Looking for a holster for my Model 36

[Pants]

HELP! Need to find something for my newly acquired mint 1979 36. Leaning towards another Lobo, just not sure which one yet. I'm also looking for something that will be easy on the bluing. This is going to be an occasional carry gun - not an EDC. Thanks in advance!

 

[dirty & hairy]

What's your preference? Pocket, on the belt, or inside the waist?

 

[Watchdog]

HELP! Need to find something for my newly acquired mint 1979 36.

What barrel length? Are you looking for a belt holster?

 

[Pants]

What barrel length? Are you looking for a belt holster?

My bad - standard snubbie barrel. As of right now, I'm leaning toward OWB belt. My main concern is that conceals well underneath a shirt. I am open to a nice IWB holster though.

 

[crazyphil]

If I was fortunate enough to have a mint 1979 s&w model 36, here are
a few (period correct?) OWB holsters I would consider:

At left: A Lewis snap-on holster. Officer Malloy on Adam 12 carried
his off-duty model 36 in a Lewis holster.
Mine is shown with my model 10 with 2" barrel.
It is worn cross-draw.

2nd from left: A #759 floral carved Heiser with hammer shield.
Shown with my Taurus Model 94.

3rd from left: Bucheimer-Clark Sheriff model shown with my
vintage Charter Undercover. Also cross-draw.

4th from left: Heiser #459 similar to #2 but not carved.
Shown with my Taurus model 94.

5th from left: Wolfram Blazer with hammer protector.
Also shown with Taurus model 94.

 

[Watchdog]

My bad - standard snubbie barrel. As of right now, I'm leaning toward OWB belt.

My suggestion is a Threepersons holster from El Paso Saddlery. I own several and they are excellent holsters. You can get them plain or with different degrees of stamping or carving. Lined with pigskin to protect a gun's finish and available for several different belt widths.

I think they are reasonably priced, but there is often a wait time of four to six weeks before you get your holster from them. So if you're in a hurry...well, probably should look somewhere else.

Other custom makers offer shorter wait times.

There are several members of this forum who do outstanding custom leather work.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I'm a fan of Side Guard Holsters. Their prices are reasonable, though they do have a long wait, about 12 weeks last I heard.

I've been using their Quick Clip IWB holster for my 642-1 for 5-6 years now and have no complaints.

They also make OWB holsters, but I don't have any experience with them.

 

[majick47]

I'd also go with a period holster from Safariland or Bianchi, a lined OWB holster.

 

[federali]

Safety First

Back in my wheel gun days, I carried either a Model 36 or a Colt Det. Special. The hammers destroyed the linings of all my suit jackets. I also feel a small frame gun, with just a 2" barrel is more likely to fall from an open top holster as the holster wears in and softens.

If I were going back to carrying a J frame, I'd be inclined to get a holster with a thumb break, then practice using the retention device.

 

[Pants]

My suggestion is a Threepersons holster from El Paso Saddlery. I own several and they are excellent holsters. You can get them plain or with different degrees of stamping or carving. Lined with pigskin to protect a gun's finish and available for several different belt widths.

I think they are reasonably priced, but there is often a wait time of four to six weeks before you get your holster from them. So if you're in a hurry...well, probably should look somewhere else.

Other custom makers offer shorter wait times.

There are several members of this forum who do outstanding custom leather work.

I kind of like this holster - but is it concealable? It doesn't really look it. I'm not really concerned with a period holster as I am with concealability.

Edited to add: Just came across this on El Paso's site. I kind of like this one. So their standard lining - is it smooth or suede? I see some holsters on their site are offered in suede or just lined.

#77 "Tortilla" Holster

 

[Pants]

Back in my wheel gun days, I carried either a Model 36 or a Colt Det. Special. The hammers destroyed the linings of all my suit jackets. I also feel a small frame gun, with just a 2" barrel is more likely to fall from an open top holster as the holster wears in and softens.

If I were going back to carrying a J frame, I'd be inclined to get a holster with a thumb break, then practice using the retention device.

Never thought of something with a snap. I'm so torn - I want to order something soon. I already have a Lobo Enhanced Pancake for my Model 10 2" and I really like it! It seems pretty secure for that gun. They do offer a snap, but is it worth the extra cost?

 

[lrb1200]

Have a variety of holster brands, for a variety of fire arms.
But a snub J Frame occasional carry, I have a Lobo

Three to four years old, and gun is secure with no top strap.

Your choice of course, but you are already familiar with a Lobo holster and like it.

 

[boykinlp]

I vote for this:

2nd from left: A #759 floral carved Heiser with hammer shield.
Shown with my Taurus Model 94.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Never thought of something with a snap. I'm so torn - I want to order something soon. I already have a Lobo Enhanced Pancake for my Model 10 2" and I really like it! It seems pretty secure for that gun. They do offer a snap, but is it worth the extra cost?

You already have a Lobo holster and like it, so why not get one for your 36?

I don't think a retention strap is necessary on a concealed carry holster, assuming it's well made and molded properly for your gun. My Side Guard holster is open top, but molded to the gun for a secure fit. The most physically active I get when carrying with this holster is having to run across the street or maybe run up a flight of stairs. In the 5-6 years I've been using this holster my gun has never once fallen out. I've even practiced breakfalls with the gun (unloaded) in the holster and it's never fallen out. I do a shake test, where I hold the holstered (and unloaded) gun upside-down a couple of inches above my bed and shake the holster a few times. I do the test periodically to make sure it still holds the gun properly, and even after all the time I've worn it and practiced with it the gun doesn't fall out of the holster.

Will the holster wear out eventually? Sure. Everything wears out at some point. Maintain your gear, check it regularly, and when you start seeing signs that it's not working the way it's supposed to it's time to replace it. At some point I'll replace my holster with a new one.

 

[Pants]

You already have a Lobo holster and like it, so why not get one for your 36?

That's the next question - are the new Lobo holsters the same quality? Seems like people like them. I'm definitely leaning that way at the moment.

 

[jimmyj]

LOBO all the way !
you can pay more but not get better

 

[two-bit cowboy]

That's the next question - are the new Lobo holsters the same quality?

Yes.

Been wearing this one for a year -- still the same shape as when it was new.

 

[A10]

Lobo is good leather. If you want something a little different try Simply Rugged. I have a couple of Robs holders and they are top notch. He does exotic leather if you want, my latest is Water Buffalo.

 

[Dillyp]

I like my bianchi 100. It's a IWB clip on. Perfect fit, and Amazon has them on sale for $32 right now.

 

[DevilDog72]

I have a number of J holsters and Lobo leather for my K snubs . I really like my Galco SM122 for summer carry. Polo's or untucked summer button up short sleeves it all but disappears and the retension is really good.