N Frame carriers, get your burly selves in here.

[Klein Helmer]

Whether it comes from personal conversation or the internet, it seems the conventional wisdom is that N Frame revolvers are, for a number of reasons, unfit for carrying (particularly CC). I am likely not the first to do so, and I will certainly not be the most knowledgeable, but I would like to humbly offer my dissenting opinion. I will speak on my personal experience as it pertains to what I have taken to be the two most common objections to carrying an N Frame, i.e., the physical drawbacks stemming from the heft and weight of the piece, and the aesthetic issues regarding difficulty in concealing it.

I'll start with weight. SOOO many people told me, "Oh boy, you're going to get tired of lugging that huge thing around within a week, snirk snirk." What? Do all of you guys have little birdy arms? (kidding...) Anyway, I've been shoulder carrying my stainless, six inch 629 for over a month now and I love the way it feels. I feel that big smoke wagon resting under my arm and know that I'll be ready the next time a Grizzly wanders into the haberdashery. Maybe my perspective is unique, as I had been renting and shooting an N Frame before I had ever had a gun, and had only ever planned to carry one, so it didn't seem cumbersome relative to having worn something smaller.

With regard to concealment, I was legitimately shocked the first time I put on a sport coat, suit jacket, and hoodie while wearing the gun. From everything I had heard, I was half expecting to see a bulge so outrageous that I would have to eat crow and get a different gun. I carry my gun under my left shoulder, and regardless of the garment (so long as it isn't a very light fabric), the impression of the gun is pretty modest. The outline of the but of the grips is visible, but is not protruding far and really does seem subtle. I live in a predominantly liberal metropolitan area, and I would expect most people (as I once did before changing my views on guns) to recoil at the sight of a giant .44 magnum. To this point, I have not picked up on anyone noticing it. I will acknowledge, knowing it is there myself, that I can see it - so too would I imagine could someone familiar with firearms. So to be completely honest, this method of carrying might better be designated "covered carrying" than concealed, but in my case the difference has been nominal.

So I just wanted to come in here and congratulate all the other broad shouldered behemoths in here who have gone against the grain and equipped themselves with a monster worthy of such a description.

 

[BobR1]

I have both a 3" 625-3, and a 2-3/4" 310 Night Guard. I have no problem carrying either concealed. The 625 is definently heavier on the hip.
I prefer belt carry in a quality Pancake holster.

Bob

 

[ibewbull]

My first Smith was a 4 inch M 28.
I open carried it in Virginia and North Carolina back in the 70s.
Sometimes It needed to be carried concealed.
I was about 160 pounds or so at the time and there weren't many holsters available for concealment. None I knew of so it was Mexican carried just a handful of times at most.
I had one occasion to just reach for it at the Norfolk bus station when I was carrying a large sum of cash taped to my leg in an envelope. Some clown chose t approach me and offered for sale some cocaine. I quickly asked him if he wanted to die? I don't think I ever saw eyes so big before or since and he left in a flash. Too bad my bus had arrived as this happened or it would have been a bit more involved. Seems like I can not just ignore things like this. Maybe i should have perused a LEO career. It is way too late now.
I now carry a k or L frame with 2 1/2 to 4 inch barrel. Depending on the mood. The 686p 3 inch is very nice and about the same size and weight as a 28 four inch. Problem being the SQ butt on the N frame. I should get a nice Simply Rugged pancake one day.
It is on the list.

12/14/2014
Well I got the SR Cumberland here it is.

 

[Klein Helmer]

I have both a 3" 625-3, and a 2-3/4" 310 Night Guard. I have no problem carrying either concealed. The 625 is definently heavier on the hip.
I prefer belt carry in a quality Pancake holster.

Bob

Nice. I am thinking about belt carrying when the situation is informal enough to wear an untucked shirt, but I am a bit concerned about the barrel length causing uncomfortability while sitting.

 

[Klein Helmer]

My first Smith was a 4 inch M 28.
I open carried it in Virginia and North Carolina back in the 70s.
Sometimes It needed to be carried concealed.
I was about 160 pounds or so at the time and there weren't many holsters available for concealment. None I knew of so it was Mexican carried just a handful of times at most.
I had one occasion to just reach for it at the Norfolk bus station when I was carrying a large sum of cash taped to my leg in an envelope. Some clown chose t approach me and offered for sale some cocaine. I quickly asked him if he wanted to die? I don't think I ever saw eyes so big before or since and he left in a flash. Too bad my bus had arrived as this happened or it would have been a bit more involved. Seems like I can not just ignore things like this. Maybe i should have perused a LEO career. It is way too late now.
I now carry a k or L frame with 2 1/2 to 4 inch barrel. Depending on the mood. The 686p 3 inch is very nice and about the same size and weight as a 28 four inch. Problem being the SQ butt on the N frame. I should get a nice Simply Rugged pancake one day.It is on the list.

Ha! That's a great story. I really dig the seven shot 686 models, and have been thinking about getting one.

 

[Sherminator]

I've carried my 627 Pro into gas stations or quick run into the store before. I agree the weight isn't too bad, then again I wear a gun belt at work that isn't the lightest. But for every day carry I still prefer my Glock 19 with a spare mag. 8 rounds of .357 is pretty awesome, but 33 rounds of 9mm is better in my opinion.

 

[Klein Helmer]

I've carried my 627 Pro into gas stations or quick run into the store before. I agree the weight isn't too bad, then again I wear a gun belt at work that isn't the lightest. But for every day carry I still prefer my Glock 19 with a spare mag. 8 rounds of .357 is pretty awesome, but 33 rounds of 9mm is better in my opinion.

That's awesome. I special ordered the Performance Center V Comp 627 and I can't wait until it shows up. I don't know enough about guns to be comfortable with the nuances of a semi auto, and prefer the simplicity/reliability of a revolver, but you're right about the Glock with the extra mag; that is some serious capacity.

My sister is pretty talented with sewing (among other things), and she helped me modify my shoulder holster to hold four speed loaders on the off side; so I roll with thirty rounds of 240 grain hollow points (not bad capacity for a wheel gun). I also like how all the extra weight helps balance out the feeling of carrying.

 

[Sherminator]

That's awesome. I special ordered the Performance Center V Comp 627 and I can't wait until it shows up. I don't know enough about guns to be comfortable with the nuances of a semi auto, and prefer the simplicity/reliability of a revolver, but you're right about the Glock with the extra mag; that is some serious capacity.

My sister is pretty talented with sewing (among other things), and she helped me modify my shoulder holster to hold four speed loaders on the off side; so I roll with thirty rounds of 240 grain hollow points (not bad capacity for a wheel gun). I also like how all the extra weight helps balance out the feeling of carrying.

Ok, you got me there, 30 rounds of .44 is a LOT of horsepower

 

[P&R Fan]

I got a LOBO IWB holster a while ago and have carried several 4" N- Frames and my 5" Heavy Duty in complete comfort under a sweatshirt.
I also have carried my 3" M29-3 in a belly band under a tucked in shirt. The shirt is bloused enough that it is undectectable.
If you know what you're doing, an N-Frame is easy to conceal.
Jim

 

[rwsmith]

People can also carry.....

People can also carry a .22 Derringer but it wouldn't be the first suggestion to come out of my mouth.

 

[Klein Helmer]

Ok, you got me there, 30 rounds of .44 is a LOT of horsepower

Ha. I'm such a terrible shot it probably wouldn't make a difference.

I got a LOBO IWB holster a while ago and have carried several 4" N- Frames and my 5" Heavy Duty in complete comfort under a sweatshirt.
I also have carried my 3" M29-3 in a belly band under a tucked in shirt. The shirt is bloused enough that it is undectectable.
If you know what you're doing, an N-Frame is easy to conceal.
Jim

I knew there had to be some others with reasonable takes around here.

Seriously, the way people talk about N Frames, you'd think they were bazookas.

 

[Klein Helmer]

People can also carry a .22 Derringer but it wouldn't be the first suggestion to come out of my mouth.

 

[ferretray]

I'm a 59 YO with some old injuries coming home to roost. At 5'8"/175ish not a burly fellow either.
I've carried/concealed a S&W Mountain Gun and am fixing to tote a Mountain Revolver as soon as I acquire the holster.
Adding a set of Perry suspenders has made all the difference, for me. I'll probably use my Wilderness belt and a Lobo or Rosen pancake this go-round. Between the suspenders and belt, I can set the rig just where I want it, snug, but not uncomfortable.
I usually wear a t-shirt with a square-hemmed, untucked shirt over that. Works fine and so far, none the wiser, including many LEO friends and associates.

 

[Macinaw]

Doesn't everyone?




Its just a J frame on steroids.




LOL

 

[KLYDE]

While an N is not an everyday carry, I try to have a holster on hand if the mood strikes. Just got my enhanced Avenger, for my M21, from Lobo the other day. Use a good belt and it is very manageable.

Though I must admit that I did have my 342 Ti in my pocket for the State Park woods walk yesterday. Macinaw, we all like steel but those lightweights sure do serve the purpose. That is a nice set up.

 

[Rock185]

One of my co-workers, a big, tall guy, carried a 6" or 6 1/2" Model 29 concealed off duty in a shoulder holster. One winter, I did carry a 4" 29 off duty. Too big for me personally. I much prefer a flatter semi-auto or J-frame, etc.

BTW, .44Mag. ammo, even 240 JHP, is REALLY penetrative where unarmored humans are concerned...

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

That's awesome. I special ordered the Performance Center V Comp 627 and I can't wait until it shows up. I don't know enough about guns to be comfortable with the nuances of a semi auto, and prefer the simplicity/reliability of a revolver, but you're right about the Glock with the extra mag; that is some serious capacity.

My sister is pretty talented with sewing (among other things), and she helped me modify my shoulder holster to hold four speed loaders on the off side; so I roll with thirty rounds of 240 grain hollow points (not bad capacity for a wheel gun). I also like how all the extra weight helps balance out the feeling of carrying.

Any way you can post a picture of your rig? I also like shoulder holsters and I am interested to see how she modified it.

 

[Iggy]

I trundle along with either a Model 27 3 1/2" or more recently, a sawed off .455 HE converted to 45 ACP in a Dave Keith belt holster ever day in cold weather.

 

[NYlakesider]

Just for the heck of it back in the late 70s I concealed carried a Model 29 4'' in a strong side belt holster for a month... Now at that time I was 5'11 240# and had enough drape to hide the gun.
To the best of my knowledge it was never seen by anyone that might have had a concern. I live in the people's republic of NY and know of a few "man with a gun" calls because someone saw a gun on a person not in a uniform.

It was loaded like Dirty Harry said with decent .44 SPECIAL loads not the full house Magnums. I found the gun a bit much for comfortable carry and was very concerned that it would "print" but I never had a problem. I did this just for a test and afterwards I went back to my 1911 .45. To me it was easier to conceal and not quite as cumbersome as the 29.

Carried that .45 for decades and then 11 months ago got XDs.45 for daily carry. As soon as it comes back from Springfield and I make sure it's reliable it will be carried and the 1911 goes back to its retirement in the safe. The older I get the smaller large caliber gun is what I want to carry!

 

[JCMCUBIC]

I carry a 2 3/4" 310 in a Simply Rugged pancake quite often. Needs nothing but an untucked shirt to conceal it.