Thoughts on N-Frame Holsters

I carried a 4" 28 in a Roy Baker Pancake on a good stiff 1.75 inch belt and my only concern was making sure my jacket was long enough to cover it.
 
Another vote here for DeSantis. I carried a 4-inch N frame in a DeSantis IWB for years and never had a problem with it. However, I always carried the Mountain Revolver which is somewhat lighter. Not sure I would want to try it with a full lug barrel.
 
My model 25 4" Mountain Gun carries in a Simply Rugged soughdough. I'm 5'7" & 175 lbs and no problem with cocealment--or keeping the pants up. Must have a good "gun" belt!
 
Rolan,
Go to the DeSantis Leather site, select S&W, select Model 25, and it should bring up their Speed & Thumbbreak Scabbards. It only shows them with autos, but I have two of the TBs for N-Frames.
Good holsters.
Kramer also does great work, but I only have smaller revolver & auto holsters from him & can't comment on how they carry an N.
Denis
 
Galco Silhouette

Pictures! Post your pictures.

trholster.jpg

629silhouette.jpg



Jim
 
After carrying a handgun, every day, for 30 years, retired now, and now having the ID card that says i can carry it, if I want to, I am really not much into carrying concealed, anymore. I don't have to. But, for everyday wear out here in the boonies, my 329PD lives in a Bianchi 111 cyclone. Its a strong side, and weak side carry. So, either conventional, or crossdraw.

same here, except I'm left handed - same revolver - same holster.

I also like Galco - all my belts, dress, work, etc. are from www.looperleather.com and are kydex re-inforced. Looper just cut down a 5 inch Galco to fit my 3 inch 629 Trail Boss - it should ride real nice. And I appreciate Mernickle holsters. www.mernicklehoslters.com
 
Last edited:
I would recommend lobo gunleather. I have an iwb for a 625 mtn gun or my 22tr. Never had a problem with either and it's very comfortable. I am not exactly petit and it works for me.
 
N Frame Carry

I carry N frame revolvers a lot. I'm old school so I carry a revolver while on the job and sometimes a SAA. Secret of carrying the weight is a "good" belt that is wide to displace the weight around your body from the holster. Good quality holster would help also.
 
+1 for the Galco Silhouette. I carry a 629 mountain 44 magnum or a 24 with no problem. Enough belt is critical and suspenders would be a good idea.
 
I end up always pulling up my pants everytime I move.

I'll tell you what works for me. I wear my holster on a separate belt above my pants.

I feel there's several advantages to this method, but never included keeping my pants from falling down in that list because I never thought of that before.

This method should solve that problem for you, but I can't guarantee it won't cause several different problems.
 
rolan, try suspenders from the "Perry" co. they are on line. I've worn em and they attache to your gun belt...simple! and no I'm not involved with the company in any way. c.w.
 
Still packing a badge and a sidearm at age 66, I sympathize. My solution, which I discovered years ago after a back injury after a helicopter forced landing (crash?), is a really stiff belt, as large in width as the holster will allow and suspenders. Now available at most cop shops are the black nylon suspenders designed for duty use, they are the absolute ticket! Use them to support a leather or nylon belt and you can carry a heavy handgun (or two) all day, no problem. I bought a couple pair about 5 years ago and have not had a problem with a big heavy handgun since. I won't go hunting or out in uniform without them, mostly though I am in soft clothes and carry the lightest gun/ammo that is reasonable for the job.
If you don't want to go the suspender route a really large belt width that will not bend under the gun weight is the next best thing. Note that ur troops use suspenders with ALL their combat gear, even when packing a handgun only-or they should be.
 
For any holster system, for any N frame piece of iron, it HAS to have a double layer, as wide as your belt loops will allow, stiff as saddle leather belt. I don't care if its Kramer, Bianchi, Galco, Triple K, Meyers, Desantis, Don Hume, El Paso Saddlery, Safariland, it has to be STIFF. The worlds greatest custom made $400 holster, on a single layer nylon belt, is going to sag, beat you to death, and kill you with the weight.
As for and belt and holster system, and all the other i.e. junk, that LEO's get to carry, you need to have it, directly over your pants belt, held with keepers, velcro, super glue, good intentions, what-have-you. But, it has to be held tightly. If not, knees, and back, are gonners. Somehow, I do have some insight into this. 9 knee surgeries, and one back surgery, have given me all the first hand knowledge I need on this subject.
Now, you all know the reason I carry a scandium, and titanium 329PD, at 26 oz.

Edit on the 9 knee surgeries, now 10.
 
Last edited:
Bianchi and Galco

My two bits is favoring the Galco Phoenix 126 ON A GOOD BELT(Wilderness Tactical or Galco)!! The Bianchi Cyclone II I have is in Cordura because the price was right. I'm a leather guy through and through though. Both these holsters can be worn cross-draw or strong-side. Anyhow, here are a few pics for your consideration............Sprefix
P.S. The clunky old -2 is not for sale.....hahahaha
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1491.jpg
    IMG_1491.jpg
    84 KB · Views: 175
  • IMG_1492.jpg
    IMG_1492.jpg
    82.7 KB · Views: 172
  • IMG_1494.jpg
    IMG_1494.jpg
    84.6 KB · Views: 192
  • IMG_1500.jpg
    IMG_1500.jpg
    88.9 KB · Views: 171
The only two N frames I regularly carry are a 325NG, which is very light and a M24 LH, which is not not. I've tried all sort of holsters over the years and have found three that work for me.
1) Milt Sparks Summer Special...yes, it will take 6 months to get, but it's worth the wait IMHO.
2) Mernickle PS6DA...very high ride but cut rather low in front so you can actually get the darn revolver out without pointing your elboe at the sky and flapping your arm like a chicken. This is especially important if you have old, clapped out joints like me.
3) LAW Concealment Systems...this is sort of a folded pouch sort of thing that kinda sits on top of your belt more or less inside your pants. It in no way looks like a holster. It is soft, comfortable, almost invisible under even a light shirt, and it can be worn in just about any position you might want. It also has nothing but the pressure of your belt holding the pistol in place and if you have to draw you can forget about reholstering with out taking the thing out of you pants. They are also cheap, as such things go.

FWIW, I wear suspenders and the stiffest belt I can find. With a suit, a Dillon 1.25" and with everything else a Mernickle 1.5" (which is the prettiest plain belt I've ever owned).
 
After carrying daily for over 35 years, either a 1911 or an N Frame S&W, I make the fiollowing recommendations...

For the field, a De Santis Dual Angle Hunter worn cross draw.


For Maximum concealment for either a 1911 or an N frame S&W a Milt Sparks Summer Special.

For comfort, you must buy your pants 2 inches larger in the waist.

[Hint I have been doing that since the early/mid 1970's].

You also need a strong belt made for handgun carry.

A fancy "Cuchi" belt will not do.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top