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I carry a 3" model 60 90% of the time. The holster I carry it in is 15 years old and I can not find another like it. But in support of the Lobo pancake holster here is a picture of a S&W 4" 629 Mountain Gun I carry some times. As big as the gun is I can conceal it pretty good under an untucked shirt. With the model 60 I carry two speed loaders in my pocket. With the 629 I carry 6 rounds in the belt pouch you see in the picture and a speed loader in my pocket.

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I think a 4", in a high-ride pancake, in a guy over 6', conceals as well as a 3" on a shorter fella. I think a lot of it — conceal-a-bility — is in the holster, too, frankly.

I do like the lighter weight, though, of, say, a Colt DS, or a J, over a 4" K-frame, same high-ride holster model... Hmm. I think weight gets more important, as a relative carry issue, vs concealability, as we get older. And that does argue against the 4". At least for me, anyway...

Before my agency transitioned to autoloaders, I carried a 3" Model 10, round butt. Liked the gun so much that I bought a Model 65 3". Still have it and it carries and conceals easily although my new Kahr Arms Model T9 will soon take over most of my CC needs.

Back when I was young and gun poor, I had a choice of two revolvers in the drawer to carry for dinosaur defense - a 2" 10 and a 3" 64. I found the 3" stabilized much better on the belt in identical holsters due to the additional leverage from the longer barrel. Plus, I shoot 3" guns better. The 10 is long gone, but then 64 is still here and still gets carried on occasion.

As a matter of fact, I've considered rebarreling my 442 to 3"...

Not a 3" (cause I don't have one) but a 5" or 6" K frame.
OWB holster strong side or crossdraw

Can you do that? How? Please tell me more.

New barrel and ejector rod, and a good gunsmith should be all it takes...

Hmmm.... I've always wanted a 4" J-frame - I'm going to have to look into what can be done.

Model 13-3 with Bianchi Lightning grips carried in a Don Hume JIT. I find myself carrying a 2 inch Model 12-2 because it's lighter after toting a 4 inch Model 686-6 on a loaded duty belt all day. The 642-2 is my "always" gun.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36