How to carry an N frame (56k death)

[Wyatt Earp]

Since I've been called out as a liar for saying that I routinely carry an N frame IWB, and that I conceal it as well or better than a semi auto, I decided to set up a little pictorial to show how it's done.

First, the weapon:

Just so everyone is clear as to what it is:

The holster, a Comp-Tac CTAC IWB tuckable for 4" N frames (and shorter):

Wearing a t-shirt:

Wearing a square cut camp shirt:

And the easiest garment to use for concealment:

Any questions?

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Since I've been called out as a liar for saying that I routinely carry an N frame IWB, and that I conceal it as well or better than a semi auto, I decided to set up a little pictorial to show how it's done.

First, the weapon:

Just so everyone is clear as to what it is:

The holster, a Comp-Tac CTAC IWB tuckable for 4" N frames (and shorter):

Wearing a t-shirt:

Wearing a square cut camp shirt:

And the easiest garment to use for concealment:

Any questions?

 

[Abbotson]

I thoroughly enjoy carrying my 329 PD in a Galco IWB. IT CAN BE DONE!!!

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Abbotson:
I thoroughly enjoy carrying my 329 PD in a Galco IWB. IT CAN BE DONE!!!

I hear you. And mine is a 40 ounce, all steel 4" 629.

With the right belt (thank you The Beltman!) even an all steel gun is comfortable all day long.

 

[ENH]

Good pictorial. Most doubters have never tried. I routinely carry a 2.5" N frame in my front pocket and someone always asks how big are my pockets.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I used to carry my Model 58 behind my right hip using a simple (new old stock) S&W brand IWB clip on holster. The holster was meant for a 4" K frame but worked fine.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

No questions at all. Anyone who would call you a liar, even before you posted this, is an idiot. I have carried several different 4" N-frames IWB, both in a Summer Special and in a Renegade

 

[GLV]

I have carried several different N frame guns on a regular basis for a long time.

Today it is a 625-10, tomorrow it might be a 629, or a 329PD, or etc.

 

[flop-shank]

I'm wearing my N IWB right now. Those pictures of Wyatt almost look like me as we have a similar build, not to mention Beltman belts.

 

[David Sinko]

I regularly carried a 4" Redhawk for a few years in an El Paso Street Combat. And many times I used just a T shirt to cover it when the temperature pushed 100 degrees. I never cared for IWB holsters of any kind. Today that same holster carries 3" and 4" 625s full time. It's a rare day when I carry anything smaller than an N Frame.

Dave Sinko

 

[safdt17]

Thanks for the pics! Someone should start a thread of guns actually being worn. I like seeing holsters as much as the next guy, but it's better to see how they are on.
ben

 

[Nanook 450]

How to carry IWB without buying pants 2-4 inches too big is unclear. But I often carry an N frame OWB with no problem.

 

[N-frame Smith]

Wyatt,

You're a better man than I...for sticking a nice S&W into that kydex kontraption! I use a Garrity Incognito Deluxe to carry my 29, and it not only looks beautiful, it feels beautiful.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Nanook 450:
How to carry IWB without buying pants 2-4 inches too big is unclear.

It's a must. I have a 33-34 inch waist and buy size 36 trousers. Not uncomfortable at all.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by N-frame Smith:
Wyatt,

You're a better man than I...for sticking a nice S&W into that kydex kontraption! I use a Garrity Incognito Deluxe to carry my 29, and it not only looks beautiful, it feels beautiful.

While I am a big fan of leather and have some good leather rigs from K&D Holsters and Kirkpatrick Leather, kydex does have its advantages.

Number one among them is that I can get a holster from Comp-Tac in less than two weeks. I've never heard of a custom leather holster taking less than two or three months of wait.

Number two is that kydex is actually nicer to your gun's finish than leather, believe it or not. See, kydex is ultra smooth on the inside of the holster and completely non-porous. That means that dirt and soot particles will not embed in the material like they eventually do in leather. Any accumulation of grit or grime can be wiped off and the holster is back to being 100% clean. The inside of my leather IWB holster for my Model 65 has a bunch of streaks from reholstering a gun covered in powder and lead residue and there's no way to get it off.

Number three, kydex absolutely guarantees that sweat will not touch your pistol anyplace where the kydex covers it.

All that said, I think your holster is superb. I wonder if you know what is Mark Garrity's wait time as of late?

 

[Erich]

Crebralfix has been doing this for a while with N-frames and his own kydex holsters. I was impressed to see his photos as well.

Proper holsters seem to be essential, but I now believe that I'd rather carry an N-frame IWB than OWB.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Erich:
I now believe that I'd rather carry an N-frame IWB than OWB.

I have an Eagle Defender leather pancake from K&D for my 3" N frame. So far, while its quality is beyond questions, it has been a disappointment in the concealment department. I don't know if the leather is too stiff (not allowing it to conform to the body enough) or if the ride is too high or too low, but it bulges out far more than the kydex IWB rig that I showed above.

Concealing an N frame OWB, with the holster I have, is very shirt dependent. For example, I could NOT do it with the majority of t shirts and polos I have; and I can hide it with most of the camp/guayabera shirts I own. Only with a sport coat or blazer can I hide an N frame OWB in complete confidence that it won't print.

OTOH, because of its much narrower cylinder, my K&D Eagle Defender for a K frame can be hidden under just about everything.

 

[Spotteddog]

Is the rig as comfortable as it looks Wyatt?

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
Is the rig as comfortable as it looks Wyatt?

Yes it is. I've worn it all day on out of town shopping trips that included 1 hr drive each way.

I am shopping for a leather IWB, though, since that is What I prefer and I am quite taken by N-frame Smith's Garrity.

 

[Catshooter]

Since I've been called out as a liar for saying that I routinely carry an N frame IWB

Wyatt,

The problem isn't that you're a liar, it's:

1. If a person is 250 pounds overweight, IWB of even a NAA mini revolver is out of the question.

2. On the internet any slob can (and does) say anything they want - you are out of reach so they can be just as bluff and as bad and rude and their momma won't hit 'em! Particularly to someone who really does carry a gun!

Cat (who has also IWBed both a 5" Gov't and an N frame)