Holster recommendations from the brain trust - 4 inch GP100

[Fitz]

Hey folks

I want a good holster and belt/speedloader pouch for my incoming GP100.

I like the idea of a pancake holster that rides high, with a thumb break (or really good retention without one). I plan to carry possibly 2 speedloaders with it.

The idea is that it's reasonably attractive and low profile: i'd like to use it for both OC and CC (depending on wardrobe)

Any recommendations from the brain trust?

[Fitz]

Galco Fletch is one that i like the look of...

[Fitz]

This guy too:

http://www.amazon.com/Gould-Goodrich-803-94-Chestnut-Security/dp/B004BIYOJA

[mtnbkr]

I had the Fletch for a 4" GP100.  Get it.  Good holster, though the price has skyrocketed in the 14-15 years since I bought mine (both since sold to a friend).

Chris

[SADShooter]

Simply Rugged. I have pancakes for 4" N-frame, 4" L- frame, and 3" K-frame  S&W (along with Commander 1911). All excellent. They also do a really neat speedloader  pouch which divides the cartridges over the belt.

[charby]

I had a triple K holster from Cabelas for mine when I had it. Not an expensive holster, but not a cheap one either.

My GP-100 now belongs to my Uncle who pestered me for about 4 years to sell it to him.

[roo_ster]

I owned a Galco Fletch for my S&W 686 4".  Don't like it.  Didn't like it from the get-go.  Sloppy.  I am a pack rat and have kept nearly all by gun-toting gear.  Save the Fletch, which I gave to a buddy for nothing.  Galco is always hit or miss for me and look better than they perform.  For mass-produced gunleather, I have had better luck with Gould & Goodrich.  The Galco VHS is a decent vertical holster for big guns like the GP-100.

Read both my and fistful's reviews/experiences with the El Paso Saddlery Tortilla.  I love mine for my 1911, fistful found his too tight at first.  You can get it pretty darned fancy if you like for ostentatious OC.  My only caveat is to get a 1.75" wide belt.  The 1.5" works, but a 1.75" would work better.  You are a big boy and a 1.75" belt would not look out of place at all.

I have a Beltman 1.75" belt coming in sometime this week.

Tortilla
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-72-20-77-tortilla-holster.aspx

Have not used this:
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-120-60-double-speed-loader.aspx

Belts
http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-32-pants-belts.aspx
Would suggest 1.75" Tapered or New Ranger.  I have the 1.5" Dress.

I have seen SADShooter's K-frame and rig.  Hubba, hubba that was a nice K-frame and the ammo carriers looked neat-o.  If he says it works, I would believe him.

I think you are local. If you like you can take a gander at my holster, belt, and ammo carrier to see how they look after a year of use.  You can also look at some of my other custom leather as well as some mass-produced stuff.

[Fitz]

I owned a Galco Fletch for my S&W 686 4".  Don't like it.  Didn't like it from the get-go.  Sloppy.  I am a pack rat and have kept nearly all by gun-toting gear.  Save the Fletch, which I gave to a buddy for nothing.  Galco is always hit or miss for me and look better than they perform.  For mass-produced gunleather, I have had better luck with Gould & Goodrich.  The Galco VHS is a decent vertical holster for big guns like the GP-100.

Read both my and fistful's reviews/experiences with the El Paso Saddlery Tortilla.  I love mine for my 1911, fistful found his too tight at first.  You can get it pretty darned fancy if you like for ostentatious OC.  My only caveat is to get a 1.75" wide belt.  The 1.5" works, but a 1.75" would work better.  You are a big boy and a 1.75" belt would not look out of place at all.

I have a Beltman 1.75" belt coming in sometime this week.

Tortilla
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-72-20-77-tortilla-holster.aspx

Have not used this:
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-120-60-double-speed-loader.aspx

Belts
http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-32-pants-belts.aspx
Would suggest 1.75" Tapered or New Ranger.  I have the 1.5" Dress.

I have seen SADShooter's K-frame and rig.  Hubba, hubba that was a nice K-frame and the ammo carriers looked neat-o.  If he says it works, I would believe him.

I think you are local. If you like you can take a gander at my holster, belt, and ammo carrier to see how they look after a year of use.  You can also look at some of my other custom leather as well as some mass-produced stuff.

Where you at again?


Thanks for the recommendations, all. I'm scoping them out now.

[Brad Johnson]

Better spring for a sturdy belt, too. A 4" GP100 is no lightweight and will quickly bring lesser belts to their knees, and have you feel like you've been tourniquetted at the waist. I know. I've tried.

Solid belt, leather. Minimum 1.25" and double layered. Wider if you can find it (and if your belt loops will accomodate.)

Also, start saving up because at some point you will begin considering something else for everyday carry. I lurvs me some GP100 but they are just too bulky and heavy for a practical all-around everyday carry piece. Even my 3" SP101 is burdensome after a few hours. If you want to stick with .357, seriously consider an LCR or a S&W Airweight. You lose one round bu the trade off in weight and bulk is ever so worth it.

I'm serious... keep the GP for OC/home defense/range, but seriously consider getting something more practical in terms of size, shape, profile, and weight for everyday CHL duty. I tried carrying a GP100 (and an SP101, and a 1911, and a Glock, and an XD9) and I eventually found myself making excuses to not carry on an alarmingly regular basis. When I finally backed off and took a more objective approach I ended up with a much more satisfactory result.

Brad

[lee n. field]

If you want to stick with .357, seriously consider an LCR or a S&W Airweight.

So far I'm very happy with my Airweight 642.

[Brad Johnson]

So far I'm very happy with my Airweight 642.

I forgot to add the AirWeight's more svelte AirLite sibling. Of the two I'd much rather the latter for everyday CC. If you've never seen one IRL, you've missed a genuinely surprising experience. They feel like a puff of air with a trigger, or maybe a child's toy. Anything but a real handgun, and certainly not like something made for .357 Mag. I highly recommend getting your booger hooks on one of you're a wheelgun-carry kinda person.

Brad

[roo_ster]

Brad:


I was a .357mag snubbie proponent until Buffalo Bore (and others, IIRC) started producing hot .38spl+P that moved out at 1000fps with 158gr pills.  Most .357mag snubbies are stoked with mild magnums or .38spl+P after the first few cylinders of hot .357mag anyway.  They hurt so bad the guy NEXT to me said, "Ouch!" from just the muzzle blast.

I would be perfectly happy with a S&W aluminum alloy J-frame in .38spl+P, 638 preferably.  Or maybe the Ruger plastic snubbie.

Hardly need a holster most times for a J-frame snubby, given pocket carry. 

[brimic]

Take a look at Mitch Rosen. I obtained a holster for a Sig 1911 from him a few months ago (he's one of the few makers that even makes a correct holster for my model pistol). I'm sold on the quality of holster I received- far better than anything I have from galco or desantis.  I wouldn't hesitate. To buy another of his holsters
Downsides:
longish lead time
Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

[Fitz]

Better spring for a sturdy belt, too. A 4" GP100 is no lightweight and will quickly bring lesser belts to their knees, and have you feel like you've been tourniquetted at the waist. I know. I've tried.

Solid belt, leather. Minimum 1.25" and double layered. Wider if you can find it (and if your belt loops will accomodate.)

Also, start saving up because at some point you will begin considering something else for everyday carry. I lurvs me some GP100 but they are just too bulky and heavy for a practical all-around everyday carry piece. Even my 3" SP101 is burdensome after a few hours. If you want to stick with .357, seriously consider an LCR or a S&W Airweight. You lose one round bu the trade off in weight and bulk is ever so worth it.

I'm serious... keep the GP for OC/home defense/range, but seriously consider getting something more practical in terms of size, shape, profile, and weight for everyday CHL duty. I tried carrying a GP100 (and an SP101, and a 1911, and a Glock, and an XD9) and I eventually found myself making excuses to not carry on an alarmingly regular basis. When I finally backed off and took a more objective approach I ended up with a much more satisfactory result.

Brad

I have other guns for carry. My XD45 frequently leaves on my hip with me, and when i need somethin tiny, the LC9 went instead of the XDS. The revolver is filling a gap, and won't be my every day carry gun.

It'll be my "carry when I want to feel like a fookin cowboy" gun :-D

[41magsnub]

Simply rugged (another vote).  I have several of their holsters and belts.  I stick a security six (the slightly smaller predecessor to the GP100) in a sourdough pancake, works great.

[Brad Johnson]

It'll be my "carry when I want to feel like a fookin cowboy" gun :-D

You're gonna look a little conspicuous in rhinestone holsters, fringed shirts, and orange ostrich skin boots.

Brad