I just got a vintage NOS Bianchi 5BHL for my 6" 29-3, and it is a beautiful holster. I like vintage leather on vintage guns. This holster is pre-Mexico by at least 20 years, and was even wet molded pretty well -- Bianchi holsters sometimes look like the molding was an afterthought, but this follows the contours of the gun fairly well.

I bought it so I could carry it, but had not given much thought to where I would carry. It sits high enough that a flannel shirt covers it perfectly, but it creaks like the Amistad. I also discovered that drawing a 6" barrel requires some practice -- there's nothing quick about it.

I sold a perfectly good Commander, which is a carry dream, for a 4" 29 which has yet to arrive, and was re-introduced to the challenges of finding good leather, and the logistic issues involved with concealing a bigger gun. From all the looking I've done, I think the Milt Sparks PMK would be ideal -- close fit, high ride, open top, precise molding -- but the 22-26 wk wait is discouraging. It's almost incredible that such a good design, so well suited to the challenges presented by the N frame, should be so hard to come by. You'd think everyone would have a version of it.

I have several 4" N frames and a variety of holsters for them. The
thought of carrying one of them concealed has a certain appeal but so
far reality has reared it's ugly head whenever I actually thought about
strapping one on. Having said that I may still do it some day and I
have a nearly new Bianchi 5BHL for 4" N frames. However I won't use
it. The ultra high ride and forward tilt makes it very awkward to draw
from and I think it was designed for cops riding in a patrol car. The
holster I will use is the Bianchi Cyclone, a very comfortable, practical
crossdraw holster. Your 6" barrel makes the crossdraw holster even
more likely for practical carry. The Simply Rugged pancake carries a
4" N frame high and in a much better position for concealment but
doesn't really work as well when used in the crossdraw slots. Galco
makes the crossdraw Phoenix but it's a bit pricey compared to the
Cyclone.

Exactly. You may be right about the patrol car -- the 6" actually just touches the seat when I sit with it on.

I had ignored teh Cyclone until yesterday because I don't care for the covered trigger guard, but I may give it another look. It seems you can carry strong side or cross draw. The angle of the cross draw will make a difference -- can't have it hanging out in front of me -- but I'll look. I like the Pheonix. It's one of Galco's few lined holsters. I'd pay for function.

Look at the PMK and tell me what you think. If I have to wait half a year, I'll use the Summer Comfort until then. It's not ideal -- the cylinder sits above the belt which feels iffy-stable in a short barrel -- but it had worked before on a 28-2 and I will have to give it another try. Magnas also help, a little. For that I'll look at a T grip.

See what I did to myself? The Cmdr was invisible, and I had literally dozens of good options for leather. I'm an idiot. But I am a sucker for a 4" 29. Wish I could have had both, but I have over 1000 rds of .44 spec/mag and that changes everything these days.

For your 4" check out a Lobo Enhanced Pancake. I carry my 4" 610 in one, and have another for my 3" 625.
Ray is normally about 6-8 weeks out on delivery. That is as quick as you will probably get an order filled by any well known holster maker.

Lobo Gun Leather - Home

I have another option also. A local young man Oren Griener is making a pretty fair holster, and as he is not well known "Swamped" he is very quick to fill orders, as well as reasonable. His revolver holster is an Avenger style. If you would like to try him, contact me and I will get his contact information. He also makes a very nice 2-ply gun belt with a kydex stiffner at 3-4 O'Clock sewn in.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

Over the years I have carried 4" N Frames and a Redhawk in a Street Combat holster by El Paso Saddlery. I use this setup with complete satisfaction.

I very briefly carried a Model 25-7 with a 5" barrel but I didn't like that extra inch of barrel one bit.

I would not want to carry anything with a 6" barrel.

I recently had a 2" barrel installed on a 625 and I can live happily ever after with that. Funny thing is I carry it in the same holster that carries the 4" revolvers, so the 4" barrel length is not such a bad thing after all.

Dave Sinko

You'll probably spend more money searching for a holster that can't possibly do what you're hoping it will do than you would if you just bit the bullet and bought another Commander...or some other gun for concealed carry.

Make sure you know your state laws when carrying a big gun. For example, here is SC it has to be less than 12 inches measured in the longest dimension (from the butt of the grip to the tip of the barrel).

I always come back to the Glock 23 for care free carry. It's about perfect in every way except social acceptance at the moment.

I noticed that lots of nice N frames are being ignored on the auction sites at the moment, probably because everyone is buying high cap semi autos to grandfather in. The poor dummies that think their frequently fired 29-2s in presentation boxes are worth $1495 must be scratching their heads.

Hadn't thought about maximum size. As I said, I don't really carry the 6" -- I'm just toting it until the 4" gets here. I don't really know what to do with it. It should be in a wooden case, not a Bianchi 5BHL, but I love old leather as much I love old guns, and the Bianchi was period + perfect, and still in package.

Somewhere out there is a guy who collects holsters. If I could afford to, I'd buy many of the nice Safarilands I see, even without guns to go in them.

The Milt Sparks PMK is well worth the wait. Have one for my carry 58 and it is a dream. You will not be disappointed!

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

holsters are used by me for N frame 2" to 4". Carried on heavy duty leather belts, often on a 25 year old Baker.

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the world is round everywhere

I'll have to get in line then. I want a good holster.

I just got a Bianchi B7 belt in excellent condition. I put my vintage 5BHL on that belt, loaded her up with Federal C44A and will hit the woods with it when the weather gets better. I'll use the PMK for around town.

Good choice....the wait is totally worth it and it'll give you something to look forward too.

They also still make the six cartridge belt slides; forget the name of that item. It is not on the website but mention it. It is still available

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

I carry all sorts of barrel length N frame revolvers......

Over the last 20 years this style of holster has fit the bill
for concealed or open carry for yours truly.

4" N Frame in 45 Long Colt.





.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Here's my 29 in a Dave Keith rig.

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Halfway and one more step

Check with DM Bullard. Their OWB and IWB holsters offer more forward cant than usual. This helps hide the long grip on the N-Frame guns.

I dislike my Sparks PMK. It has nearly no forward cant and the slot is difficult to get on and off of a Comp-Tac kydex reinforced belt. Most importantly, the rear belt slot is unformed and places extra pressure on the belt.

Many years ago, I carried a 6.5" barreled 29-2 on a daily basis. Having tried a number of holsters (including a Bianchi 5BH), I determined that the only way to carry it was in a good shoulder holster (I used a Bianchi X-15). It concealed well under a jacket, and distributed the weight of the gun quite well (it didn't tend to pull my pants down, either, lol). For the 4" gun, IWB is quite possible, and can work quite well with the right holster. While Milt Sparks is top of the line, I can heartily second the recommendation for checking out Lobo's offerings, they are also top grade, work exceedingly well, can be obtained much more quickly, and are priced more reasonably. I have one of his IWB holsters for a 4" 629, and it is just about perfect for it. As an added inducement, he is a S&W forum member, too.

I have carried N Frame guns quite a bit concealed.

Starting in the early 1970's.
Before there were good IWB holsters we just carried what was called "Mexican carry".

With a 6.5" I just stuck the barrel in my pants and let the cylinder ride above the belt.

However, when I discovered a Milt Sparks Summer Special I got one for a 4" N frame, and just put the 6.5" in it when I carred it.

Later I got a DeSantis mod 46, for a 6.5" N frame. It carried the gun inside the pants[ what people noe call IWB, Inside the Waist Band/Belt] and is very comfortable.

Here is a must do however, if you are going to carry IWB, you need to buy your pants 2" bigger in the waist.

Also even thought the gun is inside the pants, you still need a good heavy leather pants belt for best comfort.

I despaired of concealing the 6" 29-3 year round.

I bought a 4" 29-2.

I saw a 3" 629-1 and sold both the above guns to buy it. Stupid move, maybe, but I love the mojo of the 3".

I still have holster issues, only worse, because nothing is made for it, and the best choice -- a Milt Sparks PMK -- is a 26-wk wait. Better get started...

Some recent googleing indicates to me that Jerry and Jimmy Ardolino are still scamming the public with stories,tales, fantasies,and no deliveries.While the original "Dirty Harry" holster seemed to be the "state of the art", the Ardolinos don't seem to be able to follow through. Sometime back I remember seeing a very close representation of the "Dirty Harry" by a well known maker but I can't remember who. Does any one know of a top quality facsimily? I don't mean a Bianchi X-15 or a Safariland. Although Lawman moved to Arizona and reinvented itself as Wild Guns they apparently haven't changed their ways.Anybody here with recommendations? Thanks, Nick
Edit: Mods. I thought I was posting a new thread, duh. Please move or re-lable this as necessary. Thanks, Nick

Just came back from Alaska where I carried my 4" Smith 58 in a Desantis Hi Ride thumb break holster. In town carried concealed with Silvertips but when out hunting grouse tucked the jacket between the gun and me (loaded with a heavy 265gr load)


CD

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De Oppresso Liber

Ted Blocker made some holsters that are the closest to what was used in the movies. Stitch harnesses, narrow belt strap, and a tension screw just like Harry's.

Thanks Arisin, I knew I had seen something like that but couldn't remember who or where. Nick

I used to carry my 6" 29 in a Bianchi X15 years ago. More recently I've been carrying my nframes in either a pancake (simply rugged or one of Roy Bakers originals that is probably 35 years old) or a crossdraw Bianchi.

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Even older, even crankier....