4" Model 10 as carry gun?

PeterCartwright · Mar 17, 2011

I took some time to skim through the entire category last night in curiosity. I discovered very little respecting the lowly model 10 as a concealed carry choice in its most common barrel length (4"). So I'm wondering. Do you choose to carry the ubiquitous 4" model 10, either in standard or heavy barrel? What have been your experiences with this old war horse as a concealed carry tool?

PC

photoman · Mar 17, 2011

I have a 4" Model 64 (same gun but stainless steel) and have carried it during the winter using an EPS Tom Threepersons under a large jacket. During the summer, it's a bit of a challenge to conceal a 4" K frame the way I dress.

The Big D · Mar 17, 2011

4" Model 10, heavy barrel, was my initial duty weapon.

Think I carried it CCW a grand total of once; the day it was issued to me and had to get it home somehow.

Replaced it (for off-duty/CCW purposes) with a Model 36 the very next day.

IMHO, the 10 is a great revolver but too big for routine CCW.

Be safe.

OFT II · Mar 17, 2011

I sometimes carry a 12-3, the airweight version of the model 10, with a 4" barrel. My usual carry is a Colt LW Commander 45 ACP. The loaded weight and size is about the same as a 4" model 10.

wogentry · Mar 17, 2011

I routinely carry a Model 10 with a 4" Standard barrel or a Model 19 with a 4" barrel. Days with a jacket I use an El Paso Saddlery #88 "Street Combat" holster. On days without I use a host of IWB hosters I have accumulated over the years. Some namebrand some not. Never had a problem with the weight, or printing. In my opinion the revolvers were a lot more comfortable and easier to carry than my Colt or Kimber full size 1911s.

38-44HD45 · Mar 17, 2011

While it is not often my choice, I would never suggest that a 4" Model 10, in either skinny or heavy barrel guise, is not a good concealed carry piece. With good ammo, in a good concealment holster, one could do far worse. Way back in my former life, my very first centerfire handgun was a skinny barrel Model 10, made in about 1972. My Mom still has it, for as long as she lives, then I'll get it back, but I hope that's many years hence. It is exceedingly accurate, has a wonderful, smooth action, and has digested thousands of rounds of hot ammo. Despite the fact that my usual primary carry pieces these days are 9x23 autoloaders, if I were relegated to carrying a 4" Model 10, I would not feel like I couldn't defend myself effectively.

P&R Fan · Mar 17, 2011

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a 4" K-Frame as a carry gun. If worn in an OWB holster the covering garment needs to be a little longer, but in IWB carry there is no problem at all. K-Frames are great revolvers, and the M10 is a classic, with the right loads it will get you through the night. My advice is only use a good quality holster. If you do so concealment will not be a problem

David Sinko · Mar 17, 2011

If it's all you have that's fine, but as a belt gun I have carried more effective 4" barreled N Frames and a Redhawk concealed, even in very hot weather.

I have a 4" Model 64 with heavy barrel but rarely use it. I prefer my 2" Model 64 which I usually carry in a pocket holster.

Dave Sinko

Rule 303 · Mar 17, 2011

I sometimes carry a 2" 64 in a IWB Holster.
Most of the time I carry a Glock 19 and a LCP or a PF-9.
When I go to the Border or Dallas/San Antone/Houston I carry a 1911 Government or Commander and a Glock Model 26.
Old habits never die.

Rule 303

18DAI · Mar 17, 2011

I've carried a 4" 10-6 in 357 and a 4" 64-3 in 38 on occasion.

Nothing the matter with either one as a carry gun. Both are far more inherently accurate than some other guns I regularly carry.

If you can hit what you aim at, you would be well served by the 4" model 10 stoked with quality factory ammunition. Regards 18DAI.

Tracer_Bullet · Mar 17, 2011

I frequently carry a 4" HB 10-8 in an IWB holster. I usually have target stocks on it but sometimes have to switch to magnas and a t-grip adapter in warmer weather.

PeterCartwright · Mar 17, 2011

Thanks, all, for your replies. I occasionally carry either a 10-5 or a 15-3, both with 4" barrels, in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake. Seems like it conceals as well as other tools I carry more frequently. I always enjoy shooting the 4" K frame .38s and, given appropriate ammunition, I don't feel under armed. I appreciate hearing from others on this subject.

PC

GyMac · Mar 18, 2011

I routinely carry a Model 10 4 inch tapered barrel concealed, as well as a Model 15 - mainly on days when I've shot them on the range. That said, the gun I carry concealed most often would be a 9mm Makarov. It seems handier.

toocool · Mar 19, 2011

I don't anymore, since I'm no longer in law enforcement, but back in the day I was issued a Ruger Service Six .38 that I had to leave at work when I left. My off-duty piece was a 4" Model 65 (same as Model 10, but stainless and .357) that I carried in a pancake-style holster with a pouch for six spare rounds (can't remember who made it, but as I recall it was made for the FBI when they carried the 3" model 13. I had the same holster, but for a 4"). Never had a problem concealing it under an unbuttoned shirt in summer or a jacket in cooler months.

stantheman86 · Mar 20, 2011

Loaded with Ranger +P+, this 10-10 is a regular "friend" on the drive to and from work, and also as a glove box gun.I use a Barami hip grip, so I can take it out of the glove box and stick it in my waistband if I want to wear it into a store or something, and not have to bother with a holster. I'm required to drive around my county for my job, and often deal with unsavory and hostile people......I am not allowed to carry a gun on my person while working, despite being a CCW holder, but can keep a gun in my personal car. It's nice knowing this 10-10 is close by in my car sometimes.....the 10-10 is a "franken-Smith", it has a cylinder from an earlier K-frame, and it's ugly, but it works and I don't have a "nice" gun that I care about getting banged around.

Let me put the bag over my head now, but I also use these as glove box-knockaround carry guns.......I figure if they get stolen out of my car I won't be out anything worth worrying about.

I also carry this .38 Service Six, I carried this today in an IWB holster. The target grip is surprisingly easy to conceal when the gun is tight to the body.

This 10-8 rides in an IWB holster once in a while too. It was born the same year I was, figure it might be a good luck charm and I'll never have to use it.

J.P.60 · Mar 20, 2011

Heck, I carry both the 5" 1911 and a 22-4 .45acp N-Frame revolver, sometimes, as a CCW. I see no reason, whatsoever, that you cannot carry a 4" K-Frame. As other say, you just have to give thoughts to your wardrobe, based on IWB or OWB carry.

wnr700 · Mar 20, 2011

My top choice for EDC is a J frame snub. A close second would be a kahr.

Anything larger, my personal choice would be a Glock 26 or some other poly wonder vs a 4 inch K frame

Badkarma 1 · Mar 20, 2011

From time to time my skinny barrel 10-7 does hide in my waist band as I go about working in the yard. I do find the skinny barrel easier to hide than the heavy version. Dale

ConquestN98858 · Apr 2, 2011

Cousin Jack did it for years that I know of...
A Buffalo, NY Police Lt. that was a phenominal PPC Shooter carried what he shot in competition daily both on and off duty!
Jackie was also a pretty good gun and holster smith as well, made double action operation smooth as butter!
Great guy/sorely missed...

rromeo · Apr 2, 2011

I often carry my 10 in a Safariland duty holster. With a jacket or certain untucked shirts, it goes unnoticed.

4" Model 10 as carry gun?

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