Thank you for all the input. I really appreciate the information provided and the pictures helped alot. About me I'm 6'1" 240# and left handed. I'd checked out the hip grips before but they aren't an option for me. I would like to carry IWB 8 o'clock I think anyway just behind the left hip. It was nice to hear from so many people carrying revolvers some of the other web sites were beginning to make me think I needed to start wearing a duster and carrying a matched pair of Uzi's. Two questions more from your posts:

1) Does anyone have any experience with Simply Rugged holsters? I like their option of pancake belt slide carry or IWB carry with the inside out straps.

2) What is the difference between a gun belt and a 1.25" leather work belt?

Thanks again for all your help.

Oh the gun as far as being a collectible the finish was in bad shape and the previous owner had scratched numbers into the finish so the collector value was already non-existent. The action was tight and the bore was clean, so I traded for it and am now shipping it off to be dura coated with a glossy black. My thought is it will look new and be durable and since the collector value is already gone from the damage from the prior owner why not. And, I don't shoot +P ammo, I carry Hornady 158 grain jacketed hollow points.

This is lengthy sorry about that. Thanks again for all the information and please keep it coming.

quote:

Originally posted by KKG:
That being said; it should be noted that I'm not 5' 6" and don't tip the scales at 130 pounds, but if I were I'd find this type of carry a bit "awkward" to say the least.

Even a small person could carry something like a 3" model 60 and have serious accuracy and power. If I put on weight I find IWB less comfortable. I'm thinking that mode of carry would be less feasible for the portly that thin people. Having a set of hips for the gun and belt to ride on makes a big difference IMO. It would really suck to be buttless.

quote:

Originally posted by Golddog:
Try a CABO IWB holster. It carries the cylinder above the belt, essentially turning a 4" into a 2 1/2" for concealed carry.

You still have to pull all that gun up out of the holster and the butt is higher than usual. Hard to do is you have a short torso.

quote:

Originally posted by flop-shank:

quote:

Originally posted by KKG:
That being said; it should be noted that I'm not 5' 6" and don't tip the scales at 130 pounds, but if I were I'd find this type of carry a bit "awkward" to say the least.

Even a small person could carry something like a 3" model 60 and have serious accuracy and power. If I put on weight I find IWB less comfortable. I'm thinking that mode of carry would be less feasible for the portly that thin people. Having a set of hips for the gun and belt to ride on makes a big difference IMO. It would really suck to be buttless.

Yes, I too find a 3" model 60 in a Kramer IWB to be FAR better to carry all day than a 4" K or L. Yet, the 3" barrel gives much superior sight radius than my 442.

I've tried it with a 686, and it was unbearable in the car. For those special social occasions where I feel it necessary I use a Galco vertical shoulder holster under a slightly oversized unbuttoned shirt. Much more comfortable!

quote:

Originally posted by flop-shank:
I would suggest you carry your 4" gun inside the waistband on your strongside and the snubby in your front pocket, in a pocket holster, on your weakside...Your 4" gun would be very easy to hide with a proper belt and holster...

I agree with flop-shank on this. IMO, a weak side gun should probably be a revolver, because of the danger of limp-wristing a semi-auto and having it malfunction when shooting from the weak side hand. Pocket carry would be good for your snubby, as you can rest your hand on it and be ready to draw it, without bringing any attention to yourself. One should have a weak side gun just in case your strong side hand becomes inoperable for some reason.

The need for a proper belt cannot be over-emphasized, it makes all the difference in the world. Many people prefer belts from Beltman.

Carry the most effective ammo that you shoot accurately, and practice with it regularly.

I have a couple of 4" revolvers that I could carry concealed, a 686+, and a Security Six. For me, if I'm going to carry something that big and heavy, it's gonna be my Kimber Pro Carry in .45 ACP. Lighter, easier to conceal, and arguably more firepower. I have a 642 and a Colt Agent that lend themselves to being concealed "mo better", but they lack the firepower of the bottom feeder. 4" revolvers are my current favorite guns, but not for CC.

Of course, you do have to remember that Flopshank would carry a pair of 155mm howitzers if he could find holsters. welcome to the Forum. John

quote:

Originally posted by Lt JL:
Of course, you do have to remember that Flopshank would carry a pair of 155mm howitzers if he could find holsters. welcome to the Forum. John

Well a 155 would be pretty effective wouldn't it?

I went for a walk this afternoon. The temperature was ninetyish and I carried a 4" 586 strongside IWB in a Mika holster, a Taurus 605 .357 snubby in my weakside front pocket in a Mika pocket holster and a NAA Black Widow in a "hobo holster" (as Gatorfarmer calls them) in my strongside front pocket. I was wearing jeans and a hawaiian shirt. I'm used to a 5" full underlug 629, so the 586 was a breeze.

Well, Rob, I'm able to testify about the Simply Rugged holsters; I have about nine of them.
The plainish shape and extensive coverage really help keep things smooth and hidden.
I have a larger one that disappears a four-inch Python under a light shirt so well even my fellow IDPA-ites can't see it, and who'd be better at spotting?
I haven't tried the inside-out loops, though, but I'm curious to.
A four-inch Cobra's way up there for this- better sight radius and power but it's just a little nothing to carry.
A small note to the earlier poster comparing the Cobra to a 686- the Cobra's not the same size at all; it's an aluminum Detective Special.
Incidentally- none of this applies until I'm over the Indiana line.

Hi Rob,
I use the Simply Rugged pancake holster with the inside-out straps(for inside the waistband carry) to carry my four inch N (large)frame 629-6 44 Magnum Mountain Gun.
Outstanding!
Comfortable and concealable, with as little as one t shirt (tucked) and one t shirt (untucked).

Hitting your target is called "firepower." I believe it was Cooper who said that.

I own a Glock 21 that holds 13 rounds of .45 ACP and I could easily carry it concealed if I want. Problem is, it's a semiauto and therefore CAN NOT BE TRUSTED. I'll take one of my 625s and its six rounds that I know will fire without excuse.

Dave Sinko

CherryRiver and Cherokee180 - thanks for the input on the Simply Rugged holsters. I think I'll be ordering one soon. Would either of you mind posting a picture showing the holster and how well it conceals?

Flopshank - Where in Michigan are you walking? I don't think I would need three guns for a walk in my subdivision, but then again maybe that would be a good excuse to go shopping at the local gun store.

Thanks again to everyone for all the input. Although I'd still like to know the difference between a good gun belt and 1.25" work belt.

quote:

Originally posted by David Sinko:
I own a Glock 21 that holds 13 rounds of .45 ACP and I could easily carry it concealed if I want. Problem is, it's a semiauto and therefore CAN NOT BE TRUSTED.

Maybe you cannot trust them.

I trust mine. I have put them through the wringer and I know they will do their job if I do mine.

Click here to follow 50,000 round M&P9 torture test. So far 28,450 rounds fired with 2 stoppages, 0 malfunctions, and 0 parts breakeage.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob22:
Flopshank - Where in Michigan are you walking? I don't think I would need three guns for a walk in my subdivision, but then again maybe that would be a good excuse to go shopping at the local gun store.

I live in Holland. It's not the worst place to live. It's far from that. Nevertheless there were two occassions last year that made me VERY glad I was packing. I didn't end up needing a gun, but the hair was definately standing up on the back of my neck. If you watch the news, you'll notice that between Holland, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo, there is, at least a murder every day. The monsters are out there. I live about half a mile away from one of Holland's most notorious areas.

Regarding my multi-gun carry, I'll explain it very succinctly. I want a gun available to each hand (one a big .357 or .44 magnum IWB/I think of them as hand rifles) the other a snubby weak side pocket (that one can be grasped nonchalantly, but once grasped, is quicker and sneakier than the big gun). I think the idea of trying to reload an empty gun in a gunfight is flawed (unless you have a "battle buddy" providing cover and I never do. Even then......yuck ). I just draw another one. Realize that gun #3 (and often #2) is a NAA .22.