I know there will be a few of you who carry the 2 1/2 - 4" N Frames so..... how do you do it? What is your favorite holster and carry method?

I am seriously thinking of getting a 3", maybe 4" 29 and just want to try to figure out if I will be able to carry it. I'm sure I can carry a 19 or 66 with not much trouble, but a big thumper is getting thick!!

I now have a J Frame and carry in the pocket and sometimes in a belt holster. I wear loose, untucked shirts so.....

Lets see em if ya can post em too!

Thanks!

I carry a 4" 629 in a Mernickle Performance Series high ride holster. The holster is a two piece construction rig.

The side next to the body is two pieces glued and sewn together and the outer piece is one piece molded to the weapon. Three belt slots for FBI cant, neutral cant and crossdraw.

I've worn this rig for 6 or 7 years and still think it's one of the best for a N Frame 4".

N Frames should always be carried high on the belt line and close to the body. Wore an N Frame 29-2 4" as a cop for ten years and always used that style of holster to minimize fatigue.

Well, I've posted this before but I really like it. I carry a M25-14 in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake OWB @ about 3'clock. I normally have a untucked flannel or sweatshirt on in the fall/winter/early spring. After that I go back to a M36 in a pocket holster for warmer weather.

I'm a big fan of "dress around the gun". Loose, long shirts work good.

As far as holster, pancakes will give great concealability as they hug close to your body. They just aren't that comfortable for me. I prefer the Bianchi 5BHL for my 4" guns. I also just bought a Galco silhouette hi ride for my 627 UDR although it will fit any length barrel.

Bianchi 5BHL


Galco silhouette

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Watch & Pray

For the Night Guard .45acp, I have ordered an IWB from El Paso Saddlery like this one:



I have this model for both a Commander and a full-size 1911 and am sure it will be the best, for me, with the big snubbie. I like it because it allows me to carry cross-draw.

I know they are widely dissed, but for the few times I have chosen to carry an N frame concealed, I have used a Galco Miami Classic (aka "Jackass rig") shoulder holster. Some wiseacres say the holster is named for the people who carry it. An N frame isn't something I care to carry on my hip as CCW. OC in a proper belt holster for field or range use is another thing entirely and more of the role that I think the N frame fills. Otherwise, it is a historically significant duty gun from about 30+ years ago.

............

The same El Paso Street Combat holster carries my 4" Redhawk Alpine Conversion, 4" 627-5, 3" full lug 625 and a pair of limited edition Mountain Guns. I have been carrying these revolvers concealed for many years now.

Dave Sinko

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but saved the picture to the wrong file.

I ordered this *** rig from Ray at Lobo Gunleather. It's for a 325 NG. I was using a Mernickle, the same one described in the post above. However, I've lost a lot of range of motion in my right arm and shoulder. I just can't draw from a high rise strong side holster anymore. I still use the Mernickle in cross draw mode on road trips. It's an excellent holster.

The Lobo *** solves the access problem. I can get to it and make a presentation about as fast as I could with a regular strong side high rise.

There are some problems with the *** design. There is some concern with back injury if you were to fall directly on it. All things considered I think it's worth the risk; someone else might not.

As far as the holster goes, it's just first class. The first thing I noticed about it was how light it was. With holsters, that's either a very good sign or a sign of real trouble. Since receiving this rig, I've worn it for more than 100 days (meaning 8 hrs or more at a time). It's just as tight now as it was when new. The design is excellent. You will notice that there is no reinforcment around the top. I thought this would make reholstering difficult, but the cut of the leather produces a sort of instant opening funnel. Works like a champ.

The belt has become my favorite. Except for the two days a week I wear a suit, it's what I use. Again, it is very light weight, but perfectly serviceable.

I like the design so well that, after I get my wreched taxes paid for, I'm going to as Ray to build one for a 2" M15.

Left is a $29 bullseye. Right is Milt Sparks





I also like the Lobo for my 3" 629

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

O'Rourke worked fine for me with my 325PD. I have also used DeSantis for 3" & 4". Probably just as good, but the stock ones wouldn't accommodate the Hi-Viz sight on the 325, which O'Rourke did at no extra charge.

I now carry N-frame guns in belt holsters. I used to use a Renegade or Milt Sparks for IWB, and they were OK, especially the Renegade, which is a little thinner, but they work best for me with jeans (because of the additional support from the tighter-fitting jeans), which I don't wear as often these days. With cotton Dockers or cheaper equivalent, I have taken to belt holster use. My first was a Kramer (sold by Dillon for Mountain Guns), which fit both me and my 520 perfectly. It kind of sold me on belt holsters. Although I don't carry an N-frame revolver as often these days, I have found that a good belt helps even with steel K-frames. Beltman.

That's my experience. YMMV.

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Formerly Model520Fan

I carry my 4" .45 Colt 625 Mt. Gun in one of John O'Rourke's hi-rise pancake holsters. The real secret to carrying one of the N-frames is a good heavy duty belt. I have two: one is a Mernickle that I bought as part of one of his concealment systems and the other is a double thickness one that my son made for me. Both are 1 1/2" wide and hold any of my holsters solidly. I'm a big fan of pancake holsters for any of my carry guns...

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Gotta love N-frames...

I carry my .45 ACP 625 Performance Center with a 4" barrel in a Galco Phoenix holster.

I carry both my 629-4 trailboss and my 4" 28-2 in a slightly modified uncle mikes holster either appendix or 3 o'clock iwb.

Some really nice rigs pictured, really like yours Dump1567.

I've got a 4" stainless in a OWB plane-jane, off the rack De Santis, buts its a good solid holster and works well. I do want to get a custom cross draw which am planning on using mainly when hiking.

Maybe it's just me, but I could NEVER carry that much weight and bulk around all day long. My daily carry piece is a 2" M60, and when I am in more demanding environments, I'll strap on my 3" M65. I tried carrying a full sized Colt 1911 for a week or so many years ago, and I "threw in the towel" on that idea pretty quickly.

The main thing I go for in a carry piece is this: I want the smallest, lightest and most comfortable piece to conceal and carry that will shoot a realistic self defense round quickly, accurately and is still controllable. For me it's Buffalo Bore 158 Gr. LSWCHP +P's in my M60, and BB 158 Gr. 357 Mag. JHP in my M65.

I always have my gun with me, and I know that if I had to tote around a lot of bulk and weight, it would spend more time at home in the safe than on my side. Just saying..........

chief38

My wife bought me a Mernickle concealed carry setup (PS6DA holster, cuff case, speedloader holders, belt) for Christmas. I have started carrying my N frames in the Mernickle rig for the past few days, and I love it. I highly recommend it....

Can you post a few pics of the rig with gun in it?

Sounds nice!

I would appreciate a photo or two, myself.

i carry my M657 3" in my wolverine ankle holster...works for me

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Here's my rig for my 657 pc, I also have an IWB for my 625 mtn gun.

I carry N frames in a Haugen Leather Big Magnum Carry pancake holster on a Bianci belt. It carries high and is quite comfortable for all day carry even with my heavy 629 in 3 inch. I don't carry N frames very often anymore with my weak back but this is the rig I use. A windbreaker or longer shirt is enough to cover it.
I liked it so well I had them make me one for my 686+ in 2 1/2 inch. Unfortunately he is backed up several months at the present time.

Add another fan to the Galco silhoutte high ride; I carry my 629 4'' with it and a good stiff belt. With a light jacket over it, no problem with concealment.

Are we serious about carrying a 3" 657 in an ankle holster? I'm still waiting on my all steel 625 with 2" barrel and if there's any way to carry this in an ankle holster, I'd really like to know.

Dave Sinko

I'm working on a high ride OWB for my 4" 29-2. Things are temporarily stopped until I find some place where I can print on 11x17 cardstock for the pattern, or get a printer that will do it.

Heres mine: 327 TRR8 125 Grain remingtons and 148 Grain Fiocchis.

[/IMG]

i have carried it this way for along time dave...i found the wolverine ankle holster in an ad within the american rifleman...it uses a double strap system and stays put...wolverine has a website as i recall

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I carried a Model 58 as a duty sidearm for 13 years.. That was over 30 years ago. I seldom carry an N frame these days, but when I'm feeling really froggy, I carry the 58 or a 57 in an OWB holster under a banded polo shirt or a vest without any problem.



Left rig is an N frame and the right is a K frame.

Missed the photo requests, I will get some in the AM and get them posted up pronto....

Yep, 3" 24-3 in one of Dave's beautiful holsters.

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KSCowboy

Carry 4" Ns when I go to my property in a Desantis pancake style. Works good but still heavy after a few hours.

Tommy

Here is my Mernickle rig with the Model 58 (stocks by forum member Grashorn's Gunworks. Middle pic has my stag stocked Model 49 hanging out of my pocket just to show off the stocks....

Pictures by sheriffoconee - Photobucket

Great pics... thanks.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the verticle shoulder holster for the N. I seen one on the Vega web-site I want to purchase for my 6 1/2" 629, unfortunately I can't find where to buy one, any help? It looks like a nice fitting and top quality classy leather holster that will hide even a 6 to 6 1/2" under a sport jacket. Thank you in advance. 26.

I've posted this one before. It conceals nicely under a loose shirt or jacket.

SheriffOconee... your pics convinced me. I am going with the extreme cross-draw - like this:



I have carried my Commander in this fashion for many years.

JP, talk to the folks at Mernickle...
the rig I am wearing goes crossdraw, strong side 15 degree cant, and hi ride (the way I wear it)
Either way, you will be pleased.....Mernickle is a fine rig....not only that, my wife ordered my rig, and they treated her right. She didn't know a thing about what she was ordering, but they walked her through it...
My wife is very very pleased with their customer service....

I use the Bianchi X-15 for 8 3/8 and another for 6-6 1/2 inch N frames, also an older S&W shoulder holster for 4 inch N frames.
I mostly use them under a coat while hunting but have at times used them for CCW under a parka.

Being a big guy myself, I have always been able to get away with carrying N-frames (my favorite carry guns). I use a SimplyRugged sourdough pancake holster that has kept my 4-inch 's like my Model 29 and now my Model 57 kept very well concealed under a light jacket. It also works well with my Model 27-2.

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Vaya con Dios

Why does this remind me of the Marty Robbins song "Big Iron"?

...It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round
There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground
Oh he might have went on living but he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger with the big iron on his hip

Substitute a Georgia Sheriff for a Texas Ranger and you have it. By the way, Mike Ness covers the song better than Marty ever sang it.

Yup, I guess I need to go find a bandit named Texas Red and blast him now.....

Noticed you are just up the road from me in Madison Co....good to see a neighbor here

Good stuff guys! I got a 629 4" but...... now I prefer it was blued.... so, once I get that adjustment made, I'm gonna try and make a cool holster for it and carry it a bit. Unless i can turn my 629 into a 3" gun!! :-)

If you have more pics..... post em here!

I do just what REVHO does with a sourdough pancake and my 625. I find that it is comfortable worn crossdraw or strongside inside the waist.

Any of Greg Kramer's products. I have both OWB and IWB. The key is the appropriate belt. In a Shoulder Holster, I prefer the vertical scabbard by Nevada GunLeather. It is just like the Bianchi X-15. Have used both for many years with excellent resuls.

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NRA Life Member and Instructor

Plus 1 for the Simply Rugged. I have one for my 3" 629.

The wife came home and saw the wheel barrow parked near the front door, so she said whats the wheel doing on the pourch. I said that I was useing it to carring my 44 mag today. She then asked why I was carring a 44 magnum around the farm, I told her "cause they dont make a 45 magnum".

I have, and use, a Milt Sparks Summer Special II for my 4" N-Frame and another for my 3" L Frame size guns.

In fact I'm wearing a 3" Gun right now in a Summer Special II.

Biker

Bell Charter Oak "TIGER"

Cheers;
Lefty

My woods carry gun is a 4" M57 that OWB 4 o'clock in a Simply Rugged Sourdough.



My urban carry wheelgun is going to be a 2 5/8" 627PC . Ray at Lobo gunleather is working on an Enhanced Pancake for it now. It'll probably be ready before I get the gun in my hands.

Dang Lefty I like that Tiger model. I need to find a snubnose N frame to get such a holster. Sometimes I can't discern between love of leather and fondness for Smiths.

Like to see you make the Tiger for a 2" J Frame.