The 4506 for CCW

So I will start by apologizing for not getting to this sooner. I'm sure you are all aware of what's happening across the country. I'm an active duty street cop so I've been pretty busy lately . However I've been wanting to post a review on carrying a 4506 concealed for a while now. I've learned a lot from it and wanted to share my experience here with the forum.

My first recommendation is that you need a GOOD belt before anything else. My fully loaded 4506-1 with 9 rounds of Federal HST-2's weighs in at 47oz even. My M&P9 compact with 16 rounds of 9mm Gold Dot 2's comes in at 34.75oz. Thats a big difference on your hip and you'll feel it for sure. A good sturdy belt goes a long way. I have a belt made by AlienGear. It's a heavy leather belt with a steel core to help handle the weight of a gun and keep it from wearing down over time. They no longer make the belt under the AlienGear brand but under the Big Foot brand. Same company and product, different name. [/ATTACH]

Next comes the holster. Again a good holster goes a long way. Finding one for a 4506 can be a bit of a challenge. I knew I wanted to carry inside the waistband. For me this is offers the most concealeability for a full size gun. After several days of searching I searching I found that Kramer Holsters makes a holster that'll fit a 4506-1. I put in an order for a holster and a matching mag pouch. Then the pandemic hit. The lead time went up to a few months. I just couldn't wait for the holster, but didn't want to cancel my order. So I again turned to the web. Surprisingly I found a kydex holster on eBay made specifically for a 4506-1. I ordered it along with a matching mag pouch.




The next hurdle I ran into was how to carry this combination in the real world. I soon came to realize the grip of a 4506 will "print" in almost any t-shirt I tried on. My quick solution, put an open shirt over it. This is nothing new, but as a millennial my generation really doesn't "dress up" much. Wearing a button up shirt everywhere seemed like overkill at first. Soon a came to like it. It also made carrying an extra mag a lot easier.

With everything in place I went out onto the street to see what this combo would feel like. I deployed it in every situation you can think of. Walking to the store. Dinner with the wife. Commuting to work. Hanging out with friends. It all worked out a lot better than I thought. I had a lot of apprehension of carrying such abig heavy gun concealed. But soon I noticed, no one else noticed. Just like my J frame, people really didn't pick up on the face I had 47 oz of stainless steal on my hip. I played around with the combination too. Different shirts and pants would make it less or more comfortable as I went along my day. My most comfortable shirt was one that was gifted to me. It's a black short sleeve button up shirt from Express. Whats nice is that its made of a stretch material and its a short sleeve. I can wear it in the heat of a California summer and no one will question it. Concealed carry is just as much blending in as it is about carrying the gun.

So what about that Kramer holster?

It finally did come in. the fit and finish are impeccable. As is the mag pouch. The only grievance I have, and this is more personal, is that it ride a little too low for me. I'm a smaller guy, for me to conceal effectively I really need a high riding holster. Once tightened down with the belt the gun doesn't "shimmy" around as I walk. The Kramer holster bounces up and down a lot. With a loose shirt or a suit, no problems. But with slim fitting button down or a simple t-shirt the butt of the gun bounces around. I've regulated it as my "court" holster when I go into court on my days off.

With gear aside, I'll talk a nit on that its like to carry the gun itself.

Without question this is a big heavy gun. 47oz fully loaded is nothing to think twice about. You're not going to forget that you're wearing it. It is however comforting. I know I can put my first round on target quickly with my 4506. My J frame is a lot easier to conceal, but it's also far more limiting. Loaded with .38 +p, it kicks like a mule. Getting 5 shots on target, all center mass, is much harder.

So comes the question on what I was looking for. Most days I carry the 4506. It's shootability and overall balance make it a great gun to carry. However there are times that I find I want to carry my J frame. Commuting to and from work? My J frame is just fine. Night out with the wife, walking town? 4506 is my choice. Having options is vital. Neither gun is ideal for all situations. Would the J frame serve me well, of course. But it's harder to reload, carries only 5 rounds, and is much harder to shoot easily. The latter being the biggest issue. The 4506 is easy to get rounds on target, fast to reload, and incredibly reliable. It eats any ammo I throw in it and likes our duty ammo well.

I hope you find my experience enlightening and helpful. As a gun enthusiast I always want to share my experience with others that share my passion!

Thanks for sharing. While not a 4506, I have been wanting to carry my Beretta 92FS for some time now. Don't have any carry gear for it yet, as my PX4 Compact and 642-1 fill my carry needs so it hasn't been a high priority. Your post has given me some food for thought.

ContinentalOp said:

Thanks for sharing. While not a 4506, I have been wanting to carry my Beretta 92FS for some time now. Don't have any carry gear for it yet, as my PX4 Compact and 642-1 fill my carry needs so it hasn't been a high priority. Your post has given me some food for thought.

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Just for you brother, I found that this Desantis Holster fits both my 92F and my 4506. I can dry fire the Beretta at home while leaving the 4056 holstered at work.

Thanks. Was planning on getting a Kramer IWB#3 since I love the one I use for my PX4.

ContinentalOp said:

Thanks. Was planning on getting a Kramer IWB#3 since I love the one I use for my PX4.

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They are very well made holsters. The wait is a is long though. Well worth it for the quality. I'm still playing around with it to get it to fit better. I'm sure in time I'll find a comfortable way to carry it.

Big gun or not it does depend on the holster. Next you have to ask, If you are capable... carry a gun you would go to war with or get into a gun fight... i would rather get usto carrying a 4506, get in a pickle with it and have a great fighting gun over getting into a pickle with a J-frame and 5 shots even with a reload.... 4506 all day!

Great thread! Very interesting to get a perspective from a young officers point of view. Usually, it is old mossbacks carrying heavy iron. Very informative too. Thank you for all the holster info!

As one who is retired from LE ......other than inflicting Justice as a Magistrate, I still carry a 4506-1 on occasion. For OWB carry, I use an Aker Flatsider. Very comfortable and holds the 4506 securely in place while still allowing for a fast presentation. For IWB I have a horsehide IWB. I cannot recall the maker and I dare not go get it now for fear of waking up the wife. But it is very secure and comfortable. With a reinforced mouth to allow for reholstering.

During the 4 years I recently spent working in a local Godforsaken gun shop, I often carried the 4506-1 inside the waistband in the horsehide holster. The shop was located on the edge of Indian Country and we had daily recons of roving bands sizing us up for a robbery. Like you, I concealed it under an oversized button up short sleeve shirt. I wore an undershirt to keep the horsehide holster from cheese grating my side.

I liked the 511 concealment shirts best. Especially when carrying a larger pistol like the 4506-1 or one of my 4566s. The 511 shirts have snaps that look like buttons. Very quick to unsnap them too. And they are high tech wicking material which is vented in the back between the shoulder blades. Very cool and comfy in the miserable heat and humidity of NC summers.....and falls......and Spring too.

About the only thing I enjoyed while working in that gunshop is when some "expert" would come in helping their friend choose a pistol and would mention how a certain gun their friend took interest in was "Too big! Too heavy!" "Ain't nobody can conceal and carry a big gun!" That was the point at which I would draw out the 4506-1 from concealment and plunk it down on the counter. I would then caution the new shooter to not believe everything they hear. They always exited fairly quickly after that.

Another good belt is the "Nexbelt" gunbelt. I bought mine at the police supply. It is fully adjustable with a steel liner and leather exterior. VERY pricey. I paid almost $90 WITH my discount. BUT it works very well carrying larger heavier guns. And is probably the most comfortable gunbelt I have worn. Not all new technology is bad.

I look forward to your posts. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! Stay safe! Best regards, 18DAI

I really enjoy hearing stories like this. It takes me back to a happy time. Well at least I remember it that way now.

I carried my 4506-1 for years when I lived and worked in Alaska. It’s got a couple of great holsters one being a nice vertical shoulder. I actually never had a problem with the size or weight but 4-5 years later I did “replace” it with my 4516-2. What a difference.

One thing led to another and the 4516 was replaced with my 6 rnd non railed 4513TSW. I guess I was getting “soft”, (or old?) Again what a difference but definitely not my 4506.

Glad to hear that 4506’s are still a viable option today.

Thanks for your original post.

Jim

Dagnabit 18, you made my neck hurt again.

I’ve again taken the liberty to “right” your image ha ha.

Great picture.

Jim

Awesome story and I applaud you for carrying what you like and having the determination to see it through in spite of the difficulties involved in doing so.

Unlike so many misguided souls today, I don't consider a heavyweight firearm to be obsolete or otherwise rendered completely unsuitable for concealed carry. It's a bit more of a challenge to carry a bigger, heavier firearm, but it has the fringe benefit of requiring you to wear nicer clothing, so you end up looking nicer and standing out better in the process. Sure, some of the other guys might snicker at you for not wearing their fabulously effeminate attire consisting of loafers, stretch pants, a man-bun, and shorn chest, nor their EDC of an overpriced smart phone which they use to take selfies, post pictures of their meals, and complain about things endlessly on social media. But you can be content with the knowledge that you are a real man as well as a warrior, and not one strictly of the so-called "social justice" variety, which as near as I can figure means being a hypocritical advocate for female supremacy and the preferential treatment of minorities who claims to be an advocate for equality.

So rock that 4506 and don't let anbody tell you that you'd be better off carrying a Baby Glock 9mm in a fanny pack.

When I carried a M4506 as a duty pistol, I carried a Model 4516 off duty.
Now I CCW a M457. Working security I carry a Glock M23 ( that is what I qualified with last qualification, cause .40 S&W cartridges were what I had enough on hand to get though the courses)

DanRod_LA you may want to check out the CS45 for off duty. Last time I checked, it was still on LAPDs approved list.

I used 4516s and 4513TSWs as off duty 45s when I was still on the job. But in retirement, I got a clean used CS45. Light weight and smaller than the 4506 it is easier to conceal and carry under a T-shirt on hot miserable days.

Same reliability as the 4506 (provided you keep afirm grip and locked wrist!) And extremely accurate too. I wish I had had one when I was on the job.

A member here, TercGen makes cut down factory Delrin grips for it, which are an improvement over thethe thick factory rubber Hogue grips.

Just something to think about for those days or situations where you want a 45, but would prefer not to tote the excellent 4506-1. Stay safe! Regards 18DAI

Very good read DanRod!

I've concealed large, medium and small framed autos and revolvers for all but 5% of the time over the past 30 years, so I certainly like and approve of your style! One time I tried to go super sneaky on an intel op with a J frame. I thought it was cool until my partner and I started getting stalked by the locals. We got out of it ok, but that was the last time the J frame was my primary gun on any op.

Your choice to go at it daily with a 4506 is to be applauded. While a button up cover shirt may be fairly new to you I've been pulling the same thing off with snapped western shirts. They fit my way of life and nobody is the wiser as to what lies beneath.

Be careful down there in the south lands!

I can add that a CS-45 is definitely not hard to conceal. It is half the weight, more or less, of the 4506, AFAIK, and it's recoil is somewhat stout but manageable, and if I can score 248 out of 250 on the Texas Concealed Handgun test (B-27 target) then it's definitely a gun you can ride the river with. I guess it does cause you to give up one round of firepower IIRC.

I used to routinely carry mine IWB covered just by a vest. Nobody ever saw it.

Thank you everyone for the responses and all the support! I was in court all day yesterday and will be in court all week so I may be responding sporadically. The DA is trying to close a case this week and we've been powering through all the testimonies.

It did give me a great chance to test out my ccw! All the testimonies are on video conference so we are all in "business casual" attire. With Antifa constantly "protesting" in downtown LA I've been dressed as low key as I can get by with. It is nice to carry my duty gun and spare mag as I walk to the courthouse.

18DAI, always glad to hear from you and the others as well. Seems the CS45 is highly recommended. I've seen a few for sale hear as the veterans are retiring faster lately. There's one for sale at $800 plus two mags. I'll ask the seller I can take a look and hopefully add it to my collection.

How does it compare to say a 4516?

It is smaller and WAY lighter than the 4516. Just as reliable and accurate though.

One caveat, if you get one, make sure you test it with your duty round. Its small light slide reciprocates FAST. Mine malfunctioned with RA45T. I had to go to a less hot round when using the CS45.

Mine feeds 230 grain Gold Dot - standard velocity and 230 grain HST reliably.

I carry mine in a DeSantis Nemesis in the summertime, under a T-shirt. BUT I ditched the OEM thick rubber grips and bought the Delrin TercGens. Makes it a whole nother gun.

Being the cut down Delrins are "factory" grips - technically, I don't think your armorers will give you any grief over using them.

Also, see if you can try a 4513TSW. Early variant, with the cut out grip frame and 6 round mag. No rail on those. Mine was my favorite carry 45. I still carry it. Slightly smaller than a 4516. IIRC 28oz empty. Mine has never choked, on any ammo.

The early rail free 4513TSW is my very favorite carry gun. I only bought the CS45, because I have sentimental attachment to the 4513 having carried it for years. And I don't care what happens to the CS45.

If you are comfortable with 9mm, off duty, the CS9 is even smaller/thinner/lighter than the CS45. I have one that I carry when "I can't carry a gun" - Church, around the wifes people ect. Also very reliable and as small and thinner than a J-frame. With 3 more rounds and better ballistics. When I bought my CS9 I sold my two remaining J-frames. And I don't miss them.

If I hadn't worked Robbery/Homicide for so long and could stop reading what Uncle Scotty writes, I might be more comfortable with 9mm and carry it more.

Stay safe my friend! Good luck in Court! Regards 18DAI

Thank you all gain for all the quick replies and the tips and tricks of ccw. I’ve been getting a lot more serious about it with all the recent events. A full size 4506 is definitely nice to have with me driving into and out of Los Angeles.

I’ve been practicing with my carry gear a lot more too. I’m thinking about starting to shoot IDPA with it. It’ll let me test it out more effectively and test my shooting ability in a new environment.

Been looking around for a nice 4516 or CS45. Haven’t shot either one though. I’m asking around to see if any officers have one I can try out. I like to shoot a gun before I commit to buying.


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Shooting a 4506-1 in IDPA games is FUN!

I use to shoot IDPA matches down in Oxford NC. Nice place with a great range. I shot the games for almost 5 years. Primarily with a revolver, but the last 2 years with my 4506-1, 4566 and 4516.

Lots of good gun handling practice and unusual shooting situations, like inside a school bus, from inside vehicles ect. Always good to get some fast reloading practice too. Even under "artificial" pressure.

I used our duty ammo, RA45T (I kept my ammo rather than turn in the old stuff at qual time ). Some.....most, of the folks shooting the game used powder puff reloads that just made power factor. I never had that issue.

Lots of fun to do! Since I stopped I hear that they have added BUG matches. I would like to shoot one of those with one of my Chief Specials. That would be interesting, to me.

Enjoy the games! Please let us know how you do with the 4506-1. Stay safe! Regards 18DAI

It's been my experience that a quality holster, and a quality belt make all the difference.

When my wife worked the Fugitive Squad they all pretty much used Gordon Davis leather. Too bad we arent in Ca. anymore I would make you a deal on her 4513. She wouldnt part with her 4506 it was a gift from me, and has other sentimental attachments. Pretty much all the "leather" gear we had,and still have, Taylor Omegas, Hoyt swivels etc, if it fit a 92f/fs it works fine for 4506s. We finally got those holster producers to quit putting a specific gun model, just size, on the holster for that reason. Officers would get in a shooting and someone would try to ding them for carrying a 4506 in a holster that said 92fs on the back.