Help needed.

I am an old phart-----read that as 74 plus. I have turned away from
auto loaders for primary carry. reasons being even tho I am proficent
with a big auto on a good day, BUT old man "ARTHUR" can catch you off guard
at critical moments and if this happens it could cost me my life. With
all the formentioned info being considered, I have changed my primary
carry to a S&W 66-2,357 magnum carry, four inch. I used to carry a model 19 four inch on duty years ago, so all the motor memories are still
there imbeded in my brain. Here is where I need some suggestions. How
do I carry it concealed? Forget inside the waist band---can't tolerate it.
Forget shoulder holster---can't stand it.This leaves strong side and cross
draw on the belt. I know that to start with I am going to have to invest
in a new belt to support the gun. I am strongley inclined to favor cross
draw carry. My reasons are that in a major confrontation I can pretty well
count on ME being knocked flat on my back by an aggressor. Thats what
they do to old men before they finish them off----knock them down and
then kick the **** out of them and thenxxxxx. SO crossdraw is a good
answer to the situation. Physically I am more flexible to crossdraw than
strong side reaching high.
SO---- here is my question---should I consider a dedicated crossdraw
holster? Specifically has anyone seen or handeled the GALCO wheel gunner holster?? Thats what I am really asking here.

OK guys and gals lemmy have it...

That Galco wheelgunner is a great holster for your purposes. You can carry it either on left or right side and the gun rides real high above the belt. With a four inch barrel -- that's a giant plus in concealability. I bought one for my 4" Model 19, so this is right down your alley.

I've several Galco holsters for my 19's and 66's, though I don't own a cross draw version. Very durable and well made holsters in my experience. Sounds like you already have this figured out though.

I'm curious, why the 4" 66 rather than a 2.5" 66?

I carry my 4" 66-2 off duty in the winter in a high rise, strong side Don Hume pancake holster. My 2.5" 66 and even my 3" 66's are a little easier to conceal though.

Nice choice in revolvers! If the day comes I only have one, it will be a 66! Regards 18DAI.

18DAI------i guess the reason of four over two and one half is that the
four inch that I have was all I could find after a long period of waiting
and looking. I paid dearly for the 66-2 four inch. It has ALL that I was
looking for-----NO MIM, NO LOCK, made in 1986. I could not pass it up
and at my age time is running out to wait any longer. I just have to
dress aroung the gun. If the social situation prevents this I have the
637 in my pocket so I am not completely nekkid.
ASHLANDER , what kind of belt do you recommend for the wheelgunner?

My belt is nothing special -- just an inch and a half wide leather belt that you'd wear with jeans or dockers. I bought it at Kohls. It's a good piece of leather but not cop grade -- but then I have only a gun and cell phone -- and not 12 pounds of other stuff the cops carry on them.

I too use the wheelgunner and I really like the way it sits high and tucks in tight to the body. I've never carried it crossdraw so I can't say how well it works that way.

Oh yeah, I use a Galco belt in the tan color. It's a lot stiffer than my sears belt and supports the holster and revolver a lot better.

For a top grade belt with sturdy support, try the Beltman. I have two belts one in black and one in brown with different widths. I have had them for years and they still function like new. Good reliable belts run about $60.00 t0 $70.00 that will support your firearm. I carry a Springfield XP .40 and the belt supports the gun and holster without the belt bending because of weak leather. I know you will not be disapointed.

Nick

I like crossdraw although don't use one, but can see where it might have some advantages, especially if you were flat on your back being stomped, or driving a car/truck, much easier access than strong side (assuming right hand is your strong) driving a vehicle. Only problem with cross is that it's a little trickier to conceal, almost mandates wearing a jacket. But hey, you can be like me and be a fashionable old geezer!!

PS: The 66 or 19 4" is a great all-around gun, by the way. I bought a late production 66-7 4" which admittedly has the hated IL, but I don't use it for personal defense as I have other guns for that purpose. I would not hesitate to do so, however, as a couple of seasons of IDPA competition proved to me that the 66-7 was utterly reliable and a great shooter. I have also found a 1980 vintage 19 2 1/2" in nickel, NIB, pristine, papers & tools, that I think I'll buy if it's still there. The K-frames are great. In my opinion the 6" 19 or 66 is the best balanced, best handling revolver ever made, bar none. I don't have one at present, I had a nice 19 but gave it to my sister who wanted a revolver for home defense, but I'll pick up another one of these days!

Thanks everyone for the help. I think that the S&W model 19 and 66
series of revolvers are the best built weapons that Smith ever produced. Too bad they don't make them like that now. 19's and 66's
don't show up in my area very often.

El Paso Saddlery - Crossdraw

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