38 Sp and .357 Mag cylinders and only offered a shell for a 2 inch barrel as if all S&W J Frame Centennials were the same. People reported getting out the Dremel tool to cut away material to make their J Frame fit...and then, only badly.

I'm glad I researched it before I ordered and I'm glad I took my son's advice and didn't go for the cheaper Aliengear.
 
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Galco Paddle Lite is an economical priced ( $45.00 range ) and comfortable paddle holster with a universal suede design that accommodates numerous J-frame size snub nosed revolvers :)

 
.... went with a StealthGear standard Ventcore IWB holster with a Kydex shell.
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I have to say, of the several IWB's I've tried and hate, I hate this one the least. This one is the IWB concept well-executed, I just can't warm up to the concept. On those rare occasions when my lifestyle calls for IWB ... shirtsleeves and a tie ... I manage with ankle carry instead. Luckily, I'm old enough to not need to wear "skinny" pants, so my baggy dress cuffs work just fine.
 
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