Pancake holster for large revolver?

[mechanic]

I've almost always carried a small revolver in a pocket holster or inside the belt.  I have bought a DW 357 with 4" barrel, and I'm going to carry it open carry and accesible in a few areas I have to go.  I've never used a pancake holster.  What say ye experienced men?  Any recommendations?  I'll have to mail order, so I don't want to get the wrong one, nor spend money on something that won't work well anyway.  These just look like they would be efficient.

Thanks,

Ben

[williamlayton]

I bought a pancake for my model 28--the tank.
It works well but pulls down my pants & hangs too low.
I got a 3 inch strap and holster for it and the problem is eliminated and is much more comfortable to carry.
Blessings

[mechanic]

Thanks for the advise.  The only large revolver I've ever really carried is a Blackhawk in 44 mag. that I carried in a shoulder rig for hunting.

Ben

[Bigeasy]

Ben

Any fairly heavy handgun is going to pull on your belt a bit.  I like pancake style holsters as they distribute the weight a little better, and don't tend to hang away from your body as some holsters do that have close together, narrow belt slots.  It helps to use a wide (1 3/4 inch fits most jeans and casual style pants) belt that is constructed of heavy leather to stabilize the rig.  I have had good luck with Safariland and Bianchi, but any of the well constructed name brands work well.  They tend to carry the gun a little high on the hip, but that's not a problem with a 4 inch barrel, and makes sitting in a car easier then some low slung rigs you see.

Larry

[Ranch13]

 I use a pancake to carry Single actions up to 5 1/2 inch barrel, they work about as well as any hip holster for keeping a revolver out of the way , yet readily available.

[mechanic]

Sounds like I'm on the right track, thanks for the advise guys.  I have a couple places I go to work that are literally ventilated with bullet holes from the apartments next door.  Imagine a factory with concertina wire around it.  I feel a bit undergunned when I'm out back of the main factory in a little warehouse, with a 22 derringer in my pocket.  I'm thinkin' that I need to carry a bigger gun, or none at all.....the pancake should allow me to pull my shirt over the butt so it is not as noticeable.

Ben

[Ranch13]

Almost sounds like a better job for a 1911 and a couple extra magazines

[mechanic]

Almost sounds like a better job for a 1911 and a couple extra magazines

You might be right.  I was waiting early one morning for someone to unlock a gate for me, and a policeman stopped to check on me.  We talked just a moment, and before he left, he asked if I was armed.  I told him I was.  He said "keep it handy".   Only time and place thats ever happened to me.  So far I've never been bothered, and likely will not be, but I usually leave the gun in the truck where I'm working, except for this area.

Ben

[Siskiyou]

I carried a 4” Colt 357 Magnum (41 frame) in a Bianchi Model 8L.  It carried the heavy revolver easily and with comfort, fine leather and great stitching. http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/184567-old-school-k-frame-concealment-holster.html

I believe I currently own four pancake holsters for revolvers and two for autoloaders. 

There are a number of manufactures that get in right.  When I was on the job I might be wearing my weapon under a jacket or open carry on a belt, with the handgun carried as a secondary weapon.

One of my favorites was the Tex Shoemaker pancake holster for the 4-inch and 2.5 inch M19 and 66. I like the cant. http://www.texshoemaker.com/PC-Hugger-Holster-PC.htm  It is a little more difficult to find a pancake holster for revolvers then 20 years ago before the L.E. market switched to autoloaders.  The Shoemaker pancake does a good job of rounding the profile of a handgun under a coat.

When I wear a pancake holster I run my belt into the back loop, into a pants lop and then into the forward lop on the holster.

I have a good fabric pancake holster; I have been impressed with it.  I like it for those days that I spent a lot of time crawling around in the brush.  Such activity beats leather up.

A S&W brand pancake holster made years back still does a good job of concealing a 3" Model 13 357 round butt.

[jimster]

I have had good luck with these holsters for heavier guns.  Have a couple for Revolvers and I have one for a 1911.

http://www.simplyrugged.com/

Last couple of belts I bought I used these, nothing fancy or expensive, but they are thick and stiff. 

http://www.hanksclothing.com/amish_belts_brown_buy.html#reviews

[williamlayton]

here is one you won't consider but it is very comfy.
Blessings

[mechanic]

Thanks guys for the links, and Wm., that is a fine looking rig.  Too fancy for a Ga. boy though.  Only Texans can wear such.    I DO like the look of that holster however, and it is what I'm thinking of in design.


Ben

[williamlayton]

Or.
Blessings

[1sourdough]

 I have a pancake holster from 'Simplyrugged', nice, strong holster. I used a 'double-belt' from Filson to hold it securely. It almost sounds like you may be better off with a 12 +1 H&K USP 40c, or something similar in your situation though. If the cops are asking & suggesting you keep things at the ready, it must be bad. Keep your S A tuned for trouble.

[kctibs]

I have had good luck with these holsters for heavier guns.  Have a couple for Revolvers and I have one for a 1911.

http://www.simplyrugged.com

I second that for simply rugged.  They are great and fit great for the gun you order it for.

[Spirithawk]

Or.
Blessings

That's pretty sharp! 

[loneviking]

Another vote for the holsters from simplyrugged.com.  Very good holsters, I have three of 'em.

And to help keep the pants up, use Perry suspenders which wrap around your belt.  Look 'em up on the web, they work really well.

[3030guy]

I have Simply Rugged pancake holsters for a SP101 and PPk/S, and a Blackhawk holster (think it would be a pancake) for a j-frame Smith. They work great for these smaller guns. I picked one up for a S&W 686 to use with a chest holster. I tried wearing it on the waist without the chest harness but the holster was too big, it wouldn't bend around my waist. I fortunately don't have much waist to bend around, so it might work better for someone with more "muscle".