Need holster suggestions

RCJ · December 3, 2008, 10:08 PM

I'm going to be picking up a 4" S&W 686 later this week hopefully. The two main uses for the gun beyond target shooting will be home defense and carrying around the farm, so I need to find a good, comfortable open carry holster. I was thinking a basic well-made belt holster of some kind. The problem is I seem to get a little lightheaded whenever I look through all the choices out there. Any suggestions on a holster that I can wear all day and forget it's there?

If it makes any difference, I've got a pretty thin frame, 5'11" and ~140 lbs.

Sam06 · December 3, 2008, 10:23 PM

I like the Simply rugged Pancake holster. I have 2 of them. I have loaded pancake for a Redhawk 5.5" and a Plain Pancake for a Ruger SBH 4 5/8". I wear mine a lot and they are very comfortable. They hold the gun close to you and it is very secure. I ride/walk/hunt and fish with mine on and I have never had a problem.

http://www.simplyrugged.com/

I think you will like them and they are not all that spendy.

dabigguns357 · December 3, 2008, 10:30 PM

I keep mine in the safe upstairs but when i have it out for hunting i use a pancake holster tilted foward.If you need a holster check this site out.
www.packinheatleather.com

dairycreek · December 4, 2008, 12:30 PM

Another Simply Rugged pancake holster fan here! The pic is my Simply Rugged Pancake with a 5.5" ruger Redhawk. Great for carry in the woods.

bds32 · December 4, 2008, 03:37 PM

I suggest a Bianchi 7L. It's a three slot pancake holster with a thumb break. It doesn't sit too high, yet is concealable if you need it to be. Mine has shown to be very rugged and comfortable while hunting.

RickB · December 4, 2008, 03:59 PM

Don Hume 721OT. I use one for my 4" N-frame, and it holds the gun high and tight, protecting the gun, while still being accessible. Hume stuff is both good and inexpensive.

Gun 4 Fun · December 4, 2008, 05:04 PM

I use a Bianchi 5BHL. It's lined, thumb snap retention and leaves the entire grip exposed for quick and easy purchase. The holster is designed so that the gun itself rides approximately centered on the belt, which I find keeps it from feeling like I have to pull the gun all the way to my armpit to clear the holster, but high enough so that it's out of the way for doing everyday things.

Kreyzhorse · December 4, 2008, 06:22 PM

+2 for http://www.packinheatleather.com/ They have great prices and great service.

+ 2 for the Bianchi 5BHL. I carry a S&W 686 6" .357 and its a great holster.

Sam06 · December 4, 2008, 09:41 PM

Nice lookin holster Dairy creek! I thin the Simply rugged holsters are the best for the money. My 2 cents worth.

threefivesevenmag · December 4, 2008, 09:48 PM

For a leather field holster I would suggest two products made by Galco.

One would be their Dual Position Phoenix. It can be worn strong side or crossdraw. It's heavy leather and suede lined. It carries very well.

The other would be their F.L.E.T.C.H. model. It has a thumb break. I figure it might be helpful for retention while working.

http://www.lightningarms.com/products.htm

Lightning Arms in Oregon is one of the best companies out there for gun leather. Check them out.

RCJ · December 5, 2008, 11:27 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've decided to give Simply Rugged's Flap Jack a try. It's a rare occasion that I'll be needing to actually draw and I like the extra protection from scratches it provides the grip.

December 3, 2008, 10:08 PM	#1
RCJ Member Join Date: September 21, 2007 Posts: 62	Need holster suggestions I'm going to be picking up a 4" S&W 686 later this week hopefully. The two main uses for the gun beyond target shooting will be home defense and carrying around the farm, so I need to find a good, comfortable open carry holster. I was thinking a basic well-made belt holster of some kind. The problem is I seem to get a little lightheaded whenever I look through all the choices out there. Any suggestions on a holster that I can wear all day and forget it's there? If it makes any difference, I've got a pretty thin frame, 5'11" and ~140 lbs.

December 3, 2008, 10:23 PM	#2
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	I like the Simply rugged Pancake holster. I have 2 of them. I have loaded pancake for a Redhawk 5.5" and a Plain Pancake for a Ruger SBH 4 5/8". I wear mine a lot and they are very comfortable. They hold the gun close to you and it is very secure. I ride/walk/hunt and fish with mine on and I have never had a problem. http://www.simplyrugged.com/ I think you will like them and they are not all that spendy. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

December 4, 2008, 12:30 PM	#4
dairycreek Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: North Plains, Oregon, USA Posts: 1,867	Another Simply Rugged pancake holster fan here! The pic is my Simply Rugged Pancake with a 5.5" ruger Redhawk. Great for carry in the woods. __________________ ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR HEARING AND VISION GOOD SHOOTING

December 4, 2008, 06:22 PM	#8
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	+2 for http://www.packinheatleather.com/ They have great prices and great service. + 2 for the Bianchi 5BHL. I carry a S&W 686 6" .357 and its a great holster. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

December 4, 2008, 09:41 PM	#9
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	Nice lookin holster Dairy creek! I thin the Simply rugged holsters are the best for the money. My 2 cents worth. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

December 3, 2008, 10:30 PM	#3
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	I keep mine in the safe upstairs but when i have it out for hunting i use a pancake holster tilted foward.If you need a holster check this site out. www.packinheatleather.com

December 4, 2008, 03:37 PM	#5
bds32 Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 481	I suggest a Bianchi 7L. It's a three slot pancake holster with a thumb break. It doesn't sit too high, yet is concealable if you need it to be. Mine has shown to be very rugged and comfortable while hunting.

December 4, 2008, 03:59 PM	#6
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Don Hume 721OT. I use one for my 4" N-frame, and it holds the gun high and tight, protecting the gun, while still being accessible. Hume stuff is both good and inexpensive.

December 4, 2008, 05:04 PM	#7
Gun 4 Fun Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2008 Posts: 956	I use a Bianchi 5BHL. It's lined, thumb snap retention and leaves the entire grip exposed for quick and easy purchase. The holster is designed so that the gun itself rides approximately centered on the belt, which I find keeps it from feeling like I have to pull the gun all the way to my armpit to clear the holster, but high enough so that it's out of the way for doing everyday things.

December 4, 2008, 09:48 PM	#10
threefivesevenmag Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2005 Posts: 406	Galco. For a leather field holster I would suggest two products made by Galco. One would be their Dual Position Phoenix. It can be worn strong side or crossdraw. It's heavy leather and suede lined. It carries very well. The other would be their F.L.E.T.C.H. model. It has a thumb break. I figure it might be helpful for retention while working. http://www.lightningarms.com/products.htm Lightning Arms in Oregon is one of the best companies out there for gun leather. Check them out.

December 5, 2008, 11:27 PM	#11
RCJ Member Join Date: September 21, 2007 Posts: 62	Thanks for all the replies guys. I've decided to give Simply Rugged's Flap Jack a try. It's a rare occasion that I'll be needing to actually draw and I like the extra protection from scratches it provides the grip.