Revolver Holster Suggestions?

JJNA · June 3, 2014, 07:10 PM

I recently started getting into revolvers (in the past I shot exclusively semi-auto pistols). I had not realized until then that the holster market for revolvers did not seem to offer as many choices as the semi-auto pistol market.

In particular, I've been trying to find good quality leather, kydex or hybrid holsters for my Ruger SP101 2 1/4 inch barrel (OWB and IWB) and for my S&W 686 4 inch barrel (OWB).

The only viable choices I found were from Simply Rugged Holsters. I am ready to give the company's products a shot, but are there other good quality choices? What about "fully-boned" custom makers? Kydex? Hybrid (leather backing/Kydex shell)?

JERRYS. · June 3, 2014, 07:31 PM

side guard rigs are good. galco fletch is good as well.

SSA · June 4, 2014, 11:10 AM

El Paso Saddlery, Bianchi, DeSantis.
Just Googled Amazon for SP101 holster and got 1400 results.

twobit · June 4, 2014, 12:06 PM

I have several Simply Rugged holsters for several guns (revolvers and semi-autos). They are not "fancy/pretty" holsters. They are good, affordable, well made, comfortable holsters. Buy one of his pancake or silver dollar pancakes and see for yourself. His belts are excellent also. A good sturdy belt is half the equation. Mernickle has some good holsters also that are fancier. I have one of those for a single action revolver.

JJNA · June 4, 2014, 05:52 PM

I'd like to try Simply Rugged Holsters. What make me hesitate are multiple reports of the holsters bleeding color. What has been your experience?

JimmyR · June 5, 2014, 03:54 AM

JJNA, I just bought a Simply Rugged holster. I purchased it for my Model 65 3" barrel, and think it's a great holster. I picked it because it works well for OWB or IWB with it's "Inside Out" straps. I have not had any issues with the dye bleeding, either worn inside or outside of the waistband.

I paid approximately $92 for the holster, the straps, and shipping. Well worth the money.

Pond, James Pond · June 5, 2014, 05:08 AM

I have a Simply Rugged "Sourdough Pancake" (

) holster for my chunky Ruger Redhawk. Does a great job OWB.

I also have a Galco Softuk for my .38 Snub (it is designed for a Model 60, but used for an Astra). This is also very good. I used to wear it at 4-5 o'clock, but have switched to appendix carry. Very comfortable. Only exceptions are the moments of "awareness of my vulnerability" when tying shoe-laces, and being more aware of the gun when seated for driving.

I don't know if either of those are holster related rather than position related.

weblance · June 5, 2014, 01:14 PM

BlackHawk! makes an excellent OWB Leather holster for the 4" S&W 686. Its about $50. I have one for my GP100 and its a great holster.

Madcap_Magician · June 5, 2014, 01:25 PM

Honestly your google-fu is weak. Offhand I can think of at least a dozen companies who make holsters for an SP101.

Crossbreed, Alien Gear, Galco, DeSantis, Don Hume, Side Guard, El Paso, Simply Rugged, Lobo Gunleather, Blackhawk, Milt Sparks, TT Gunleather, Brigade Gunleather...

Onward Allusion · June 5, 2014, 04:19 PM

I like the Galco Silhouette High Ride for CC'ing.

Garycw · June 5, 2014, 05:30 PM

In not a fan if Kydex. Leather or nylon I feel are better choice. Don Hume holsters are a good quality and reasonably priced option. Option for revolvers.

June 3, 2014, 07:10 PM	#1
JJNA Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Posts: 231	Revolver Holster Suggestions? I recently started getting into revolvers (in the past I shot exclusively semi-auto pistols). I had not realized until then that the holster market for revolvers did not seem to offer as many choices as the semi-auto pistol market. In particular, I've been trying to find good quality leather, kydex or hybrid holsters for my Ruger SP101 2 1/4 inch barrel (OWB and IWB) and for my S&W 686 4 inch barrel (OWB). The only viable choices I found were from Simply Rugged Holsters. I am ready to give the company's products a shot, but are there other good quality choices? What about "fully-boned" custom makers? Kydex? Hybrid (leather backing/Kydex shell)?

June 4, 2014, 12:06 PM	#4
twobit Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2010 Location: Coyote Creak, SW Texas Posts: 597	I have several Simply Rugged holsters for several guns (revolvers and semi-autos). They are not "fancy/pretty" holsters. They are good, affordable, well made, comfortable holsters. Buy one of his pancake or silver dollar pancakes and see for yourself. His belts are excellent also. A good sturdy belt is half the equation. Mernickle has some good holsters also that are fancier. I have one of those for a single action revolver. __________________ Twobit, Strive to live up to the opinion that your dog has of you.

June 5, 2014, 05:08 AM	#7
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	I have a Simply Rugged "Sourdough Pancake" () holster for my chunky Ruger Redhawk. Does a great job OWB. I also have a Galco Softuk for my .38 Snub (it is designed for a Model 60, but used for an Astra). This is also very good. I used to wear it at 4-5 o'clock, but have switched to appendix carry. Very comfortable. Only exceptions are the moments of "awareness of my vulnerability" when tying shoe-laces, and being more aware of the gun when seated for driving. I don't know if either of those are holster related rather than position related. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

June 5, 2014, 04:19 PM	#10
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	I like the Galco Silhouette High Ride for CC'ing. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

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June 3, 2014, 07:31 PM	#2
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,968	side guard rigs are good. galco fletch is good as well.

June 4, 2014, 11:10 AM	#3
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	El Paso Saddlery, Bianchi, DeSantis. Just Googled Amazon for SP101 holster and got 1400 results.

June 4, 2014, 05:52 PM	#5
JJNA Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Posts: 231	I'd like to try Simply Rugged Holsters. What make me hesitate are multiple reports of the holsters bleeding color. What has been your experience?

June 5, 2014, 03:54 AM	#6
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	JJNA, I just bought a Simply Rugged holster. I purchased it for my Model 65 3" barrel, and think it's a great holster. I picked it because it works well for OWB or IWB with it's "Inside Out" straps. I have not had any issues with the dye bleeding, either worn inside or outside of the waistband. I paid approximately $92 for the holster, the straps, and shipping. Well worth the money.

June 5, 2014, 01:14 PM	#8
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	BlackHawk! makes an excellent OWB Leather holster for the 4" S&W 686. Its about $50. I have one for my GP100 and its a great holster.

June 5, 2014, 01:25 PM	#9
Madcap_Magician Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 668	Honestly your google-fu is weak. Offhand I can think of at least a dozen companies who make holsters for an SP101. Crossbreed, Alien Gear, Galco, DeSantis, Don Hume, Side Guard, El Paso, Simply Rugged, Lobo Gunleather, Blackhawk, Milt Sparks, TT Gunleather, Brigade Gunleather...

June 5, 2014, 05:30 PM	#11
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	In not a fan if Kydex. Leather or nylon I feel are better choice. Don Hume holsters are a good quality and reasonably priced option. Option for revolvers.