I'm interested in any opinions and feedback from any of you have carried both sizes. Is a snubbie 3" L-frame considerably easier to carry and conceal than a 3" N-frame?

It depends on how you carry. I've comfortably carried both. It's obviously easier in colder weather when wearing a sweatshirt. It's not hard at all when wearing a suit coat either. IWB is easier for concealment than OWB, but either work fine, assuming you have a good holster and belt. The holster issue is where a lot of people get messed up, especially people new to CCW. They spend a bunch of money on their dream gun and then 25 bucks on a cheap nylon holster at the gun show. Get quality stuff, you won't regret it.

This would be almost exclusively carried in the woods while fishing. Probably would use a Simply Rugged pancake holster or a shoulder holster (many an Andrews Monarch or Alessi Bodyguard).

I'm not sure if an iwb would work with me comfortably. I'd think the cylinder would be uncomfortable on the hip.

Don't intend to alienate any N frame 357 lovers out there(like 'em myself!) but if you're going to carry the N I'd go with more cartridge. If the 357 Mag will do what you need I don't think you will find anything more suitable than a 3" 686+ in current production. Add two or three speedloaders and you're ready to go.

I didn't state what my cartridge choice was going to be because I didn't want to turn this into the inevitable cartridge debate. But since you asked, it's between my L-frame 696 (5 shot 44 Special) and my N-frame 29 (both of these with 3" barrels).

Considering your intended use, I've had good success carrying my N-Frame 629 Classic 5" in the leather Galco hi-ride holster that S&W sells on their web site. I carry it while muzzle-loader elk hunting, and it rides well, whether hiking or just sitting under a tree. My hunting buds all carry smaller auto-loaders, so I was a little concerned about the size & weight of the .44, but it worked out very well, at least for me.

Just me personally, I carry a model 28 3" ( its a custom ) I also carry a model 66 2 1/2" .... a model 60 2" and most recently a CS45 .... not all at the same time of course. All are very easy to carry comfortably. The 28 is a good size gun and you aren't going to forget its there like you do with the model 60 but I don't mind the feel of a gun on my belt.
Same goes for the 66 and the .45. Both are really easy to carry.
Main cosideration ( for me ) is the weather. In colder weather the 28 is easier to conceal ... all of the others are easier with lighter clothes .. and the 60 disappears in a pocket.
By the way ... I'm 5'6" around 165 -170 and carry DeSantis and Don Hume holsters on my belt. A bigger guy would most likely have an even easier time carrying and concealing any of these.

Easier to carry? Not really. The weight difference should not be very noticeable.

Easier to conceal? I would say yes to that one. N seems just fatter enough to make a difference.

The key to any weapon carry that isn't Scandium is a good belt. I have had a 696 and currently own Mtn Guns weight difference 3or 4 ozs. Not enough to notice.

The 696 is smaller frame and trimmer and would be my choice with a good 180grain hollowpoint or a 250grain SWC either at 850-900fps.

If you're wearing waders then a Tanker style holster for either weapon.

I live in Idaho, rural Idaho and I carry a Mtn Gun 44 and it meets my needs for everything I want to do with a handgun. I shoot a Keith GC bullet at 1070fps, and that's all I need.

Yeah, if I went with the 696, I'd use hollowpoints in non-bear areas to use as a ccw weapon and the Buffalo Bore or Double Tap hard cast loads in black bear areas.

Of course, same could be said about the 29. That's the origin of my post...is the 29 a lot harder to conceal than the 696 (I plan on putting one or the other on my ccw, but not both).

Sorry, I forgot some of you have to put a gun ON your license. Since Indiana doesn't work that way it never entered my mind. Your 696 will still be easier to carry both weight and size wise. Ask any old cop(if you can find any that old.....besides ME) who carried an N then went to a smaller holster gun(and then made it into the auto craze) for 30 years. A few ounces and a little bulk makes a difference.

Every county in CA has different rules (most of them is "Just say no!"). Some can carry anything, some have a certain number they must have. Our Sheriff recently stopped requiring that any ccw gun be on the CA approved list (which was a huge deal for us here in my county). So I'm not complaining about the 4 gun limit!

I know a bigger gun is always better, but here in CA, people freak out if they see a gun...even in the woods. So I'd rather keep concealed legally on my permit.

I sold a 627 UDR that I carried in a Simply Rugged Holster with a good belt. I kept a 627 Pro that I carry in a Simply Rugged holster. I thought the shorter UDR made that gun feel top heavy while carrying it. The slightly longer barrel of my 627 Pro and maybe the extra weight of the longer barrel below the belt makes that gun more comfortable to carry than the UDR. I also have a 686 CS-1 that I carry in another Simply Rugged holster that has become my favorite carry piece after I had the cylinder cut for moonclips. My 686 is a few ounces lighter, a tad bit narrower, and noticeably more comfortable to carry. All of these comparisons have been made with good quality holsters and a very good belt as I am a big believer in good leather.

Here is my 3" Model 657 in a Milt Sparks PMK which I put on a Mitch Rosen belt. Carries nicely.

My 696 is such a handy size but I'd rather carry a N frame which I don't mind at all, but it'll vary from person to person.

__________________
Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

Looking for leather vertical quality shoulder holster for mod 686 or 586, 4" bbl. "DH" style.

Thanks,
[email protected]

I use a Simply Rugged Sourdough holster with the Chesty Puller harness to carry my 4" N Frames as well as my Ruger four inch Redhawk .44 Mag when woods cruising or hunting. It's not a concealment rig for town without a heavy coat. I supports the weight of the big revolvers comfortably. The pancake holster off the harness works well strong side or crossdraw. I have had L Frames and just didn't take to them. They are about perfect for .357 though...I have more N Frames such as a M27, 28,58, 625-3, 625 Mountain Gun and a 629 and one K, a M19-3. For what you describe as your use, the 696 seems like it would be a bit easier to tote unless you need the more powerful cartridge.

Having carried a 3" 624 and a 696, I recommend the 396
Unless you are going to confront something really big and mean the 240 JHP or SWC at 900-1000 fps should do the job.
The ease of carry of the 396 has to be experienced.
And no, there is no weight difference worth talking about between the 624 and 696 due to the latter's heavy barrel.
I do prefer the L frame for it's pointability and accuracy (at least for me).
Unfortunately the 396 will not fit in SOME holsters the 696 does.
The higher front sight makes the 396 a little "taller".
For OWB hip carry I like the Mernickle as the back is almost flat and very comfortable.
This makes it less concealable, but good for rural carry.
I would get one with a restraint of some sort in case you take a fall or are riding.
The 624 Lew Horton holster works well too for the 396 but is rare (but has a strap).
This Mernickle doesn't have a strap:

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Nemo

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A E Nelson vertical holster works for me. 4 in. "N" frame and 6 in. "K" frame. Larry

I've carried a 3" 686 or a 3" 629 in a Sparks VM2 holster (IWB) without any difficulty. Each is fitted with boot grips, which blend into my side even under light cover. I've carried a 4" revolver IWB, but that's pushing the envelope. The cylinder rides on your hip bone, which takes some weight off your belt.

A VM2 is a premium holster which holds both the frame and the grip tightly to your side at about a 15 deg angle. They take about 12 weeks for delivery, but it's well worth the wait.

A 3" revolver also fits nicely into an horizontal carry shoulder holster, and conceals well. They're about the same overall size of a full-sized SIG or 4" 1911, but obviously thicker. You might manage a 4", but that's probably a candidate for a vertical holster.