Take a look at the iwb holster by Barranti Leather, it's a great holster for concealing a larger handgun. As others have mentioned the grips are the issue rather than the size of the firearm.
Concealed Carry, 4 inch. K Frame?
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squidsix
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I've carried a 4" SB 65 IWB comfortably enough. My 3" 65 is a tiny bit easier, but not much. Not to me, anyway.
I'm more bothered by a gun's width than by the barrel length. For example, a 5" 1911 is better to me than a little Glock 26/27 because it's not as wide.
I'm more bothered by a gun's width than by the barrel length. For example, a 5" 1911 is better to me than a little Glock 26/27 because it's not as wide.
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Ditto the comments re: IWB, larger revolvers, and Barranti Leather.
I regularly carry 4" or 5" N-frames in their respective Barranti Summer Classic holsters. For me, they work well, coupled with a good belt. As with most things, your mileage may vary.
5" 27-2 shown here.
I regularly carry 4" or 5" N-frames in their respective Barranti Summer Classic holsters. For me, they work well, coupled with a good belt. As with most things, your mileage may vary.
5" 27-2 shown here.
My agency issued a 4 inch Model 66-2 in 1981 or 1982 and we carried them until we went to the three inch Model 13 about 1985. We carried the 66 in a Bianchi pancake holster. It was really no more or less difficult to carry and conceal than the Model 66-1 in 2.5 inch than they replaced. All three revolvers were better and easier to carry than the Beretta 92F that replaced the Model 13. The Beretta was an OK gun for uniform carry, buy my agency was plain clothes.
Shoebox1.1
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Only thing about barranti IWB.. no spur shield. Hammer could dig into you. ( I think). The Thomas perfectionist doesn't. 5 inch at 1 o'clock is comfy.
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It's funny that you mention this. While my Summer Classics from Barranti don't have a shield, some of his do. For a time I had an SC for a 4-inch K-frame and it had such a shield. I'd not asked for it when ordering.
That said, no hammer-dig here so far for me.
SGT ROCK 11B
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We had a lot of Detectives, plain clothes (including females) that had no problem with the Beretta 92FS.
I bought a Model 64 4 inch pencil barrel to carry concealed OWB while hiking and fishing. I wanted something in SS, light, at least .38 special. I carry it with 158gn SWC and a +P load of Unique I would only use if necessary. I only carry OWB, and revolvers are not different than full size autos in that manner. It is noticeably lighter than a Model 15.
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I meant to comment on this earlier. You've had the sheer audacity to mention the fabled Thomas Perfectionist, a holster I've owned once and should not have parted with.
Keep it up, mister - I'll dial Kramer right now and order another one. Just watch me!
Truly, it's a magnificent holster that was designed from the get-go for bigger guns, and I really should have held onto the one I'd ordered for a five-inch Model 27. Methinks I'm going to have to correct that soon!
Shoebox1.1
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Excellent my man! Let's hope they still make good stuff. I've got 5 or 6 and that last one wasn't up to snuff. Kinda swore off kramers but I'll get another one for something specialI meant to comment on this earlier. You've had the sheer audacity to mention the fabled Thomas Perfectionist, a holster I've owned once and should not have parted with.
Keep it up, mister - I'll dial Kramer right now and order another one. Just watch me!
Truly, it's a magnificent holster that was designed from the get-go for bigger guns, and I really should have held onto the one I'd ordered for a five-inch Model 27. Methinks I'm going to have to correct that soon!
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I am too, but at 73, the trigger guard needs to be fairly close to belt level - I don't bend like I used to.
So far, I have a Roy's for my 4" N frames, an Alessi for my 4" Colt OP, and a Bianchi for my 4" K frames. And that doesn't include the modern ones I have from Privateer, Simply Rugged, and Galco.Kframerbluvr
Member
I carried my issued 4" M64 in a Bianchi pancake style holster off duty back in the '80s when IWB holster options were generally either poor or unavailable.
A Galco Summer Comfort model for the 4" GP-100 works OK for 3" or 4" barreled K Smiths or GP series revolvers.
My only complaint is that it rides a bit higher than I prefer.
Now that I am back to work PT at my old agency I have gone back carrying my issued Glock 17 most of the time off duty. My K Smiths are resting in the safe until I retire again for good.
A Galco Summer Comfort model for the 4" GP-100 works OK for 3" or 4" barreled K Smiths or GP series revolvers.
My only complaint is that it rides a bit higher than I prefer.
Now that I am back to work PT at my old agency I have gone back carrying my issued Glock 17 most of the time off duty. My K Smiths are resting in the safe until I retire again for good.
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I prefer the 4-inch round butt K frame for CCW when carrying a revolver, admittedly not that often these days.
When I was first at the FBI Building in Washington DC in 1971, the next to last part of the tour* was the indoor firing range, where an agent fired the Thompson .45 Submachine gun, the Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun, the 4-inch Model 10 with 38 Special loads, and the 4-inch Model 19 with .357 Magnum loads. It was an eye-opener as the agent fired each weapon as fast as he could. Obviously, the Thompson stick magazine was emptied in one burst. They had examples of the four guns fired on display in a glass cabinet on the wall over at the right side of the range.
I was surprised to learn that the Bureau used 4-inch S&Ws as issue guns rather than the 2-inch J Frames. Be that as it may, I decided that if a special agent could carry a 4-inch revolver concealed, then there was no real reason for a 2-inch in a holster on the belt. Thereafter, the 2-inch J Frame became a pocket gun, and a full size gun became the concealed carry gun.
So, to answer your question, it is no trouble to carry a 4-inch K Frame concealed, although the 5-inch Government Model in .45 or the 4 1/4-inch Commander in the same caliber is easier for me to conceal due to the flat profile as opposed to the cylinder on the revolver. That said, if you adjust your wardrobe to accommodate the weapon, it is remarkably easy.
***
*As the Bureau in those days was in the DOJ Building, the last part of the tour after the indoor firing range was the inner courtyard where it was explained by the tour guide that "this is where Efrem Zimbalist Jr. comes out and gets in his car at the end of each episode" of "The FBI," a popular TV program by Quinn Martin that ran for about 9 years starting in 1965. On a side note, those that were agents at the time will recall that Hank Sloan, who was in charge of firearms training at the FBI Academy, and Mr. Zimbalist, who played Inspector Lewis Erskine were on the cover of the magazine that the FBI put out to agents and Sloan was shown training Mr. Zimbalist in use of the FBI issue Model 10 4-inch in order to lend authenticity to the show. It is apprarent even in Season 1, Episode 1 that all of the Agents were carrying 4-inch revolvers in Sloan holsters. The hammer protector which prevents damage to the lining of the suit coat is present, which distinguishes the Sloan from the Heiser 457. Starting later in Season 1, Inspector Erskine carried a 2-inch revolver of one sort or another and his holster changed, when using the 2-inch, to a tan Bucheimer spring holster (not the Lewis Police Special copy, but the one with the tension screw).
When I was first at the FBI Building in Washington DC in 1971, the next to last part of the tour* was the indoor firing range, where an agent fired the Thompson .45 Submachine gun, the Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun, the 4-inch Model 10 with 38 Special loads, and the 4-inch Model 19 with .357 Magnum loads. It was an eye-opener as the agent fired each weapon as fast as he could. Obviously, the Thompson stick magazine was emptied in one burst. They had examples of the four guns fired on display in a glass cabinet on the wall over at the right side of the range.
I was surprised to learn that the Bureau used 4-inch S&Ws as issue guns rather than the 2-inch J Frames. Be that as it may, I decided that if a special agent could carry a 4-inch revolver concealed, then there was no real reason for a 2-inch in a holster on the belt. Thereafter, the 2-inch J Frame became a pocket gun, and a full size gun became the concealed carry gun.
So, to answer your question, it is no trouble to carry a 4-inch K Frame concealed, although the 5-inch Government Model in .45 or the 4 1/4-inch Commander in the same caliber is easier for me to conceal due to the flat profile as opposed to the cylinder on the revolver. That said, if you adjust your wardrobe to accommodate the weapon, it is remarkably easy.
***
*As the Bureau in those days was in the DOJ Building, the last part of the tour after the indoor firing range was the inner courtyard where it was explained by the tour guide that "this is where Efrem Zimbalist Jr. comes out and gets in his car at the end of each episode" of "The FBI," a popular TV program by Quinn Martin that ran for about 9 years starting in 1965. On a side note, those that were agents at the time will recall that Hank Sloan, who was in charge of firearms training at the FBI Academy, and Mr. Zimbalist, who played Inspector Lewis Erskine were on the cover of the magazine that the FBI put out to agents and Sloan was shown training Mr. Zimbalist in use of the FBI issue Model 10 4-inch in order to lend authenticity to the show. It is apprarent even in Season 1, Episode 1 that all of the Agents were carrying 4-inch revolvers in Sloan holsters. The hammer protector which prevents damage to the lining of the suit coat is present, which distinguishes the Sloan from the Heiser 457. Starting later in Season 1, Inspector Erskine carried a 2-inch revolver of one sort or another and his holster changed, when using the 2-inch, to a tan Bucheimer spring holster (not the Lewis Police Special copy, but the one with the tension screw).
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WFR
Member
I sometimes carry a 10-6 4" or a pre-19 in a Wright Leather Works "Closer" IWB holster. It rides surprisingly well but not something I'd carry daily.
Exchipy
Member
Nothing says a square butt K-Frame can't be DIY round-butted, if it's done slowly and carefully using a bench grinder, files, emery cloth and a steel bristle brush, then re-serrated using a checkering file, as was done with this Model 67 no-dash:
WFR
Member
I bought this used and have not modified it.
Chrisj357
Member
I carry a 4" 686 everyday. My 4" M-19 would fit just fine in this holster. Under shirt there is a little bump but no one has ever complained
4" Model 64 in an Etsy-sourced leather holster or OWB in a 1791 Gunleather k frame holster. Also fits my pre-Model 10; my Model 19 front sight is a bit too tall for this particular IWB but fits nicely OWB.
I do need a better holster though; will save up for it.
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45NUTT
Member
I can conceal a 4" K frame with my RH IWB cross draw. Just let my Hawaiian shirt cover the grips and viola!
