Hey Guys

If you're going to conceal a 44 mag, is there an ideal barrel length to maximize concealability, while minimizing muzzle flash and sound concussion? I guess in other words, I'd like to get as much powder burnt within the barrel without having to tuck it into my socks. Also if you do carry a 44 mag, how big of a revolver can you personally carry with it still being concealable?

Thanks in advance!

If I wear the right clothes I can conceal my 8 3/8" barrel 629. With a tanker holster it lays right against my chest and stomach and a heavy shirt and a jacket will conceal it pretty well. I'm sure some would see me printing but Joe Citizen isn't going likely to notice.

I just go OWB around the 4 o'clock position. Concealment isn't my main concern when I'm carrying a 629 but an un-tucked shirt has worked pretty well for me. My favorite "carry" 629 is a 4".

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If you are wearing the right clothes you can conceal just about anything.

I carry my 4" 629 in a Galco Miami Vice shoulder holster in the cooler months of the year when I can wear a vest or a jacket, hard to carry it in the warmer months in Houston.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

Concealed carry of a 44 Magnum revolver? You're kidding, right? Bring it on guys, l can take it. LOL

Welcome to the Forum

As already mentioned . . . . Concealment is more about how you dress than what you carry.

What is this man carrying? Besides the Glock of course
As to muzzle flash, that is more a issue of ammunition than barrel length. Most all premium defense loadings from the BIG companies (Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, etc.) are either loaded with a low flash powder or have flash suppressant added. This is far different from our personal hand loads or cheap white/green/yellow box bargain brands and ever foreign ammunition all of which are manufactured with low price as the major factor. When price is a factor you do not worry about muzzle flash.

I carry big bore Magnums all the time and they have full power ammunition in them.
I pocket carry this N-frame in the 5.11 Covert Kahkis. They are fantastic for concealing larger pistols.

Now back to concealment. Have you guessed what the gentleman pictured above might be carrying under that Tux? Let's have a peek
OK, it was a jacket and he is of above average height, but did you think all that hardware was on him?

For those that do not recognize the gentleman, that is former California Highway Patrolman turned gun leather designer John Bianchi. The photographs are from a very old printed magazine article on concealed carry.

There are a couple problems with conceal carry of big bore revolvers.
The cylinder and frame are more of a problem than a 3 or 4" barrel.
Another is the weight.
One more is the recoil. Even Chuck Norris would get back on target faster with less recoil. For concealed carry there no need for that kind of power. Not really that many Dirty Harry situations.

These can all be dealt with tho a degree.
L frame 44 are smaller and lighter. All are 5 shooters. The 44 mag in the small group is the 4.25" mdl 69, the 696 is a 44 spec with a 3" and then there is the 396. Scandium frame, available with a titanium cylinder and a 2 1/2" barrel. About the smallest and the lightest. Light is going to cost in terms of recoil recover, but not as much as a 44 mag and you don't need the mags velocity. Some one hit with a 200gr bullet at 800fps isn't going to be much better off than on hit with one at 1300fps that goes on through and slams into whatever is behind them.

Here is the L frame trio 396 btm, 696 mdl and mdl 69 top

Here is my dehorned 396 in holster that I wear and is easily concealed under a loose T shirt


Another big bore option that is a good gun for the money is the Charter Arms Bulldog in 44 spec.

Want 6 rounds and power the Scandium 329 44 mag or with less recoil the 45 acp 325

PS I like the pic of the guy loaded down with hardware. Interesting, but, can he actually walk, I know he best stay away from swimming pools. LOL

A 4" should be a good compromise...
and of course steelslaver (post #7) is correct "smaller conceals easier"
but with the right clothes / dressing ...

In this older threads you may find a few examples (perhaps not so impressive
as in post #6 from colt_saa )

for those who carry an N-Frame

how about a N-Frame grip and leather show

P.44

And as we all like pics...

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ok, you're carrying a 44 mag , concealed or even open carry . Set up this scenario at a private range or some place out and away .
You will have at least 3 targets ( bad guys) starting at 15 yrds , coming at you . They are not in line , but at slightly different distances and offset from one another .
The test is : Can you hit all the targets ( bad guys ) with just the 6 rounds . And if you want to make it a bit more interesting , having to move and clear an obstacle while shooting .
Can you fire all 6 rounds in a max time of 7 sec's or less? This was the test I was put through while gaining some tactical training . My instructor had a little smirk on his face when I asked about using my 44 mag , 6" barrel . It was my last trial for the day . I had 3 targets , I got 4 hits , 3 were " man stopper " shots (one each target ) , 4th a shoulder wound . But I used 8 seconds . I failed !
This was done while moving and clearing an obstacle . I know that I need a lot more practice , but it was fun just the same . Maybe this will help you decide what you really want to carry .
BTW : I was using 240 gr factory ammo .

There are a couple of pictures like that in his book Blue Steel and Gun Leather. I have a copy, but its in a box in the basement!



As far as carrying a .44M. Many years back (late 70s) just for the heck of it I carried a nickel 29 4'' If I remember correctly I did it for about a month. Gun is rather heavy and you got to work it it to conceal it! I carried warm 44 SPECIAL type hand loads for ammo, no full house 44M loads!

Back then I was 5'11'' a petite 230 pounder in good health. My doctors have all said I have a very large bone structure and I still found the 29 to be a bit much for daily carry.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Where there is a will, there is a way. My routine urban concealed carry is a government model 1911 carried at 3:00 in a leather pancake style holster on my belt with a spare magazine at 9:00. My remote rural concealed carry is a Glock G40 10 mm with a six inch barrel and two spare magazines. My woods concealed carry is a 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum with two speed loader. I wear an untucked T-shirt, shirt, sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket to conceal them.

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U.S. Navy - U.S. Army, ret

The guy in the tux sure can hide a lot of guns. He probably can't move, but he has good posture.

Ha Ha, you do know who that guy is don't ya???








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I regularly ccw N frame Smith & Wesson revolvers in 3 to 4 inch....


When I carry the 44 Mag to town,


It's generally a S&W 29 4" with magna stocks and a low end loading of a hard cast SWC at moderate velocities...


I don't as a rule endorse any brand of factory ammunition, but would consider Winchester's 210 grain Super-X in the mid-range loading at 1200 fps.









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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Bianchi as a California Highway Patrolman? I know there was an article
in American Rifleman that said that, but I am pretty sure he was with
the Monrovia California PD. Does anyone know for sure which agency
he was with?

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In Omnia Paratus

I carry a Model 29 with 4 inch barrel at times. (I am a S&W revolver junkie.) I worry about over penetration so I carry 44 SPL in the cylinder and a backup of 44 magnum for reload. If you are in a shoot situation you can get tunnel vision (or in a hurry) and forget to check what is behind the perp. One thing to hunt boar/bear/mountain lion with it... another to rely on it for EDC. I also have a Model 21 Thunder Ranch in 44 SPL that is plenty for self defense EDC. Accuracy and practice are critical... but don't forget where the bullet finishes the trip.

I sometimes carry a 6 1/2 in M29 in a Bianchi X15 shoulder holster. A 8 3/8 in. barrel would just need a little longer jacket. A shoulder holster doesn't pull my pants down. Larry

John Bianchi made that photo series famous back in the day. I always liked it. great posture, yep, but two things he wasn't going to do well, maybe three or four. Walk. Run. Sit. Bend. But that was not the point - the point was to show you that you can conceal anything.

I am not going to get into the debate about using a 44 Magnum for concealed carry except to note that I hope you're never called upon to use it to stop bad guys. Range hits are one thing; quick combat hits are another. Good luck with that.

Remember, Dirty Harry used .44 Specials.

He worked for the Monrovia California PD. He retired (twice) from the US Army Reserve as a Major General, having been called back to active duty after 9-11. He is reputed to have enlisted in the California National Guard at 15 and the US Army at 17.

I like this line of thinking a lot, and carried the Bulldog in 44 for that reason (no mag backup tho!). Be aware that the hardest thing to conceal in a pistol is its grip size, not the barrel length; so don't use the big Magnum grips to conceal. The Farrant style, made in plastic by other companies, is appropriate, because the butt is small and thin.

If I absolutely had to carry a 44 N frame all day, I'd use a crossdraw such as the Galco copy of the Bianchi Cyclone, which places the cylinder at the belt line. Both holsters are for wide belts, though; esp. the Bianchi is a field holster. Oh, and 3-1/2" tapered barrel in the Spl.

I fitted John for many of his "fully loaded" pics (which pics were originated, not by John, but by Chic Gaylord in the Fifties) and LOTS of complaining about the weight and would the photographer please hurry up :-). It takes an oversized jacket, and careful posing, for the load to remain 'concealed'.

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The Holstorian

My Mag-na-port M29 Combat Mini is certainly concealable and carryable, the porting really works and takes the heat off the recoil and helps to make follow up shots much faster/easier/more accurate.

And, you're talking about a .44mag, you're going to have to deal with a substantial amount of muzzle blast regardless of barrel length. If you are trying to avoid that you need to look at picking another caliber.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

So the straps on his arms.....was that actually a thing....a way to conceal guns or he just used it to demonstrate how he can conceal so many handguns?

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That is a real honey! If you don't mind, what is the metal treatment/coating on the hammer and trigger?

It's usually called "jeweled" when it's a gun thing (most often on the hammer, trigger, barrel hood, or the bolt on a rifle) or "engine turned" when it's a car thing (most often on the dashboard or firewall). It's generally considered cosmetic, though, in the case of a bolt or barrel hood, it can serve to hold a bit of lube on the textured surface.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

44 mag bes loud-pick a length and configuration-boo coo flash also.

Definitely a lot of good advice here, but the take away is clearly that I should get a white tux. Mens Warehouse, here I come.

I have several N frames, including .44 Magnums with 6", 4", 3" and 2-5/8" barrels. The two shortest models carry nicely in a Sparks VM2 IWB holster. The wide back and spaced loops distribute the weight and help support it on your hip bone. In cooler weather or when driving, I like to use an Alessi shoulder holster, which conceals under a light vest or jacket.

I've carried 4" barrels IWB, but it's not comfortable and restricts your movements somewhat. You have to be something of a contortionist to clear leather from an high ride holster with a 6" barrel. For 4" and up, an OWB or shoulder holster are the best options. For 6", a western style holster is best, damn the concealment.

Since they're all steel, the weights range from 42 oz to 48 oz (dry). I can't say the recoil is mild with magnum rounds, but that's generally what I practice with. Unless I'm in the woods with large carnivorous critters, I prefer use .44 Special loads, specifically Hornady Critical Duty or Critical Defense. That brings the recoil down to .45 ACP levels, and definitely doable.

To tame muzzle flash, you would need a 20" barrel, such as a carbine. At 6", a .44 Magnum is still a flame thrower, with occasional golden doughnuts from secondary ignition in shock wave compression. I don't consider that an overriding negative factor for self defense. The blinding factor is temporary, and would affect the assailant even more with the surprise factor, not including pain and loss of body control.

I carry fairly regularly a model 629-1, 3" barrel OWB around 4 o'clock, without any problem. I usually wear a lightweight rain jacket over it. It rides very comfortably.

Can I ask what anyone's reason for carrying a 44 mag?

Grizzly bears?
Male compensation problems?

Yes a 44 will get it done but if you don't have large bears where you carry, a 357 mag will do everything the 44 will do but better. Lower recoil and less hearing concussion means you can put more shots on target and stay in the fight longer.

Personally I was asking about one end of the extreme, but am leaning towards an 8 round 357. If I were to go the 44 route, I imagine carrying the 44 specials, but would still like the versatility of the 44 mags.

The 8 round 27/327/627 family offers many choices. Everything from the scandium framed, titanium cylinder, 2" model 327 pug nose to the 2 5/8" all stainless model 627. These weigh between 23 ounces and 38 ounces.
The carbon steel, 8 shot, model 27 was made in blue or nickel, but you have to go to the more traditional 3 1/2" barrel. I know in this day and age, 3 1/2" does not sound like a snub nose . . . . but it used to be
You never completed filling out your profile, so we have no idea where you are located. If you are in the South Florida area, I would gladly meet you at the range so you can experience the differences in some of these fine revovlers for yourself.

Well thank you for the advice and a fine offer! I would certainly take you up on it if I didn't live in Colorado

I got mugged by a moose once.

Enjoy the comments on using the 44Mag as CCW. My deceased wife would agree. She carried a 2 1/2 Mod 629 for her CCW. She was also on of the best revolver shots I have ever known(making the clearing of the X and 10 rings look easy at 50 yds). BTW, she used 240gr 44Mag loads.

Long time ago I wore my M29 with 6.5" barrel in a Alfonso shoulder holster rig. It was nice. And also my M29 4" late at night drives. It was nice too. But silly. I now carry a 2.5" 686+ with PDX1 loads and happy as a clam.





Ride them cowboy...

I guess it all depends on what you practice with. Yes my 3 in 629 is loud and throws a big ball of fire from the 18.5 grains of IMR 4227 and the 280 gr SWC does over penetrate some what. So what. I like it. I shoot it a lot and can do what is needed on the practice range. Never pulled it on a bad guy (thankfully) but if I do they won't run off. Honestly most days I carry a SD9VE but some days I feel a bit froggie and strap on the big iron. Take a close look at the avatar. Fits nice.

Shoot, Shoot, Shoot then Shoot some more. What ever it is we must be proficient.

"I guarantee it"

You can only stay in the fight as long as your ammo lasts.

I have carried my S&W M69 in a Bladetech IWB holster. Not something I do often but when I do I load it with 44sps ammo. The 44 mag is just too much power for general self defense use.

I carry and early Bulldog, and I also have the venerable Taurus M-441-(also a 5 shot 44 spc) plenty of flash and bang-but much more user friendly.

I haven't found the above to be true......The 357 has never served me all that well.


When it fails (the 357), it's generally at the most inopportune time.
I have personally witnessed a failure of the might 357 a time er two.


That is why a I carry revolvers in calibers that starts with a 4.


As the esteemed Charles Skelton said when comparing the 357 to the 44 Spl,
"The 44 Special is like a good big man beating hell out a good little man."


I have found this to be true all the way around.

I still use the 357 some, mostly as a small game cartridge and training/introduction to younger shooters.




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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Here is my main carry in a revolver, a 7 shot 357 L frame 386PD is over 15oz. lighter when loaded than my Smith N frame 329NG Night Guard. I also have a LNIB Smith 296 Ti in 44 Spl. but saving that, LOL. Just purchased a Smith 696 but it is pretty heavy for a carry gun. It will serve as a car gun or house gun just fine.

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I remember John Bianchi from the 1980 Bianchi Cup handgun match in Columbia, Missouri. He is a great man.

So, what's anyone's reason for carrying a .45ACP, .45 Super, .45 Colt, .41mag, 10mm, and any other big bore, powerful revolver? Nothing to do with bears or "size" for 99.9% of them, I'm sure. Personally, I find a .44mag less irritating and obnoxious to shoot than a .357mag and the recoil is less sharp.

With the right gear, almost any reasonably sized handgun can be carried concealed comfortably and effectively, and folks have been carrying N frames for self defense for generations, including plenty of .44mags. There is a reason that The Jovino Gun shop, Austin Behlert, Mag-na-port, and others offered N frame snubby conversions, most of which were big bore calibers, including .44mag - people wanted them because they worked. It was that aftermarket industry that prompted Astra and then S&W to offer their own short barreled, round butted versions of their .44mag revolvers.

Just because something doesn't appeal to you or doesn't fit your idea of what is appropriate for the job, doesn't mean it won't work and work well for someone else. A big bore sixgun is a viable self defense weapon, it's a damn intimidating one, too.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!