Wild Deuce
Master
- Dec 2, 2009
- 4,946
- 12
I sent this out as a PM a while back when someone asked me about a holster for their snubby. The information, opinions, and suggestions were directed at a female snubby owner but I think everyone could benefit. I thought it was time to just post this as a stand-alone thread. I'm not a "gun guru" or "operator" or "gun writer" ... you get the picture. Just a regular guy that trains whenever possible and carries every day. If I help someone make an informed decision and maybe save someone a few bucks (and a closet full of unused holsters), I've done my good deed for the day. These are just opinions so treat them as such.
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Firearms
S&W J-Frame Model 442 (.38 Special) w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips (Model LG-405 Compact Grip)
S&W J-Frame Model 340PD (.357 Magnum / .38 Special) w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips (Model LG-305 Extended Grip)
Background
Wife is short and not a string bean … or overweight … or obese … just average. Actual height/weight withheld for OPSEC and health reasons (my health). Me? … I’m average … 5’10” and hovering around 190 lbs. Wife carries one of these guns 99.9999% of the time (this includes inside the home). I will carry the remaining J-Frame as a BUG about 50% of the time I am home and 100% of the time when I leave the house. We are both right handed. Keep in mind that what works for us might not work for you.
Belt
If you are going to carry at the waist or somewhere on/in your pants, you will need a quality belt. There is no compromising on this point. The gun, the holster, and the belt are a package deal. Skimp on a single component in this chain and you’ve introduced the weak link that will fail in time of need. The belt should be rigid/stiff and durable enough to support the weight of the gun all day and in any weather. It should work well with the chosen holster to maintain the gun in the proper orientation as well as the proper location. I use the Galco CB4 Contour Belt (1.5” tapered to 1.25”). My wife uses a Kramer Double Thick Gun Belt (Horsehide, 1.25”). We have owned and used these belts for 5+ years and they are still going strong with no signs of quitting (sagging, rot, misshapen, etc.).
Holsters
We own several different types of holsters for a J-frame. They are:
Uncle Mike’s Pocket Holster (UMPH) - My wife uses this holster 99.99% of the time. She will carry it in her front right pocket unless her attire allows it to print too much. In that case, she goes with off-body carry in her purse but keeps the gun in the same holster. I will use this same holster when I use the gun as a BUG. It is soft sided and will fit most pants pockets. Printing with this holster usually means the clothes are too tight, the pocket is too small, or the pocket is too short (allows the grip to stick out of the pocket). If the pocket is too deep, large, or roomy … the gun and holster will start to “swim” around the pocket. If you needed the gun immediately, you might find yourself having to orient the gun into your hand before you can draw. In cases like this, I will use the Desantis Nemesis which is larger but tends to remain upright. The UMPH does have a band of non-slip material (rubbery, neoprene-like material) around the mid-section that helps the holster stay in the pocket during a draw stroke but does little to maintain an upright orientation. This is the holster used 99.99% of the time by my wife. I use it every time I pocket carry.
Desantis Nemesis Holster - This one functions similar to the UMPH except that it is slightly larger and more squared. The shape helps it maintain an upright orientation in large or roomy pockets. Unlike the UMPH, the entire exterior surface is tacky. It also comes with a “shield” that velcro’s to the spine of the holster and folds over the holster. This helps reduce printing (as far as a gun outline is concerned) but increases the bulky print. It ends up looking like you have a really fat wallet in your front pocket. I don’t use the shield. I use the Nemesis mostly in the winter time when I need to maintain vertical orientation in the larger pockets of my coats and jackets. That is its primary use. Only drawback is that it is taking forever to break-in. It is still as rigid as the day I bought it. Good or bad? I don’t know yet. It would be nice to have a softer holster but on the other hand it seems that this one will last a while.
Smart Carry Holster - Originally marketed as “Thunderwear” followed by “Thunderbelt” and finally “Smart Carry,” this is a simple, deep concealment, snag free, below waistline holster. We own the Security model (in denim) and the Standard model (in white). These hardly ever get used anymore. They work well for me under dress slacks or a suit. These are not easy access or offer the opportunity of a quick draw unless you practice extensively. These are perfect for the S&W 442 and 340PD models. You will be conscious of the gun at first but with proper placement (I recommend slightly off-center) you can easily forget it’s there and eventually stop thinking that everyone is looking at “your bulge” … trust me, it’s not that impressive. Placing the butt of the gun behind the belt (instead of below) literally makes the bulge disappear. This and the ankle holsters are the only ones that don’t rely on a quality gun belt.
Uncle Mike’s Kydex Paddle Holster - Simple and self explanatory. It is no longer made in the style I own. It is very similar to the Blackhawk holsters except the retention is all passive (no buttons, switches, or levers). It actually looks more like the Fobus Roto Holster Paddle (J357RP). I use this one infrequently when I am around the house and don’t care who sees my gun. This is not a concealed carry holster for the summertime. It’s most frequent use lately has been at practical pistol shooting matches.
Uncle Mike’s Leather OWB Holster (Hidden Hammer Super Belt Slide) - This one had a lot promise. I liked the feel and look of quality. It just never gelled for me. The retention strap doesn’t really work too well. It doesn’t seem to be at the right angle for the hammerless J-Frames. The retention strap is also sewn in and can’t be removed or the angle adjusted. One cool feature was the little knob that slips into the trigger guard. It forces the wearer to give a slight twist during the draw stroke … otherwise, the gun isn’t coming out. It’s good enough that I might someday cut the useless retention strap off and rely entirely on that little knob. The leather also seemed to creak an awful lot … a lot more than my other leather holsters. Seriously, you could hear me coming a mile away. It’s a good holster that holds the gun snug against the body. The angle is canted enough that it will even help the LG-305 grips hide under a shirt. Here’s the issue though … it’s the same issue with all the IWB/OWB holsters that ride at the 3 O’clock position (or generally that area) … women have curves. Those curves cause the holsters (designed for men) to stick the butt handle of the gun right into or under the rib cage on women. Who the heck wants a gun grip poking or riding around under their ribs all day? This holster has always been a no-go for my wife.
Galco Summer Comfort IWB Holster - Another simple holster. This one is leather and was purchased from a “bruised and reduced” website though I can’t figure out what was wrong with this one. It has worked fine for me. The belt loops appeared a little thin (cheap?) but they have held up superbly. When combined with the quality gun belt, the holster is rock solid. This one gets used mostly with formal wear when I am not hauling my usual hand cannon 1911/XD or fatty double stacker GLOCK. Again, for reasons mentioned previously, this holster has been a no-go for my wife.
Joab IWB Appendix Carry Holster - This one has become a personal favorite for extended periods of driving (road trips). I don’t usually run with a fad but I was sold by Gabe Suarez on the appendix carry after trying it out for a while. This holster offers quick and easy access to the gun while seated. It is also wicked fast while standing or moving. A lot of people are uncomfortable with a loaded gun pointed at their crotch but with a hammerless J-Frame (nothing cocked and springs at rest) I don’t mind. However, I plan on purchasing one for my main EDC at some point. This is also a no-go for my wife. It doesn’t stick in her ribs like the others that wear at the 3 O’clock. She’s just not a fan of IWB.
Galco Ankle Glove Holster - The best ankle holster for concealed carry I sampled. I have the open top model (no thumb break). I don’t use the calf strap. I will use this in place of the appendix carry holster if I don’t want anything at my waist for an entire cross country trip. I will also use it in conjunction with the appendix carry holster on the rare occasions when my wife decides to go with a semi-auto. I have been outside kicking a soccer ball with this holster and it has stayed in place … gun too. I’m sure there is a point where the gun could be shaken or jarred loose but it has held up perfectly to running and wrestling around so far. I will use a spare sock to cover the bottom of the holster in case it peeks out from under the pant leg. The beauty of the holster is that it can be worn on either leg. When worn on the inside of either leg, it will present the gun properly for drawing with the strong hand. This holster requires training and practice. It is concealable with regular pants and does not require bell bottoms or anything radical. It hides well for me with relaxed fit jeans. Wife does not use this one but it was originally introduced to me by a female shooter. She surprised me when she pulled a J-Frame out to finish a tactical course of fire towards the end of a class. She had been wearing it for the entire two day class and I never even saw it until she used it.
Bianchi Triad Ankle Holster - This is an excellent, solid holster … but not for concealed carry. If you will be joining a SWAT breaching team, this is your rig. It is more at home being worn over a set of BDUs and combat boots. I bought it for giggles. Nice but never used/worn by either of us.
Galco Escort Waistpack - Otherwise known as a “fannypack.” This is a good fanny pack for the J-Frame as well as other compact semi-autos up to about GLOCK 19 size. We use this when jogging or biking in athletic wear.
Other - There’s the purse that my wife uses for off-body carry. I can’t recall the make/model but I wouldn’t list it anyway since it’s no longer made. I believe purse selection will be a personal choice anyway. There are too many options to look at as well … leather, synthetic, open top draw, side draw, hidden pocket, color, size, etc. Finally, there was one other ankle holster that was sooo horrible and cheap, I threw it out. I can’t recall the manufacturer or model. It was made of cheap spandex or lycra and the gun would sag over and fall out after a few steps.
Summary
Don’t skimp on the gear. Your life might depend on it. If anyone offers to let you sample a holster, take advantage of the offer. Sampling might just save you a ton of money. Decide what the primary role of your firearm will be and then choose the gear that will maximize your ability to employ the gun in that role.
Finally, you bought a platform that requires a lot of training and dedication. Shoot it as often as you can and train as often as you can. Remember, you will more than likely be at your worst and most unprepared when the need arises. Make sure your default abilities are up to the challenge.
********
Firearms
S&W J-Frame Model 442 (.38 Special) w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips (Model LG-405 Compact Grip)
S&W J-Frame Model 340PD (.357 Magnum / .38 Special) w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips (Model LG-305 Extended Grip)
Background
Wife is short and not a string bean … or overweight … or obese … just average. Actual height/weight withheld for OPSEC and health reasons (my health). Me? … I’m average … 5’10” and hovering around 190 lbs. Wife carries one of these guns 99.9999% of the time (this includes inside the home). I will carry the remaining J-Frame as a BUG about 50% of the time I am home and 100% of the time when I leave the house. We are both right handed. Keep in mind that what works for us might not work for you.
Belt
If you are going to carry at the waist or somewhere on/in your pants, you will need a quality belt. There is no compromising on this point. The gun, the holster, and the belt are a package deal. Skimp on a single component in this chain and you’ve introduced the weak link that will fail in time of need. The belt should be rigid/stiff and durable enough to support the weight of the gun all day and in any weather. It should work well with the chosen holster to maintain the gun in the proper orientation as well as the proper location. I use the Galco CB4 Contour Belt (1.5” tapered to 1.25”). My wife uses a Kramer Double Thick Gun Belt (Horsehide, 1.25”). We have owned and used these belts for 5+ years and they are still going strong with no signs of quitting (sagging, rot, misshapen, etc.).
Holsters
We own several different types of holsters for a J-frame. They are:
- Uncle Mike’s Pocket Holster (size 3)
- Desantis Nemesis Holster ~ aka Super Fly (Model M44BJ02Z0)
- Smart Carry Holster
- Uncle Mike’s Kydex Paddle Holster (the model I have is no longer available, they only carry this model)
- Uncle Mike's Leather OWB (Unsure if Uncle Mike's still carries leather holsters. The link will take you to what appears to be a nylon holster but the second image shows the leather variant.)
- Galco Summer Comfort IWB Holster
- Joab IWB Appendix Carry Holster
- Galco Ankle Glove Holster (Model AG158)
- Bianchi Triad Ankle Holster (Model 4750)
- Galco Escort Waistpack
Uncle Mike’s Pocket Holster (UMPH) - My wife uses this holster 99.99% of the time. She will carry it in her front right pocket unless her attire allows it to print too much. In that case, she goes with off-body carry in her purse but keeps the gun in the same holster. I will use this same holster when I use the gun as a BUG. It is soft sided and will fit most pants pockets. Printing with this holster usually means the clothes are too tight, the pocket is too small, or the pocket is too short (allows the grip to stick out of the pocket). If the pocket is too deep, large, or roomy … the gun and holster will start to “swim” around the pocket. If you needed the gun immediately, you might find yourself having to orient the gun into your hand before you can draw. In cases like this, I will use the Desantis Nemesis which is larger but tends to remain upright. The UMPH does have a band of non-slip material (rubbery, neoprene-like material) around the mid-section that helps the holster stay in the pocket during a draw stroke but does little to maintain an upright orientation. This is the holster used 99.99% of the time by my wife. I use it every time I pocket carry.
Desantis Nemesis Holster - This one functions similar to the UMPH except that it is slightly larger and more squared. The shape helps it maintain an upright orientation in large or roomy pockets. Unlike the UMPH, the entire exterior surface is tacky. It also comes with a “shield” that velcro’s to the spine of the holster and folds over the holster. This helps reduce printing (as far as a gun outline is concerned) but increases the bulky print. It ends up looking like you have a really fat wallet in your front pocket. I don’t use the shield. I use the Nemesis mostly in the winter time when I need to maintain vertical orientation in the larger pockets of my coats and jackets. That is its primary use. Only drawback is that it is taking forever to break-in. It is still as rigid as the day I bought it. Good or bad? I don’t know yet. It would be nice to have a softer holster but on the other hand it seems that this one will last a while.
Smart Carry Holster - Originally marketed as “Thunderwear” followed by “Thunderbelt” and finally “Smart Carry,” this is a simple, deep concealment, snag free, below waistline holster. We own the Security model (in denim) and the Standard model (in white). These hardly ever get used anymore. They work well for me under dress slacks or a suit. These are not easy access or offer the opportunity of a quick draw unless you practice extensively. These are perfect for the S&W 442 and 340PD models. You will be conscious of the gun at first but with proper placement (I recommend slightly off-center) you can easily forget it’s there and eventually stop thinking that everyone is looking at “your bulge” … trust me, it’s not that impressive. Placing the butt of the gun behind the belt (instead of below) literally makes the bulge disappear. This and the ankle holsters are the only ones that don’t rely on a quality gun belt.
Uncle Mike’s Kydex Paddle Holster - Simple and self explanatory. It is no longer made in the style I own. It is very similar to the Blackhawk holsters except the retention is all passive (no buttons, switches, or levers). It actually looks more like the Fobus Roto Holster Paddle (J357RP). I use this one infrequently when I am around the house and don’t care who sees my gun. This is not a concealed carry holster for the summertime. It’s most frequent use lately has been at practical pistol shooting matches.
Uncle Mike’s Leather OWB Holster (Hidden Hammer Super Belt Slide) - This one had a lot promise. I liked the feel and look of quality. It just never gelled for me. The retention strap doesn’t really work too well. It doesn’t seem to be at the right angle for the hammerless J-Frames. The retention strap is also sewn in and can’t be removed or the angle adjusted. One cool feature was the little knob that slips into the trigger guard. It forces the wearer to give a slight twist during the draw stroke … otherwise, the gun isn’t coming out. It’s good enough that I might someday cut the useless retention strap off and rely entirely on that little knob. The leather also seemed to creak an awful lot … a lot more than my other leather holsters. Seriously, you could hear me coming a mile away. It’s a good holster that holds the gun snug against the body. The angle is canted enough that it will even help the LG-305 grips hide under a shirt. Here’s the issue though … it’s the same issue with all the IWB/OWB holsters that ride at the 3 O’clock position (or generally that area) … women have curves. Those curves cause the holsters (designed for men) to stick the butt handle of the gun right into or under the rib cage on women. Who the heck wants a gun grip poking or riding around under their ribs all day? This holster has always been a no-go for my wife.
Galco Summer Comfort IWB Holster - Another simple holster. This one is leather and was purchased from a “bruised and reduced” website though I can’t figure out what was wrong with this one. It has worked fine for me. The belt loops appeared a little thin (cheap?) but they have held up superbly. When combined with the quality gun belt, the holster is rock solid. This one gets used mostly with formal wear when I am not hauling my usual hand cannon 1911/XD or fatty double stacker GLOCK. Again, for reasons mentioned previously, this holster has been a no-go for my wife.
Joab IWB Appendix Carry Holster - This one has become a personal favorite for extended periods of driving (road trips). I don’t usually run with a fad but I was sold by Gabe Suarez on the appendix carry after trying it out for a while. This holster offers quick and easy access to the gun while seated. It is also wicked fast while standing or moving. A lot of people are uncomfortable with a loaded gun pointed at their crotch but with a hammerless J-Frame (nothing cocked and springs at rest) I don’t mind. However, I plan on purchasing one for my main EDC at some point. This is also a no-go for my wife. It doesn’t stick in her ribs like the others that wear at the 3 O’clock. She’s just not a fan of IWB.
Galco Ankle Glove Holster - The best ankle holster for concealed carry I sampled. I have the open top model (no thumb break). I don’t use the calf strap. I will use this in place of the appendix carry holster if I don’t want anything at my waist for an entire cross country trip. I will also use it in conjunction with the appendix carry holster on the rare occasions when my wife decides to go with a semi-auto. I have been outside kicking a soccer ball with this holster and it has stayed in place … gun too. I’m sure there is a point where the gun could be shaken or jarred loose but it has held up perfectly to running and wrestling around so far. I will use a spare sock to cover the bottom of the holster in case it peeks out from under the pant leg. The beauty of the holster is that it can be worn on either leg. When worn on the inside of either leg, it will present the gun properly for drawing with the strong hand. This holster requires training and practice. It is concealable with regular pants and does not require bell bottoms or anything radical. It hides well for me with relaxed fit jeans. Wife does not use this one but it was originally introduced to me by a female shooter. She surprised me when she pulled a J-Frame out to finish a tactical course of fire towards the end of a class. She had been wearing it for the entire two day class and I never even saw it until she used it.
Bianchi Triad Ankle Holster - This is an excellent, solid holster … but not for concealed carry. If you will be joining a SWAT breaching team, this is your rig. It is more at home being worn over a set of BDUs and combat boots. I bought it for giggles. Nice but never used/worn by either of us.
Galco Escort Waistpack - Otherwise known as a “fannypack.” This is a good fanny pack for the J-Frame as well as other compact semi-autos up to about GLOCK 19 size. We use this when jogging or biking in athletic wear.
Other - There’s the purse that my wife uses for off-body carry. I can’t recall the make/model but I wouldn’t list it anyway since it’s no longer made. I believe purse selection will be a personal choice anyway. There are too many options to look at as well … leather, synthetic, open top draw, side draw, hidden pocket, color, size, etc. Finally, there was one other ankle holster that was sooo horrible and cheap, I threw it out. I can’t recall the manufacturer or model. It was made of cheap spandex or lycra and the gun would sag over and fall out after a few steps.
Summary
Don’t skimp on the gear. Your life might depend on it. If anyone offers to let you sample a holster, take advantage of the offer. Sampling might just save you a ton of money. Decide what the primary role of your firearm will be and then choose the gear that will maximize your ability to employ the gun in that role.
Finally, you bought a platform that requires a lot of training and dedication. Shoot it as often as you can and train as often as you can. Remember, you will more than likely be at your worst and most unprepared when the need arises. Make sure your default abilities are up to the challenge.
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