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Anyone CC a 3" revolver on a regular basis?
- Thread starter Triggernosis
- Start date
I have carried my S&W Model 65 3 inch and my Ruger GP-100 Short Shroud 3 inch. But, living in South Florida where cargo shorts and t shirts are my normal daily dress to deal with the heat and humidity, I have gone lighter. My EDC now consists of a Ruger LCR or Colt Cobra. Hoping Ruger will introduce a LCRx .357 in the 3 inch version. Think that would make an outstanding carry revolver. Good luck with your decision!
About half the time I C/C it's with my M 65-5 3". For discrete carry, covered by a jacket, I use a Lobo Leather "combat special" For full C/C, I use a Lobo Leather enhanced pancake, or an old Safariland inverted shoulder holster.
Sol-Invictus
Member
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I have been carrying my 66-8 2.75". IWB in a Tagua. Carries as easily as my 2.5" 66s and 2" pre 10. The Altai grip by Altamont makes carrying this size weapon a joy. When I can't go untucked then it is j-frame in pocket holster.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
The 3" K-frame revolvers (M-10, 12, 13, 64, 65, etc) are about as perfect as a personal defense handgun gets. I have owned a 3" Model 10-HB for over 30 years, and I can't imagine anything that would be superior for every day personal defense use.
That said, be careful about expectations for ammo performance in the shorter barrels. Published muzzle velocities and energy are not likely to be attainable with the 3" barrels. Even if you can achieve the claimed MV and ME ratings you will probably subject yourself to excessive recoil, muzzle blast, muzzle flash, and other trauma. I recommend ammo in the .38+P range, and only when proven to shoot to point of aim in your revolver (most fixed sight revolvers are factory regulated for standard velocity loads of the most common type; i.e.: 158-grain RN or SWC, and other ammo types may demonstrate wide varieties of POI in relation to POA).
For carry purposes there are two primary considerations:
1. Concealment is the priority. In this case a good pancake-style holster worn just behind the strong-side hip (3:30 to 4:00 position) is recommended. Suggest you look at the Lobo Gun Leather 'Enhanced Pancake Model'.
2. Accessibility is the priority. In this case you might consider the Lobo Gun Leather 'Combat Classic' model, reasonably good concealment with outstanding accessibility.
Full disclosure: I am the founder of Lobo Gun Leather (1972-2015) and now retired, serving as a consultant to the Fedders family now producing the designs I perfected over 43 years in the business.
Being a consultant means that I have to shave more than once per week and dress better than your average homeless person. Maybe I also know a little bit about handguns and carrying them.
That said, be careful about expectations for ammo performance in the shorter barrels. Published muzzle velocities and energy are not likely to be attainable with the 3" barrels. Even if you can achieve the claimed MV and ME ratings you will probably subject yourself to excessive recoil, muzzle blast, muzzle flash, and other trauma. I recommend ammo in the .38+P range, and only when proven to shoot to point of aim in your revolver (most fixed sight revolvers are factory regulated for standard velocity loads of the most common type; i.e.: 158-grain RN or SWC, and other ammo types may demonstrate wide varieties of POI in relation to POA).
For carry purposes there are two primary considerations:
1. Concealment is the priority. In this case a good pancake-style holster worn just behind the strong-side hip (3:30 to 4:00 position) is recommended. Suggest you look at the Lobo Gun Leather 'Enhanced Pancake Model'.
2. Accessibility is the priority. In this case you might consider the Lobo Gun Leather 'Combat Classic' model, reasonably good concealment with outstanding accessibility.
Full disclosure: I am the founder of Lobo Gun Leather (1972-2015) and now retired, serving as a consultant to the Fedders family now producing the designs I perfected over 43 years in the business.
Being a consultant means that I have to shave more than once per week and dress better than your average homeless person. Maybe I also know a little bit about handguns and carrying them.
Hang-Fire Hank
Member
ONE OF THREE 3"
66-4 since 7/10
65-5LS since 5/15
Rossi 720 (.44Spl) since 8/16
all fit into a Lobo Enhanced Pancake just fine.
Hank M.
66-4 since 7/10
65-5LS since 5/15
Rossi 720 (.44Spl) since 8/16
all fit into a Lobo Enhanced Pancake just fine.
Hank M.
digiroc
Member
I have no trouble carrying my 3" K frame 547 AISW either in the Kydex holster shown above or in a DiSantis Nemesis "sticky" pocket holster although I do not pocket carry.
I find that the Nemesis offered better concealment, and being able to move it around for better comfort is a big plus with the relatively heavy and bulky K frame.
digiroc
OP
Triggernosis
Member
digiroc, who makes that holster?
old tanker
Member
I have used a Bianchi 5BHL to carry a Charter Arms Bulldog off and on since the late Seventies. The same holster fits a 3 inch Colt Police Positive Special as well.
lawandorder
Member
......and did you do the grips digiroc?
Very nice looking!
Very nice looking!
Walkingwolf
Member
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- Apr 16, 2017
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Four inch revolver, and a 1 1/8 inch NAA every day. I never could understand the three inch fad.
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
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I have no trouble carrying my 3" K frame 547 AISW either in the Kydex holster shown above or in a DiSantis Nemesis "sticky" pocket holster although I do not pocket carry.
I find that the Nemesis offered better concealment, and being able to move it around for better comfort is a big plus with the relatively heavy and bulky K frame.
digiroc
Everytime you post it, I feel it's my duty to mention how friggin' awesome it is that you carry a 547 around...
Grips and holster are both essential to effective and comfortable concealed carry with a 2 1/2" or 3" revolver.
Practically speaking there is no difference between the two for comfort or concealment, at least if you are carrying on the hip. I'm not a fan of appendix carry as there are too many situations where it's more difficult to draw.
Below is a Wild Bills Concealment Covert Carry holster. I used it with my 3" Model 13, and use it currently with my 2 1/2" Model 66. It's well broken in and my slightly larger 2 1/2" 686+ fits as well - a bit snugger, but still a good fit.
They conceal well with this holster in large part because the offset clip, keeps the overall thickness down. With a good double thickness carry belt these 36-40 oz revolvers are also easy and comfortable to carry all day long.
The grips are Pachmayr compact grips and I have the same style grip on my Model 13, Model 66, Model 686+ and 2 3/4" Speed Six. It comfortable enough to shoot full power .357 magnum loads and it's small enough to readily conceal.
Practically speaking there is no difference between the two for comfort or concealment, at least if you are carrying on the hip. I'm not a fan of appendix carry as there are too many situations where it's more difficult to draw.
Below is a Wild Bills Concealment Covert Carry holster. I used it with my 3" Model 13, and use it currently with my 2 1/2" Model 66. It's well broken in and my slightly larger 2 1/2" 686+ fits as well - a bit snugger, but still a good fit.
They conceal well with this holster in large part because the offset clip, keeps the overall thickness down. With a good double thickness carry belt these 36-40 oz revolvers are also easy and comfortable to carry all day long.
The grips are Pachmayr compact grips and I have the same style grip on my Model 13, Model 66, Model 686+ and 2 3/4" Speed Six. It comfortable enough to shoot full power .357 magnum loads and it's small enough to readily conceal.
white cloud
Member
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- Dec 10, 2009
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BB57, That looks like a slick and very efficient rig. I sometimes think the short bbl. K Frames with adjustable sights were/are the best compromise. They are easy to shoot well and have plenty of power.
Every time I go to the range, I try to watch other people shoot. I frequently get reminded that large magazine capacities don't seem to help these shooters get many bullets into their intended target.
Every time I go to the range, I try to watch other people shoot. I frequently get reminded that large magazine capacities don't seem to help these shooters get many bullets into their intended target.
I have two 3" revolvers in my carry stable.
An early Charter Arms Bulldog that I carry in a JRT IWB holster.
and
A S&W M65-5 that I carry in a Bianchi 3S IWB holster.
Both carried at the 4 o'clock position.
An early Charter Arms Bulldog that I carry in a JRT IWB holster.
and
A S&W M65-5 that I carry in a Bianchi 3S IWB holster.
Both carried at the 4 o'clock position.
silversnake
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2015
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- 522
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- 524
I couldn't agree more, and thank you for designing such great holsters! I was just thinking the other day I need to get a couple Enhanced Pancakes for the rare occasions I carry OWB, I can't think of a better holster for the purpose.
OP
Triggernosis
Member
Can anyone point me to this Combat Classic holster? I don't see it on Lobo's site.
AZretired
Member
Back in the late 90's I carried a 3" M-66 in an El Paso Street Combat just behind my right hip with a 2x2x2 ammo pouch just in front of the holster. I used Pachmayr Compacts. Comfortable and concealable and I occasionally carried my 3" M-65 with magnas and a Tyler-T for a change of pace. This was my duty rig for about 5 years as a detective until I was forced to convert to a SIG P220.
thomasinaz
US Veteran
3" 686+ either in an Alessi pancake style holster or a Galco Miami Classic shoulder holster. Under a 5.11 button down shirt or a denim type shirt it works out well.
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