I really need a concealable shoulder holster* for my new Model 69 L Frame 4.25" revolver. Optics Planet has an AMAZING deal on a complete Galco vertical holster system (VHS) for a 4" Model 500 X Frame revolver I would snap this up in a heartbeat (own multiple Galco holsters already) if I thought it would work, even if the fit was a little loose.

Galco is no help. They universally will not admit that any holster will work with any handgun other than those specifically listed. They explicitly stated that the extra 1/4" on my barrel makes it unsuitable for their VHS for the L Frame .357 with a 4" barrel. Also, this holster does not have an open bottom.

Does anyone have information on the comparative sizes of X and L Frames AND experience with holstering both (or either). I have looked up the specs but they don't give the distance from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder.

OR, does anyone know of a concealable shoulder holster that works well with my Model 69 4.25"?

* I bought this because I will be spending more time in bear country including Montana and North Carolina. I will usually be with extended family members who are old hippies and would prefer to not rub their noses in the fact that I am carrying a revolver. (I also bought it because, well, I just wanted to .)

So, is the 44 to keep the bears away or the hippies?🙀

Until I set up an L frame specific shoulder rig, I used an N frame Galco shoulder rig to carry various L frames. It had a little movement, but it worked just fine. However, I think an L in a X frame holster would have too much slop.

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I'll take a look at the N Frame holsters. It turns out that the Model 500 X Frame with the stunning deal is 0.4" wider at the cylinder than my Model 69 so that is going to be too much play.

I really wish I could get a Bianchi X15 to work but the retaining strap is too short to go around the trigger guard on my Model 69.

"Galco is no help. They universally will not admit that any holster will work with any handgun other than those specifically listed."

I would have to disagree; just because they didn't give you the answer you wanted doesn't mean they didn't try to help.

Good luck on your search for a holster.

I had the same experience with open top belt holsters of various manufacturers......Ben

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Maybe this will help... Smith & Wesson Model 500 4" vs Smith & Wesson Model 69 4.25" size comparison | Handgun Hero