Concealed Carry with an N-Frame?

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

I've been wondering if anyone gets their concealed carry license, and uses an N-Frame Smith as their carry piece? I've been thinking about trying my M657 3" .41 Mag, and have a nice Kramer IWB holster for it, but have yet to do more than carry around the house, just to see how I like it.

Do any of you CCW Guys and Gals carry a large, short-barreled Smith, like my Lew Horton 657? I'd love to hear what you think about doing that, What holster you use, and how it's worked out for you! Thanks, very much, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

[photoman]

I carried a 4" 329 for a while. Not bad in a Kramer scabbard but it required either a loose second shirt cover or a jacket.

 

[jake m29]

I mostly carry a 29 with a 4inch tube. I carry it in a desantis speed scabbard and load it with the federal 240 gr. Hydrashock self defence ammo. I personally don't find it hard to conceal or notice the extra weight.

 

[310Pilot]

For many years, I carried a Model 29 with a 6.5" barrel in a Bianchi X-15 shouder holster. Carried easily (the shoulder holster made the weight issue disappear) and it concealed well (I am a fairly large guy, too). I know of several who carry 4" N frames IWB. It should not be a problem, depending on how you dress for the occasion (wouldn't be too well concealed in swimming trunks and flip-flops).

 

[CWH44300]

4" 329 in simply rugged pancake but like photoman44 said you might need a size larger shirt. I can go around in jeans and a untucked tee shirt with a 6 round belt slide and full size 44magnum and no one knows

 

[Stu454]

I carried a couple of different 4" N frames in a Kramer IWB #2(?). Make sure your pants are a little loose in the waist and you use a good belt.

I was 5'11" and weighed about 190 when I carried those. An XL T shirt or a pullover fleece hid it just fine.

 

[Iggy]

I've got this rig on as I sit here and type. Model 27 3 1/2" under an untucked shirt.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I've got this rig on as I sit here and type. Model 27 3 1/2" under an untucked shirt.

Have any female LEOs ever looked at you funny because of the spurs?

 

[P&R Fan]

I actually have carried a 3" M29 in a Belly Band under a tucked in shirt in total comfort, and it was completely concealed. The shirt has to be "bloused" a bit, it can't be tight. Just grab a hunk of the shirt in a "Hackathorn rip", untuck it and draw. It doesn't look like it should work, but it really does.
Jim

 

[BlackSky]

I do it and love it. I always thought N's would be too much for this application but I was wrong. I carry my 624 3" in a Lobo Gunleather IWB and it's a dream. No issues at all and can carry it all day long. Make sure you have a good quality gun belt though, makes a huge difference.

 

[.357magger]

Carry N's and L's these days (mostly L's) but...

627 PC "Bloodwork", 2.5", in Desantis Speed Scabbard, or
686-5 Plus 4" in I forget who pancake or older Bianchi X-15 shoulder rig
686-4 Plus 2.5" in Desantis Speed Scabbard

Also do carry off body a lot due to work requirements and for that I use the EXCELLENT Maxpedition Jumbo. This has built in gun pouch with room for LOTs of speedloaders or other gear. An over the shoulder slinger so to speak.

Never could get used to IWB holsters. OWB pancake versions seem to work best for me, just get oversized t shirts or button shirts. One thing that is essential imo is a good thick, wide leather belt. Numerous makers offer "gunbelts" and those are ideal, but I found mine years ago in various colors.

Hope this helps but I'm a fan of carrying what you shoot best, in a caliber that hits hardest, and on that criteria, N frames do just fine thank you very much.

 

[TDC]

I carried a 6" Mod 57 in a Safariland shoulder holster for duty and later both a 57 and a 29 8 3/8" for hunting for over 30 years. I use either a Safariland or a Bianchi X-15 with both guns.

Contrary to popular belief I find the big frame, long barreled guns surprising comfortable for all day carry if in a well designed shoulder holster. Of course they aren't an "ideal" concealable choice, far from it for the obvious reasons, but when additional firepower is wanted or needed they are the only way to go.

I wouldn't hesitate at all to use a barrel length up to 6" with an N frame for "street" use, providing the proper stocks, holster and clothing choice was appropriate. I also believe more 3 and 4" N frame guns are being CC'd today than people realize....

JMHO

 

[M29since14]

Do any of you CCW Guys and Gals carry a large, short-barreled Smith, like my Lew Horton 657? I'd love to hear what you think about doing that, What holster you use, and how it's worked out for you!

Years ago, I used to try to lug around a 4-inch Model 629 - shortly after they came out, in fact. After about a year of hauling it around, all the while fully realizing I didn't need 44 Magnum power here in Indiana, I despaired of the burden and switched back to my old standby .45 Commander. The S&W was a bear - especially in the summertime.

Enough of that was enough. So it got moved to the floor of the truck and it rode along there for a few more years, just in case it was ever needed. Later, when I started to notice how touchy society was getting about the theft of firearms from vehicles, I decided to just leave it at home.

There are a lot of goodies (holsters, belts, etc) out there now that weren't available then, but I can't see lugging that weight around, no matter what. Just too much of a good thing.

 

[senecaap]

I carry a 3" 24 every day (14-20 hours straight)in a Black Hills Leather IWB paired with a Beltman belt. I usually have no problem concealing under a tshirt. Weight is no problem to me, a good belt and holster is key to stability. I cannot carry owb, it flashes the gun and even when covered makes me look like have an alien growing out of me.
I've found that any round butt 4" N is comfortable and easy to conceal (I am a bigger lad though).
I've never used a Kramer for an Nframe, but did use one with a 1911 and love their products. I think your n frame/kramer combo should be fine. Make sure you get a good pistol belt.

 

[Iggy]

Have any female LEOs ever looked at you funny because of the spurs?

Nah, females of any flavor don't pay much attention to old geezers like me. We're just background noise.

 

[Dennis The B]

Both of these N frames...

...are in my daily carry rotation. The model 24-3 can be a bit heavy, compared to the 325NG, but it's an outstanding handgun.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Carry my 3" 657 in the winter in a LOBO IWB holster. Load the 657 full of 210 gr. Speer Gold Dots with 1 spare speedloader. Feels great all day but I did need to go up 1 pants size as it is wider than my Colt Commander which is my main CCW. When the wx is really cold and people are heavily bundled up the 657 goes on for penetration.

Make sure if you go the IWB route on the holster buy ya a QUALITY holster and belt as was suggested. I highly recommend "The Beltmans" belts. He lives 2 hours from me and have two of them, 1 black and 1 in brown. I bought the black one five or six years ago and its still going strong. Little on the pricey side but worth every penny for comfort and stability. I carry the Colt Commander in a LOBO IWB with a Beltman belt. Nary a difference between the two for comfort and stability, but the Commander is easier to conceal as its much thinner.

You are very well armed with that 657, at least thats the way I feel when its on my hip.

 

[David Sinko]

For quite a few years I carried either a 4" Redhawk or 4" 625 concealed often under just a T shirt. As a belt gun I now prefer a 3" full lug 625. All of these are carried in the same El Paso Street Combat holster. It can be done, as long as you choose your attire carefully.

Dave Sinko

 

[computeruser]

Wore a 4" M28, IWB today with slacks and an untucked dress shirt. Met with clients, went about my business, nobody any the wiser for it.

Is this a combo I'd wear in an NPE? No, probably not. But it conceals well enough and is comfy, even at the end of the day.

 

[williamlayton]

Here are my two rigs that i wear when I carry my N frames.
Easy to wear and easy to hide---rides high under the arm and is more than comfortable.
Blessings