N frame concealed carry? Do you?

[The Real Hawkeye]

Hey All,
I know this has been asked here before, but in spite of searching via the search function......I cannot find a solid thread related to the carry of N frames.

Who among you are man enough (or silly enough) to conceal carry an N frame?

What N frame model S&W do you carry, and in what holster?

Do you live in rural area?

How often do you carry the N frame?

Why do you stick with a heavy/large firearm, when there are lighter options available?

I have an OWB holster on order from Lobo, and am trying to convince myself that, if I can carry a K or L frame......than how much bigger can an N frame really be?

(my N frame is a 625 w/3" barrel)

It probably wouldn't be much of a burden to conceal carry one of those scandium N-Frames.

 

[Rick_A]

Rick, that is one nice looking Rig. I have a similar looking holster, no thumb break, that I use a lot with my 44 Mag.
Very comfortable to carry, very concealable.
One secret is to have a good stiff "gunbelt".

If I want/need to be even more low profile I use my Milt Sparks Summer Special.

It's an inexpensive DeSantis. It cost me all of $55 new, but does the job. It felt like it took months to break in, but is absolutely worth it.

A sturdy, wide gunbelt is definitely a must for carrying a full size gun. I've contemplated following the lightweight gun trend (subcompact guns are best suited as backup IMO), but I want to know it's there.

It may not be comfortable, but I feel a full framed gun is comforting in that it raises confidence and increases self awareness of your carry condition.

 

[Duckford]

After reading this thread I gave it a try today, carried my 29-2, full 6 1/2 inch barrel in a hip holster under my suit and long coat as a test to see how it worked. I carried it on my hip in a cheap thumb break button holster, with a French army 2 inch leather belt, more than enough to secure the rig. Since we were already being a bit over the top, I carried my Gazelle shoulder rig with 1911 and magazines so I can play mall ninja for a day.

The rig couldn't fit under my suit coat no matter how I tried it, the gun was too long. Couldn't try to raise the belt wihtout it looking way out of place, and even in the best condition it would never match up to anything a serious carrier would consider concealed. Luckily its still basically winter here, so my large wool trench coat easily concealed it, but obviously not a practical solution to carry conceal, as you can't wear a big coat at all times. So, for the conceal part, the big N frame with long barrel flunks the course. I can get my Uzi under my coat too, but I wouldn't dream of even trying to carry that concealed.

What surprised me was the weight and bulk was not much of an issue. I really didn't notice the gun at all to be honest, and feeling confident in its concealment I even drove to town and shopped with it. The only time I noticed it was when I bent down to grab something from a lower shelf, and as long as you squatted straight, there was no problem, comfort or conceal wise. Even driving didn't give me as much trouble as I anticipated.

I always dress in suits, and prefer large full size pistols, so I carry what a lot of conceal carry consider big. As much as I like my "Dirty Harry" revolver, I think 1911 and 4 inch barrel revolvers are the limit for what I'd consider practical. I'm thinking about a 27, and perhaps a 4 inch barrel would be more appropriate. That or just start open carrying. Idk.

 

[The Highlander]

I sometimes carry a 627 Pro Series 4" in a holster Ray (Lobo Gun Leather) made me, with matching speed loader carrier either loaded with moon clips or a speed loader. Not many problems requiring self defense I can't solve with eight rounds of .357.

Generally carry a Glock of one flavor or the other, but this 627 and a 3" Ruger GP are in my rotation. I have never felt under gunned!

Yes, the 627 is big, and heavy. But it is reliable, accurate, and powerful.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Tom_R]

I have a real good DeSantis 1.5 inch gun belt.

I use an OWB holster and carry isn't a problem at 3:00 under a jacket with a speed loader in each pocket.

The DeSantis belt makes all the difference. Got it for $30.00 at LGS. I use it for my 28-2 (4-inch), 1911, and for my 39-2/439.

I wish I had gotten that gelt sooner.

Sure the 28-2 is heavy, but a good holster and belt will make CCW possible for a lot of side arms.

 

[wogentry]

I routinely carry a Model 24 in either 3" or 4" barrel and on occasion a Hand Ejector Model of 1917 in El Paso Saddlery C-Force IWB holsters with a Carhart vest as a cover garment and a Filson double belt. I'm kinda " Husky" so it works well. In my opinion lot more comfortable than my Colt Government Model. A revolver is more "curvy" and pokes less than the Government Model which is has more sharp angles. I also have the same holsters for my K-frames but when I want a big bore I go with the 24,28, 29 or 1917.

 

[wheelyfun66]

I took a walk today with my wife (about 2 miles) with the 625 tucked IWB in a Remora holster (not made the an N frame, but I sliced some stitching to make it work temporarily), and it concealed GREAT and was not overly heavy.

I think a revolver conceals SO much easier than a semi auto, and while my K frame will be my primary carry.....the 625 just might see more and more part time carry!

Going to place an order with Lobo for an IWB holster, and have an OWB on order from Mernickle.

Going to carry using full moon clips, and look into speed strips with 45 auto rim for reloads....

 

[Hawg Rider]

Down here in Florida where it's almost always t-shirts and shorts weather, I mostly just stuff a Model 642 in my pocket- inside an Uncle Mike's or Malabar Gunleather pocket holster. But occasionally I like to carry the 8-shot .357 N-frame. Like some of the other Forum members, I also use one of Ray's Lobo Leather holsters for my Model 627-5 with 2-5/8" bbl. I have a Pancake 1-D (dual), for either strong side or my preferred crossdraw carry. Ray's holsters snug the body and conceal well under a lightweight jacket, especially something like a surplus camo field jacket.

 

[Neumann]

I have no difficulty concealing a 3" 629, in a Sparks VM2, under a light jacket or untucked shirt. While heavy, the cylinder tends to ride on top of my hip, which takes weight off the belt.

Why carry a .44 Magnum? I want something out west that will do more than annoy a bear. That may change. As Illinois criminals become accustomed to armed "victims," they will probably start wearing soft armor. It's already happening in Detroit, per their police chief. Type II armor offers about as much resistance to a hard cast .44M as cardboard.

 

[Harkrader]

N-frame CCW

I carry them because I shoot them well with modern ammunition.
The right body shape is important. I can do it, even in warm but not hot weather.
I have a business suit cut to help conceal a firearm, so that helps.
Or, I'll wear a light jacket or vest -not a photog "GUN HERE!" vest, but a business or light casual vest cut a little long.
I'll carry:
A 29-10 four inch with Hornady cartridges.
A 627-5 with 2+5/8" barrel, rarely. Just doesn't sit right on my belt.
A 627-5 Pro Series with 4+1/16th" barrel, fairly often. Lighter than the 29 and carries more ammo. The barrel helps hold it in place on my belt.
Occasionally a 28-2 or 27-8PC. No real advantage over the 29, I just like them.

 

[DR505]

I've carried a 3" Model 657 around the woods here in a Milt Sparks PMK. I also carried a 4" Model 27 for a while, as well as a 1911. However, my every day CC rig is this one holding a Glock 21. Agency frowns on using non-approved weapons.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

My usual carry revolver is a 4" K frame. However, I've carried 4" L and N frames with no problem. A 4" M21 or M22, or one of the Mountain Guns, weighs about the same as a 4" M19 due to all the metal missing from the cylinder, and the tapered barrel. My 681, 27-3 and 28-2 are another story, though. The biggest drawback is the lack of my favorite speedloader - Safariland Comp II - in N frame size.

 

[scott1970]

I regularly carry a Model 58. Here it is in a Ryan Grizzle holster.

And here it is in a Tom Threeperson style holster by Lobo Leather. I swear I forget I have it on when I carry it in the Lobo holster. And that isn't a lie, but I am a uniformed patrolman by trade so wearing just an N frame is like being naked.

 

[eveled]

I really wanted a 327, but decided two light weight j-frames would be better. I ended up with a 442 and a used 340pd. I don't have to carry both all the time. But when I do, I have 10 shots instead of 8 and also about $400 left in my wallet.

Unfortunately, I do still want the 327!

I ended up finding a good deal on a 327 so I gave in to the temptation. I figured I would eventually anyway so might as well buy it sooner than later. .

My lgs threw in a Don Hume JIT slide holster for it, and it looks like it was made for the 327. Ed.

 

[ca survivor]

Nothing silly about it. It's not as comfortable as the 1911, but isn't bad at all under a button up shirt. Those requiring winter gear are doing it wrong.

yes been in Florida, don't know what winter has to do with weapon choices LOL

 

[Arisin Wind]

Been known to carry a N frame.

 

[CWH44300]

I like them, they can have a great power to weight ratio and I shoot them well.
Yup, I carry one.
329 PD in a rig from simply rugged

 

[M29since14]

When I was a young hooligan roaming the woods my 4-inch Model 29 was out on patrol every weekend, not because I was in any sort of danger or had any need of it here in Indiana but just because I loved the thing and enjoyed having it along. Of course, back then I had only one other pistol I could take on my expeditions, and since it was an autoloader and always throwing its precious .38 Super brass hither and yon, the Model 29 always got the honor.

My supply of sixguns has improved over the years and these days I never think about a Model 29 except to take to the range. If I need to wear a gun I prefer a .45 Commander. The N-frames are just too big and too heavy for me now, and the Commander lies flatter on the belt.

 

[tomtheturner]

I carry N frames, also. Usually I have on a 3" k frame, but I do like a 3" 24, or a 3 1/2" 27. I have a 3" 629 that gets carried occasionally, but not very often. I never wear a J frame on my belt, but one can be found in my pocket.

I use Tom Three persons, a Kramer vertical scabbard, and the holster that was designed and sold with the 24.

I have lots of smaller and lighter options, but these are revolvers that I just plain like - that simple.

Unless it is really hot most of the time I wear shirt-jacs, and they conceal just about anything. I have heavy wool shirt-jacs for the winter, and light weight ones for Spring, and Summer.