The title says it all. I am waiting on my permit and really like the features of the 627 pro. But is it too unreasonable to cc iwb or should i just get the 686 plus 3 inch instead? Will the extra barrel length make any difference or is it mostly the frame size. Thanks for the help guys

Since you are waiting on your permit, I will assume that you have never concealed carried before?
I recently posted a question about concealing (on a daily basis) a model 66 snub, which is a slight bit smaller than the 686+ that you mentioned....

In my opinion, you MUST spend the money for a belt that is designed for concealed carry (see: Beltman belts)
You MUST find a holster designed specifically for your model of handgun (not Uncle Mike's size ___)
You should allow your clothing choices to make things easier for you (untucked shirts, pants with 7 belt loops, etc..)

Most of all, you will need time (several weeks or months) to allow your body to adjust to concealing a heavy piece of steel.
For a heavy gun such as the 627 Pro, you will need to decide if the extra size and weight are something that you are willing to deal with, and adjust your mindset accordingly.

I know so many people who conceal carry only a .380 pocket pistol...and I am just not willing to go there!
If you are facing a deadly threat (the only reason you would ever need a firearm for defense)..do you want to stop the threat with a two-fingered hold on a 12 oz piece of plastic that shoots 85gr pieces of lead at 700fps?

If it is truly your first concealed carry revolver...I would suspect that you might change your mind after a short time of attempting to conceal a 627 Pro...
but...
welcome to the world of concealed carry, have fun trying different configurations and methods of carry, be alert and aware of your responsibilities, and practice, practice, practice!

That is a tough one to get the "right" answer for.

I'd say get the gun you like better and deal with the carry issue. If it's the gun you like you'll figure a way to carry it.

The shorter barrel probably would carry better IWB, depending on whether your sitting or driving alot. Aside from barrel length, those two you mentioned are nearly the same size gun. Personally I don't like IWB carry... too bulky for me. But thats just me, I know IWB is popular. I carry everything OWB in leather.

I have the 627 Pro and the 686+ 4". I carry them OWB in Galco's Dual Position Phoenix holsters which give you a crossdraw option which is good for driving, riding and sitting. Galco makes a great holster, and I've got a fair sized collection of all the big name holsters, but Galco's quality and fit are top notch.

Good luck choosin'!

Ss

I have a 686 4" and have a Desantis and Bianchi, both OWB pancakes, one with full muzzle cover, the other open. With the muzzle-covered holster, I actually put about an 1" of the muzzle end into my back pocket.

Another thing I find pretty comfortable, depending upon where my belt loops are, is threading my belt the opposite way (ie, gun is IWB "in waist belt") - this can be very stabilizing, esp. if not using a a stiff gun belt.

It's a barely do-able with summer shorts/t-shirt, but shouldn't be a problem the other 3 seasons if you have an extra layer on.

Yes you can......... but it may not be very comfortable. Galco makes a good IWB holster for N frame revolvers. Whether you can pull it off depends on your size and clothing choices. A bigger body will have an easier time concealing the N frame. A 4" is no harder to conceal than a 3" when carrying IWB, but the girth of the N frame will be your biggest challenge. I'm 6' and about 220 and My favorite carry is IWB when off duty. I have IWB holsters for a lot of different guns. The one gun that gets taken along 99% of the time is my Glock 33. Comfort and adequate firepower wins out in the end.....

__________________
Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

I ordered an OWB for my 2 5/8" PC627's. They weigh ~3.6 oz less than my 4" 627 Pro - and still got heavy quickly. As you can see, a regular 'heavy' belt isn't enough. I quickly went back to my 642 in a pocket holster - a 24/7 carry-capable combo.



Stainz

PS For those of us who are 'volumetrically challenged', IWB carry is difficult as the belt has to be even longer than usual... and cows only get so big...

I have a 627 Pro that I am able to conceal though I'm still working on the IWB piece. As stated above, a good belt, a good holster, and suitable clothing are needed. I would add some tolerance for discomfort because it does get heavy. Shorter grips seem to help, too.

I started a thread a few days ago about Simply Rugged's pancake holster. It has an option to attach straps and convert into an IWB. I figure to give it a shot and see if it works for me.

__________________
Proud anachronism

So its sounding like the 3 inch 686plus might be a better idea then like i was originally considering

I don't carry so take this with a grain of salt. I have done plenty of reading about it.

I do own K, L, and N-frame guns and if I were to carry the last thing I'd want to do is tuck that giant cylinder inside my waistband. I wouldn't really want to do it with the L-frame either and since they make J-frames I wouldn't bother with a K either.

Sure, you're down to 5 rounds, but the odds of needing more than 0 rounds is unbelievably small to begin with and the odds for needing more than a couple is unthinkably small.

Everything I read about carrying the biggest issue is just to be comfortable so you will actually carry something. 5 rounds is >>>> not carrying at all because it's too uncomfortable.

That is a huge piece of iron you are going to try to carry. After packing every day, for 30 years, and now having it as an option, smaller lighter, flatter, is what you are looking for.

Can it be done? You betcha. In one undercover operation, I carried a first issue M-629, 3 inch. Was it a great idea? Uh, Nope! But, it did get the two guys attention, when they tried to do a rip, on the $20,000cash I was carrying.

Bottom line, the belt is the foundation. It has to be wide, thick and amazingly stiff. Or, that 627 will cut you in half, and you won't carry it.

As for holsters, you will buy a ton of them. Just because person A said that was the best holster since sliced bread, YOU will be person B, and it will fit like snow shoes on chickens. After a bit of looking, you will learn what works for you, until you find the style and options that fit you.

I probably will be burned for being a heritic for this comment but, tactical tupperware is not a bad idea, in a medium caliber. Small, flat, light, and easily concealable. Its alot more friendly to bare flesh, than sharp cornered steel, if it is against you.

As for shoulder holsters, good luck. I think I have 4 in my holster bin. They start out great for me. Live in it, for 8 hours, or more, and I want to give it back to the cow, or nylon factory that made it.

Bottom line, it can be done. Can it be done comfortabily, and concealable? That is up to you. I will tell you, trial and error, is expensive and painful. I know, I've robbed that train, before.

There is another option, one that I use. This option consists of using an outside-the-pants holster and sturdy belt BUT, wearing them inside your pants, with only grip sticking above pants. Pros and cons are:

Pro
1) Solid fit of gun and belt to one's body, not dependent on pants used.
2) Gun not attached to pants, a real plus when you need to drop or change pants.
3) Pants and their belts can be any that you like because they do not need to support gun.
4) Gun and holster are well protected from dings, scratches, stray debries, etc. A real plus in many environments.

Cons
1) in common with all IWB carry, pants need be at least two inches larger waistband size.
2) Probably need suspenders for pants, so that they are loose enough to make drawing gun easy and to provide better concealment -- a plus for me, really not a con. Suspenders are essential for some of us when using any IWB carry, so, maybe not really a negative.

Niklas

I have a Grizzle IWB holster for a 4" 686, which works very well except for one thing. A revolver has a LOT of real estate in contact with the leather. If you keep enough tension on your belt to keep it from sagging, the cylinder is gripped too tightly for a clean draw. A pistol, being slab-sided, doesn't have this problem, or at least to a much less extent.

I strongly recommend a good OWB pancake holster for concealability. You would be wise to consider a barrel length of 3" or less, unless your shirtails or jacket hang lower than usual. A shirt has to be pretty bulky to cover a revolver's lump. The grips seem to snug in pretty well with the right holster, but the cylinder is just there.

An N-frame cylinder is about 1/4" larger in diameter than that of a 686, which is not a deal-breaker for concealment, given the considerations above.

I have an Alessi CQC "pancake" on order for a 4" 686 and .44 magnum "Mountain Gun." I like their design and quality, and their delivery time is on the low side for quality gunleather. Tom recommends against the snap version, in order to reduce tension on the cylinder.

Concealing a large handgun is not that difficult. The difficulty comes in being willing to conceal and carry it everyday, like when it is 98 degrees outside, etc. I have a herd of S&W's, but if I had to pick just one for ccw, I would probably go with my 640 or 442, because I know I will still carry it even if I am wearing lightweight shorts and a t-shirt. Rule #1 = have a gun.