Trying to dip into holsters, specifically pocket holsters for a revolver. In my case a S&W 49 j-frame. Tell me your experiences good and bad. I know this is very much a preference issue and depends a number of issues from comfort, pocket location, pants style and material, material of holster and so on. To throw in more interest, left handed or ambidextrous models are of special interest.

The thing about pocket holsters is re-holstering. Once you draw your gun, the holster goes flat. You can't re-holster without a lot of actions. And those actions can be very dangerous.

One the Alessi I posted; that was made while Lou was still alive and making special orders. I wanted it rough side out to help make sure that if I had to draw it would just be the gun and not gun and holster. Also when I wear an OWB open carry holster I usually also carry a send handgun on my weak side. It also has enough body that it doesn't go flat and so reholstering is fine.

It's been quite a while since I bought it so can't guess about today's prices.

A suggestion though. Try contacting the good folk at High Noon Holsters. I've found they make great high quality products and have be open in the past to making something slightly different and meant to fill a particular need.

For an OWB for your 49 take a look at the Galco line for reasonable prised functional holsters.


Belt style.

Most advice on pocket holsters seem to gravitate to if you have to draw, to re-holster take the holster out and put the gun back in the holster and then put the holster and gun back in the pocket. Makes sense to me. It wouldn’t be something I take out lightly anyway.

sikacz wrote:Most advice on pocket holsters seem to gravitate to if you have to draw, to re-holster take the holster out and put the gun back in the holster and then put the holster and gun back in the pocket. Makes sense to me. It wouldn’t be something I take out lightly anyway.

Yeah the only reason for that thing coming out better be pretty goddamn serious. Causally reholstering would be the least of your concerns.

I’m new to revolvers and pocket carry, but so far I like my Uncle Mike’s. Simple, ambidextrous, stays in the pocket when the gun comes out, and $10.

keenanmj85 wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:06 am I’m new to revolvers and pocket carry, but so far I like my Uncle Mike’s. Simple, ambidextrous, stays in the pocket when the gun comes out, and $10.

Uncle Mike’s might be the only one I could find immediately at an Academy.

Comfort Tac has a range of sizes for their pocket holsters. They look to be very similar to Uncle Mike’s in design and the price is about a buck or two difference.
FWIW

Bought this back in 2006. I can't remember the maker's name, even though he signed in cursive the inside. I think he was out of Michigan. Was pretty well known and sought after at the time, so maybe someone on this forum will help identify the maker. No idea if he's still making them. Is great because it stays in the pocket when drawing and the gun can be reholstered because the mouth stays open due to some sort of plastic or metal in the top (I think).

Edited to add: Found the maker and he's still around and going strong: https://mikaspocketholsters.com/


Mark
Minneapolis.

Do you like to tilt back in your chair? Having your revolver clatter to the floor is an issue...

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:31 pm Do you like to tilt back in your chair? Having your revolver clatter to the floor is an issue...

No. But, how's that possible? Sounds like the wrong type of holster. Certainly one that doesn't fit the gun tightly.

onebohemian wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:57 am Bought this back in 2006. I can't remember the maker's name, even though he signed in cursive the inside. I think he was out of Michigan. Was pretty well known and sought after at the time, so maybe someone on this forum will help identify the maker. No idea if he's still making them. Is great because it stays in the pocket when drawing and the gun can be reholstered because the mouth stays open due to some sort of plastic or metal in the top (I think).

Edited to add: Found the maker and he's still around and going strong: https://mikaspocketholsters.com/


Mark
Minneapolis.

Nice!

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:41 pm

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:31 pm Do you like to tilt back in your chair? Having your revolver clatter to the floor is an issue...

No. But, how's that possible? Sounds like the wrong type of holster. Certainly one that doesn't fit the gun tightly.

Many holsters are designed for quick draw and/or preservation of finish, which makes their insides crazy smooth. I carried a Kimber Pepper Blaster in a pocket holster for 2 years and it clattered out of my pocket at least a dozen times. Holster stayed in place though...

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:00 pm

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:41 pm

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:31 pm Do you like to tilt back in your chair? Having your revolver clatter to the floor is an issue...

No. But, how's that possible? Sounds like the wrong type of holster. Certainly one that doesn't fit the gun tightly.

Many holsters are designed for quick draw and/or preservation of finish, which makes their insides crazy smooth. I carried a Kimber Pepper Blaster in a pocket holster for 2 years and it clattered out of my pocket at least a dozen times. Holster stayed in place though...

Doesn't sound like a good design. I've been reading and at least one perspective suggests that finish wear is minimized by a snug holster as opposed to a loose one. I'm not looking for fast draw anyway. It's not going to be a scenario for me. I'm way too slow.

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:08 pm Doesn't sound like a good design. I've been reading and at least one perspective suggests that finish wear is minimized by a snug holster as opposed to a loose one. I'm not looking for fast draw anyway. It's not going to be a scenario for me. I'm way too slow.

Loose is good in a pocket. The primary function of a pocket holster is to prevent accidental discharge and keep the gun upright. Retention isn’t really a feature. Your pocket should do that.

wooglin wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:18 pm

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:08 pm Doesn't sound like a good design. I've been reading and at least one perspective suggests that finish wear is minimized by a snug holster as opposed to a loose one. I'm not looking for fast draw anyway. It's not going to be a scenario for me. I'm way too slow.

Loose is good in a pocket. The primary function of a pocket holster is to prevent accidental discharge and keep the gun upright. Retention isn’t really a feature. Your pocket should do that.

So have you experienced a dropped gun?

I think the only thing that’s ever fallen out of my pocket is loose change. However, I’ll revise to start my statement with “In my opinion”. You’re right that other folks may dress different than I.

Oh, and one set of keys. I know more or less where they are though, so there’s that.

My drops were with deep pockets and leaning well back in my chair

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:25 pm My drops were with deep pockets and leaning well back in my chair

Aaah well, I might be safe since I don’t lean back in chairs as a general habit.

Just got this. Sticky Holsters “MD-5”. Still breaking it in, but to far it seems to do the job pretty well. A little thinner than an Uncle Mike’s, but maybe a little more rigid. Definitely stays in the pocket when you draw.

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 4:12 pm

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:25 pm My drops were with deep pockets and leaning well back in my chair

Aaah well, I might be safe since I don’t lean back in chairs as a general habit.

I've got a bad back and find it necessary from time to time if 'm sitting for 8+ hours a day. It definitely put me off pocket holsters, which I love otherwise

senorgrand wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:59 am

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 4:12 pm

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:25 pm My drops were with deep pockets and leaning well back in my chair

Aaah well, I might be safe since I don’t lean back in chairs as a general habit.

I've got a bad back and find it necessary from time to time if 'm sitting for 8+ hours a day. It definitely put me off pocket holsters, which I love otherwise

I get up to walk a bit for my spinal stenosis. I need to lean and stretch against a wall or so standing. If I stretched in a chair I might drop myself right to the floor.

sikacz wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:07 am

senorgrand wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:59 am

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 4:12 pm

senorgrand wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:25 pm My drops were with deep pockets and leaning well back in my chair

Aaah well, I might be safe since I don’t lean back in chairs as a general habit.

I've got a bad back and find it necessary from time to time if 'm sitting for 8+ hours a day. It definitely put me off pocket holsters, which I love otherwise

I get up to walk a bit for my spinal stenosis. I need to lean and stretch against a wall or so standing. If I stretched in a chair I might drop myself right to the floor.

And the modern ground is much further away than it used to be. Long long ago in a land far far away I could easily bend over and touch the ground. But with the ground today I'd likely fall straight over having to reach that far down. Ground ain't what it used to be.

sig230 wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 1:21 pm

sikacz wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:07 am

senorgrand wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:59 am

sikacz wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 4:12 pm
Aaah well, I might be safe since I don’t lean back in chairs as a general habit.

I've got a bad back and find it necessary from time to time if 'm sitting for 8+ hours a day. It definitely put me off pocket holsters, which I love otherwise

I get up to walk a bit for my spinal stenosis. I need to lean and stretch against a wall or so standing. If I stretched in a chair I might drop myself right to the floor.

And the modern ground is much further away than it used to be. Long long ago in a land far far away I could easily bend over and touch the ground. But with the ground today I'd likely fall straight over having to reach that far down. Ground ain't what it used to be.

For some reason I don’t bounce like I used to.

Might go by Academy and see what they have in stock. I might as well start on my holster box collection... I’m sure my first will be a dismal failure, but it’ll be cheap until I find a good one.

I have one from the link below for my LCP. I like that it not only stays in the pocket, it offers a bit of retention and smooths the outline of the profile.
https://aholster.com/product/pocket-aholster/