Hopefully not too CRAZY a CCW question for you experts regarding 6" 686.

[Sigmund Sauer]

Dear friends, and fellow admirers of the fine engineers at S&W

I am new to the world of handguns, but my son and I are becoming very serious about it. We have been spending a lot of time on this fine web site, reading comments from you experts. We realize we have a lot to learn.

We went to an indoor gun range on Wednesday to try out various pistols and revolvers.

And when I tried out the 686 with a 6" barrel, it was really like Harry Potter finding his wand. I hit the center of the target consistently even at 20 yards! I know I could defend my family with that gun if it ever came to that - God forbid!

Now, here's my question. Would it be crazy/irresponsible/stupid to think of carrying of the 6" 686 for concealed carry? I know that there is a 4" version of it out there, and most people use that (or shorter) for concealed carry. But my aim is just so much truer on the 6" that I would feel MUCH better with this longer version.

Is there even a cross draw shoulder holster for this around that would allow me to conceal it? I assume that only cross draw shoulder holsters would work. It's probably too long for IWB, right? I am a very tall guy and I always have to wear a jacket anyway. So perhaps a shoulder holster would work with a gunt that size for me?

Would I be crazy to put this on my City of Los Angeles CCW licence application? Would it raise eyebrows and make it less likely to be approved?

I mean, I have really good reasons to have it approved, and was told that it probably will be, but I don't want to take any chances.

Also, I don't know how strict they are on printing in California. Don't know if printing could be avoided with a gun that size under my jacket? What do you think?

Anyway, I would love to stick with this great gun that feels so right to me, but I also want to make the right decision.

Please, experts, help me out with some detailed answers.

Many thanks.

Ziggy

 

[petepeterson]

You can conceal anything if you're willing to dress around it. I highly doubt your choice will be rejected, or raise any eyebrows.

If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, go for it. I'm laying money that you're carrying something different inside of a year, though.

OTOH, you'll still have a great shooter either way.

 

[The Big D]

???

Pardon me if I seem a bit suspicious of this post. That said, a 6" 686 is one of the least suited guns for CCW that I can imagine.

Suggestion: Learn to shoot a gun more appropriate for concealed carry.

Be safe.

 

[vipermd]

Welcome: A 6" 686 may not be right for everyone for CCW, but in a shoulder holster it would work. Maybe not as well as a 2",3",4", but if you shoot it well and can dress around it- not a problem. I carried a 6" SW 19 for 1 year, uncomfortable at times, but it was the ONLY revolver I had, I am only 6'. Be Safe,

 

[gutterman]

Someone who is 6'10 can probably carry a 6" gun like us others carry a 4" or less. If its comfortable to you--go for it!

 

[Decker]

For carrying a 686/6", I doubt if anything would work as well as a good shoulder holster. It's long and heavy, even if it were a 4".

I do carry mine at times, but always OWB when I'm on my own business property (a 3 acre tract with several buildings).
For concealed, I wouldn't personally consider it.

You guys in Kalifornia need to lobby for open-carry like some other states allow.
I don't personally believe that it's smart to open carry in public (for reasons I don't need to discuss here), but what I do like about open carry is that the occasional "printing" is no longer a "crime", punishable by law.

 

[spdguns]

My uncle from out of state was visiting and he said something about his carry gun. Now he's a big 'ole boy, but I was shocked when he pulled a 6" 629 out of his front POCKET!!!!!! WOW!

 

[okiegtrider]

Someone who is 6'10 can probably carry a 6" gun like us others carry a 4" or less. If its comfortable to you--go for it!

Kind of what I was thinking too. At that height, you can probably pull it off. I'm 5-8, the idea of me trying to hide a 6" L-frame is laughable.

If you can make it work for you, get after it man.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! It is great you get along so well with a 6" 686, but you might try wearing it with a shoulder holster (if the range has one they'll let you try) to get an idea of what that will be like on a daily basis. If you will be limited to only one gun listed on a permit that is not easily changed, chances are high you will leave your extra 6 pounds (gun, holster, spare ammunition) at home rather than carry it regularly.

If your local range has access to a 4" (or even better, a 3") 686, you may find you shoot it just as well as the 6", and one of those will be much easier to carry. A 3" for carry and the 6" as your home gun would be an excellent combination. Hope this is helpful.

 

[CowboyKen]

I am 5'9, 220. I have a shoulder holster for my 7 1/2" Colt SAA. It works just fine and I can conceal it well if I want to. I say go for it and be safe and happy.

Ken

 

[Biggfoot44]

As noted , anything is *Possable* . For someone your size ,it would be more possable for you than most people.

Circa 1950's , 6in K38 in shoulder holsters were semi-common for LAPD detectives , so not impossable. You will have to Dress Around the Gun , and you will be limited in what will work to conceal.

Depending upon your body porportions , IWB may work for you. It's not a typical off the shelf holster , but many custom and semi-custom holster makers can accomadate a 6in revolver.

That said someone your size should be able to easily and comfortably carry a 4in L Frame, similarly to average people with a J Frame.

 

[Acroyer]

I am 5'11" and on occasion I wore a 29-2 6 1/2" in a shoulder holster under a jacket. I say on occasion because honestly it was a big pain in the butt, and the novelty of it wore off fast.

If you are wearing a jacket all of the time anyway, I would suggest getting a 686 in a 4" or less and wearing it in a nice pancake OWB holster. I think you'll find it much more comfortable and convenient.

 

[bigwheelzip]

My husband is 6'-7" and carries the 4" 686 in a crossdraw OWB when traveling in the car, but wishes he had it in a shoulder holster. We both feel the geometry of the 3" 686 with the round grip is the best trade-off between size and accuracy for carry. Personally, 6" seems more suited for hunting. Choosing the one you will carry all the time is likely a trade off.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I was in a LGS when a young guy around 5' 6" and 135 pounds came in and asked the owner about selling his 8 3/8" S&W 500 magnum. The owner asked if he had it with him. The guy said yes. The owner told him to get it so he could look at it. The guy unzipped his hoody sweatshirt and took it out of his shoulder holster. The butt was in his armpit and the barrel extended past his hip under the hoody sweatshirt.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

question regarding 6" 686

I owned and carried a 686 6" in a Galco sholder holster. I am 6'1" and blended with my upper body extremely well. I only wore it a few times and sold it a number of years ago. However, the holster is almost brand new and I still have it. If you are interested in the holster, please make a reasonable offer, including shipping, and let me know. Thanks.

Nick

 

[walkin' trails]

There were reputable police detectives, both on the big screen and television who carried six inch Pythons or S&W 29s in shoulder rigs. They concealed them well enough for movie and TV fans not to become alarmed because their handguns were pretty much never exposed until they had to draw.

While there are always exceptions to the rule, an six inch barreled revolver is not going to be that practical to carry. I don't know what CA's CCW laws are, but I would image that failing to keep your handgun concealed could generate a lot of problems if accidentally exposed in public.

 

[chief38]

I think after a week or two you will be asking yourself WHY you chose this model for CCW. Nothing at all against a 686 - it's a fine gun but IMHO there are MANY that would be a far better choice. I own one and would NEVER consider it for every day CCW,

 

[Acroyer]

I get the sneaking suspicion that the OP has abandoned us.

 

[CTI1USNRET]

Guns aren't BFFs. I don't know anyone who carries who didn't try something different, 'just because'. Each gun owned is a learning experience. Get the 686 and carry it. Even if it suits you perfectly, you will probably try others out of curiosity.

I've always carried heavy, large-caliber guns for primary: a full size SA 1911 45 ACP for about 20 years, and now a 3" S&W Model 24 44 Special.

 

[Lightfoot4]

I'm 6'1", and have carried the 4" version with an IWB holster. Probably wouldn't do that with a 6" version, though your extra height might allow it. Sitting down would be the biggest issue. Shoulder harness is probably the best answer, or pick another gun.