Can a 4" Model 19 really work for concealed carry? Seems to me it would be pretty heavy. What do you all think?

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Just pretend this is witty.

I don't think mine is too heavy at all. If you have a good belt and the proper holster you will carry it in complete comfort. Even N-Frames can be comfortably carried in a strong side belt holster.
The most difficult issue is the concealment. If worn outside the waistband you need to make sure the covering garment always covers it. It's a lot easier to keep concealed inside the waistband.
If you have the proper equipment and dress around it you'll almost forget it's there. At least I do.
Jim

A lot of guys CCW with 2.5" 19s and 66s. The main difference with a 4" would be just 1.5" of barrel and, at least in older guns, a squared off butt rather than a rounded one. I imagine the weight differential would be just a couple of ounces.

I carry a 4" model 19 pretty often. IWB in the appendix position, or OWB behind my right hip. Carries great.

+1 on the first three replies. They have pretty much nailed it. I carry a 4" 66 in an old Bianchi #3 Pistol Pocket an IWB rig that has a thumbreak and an adjustable cant.

Great gun, great rig. Carried the 4" K frame on duty and off for years.

I carry a 5 inch Model 27 in a Tagua Gunleather OWB holster. With the right jacket, you can't even see it.

With the wrong blazer, it looks like I am shoplifting a fire extinguisher.

As long as you wear a good comfortable belt, you can carry just about anything. Being a fairly slim 5'11" male, I am still able to conceal a 4506 IWB pretty easily and comfortably with just a T-shirt or button up shirt covering it up. OWB might be a little more difficult, though.

I've carried my 3" 65 OWB all day under an untucked T shirt. No problems.

When I was on my first job with a PD in the 70's, all I had was the issued 4" M-10 HB that I was issued. I carried it in a cheap IWB holster until I got a Bianchi Pistol Pocket for it. I am 6'2" and a bit over 200 lbs and it concealed pretty well and didn't seem too heavy for me back than. Now that I am older and softer, I usually carry one of my J Frames or D Frame Colts but I think a 4" M19 is perfectly useable for concealed carry with a good belt and holster.

I often carry a 4" model 19 and it is comfortable for me, IWB.

I used to carry my #64 in this Bianchi 8L Shadow with no problems. I gave the holster to my son along with a 4" #66. It rides high on the belt and hugs your body tight. Many of the custom holster makers on this forum offer similar models.

I carry it as well with no problems

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

I think if you realy look at it a 4 inch gun is no harder to carry than a 21/2 with the right stocks, right holster are the key!

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

It's all about the combination of grips, holster, belt and clothing. Absolutely doable. Obviously there are more easily concealed weapons. The real question is: Are you dedicated enough to the gun to make it work?

Lots of good advice above.
I carry lots of revolvers, from my LCR 22 up to my 4" 610.

I carry everything at 4 O'Clock. With a 2", and a 2-1/2" I can still access my billfold in my right back pocket.
When I go to a 3" revolver my billfold moves to my left front pocket.

I would go with a wood grip with smooth rounded edges on the butt end, and keep the size down. The butt is what will print with a 4" Square Butt.

Get a good holster. I carry everything in a Lobo Pancake. I have 8 of them for my assorted concealed carry handguns. Ray in my opinion makes the best holster for the money, and the Enhanced Pancake with Inner Hammer Shield is a very good concealed carry holster.
http://lobogunleather.com/

Next is a cover garment. I have fishing shirts like the Columbia line. I have several Woolrich Discrete Carry shirts I caught on sale for $20 each. I have a Dickie Kaki short sleeve shirt I wear unbuttoned over a Tee like a jacket. I have several Denum shirts I wear untucked. Also check out Duluth Trading Company http://duluthtrading.com/ they have several long tail shirts to cure plumbers butt.
The 95587 is a pocket Tee with 3" extra tail length. It has a generous fit, and comes in something like 16 colors.
Longtail Henley short sleeve 67009 in 9 colors.
Duluth sells lots of things you will like. Even quality Edwin Jagger soap for your shaving mug. I price checked the shaving soap, and could not find a cheaper price anywhere on it.

As you carry, you will keep finding things that work. An example would be a long tail light weight nylon windbreaker. How about a Carhartt Jac Shirt? Once you start to carry you will know what to look for in clothing.

Bottom line, the 4" 19 will carry ok in a quality holster with a good 1.5" belt. Check the grips and make sure they do not grab the cover garment, or print seriously. You can get by with some printing with no problem. Most folks you are around are oblivious, just do not show leather.

Your 19 does have one advantage for concealed carry. While not being as concealable as a J Frame, It is Very Shootable. If you need to put lead on target, you have the right tool to get it their accurately.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

I carry a N frame snubbie all day long IWB with no problems whatsoever. Its all about the belt and then a good holster. period.

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God Bless Our Troops.

I agree you can do it w/a good belt and holster, but as I've gotten older (mid 60's) I rely on a J frame in my pocket. More power to you if you can carry these larger guns, I just can't anymore.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Same here except it's a 4" N frame. Get a good belt, everything else is irrelevant until you have that.

^^^^this^^^^^^^


you can carry any gun you want with a great belt and so so holster....you cannot carry any gun you want with a great holster and a so-so belt.

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God Bless Our Troops.

Mostly it will depend on how you dress. If you wear a sports jacket or similar - no problemo. If you can wear loose fitting baggy shirts or a sweat shirt, no problem either. If you wear short sleeve shirts and shorts in the warm weather, a 2" stainless M60 or similar in a pocket holster would be better IMHO.

Chief38

Sometimes, it just depends on how much you LIKE a particular gun.

If that 4 inch Model 19 just feels right, and you LIKE it enough, you can get used to carrying it on a regular basis, with the right gear/clothing combination.

Another factor is how dangerous your part of the world seems to you. If things seem dangerous enough, unpredictable enough, then you can get used to carrying anything. Danger quickly negates discomfort.

But if the potential for a threat to your life seems very remote, then even a small/light weapon can become a hassle to pack.

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

With good , quality leather pancake hi ride holster You and compact grips You can carry a 4 inch 19/66 w/o a problem.

I carry my 4" 66 when I hunt or fish..I use a Galco "Fletch" and it rides high and tight to the body. I also have a Galco"Combat Master" for my 2 1/2" and I like that as well. Check them out before you buy.