J Frame Concealed Carry

[RICKS PLACE]

On the times I wish to carry my S&W j frame airtight, in the pocket with a "uncle mikes" size 3 is still bulky and large.  Anyone have a better way?  They make a "sneaky Pete" holster that looks good, problem is it uses magnets for closure.  Without getting into it, I can't have magnets that close to my pacemaker.  Don't like ankle holsters. 
Yeah, I am too picky.  Any ideas of a small belt pouch, or a better in the pocket holster? 

[billmeek]

I have a kydex inside the waistband for my j-frame that I'm not fond of using.  I wish I'd just ordered a good leather pancake for it in the first place.

Something else you might look at is the Remora holsters.  Some people use them as pocket holsters but can switch it to a IWB as needed.  They're not too expensive either:

https://www.remoraholsterstore.com/product/remora-iwb-inside-waistband-holster/

Alabama holster supposedly makes a pretty good pocket holster:

https://www.alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

Holsters are a personal choice.  What one person likes, others may hate. 

[billmeek]

Oh yeah.... this is the IWB holster I bought:

https://dfwholsterco.com/products/copy-of-s-w-j-frame-1875-barrel-outlaw-holster

There's nothing wrong with it.  I just prefer a different style of holster.

[smokeless joe]

The remora reminds me of the sticky holster and they're both located in SW Florida. Interesting. I wonder if they are somehow connected. I'm a fan of the sticky brand. Very comfortable carry option, iwb or pocket carry they work very well.

[Canoeal]

The remora reminds me of the sticky holster and they're both located in SW Florida. Interesting. I wonder if they are somehow connected. I'm a fan of the sticky brand. Very comfortable carry option, iwb or pocket carry they work very well.

I carry sticky for work and around the house, and am a fan, but I have my DGL for when I want 'nice'...
No J-frame in my pockets, in work clothes...the pockets are way too small.

[Uncle Fatso]

Carry mine in my pocket. In an old leather Galco usually.

[top dog]

Rick,
You might want to take a look at Mika's Pocket Holsters.

He is a very nice person,former LAPD/SWAT.  Started his business in his garage when he was on the LAPD.

Retired and moved out to the less hustle and bustle of LA to Wisconsin.

I still have one of his first holsters made during his "garage days" and it is still going strong.

Top quality and very reasonable prices.

                                                                             Top Dog

[gebe]

Rick,
You might want to take a look at Mika's Pocket Holsters.

Yeah, that's what I use.

[Warthog]

I get mine from all over.  I have a couple of old J Frames I carry now and then too.  Can't remember where I got the holsters though.  Sorry.

[pietro]

.

I found two different carry's that are comfortable for J-frames. the Barami Hip Grip, and Thunderwear.

http://www.snub-nosed.com/barami_hip_grip

https://picclick.com/Thunderwear-conceal-carry-holster-black-232716839597.html



.

[bearcatter]

Be thankful it's a J frame. I gave up trying a Ruger snub SP101. Just too big for pocket and too heavy IWB. Guardian 32 now, with Sticky holster in pocket. Thirteen ounces less and a third the size. It's even two ounces lighter than an Airweight.

Rick's Place, how do you carry one "airtight"?........

[smokeless joe]

Be thankful it's a J frame. I gave up trying a Ruger snub SP101. Just too big for pocket and too heavy IWB. Guardian 32 now, with Sticky holster in pocket. Thirteen ounces less and a third the size. It's even two ounces lighter than an Airweight.

Rick's Place, how do you carry one "airtight"?........

Yeah those sp101's are a little heavy for conceal carry. I've got one in 9mm bedside and opted for an LCR 357 in a sticky holster iwb to accompany whatever mini I'm carrying that day.

[KEN AR]

It seems that I recall seeing a J frame set up over at Desert Gun Leather.  Might check with Rick over there.
https://www.desertgunleather.com/

All his leather is top quality and a great fit.

Ken

[Screwball]

No J-frame in my pockets, in work clothes...the pockets are way too small.

I'm in the same boat... only centerfire gun I can effectively pant pocket carry is my Ruger LCP. Actually, it is the only gun I can draw out of those sized pockets. I cannot get a full grip and draw my SIG P938 (even with the six round magazine) in a normal pocket. That gun, I use in a cargo pocket holsters.

For my 642-1, I carry it IWB or AIWB (latter disappears). I run the LaserMax weapon light, so White Hat Holsters is my main holster company since they make ones that fit it. I do have a LaserMax pocket holster for it, but don't use. Ankle carry, I have an option or two. Favorite of those is actually Gould and Goodrich... forget the model name, but it Velcros around your leg, and is threaded into a duty boot. Galco makes good ankle holsters, as well.

[miker]

For pocket, I really like the Azula you can find on Ebay.

Another pocket option is the DeSantis Pocket-tuk; I cut off all the trim and removed the clip, cut it down a little with a box knife to the profile I wanted, and dampened the outside to stiffen it. Worked out well as a pocket holster.

My third winner is a small Tagua OWB crossdraw, for when I don't want to pocket carry.

miker

[cbl51]

I bought a new S&W air weight J frame last march. I've tried carried it and I can't seem to find a comfy way to do it. I hate, HATE inside waistband carry, so that's out. I've tried two different high ride string side OWB holsters. They are just Okay, but after a while gets to be a PITA. I don't have room in my pockets for a gun as bulky as a J frame revolver with cell phone, keys, pocket knife, flashlight, wallet, small hand sanitizer bottle and the stuff of life in general.

The ugly truth is, I think I've been spoiled by thirty plus years of mini carry. Anything else feels just too bulky.

Maybe a good high quality leather pancake is an answer. Maybe.

[billmeek]

Amazon has the 'BLACKHAWK! SERPA CQC Concealment Holster' (OWB) for the J-frame on sale for $15.95 with Prime.  I checked the price history and it seems to be a decent deal with good reviews. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VOJ0U6/

[heyjoe]

Amazon has the 'BLACKHAWK! SERPA CQC Concealment Holster' (OWB) for the J-frame on sale for $15.95 with Prime.  I checked the price history and it seems to be a decent deal with good reviews. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VOJ0U6/

plastic and revolvers just dont go together at least to me anyway.

[RICKS PLACE]

Hey Bearcatter, it's east to get (airtight) out of (airweight) when you get your oversized hammock fingers on the wrong keys and don't proof read your message.  Old eyes don't help either.

Thanks for the info guys, frankly as other readers have indicated, I am used to years of NAA minis, mostly my B/Ws and doubt I will ever be happy packing anything else.  As a LEO, I had to carry a .32 or larger, but as that was standard SOP, I didn't really care if a careful eye could spot my off duty weapon.  Under Texas law, with CCW rules, you don't want anything to stand out.  We have open carry open carry in Texas,  but in my humble opinion, only a show off or someone who never actually walked in harms way would carry one open around crowds without a uniform or badge showing.  And, we are losing those boys and girls all too often.

[KEN AR]

When I moved to Memphis, TN from Texas I was surprised by the number of plain clothes Police officers there were. 
I had been in Texas and had my Concealed permit.  Got to Memphis and TN issues a handgun permit, open carry was legal there.

Well I quickly figured out all the plain clothes Police officers were just Memphis residents ready to protect themselves in the 3rd or 4th most violent city in the US...They are right behind Chicago, and Washington DC. I think they trade positions with Detroit.

I had a cross draw holster for my Bond Arms 410 that was my anti car jacking gun there. Pulled it several times while guys were banging on my door glass.  They left quickly when those two big barrels pointed at them.  Tough city...Glad I'm out of there.

I find I carry my 638 most often when wearing a jacket and I can drop it in the inside pocket of the jacket. 

[redhawk4]

I love my J frames, they are very accurate for a small handgun and easy for anyone to use. My wife has one that works great in her concealment purse, but it's a long time since I carried one (J frame that is not purse ) they are just a fraction too fat for comfortable and unobtrusive pocket carry and then it seems if I go to a belt holster I end up thinking I may as well carry something else. Great revolvers,  but they just seem to have been superseded in my collection. I forget the brand of pocket holster I have, it worked well, but the problem was the gun itself challenged the dimensions of my pockets too much. The belt holster I got with one of my J frames managed to make it feel like I was carrying something bigger as the grip seemed to be digging into me.

[seaotter]

I don't carry my J frame on-body. That's what my my Guardian and Black Widow are for! But I do carry my J frame in a 511 sling pack. When ever I am going hiking or on a very long walk I grab the bag, so I can carry water, snacks, med pack, bug stuff, sun screen, rain poncho, etc. Not a survival bag, more of "stuff that keeps me comfortable throughout the day" pack. I recently found myself out on the water without a hoodie (I loaned mine to my wife who was chilly). I just pulled a "survival" blanket out and was comfy. The J frame fits perfectly in the firearm pocket. A couple of strips of reloads, and one strip of shot shells and I am ready for just about anything!

[Canoeal]

Yeah, I have what I call a day pack too. That is where the CA would be found. BW is still in the pocket. Do have to watch which way I go, same as you. Wouldn't want to get caught in either the eastern or southern bloc...

[grayelky]

You lost me at no ankle holster. That is where I carry my J frame in .22 mag.

[Canoeal]

You lost me at no ankle holster. That is where I carry my J frame in .22 mag.

Most of three seasons I wear shorts in the shop...Look kind of funny with an ankle holster... and the Dickies 873s for the winter are a little too straight legged. The shop code. Goes with the blue, shop logoed, polos for shows...Locally I am very recognizable...

[top dog]

Canoeal,
I guess you just have to match your carry preference to the dress code.

Those are very nice looking canoes/kayaks,are they cedar strip??

                                                                      Top Dog

[miker]

*Beautiful* boats!!!

[OV-1D]

  Truly works of art and love .

[Canoeal]

Canoeal,
I guess you just have to match your carry preference to the dress code.

Those are very nice looking canoes/kayaks,are they cedar strip??

                                                                      Top Dog

Yes, they are strippers...
That is why I like my BW. it works with what I wear, not the other way around.

[top dog]

Canoeal,
That is the beauty of the Minis. They pretty much fit in regardless of the outfit being worn.

                                                                          Top Dog

[OV-1D]

 They wear well except for my speedo where a hogleg Earl is confused with my ............ well you know . And that's from behind , HA .

[bleak_window]

S&W should bring back the I-frame.  Concealed carry has never been more popular.  We need some revolver choices sized between a J-frame and a Black Widow.

[top dog]

Bleak Widow,
I agree with you on that. A nice "modernized version" of the I frame would be nice to have.

At this point,I am very happy with my Charter snubbies and my NAA minis.

                                                                      Top Dog

[autofull]

yer not picky just particular. a j frame does not fit my pocket well either.

[Adk.IBO]

Pug in the pocket most days (pretty much edc), j doesn't work in my pockets. I use a Kangaroocarry holster for my j frame (649-3 massaged by S&W, Big Dot front sight and Crimson Trace green laser), but I always have a t shirt and button down shirt tucked in, short sleeve summer, long sleeve winter. Kangaroocarry takes some fiddling with to get right (1st couple of weeks maybe), but after that it just plain works for me. I want to get a spare. JMO mind you...