629 carry advice

[MaygerMtMan]

Advice please on how my daily carry experience might be a less onerous.

My daily hike averages around 10 miles, much of it is in Pacific Northwest woods where critters like bears and coyotes live. Here reside also what once were called bums or hobos. Many look like Charlie Manson. Problems with people are my top concern, less with animals. I am deep into the 60s and alone. Imprinting is not as big of a deal on my walk. No concealed carry is planned inside of stores. Washington is an open carry state. I have a concealed pistol license.

My primary carry is OWB using a Bianchi #5BHL holster with a S&W 629-1 4" 44 mag. Where-ever it rests on my hip, this gets sore after a bit. So I am sliding the holster around a lot. The entire hip-area is tender. The weight puts an odd strain on my old-fart back. A backpack works well for carry, the big negative is speed of access. My 642 Airweight is returned to Springfield for a warranty repair to a jammed cylinder.

Asking for the impossible? Perhaps. Thanks!

 

[rbmac52]

A shoulder holster with a tie down on the side opposite your gun distributes the weight more evenly than belt carry, that's for sure. I know if I am going to carry an N-frame for quite a while, that is the way I do it.

 

[LCC]

This is on my shopping list for just what you described. And congrats on being in the shape to do 10 mile wood hikes..says a lot about the condition you've kept yourself in.
Alien Gear Cloak Chest Holster - Over 500 Guns Available

 

[Rpg]

The only way I’ve ever found to be marginally comfortable carrying a M29 is in a cross draw holster.

I believe it was the Bianchi Cyclone model, but I got out of the 44mag business some time ago, so no longer have the holster to confirm the model designation.

I tried several shoulder holsters, but found they were miserable devices that were exquisitely uncomfortable and that impaired my motion so much that they were unusable for anything.

 

[Fishinfool]

I have that same holster in 4 and 6 inch N frame versions. They are a nice holster, but I don't use them often. In my experience, they need a stiff and tight belt to prevent flopping around, and like you experienced, tend to put a lot of pressure in a narrow spot against your hip.

These days when I woods walk with my N frames, or about any heavy handgun, I like a pancake style holster, one that rides with the cylinder about belt height. It spreads the weight out, less flop, and less of a narrow pressure point on your hip. Avoid the super high ride, concealment versions, as they seem a little unbalanced with a heavy gun, and draw can be awkward for some.

A chest rig is also a good choice, but some people like them, and some have a hard time getting used to them. Simply Rugged makes good versions of both types.

That .44 is perfect medicine for any trouble you might find in the woods, 2 or 4 legged. I like a 240 SWC at about 950 fps. Hits harder than a .45 acp ball load, and is controllable. You probably have more chance of running into trouble with a meth lab, or a pot grow than a lion or bear, but the gun will handle either.

Larry

 

[OutWest50]

Holster for large frame

Checkout "Diamond D Leather" in Wasilla, Alaska. They make a "Guides Choice" holster that rides just below your chest and doesn't interfere with a backpack. I have one and have carried it on a couple of 30 mile hikes in Montana carrying a 5" Model 629. Relatively expensive but excellent quality. See photo.

 

[Islander]

This is on my shopping list for just what you described. And congrats on being in the shape to do 10 mile wood hikes..says a lot about the condition you've kept yourself in.
Alien Gear Cloak Chest Holster - Over 500 Guns Available

Ten miles while humping a cannon spare ammo and water. A model 69 gives you the same firepower less one round and a lot less weight and size. And it shoots very accurate.
Islander

 

[SweetMK]

I have that EXACT N Frame four inch,,
The gun is way more comfortable simply carrying it in my pocket than any belt holster
(I am similar age, except recently, I passed 70! )

I use a little $6 pistol pocket holster from Amazon, to cover and pad the muzzle.
No, the holster does not fit the gun, it simply covers the muzzle, to keep pocket fuzz out,,

I have carried the 629 extensively over the last 2 months, we have had dozens of daytime black bear sightings.

I have carried the 629 dozens of hours per week like this .

Maybe one of those holsters with two loops spread apart by a foot or more would mimic my pocket carry.
I will not look for a holster until I wear out a pair of pants,,
that has not been an issue,, so far.

 

[rbmac52]

Alien Gear does not show an N-frame holster as an available option.

 

[MaygerMtMan]

This is on my shopping list for just what you described. And congrats on being in the shape to do 10 mile wood hikes..says a lot about the condition you've kept yourself in.
Alien Gear Cloak Chest Holster - Over 500 Guns Available

Did not see an N-Frame holster, am I missing it?

 

[MaygerMtMan]

I have that same holster in 4 and 6 inch N frame versions. They are a nice holster, but I don't use them often. In my experience, they need a stiff and tight belt to prevent flopping around, and like you experienced, tend to put a lot of pressure in a narrow spot against your hip.

These days when I woods walk with my N frames, or about any heavy handgun, I like a pancake style holster, one that rides with the cylinder about belt height. It spreads the weight out, less flop, and less of a narrow pressure point on your hip. Avoid the super high ride, concealment versions, as they seem a little unbalanced with a heavy gun, and draw can be awkward for some.

A chest rig is also a good choice, but some people like them, and some have a hard time getting used to them. Simply Rugged makes good versions of both types.

That .44 is perfect medicine for any trouble you might find in the woods, 2 or 4 legged. I like a 240 SWC at about 950 fps. Hits harder than a .45 acp ball load, and is controllable. You probably have more chance of running into trouble with a meth lab, or a pot grow than a lion or bear, but the gun will handle either.

Larry

You nailed it... seems like the whole weight of the weapon and holster rides on a dime-sized space.

 

[Shark Bait]

I like Bianchi 5B holsters, but they do tend to flop around a bit. I just bought this holster made by The Masters company. I believe they come out of Turkey, but I am very happy with ones I have bought so far. This one is in the askins avenger style and it rides very comfortably. I haven't tried any hikes with it yet. It was less than $60 on Amazon.

 

[Doug M.]

I have a few 4" N frames. If I was to carry one for serious again, not in uniform, I would use my Kramer Leather MSP paddle. If I had to have open carry with people around, I still have a Safariland 070 for that platform. A good stout belt helps.

I have looked at and considered the DD chest holster and it seems like a good design, plus several folks on this forum have spoken well of it. For my life at this time, it does not fill a niche I need to address.

 

[tops]

A E Nelson "untouchable" vertical shoulder holster. Tie down on holster and off side. I have one for a 4 in. "N" frame. I believe the number is 58U. For comfort when carrying a grown up gun it's the best holster I've ever owned. Larry

 

[Chubbs103]

A couple on people have mentioned a good, stiff belt. That is essential. I am also partial to holsters that spread things out a bit. A pancake style holster works for OWB. I have a Simply Rugged for N frame carry.

Something lighter might be applicable at some point. 329, Night Guard, or 10mm Glock for example. Definitely more expensive than a new belt.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

A proper holster to belt fit is a necessity on all large hand guns hung at the waist!

As silly as it sounds a good belt to holster and a padded Uncle Mikes Nylon holster might be what you're after. (If you can stand the lack of fashion statement!)

I carried 4" model 25's and 5" 1917 and a 5" 625 this way, but I don't care what others think of my appearance!

Ivan

 

[Rammer Jammer]

If you go to the shoulder holster route be sure to go with a quality brand like Galco or Bianchi and Skip anything nylon. Also be prepared to do many many many adjustments until you get the perfect fit. Once you figure it out how it fits comfortably shoulder holsters are my preferred way for carrying large frame pistols.

 

[MaygerMtMan]

I have a few 4" N frames. If I was to carry one for serious again, not in uniform, I would use my Kramer Leather MSP paddle. If I had to have open carry with people around, I still have a Safariland 070 for that platform. A good stout belt helps.

I have looked at and considered the DD chest holster and it seems like a good design, plus several folks on this forum have spoken well of it. For my life at this time, it does not fill a niche I need to address.

Not only a stiff belt but pants with multiple belt loops too. Levi pants have gone cheap while loops at 3, 6 and 9 only (excluding the front). Wranglers have 5 loops where Levi's have only 3. This does make a difference.

 

[MaygerMtMan]

A couple on people have mentioned a good, stiff belt. That is essential. I am also partial to holsters that spread things out a bit. A pancake style holster works for OWB. I have a Simply Rugged for N frame carry.

Something lighter might be applicable at some point. 329, Night Guard, or 10mm Glock for example. Definitely more expensive than a new belt.

My 642 Airweight is back in Springfield for warranty work... the cylinder is jammed. I do have good stiff belts.

 

[WCCPHD]

A pancake holster with a "gun belt" has always worked for me. I've carried four and six inch Model 29's and 629's all day with no issues.

I have always liked the original Roy Baker pancake holsters. I can carry a Model 29-5 with a six inch full under lug and silhouette front sight all day and sometimes I forget I'm carrying it.

That said, while the pancake holster distributes the weight, it is of no use without a proper supporting belt.