Carry a 4"?

[David Sinko]

For years I carried a 4" Redhawk in an El Paso Street Combat and in the summer I'd use just a T shirt to conceal it all. That same holster now carries and conceals my 3" and 4" 625s. I rarely carry anything smaller than an N Frame.

Dave Sinko

 

[JJFlash]

I usually carry my autos in either a butt-forward hip rig or an under-arm shoulder holster.

My wheel guns reside in a Gould and Goodrich duty holster.

Concealment has never been an issue for me.... At 290lbs, I could probably hide a 4" in my belly button.

I feel for you skinny fellers.......Really.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I'm over 6 ft and 200 lbs and have a background in weightlifting.I've carried an N frame Smith concealed a great deal with no problems but I understand how a fellow who's smaller could have a problem with it.I normally carry one in the appendix position inside the waistband covered with a shirt or pullover or in the winter months,I normally carry one on the hip at the kidneys under a coat.

In warmer weather,I do replace it with a small frame 357 snubby quite often for better comfort.

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

I prefer a holster that completely covers the barrel. The FIST #12 quickly became my favorite!

I use the #12 for revolvers, and the #9 Close Cropped for small/medium autos. FIST makes a top quality product.

I was trying my revolver in different positions the other night to see the best cant to conceal it, and I realized that when I sit down, the end of the barrel would touch the seat or whatever I'm sitting on. I don't like taking the risk of getting something lodged inside the end of the muzzle, so I think I'm going to order the #9 from FIST. It's just like the #12 but has the belt loops closer to the gun for a narrower profile.

Oh and another thing. Last Friday I went to the gun shop and bought a couple of HKS speedloaders, and I asked their opinion of holsters. When I told them I wanted something fairly concealable, they almost laughed. When I got home I used a belt to hold the revolver at different positions to see if it was possible to conceal it, or if they had a good reason for looking at me like I didn't know what I was talking about. I have a fairly thin build but I was able to pretty much make it disappear under a regular t-shirt with a forward cant and the center of the cylinder just above the belt line, carried right around my right kidney. I was pretty happy with that.

 

[xrmattaz]

For deep, comfortable (hey, it works for me!) carry of my 4" N-frame, I go to the Sparks VM2, worn right at three-thirty.

I have it on right now, and will so the rest of the day, wearing shorts and a dark regular size Tshirt. The Ahrends boot grip is tucked very closely in to my side, and I've never had to worry about printing, whatsoever. I cannot do this with the Glock 23, nor the skinny Kahr CW9, while wearing just a Tshirt.

Revolver grips are quite concealable! (given the right grip)

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

I have a Pachmayr Gripper on mine, it's the only thing that I was having trouble concealing.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I was trying my revolver in different positions the other night to see the best cant to conceal it, and I realized that when I sit down, the end of the barrel would touch the seat or whatever I'm sitting on. I don't like taking the risk of getting something lodged inside the end of the muzzle, so I think I'm going to order the #9 from FIST. It's just like the #12 but has the belt loops closer to the gun for a narrower profile.

Oh and another thing. Last Friday I went to the gun shop and bought a couple of HKS speedloaders, and I asked their opinion of holsters. When I told them I wanted something fairly concealable, they almost laughed. When I got home I used a belt to hold the revolver at different positions to see if it was possible to conceal it, or if they had a good reason for looking at me like I didn't know what I was talking about. I have a fairly thin build but I was able to pretty much make it disappear under a regular t-shirt with a forward cant and the center of the cylinder just above the belt line, carried right around my right kidney. I was pretty happy with that.

The guys at the gunshop were demonstrating their ignorance.I have carried an N frame concealed and no one has ever spotted it and I have done so all day and every day.Your build is relevant but your method of dress is even more so.Pay no attention to people who can't think outside the box.

Part of the issue in not printing has to do with posture,etc...example...don't bend over at the waist if you're carrying in the kidney position...squat instead........If the piece is on the right side,don't reach up for something with the right hand...use the left hand.....adjusting your gun whenever getting out of the car is a dead give away......use common sense.

 

[JJFlash]

Part of the issue in not printing has to do with posture,etc...example...don't bend over at the waist if you're carrying in the kidney position...squat instead........If the piece is on the right side,don't reach up for something with the right hand...use the left hand.....adjusting your gun whenever getting out of the car is a dead give away......use common sense.

Very well put.......

One of my jobs entailed picking up nuclear medicine (has a 24 hour shelf life, so must be picked up at the airport and delivered asap to various hospitals during the night, so that cancer patients have what they need each morning) and that meant going to the baggage claim at the airport. While it was legal to carry into the airport, (just don't try to approach any boarding gates) concealment was the rule of the day, so as to not cause an uproar in the terminal. I learned how not to bend, stoop, or otherwise show my "stuff". Also, it took some time to condition myself not to touch the piece, as some people touch their wallet and pat their pockets for their keys or phone. I know it sounds silly, but watch people at the store as they lock their car and get ready to head inside- you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

Also, it took some time to condition myself not to touch the piece, as some people touch their wallet and pat their pockets for their keys or phone. I know it sounds silly, but watch people at the store as they lock their car and get ready to head inside- you'll see what I'm talking about.

I pat myself all the time checking to make sure my phone didn't fall out of my pocket and into the floor of my truck. I usually wear carpenter style jeans and I put my phone in the little pockets on the side of the leg, so I know what you're talking about.

And to canoe on the yukon, thank you for the suggestions. I've never concealed carried before and I know it will take some time to get in the habit of not checking the position of it constantly, trying to make sure no one can see it but actually doing just the opposite.

 

[flop-shank]

Canoe is dead on right. I carry a 5" full underlug N frame all the time and I'm a mid size guy. When I carry a 4" 586 it is so easy to hide, it's almost a joke. I have no doubt that my 4'7" 90 lb. wife could hide a 4" K frame if she really wanted to. Remember your best friend when you're hiding a full size gun is a good, sturdy, real gunbelt. www.thebeltman.net

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I have not read every post,so my apologies go to anyone who's already said this but something that's very often overlooked is the belt.It's as important as the holster.

If the belt is visible,you don't want it to scream "gun" but it also needs to be thick and stiff enough that it won't allow the holstered gun to sag.A flimsy belt just won't do.The heavier the gun,the more important this is.

 

[JJFlash]

Canoe is dead on right. I carry a 5" full underlug N frame all the time and I'm a mid size guy. When I carry a 4" 586 it is so easy to hide, it's almost a joke. I have no doubt that my 4'7" 90 lb. wife could hide a 4" K frame if she really wanted to. Remember your best friend when you're hiding a full size gun is a good, sturdy, real gunbelt. www.thebeltman.net

Thanks for a terrific link.......Being a bit on the large size, I'm always looking for good, sturdy belts.

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

I've not really thought about a belt yet, I better start checking into one. Hopefully I'll get the ok from the wife to order my FIST holster tonight. I believe the order form said 6-8 weeks though. That sucks because I'll have to borrow a holster for the IDPA match a little over a week away.

 

[Hendel]

Can't really expand on what others have said, but I've recently been making the switch from autos to wheelies (maybe it's a "getting older" thing).

I've been carrying a 4" 586 in an old Bianchi #7 and am very surprised at how conealable it is. I've been carrying autos for about 18 years now, but they have always been full size frames. I find that a 4" wheelgun is no harder to conceal than a 5" 1911, or a Beretta 92.

I still use the Target stocks, but at 6'2" and 300#, they sort of "disappear".

 

[vytoland]

i have a S&W model 64 NY-1 (bobbed hammer)

what are some of the better holsters (comfort and concealability) for this type of revolver?

 

[NE450No2]

In the mid 1970's my first duty gun was a 4" Mod 29.
many people Mexican carried back then.
Early on, I discovered a 6.5" Mod 29 was more secure, Mexican carry, than a 4", and more comfortable as well.

With the 6.5" the barrel was "in your pants" with the cylinder above the belt. Very comfortable, fairly secure...

Later when the Summer Special holsters became avialable off duty carry security was greatly improved...

PS, IF you carry inside your waist band, just buy ALL your pants 2" bigger in the waist.

When you get a suit fitted, wear your carry gun, and ammo when being fitted...

 

[Krayzie]

i carry my sigma 40 all the time, i use a blackhawk serpa if im wearing a coat or a cheap iwb, normally behind the back, when only wearing a t-shirt.

 

[Evil One]

Model 21-4 TR in a Galco Silhouette.
Carries great.

Jim