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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 06-04-2010, 09:29 PM
bigboy bigboy is offline
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Default N frame carry opinions

Good evening, I would like to request any input from the forum on their opinions for CCW. My two immediate choices I have on hand are a Model 325PD snub or a 327PD from the Performance Center. I already have new Sparks leather. I like the extra two rounds the 327PD PC carries but it is very difficult to reload with moon clips. The 325 just seems to "swallow" the six round moon clips. I value your opinions and any past experience with either.
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Old 06-04-2010, 10:42 PM
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Hello an welcome. Between the 325 and 327 it's just apples or oranges.

Both will definitely get the job done.
The odds of needing to re load in a self defense situation are slim.
Statistics show usually no more than 5 rounds within 5 or so feet.

I'd probably carry one one day, and the other the next.

I do carry a N frame model 28 regularly ,and am quite comfortable with it.
Much heavier than either of your choices ,I have simply
just gotten used to it.

Good luck ,,Allen Frame





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Old 06-05-2010, 03:05 PM
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I carried my TRD 325 all morning in a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2. Very comfortable and very concealable. I dropped a spare full moonclip in my pocket and was good to go.
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Old 06-05-2010, 04:03 PM
panamajack310 panamajack310 is offline
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Hi, I carry my 3in. 625-3 on a daily basis. It is very comfortable and easy to conceal. I also cary an extra moon clip in my front pocket. For some reason the 45 acp round does easily slide into place when reloading. It also unloads very easy due to the low pressure of the round. the case does not expand at all. This makes unloading a snap.
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Old 06-05-2010, 06:51 PM
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Old school leather like the Bianchi 5BHL works good too. I use it with a 4" 629. The key is an untucked flannel shirt. Easy up here where it rains all the time, but not bad in summer either, under a short-sleeved shirt untucked (T-shirt under to keep the gun off the skin). Most people don't notice what you're wearing anyway. If you're licensed, you're cool, and a bump in your outline -- even if there were one -- is none of their business. Could be a cell phone, PDA, Blackberry, colostomy bag, whatever.
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Old 06-05-2010, 07:17 PM
David Sinko David Sinko is offline
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I also carry a 3" 625 on a regular basis. I also have a 4" 627-5, which is the budget model eight shot .357 Magnum. After having a terrible experience at an ICORE match with Maxfire speedloaders, I decided I needed to have the 627 moonclipped. I wasn't going to do it because I had seen other shooters having fits with the thin eight shot .357 moonclips. Well, I just got this revolver back about a week ago, and wow, what a difference! It actually reloads faster than my 625s. I was even speedloading full wadcutters with ease. I have three 625-4s but none of them has chamfered chambers, since I also shoot .45 Super out of them. The 627 is radiused and has smooth edges, so that might be the difference. I am using mixed brass and the thin moonclips from Brownell's.

I choose my carry revolvers based on how well I shoot them and not how many rounds they carry or how quickly they can be reloaded. A 3" 625 is as good as it gets for me, and I prefer six rounds of .45 Super to eight rounds of .357 Magnum. But they way my eight shooter has been performing, I certainly would not balk if I had to carry it.

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Old 06-05-2010, 10:59 PM
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Thanks to all that replied. I never even considered the lower pressure of the .45ACP making extraction easier due to the brass not "forming" in the chambers. Also, one would think a Performance Center gun to have all the proper machining done for rapid moon clip insertion. Maybe the eight seperate charge holes, longer OAL of the .357 and, "wiggley" hold of the moon clips has a little something too due with it also. Most .357 clips I've tried are specified for use with STAR LINE brass. Any will comments will be welcome.
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Old 06-05-2010, 11:22 PM
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I carry a 629-5, 4", with a Hogue Monogrip on a regular basis. It is carried in a Bianchi Cyclone #111 (in the crossdraw position OR in the stongside position - just depends on what I am doing). Sometimes I carry it IWB...

I've never had an issue with carrying the N Frame, as I am 6'3", 235 lbs., and run 50 inches through the chest with a 36 inch waste. Whatever I am wearing just drapes right over the revolver, no matter what position it is carried in. A few HKS speedloaders in the right front pocket, a tac light in the left front, with an Emerson CQB folder in the right back pocket. That is just what I carry on me... My EDC bag is a whole other issue...

Regards,
Mike
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Old 06-05-2010, 11:38 PM
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I've recommended on other posts to check out Simply Rugged holsters...high quality leather, the BEST customer service, and I've been carrying my 3" 629 under a hawaiian shirt for about a year and NOBODY sees it...best of luck!
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Old 06-06-2010, 12:29 AM
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I have carried 4" N frames in a Milt Sparks Summer Special with just a big shirt over them. In south Texas where I live a covering garment screams gun for a big part of the year. They carry well whether those N frames are in .357, .44 or .45. Wear your pants a size bigger and use a good belt. The extra size in your pants will also let you drop a speed loader in one of your front pants pockets.

Don Hume also makes an inside the pants rig that is perfectly serviceable although much less expense than a Milt Sparks. It is not as nice a holster but it is thinner and has a straighter drop so depending upon your build it make work better for you.

Finally I realize that this is heresy to many of the N frame guys but a round butt with appropriate grips sure does a N frame easily to conceal.
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Old 06-06-2010, 09:55 AM
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I recently purchased a 629PC w/a 2 5/8 barrel and decided to go with a Bell Charter Oaks holster. It is the IWB Grizzly Bear model made for N frames. When I ordered by phone, I asked them to make it with a sweat sheild. Just received the holster yesterday - it is very well made and I am pleased with the fit. Even though the N frames are a tad on the heavy side - the right holster makes it very doable.


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Old 06-07-2010, 09:59 AM
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I carry my 325NG in a Galco Summer Comfort. It ride high with the cylinder above the belt. It's made for a 4" barrel, so there is enough leather under the belt to keep it stable, but no thickness to make it uncomfortable. I thought of cutting the extra off, but am afraid it will mess it up.

A friend just showed me her Uncle Mikes Open Top IWB holster for her Glock 27. It looks like neoprene with a belt clip on one side. My 325 fit in it perfectly. I ordered one for $12 as a backup option.
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Old 06-07-2010, 11:32 AM
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If you shoot one better than the other then there is your choice.
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Old 06-07-2010, 01:38 PM
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I have a few of the relatively new eight round speedloaders and they've been working pretty well for me. I still like Ranch Product's moonclips, which haven't given me any real issues with my mostly Federal, Winchester, and Starline brass.

This is a favorite revolver carry combo for me, in an old Sparks VMII or Mernickle PS6DA, with Mernickle belt and pouches:

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Old 06-07-2010, 05:53 PM
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i carry a 657 or a 29 (both 3")either in an ankle holster by wolverine holster or a paddle leather holster by galco...both work just fine
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327, 357 magnum, 45acp, 627, 629, 657, bianchi, ccw, crossdraw, galco, glock, hogue, leather, model 28, model 625, performance center, round butt, snubnose, starline, winchester

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