Thinking about trying to carry my model 10

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Clovishound

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I picked up a 10-5 4" earlier this year. It has some holster wear, and seen some rounds, but is a great shooter. I normally carry a compact 9mm, and am happy with that.

I've been wanting a holster for this weapon, mainly for easy, slip in protection when tossing it in the range bag.

I picked up a nice little molded leather IWB holster on clearance the other day. I tried it on, and found a spot or two that it is reasonably comfortable. It does print a bit. I suppose a bulky cover garment would work during the cooler months.

The other issue is that it has a set of Hogues in it. I don't have a set of wood stocks. A set of those would help.

Anyway, I would like to try carrying it. Not as my primary, but to have a backup system in case I can't carry my primary for some reason.

Any suggestions other than to pick up a set of wood stocks?
 
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PC magna stocks for K-frames are a dime a dozen. Add a grip adapter for a solid compact hold.

-db--albums-db-s-s-ws-others-picture4441-10-5.jpg
 
Don 73 said:
What's wrong with the Hogues?
Click to expand...

I love them at the range. They do, however extend the length of the grip. This makes concealment more difficult. They may also be wider. Not sure about that, I don't have a set of the wood stocks to compare.

It is a large weapon to try and conceal. Every little bit helps. A shoulder rig would probably be a better solution. I just don't want to spend much for a backup rig. I felt pretty good about picking up the holster I got for under $10. It was heavily discounted because the clip was bent. It was further discounted along with some clearance items. Less than a minute with a pair of pliers took care of the clip problem. If nothing else it was worth $8 to have something I can carry open in the woods, and something to slip the 10 in when it goes in the range bag.

This is an awkward weapon to try and carry concealed. Still, it would be nice to know I have something I could carry besides my regular EDC.
 
I carry my 10-5 4" frequently in a Wild Bill's Fusion paddle holster. It conceals much better then one would think. Just dress one shirt size larger and use a belt designed to carry a gun
 
With shirt untucked, or wearing a sweater or sweatshirt, at my age one lump looks pretty much like another. Anyway, Lobo Horsehide/ Altamonte Combats. I wear this Model 64 Snubby every day, walking or sitting or driving my car.
IMG_0544.jpg
 
Clovishound said:
...
It is a large weapon to try and conceal. Every little bit helps....I felt pretty good about picking up the holster I got for under $10. It was heavily discounted because the clip was bent. ...
This is an awkward weapon to try and carry concealed. Still, it would be nice to know I have something I could carry besides my regular EDC.
Click to expand...

I see your problem.

I could not ever successfully carry a K Frame in a cheapo holster. I tried two of them before I wised up.

I decided that I was not going to risk my life based on my being too frugal to put out ~ $80 for a decent rig. :cool:
 
blujax01 said:
I see your problem.

I could not ever successfully carry a K Frame in a cheapo holster. I tried two of them before I wised up.

I decided that I was not going to risk my life based on my being too frugal to put out ~ $80 for a decent rig. :cool:
Click to expand...

Well, believe it or not, this is a decent holster. I got it cheap because it had some minor, easily repaired damage, and it was further heavily discounted on a clearance sale.

It is a heavy molded leather holster with a good metal clip. The weapon has good retention and still allows for a smooth draw. It also stays put on the belt well. I have one just like it made for my compact 9mm. I have been using that one for almost 2 years and have been very happy with it.

The real issues I have with it are comfort and concealability. Both of these are related to the size of the weapon. The one position that is fairly comfortable, conceals fairly well, and offers a good location to draw is very, very uncomfortable when I sit. A shorter barrel model would be fine in this position. Perhaps a hybrid holster would fit the bill better, but I would rather put that money toward another weapon that would be more suitable for carry.

Again, this would be a backup, in case my EDC is unavailable for some reason. I would also like to have a way to carry open in the woods, if I decide to carry this weapon rather than my 9.
 
On the subject of Hogues, I find that the rubber they make them from is grabby and pulls my shirt up when I bend at the waist. I run Pachs on all of my Smiths if they are wearing anything but wood.

As for carrying a M10, I carry my M10 4" in a good pancake holster with a decent leather belt. A point to consider with this, the holster that I use is black and I would recommend a dark color for any OWB holster that may protrude from under the waist of your jacket. If it's going to stick out, try to stealth it out a bit. A beautiful mahogany or buckskin holster is a wonder to behold, but they also colors that catch the eye. Just a thought...
 
Lately I've been carrying a S&W 4" Model 581 .357 Mag.

I carry it in a Mernickle PS6-DA Mernickle Custom Holsters - Performance Series

I put S&W smooth rosewood grips on it Smith & Wesson Factory Grips Finger Grooves S&W K L-Frame Square Butt

I've never had trouble concealing any gun I've carried. When you're out in public people just aren't looking for it. Unless you're a fantastic looking babe, nobody is going to give you a second glance. If you're not acting strangely, or wearing something that demands attention, you're not worth looking at.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You can just about always find original factory magna grips on eBay and GunBroker.com. I have always prefered the magna grips and a grip adapter (Tyler T-Grip or Pachmayr) on the K-frames for concealed carry use.

As law enforcement agencies transitioned from revolvers to semi-autos during the 1980's and early 1990's, and the civilian market went along with the "wonder nines" movement, there were tons of good used K-frame revolvers available for peanuts. They seemed to be hard to even give away. Fortunately, I was able to acquire several Model 10's and Model 64's in 2" and 3" versions, which worked very well for keeping one in every automobile and just about every room in the house, as well as providing for family members who found a need for a good defensive handgun. Now the demand has returned and they have also been proven to be good investments as well.

As recently as last year I was able to score a bunch of revolvers that were local police department trade-ins at a local gun store. Several Model 28's and a few 2" Model 64's went home with me at just over $200 each with sales tax and background check. I will continue to take all that I can find that way.
 
Clovishound said:
....The real issues I have with it are comfort and concealability. Both of these are related to the size of the weapon. The one position that is fairly comfortable, conceals fairly well, and offers a good location to draw is very, very uncomfortable when I sit. A shorter barrel model would be fine in this position....
Click to expand...

This is why God invented snubbies. A 4" k-frame is a wonderful weapon, but for a lot of us is just too much gun to comfortably & conveniently conceal. A 2" model 10/12 (or better yet a 2" j-frame) hides much easier.
 
Check on eBay for K-frame grips. Choose magna-countour grips with NO checkering. The checkering will cause your shirt to snag on the grips leaving a nice print of your M10. A grip adapter will help fit the grips to your hand better.

I had to carry a 4" K-frame under a coat for a couple of years back in the very early 80's. As long as I wore a suit coat I was pretty much OK but in deep trouble if wearing just a loose shirt. Was harder on my back than it was to conceal.

Oh, oh, bright idea, a shoulder holster. You should have seen me try to get that gun out when a door slammed open behind me one night. Fortunately, it was just the wind. The cleaning bills were not.
 
hotrod150 said:
This is why God invented snubbies. A 4" k-frame is a wonderful weapon, but for a lot of us is just too much gun to comfortably & conveniently conceal. A 2" model 10/12 (or better yet a 2" j-frame) hides much easier.
Click to expand...

The barrel is not the problem. It disappears in the pants in an IWB holster. The grip and stocks are the problem. Forward cant in the holster mitigates much of it so long as the stocks do not extend past the bottom of the frame.
 
Pachmayr Presentation grips are the same shape as Magna's, but instead of belling out at the bottom at the width, they remain narrow throughout. You still have the square butt aspect of the grip, but its lower profile to aid in concealment. This is an aspect that I appreciate when I'm wearing an OWB holster and only pulling a shirt over it as opposed to also having a jacket to help concealment.
 
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