Finally I put my hands on a 360 M&P. I ´m planning to use it as a backup. My question is regarding what pocket holster and grip you guys consider the most apropiate for this task. I plan to carry 158 gr .357 loads. I favoured the Galco horsehide pocket holster and a cocobolo Spegel grip. Any tought about these options?. Anyone knows of something better?. Thanks in advance for your time and experience.
Pocket holster and grip for a J frame
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Finally I put my hands on a 360 M&P. I ´m planning to use it as a backup. My question is regarding what pocket holster and grip you guys consider the most apropiate for this task. I plan to carry 158 gr .357 loads. I favoured the Galco horsehide pocket holster and a cocobolo Spegel grip. Any tought about these options?. Anyone knows of something better?. Thanks in advance for your time and experience.
USBP SW
Member
Pedro,
Personal preference is the first order of business, if you like it, that's what is important. If possible, you should try the grips and holster on a similar sized revolver before making your purchase. My concern would be that the grips might be a little large for pocket use, however, I would certainly want large grips before I dropped the hammer on a full house 158gr. .357 Magnum round in that revolver. I do like the looks of the Spegel grips. You might want to investigate the rubber offerings from hogue, they might be a little slimmer and you wouldn't be as concerned about the appearance. Incidentally, the price of the hogues adds to their appeal. Or get both, use the hogues for carrying in your pocket and the Spegels when you are not going to beat them up.
Hopefully this helps,
Steve
Personal preference is the first order of business, if you like it, that's what is important. If possible, you should try the grips and holster on a similar sized revolver before making your purchase. My concern would be that the grips might be a little large for pocket use, however, I would certainly want large grips before I dropped the hammer on a full house 158gr. .357 Magnum round in that revolver. I do like the looks of the Spegel grips. You might want to investigate the rubber offerings from hogue, they might be a little slimmer and you wouldn't be as concerned about the appearance. Incidentally, the price of the hogues adds to their appeal. Or get both, use the hogues for carrying in your pocket and the Spegels when you are not going to beat them up.
Hopefully this helps,
Steve
Universal
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Although I am not familiar with the holster you mention, I can highly recommend the Nemesis pocket holster from DeSantis. It has served me very well when I carry my 640 in it. With regards to grips, I really like the rubber grips that came already on the gun. I believe they are Uncle Mike's Boot Grips.
flop-shank
US Veteran
I use a Kramer PH when my 360 PD is in my front pants pocket because the gun "snaps" in place. I use a Mika when it's in my inside coat pocket because the gun slides right out of the holster. I would not be without either holster. I use Altimont boot grips. If you haven't fired one of those things with full power .357s, I would recommend trying something less powerful first. There are many threads in this, and the ammunition forum discussing different loads that work well in these brutal little monsters. Just do a search if you haven't, and welcome to the forum.
casingpoint
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Uncle Mike's pocket holster for J-frames. Guns and Ammo mag liked it best and it works well for less $$$. The factory grip is made of a special proprietary material engineered specifically for concealed carry retrieval and deployment. The short two-finger grip is designed to hide better. Your pinkie finger is part of the shooting equation and belongs underneath the grip in a curled fashion. After you get used to it, you will not want nor need more grip. Unless you are looney enough to shoot full blown .357 MAGs, in which case you may well want a different gun. Glocks notwithstanding, you have acquired the ultimate in concealed carry perfection, a J-frame revolver.
Badge54
Member
I have had the 340 M&P in my front pant pocket for a month now. I use the Nemisis holster and the original grips. Although I have thought about the SecretService grips being smooth I have had no problem with what I got.
I am just average size, 36X32 jeans and they fit loose so they don't print.
I am just average size, 36X32 jeans and they fit loose so they don't print.
Goodtime Charlie
Member
LaP:
I read so many rave reviews on the Mika pocket holsters, that I had to buy two myself, a square pocket holster and a rounded pocket holster.
What is it about the Galco that you find is superior to the Mikas?
I read so many rave reviews on the Mika pocket holsters, that I had to buy two myself, a square pocket holster and a rounded pocket holster.
What is it about the Galco that you find is superior to the Mikas?
Charlie: My 642 kept slipping out of the Mika whenever I sat down. I wore it for weeks ...hoping it would break in and stay put. Mika said they would replace it or credit my charge card. For $20, I just kept it. They're a good company and who knows?... maybe my 642 will fit it better in the future
The Galco fits great and stays in my pocket. It hides well, is sturdy leather and it also cost $20. So far, so good. I even bought their IWB holster for my M&P compact.
The Galco fits great and stays in my pocket. It hides well, is sturdy leather and it also cost $20. So far, so good. I even bought their IWB holster for my M&P compact.
Goodtime Charlie
Member
LaP:
My two Mikas are for my 442-2, which is the "black" version of your 642. Unless I tip my thighs up in front, such as sitting in a deep easychair, sofa, recliner, etc. with my knees higher than the pocket, mine stays put. Perhaps the Mika would work better for you in different pants? Or is the problem that I mentioned the same problem that you have? It's kind of difficult, making a holster that will give you a slick, fast draw, and yet not allow the gun to slide out against gravity. I haven't tried the Galco, (I didn't like the looks of the design) but if you are happier with it than with the Mika, I guess I'll have to give it a try.
My two Mikas are for my 442-2, which is the "black" version of your 642. Unless I tip my thighs up in front, such as sitting in a deep easychair, sofa, recliner, etc. with my knees higher than the pocket, mine stays put. Perhaps the Mika would work better for you in different pants? Or is the problem that I mentioned the same problem that you have? It's kind of difficult, making a holster that will give you a slick, fast draw, and yet not allow the gun to slide out against gravity. I haven't tried the Galco, (I didn't like the looks of the design) but if you are happier with it than with the Mika, I guess I'll have to give it a try.
I have a Mika Roundcut and a DeSantis Nemesis for my 642 and M&P340. The DeSantis is a slightly tighter fit and requires just a slight "coaxing" to release. Not so with the Mika. I have never had anything fall out of the Mika but I suppose it is possible.
I have CT 405s on both. I really like the Hogue Monogrips but they are too long for some pocket carry.
Even in the 340 I load it with .38spl plus P SGDFSB. If that doesn't get it done .357 probably isn't going to make a difference. Placement and follow-up is most important.
Here are the Hogue Monogrips on the 340. Nice since it allows for a full grip.
Monogrips and a Mika Pocket Holster Roundcut
340 with Crimson Trace 405s.
642 in the Mika with CT 405s.
My favorite carry chinos and shorts are Columbia Lander's. They have a pocket behind the main pocket with a zipper. No worry about anything falling out of the pockets. The carry pocket will accomodate the Hogue Monogrips and the larger CT 305 grips.
The DeSantis rides about 1/4 inch lower in the pocket than the Mika. Both are under $20 so what the heck try em both.
One J Frame is never enough.
I have CT 405s on both. I really like the Hogue Monogrips but they are too long for some pocket carry.
Even in the 340 I load it with .38spl plus P SGDFSB. If that doesn't get it done .357 probably isn't going to make a difference. Placement and follow-up is most important.
Here are the Hogue Monogrips on the 340. Nice since it allows for a full grip.
Monogrips and a Mika Pocket Holster Roundcut
340 with Crimson Trace 405s.
642 in the Mika with CT 405s.
My favorite carry chinos and shorts are Columbia Lander's. They have a pocket behind the main pocket with a zipper. No worry about anything falling out of the pockets. The carry pocket will accomodate the Hogue Monogrips and the larger CT 305 grips.
The DeSantis rides about 1/4 inch lower in the pocket than the Mika. Both are under $20 so what the heck try em both.
One J Frame is never enough.
Loomis Guard
Member
I put them Hogue grips on my wifes mod 37,,, dang, she can make that weapon talk now!!!!!!
Loomis Guard
Loomis Guard
Pocket Holster:
I carried a model 37 airweight for several years in an Uncle Mike's #4 (Uncle Mike's recommends #3 but I found the #4 fits MUCH better). I now carry my M&P340 in the same #4 pocket holster. I'm expecting my Mika holsters any day. I'm actually very happy with my Uncle Mike but I'm always looking to improve.
Grips: My 340 came with CT grips (405). I think they are perfect for a CCW. The airpocket reduces recoil. I was terrified to fire .357 because of all the negative comments posted about lightweight j-frames but I found .357 was reasonable. FWIW I was firing Remington Gold Sabers (?125gr) and Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135gr. They are considered "medium loads"
I just put a pair of Pachmayr compac grips on while my CT grips go back to S&W for service (I'll post about that another time). The Pachmayr grips are larger than the CT 405 but not enough to effect pocket carry, at least in my khaki slacks. I suppose it might make a difference in very light weight dress slacks. The grips feel very comfortable - I really like them. They are larger than the stock grips but smaller than the Hogue Boot Grips - a happy compromise if you will...
I carried a model 37 airweight for several years in an Uncle Mike's #4 (Uncle Mike's recommends #3 but I found the #4 fits MUCH better). I now carry my M&P340 in the same #4 pocket holster. I'm expecting my Mika holsters any day. I'm actually very happy with my Uncle Mike but I'm always looking to improve.
Grips: My 340 came with CT grips (405). I think they are perfect for a CCW. The airpocket reduces recoil. I was terrified to fire .357 because of all the negative comments posted about lightweight j-frames but I found .357 was reasonable. FWIW I was firing Remington Gold Sabers (?125gr) and Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135gr. They are considered "medium loads"
I just put a pair of Pachmayr compac grips on while my CT grips go back to S&W for service (I'll post about that another time). The Pachmayr grips are larger than the CT 405 but not enough to effect pocket carry, at least in my khaki slacks. I suppose it might make a difference in very light weight dress slacks. The grips feel very comfortable - I really like them. They are larger than the stock grips but smaller than the Hogue Boot Grips - a happy compromise if you will...
flop-shank
US Veteran
The Managed recoil loads are doable for many. Full power loads are damaging for many. The last time I fired full power 125 gr. Remingtons my weak hand was screwed up for over a month (old injury) and the laminated wood Altimont boot grips I use started to split. I've heard of one person suffering a broken hand and someone else needing stitches. Those are internet stories so I don't recall the origins and can't vouch for the validity. I can vouch that the recoil is ferocious.
I'll endorse the Spegel grip choice (you might want to try a cheaper wood than cocobolo for experimental purposes, and you can always sell unwanted grips and such on this forum's classified ad section...) I favor the Kramer version of pocket holsters, but, as noted, there are many other good choices.
Hofstet
Member
My 642 with Kramer Pocket Holster & Nill-Griffes,fits my large hand really well.
Eirerogue
Member
I've got the same CT/340M&P setup with Mika holster. I've got both the round and squared (cargo)bottoms and they are just great. Strongly +1 the Mika.
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