Concealed Carry for the Big Thumpers (N Frames)?

[PetersCustomLeather]

I know there will be a few of you who carry the 2 1/2 - 4" N Frames so..... how do you do it? What is your favorite holster and carry method?

I am seriously thinking of getting a 3", maybe 4" 29 and just want to try to figure out if I will be able to carry it. I'm sure I can carry a 19 or 66 with not much trouble, but a big thumper is getting thick!!

I now have a J Frame and carry in the pocket and sometimes in a belt holster. I wear loose, untucked shirts so.....

Lets see em if ya can post em too!

Thanks!

 

[bronco45]

I carry a 4" 629 in a Mernickle Performance Series high ride holster. The holster is a two piece construction rig.

The side next to the body is two pieces glued and sewn together and the outer piece is one piece molded to the weapon. Three belt slots for FBI cant, neutral cant and crossdraw.

I've worn this rig for 6 or 7 years and still think it's one of the best for a N Frame 4".

N Frames should always be carried high on the belt line and close to the body. Wore an N Frame 29-2 4" as a cop for ten years and always used that style of holster to minimize fatigue.

 

[revho]

Well, I've posted this before but I really like it. I carry a M25-14 in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake OWB @ about 3'clock. I normally have a untucked flannel or sweatshirt on in the fall/winter/early spring. After that I go back to a M36 in a pocket holster for warmer weather.

 

[Dump1567]

I'm a big fan of "dress around the gun". Loose, long shirts work good.

As far as holster, pancakes will give great concealability as they hug close to your body. They just aren't that comfortable for me. I prefer the Bianchi 5BHL for my 4" guns. I also just bought a Galco silhouette hi ride for my 627 UDR although it will fit any length barrel.

Bianchi 5BHL

Galco silhouette

 

[J.P.60]

For the Night Guard .45acp, I have ordered an IWB from El Paso Saddlery like this one:

I have this model for both a Commander and a full-size 1911 and am sure it will be the best, for me, with the big snubbie. I like it because it allows me to carry cross-draw.

 

[beemerphile]

I know they are widely dissed, but for the few times I have chosen to carry an N frame concealed, I have used a Galco Miami Classic (aka "******* rig") shoulder holster. Some wiseacres say the holster is named for the people who carry it. An N frame isn't something I care to carry on my hip as CCW. OC in a proper belt holster for field or range use is another thing entirely and more of the role that I think the N frame fills. Otherwise, it is a historically significant duty gun from about 30+ years ago.

 

[gasaman]

............

 

[David Sinko]

The same El Paso Street Combat holster carries my 4" Redhawk Alpine Conversion, 4" 627-5, 3" full lug 625 and a pair of limited edition Mountain Guns. I have been carrying these revolvers concealed for many years now.

Dave Sinko

 

[Texas1941]

Lobo SOB rig w/belt

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but saved the picture to the wrong file.

I ordered this SOB rig from Ray at Lobo Gunleather. It's for a 325 NG. I was using a Mernickle, the same one described in the post above. However, I've lost a lot of range of motion in my right arm and shoulder. I just can't draw from a high rise strong side holster anymore. I still use the Mernickle in cross draw mode on road trips. It's an excellent holster.

The Lobo SOB solves the access problem. I can get to it and make a presentation about as fast as I could with a regular strong side high rise.

There are some problems with the SOB design. There is some concern with back injury if you were to fall directly on it. All things considered I think it's worth the risk; someone else might not.

As far as the holster goes, it's just first class. The first thing I noticed about it was how light it was. With holsters, that's either a very good sign or a sign of real trouble. Since receiving this rig, I've worn it for more than 100 days (meaning 8 hrs or more at a time). It's just as tight now as it was when new. The design is excellent. You will notice that there is no reinforcment around the top. I thought this would make reholstering difficult, but the cut of the leather produces a sort of instant opening funnel. Works like a champ.

The belt has become my favorite. Except for the two days a week I wear a suit, it's what I use. Again, it is very light weight, but perfectly serviceable.

I like the design so well that, after I get my wreched taxes paid for, I'm going to as Ray to build one for a 2" M15.

 

[roundgunner]

Left is a $29 bullseye. Right is Milt Sparks

I also like the Lobo for my 3" 629

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

O'Rourke worked fine for me with my 325PD. I have also used DeSantis for 3" & 4". Probably just as good, but the stock ones wouldn't accommodate the Hi-Viz sight on the 325, which O'Rourke did at no extra charge.

I now carry N-frame guns in belt holsters. I used to use a Renegade or Milt Sparks for IWB, and they were OK, especially the Renegade, which is a little thinner, but they work best for me with jeans (because of the additional support from the tighter-fitting jeans), which I don't wear as often these days. With cotton Dockers or cheaper equivalent, I have taken to belt holster use. My first was a Kramer (sold by Dillon for Mountain Guns), which fit both me and my 520 perfectly. It kind of sold me on belt holsters. Although I don't carry an N-frame revolver as often these days, I have found that a good belt helps even with steel K-frames. Beltman.

That's my experience. YMMV.

 

[moonshine44]

I carry my 4" .45 Colt 625 Mt. Gun in one of John O'Rourke's hi-rise pancake holsters. The real secret to carrying one of the N-frames is a good heavy duty belt. I have two: one is a Mernickle that I bought as part of one of his concealment systems and the other is a double thickness one that my son made for me. Both are 1 1/2" wide and hold any of my holsters solidly. I'm a big fan of pancake holsters for any of my carry guns...

 

[deralte]

I carry my .45 ACP 625 Performance Center with a 4" barrel in a Galco Phoenix holster.

 

[victor1050]

I carry both my 629-4 trailboss and my 4" 28-2 in a slightly modified uncle mikes holster either appendix or 3 o'clock iwb.

 

[everReady Rob]

Some really nice rigs pictured, really like yours Dump1567.

I've got a 4" stainless in a OWB plane-jane, off the rack De Santis, buts its a good solid holster and works well. I do want to get a custom cross draw which am planning on using mainly when hiking.

 

[chief38]

Maybe it's just me, but I could NEVER carry that much weight and bulk around all day long. My daily carry piece is a 2" M60, and when I am in more demanding environments, I'll strap on my 3" M65. I tried carrying a full sized Colt 1911 for a week or so many years ago, and I "threw in the towel" on that idea pretty quickly.

The main thing I go for in a carry piece is this: I want the smallest, lightest and most comfortable piece to conceal and carry that will shoot a realistic self defense round quickly, accurately and is still controllable. For me it's Buffalo Bore 158 Gr. LSWCHP +P's in my M60, and BB 158 Gr. 357 Mag. JHP in my M65.

I always have my gun with me, and I know that if I had to tote around a lot of bulk and weight, it would spend more time at home in the safe than on my side. Just saying..........

chief38

 

[sheriffoconee]

My wife bought me a Mernickle concealed carry setup (PS6DA holster, cuff case, speedloader holders, belt) for Christmas. I have started carrying my N frames in the Mernickle rig for the past few days, and I love it. I highly recommend it....

 

[PetersCustomLeather]

My wife bought me a Mernickle concealed carry setup (PS6DA holster, cuff case, speedloader holders, belt) for Christmas. I have started carrying my N frames in the Mernickle rig for the past few days, and I love it. I highly recommend it....

Can you post a few pics of the rig with gun in it?

Sounds nice!

 

[J.P.60]

I would appreciate a photo or two, myself.

 

[kennyb]

i carry my M657 3" in my wolverine ankle holster...works for me