29 IWB carry, practical?

[mike56]

I have several Milt Sparks Summer Special holsters for most of the autos I have and use.
Recently bought a 29 w/4 inch barrel.

Will it be practical to carry it in the SS? I understand it will not be my middle of summer gun of choice, but will it be too big for IWB?

 

[sipowicz]

Only you can answer that...some here will tell you they do it all day long, even with a 6 inch barel...why don't you try it for 1 hour in the spot you carry with no holster and then decide...

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Sipowicz hits it right on the nailhead, once again.

Try it, sans holster, for an hour or two, see how it feels to you.

I've made holsters for 37 years, worn a handgun just about every day since the late 60's. Some things work for me, others just don't.

Customer wants a IWB holster, I make the customer a IWB holster. Can't wear one myself, but others love them.

 

[flop-shank]

My 5" full underlug 629 is very uncomfortable sans holster. An hour would be torture. In my Sparks VM-II, or my FIST canted kydex/leather hybrid I can carry it all day. YMMV.

 

[Pisgah]

I often carry a Model 28 in an IWB holster I built. For me, this is a very comfortable arrangement, but I can easily see that some would feel it's too much.

 

[mike56]

Well, kept seeing milt sparks holsters going for over 200 on ebay.
Decided to try and get through on their april 1st order, and made it on the third call. The summer special is on the way.
Now i just have to wait the 6 months.

 

[Bobwtn]

Must be nice to still have a waist line that allows IWC.

 

[ladder13]

Where's Wyatt Earp?

 

[GatorFarmer]

I used to carry a Model 58 IWB. I used an old S&W brand clip on holster meant for a 4" K frame that I paid ten bucks for on Ebay. Worked like a charm. Shrug. Then it somehow went through the wash and shrank a bit. Still works fine for a Model 19, but a no go for my 629.

I sometimes carry my 629 OWB using an old Safety Speed Askins type holster (all of 30 bucks off Ebay). Works fine. All depends on what you're used to and how you condition yourself.

 

[devildog66]

I would rather use the VM II for a N frame revolver. The belt loops are spaced further apart and not between the revolver and the belt as is the SS. John at MS advised me of this and directed me to the VM II for this reason. I carry my 610 as such routinely without discomfort.

 

[flop-shank]

I like my VM-II, but lately seem to be liking my FIST kydex/leather IWB canted holster better. I will keep and use them both because depending on where the belt loops are on a pair of pants, one may work better than the other at different times.

 

[Norton 750]

Email Lobo Gun Leather. I just took delivery of a custom holster from him. The summer special has the loops over the holster; the thickest part. Lobo moves the loops off to the side, so it is the thinnest possible profile. Also, he has a leather backing that protects your skin/t-shirt from the gun. A great holster at a unreal price.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I don't yet have a 4 inch 29 to carry, but I do carry my 22-4 in a Simply Rugged leather holster with the inside out loops, so that it's IWB. I won't lie and say I carry it every day and all day, but it didn't give me any problems this afternoon when I had it on for a few hours. It covers with an XL T shirt on my frame, and I go up one belt buckle hole to provide room for the holster and gun.

 

[bubbajoe45]

I have a Summer Special for a M21 TRR (fixed sighted, N frame w/ 4" bbl). I have carried a Commander-sized 1911 in an old Summer Special for close to 10 years very comfortably. The one for the N frame is not as comfortable, but I'm adjusting to it and it's getting broken in. The biggest problem is that the main body of the holster has the rough-out part, but its smooth, finished leather at the upper part where the belt is. This smooth bit wants to slide down against my tucked-in shirt and it takes everything else with it! I have other Milt Sparks designs and they are good, but expensive and slow. There are an awful lot of other choices out there, and I have more recently been trying other brands (Mernickle, Kramer, Baughman). Norton750 makes a good point, and I won't buy another IWB without the backing!

 

[bubbajoe45]

Oh, sorry that was Bulman rather than Baughman. still waiting on that one . . . been 6 months now.

 

[squidsix]

I do this:

Gun is a 629MG.
My 29-2 fit there nicely, and I carry it in the winter months. I can carry this gun concealed in a polo shirt, and I'm 5'11" and 195lbs. Not a problem.
Steve

 

[Dan Cash]

I have an assortment of N frames, 4 & 6" which I carry IWB when I want a pocket rifle. The 4" go strong side FBI cant and the 6" go appendix. They are quite comfortable for me but not as comfortable as a 1911. Of course, they don't serve the same purpose.
Dan

 

[ENH]

You might try www.hoffners.com he makes a unique kidex with the cylinder above the belt. I have one for a 4' 66 that is quite comfortable, although I don't carry it much anymore.

 

[bubbajoe45]

ENH:

Followed your link to Hoffners. Have you tried this holster? (the ITP-Ultrex Miurage) It is a very high riding design. Looks good.

 

[NE450No2]

I have been carrying either a 1911 or a S&W 4" 44 Mag in Milt Sparks IWB holsters for many years.

I buy all of my pants 2" bigger in the waist to accomodate the handgun.