N frame for carry ?

Dave T said:
dla,

You are entitled to your opinion as are we, but statements like "an ideal CC weapon (Kimber Pro Carry)" are just opinion. After carrying one model or other of Colt 1911 for all of my LEO career, and for over 15 years after I retired, I find the arthritis in my hands (swollen knuckles) makes it impossible for me to practice and shoot them any morel. So a revolver now works better for me and a Kimber Pro Carry...not so much.

Dave
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Dave you are dead on. Arthritis is one of the hardest things I deal with daily. I too carried 1911's or later P-220's in 45acp. I'm selling my Ed Brown Korba Carry due to the sight radius being too much for my aging eyes. Whomever said that these were our golden years had bad vision and mistook rust for gold.

Thank you for your service.
 
My hands (and wrists, and arms) are fine, and I can shoot everything up to 454 Casull (from a 7.5" FA) without pain.

But my eyes are becoming a problem.

I can focus on the rear sight, the front sight, or the target -- but only one of the three at a time.

I think I'm going to look for a gun that I can put a scope on, and try that.

Dave
 
I have a 3" 629, which rides comfortably in an OWB pancake holster. If concealment is an issue, then I have a Sparks VM2, which is also reasonably comfortable. A .44M is probably not ideal for EDC, but recommended for hiking in the Pacific Northwest.

The cylinder tends to ride on top of your hipbone, so your beltline doesn't sag as much as with a pistol.
 

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IMO an N frame is not a ideal carry gun but it can be done it requires a very good holster & belt.
24-3 3in. Elpaso holster.

 
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S&W governor daily carry here. It's all in what you want. Me, I like variety and the Gov happens to shoot as good as my old 325PD, and can shoot a few more rounds.
 
my 625-9 45 colt mountain gun is my edc in a simply rugged pancake just wear an untucked t shirt works great . i like the fact that with my carry gun i can hit something from 0-100 yds which makes me feel better even if it may never matter.
 
Yes sir I know what you mean. I've got a pancake for a 3" 629 on my desk right now. I just don't have anything to put in it yet.
 
I've never been swayed by the know-it-all enthusiasm of Glock fanboys, Kimber fanboys, 1911 fanboys, or any other semi-auto fanboys. I shoot revolvers almost exclusively, and I shoot them well. If given the choice between a .45 ACP (1911 or otherwise) or N-frame for CCW, I'll go with the N every time, without question. Doesn't matter to me .44 Special or Magnum, .45 ACP or LC, I prefer revolvers to semis, especially in larger calibers. And I won't ever be presumptuous enough to tell someone what the BEST carry handgun is ... that kind of thing is amateur hour foolishness. Sell whatever you want, but sell it across the street from me.
 
zigstar said:
Whomever said that these were our golden years had bad vision and mistook rust for gold.
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zig, I'd LOL if it wasn't so true! Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning while I wait for the prescriptions to take hold.

And thanks for your service as well, brother!

Dave
 
My normal urban carry is a five inch 1911 and a spare magazine. For rural areas, I often switch to a Glock G20 SF 10mm and two spare magazines. I often conceal carry a four inch 29-2 .44 magnum and two speed loaders when I am in remote rural or wooded areas where cougar or black bear encounters are possible. When I was working in areas where brown bear or moose encounters were possible, I conceal carried a five inch 460V X-Frame. I have also conceal carried my Desert Eagle 50 AE and two spare magazines to win a bet with a LEO friend who said it couldn't be done. People can conceal and carry much more than they think. Ya gotta wanna!
 
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An N frame revolver in steel is a heavy revolver, but not unreasonably so. A 3" 629 weighs about 48 ounces loaded, approximately the same as a steel 1911. The revolver is thicker than the 1911, but not hard to conceal with the right grip (round butt) and holster (pancake or IWB).

You need a good reason to carry a .44 Mag, and bear country is such a reason. I've been getting used to mine, using a Sparks VM2, in anticipation of a trip to the Pacific Northwest. .44 Spl loads are generally lighter than shown for .45 Colt, but pushed to 900 fps would pack a lot of wallop without a lot of recoil. I suspect the .44 is going to gain popularity as more places adopt magazine limits, even for the mean streets.

I wouldn't recommend an N frame for .357 Mag. The 686 L frame is perfectly proportioned, and relatively easy to shoot even with hot magnum loads. It weighs about 40 oz, loaded with 7 rounds.
 
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While this is a bit gussied up it's the first high ride rig I made for my 24-3. I really like carrying that and my 624, and my 2.5" 629-8 Backpacker. I've found since buying the Backpacker I really love the 2.5" barrel length for carry but it's not THAT much of a difference. A thick belt and holster is not really a question in the equation.

 
I don't carry with the wood grips (put on Hogue rubber for that) but I have learned to CC this .41 very comfortable. As was stated earlier, just a large button down shirt and I have no issues. I'm 5'-10" and 165lbs.

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Zigstar

Back to your original question. Yes a number of us carry an N frame CCW. If I can wear a wool vest or jacket, I can conceal a N frame. A holstermaker I really like is Simply Rugged. Simply Rugged Holsters ? Holsters, Gun Belts, Ammo Pouches and Accessories Rob makes his version of the pancake with inside out straps that allows concealed carry of N frames. The inside out straps allow IWB carry & the belt slots allow OWB carry. I use his holsters a lot. A good holster will go a long ways towards packing an N frame all day.
If you choose a .44 Mag, consider loading it with a heavy .44 Special. There are several on the market Buffalo Bore & Double Tap are a couple of the best.
Good luck, let us know what you decide.
 
Heres my take on it:
Revolvers are my first love, and I'm pretty good with em'.
I've carried everything from a S&W Mountain Gun to a 642. They all have a place, for me.
Carried that MG in a Mitch Rosen pancake, on a Beltman gunbelt. Held it all up with a pair of Perry suspenders. Surprisingly comfortable. Certainly comforting.
 
Some of us have the option of open carry or concealed carry, so an N-frame would definitely make sense in open carry. In fact, if I find the right .38-.44 Heavy Duty, I'll probably OC it.

BTW, comparing semiautomatics to revolvers in an attempt to show that semiautos are superior for concealment doesn't tell the whole story. There are no straight lines in nature, including people who tend to be lumpy. This means that another lump won't be as noticeable as an unexpected straight line to the casual observer. I usually carry a 3 inch Model 13 and a Model 37 when I conceal and have concealed a 4 inch Model 686 without looking like a hunchback.

FWIW, I've seen lots of other semiauto fanboys claim that the "antiquated" M1911 platform is HARDLY the ideal concealed carry platform, even when it's made by Kimber.

ECS
 
N frame carry

I carry a Bull Dog 44, but I have a 627-0 5 1/2 inch RB with unfluted cylinder, combats, and full under lug that has a great balance and handiness to it, that I would try if I were going to carry a different revolver.
 
Just bought a 657 PC 2 5/8" and seriously considering a Sourdough Pancake from Rob; haven't seen anything better for the dollar. Thoughts?
 
Since it is not a pocket gun, get the 4 inch and you will pretty much have to have an IWB holster. I suggest a kydex one as they are thinner than leather, and with that big cylinder, you are going to appreciate less bulk in the holster. I suspect you will tire of it pretty quickly. If you really carry every day all day, as opposed to just on the grocery store trip on Saturday, then you will have lower back pain after a few weeks of 12 to 18 hours a day. You will then get a lightweight Colt Commander and have more shots in a more manageable and controllable pistol in a caliber that is second to none in stopping power. When you order your kydex IWB holster, go ahead and order one for the 1911 or Commander also so you have it when that day comes. :)
 
Shawn: I appreciate your attempt to dissuade me of my firearm of choice! Your assuming I know nothing about firearms and their specifications and also assuming I will use this N-frame for EDC. I have a multitude of revolvers & pistols for EDC and use them as I see fit. My posting only referred to an OWB carry holster for a particular revolver and any thoughts from people who may own one; no matter the purpose of carry. Also, at 74 yrs. young, I fully understand what gives me pain and what doesn't!
 
I often carry a 6 1/2" Model 610 in a Bianchi X15 shoulder holster. Why? 1st, the 610 is the arm that I can shoot most accurately and quickly(it's my best bowling pin gun). 2nd, it loads with moon clips for quick reloads. I like shoulder holsters because I spend most of my time sitting at a desk or driving. Just try to get to that IWB rig while in your car with seatbelt fastened. I have worn a vest of some type nearly every day for many years. My coworkers will comment if I don't have my vest. It's also a great way to carry cell phone, business cards, pens and all the other things I use throughout the day. Weight has never been a problem with either the shoulder rig or OWB holsters. My OWB guns are either a CZ97B or a 639 (both double action as it the revolver). Neither are lightweights but seem to diaspear with quality holster and wide double leather belt.
 
coltchris said:
Just bought a 657 PC 2 5/8" and seriously considering a Sourdough Pancake from Rob; haven't seen anything better for the dollar. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I have a Milt Sparks PMK that I like for my 3" 657. It carries well, is sturdy as heck, and looks nice. I'm opting for the #5 from Lobo though for my 4" 29 and another #5 for my 6.5" 657.

657-2_zps274c6d8e.jpg
 
coltchris said:
Just bought a 657 PC 2 5/8" and seriously considering a Sourdough Pancake from Rob; haven't seen anything better for the dollar. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

That holster is hard to beat. I have one for my 4" N frames. The holster is very comfortable, and has great retention w/out affecting the draw. If you get one, you may want to opt for the hardware that allows the holster to be converted to an IWB rig.
 
coltchris said:
Just bought a 657 PC 2 5/8" and seriously considering a Sourdough Pancake from Rob; haven't seen anything better for the dollar. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I haven't either and I've been looking(and trying them) for a long time. Enjoy your new rig.
 
How not to carry a 2 5/8" PC627:
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The Lobo leather is fine - good thing, as the cheesy $11 WallyWorld belt is not. Buy a good/properly sized belt!!

As to size of that PC627 vs an L-frame 2.5" 686: The 627, at 37.6 oz, weighs less than three ounces more than the L-frame 686 and is 1/8" longer in OAL. I like the 8 round capacity, too, even if I do carry 'only' +P 158gr LHPSWCs. Before getting my 642 years ago, I pocket carried a 296 - 5 shot enclosed hammer .44 Special. Before getting a Mika pocket holster for the 296, I infrequently carried it in an OWB holster. As a civilian, I just don't like that form of 'carry', preferring pocket carry, something I cannot do with my snubby N-frames!

Stainz
 
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