Pocket Holster for 442-UC

[ScotchMan]

If this is the wrong forum I apologize, I figured since it's very specific to revolvers it might be better here than in the other one.

I recently got a new 442-UC, as it seems to solve everything I didn't like about my trusty 642 that has been in service for decades; real sights, shrouded ejector, no lock, but still the 442 size profile. However now that I have it in hand I have noticed that when I draw it from my pocket holster, which is a Blackhawk or Uncle Mike's soft sleeve (you know the one), the rear sight hooks on it and the holster comes out with the gun every time.

Has anyone found a pocket holster that doesn't cover the rear sight? I don't really want to go Kydex because imo it eliminates all the comfort and concealment the J in a pocket offers (in other words at that point I'd rather just carry a 9mm). If I don't find a better idea I might just ask Mika (https://mikaspocketholsters.com/product/pocket-holster/) if he can make me something custom.

Edit: maybe the Safariland 25? It looks like it its leather with the smooth-side in and doesn't collapse. Anyone confirm that would work with the 442-UC's sight?

[CLaw]

I keep checking here to see when the American Fighting Revolver pocket holster will be back in stock: https://americanfightingrevolver.com/product/afr-undercover-pocket-holster/. I don't know if Bryan or DB ever frequent this forum, but if they do, they might chime in on some other options as well. I think supporting those two is a great thing to do, as I feel they are really working to try to help get the revolver lovers out there the products they want the gun and accessory companies to make. They also have a wealth of knowledge on revolvers.

I'm also trying to source a leather pocket holster, just because I like leather with revolvers and 1911.s ;) Milt Sparks says they can make one for the UC revolver. I've also reached out to Barranti Leather, Kramer, and simply rugged holsters. I think the Mika holster would be fine. A lot of folks love them. However, I have run into a few occasions where my revolver has dumped out onto a friends couch because the holster is just a bucket with no retention.


If this is the wrong forum I apologize, I figured since it's very specific to revolvers it might be better here than in the other one.

I recently got a new 442-UC, as it seems to solve everything I didn't like about my trusty 642 that has been in service for decades; real sights, shrouded ejector, no lock, but still the 442 size profile. However now that I have it in hand I have noticed that when I draw it from my pocket holster, which is a Blackhawk or Uncle Mike's soft sleeve (you know the one), the rear sight hooks on it and the holster comes out with the gun every time.

Has anyone found a pocket holster that doesn't cover the rear sight? I don't really want to go Kydex because imo it eliminates all the comfort and concealment the J in a pocket offers (in other words at that point I'd rather just carry a 9mm). If I don't find a better idea I might just ask Mika (https://mikaspocketholsters.com/product/pocket-holster/) if he can make me something custom.

Edit: maybe the Safariland 25? It looks like it its leather with the smooth-side in and doesn't collapse. Anyone confirm that would work with the 442-UC's sight?

[ScotchMan]

I keep checking here to see when the American Fighting Revolver pocket holster will be back in stock: https://americanfightingrevolver.com/product/afr-undercover-pocket-holster/. I don't know if Bryan or DB ever frequent this forum, but if they do, they might chime in on some other options as well. I think supporting those two is a great thing to do, as I feel they are really working to try to help get the revolver lovers out there the products they want the gun and accessory companies to make. They also have a wealth of knowledge on revolvers.

I'm also trying to source a leather pocket holster, just because I like leather with revolvers and 1911.s ;) Milt Sparks says they can make one for the UC revolver. I've also reached out to Barranti Leather, Kramer, and simply rugged holsters. I think the Mika holster would be fine. A lot of folks love them. However, I have run into a few occasions where my revolver has dumped out onto a friends couch because the holster is just a bucket with no retention.

Seems like you can buy it here? https://www.bulman-gunleather.com/shop-kydex/p/fppk-kydex-front-pocket-pal-holster

According to Chris at Lucky Gunner, DB had a hand in creating the UC series of J frames to start with!

[Nspd0103]

You may wish to consider Pocket Concealment Systems. Initially, I purchased it to carry my 340PD. They have leather holsters that fit the 642 UC.

HTH.

[Willard]

If I don't find a better idea I might just ask Mika (https://mikaspocketholsters.com/product/pocket-holster/) if he can make me something custom.


That is precisely what I would do.

[Chuck Whitlock]

DB had a hand in the making of this one, as well:

https://www.thewilderness.com/pocket-holsters/db-force-option-pocket-holster/

[sharps54]

Mika can make them for the UCs, just specify that is what you need.

[ScotchMan]

DB had a hand in the making of this one, as well:

https://www.thewilderness.com/pocket-holsters/db-force-option-pocket-holster/

Really like the look of that, do we know that it works with the UC rear sights?

[Joe Mac]

I bought the AFR holster for the LCR, found it unusable and ended up giving it away. The design of it is simply too wide in the pocket - specifically, the extra width above the gun, due to the sandwich type construction versus one sheet of kydex folded over. The extra width pushed the gun too far to the right side of the pocket, making it impossible for my meaty mitt to get a proper grip on it in the pocket. If you have slender hands, it might work better for you than for me...

[ScotchMan]

I bought the AFR holster for the LCR, found it unusable and ended up giving it away. The design of it is simply too wide in the pocket - specifically, the extra width above the gun, due to the sandwich type construction versus one sheet of kydex folded over. The extra width pushed the gun too far to the right side of the pocket, making it impossible for my meaty mitt to get a proper grip on it in the pocket. If you have slender hands, it might work better for you than for me...

Yeah I had the same thought. I've never liked Kydex pocket holsters, and once they start adding those hooks and stuff they get to be too big for my pockets.

I think the DB Force Option is my first choice if someone confirms they've used it with the UC, or emailing Mika as a second choice. The Safariland 25 seems like it should work too.

[GyroF-16]

Really like the look of that, do we know that it works with the UC rear sights?

I have that Wilderness holster, and it does indeed work with my 432UC.
It’s a bit bulky, though.

I’ve been happy with this:

https://a.co/d/i16Lslj

It took a little break-in with some holster lube. I did scrape a bit of the leather where it rubs on the rear sight, but the hooks in the design do a good job of engaging the pocket and the gun always comes out clean- but sometimes the holster winds up on the ground.

I’m sure the kydex mentioned earlier is a great solution, and I’d have probably bought it if I’d known it existed before I bought the Don Hume.
But the Don Hume leather works pretty well for me.

[Joe Mac]

Yeah I had the same thought. I've never liked Kydex pocket holsters, and once they start adding those hooks and stuff they get to be too big for my pockets.

I used to dislike kydex pocket holsters until I started using the ones from Alabama Holster - I love those. That's what I've gone to for everything that sees pocket carry.

https://alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

They do show the UC in the drop down menu.

[GyroF-16]

I used to dislike kydex pocket holsters until I started using the ones from Alabama Holster - I love those. That's what I've gone to for everything that sees pocket carry.

https://alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

They do show the UC in the drop down menu.

Nice

[CLaw]

Are you running it with a retention screw. If you have experience with it with and without, which do you prefer?

I had forgotten about this company and pocket holster. I have one of these for a G26 that I used to love! I need to go dig this out of the holster box. Only problem, my current G26 has a dot and this doesn't have a cut for a dot gun. Does look like they have an option for that, not that I'm sure you could even pocket a G26 with a dot. Heck, pocketing one with irons was rough enough unless you had like large Duluth pants. Sorry, slight thread drift. But, you guys will pardon me, right? I mean we are allowed to drift any thread with the G26... right? lol


I used to dislike kydex pocket holsters until I started using the ones from Alabama Holster - I love those. That's what I've gone to for everything that sees pocket carry.

https://alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

They do show the UC in the drop down menu.

[TheNewbie]

How does the Mika compare to the Wilderness pocket holster?

I have an aholster for the LCRx but I’m interested in trying something different. In the past I used a Desantis pocket holster for a 637 and it worked ok.

[BillSWPA]

I do not own a J frame, but I do pocket carry 5 days/week for 6-7 months every year. I have found that well-designed Kydex pocket holsters like the Aholster (https://aholster.com/pocket-aholster/) will print very noticeably less than any leather or fabric option I have tried.

I prefer that the rear sight be covered. Uncovered rear sights have put holes in my pockets. A well-designed holster will not snag the sight.

[cathellsk]

DB had a hand in the making of this one, as well:

https://www.thewilderness.com/pocket-holsters/db-force-option-pocket-holster/

Leather version…
https://www.simplyrugged.com/store/DBs-Force-Options-Pocket-Holster-p629584321

[ScotchMan]

I used to dislike kydex pocket holsters until I started using the ones from Alabama Holster - I love those. That's what I've gone to for everything that sees pocket carry.

https://alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

They do show the UC in the drop down menu.

Looks good actually. Most kydex pocket holsters are too big for me and my pockets. My concern with this is retention though, I want very very light retention in a pocket holsters and this looks like “standard kydex” levels of retention. I fear even with the screw adjustment it would require hooking on my pocket on the draw to defeat the retention, and I prefer having more of a “drop in” type of holster.

[TCinVA]

How does the Mika compare to the Wilderness pocket holster?

I have an aholster for the LCRx but I’m interested in trying something different. In the past I used a Desantis pocket holster for a 637 and it worked ok.

The Mika holster is very svelte. It's what I've been carrying my UC revolvers with since I got them. I bought mine well before the UC's came out, but I found that they work fine for the rear sight. Pretty much all pocket holsters require some pre-positioning inside the pocket to facilitate the draw. I don't find it any more difficult to do that with the UC than with my older J frames.

[nugi]

I bought the AFR holster for the LCR, found it unusable and ended up giving it away. The design of it is simply too wide in the pocket - specifically, the extra width above the gun, due to the sandwich type construction versus one sheet of kydex folded over. The extra width pushed the gun too far to the right side of the pocket, making it impossible for my meaty mitt to get a proper grip on it in the pocket. If you have slender hands, it might work better for you than for me...


I very much like my AFR Undercover holster but it does do what you describe, it pushes the grip towards the right side of the pocket, feels like I'm reaching to the rear of the pocket to get a grip but the holster stays in place and never comes out. What have you found works better for you?

Does the Aholster backbone do the same thing, is this just an effect of the hook style kydex holsters?

[Joe Mac]

Looks good actually. Most kydex pocket holsters are too big for me and my pockets. My concern with this is retention though, I want very very light retention in a pocket holsters and this looks like “standard kydex” levels of retention. I fear even with the screw adjustment it would require hooking on my pocket on the draw to defeat the retention, and I prefer having more of a “drop in” type of holster.

No retention screws on any of mine. They have enough friction around the trigger guard to not exit the holster inside the pocket, but that's about it - they draw easily. Plus there is a little folded over tab for your thumb that pops the gun loose during the draw, or to allow you to get a full grip with the gun still in the pocket. Good stuff.

[Bruce in WV]

I've been using the same Mika pocket holster for J-frames in either my right or left front pocket for well over twenty -five years. I've had to glue a new anti-slip "grippy" panel over the original on both sides, as it was losing its original tackiness, but the seams are still strong and it continues to do its job reliably. Its a good product, still doing what it was designed to do. DB, Rob, and others have newer designs and use different materials, but this one still works for me.

[ScotchMan]

The Mika holster is very svelte. It's what I've been carrying my UC revolvers with since I got them. I bought mine well before the UC's came out, but I found that they work fine for the rear sight. Pretty much all pocket holsters require some pre-positioning inside the pocket to facilitate the draw. I don't find it any more difficult to do that with the UC than with my older J frames.

Interesting. I dug up my Mika, I do still have it. It does not interfere with the rear sights. However it's quite a bit bigger in pocket than what I was using, and I wouldn't say really conceals well. This is likely due to my pockets, but I would still like to find something a little smaller. The Alabama kydex option might be the ticket for me. I will use the Mika until then where able.

[Up1911Fan]

I have 2 I use regularly. Kramer leather and the Bulman kydex.

[Chuck Whitlock]

I have found that an RCS pocket shield used in conjunction with a pocket holster really helps to break up the outline.

https://rcsgear.com/product/pocket-shield/

[BobM]

My UC works well with my Kramer pocket holster