How to conceal 686 4 inch square butt?

[uncleted327]

Carried a 4" 686-4 in a Simply Rugged Sourdough IWB for years. Plain T-shirt was all I ever needed. If you insist on OWB carry then you'll have to wear whatever you need to to cover it. But you'll probably end up drawing more attention to yourself than concealing anything with oversized clothes or wild prints.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The Hiwanan Shirt is a good way to go over a colored "wife-beater" T.

Or a oversize "Fishing Shirt" is another favorite of mine. Tell folks I need the pockets for glasses etc.

EDC is a 3913 IWB Milt Sparks and a spare mag.

 

[Kid44]

Hawaiian Shirts

I'm opposed to Hawaiian shirts for any reason��. I'm a little bigger than most and concealing a larger handgun is probably a bit easier for me. But I have carried a square butt 4" model 10 with shorts and shirt. I have found even the thin fast dry material shorts work with an inside the waistband holster if u have a good stiff belt. To me the belt was always the key and I used a cheap lightweight cloth holster. At 3-4 o'clock most any loose fit untucked shirt does the trick. I don't think there is a perfect answer. Going armed means sacrificing comfort more often than not.

And I am opposed to tank tops for any reason

 

[hyena]

I would get a nice looking London Fog trenchcoat. The kind with the huge pockets. I'd put the 686 in one of the pockets. Then I would drive to my LGS and trade it for a 640 Pro.

 

[Old cop]

Get a J Frame

 

[Nevada Ed]

I decided I would rather stick to my 686 for carry as I can conceal it in a baggy windbreaker. Even with an outside waistband holster at 3 O'Clock a windbreaker 2 sizes too big for me does a great job of making it disappear. The problem is when it gets above 80 degrees, or I want to wear shorts and a tank top. Any tips on how I could conceal it under the most minimalist of clothing conditions or am I just stuck sweating it out in a windbreaker if I want to carry my 686?

Just bring the wife along with her hand bag.

Sorry, I could not resist..........
however summer time is the pits for medinm larger guns, with skimpy clothes, being worn.

At one time a belt worked for me.............
but my weight size now calls for suspenders and that messes things up big time.

Good luck with that.

 

[theprincipal]

A lot depends on your build and the climate you live in. That being said, a smaller gun would give you more options.

 

[murphydog]

Good for the OP for finding a way to pack his preferred gun concealed.

But I wonder if carrying 3 1/2+ pounds of gun, holster (and spare ammo?) will get to the point where it becomes easier just to leave it at home. "Don't feel like strapping it on, just running down to the store for milk, nothing's going to happen".

I can say in theory that it is relatively easy to carry 1 1/2 pounds that may include 25 rounds of ammo. Food for thought.

 

[chief38]

I know it's probably not what you want to hear and I may catch some flack too - but in warm weather a M686 is not really conducive to daily carry! I own a M586 (same gun but in blue) and other than using it at the Range or in the Woods, I don't carry it. There are smaller and lighter models (M13, M65, M66, M19) that are way more conducive for warm weather carry and they will shoot the same cartridges. If you are hell bent about carrying a 357 Magnum in warm weather, get yourself a vintage 3" 65/13 Revolver. Even the 2.5" M66/19 would fit the bill however I prefer the 3" bbl and like fixed sights on a magnum carry gun.

Remember..... if your dress is "out of place" for the weather and location, you will be found out quickly! No one wants to wear a windbreaker, vest, over garment in 90º + weather and those who do are out of place and people in the know understand why! Bottom line here is to get a smaller and lighter hand gun IMO. Then practice with it until you can consistently shoot it accurate and efficiently. I apologize if that is not what you want to hear - they're just my honest thoughts.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Having options is nice........ really hot weather here is also humid..... while I normally carry a 3913 or 3913NL IWB in a Sparks Summer Special with a cover garment ( Hawaiian or fishing style shirt) having a 12oz 337PD .38 or a Colt Mustang Pocketlite .380 are nice options to have!

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I understand where people are coming from, I am fully aware that there are other guns that would be superior in terms of weight and concealment, but the 686 is the gun I trust. I do not find it hard to carry around all day as I am 6'2" and 200+ lbs. I no longer wear windbreakers in hot weather, Hawaiian shirts have solidly filled that role. I am a goofball so nobody has said anything about the Hawaiian shirts as my style is colorful as is. Nobody has even noticed it, if they have they have noticed it, they have not said so. As a test, I ask friends I trust if they noticed it and all of them were shocked to find I was carrying when I asked so it must be working. Especially since I got my fletch high ride holster, which is closer to body and higher up than my outdoorsman. The only bummer is I cannot wear my athletic dry fits with it, but that gives me an excuse to wear more Hawaiian shirts which I enjoy wearing as is

Could I use an LCR in appendix carry, sure.. But I would rather work around concealing my 686 with Hawaiian shirts/Cargo Shorts than wear my athletic dry fits and athletic shorts with a pocket or inside the waistband holster with a gun I do not completely trust.

Update: I wore the belt with athletic shorts yesterday and had no issues with those either I was worried without belt loops but it worked perfect.

 

[ironhead7544]

Get an Andrews Custom Leather McDaniel II holster.

 

[Buford57]

Well today you answered a couple of the questions I had: height and build. When I packed your weight on a couple inches less height I carried a 4" M28 in a Roy Baker pancake under what was then known as a fatigue shirt. That was 40 years ago and today I would probably opt for a quality shoulder harness for that size gun, but the aloha shirt does work well. By the time I turned on to them I was using a M39 IWB but the shirt concealed that, badge and cuffs well.

 

[jimmyj]

Shorts, tucked T shirt, lightweight vest

 

[Ingramite]

I've carried BIG revolvers and 1911s Mexican Carry for many years.

A good belt and some pretty grips and I'm good to go to town.
All anyone.would ever see is some target stocks or stag grips sitting on top of my ranger belt.
In this heat, seldom bother with a cover garment.

Unless you're sportin a hind end like J-low , nobody's gonna be paying attention anyway.

 

[SixgunFife]

Barranti Leather's slogan is "comfortable peace of mind." Now, YMMV, but for me, their Summer Classic IWB holster makes concealed-carry of a larger revolver very doable. I prefer my IWB holster riding high and canted forward. It works for me.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Fanny pack.
I remember the first time I took a defensive pistol course the instructors who were all cops talked about dressing around your gun. One of them said a fanny pack is sometimes the only option. The other cop replied that any time he saw a man carrying a fanny pack his first thought was always, "That man has a gun".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When I do carry my M686 I carry it in an OWB DeSantis Speed Scabbard. That holster holds the gun tightly against the body and it's secure. Just use a shirt that is not body tight and you will be fine.