In the market for my first concealed holster.

4579 Views 30 Replies 26 Participants Last post by Roach714, Mar 14, 2013

Cyrano

Discussion Starter · Mar 11, 2013 (Edited)

I am somewhat new to concealed carry. I have usually carried in the console of a vehicle or in a jacket pocket but would like to get into holsters that I can carry every day despite the weather. I do a lot of sitting as part of my job and I am looking at carrying a J-Frame regularly. I don't want to buy a ton of holsters before finding out what works best. I am open to suggestions.

I work in an office environment a lot and the dress code is business casual. Is the small of back the way to go or pocket carry or just skip it and carry outside of the office?

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

Black Arch Holsters

· #2 · Mar 11, 2013

Buying a quality holster will save you money (less waste on cheap holsters that don't work). I would suggest taking a look at a hybrid design like ours. you can find them at SHTF Gear LLC and we offer one for the S&W J frame.

Text Diagram Auto part Line art Automotive window part

Thanks!
Clay

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Takeem406

· #3 · Mar 11, 2013

There's only one concealment holster, Crossbreed! Nuff said!
They are very good!

In God and Glock we Trust

Simonsay

· #4 · Mar 11, 2013

Cyrano said:
I am somewhat new to concealed carry. I have usually carried in the console of a vehicle or in a jacket pocket but would like to get into holsters that I can carry every day despite the weather. I do a lot of sitting as part of my job and I am looking at carrying a J-Frame regularly. I don't want to buy a ton of holsters before finding out what works best. I am open to suggestions.

I work in an office environment a lot and the dress code is business casual. Is the small of back the way to go or pocket carry or just skip it and carry outside of the office?

So you can wear cover over a belt holster... or not? I am in an office and it's a suit or business casual. The only way I can carry day in, day out, all the time, no matter what, is in a pocket.

darebear

· #5 · Mar 11, 2013

Takeem406 said:
There's only one concealment holster, Crossbreed! Nuff said!
They are very good!

In God and Glock we Trust

Crossbreed is strikes the perfect balance between comfort, conceal-ability, and security(retention). I don't know how well it will work with a revolver though, I've only own semi auto handguns. If the grip of your J Frame is small enough to be covered by the frame of your body I would just look into getting a Raven OWB and wear it at 3 o clock. No need to tuck and go through great lengths to try concealing a small pocket gun when you can just wear it in the position that gives you a greater advantage of getting to your gun faster... and I think the best position for that is at 3 o clock OWB.

BigJon10125

· #6 · Mar 11, 2013

I carry a J frame in slacks and tucked shirt and tie every weekend while DJing weddings. I prefer pocket carry for the J frame in almost every situation. Easy to get to and hides like a dream in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster. IWB works well as well and while I did not like the crossbreed I am looking for a hybrid style holster for tuckability. The issue I had with the CBST for me is that there was too much material and any movment by me cause the whole thing to shift, constantly having to adjust it. My Milt Sparks VMII IWB is a dream compared to the CBST, but not tuckable.

Good luck, stay safe.

1MoreGoodGuy

· #7 · Mar 11, 2013

Get yourself a quality holster from the start that can easily accommodate any gun you decide to carry.

Consider a MaxTuck IWB holster from White Hat Holsters Concealed Handgun Holsters and Holster Parts & Accessories - White Hat

Their system enables you to change out the kydex in about 2 minutes. Replacement kydex can be purchased for as little as $19.95. This enables you to carry any of your handguns when you want to/need to change your carry gun. If you think you might buy a new carry gun sometime in the future, the MaxTuck could save you a lot of money since you wouldn't need to purchase a whole new holster...you just get a new kydex piece. Plus you also won't have to break in a whole new holster.

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TedBeau

· #8 · Mar 11, 2013

I'll add a vote for the HighNoon Split Decision. It's especially great for j-frame size revolvers and tuckable. I wear mine every Sunday to church with a tucked in dress shirt, no cover jacket and have never been made. The price is outstanding also.

1MoreGoodGuy

· #9 · Mar 12, 2013

Cyrano said:
I am somewhat new to concealed carry. I have usually carried in the console of a vehicle or in a jacket pocket but would like to get into holsters that I can carry every day despite the weather. I do a lot of sitting as part of my job and I am looking at carrying a J-Frame regularly. I don't want to buy a ton of holsters before finding out what works best. I am open to suggestions.

I work in an office environment a lot and the dress code is business casual. Is the small of back the way to go or pocket carry or just skip it and carry outside of the office?

Carrying a gun in a jacket pocket without a holster can be very dangerous and should never be done. For your safety and for the safety of those around you please do not ever carry your gun in an unsafe manner.

Since you are new to concealed carry, make sure you learn the proper way to do things before you do them.

Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question...there is however, the occasional person who does a stupid thing like shoot themselves because they didn't get an answer to a question they failed to ask.:wink:

Reactions: 2

MrBuckwheat

· #10 · Mar 12, 2013

I have been known to carry my j frame on my ankle or in pocket with a deSantis pocket holser. If you wear a sport coat or jacket you could get a shoulder rig. (I am one of those who have a drawer full)

BamaAlum97

· #11 · Mar 12, 2013

I carry in a deSantis pocket holster...works very well for me.

grouse

· #12 · Mar 12, 2013

CrossBreed is a great holster but my Milt Sparks VM2 is 10 fold better.

Whatever the case, IWB holsters are by far the most concelable.

GeNomeZ

· #13 · Mar 12, 2013

I agree about the Cross Breed Super Tuck. It's very comfortable...the perfect mix between comfort and yet you don't forget you're wearing it.

gtn

· #14 · Mar 12, 2013

N82.com

sawman1293

· #15 · Mar 12, 2013

Crossbreed QwikClip is the best I have found. I have one for all my carry guns. It has less material than the Supertuck, and allows you to tuck shirts well, also.

Richard58

· #16 · Mar 12, 2013

What works for me after many holsters is a milt sparks SS2 for IWB and a don Hume holster with snap retention for OWB. For pocketcarry I have a uncle mikes #3 pocket holster. I have discovered that kydex anything does not work well in the scope of revolvers for me.

TonyDTrigger

· #17 · Mar 12, 2013

I just got the In-Conspicuous from Garrity's Gunleather. If you are looking for a clip on holster, this one is the best I have seen. It is confortable and well built.

Garrity's Gunleather - IWB Holsters

Jemsaal

· #18 · Mar 12, 2013

So far I've been pretty happy with my Remora Holster. You can get them tuckable or not, and also get holsters that can be IWB or OWB. They also have sweat shields if you want that, which may be good for you if you're sitting down quite a bit and want to carry at the 6 oclock position, as it protects you from the top of the slide and clip from digging into your back all day.

Really there is only one rule you MUST follow when it comes to holsters. Do NOT use a ankle holster with shorts. Please, please, please!

PEF

· #19 · Mar 12, 2013

For a j-frame I finally settled on:

Pocket: Uncle Mikes or WRB Pocket Holster - either is fine. WRB holds better but Uncle Mikes is slimmer.
IWB: Galco Royal Guard. Close second is a Desantis Summer Heat, but the Royal Guard has better construction and is easier to put on/take off
OWB: Galco Concealable Belt Holster

But you need to try them out and see what "fits" you. We all have different body sizes and shapes....

Chaplain Scott

· #20 · Mar 12, 2013

Cyrano:

A good IWB (Inside Waist Band) is very concealable. There are many, many holster makers out there, most of them making quality stuff. Given your work enviroment, I would look for an IWB that is "Tuckable", just in case you are unfamiliar with the concept, in a "tuckable" holster, the clips that fasten the holster to your belt, are usually made of metal or plastic and are kind of made like a large "V", with the right side of the "v" attached to the holster, and the left leg of the "v" goes up behind your belt, with a hook or loop on that side that fits over the top of your belt. Then your shirt is tucked into the middle of the "v" and thus over the gun.

This written explanation is probably as clear as mud--so google "Tuckable IWB holster" http://www.desbiensgunleather.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/IMG_18351.jpgand look at "images". There will be plenty of pictures so you can get the idea. In warm weather, I wear my 4" 1911 with a tuckable IWB. With the shirt loosely tucked over the pistol, nobody can see that it is there. During colder weather, here in MT, everybody wears vests, mostly wool, so then I wear an OWB (Outside the Waist Band) by Kramer.

Oh, by the way, just expect to buy multiple holsters--some you will tolerate, some you will hate, then you will find just the right one. :danceban:

Hope this short explanation helps..........

PS: Try checking out the "Holster" thread on this forum..........

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