K Frame IWB Carry…Is It Doable?

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Whit

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My experience with IWB has been with 1911's of all barrel lengths and Sig P series (229, 239). Those are fairly flat profiles with no bulges. I have a 3" S&W Model 65 that has always been carried OWB in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake. Is that revolver doable as an IWB carry piece? If so, leather or kydex? Please give me your experiences and recommendations with toting a K frame IWB. Thanks and blessings.
 
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4" K frame, Milt Sparts Versa-Max 2 leather holster. Works like a charm
and VERY comfortable. After seeing mine, a friend got a VM2 and started carrying his N-frame Smith Mountain Gun IWB where he worked. He had no problems with it.
 
Never worked for me. I love Milt Sparks' Summer Special for 1911, couldn't handle same for pencil-barrel Model 10. Tried a couple other big-name IWBs, they didn't work for me, either
 
I like a two loop style leather holster. Currently using a TT mike's special. I like it a bit further forward than most people, and that holsters extra cant tucks the cylinder in right in the little pocket in front of your hip bone. I actually am finding my 3in 66 carried like this more comfortable and equally concealable than my 1911 CCO, despite being wider and heavier.
 
Works great. 3" Model 13, Bianchi IWB, no belt, just jeans. Hides under an untucked T shirt. No need to get fancy about it.
 

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It will work if you use a holster that's designed to have the cylinder at or below the belt because that's where the weight of the gun is. If the gun is too high, it'll tip out because the weight is above the belt. I found out the hard way with the Bianchi "Pistol Pocket".
 
John F. said:
4" K frame, Milt Sparts Versa-Max 2 leather holster. Works like a charm
and VERY comfortable. After seeing mine, a friend got a VM2 and started carrying his N-frame Smith Mountain Gun IWB where he worked. He had no problems with it.
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Ditto. Manages either my of my 3-inch K-frames, a M65-4 and a M66-2.
 

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I have many times IWB-carried 4" N-frames, a 28 and sometimes a 29. The secret? #1 , an excellent belt; and #2, pants with a waist 2" larger than I would wear otherwise. So, yeah, a K frame -- no sweat.
 
Paraphrasing Pisgah:

I have many times IWB-carried 2" K-frames, but never 4" or an L or N frame. For those I use OWB.

The secret? #1 , an excellent belt; and #2, pants with a waist larger than I would wear otherwise - maybe not 2" but certainly "roomy".
So, yeah, a K frame -- no sweat.
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Thanks to all who've chimed in. Any of you who occasionally or routinely carry a K frame IWB have specific holster recommendations and the reason for those recommendations? Blessings.
 
Whit said:
Thanks to all who've chimed in. Any of you who occasionally or routinely carry a K frame IWB have specific holster recommendations and the reason for those recommendations? Blessings.
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Yup. Bianchi IWB with a big ol' clip. Or Galco with a clip. Easy on, easy off. You can spend more, but you don't have to. Works great.
 

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Sparks Summer Special since 1986.... 3" 65 and 3"66.

You have to give it about a week to acclimate to the IWB concept...... I think a lot of folks give it a day maybe two and then give it up.

I use the Summer Special for everything from a PPK to a Beretta Compact/Centurion, Sig 220/245 .... as well as the 3" K-frames.

I also have them for 1911 Commander and 4" K-frame but rarely use either.
 
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I carry my 3" 686+ daily in a Milt Sparks Summer Special (leather) IWB. It's been quite comfortable for me (loose casual wear, untucked shirt).
 
8730b68cb6518317ab1ffb1189277a77.jpg

Bell Charter Oak with model 12,works great!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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I will add another wrinkle, I mostly carry the Airweight Model 12s, K Frames. Not surprisingly, Airweights carry better than Model 10s due to the weight difference (10s are way more enjoyable to shoot). I also have steel K Frames that I use mostly for trainers, but also carry in the same holsters/belts.

The balance on the belt is better with Airweights, less potential flop with the majority of the weight at the center balance point. My experience is the balance point makes a big difference in IWB carry, which is of course variable by each person's anatomy.

The guys at Pistol Forum have been raving about JMCK Kydex for years. I presently trying out a 10 degree cant AIWB at 1300 for a 3" Model 64. So far that seems to work for me. I had always been a straight drop fellow... The 10 degree cant does kick out the butt a bit with my gut padding, but I also have so larger/longer grips that I could swap out. YMMV.
 
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