J-frame holsters review

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The heading on this one is a little generic. In my review of my Smith 360PD, I mentioned that I normally carry it in a pocket holster. Either as a backup gun/left-hand gun, or I often carry it around the house.

I’m going to go over the holster I use for that. I also have an inexpensive IWB holster for it that I’m also going to discuss. Honestly, both of these are so simple that writing a full review for each is kind of silly. There’s also a bonus holster I discuss later.

They all fit the primary functions of a holster:

  • Hold the gun securely.
  • Protect the trigger from accidental activation.
  • All easy access when needed.

Any J-frame, and most other small revolvers

These holsters are not specific to my 360PD. They’ll take any Smith & Wesson J-frame. These are all leather so they’re not formed to any specific gun shape; size is the important factor and there are a lot of revolvers the same size as a J-frame.

I realize that formed Kydex is all the rage now, and I like Kydex. Sometimes it’s just overkill.

Barsony pocket holster

This is the first holster I bought for the 360. I’ve had it for a couple years now. It will works fine.

Barsony pocket holster

You can see the wear from being in my pocket for hours a day for a couple years. It’s still functional; when I practice pulling the gun it comes out, while the holster stays in the pocket. Which is how that’s supposed to work.

At least it does that for jeans. When I’m wearing the gym shorts I normally wear around the house I’ve developed the habit of holding some rearward pressure to create a bit more friction.

Back view

The cutout portion makes it really easy to get a full grip on the gun.

With the gun inside.

Give the current wear rate, I imagine I’ll need to replace this in another two or three years. I’ll likely just buy another one.

>> — Click here to buy at Amazon — <<

Relentless Tactical IWB holster

This is just as generic as the Barsony. There is a long list of revolvers this will work for.

The part against your skin.

It’s suede, not regular leather. The picture above is the part that goes against your skin. It’s remarkably comfortable.

Below is the outside part; it has a nice, sturdy, metal clip that works on any belt 2″ or less. It’s a very solid attachment; once it’s on there it will do the job, as long as the belt does its.

The outside and clip.

You’ll notice that the back of the holster is cut slightly lower to clear the grip. I could do with more of a cut. It doesn’t let me get quite the grip I want with the middle finger. It won’t quite fit until the other fingers have pulled the gun slightly out of the holster. It’s a minor gripe and it’s probably something I could fix with some heavy-duty scissors or whatever you’re supposed to use to cut leather.

With the gun inside.

Overall this holster meets my needs, which is for an occasional use IWB when, say, the pockets of the pants I’m wearing are too damn short and the top of the gun sticks out.

>> — Click here to buy at Amazon — <<

DeSantis Sof-Tuck

While I was searching on Amazon for the holsters I already have, I came across the DeSantis for the j-frame. I don’t actually have one for this gun, but I may fix that soon.

I have a Sof-Tuck for my M&P Shield, though. I did a review here: https://concealedcarryforbigguys.com/desantis-sof-tuck-review.

It’s a quality holster that I’ve used for years for the Shield. I can’t imagine it’s anything less for the J-frame.

>> — Available at Amazon — <<

Conclusion

The way I use the J-frame I don’t really need a high-tech, expensive holster. None of these will break the bank but all will provide years of solid service and will do what holsters should do.

There are other options. Click the link below for the entire list of Amazon J-frame holsters.

>> — Search at Amazon — <<

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2 thoughts on “J-frame holsters review”

  1. I have a couple Barsony holsters for pocket carry of a bigger (686-6) .357 Magnum revolver. I usually carry a Glock in a Kydex holster. Your article on the S&W 340PD was very informative and this one on holsters to carry it was very helpful too. I’m thinking of getting another, lighter S&W for the reasons your other article discussed, and I wanted to thank you for the info.

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