Just curious. Does anyone else carry a Highway patrolman for their primary carry weapon. Since I was fortunate enough to acquire one of these N frames awhile back it was love at first sight especially after I dumped some 357s' through it. I have a later model L frame 686 357 4" I carried prior to acquiring the 28 and a fine wheeler it is no doubt but It has taken a back seat to the old 28-2. There's something about these suckers that will capture you I reckon. I stuck a set of Ahrends walnut tacticals' on it and carry mine in a cross draw holster under my shirt for casual wear.

Hi:
I carried one until "FORCED" to carry a Department issued Sig-P229 .40.
I carried mine in a Don Hume Jordan Style Border Patrol Holster.

They do get lonely when you leave them at home. I came late to the "L" party and own several early, no dash models (all bought used), but nothing looks and feels like the old "N" frames. They would not be my first choice for concealed carry, but there's no denying it's nice to have them at the ready.

Soda can I can't leave the 28 at home. I've told myself this ain't practical leave it home for a couple days and it's right back on the belt. In all fairness I'm 6'1" and fair sized old man so the weight is not much of an issue for me. Lastly I could see where toting this hoss could be a problem for folks in dress wear. dress wear probably.This is kind of a silly deal I know but I just had my curiosity up to see if I was the only nut job that toted these N Frames all the time.

I carry an N-frame quite a bit, but it's 45 ACP so the holes in the cylinder and barrel are bigger. Makes the whole gun lighter. (smile)

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Hi:
My favorite holster for CCW a "N" Frame is a "Lobo Pancake".
Fits snug to the body and is comfortable with a good belt.
I like the "Dual Carry" Lobo Pancake holster as this allows strong side or cross draw carry.

I always open carry the 28 when hunting, hiking in the woods and such. Of all the Smiths, the 28 has always been my favorite.

I've carried Nframes, including 28s, in a Roys Original pancake for (good lord) 30 odd years now. Very comfortable and concealable.

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Even older, even crankier....

If carried opened in a duty holster (LEO STYLE) I can understand it. To try and conceal one of those bad boys - too large, heavy and bulky for me. If you feel the need to conceal and carry a .357 I'd personally go with a M65, 66, 13, 19 which shoots the same exact cartridge and is a much better concealment package.

If you need or want to carry a revolver with a barrel length shorter than 3" I'd also recommend carrying a 38 Special with Buffalo Bore (#20A) HEAVY 158 grain LSWCHP-GC which out of a 2" bbl will do an HONEST 1025 - 1040 fps and from a 2 3/4" - 3" bbl will do about 1100 fps. Not all that different from a 158 grain 357 Mag. from those short tubes without all the recoil, noise & flash.

Love carrying N-frames from time to time...four-inch 28 and five-inch 27 shown. As an earlier poster commented, might not always be a first choice but they have at times filled the bill for me.

I agree with the Chief on this one. A 4" N-frame is a big revolver to carry concealed, unless you're of suitable height and weight. 3" 65s and 66s are more practical for .357 concealment purposes, as are 686s. I guess if I was built on a larger frame though, I'd consider carry a revolver also built on a larger frame.

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I'm with the banned ...

In winter this will work fine.3 1/2" 27-2

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Halfway and one more step

I've found that a 4" N Frame seems to vanish under a larger t-shirt, polo or jacket when concealed in a quality pancake rig (an El Paso Saddlery in my case). The same cannot be said for the weight ... manageable but still noticeable

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Jon

I enjoy carrying a 629 Mtn Revolver in a Mernickle Performance Series holster. It rides high, close and as comfortable as any 4" N Frame I've worn over the years. I wear it with a HKS Speedloader on the belt along with a 6 round cartridge slide.

I am retired but go into the woods with this set up and it serves me well. I wore it as a plainclothes Investigator for years until allowed to carry 45 Autos. I wear a 45 Auto as my town gun.

FWIW I wear concealed on federal and state land. I like the element of surprise on my side.