S&W J-Frame Carry Options - Page 4

M1911 · December 29th, 2006, 01:20 PM

I recommend a pocket holster in your right front pants pocket.

Quote:

It still bulges even with a pocket holster

You can't conceal your carry gun from yourself. Yes, there will be a slight bulge. The bulge won't look like a gun. And the average person on the street wouldn't notice it even if it DID look like a gun. If they notice the bulge, they'll think it is your wallet or phone or whatever.

I've stood on the sales floor at the Brooks Bros. store in Boston, MA, trying on suit coats. I was wearing a white shirt and carrying a black Kimber Compact in a belt holster on one side, and two chrome-plated wilson combat magazines on the other side. The women 6 feet away did not notice the gun as I was trying on coats. The only person who did was the salesperson who was helping me.

Pocket carry works. People don't notice.

Also, try wearing chino's with a pleated front. The extra material for the pleats reduces the bulge.

Gary Brommeland · December 29th, 2006, 04:20 PM

Yep! I've actually had people drop by my shop and talk to me for ten minutes and never even notice an open carried OWB holster and mag pouch. Talk about condition white....

fed_wif_a_sig · December 29th, 2006, 11:58 PM

On my first day of duty at my current field office, there was a group of us. I was dressed in dockers and a long sleve shirt. One of our senior supervisors instructed us to line up and to bring our weapons and additional equiptment for inventory. I stood there with empty hands, and he proceeded to chew my behind out for leaving my weapon unsecured across the room and for not following instructions. After he ran out of breath, he lost it when I drew all my gear (weapon, two mags, cuffs, batton and knife) out from under my shirt. In that minute, about twelve guys out of fifteen headed to the computer to order the UC Comfort.

One other story. An experienced agent (scary thought) walked in knowing I used a t-shirt holster and commented that he too was impressed how well a t-shirt holster concealed and was dead serious. Unfortunatly for him (and he still gets heck for this to the day) I was wearing a drop leg holster.

On the other end, good cops, folks who carry concealed often and their spouses/kids are awsome at spotting weapons. My oldest can still spot a man who carries two wallets in half a heart beat, no matter how well concealed they are (hint to fellow officers).

Ok I'll hush now.

Crosstimbers Okie · December 30th, 2006, 05:16 PM

I've been carrying a J-Frame in one of these chest holsters for a couple of years. It works great under a loose shirt and a tie covers it well too.

http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

LaP · January 2nd, 2007, 11:12 AM

My 642 sits in a "chopped" Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. I trimmed the bottom of the holster so it rides lower in my 5.11 pants pocket. It draws smooth and the holster STAYS in the pocket. Also, there's almost no printing.

Warhawk · January 2nd, 2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurus111

First I just want to say that this forum is one of the best that I have encountered. The depth of knowledge and opinion to be found on this website is hardly second to none.
It is because of that that I ask this question,

I have a 5 shot snub j-frame. I am not a grossly fat man but I carry a few extra pounds on my body. I need opinions on carry options for my revolver. I usually wear cowboy cut wrangler jeans and a button up shirt tucked in. I would like to keep with the basic wardrobe. Gun has to be concealed at all times --so no SOB holsters. I was thinking maybe a sholder harness rig. Open a button. pull out the gun?

It sounds like you and I are built similarly and dress similarly.

For me, the best option I've found is a Mika pocket holster. They are so cheap (less than $20) that you can try it and not be out much if it doesn't work for you.

The Mika pocket holster feels to me like carrying a wallet in my front pocket and isn't uncomfortable at all.

I have not found anything else that works "for me" as well as the pocket holster.

EDIT: Go with the round cut holster for use with jeans.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

Peacefulwarrior · January 4th, 2007, 09:54 PM

I really like to carry my Scandium J-frame on a Barimi hip grip. I added a Tyler T-grip adapter then cut a piece of bicyle inner tube and slide it over the whole unit for better gripage. It conceals well under just a t-shirt here in sunny FL. I also discovered that the "watch" pocket on most jeans is perfect for a Bianchi speed strip. I do have a Kramer pocket holster that is well made but I don't use it much after I went to the hip grip.

Eirerogue · January 5th, 2007, 03:35 PM

I tried the Barami years ago and while effective, it still is on your hip. Working narcotics, I was in too many places where the "casual" waist rub made hip carry impractical. Finally switched to an Alessi ankle holster and carried a Model 60 for 25 years in it, every day and the holster is still like new.

Highly recommend it!

kentuckycarry · March 15th, 2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron

That really surprises me. As someone else suggested, it may be your grips. I have Model 405 Crimson Trace Laser grips on my 642 in a Mika pocket holster and carry comfortably all day in a front pocket in cargo shorts. I hardly know the gun is in my pocket. I also carry without difficulty in regular docker pants. And I can easily draw the revolver from the holster.

Ron

I have the original grip on there. Its not the buldging, its that it wont go deep enough to keep the end of the grip showing from the side because the pocket is gapped open.

PapaScout · March 15th, 2007, 12:24 PM

I've noticed the same problem with my little S&W 442. Shop around and you can find pants with pockets that are a little deeper. Or you're handy with sewing you can deepen the pockets yourself.

Pocket carry works find for me, except when I sit down. Pants stretch tightly across my thigh and say "Hey, look! There's a gun in this guy's pocket!" or at least seem to do so to me.

December 29th, 2006, 11:58 PM	#33
fed_wif_a_sig Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 1,369	On my first day of duty at my current field office, there was a group of us. I was dressed in dockers and a long sleve shirt. One of our senior supervisors instructed us to line up and to bring our weapons and additional equiptment for inventory. I stood there with empty hands, and he proceeded to chew my behind out for leaving my weapon unsecured across the room and for not following instructions. After he ran out of breath, he lost it when I drew all my gear (weapon, two mags, cuffs, batton and knife) out from under my shirt. In that minute, about twelve guys out of fifteen headed to the computer to order the UC Comfort. One other story. An experienced agent (scary thought) walked in knowing I used a t-shirt holster and commented that he too was impressed how well a t-shirt holster concealed and was dead serious. Unfortunatly for him (and he still gets heck for this to the day) I was wearing a drop leg holster. On the other end, good cops, folks who carry concealed often and their spouses/kids are awsome at spotting weapons. My oldest can still spot a man who carries two wallets in half a heart beat, no matter how well concealed they are (hint to fellow officers). Ok I'll hush now. __________________ Steve "Respect all ... Fear none!!!

March 15th, 2007, 12:24 PM	#40
PapaScout Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 570	I've noticed the same problem with my little S&W 442. Shop around and you can find pants with pockets that are a little deeper. Or you're handy with sewing you can deepen the pockets yourself. Pocket carry works find for me, except when I sit down. Pants stretch tightly across my thigh and say "Hey, look! There's a gun in this guy's pocket!" or at least seem to do so to me. __________________ "If you so much as bunny hop I'll cut your heart out!" Billy Bob Thornton in The Last Real Cowboys "I carry a gun for the same reason that I carry health insurance and a cell phone - be prepared."

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December 29th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#32
Gary Brommeland Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,426	Yep! I've actually had people drop by my shop and talk to me for ten minutes and never even notice an open carried OWB holster and mag pouch. Talk about condition white....

December 30th, 2006, 05:16 PM	#34
Crosstimbers Okie New Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 14	I've been carrying a J-Frame in one of these chest holsters for a couple of years. It works great under a loose shirt and a tie covers it well too. http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

January 2nd, 2007, 11:12 AM	#35
LaP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 58	My 642 sits in a "chopped" Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. I trimmed the bottom of the holster so it rides lower in my 5.11 pants pocket. It draws smooth and the holster STAYS in the pocket. Also, there's almost no printing.

January 4th, 2007, 09:54 PM	#37
Peacefulwarrior New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 14	I really like to carry my Scandium J-frame on a Barimi hip grip. I added a Tyler T-grip adapter then cut a piece of bicyle inner tube and slide it over the whole unit for better gripage. It conceals well under just a t-shirt here in sunny FL. I also discovered that the "watch" pocket on most jeans is perfect for a Bianchi speed strip. I do have a Kramer pocket holster that is well made but I don't use it much after I went to the hip grip.

January 5th, 2007, 03:35 PM	#38
Eirerogue Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 202	I tried the Barami years ago and while effective, it still is on your hip. Working narcotics, I was in too many places where the "casual" waist rub made hip carry impractical. Finally switched to an Alessi ankle holster and carried a Model 60 for 25 years in it, every day and the holster is still like new. Highly recommend it!