Finally...A Way To Carry a 4" N Frame Concealed!

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

I never thought it was possible to carry a 4" N Frame concealed. But it is. The Galco Combat Master, a very high ride holster, does an amazing job.

I am wearing shorts and a tank top and my 4" 22 Thunder Ranch 45acp just disappears and is totally comfortable. I wore it all day yesterday without a single hitch. I live in South Florida and I wear shorts and a tank or T-Shirt 365 days a year. (Yes even to work. My workplace is very casual and gun friendly, because I am the owner

To my shock and awe, given how high riding this holster is, the gun does not tilt out away from my body at all. It rides super tight!

I am really amazed how comfortable this holster is and how easy it conceals this huge and heavy gun with shorts and a tank top! I never thought this was possible. I am beyond impressed.

This is Galco Combat Master CM126B (Black) or CM126 (Tan). It is designed for a S&W 28, 327, 329. It fits my 22 Thunder Ranch perfectly, which has almost the same shape and contour of the model 28.
COMBAT MASTER BELT HOLSTER: Holsters & Ammo Carriers: Belt Holsters at Galco

Unfortunately they don't make this model for my 7 shot 586 L Comp 3" or my 65 Lady Smith 3". So I ordered the high ride holster from Mernickle for those, it is the PS6 series. Same ride height. We will see how those work out in a few weeks.
Mernickle Custom Holsters - Performance Series

Kid44 · Aug 28, 2015

A tank top? Seriously?

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

Kid44 said:
A tank top? Seriously?

It is a looser tank, not a tight muscle tank. But yes a tank top. Completely disappears. My main carry is an FN Five Seven (4.8" barrel) that I carry IWB. No problem concealing it with the same tank top and any of my looser t shirts. I generally wear a short sleeve button up shirt. I can conceal anything with those type of shirts.

Can't tell at all. Not from any angle. Even when I bend over because it rides so high and tight to my body.

RobertJ. · Aug 28, 2015

Kid44 said:
A tank top? Seriously?

Problem? I live in a beach town, and along with shorts and flip flops, I wear them all the time!

As for the holster, I discovered the Galco CM a few years ago, and now have a model for each of my carry guns. Well, all except my Ruger SRH, that gets carried in a Simply Rugged Soudough Pancake.

Interestingly, the first one I bought I found at a gun store in the used bin, and it was marked for a J frame. My Model 36 didn't seem to fit correctly, so I looked up the number on the back, and it was for a Colt DS. I put it in my holster box and forgot about it. Then, a couple years ago I lucked into a really nice 3rd issue DS, and now it's my daily holster.

hkcavalier · Aug 28, 2015

Nice! I have CC'ed a 5" N frame, but in a shoulder holster and under a loose vest. Vests are seriously limiting unless you want to look like Crocodile Dundee everywhere you go.

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

hkcavalier said:
Nice! I have CC'ed a 5" N frame, but in a shoulder holster and under a loose vest. Vests are seriously limiting unless you want to look like Crocodile Dundee everywhere you go.

LOL. Yeah not a good look!

regalsc · Aug 28, 2015

I think I would like that holster for my 325pd 4". I assume it accommodates a 1 3/4 belt? Not a bad price either. With my 325 at 25 oz empty it would be comfortable for me & my old back too.

LimaCharlie · Aug 28, 2015

I conceal carry my guns in a high-ride pancake style holster at 3:00 on my belt covered by an un-tucked shirt. My normal carry is a government size 1911. For remote rural carry, it is a Glock G20 SF 10mm or G35 .40 S&W. For woods carry, it is a 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum.

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

regalsc said:
I think I would like that holster for my 325pd 4". I assume it accommodates a 1 3/4 belt? Not a bad price either. With my 325 at 25 oz empty it would be comfortable for me & my old back too.

It is cut for 1 3/4" belt. My belt is 1.5" there is a tiny bit of space to accommodate 1 3/4".

Arik · Aug 28, 2015

How tight do you have that belt? I have a 6 inch model 28 and that thing has some heft to it. I can just see my pants either hanging low to one side or cutting of circulation to my legs with tighten belt

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

LimaCharlie said:
I conceal carry my guns in a high-ride pancake style holster at 3:00 on my belt covered by an un-tucked shirt. My normal carry is a government size 1911. For remote rural carry, it is a Glock G20 SF 10mm or G35 .40 S&W. For woods carry, it is a 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum.

I actually have a Simply Rugged Pancake holster for my N Frames. It just does not ride high enough to conceal well. That's what inspired me to try the Galco. Well, actually it was the 22 Thunder Ranch I picked up last week that inspired the holster purchase. The 22 TR is screaming to be carried with it's thin profile barrel, combat sights, perfect balance, and fast reloading 45acp rounds on moon clips. I had to do her some justice and get her out to breath every once in a while by adding her to the carry rotation. Couldn't do it without the Galco.

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

Arik said:
How tight do you have that belt? I have a 6 inch model 28 and that thing has some heft to it. I can just see my pants either hanging low to one side or cutting of circulation to my legs with tighten belt

No tighter than I do without the holster and gun on. Hole number 5 on the belt when I am carrying OWB or not carrying at all (which is basically never). Hole number 4 for IWB. I am lean and don't have a belly hanging over the belt, which I think helps.

I honestly don't even notice I am wearing it. My shorts don't droop the slightest on the gun side. I am used to carrying a large gun IWB everyday (FN Five Seven or 586 L Comp). The key is a quality carry belt. Not a belt from the mall. I have Tucker Gunleather carry belt that makes all carrying a breeze. To carry properly, a real gun belt with a stiff liner is a must.

This holster is really a dream. I am absolutely amazed. I have over 20 handguns and about 60 holsters for them. I have a lot of experience carrying guns of all shapes and sizes and have done a lot of experimenting. I have probably sold 40 holsters in the process that did not work for me. This set up is the real deal.

fat tom · Aug 28, 2015

HarrishMasher said:
I am lean and don't have a belly hanging over the belt, which I think helps.

You know,you just might be on to something there!

f.t.

Ranger514 · Aug 28, 2015

To the OP: I carry my 2-1/2" 66 in the Combat Master CM112. With the exception of adjustable rear sights and barrel length, I'm pretty sure your 65LS would fit in that holster with only the tip of the muzzle protruding slightly.

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

Ranger514 said:
To the OP: I carry my 2-1/2" 66 in the Combat Master CM112. With the exception of adjustable rear sights and barrel length, I'm pretty sure your 65LS would fit in that holster with only the tip of the muzzle protruding slightly.

You are probably right. Had I not ordered the Mernickle holster, which is custom made to the 65 LS and the same price as the Galco, I would probably have gone that route. We will see how the Mernickle turns out. It is the exact same high ride design, so the results should be similar.

dwever · Aug 28, 2015

You're right they don't make the Combat Master for your L-Comp; but, for the 586 L Comp Galco makes an even more concealable Galco Silhouette High Ride, comfortable, and is the right barrel length, and easily handles the 586's 37 oz. weight. It conceals better than the Combat Master.

I have Galco Combat Masters for both my 627 and 1911. I have the Silhouette High Ride for my 627 and my 586 L-Comp.

diyj98 · Aug 28, 2015

HarrishMasher said:
I am lean and don't have a belly hanging over the belt, which I think helps.

Hey, hey, hey! No need to get personal! Actually I'm sure you're correct about the lack of belly. I'm just not sure I'll ever find out

HarrishMasher · Aug 28, 2015

dwever said:
You're right they don't make the Combat Master for your L-Comp; but, for the 586 L Comp Galco makes an even more concealable Galco Silhouette High Ride, comfortable, and is the right barrel length, and easily handles the 586's 37 oz. weight. It conceals better than the Combat Master.

I have Galco Combat Masters for both my 627 and 1911. I have the Silhouette High Ride for my 627 and my 586 L-Comp.

Yes I have seen it, but I don't do holsters that leave the barrel exposed. And that model holster leaves a lot exposed. I'm banging around all the time and need to protect the gun as much as possible.

75Vette · Aug 28, 2015

Did you do your tattoos yourself?

StrawHat · Aug 28, 2015

For many years I carried my 4" "N" frame in a Bianchi 5BH or the Safariland equivalent. I also had the Simply Rugged. All worked well for concealed carry. The Galco looks interesting but for my shoulder, it might carry too high and make the draw difficult.

Kevin

Finally...A Way To Carry a 4" N Frame Concealed!

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