Model 10 or 64 Snub for CC

[DevilDog72]

I carried a 19-4 snub for over 20 years... until I got stuck in a BLM demonstration.... now it is an M&P 2.0

 

[54ball]

IMG_0089 by Travis Brown, on Flickr
This is one of my Model 10s with 1920s service stocks.
IMG_0125 (1) by Travis Brown, on Flickr
I liked my Model 10 so much, I got another that was slightly blemished to do a lot and I mean a lot of training.

What's better than carrying a 4" Model 10?

IMG_0118 by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Carrying 2 4" Model 10s.
I'm working a shoulder rig to do just that. So far it does really well.
IMG_0087 by Travis Brown, on Flickr

My default carry gun (when I do carry) for years has been that matte Nickel Colt Detective Special in a Bianchi pocket holster.

Now, that old Colt 4" Police Positive Special is a sweetheart but alas, it needs some bolt "cylinder catch" work. It sure is a sweet handling gun that is just slightly larger than a Smith J.

It's just been in the past few months that I have begun to get really serious with CC.
Why have I chosen a 4" Model 10?

In my experience all .38s are really sensitive to ammo. Point of impact can vary significantly. The shorter the barrel, the more this is exacerbated. A 1 3/4" barrel snub-nosed gun is going to be much more sensitive than a 4" barrel. This can easily be overcome but it takes careful load development and sticking with it.

I am left-handed.
I'm not profoundly left-handed. To tell the truth, I am really close to being ambidextrous, with that said my default is my left hand. Most automatics are designed with right handers in mind. A good example is a 1911.

The 1911 as with most service pistols have the controls set up for a right hander. I know one can easily be modified with ambidextrous safeties but truthfully, it's an afterthought. Another issue is with two safeties or sets of controls it doubles the chance of them being activated or de activated by accident.

I can shoot a GI 1911 left-handed by swinging my thumb over the back of the grip, dropping the safety, and then swinging my thumb back over for a proper grip. I can do this quickly but it's not ideal. I can shoot one right-handed but there again in an emergency, my natural tendency is my left hand.

Thus, the revolver....

Carrying a 4" Model 10...

For single carry I prefer a 1791 Over the Belt Holster. I tried a IWB holster for the Colt Detective and I did not like it because the holster would collapse after draw. That, and from a sitting position, gun holster and all came out with the draw, not good.

The OTB holster just works better for me. Right now, I'm using a right-hand holster on my left side with the revolver butt forward.

I use a "twist-draw" or the cavalry-draw. This is not a cross draw as the revolver is on my left side and it's a left-hand draw.

To draw the top of the hand slides against the body. The inside of the palm grasps the grip and all but the trigger finger grasps the gun. The trigger finger slides behind the top of the holster. The gun is pulled up and out. The muzzle is pointing down. As the gun moves to shooting position, the muzzle swings forward as the gun and hand, rotate half a turn to the shooting position. No part of the body is muzzled with this method. It's really fast and it can be really tight or tucked in.

I have to wear a cover garment with the OTB holster. A long T shirt can work but it would have to be pulled up with the offhand to draw. A button up shirt worn loose covers it very well. Off course a sport coat works marvelous.

Incidentally the same cover garments work just as well my pair of Model 10s in a shoulder rig.

 

[glockwhiskey]

I often carry my model 10 no dash OWB in an Azula leather holster. Loaded up with Underwood 125gr XTP +P.

 

[CH4]

Here's a question. Is a 3" actually a snubbie? I love them but does it have to be 2" to be a snub?

By most opinions, the 3" K frame is a tweener

Although subjective, to my mind the following qualify as a snubby:

J frame =/> 2.25"

K frame =/> 2.5"

N frame =/> 3"

 

[Whit]

As the initiator of this thread, my interest was in how many folks routinely carry a 2" K frame snub. While I have one, typically my 3" K gets more use. It just seems to me that it is not much more difficult to conceal the K snub than a J snub. It you can tolerate the weight difference the K would seem to me to be a better choice. Of course all of this is very subjective.

 

[CH4]

I thought all Model 15s had adjustable sights. My 4" does and I assumed all 2" did too.

You're correct. I'll blame it on my ADD

 

[diyj98]

I sold my 2" 64 because it just didn't really fit a need for me. The J frames are just so much easier for me to pocket carry. If I were going to carry a K, it would probably be one of my 3" K's and it would be in a belt holster.

 

[malph]

I sold my 2" 64 because it just didn't really fit a need for me. The J frames are just so much easier for me to pocket carry. If I were going to carry a K, it would probably be one of my 3" K's and it would be in a belt holster.

I came to the same conclusion. I had a 2" Model 10 that was a nice gun but never really found a real need for it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

From reading all the vintage gun rags . there was a theme that 2in K frame were pointless .

Until I picked one up . and the lightbulb went on over my head . Have a 10 and a 64 , love them . And yes , including carry .

I love the 2in and 4in , but for some reason , 3 inch doesn't do anything for me .

It is a frequent idea , that the grip is the most challenging part to conceal
A K Boot Grip is easier than an oversize J frame grip .