Hey wheelgunners,
New to these forums but have already gotten great info.
Recently I saw an article by Clint Smith about pocket carrying N-frames. Can't remember the magazine but he demonstrated with the 2 inch 327 and a 4 inch 45ACP.
My question is whether anyone here has been able to pull this off? I would love to carry this size weapon but I am skeptical about practicality
Thanks

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Semper Fi

Hey wheelgunners,
New to these forums but have already gotten great info.
Recently I saw an article by Clint Smith about pocket carrying N-frames. Can't remember the magazine but he demonstrated with the 2 inch 327 and a 4 inch 45ACP.
My question is whether anyone here has been able to pull this off? I would love to carry this size weapon but I am skeptical about practicality
Thanks

__________________
Semper Fi

I don't think it would be practical. I wouldn't even consider it.

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May God Bless The USA

I'm big on the N-frame for personal carry & wouldn't know Clint Smith if I met him. One thing I'm 99% sure of is that using a pocket for concealed carry of an N-frame revolver isn't going to work.

For this to work, your pants will need pockets much larger than in my pants.

What size pants do we think Mr. Smith wears ???
He must be a really big fellow. Anyone that big, probably doesn't need a CCW to defend himself...

gold40

I don't recall ever seeing anybody advocate an N Frame for pocket carry. I carry N Frames concealed all the time but they are in a belt holster and never in a pocket. The only revolvers I carry in my pockets are my Models 60 and 940, and they are J Frames.

Dave Sinko

I read that article, and the entire time I was thinking "there truly must be better things to discuss than fantasy". You would need absolutely friggin HUGE pockets and then it would still print, and would be a pain with every step you took. One of Clint's examples was his 4 inch Thunder ranch 45 ACP. NO WAY! J frames are made for the pocket.

Iron Addict

I would love to see that article with pictures!

He had pictures of the guns, and one pic of him holding the gun, but none of them in his pocket and what that would look like. He was wearing baggy cargo pants, but P-L-E-A-S, give me a break.

Iron Addict

Literally, those would be deep pockets that could reasonably carry an N frame. It reminds me of the old skit by Gallagher when he had the 3 foot barrel on the SA revolver.

Thanks for the input.
Like i said i was really skeptical about him pulling that off. Especially the 45ACP. He even had the big finger groove Hogue grips on it. I could maybe see the 327 with boot grips and the bobbed hammer that he had but then again that cylinder is like hiding a Coke can in your pants!

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Semper Fi

You might be suprised of the "following" you may have

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Semper FI

That is why I carry the LCP mouse gun.I don't even like to pocket carry a J-frame.

I pocket carry the X frame-those of you who can't , you just aren't man enough-and are **** suckers

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Forum consigliere

I've met Clint Smith a couple of times. He's about 5'10" and slim. I could see pocket carry of a 4" N-frame in a pair of carpenter's overalls or a Carhartt canvas jacket, but that's about it.


Okie John

There is no doubt that it can be done. It just looks like you have a small ball in your pocket. Big men with big pants can carry big guns. A departed friend of mine was known to pocket carry a large frame Colt that had been cut down to under 2" and had part of the trigger guard removed to facilitate firing with a gloved hand. However this was back in World War II, snubbys were not cool yet. Somewhere I have a photograph of the late Colonel Rex Applegate with that revolver but I can not find it now. He felt that the large frame revolvers were best for point shooting.

There are MANY S&W snubby N-frames that could be used for this purpose. You mention that the 327 Carry was in the article.


Since I have removed the factory supplied Ahernds grips from mine and switched to the Pachmayr Compacs, the grip size is smaller. If you could locate the now discontinued Pachmayr Compac Profesionals you could reduce that profile even more.

Another candidate would be the 625Carry. I am not sure why these were called 625s since the frames are Scandium they should have been named 325. The initial offering was in 45ACP.


I held out a little longer on buying one because of a rumor that they were going to be released in 45 Long Colt.


I even went for a NY reload with mine.

Hey, pocket carry of an N-frame may not be for you. That is why there are J-frames, Secamps, Kel-Tecs, etc.

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"Acta non verba"

Welcome to the forum.

It depends on how big you are, what you wear and the N frame you want to carry. It’s possible with some clothes, but you won’t pocket carry an N frame in a regular pair of jeans. I’m big and my wife had to extend some pants pocket just so I could carry a J frame in them.

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"I also cook."

I could probably do an N frame with a 2" barrel but I thought the OP was talking about a much longer one? :-/

I think Clint was emulating the late Fitz of Colt fame where he lined his slacks pants pockets with leather and carried cut down New Service Colts which are basically the same size as the Ruger Redhawk.

Fitz advocated this type of carry but obviously its not for everyone. Would like to read the article as Mr. Smith is a no nonsense type of guy and their must have been a reasonable point he was attempting to make.

I should have taken pics when I tried this last week with my new 22-4. Wearing my work pants (black 5.11 TDU pants, admittedly not a common attire for most) I had little problem concealing the 22-4 with magna grips. It did fill the whole pocket, but it slid in and did not print much at all.

I'll try it again later and get some pics to see if you guys agree.

"Is that a N frame in your pocket? Or are you just happy to see me?"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I'd love to be able to pocket carry my 329 NG, but even my 396 NG (L frame - 24.5 oz) is too much. The problem isn't the pockets which are deep enough, but my belt which isn't up to the task of keeping my pants up (or I just don't have enough hip to keep the pants from sagging down to one side - maybe I just need one in each pocket to keep in balance). That and getting into and out of a car was pretty difficult without removing the gun first.

Also the hammer got wrapped around a loose thread which was kind of creepy when taking it out.

I always thought the 625 carry was the perfect .45 acp hideaway gun......

I have to laugh at the doubters, here are three that I routinely pocket carry. Two N frames and a L, 327,325 and 396. I use the Concealed Clothiers pocket sheath. I have no doubt that a 4" can be carried with the deep pockets found on some cargo pants and shorts.

The bulge in the pocket is hardly noticeable, in fact most are surprised when they want to know if I am carrying.

If Clint says he does it, he does it. Whether it is practical for most of us under most conditions is not the same as whether it is practical for him under the conditions of his life.
I do not recall what pants I was wearing when I did this, probably Woolrich Elite, but before we got our fence up, I answered the door one afternoon with a 1911 in my hand. It was a candidate for office, so before I opened the door and went out to chat with him (a real douche for whom I wish I had not voted), I stuck the 1911 in my pocket. It's not something I would do regularly, but it worked.
I would not want to pocket carry a big gun in court clothes, but in more practical/comfortable clothes I can see it working.

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NHI, 10-8.

Of course it can be done. I can inside IWB my 4 inch 629 under a T-shirt. Sure is a pain the entire time. Walking with a 4 inch N-frame in your pocket can't be fun--as a stunt--sure, as a method for daily carry???

Clint is famous for his saying that "handguns should be comforting, not comfortable". But that is a bit of a stretch pocket carrying a 4 inch N frame.

Iron Addict

My question to those pocket carrying an N frame is how bad is the bulge when you sit down? Your pants/pocket must be pretty loose not to print badly. In addition, if your pants are loose enough not to print badly when seated, how bad does you pants pocket swing when you walk?

thank
John

Since Fitzgerald writes in Shooting that he used to carry 2 chopped .45 Colt New Service revolvers in his front pockets, I'd say it can be done. But, trousers were a lot roomier back then, and even so I think he reinforced the pockets and waistband.

Rear pocket holsters were quite popular back in the '20s and '30s I've seen them for police positives as well as the larger official police models and even single actions. There was a Sheriff that carried a single action that way in one of Raymond Chandlers books.

/c

Well . . . Dolly Parton could probably get away with going bra less too, in the right, loose clothing . . . and sitting still.

If she had to take off running it would be an entirely different story!


Same with a 40+ ounce N frame. Yes, it can be done under the right circumstances, as long as you don't have to move around a lot . . . or in a hurry! I've done it too.

T.

And Tom, you've got to be extra careful when carrying your snub N frame, as the front sight will open you up like a can-opener!!

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ken
SWCA #1959

I wear traditional fit Dockers and LL Bean jeans (not oversized) with my 325 and 327. They do not overly bulge, are barely noticeable and are comfortable. My guns are set up for pocket carry. Again, I use the Concealed Carrier Clothiers pocket pouch to protect the pocket. You doubters should try it, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

You pocket carry your 325 TR? If yes where did you get the concealed carrier clothers pocket pouch (maybe a link) I googled it and only thing I found was a dead url?

No, only the 325PD as pictured above.

I did see Clint Smith's article in lasts month American Handgunner (I believe) with pictures of pocket holsters for the 325 TRD. I have not put on any cargo pants with the deep pockets to try it. He did say he had cut the rubber grips down and I believe the hammer was bobbed. Of course the light rail was off also. Walking back to my range I have stuck 4" guns in my front pocket with the butt exposed, I suppose this would work well with a pocket holster. The other thing to remember is that you still need a good gun belt with pocket carry.

Boycan heres the link: http://www.concealedcarry.com/

Thanks I will check them out

Everyone to their own taste, but why don't you just use a holster? If you are worried about concealment, pull your shirt over it. Seems a lot easier to me.With the proper holster, you can carry about anything you want. Dont have to worrry about it getting all sweaty etc. I really don't see why anybody would want to carry a N frame in their pocket. That's why they make hoslters. Just my opinion.

We had a family friend (RIP) who always had a pistol of some kind on him. Sometimes it was a 4-inch Model 28 Highway Patrolman in the pocket of his denim bib overalls.

I couldn't see doing it myself, or recommending it, but he often did it.

That's just one of many gun stories from his life.

He was truly a good man, a life-long friend of my father's, and he is missed.

I'm sure it can be done, but it looks to me as if you'd tend to walk in little circles and your compass would be useless.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Legend has it that he pocket carried an 8-3/8" N-Frame, among his many other accomplishments:


Or, as Mae West said:
"Is that an N-Frame in your pocket, or are you glad to see me?"

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Biker Dave: There are real tactical advantages to pocket carry in some circumstances. I work in dress clothes, and the ability appear completely unarmed is important, as is the need to be able to remove my jacket (I have no tolerance for heat, and am uncomfortable to miserable in most places because my comfort range is far below that of other people) without a holster or other gear showing. Since I have to get my suits tailored anyway to fit (my coat sizes are far bigger than my trousers, so there is a lot of work done to make the trousers fit), I get some additional work to bolster the pockets of the coats to carry a magazine and my flashlight (Surefire Fury, of course).

There have been occasions under which the ability to stand casually with a hand on my pistol without being obvious has been very valuable. Pocket carry is not a perfect solution for all purposes, but it does fill an important niche.

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NHI, 10-8.

I don't know if it is John's face added to your comments, or your comments with his face there ,but I get a good belly laugh on lots of your post. Sometimes, even ("as if" ) when you are being serious. Thanks

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wanna do right-- not right now

Better have some pretty big pockets!

Sure - just buy a pair of these ugly jeans!

Zombie thread from 2009!

Doug M.
I see you are in law enforcement. I'm sure you might have some special circumstances I am not aware of.By all means ,do whatever you have to do to keep yourself safe. I was speaking about the general public. It's just my own opinion anyhow. Have you ever tried to carry a N frame in your pocket? KEEP SAFE BRO!

N Frame pocket carry is responsible for the "butt crack jeans look" don't you know!

Love me some zombie threads!

I also love seeing those N frame snubs with fixed sights. The 625s are especially cool.

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Proud anachronism

I have pocket carried both a S&W 1917 cut to just under 3 1/2" and a cut down Colt New Service with a 2 1/2' barrel, but only when wearing bib overalls. It is truly surprising how much stuff can go into a pair of bibs. The S&W shows a little of the butt, but is easily covered with a winter vest. My wife, however, absolutely hates bibs. Says I look like a hick. I don't care since I grew up with a bunch of hicks. Strange attitude from a girl who grew up in a farm town with a population of about 800.