Holster retention has come a long way in the last 100 years. Old-school revolver holsters were simple, folded designs. They relied on a flap or a simple leather lace to hold them in place. That was about as good as it got until the thumb break design came into fashion.
DeSantis is taking inspiration from the hip-hugging outside-the-waistband designs that dominated the 20th century and making some simple revisions that are keeping the classic design relevant for those of us who still carry leather holsters.
How do you improve on something everybody already knows?
Begin with a classic design and make sure every possible detail — all of the fundamentals — are correct. DeSantis is no stranger to leather. Though more and more of their designs are pushing the boundaries with leather and polymer combinations, the company does leather extremely well. And the best OWBs begin with vegetable-tanned hides. These hides are easy to dye. They accept stamping well. They’re not notorious for their flexibility, but this rigidity is what makes them ideal for form-fitting holsters.
The Thumb Break Scabbard Holster for Smith & Wesson J-Frames is cut to match the pattern, sewn, and then soaked in water, stretched over a form, and allowed to dry. Some of the external details may be added in from the outside, in a process called boning, to show details of the guns on the outside of the leather.
The finish, sealants, and edge coat are all done after. DeSantis adds the snaps for the thumb break and a rubber washer that allows for tension to be adjusted around the trigger guard. These last steps determine the tactile feel of the draw, from the clearance of the strap to the force required to clear the leather.
How well does the Thumb Break hold?
As DeSantis makes these for multiple handguns and revolvers, each will have a different feel. On the J-Frame holster, the strap catches the hammer, which has an aggressive texture, and it holds secure. The strap will change over time, most likely by stretching a bit, but the width should prevent the gun from slipping free from the security of the strap.
As retention goes, this is solid. Those familiar with retention testing for duty holsters will recognize that this may not stand up to the abuse that can be inflicted by a takeaway attempt, but that’s hardly the point. The thumb break is meant to secure the gun in the holster, to keep it there, until it is needed. Sitting, standing, getting in a car, dropping your pants in the bathroom…, the holster will hold perfectly well.
How well does it draw?
While I often carry a variety of guns in-waist-band (mostly appendix), I’m still faster with an OWB holster worn strong side. The thumb break slows me down — but I’ve tried to time it and I think it may add .2 seconds, at most.
The trick is to practice. Building muscle memory allows for the hand motion needed to clear the snap to become second nature. The thumb is critical, but so too is getting a functional grip without holding any of the strap.
After a few practice draws, the nuances should become apparent. Unload your gun and practice in a safe space where the motion isn’t going to trigger anyone — then take it to the range. As always, I am adamant about the value of dry-fire practice well in advance of any live-fire holster work.
The Finer Points of the DeSantis Thumb Break
I’ve been writing much of this as if my readers may never have worked with a thumb break design. Odds are, it isn’t completely foreign to you unless you have grown up on polymer-framed pistols in Kydex shells. And those work well, too.
But There’s an artistry I see in these that encompasses the best elements of craft. Holsters like this aren’t exactly works of art, but they are a kind of craft that incorporates more artistic refinement than most things made of plastic.
DeSantis has added elements like contrast stitching to elevate the look of these holsters — to make them pop visually. While you can get this in black, too — which doesn’t have any white stitching — these tan versions are built well, finished consistently, and made with a care and precision that is visible in the finished product.
One of my favorite extras is the way DeSantis has blown out the belt loops. They wet-form these, too. After they’re cut, they have spacers inserted to stretch them into a design that works with a thicker belt, one designed for the extra weight of a gun and the needed rigidity required for a consistent draw. You won’t have to fight the holster to get it on a belt.
Final Thoughts
The DeSantis Gunhide Thumb Break Scabbard Holster for Smith & Wesson J-Frames sells for $61.99. As leather holsters go, that’s well below what I’d expect for one that is built to these specifications.
And DeSantis has a full line of J-Frame holsters. If you are looking for a more modern Kydex IWB for your wheel gun, they have you covered. If you want an open-top — either IWB or OWB, they make those too. I’m in the process now of working my way through all of these — both IWB and OWB to see which ones work best, but I keep finding holsters that work exceptionally well, across the board.
The nuances are what set them apart. And that’s a solid place to be for a holster company. There are no red flags or abject failures, and enough differentiation — even within the holsters that fit something as commonplace as a snub-nosed revolver — to make finding the perfect holster surprisingly easy.
