Seeking advice about holsters for j-frame

[hittman77]

Concealment is a high priority to me

That being said; pocket holster. Mine is so old the brand name is worn off of it. I also use (occasionally) a Don Hume IWB bought from a forum member here.

 

[Goffman]

Question for those who carry in the 1 o'clock position (appendix carry?):

I received my CPL last week, and I gave "appendix carry" a spin, using a cheap Uncle Mike's holster. I'm still waiting on my Mika IWB while also looking at other IWB holsters. I found this carry position (with this particular holster) to be remarkably uncomfortable while sitting, and even more uncomfortable when trying to stand up. I think I mentioned in this thread that I'm pretty normal in proportions (a bit of "dunlap" but not out of control). Does the comfort level of appendix carry vary with the holster that is used? In other words, was my unpleasant experience a function of the cheap holster that I was using at the time, or should I just "write off" appendix carry (as too uncomfortable) any time I'll be sitting for more than a few minutes?

For example, I'm wondering if this Don Hume (see link below) likely would be more comfortable for appendix carry than the cheap Uncle Mike's.

H715 - M.S.O. [H715-M.S.O. O.T.] - $35.65 : Don Hume Leathergoods, manufactures high quality leather and nylon goods.

As always, any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Goffman]

As a follow-up to my post above, I'm wondering if appendix carry would work better (for me...maybe for others as well) with a Don Hume-style holster that has large-ish loops that would allow the holster to move up a bit when I sit down (pushed upwards by the pressure of my thigh on the end of the barrel) and then drop back down a bit when I stand up (thanks to gravity). Any thoughts?

 

[cmort666]

I don't wear untucked shirts, nor do I wear cover garments in nice weather. OWB's out of the question for me.

I have a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster for my Model 36. It's the only way I carry it and it works fine for me. It works so well that I've never really considered an IWB holster for that gun, the smallest I own.

 

[Goffman]

Sorry...just to clarify, I'm referring to IWB appendix carry. I believe the initialism is AIWB.

 

[flop-shank]

Goffman,

I'm assuming that the carry gun is the 340PD. Carry the gun so that when you sit, the holster is just to the left of the right leg. The barrel should be pointed at your right berry or the "little man". Also give your skin and body a few days to get used to the set up. CCW is a trial and error process. While we can tell you what works for us and probably for you, only you can find your true path. You're gonna have a box full of holsters.

 

[sheriffoconee]

Don't discount the smartcarry. I carried my 696 all day today off duty in it, and while I know it is there, I drove, walked around the grocery store, pumped gas, etc, as well as read this forum with that 44 spl hidden.
I have also carried Glocks, my Kahr PM9, and Government Model 1911's in it...

 

[Goffman]

Oh man, flop-shank, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get over the psychological challenge of pointing a gun at my "equipment", as they say. That could be a problem. I think you're right, though, that I'm going to end up with a box full of holsters. I guess this will be a bit of the old trial-and-error. (P.S. You're correct that I was thinking of my 340PD, although I recently ordered a S&W 640 as well. As I mentioned in a new thread, I seem to have been infected by the j-frame "bug".)

 

[flop-shank]

Remember, Goff, if you move the gun so that it's just to the right of your junk, then it's aimed at your femoral artery. Further right and it's aimed into your femur when you sit. That's not so cool either. What it really boils down to is this. You have a modern internal hammer DA revolver with a transfer bar as part of it's lockwork. If it's in a quality holster that covers the trigger, it is as inert as a rock. The only way to fire it is with a deliberate pull of the trigger and the holster prevents that. A holster that snaps the gun in place might be a plus here, but I use a nylon cheapy on the off occasions that I carry AIWB and it has worked fine for me. If reholstering scares you, and it never hurts to be extra safe, remove the holster, point the gun in a safe direction while reholstering, then put the holstered gun back inside your waistband. If you do it that way the only way to get shot is to catch on fire or get struck by lightning, in which case you are probably screwed anyway.

 

[photoman]

What it really boils down to is this. You have a modern internal hammer DA revolver with a transfer bar as part of it's lockwork. If it's in a quality holster that covers the trigger, it is as inert as a rock.

Very true. Once you open up a J frame or any other modern S&W double action revolver and understand how the lockwork operates, appendix carry is a no-worry situation.

I just got back from an out-of-state trip and carried a 642 in a Kramer IWB clip AIWB due to some NPE situations. Very comfortable, safe and works great.

 

[Goffman]

NPE = Not Politically Expedient?

 

[enfield]

I always pocket-carry my j-frame.

When I can conceal a belt holster, I carry a bigger revolver or semi-auto.

 

[photoman]

NPE = Not Politically Expedient?

Non-permissive environment. Fancy way of saying an area that CCW is not welcome.

 

[exSun]

I like pocket holsters. However, I tend to skip jeans in favor of cargo pants.

 

[ENGINE18]

For OWB, I use the Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake. IWB is a cheepo, Uncle Mikes, ($11.00 or so) which, when it starts to get a bit ragged, I carefully cut the stiches away from the pant clip, and use it for a pocket holster. With temps. in the 100s in the summer, I gotta go light!

 

[AZ Desertrat]

All my snubs, even the 3" are pocket carry....Desantis Nemesis works very well.