My friend Matt at Zulu Bravo Kydex was working up some revisions to his J-Frame kydex holster and was kind enough to send one to me. I was looking for something to house my Hot-Rod J-Frame while I did my thing this summer. This holster proved to be truly excellent for this role.
Link to Buy Zulu Bravo Kydex J-Frame (A)IWB holster
Perceived Need for This Holster
So, we all can agree that a J-Frame is about as concealable as a capable handgun can get. You can pocket carry, ankle carry, fanny pack carry, shoulder holster carry, thunderwear carry, Clip-Draw carry, and you can (A)IWB and OWB carry. They are versatile and people tend to reach for them in the hotter months for convenience and comfort (whether they admit it or not).
My Hot-Rod J (The 640) is a bit heavier than some other offerings and I wanted a holster that I could clip and go on my summer duties. A lot of which involve running around with a 6 year old and occasionally wrestling with him. A protected trigger is important for me.
I’m in gym shorts and gi pants more than I’m in pants with belt loops. As a result, I prefer spring steel clips for my carry guns, which I find to be sufficient to keep the holster in the pants when I draw and stays put during gun grapples (which I perceive as the benchmark for retention).
This was my general need. Zulu Bravo Kydex delivers.
What A Holster Must Do
- Cover and protect the trigger guard
- Cleanly release the gun when drawn
- Stay Open to allow one handed holstering
- Retain the gun during anticipated physical activity
- Allow a full firing grip while gun is seated
- Be stable on pants to allow repeatable indexing of draw
This holster meets all these criteria easily.
Details That Make This Holster Excellent
- Spring Steel Clip (like the excellent DCC clips) for easy on/off.
- Structure to tuck butt into the torso to aid in concealment.
- Bright color to allow visual check that no foreign material is in the throat of holster. You’ll never convince me that a no-look holster is the ideal technique for a regular person.
- Ability to accept a muzzle pad to aid comfort, increase safety of holstering via angle, and drive the top of the gun into the body for concealment. Also note the muzzle portion of the holster is longer than most J-Frame barrels. This aids concealment and prevents ‘flop over’ the belt.
Again, the fine details and careful craftsmanship make this worth every penny. Having the right gear means you’re more likely to carry your gun, and more able to readily access it under stress.
Recommended.
Will this holster eventually be made for other j-frames? Specifically, I have and enjoy toting/shooting around my land wit a M631 4″. I have gone thru a few carry options with mixed results.
Not to my knowledge. Not beside something very common like an LCR. I’d look to JM Custom Kydex for oddball revolver and auto pistol models.
Mark,
Just read your review and ordered an identical holster.
Let me know what you think when you get it!