Premium Leather OWB Paddle Holster with Thumb Break Fits S&W Model 686 4'' 357 Mag 6-Shot, Right Hand Draw, Brown Color #1095#

I recently purchased a 686 L frame S&W 357 with 4" barrel to carry while hiking in the mountains. I was looking for a versatile holster that I could wear on my side, or carry in a backpack, or??? The Premium Leather OWB Paddle Holster with Thumbreak Fits Smith Wesson Model 686 4'' 357 Mag 6-S seemed like a good place to start.The quality of the leather is nice, and fitment to the 386 L frame is great. I carried my 357 in this holster, on a rigid 1 1/2" tactical belt for most of a day on private property. I was digging, raking, trimming, bending, lifting, and walking for most of a day. Despite the weight and size of the L frame 686, I found it comfortable on my side the whole time.As a side note, I carried the same rig on a leather tactical belt that I use for my EDC a couple of days before doing the same things. While it supports my EDC, which is smaller and much lighter, it made carrying the same firearm, same holster a miserable event. With this amount of weight you need a rigid belt to support it. It makes a huge difference.Some reviews have said the thumbreak is to hard to snap, or that you needed to remove the holster to get it snapped. I agree, and found exactly that when I put it on the first time. It was easily remedied, at least in my case. I took the unloaded 686 and put it in the holster, and snapped the thumbreak. The muzzle of 4" barrel was recessed about 1/4" inside holster. While holding the weapon by the hand grip I used a small wooden mallet and tap the holster squarely on the muzzle end. After a few semi solid taps the muzzle was a bit less than 1/8 inch from the end of the holster. The leather was not deformed, nor finish marred at all using this process, it just seated the weapon a little deeper in the holster. The same effect might be had by using the weight of the weapon and bumping the holster on a wooden bench. I felt better about using the mallet.The end result was the thumbreak was much easier to snap and unsnap immediately. I left it snapped and put it in the safe for a couple of days. The thumbreak still works easily, but retains the weapon tightly even while working or running. I left it out of the holster for a couple of days and fit and ease of use are still the same.I like this holster as a versatile option for carrying this weapon for my original intent. I think for the quality of material, and fitment to the weapon it was designed for, it is a bargain.

Great material, Great price, Great fit

It's well made, but the fit's abit loose, and there's no tensioner to snug it up. As such, gravity, and the retention strap, which fits well, are that keeps the gun in place. But, the strap's snap's abit difficult to undo single-handed. The main problem that I encountered was the plastic paddle's too wide, and only accommodates a belt up to 1⅜" width, and I use a 2" belt. While it's well designed for its purpose, and it appears to be comfortable, I removed the paddle, and replaced it c̄ a piece of leather c̄ 2 appropriate slots cut for the belt, and cut the new mount to fit the top-half of the holster, utilizing the 2 screws at the top initially intended for mounting the paddle. I had to punch a hole in the holster in between the stitching for the in-setting of the barrel to secure my new leather mount. The entire process to modify this holster only took a couple of hours. Now, it works just fine.

Thick leather, good seams. Fits the described revolver. The OWB paddle is stable and adjustable. Comfortable. Would order again.

I like this holster for my S&W 686+. IT is a snug fit with a snap thumb break and it is very secure. I have a similar holster from Galco which is a belt loop holster. This is more comfortable and more secure with the paddle, and is easier to hook on my belt and pants. I also like that the cant is adjustable. I can use it either in the 4 o'clock position, or in a cross draw position. It is not a concealment holster unless you are wearing a heavy winter coat, but that gun is not a CCW candidate anyway.

fast shipping happy with product

Holster itself fits the body of the gun great and evenly flush at the barrel. The big problem for me is the thumb break strap as mentioned in other reviews. Either the geometry of it needs to be redesigned or it just needs to be longer because you cannot reholster or close the thumb strap button with hand at all. In fact it’s almost impossible to even clasp the thumb strap back on while the holster is on the belt even with both hands. I’ve found I need to remove the holster from my hip just to get it to close. I’ve got several other thumb break holsters and I can clasp the thumb strap buttons on all of them one handed. Like said above, the leather molded part of the holster is good but the deal breaker is the thumb break button. I would Not buy this holster again because of that alone.

The holster was purchased for a Smith and Wesson 686-6 revolver with 4 inch barrel. The holster fits the gun perfectly, although the thumb strap was a little tight but loosened up quickly after storing the gun in the holster for a few hours. Attractive fit and finish on the holster. The leather seems to be slightly thinner that many holsters, but I see this as a bonus as it does not create extra bulk. It is not a Bianchi or Safariland, but a good holster for the money.