my 25-2 came with a cool Leatham quick draw holster but gun is so heavy it about pulls your pants down. anyone find a shoulder holster for N frame that they like..... been lookin but they are hard to find and I don't want to waste money on something uncomfortable
N frame holster
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Texas Star
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Some of the problem may be your belt. Get a good, real gun belt. Trousers belts are usually too light and thin to support a gun well.
GenetheMarine
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Sir go to Amazon...they have a soft shoulder holster that works for me and my M-66 S&W. Best. Gene.
rednichols
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Shoulder holsters are not the answer for the N frames; too big, too heavy.
A chest or bandolier holster will carry the bulk and weight ideally. If it's at the waist you need/want, a cross draw of the Bianchi Cyclone type (Galco makes a direct copy) will do you well. Normally wear it on a separate gunbelt, so that it can't tug at your pants.
All these issues were solved long ago, they don't need to be reinvented here. In days of old, shoulder holsters were appropriately reserved for little guns, as were hideout holsters at the waist. Big N frames are best accommodated as a hunter would, on a wide gunbelt or via a chest holster.
The problem is not caused by the holster, nor by the trousers belt, but by the choice of pistol for the application. N frames can be hidden, but that's not what they were created for; even in Keith's day the big guns of the Texas Rangers were carried on separate gunbelts.
A chest or bandolier holster will carry the bulk and weight ideally. If it's at the waist you need/want, a cross draw of the Bianchi Cyclone type (Galco makes a direct copy) will do you well. Normally wear it on a separate gunbelt, so that it can't tug at your pants.
All these issues were solved long ago, they don't need to be reinvented here. In days of old, shoulder holsters were appropriately reserved for little guns, as were hideout holsters at the waist. Big N frames are best accommodated as a hunter would, on a wide gunbelt or via a chest holster.
The problem is not caused by the holster, nor by the trousers belt, but by the choice of pistol for the application. N frames can be hidden, but that's not what they were created for; even in Keith's day the big guns of the Texas Rangers were carried on separate gunbelts.
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That's good advice from Red.
The Bianchi Cyclone is a good choice, shown below on the left with
S&W Model 27.
The Galco Combat Master is too, shown 2nd with S&W Model 29.
The DeSantis Dual Angle Hunter is also. You can wear it almost
horizontal crossdraw, It is shown with my New Model Super Blackhawk
.44 Magnum. (Ruger)
The Bianchi Cyclone is a good choice, shown below on the left with
S&W Model 27.
The Galco Combat Master is too, shown 2nd with S&W Model 29.
The DeSantis Dual Angle Hunter is also. You can wear it almost
horizontal crossdraw, It is shown with my New Model Super Blackhawk
.44 Magnum. (Ruger)
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The chest holster on a bandolier does handle the weight very well.
They will also fit well over cold weather clothing.
Being crossdraw, they are ideal for hunters who probably carry their long gun over the strong side shoulder.
The Guides Choice and Galco's Kodiak are two of the better leather rigs.
Last time I went into a place where the big bears are known to roam
I carried my S&W Model 29 in a Crossfire Alaskan, because I thought
I would only be using it once, and it was only fifty bucks. It worked
very well carrying the weight, and the straps adjusted so I could wear
it over my coat.
They will also fit well over cold weather clothing.
Being crossdraw, they are ideal for hunters who probably carry their long gun over the strong side shoulder.
The Guides Choice and Galco's Kodiak are two of the better leather rigs.
Last time I went into a place where the big bears are known to roam
I carried my S&W Model 29 in a Crossfire Alaskan, because I thought
I would only be using it once, and it was only fifty bucks. It worked
very well carrying the weight, and the straps adjusted so I could wear
it over my coat.
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iPac
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I'm a very svelte guy, with a tiny waste, but manage to carry my 3" N frame with unfluted cylinder and full underlug while hiking for 10 miles in the mountains. It's very comfortable OWB with the proper gear. I use to carry an 8" Anaconda on occasion too, but not for hiking.
I use a BullHide brand gun belt (no steel insert) and a Don Hume, Bill Jordan holster. Love that holster and the gun is right "there" when you need to draw.
I can even jog or trot while hiking and have no issues with the weight or pulling my pants down.
If you need a good gun belt, check out BullHide belts. IIRC, they are the only gun belt company that will accept "returns", and due to this they always have a decent clearance section where they sell the returns at discount.
That's where I found mine, it met my criteria of options if I would have ordered one new, plus it had some other add-on options that I wouldn't have paid extra for but were nice to get. Only cost me $45 I think a few years ago. They now have steel core options which they didn't when I ordered. However, the 1/4" thick leather mine is made from is suitable enough, only a very tiny amount of sag has formed, and I always carry a Colt I frame or S&W N frame.
I use a BullHide brand gun belt (no steel insert) and a Don Hume, Bill Jordan holster. Love that holster and the gun is right "there" when you need to draw.
I can even jog or trot while hiking and have no issues with the weight or pulling my pants down.
If you need a good gun belt, check out BullHide belts. IIRC, they are the only gun belt company that will accept "returns", and due to this they always have a decent clearance section where they sell the returns at discount.
That's where I found mine, it met my criteria of options if I would have ordered one new, plus it had some other add-on options that I wouldn't have paid extra for but were nice to get. Only cost me $45 I think a few years ago. They now have steel core options which they didn't when I ordered. However, the 1/4" thick leather mine is made from is suitable enough, only a very tiny amount of sag has formed, and I always carry a Colt I frame or S&W N frame.
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Doug M.
Member
I have three 4" N frames. My favorite holster for them (other than a duty holster, which I still have) is a Kramer MSP paddle. A good belt is also essential - my most recent purchases are from Mean Gene Leather, and I also have one from Mitch Rosen. They work great.
Lobo dual carry pancake holster with a 1.75" garrison belt.
Another chest holster to look at is the Double D.
Buy Handcrafted Alaskan Leather Holsters | Diamond D Custom Leather
Buy Handcrafted Alaskan Leather Holsters | Diamond D Custom Leather
The Guides Choice I mentioned above is by Diamond D.
rednichols
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I mean no offence to anyone here, when I say that: when a 'good gunbelt' is necessary (usually defined as thick and stiff) then either the pistol is too big and heavy, or the holster has been designed/chosen poorly (carries the pistol so that the set is top-heavy).
Certainly I would expect some other holster makers to be offended because there are those who don't pay attention to ideal ride height or ideal carry angle, or to 'twist'. What is the (true) saying, "those who can, do; those who know, teach"? At some point a maker has to be willing to walk away from a design, or a size within a design, if physics aren't on our side.
I've a design right now, that my armourer feels 'muzzles' him during carry, yet it doesn't muzzle me. Puzzling, but it won't be produced until he is satisfied. Not me, him; he's the gunfighter, it's his life on the line not mine.
Certainly I would expect some other holster makers to be offended because there are those who don't pay attention to ideal ride height or ideal carry angle, or to 'twist'. What is the (true) saying, "those who can, do; those who know, teach"? At some point a maker has to be willing to walk away from a design, or a size within a design, if physics aren't on our side.
I've a design right now, that my armourer feels 'muzzles' him during carry, yet it doesn't muzzle me. Puzzling, but it won't be produced until he is satisfied. Not me, him; he's the gunfighter, it's his life on the line not mine.
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Although not perhaps ideal, I've carried my 5" 625 in a Bianchi holster I got at a second hand shop and had cut down as it was originally for a 6" revolver. I recently found out that it's a Lawman model, designed for single-action revolvers, but the 625 doesn't know that. Ideally I'd want a heavier belt if I was carrying this on a regular basis.
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elpac3
Member
The secret Oldbrownbelt failed to verbalize is the use of suspenders with a heavy rig (see photo). LEO's are using a belt suspender rig all the time these days with the amount of gear carried on the survival belt.
You can either use you clip on pants suspenders on you gun belt (be aware it will leave marks on your belt), Use suspenders on your pants and then use belt keepers with you gun belt/pants belt combo or get an LEO belt suspender rig.
You can either use you clip on pants suspenders on you gun belt (be aware it will leave marks on your belt), Use suspenders on your pants and then use belt keepers with you gun belt/pants belt combo or get an LEO belt suspender rig.
Yes... I realized after I posted that I "had a little help from my friends" at Perry Suspenders. I didn't need such accessories until a few (?) years ago, when gravity began to exert a greater effect on my once-svelte profile. I have since become a "belts-and-braces" guy pretty much all the time.
Walkingwolf
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I carry with a full duty belt worn on the hips, no sagging pants as the belt is where it is supposed to be. I hardly ever carry with a belt through the pant loops. Whether it is my 1911, N Frame, or GP100 the carry is comfortable. I have found that the duty belt actually keeps the pants from dropping, though I still use pant suspenders with no inner belt.
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