Posted: 2/28/2009 10:42:44 AM EDT
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I have an old Model 29 with a 6.5" barrel that I inherited from my father when he passed away. It's probably the only handgun I own that I do not currently have some type of holster for. On the off chance that I decide to take it into the woods, I'd like a quality belt holster for it...preferably leather but I'm open to nylon options, if the quality is there.
I've bummed around the Galco and Bianchi websites but nothing has caught my eye in the CCW market. I may go with a "duty-style" holster from Safariland or the like. Does anyone have any practical, hands-on advice for a purchase? I'd like to do it right the first time and only cry once. Much obliged... 
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ATF, I carry my 6 inch Model 29 (and my 5 inch 27) and an El Paso Saddlery Crosshair. It's a leather belt holster with slits for the belt. I'll snag a pic shortly and post it up. Another one to look at is the Simply Rugged holster. Just google it. My hands hurt just thinking about shooting magnum loads with those magna grips.  Edit: Here's the EPS Crosshair on my belt.  |
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Very nice old 29 there. I believe S&W dropped the 6.5" bbl in the early 80s, so any standardized 6" holster WILL work, the thumb snap will stretch a bit, but it will also increase the wear on the muzzle blue. If you want one cut for the gun exactly, consider Ebay and look for older Bianchi styles like the 5BHL, etc. El Paso can certainly make you one for that length custom. I find their "Tom Threeperson" to be a nice field holster, too.
Lastly, you might consider shoulder hoslters. I like them in the woods here (WA) as it gets the gun off your waist were it will hit brush, trees, etc. easier if you are in the deep woods. I use an EPS "Tanker" to carry both a 27 and 629 for that purpose. Below is an older handmade thing I found at a local gun show that was cut nicely to this old S&W 6.5" There are also inexpensive (relatively) nylon "hunter"style rigs that work for this purpose. As for the grips, try a grip adapter in the arch to fill out the shape. Tyler-T's work well (the one below is an older Mershon style). I like smooth wood on my magnums so the checkering doesn't bite. Good luck, and nice gun. http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd275/kamerer/S-W/455%20HE/IMGP2507.jpg |
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Good info here - and good looking rigs too.
I too am looking for something decent for my 6.5" 29 Classic, full lug. (BTW, purchased new in '96.) Recently got from the 'net a $12 Uncle Mike's for a 7.5-8?" N-frame. Oops! Trigger is completely exposed.  A little modification allows partial cover of the trigger and the retention strap can be cranked-down to keep the hammer down. Haven't carried with it yet - still a bit scared just imagining snagging the trigger on something.
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Vanilla,
That style of rig is exactly what I'm looking for... but riding a bit lower, perhaps. In a perfect world I'd like the grip even with my beltline. I know it will affect concealment, but I find the draw to be rather uncomfortable if the pistol sits any higher. ...and, yes: Those grips really do a number on you. 
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Look at the Simply Rugged, then. I'm pretty sure it rides a bit lower, though not as much as you want. I don't know of any that do that. Carried my 29 and 2 speedloaders to Wally-World and out with the missus for lunch, today. Cooler weather makes it doable with a long jacket like my 3/4 drover coat. |
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I carry my 4" 29 and 629 in either of these two holsters. The Sparks probably not the best for a 6' barrel. But the Alfonso's E-59 is a great field holster.
Alfonso's E-59 Holster Milt Sparks 200AW Holster Flyingrhino |
I've tried dozens of holsters and keep coming back to the Bianchi 111 Cyclone. It's a leather holster that can be worn strongside or crossdraw. The older versions of it are crossdraw only (in case you find a used one).
a 6.5 inch 29 is going to be tough to conceal, a shoulder holster would probably be the best bet. For a shorter N frame, a pancake like the Simply Rugged holsters are a good choice. I have one for my 629 Mountain Gun. I still use the Bianchi 111 much more often. 
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Quoted:
I've tried dozens of holsters and keep coming back to the Bianchi 111 Cyclone. It's a leather holster that can be worn strongside or crossdraw. The older versions of it are crossdraw only (in case you find a used one). http://images.wholesalehunter.com/prodpics/bianpic12707.jpg a 6.5 inch 29 is going to be tough to conceal, a shoulder holster would probably be the best bet. For a shorter N frame, a pancake like the Simply Rugged holsters are a good choice. I have one for my 629 Mountain Gun. I still use the Bianchi 111 much more often. http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9786/1004540aq9.jpg I like the looks of that Bianchi. Concealment is really a non-issue. If I'm wearing the Model 29 instead of Wilson then it means I'm in Bigfoot country and open carry is the rule of the day. Although I bet I could pull off CCW with that Bianchi and a longer jacket. Perhaps I need to try a new look...a duster, perhaps. (cue Ennio Morricone music) |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I've tried dozens of holsters and keep coming back to the Bianchi 111 Cyclone. It's a leather holster that can be worn strongside or crossdraw. The older versions of it are crossdraw only (in case you find a used one). http://images.wholesalehunter.com/prodpics/bianpic12707.jpg a 6.5 inch 29 is going to be tough to conceal, a shoulder holster would probably be the best bet. For a shorter N frame, a pancake like the Simply Rugged holsters are a good choice. I have one for my 629 Mountain Gun. I still use the Bianchi 111 much more often. http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9786/1004540aq9.jpg I like the looks of that Bianchi. Concealment is really a non-issue. If I'm wearing the Model 29 instead of Wilson then it means I'm in Bigfoot country and open carry is the rule of the day. Although I bet I could pull off CCW with that Bianchi and a longer jacket. Perhaps I need to try a new look...a duster, perhaps. (cue Ennio Morricone music) Between the Bianchi 111, the 5BHL, and the 1L those holsters cover 90% of my need to carry a handgun for field use. The 111 worn crossdraw is especially nice for getting in and out of a vehicle, and for access to the gun in the vehicle. If you wind up with one of the 5" underlugged N frames, there is a 5BHL that fits it, and not much else other than a custom job or sticking a 5 inch barrel in a 6 inch holster. |
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a 6.5 inch 29 is going to be tough to conceal, a shoulder holster would probably be the best bet. For a shorter N frame, a pancake like the Simply Rugged holsters are a good choice. I have one for my 629 Mountain Gun. I still use the Bianchi 111 much more often. http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9786/1004540aq9.jpg[/quote] Either you are a skinny dude or thats the biggest holster I've ever seen!
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Quoted:
a 6.5 inch 29 is going to be tough to conceal, a shoulder holster would probably be the best bet. For a shorter N frame, a pancake like the Simply Rugged holsters are a good choice. I have one for my 629 Mountain Gun. I still use the Bianchi 111 much more often. http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9786/1004540aq9.jpg Either you are a skinny dude or thats the biggest holster I've ever seen!
[/quote] LOL ... Nobody has called me skinny since I was 12 years old. |
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I also shop at El Paso Saddlary (almost stoped by this weekend). I orders a strong side belt hoslter with thumb brake 20 years ago (don't remember the model) for my 6.5' 657 Classic Hunter. I no longer have that great handgun but do have a 6.5" 29-2 that fits perfectly. I have some other stuff from EPS and you never worry about quality. Sorry, can't post a picture (enroute from El Paso to Ft Riley) til next week.
CD |
| For woods carry I like the Desantis Dual Angle Hunter and in the Galco line I like the Dual Position Phoenix I like the option to wear it strong side or crossdraw. Crossdraw works much easier while hunting from a tree stand. |
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Quoted: Little bear custom holstersVanilla, That style of rig is exactly what I'm looking for... but riding a bit lower, perhaps. In a perfect world I'd like the grip even with my beltline. I know it will affect concealment, but I find the draw to be rather uncomfortable if the pistol sits any higher. ...and, yes: Those grips really do a number on you.  |
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Over at the Smith & Wesson forums (about a year ago), they organized a group buy for a model 29 6.5 inch barrel holster.
It was an exact copy of the shoulder holster Clint Eastwood used in Dirty Harry. I'm too lazy to look it up for you (don't remember the make). But if you'd like a shoulder holster, do a search. link: http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/ Edit: To add that if you have Smith and Wesson revolver questions, or are buying and selling, your best choice is the above S&W forum, You can find good deals there. There's a member there "Doc44" who has a model 29 collection (rare model 29s and pre model 29s) that is worth north of $200,000 (my guess). |
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Quoted: Over at the Smith & Wesson forums (about a year ago), they organized a group buy for a model 29 6.5 inch barrel holster. It was an exact copy of the shoulder holster Clint Eastwood used in Dirty Harry. I'm too lazy to look it up for you (don't remember the make). But if you'd like a shoulder holster, do a search. link: http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/ Edit: To add that if you have Smith and Wesson revolver questions, or are buying and selling, your best choice is the above S&W forum, You can find good deals there. There's a member there "Doc44" who has a model 29 collection (rare model 29s and pre model 29s) that is worth north of $200,000 (my guess). I believe he's president of the S&W Collectors Association, so he should have a nice collection.  FWIW, the S&W Forum was recently redesigned, and I'm pretty sure all those old threads were lost. The holster was a nice-looking one, though. I'm just not big on shoulder holsters. |