4" Revolver Concealable?

M

MilitantBob

New member
I was just wondering what the common opinion on the conceal-ability of a 4" revolver, like a ruger GP100.

I live in south Texas and it gets hot as hell in the summer, I am normally wearing t-shirts and jeans, I very rarely wear shorts. Do you guys think it will be doable?

I would (probably will) get a snub nose revolver eventually, but I would like to get a 4" at first so it will be a little more enjoyable for range shooting, and I just want to see what the CCW vets think about using a GP100 as a CCW.

Thanks in advance! :cool:
 
you should check out the 3" gp100. it has a smaller grip size. ( in between an sp101 and a adjustable sight 4") with the fixed sights and smaller grip this gun gives you gp100 qualities in a more compact package.
 
Look to split the difference between a 2" snub and full-size 4", go for a K-frame in 2 1/2" or 3" a la S&W Model 10/12/13/15/19/64/65/66/67.

Another option is the 2 3/4" Ruger Speed/Service/Secuirty Six or the SP-101 in a 3" tube. Also, the GP-100 can be had in a 3" tube.
 
GP100 kinda big...

I would suggest something a bit smaller. I have a 3" GP100.

Although the factory grips are nice, they are not the best.
A nice set of hogue or other would be a step up.

The GP100 is the same size as a S&W 686. Kinda big...but not unbearable.

A snubby 6shot S&W 66 or 5shot SP101 or Taurus 605SS would be alot easier.

Are you looking for an IWB holster or shoulder holster? Or a boot gun?

Just curious.
 
It kinda depends...

... on a couple of factors. If you are an economy sized guy like me, no sweat. If you are built more like a beanpole, not so easy.

At 6'3" and 275#, I can carry a pretty big package without looking outrageous. With the right gear, a lot can be accomplished. I am attempting to include a shot of my current carry outfit. This is my first attempt at a photo so bear with me. It is a pre-27, 5-screw .357 Magnum, with the original magna grips, serial numbered to the gun. The holster is an Alessi Hideout made specifically for the 3 1/2" barrel. It is very comfortable with jeans, slacks, and hiking shorts. Idaho is never as humid as Texas, but we get 100-plus degree days here in the summer and I've never had an issue with it. I tend to wear untucked polo shirts. There is a large body shield between the cylinder and you, so the only issue is having the leather against your skin.
 

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I can conceal one quite handily.

In winter.

In a shoulder holster.

Under my winter coat.

In the summer I carry a J-frame.
 
I am 5'10" and weigh 150lbs.....skinny.

With a loose T-shirt I can wear my GP100 3" fixed sight in a DeSantis OWB holster no problem. A 4" would get a little big IMO but doable.
 
I carry a Colt GM 5" or a S&W M10 5" regularly. Horsehide IWB by Galco really helps. Royal Guard. My BUG is a 2" S&W M10. I usually carry a BHP lately due to hi-caps. A 4" revolver is easiily concealable. Your wardrobe will need adjustment. Darker overshirts or wilder patterns help. I suggest a undershirt with a second overshirt with a few buttons for concealment. One size larger usually provides for not printing through. Experiment with clothing fit and styles. I generally wear a mesh undershirt and a untucked polo shirt in summer.
 
Another inch or 2 of bbl (over a 2" or 3") really isn't going to make a difference. The bbl on a revolver is what, 1/2", 5/8" thick? It's not like the bulge of the thick slide of a semiauto. I'm small framed & carry my 4" Security Six IWB without a problem & have NEVER wished it was shorter; it's mighty accurate just like it is.
 
A 3" or 4" RB K-frame carries rather nicely IWB. A dark, untucked tee or golf shirt, or a light, unbuttoned work shirt worn over a tee should conceal it adequately.
 
A 4" GP is very concealable. The barrel length isn't a problem, as others have noted. If you prefer the shorter gripframe found on the 3" GP, switch out the grips, they're interchangeable. :)

I used to carry a 4" .357 in hot, humid, southern Indiana in an IWB. I'd either leave my t-shirt untucked or wear an untucked long-sleeve overshirt over it.
 
In the winter time, with your extra and heavy clothes it should be easy to conceal a 4 inch revolver. In the summer, concealment is a headache.
 
I live in Alabama, where it's hotter than Hades in the summer. My one and only carry gun is a S&W 586 with a 4" barrel. With the proper clothing, no one knows I have it strapped to my hip.

Concealability really depends on the clothing worn, and not so much the size of the gun.
 
A 4" is concealable. As has been suggested different grips help. Mine have pachmeyer compact grips which help and I have a Texas Heritage IWB (http://store.yahoo.com/rlcompanyusa/retehe.html) which works pretty well. If you don't have the gun yet I'd like to give 2 thoughts.

If it will be your only gun a fixed sights are more easily concealable, though adjustable are more versitile.

A Speed or Service six is a little smaller and lighter. I don't think there is as big a difference between 3" and 4" as there is between K frame (speed six) and L frame (GP100)

Steve
 
Your build has something to do with concealability. I can readily conceal compact and sub-compact Glocks and even the Ruger P95 and P944. I have a devil of a job concealing any revolver under a tee shirt. I've tried J, K and L frames. The grips just want to jut out. I've tried several types of holsters, including iwbs, and just not much luck with the wheel guns. Could be I'm over-sensitive to printing.

In cooler weather, wearing a vest or light jacket, revolvers pose no problems for me. But in the sweltering heat of summer, where tees are standard dress, I have to stick to the bottom feeders.
 
mucho heavy!

Bob, I would say that is one big hung of iron to try to carry concealed. I'm not saying its not do-able, but man packing that much weight in that kind of heat ain't gonna be fun. I think I'd check into the multitude of alternatives for practical concealed carry if I were you. But you know, opinions are like ***holes, everybody's got one. Fleiger
 
South texas heat poses a problem. When its over 90 you will look like an idiot if you have a vest on or a Fanny Pack that yells GUN. Kramer Leather makes a Confidant Shirt that is nylon with holes like the football players use. Has a built in shoulder holster. A Snubbie or small auto is easy to conceal.

If its under 90 you can wear a shooting vest and conceal a full size revolver or auto. Especially in a premium holster that hugs the body not a loose nylon cheapie.

I have over thirty different holsters for concealing various guns and 5 concealed carry vests. Hawiian shirts work well to cover guns carried IWB.

An easy way to carry is a S&W 342PD or 442 in a Kramer Pocket holster.
Most of the time I just thow it in my pocket. But in Indian Country I carry
a Glock 30 or Kimber CDP Pro II or even a S&W 4 " Model 28!

This is from 30+ yrs of experience and yup I also live in South Texas.
 
Yes.

I have carried a 4" Smith and Wesson revolver for many years. I prefer it because
1-I can see the sights better
2-I like the longer tube for more velocity with .357mag ammo
3- the 4" Model 19 is much more comfortable for me to shoot than a smaller gun. I had a 2 1/2" M19, and found the 4" just felt and shot better for me.
4. I find the larger revolver easier th draw from a pocket - it sits higher.
I usually wear this revolver in an IWB covered by an oversized tee shirt or sport shirt in summe, even with shorts. NOTE: you need to wear a sturdy belt.
I also usually carry 2 speed loaders in a double nylon pouch on the opposite side.

I have also sometimes just put the revolver in the pocket of my relaxed fit jeans, covered with a shirt tail.

Mark
 
I started with a 4" GP-100 in s.s.,
its a wonderfull gun to shoot, and fun.
I still have it , its my favorite.

but for concealed carry, it has its draw backs.

depending on my attire, I now use either a Ruger SP-101
two and a quarter inch with Eagle wood grips ( www.eaglegrips.com ) and .38 special +P ammo.
or
A Ruger P-90 in .45 acp with three mags. in a Preditor kydex holster ( www.predator-holster.com )

I wear one or the other every day.

practice with the mini revolver and .357 loads was
a very unpleasant experiance.
 
I'm with you on the summers in Texas. Since my normal summer dress (if not in uniform) is shorts and a T shirt, I gave up carrying big guns. Its either an SP-101 in an inside the waistband suede holster with the T shirt covering it or a 642 or a Kahr PM9 in the right front pocket. There is no way around it for me. I would rather carry a full size Govt model or a S&W M58, but, then the whole day is spent thinking about that chunk of iron I'm carrying. Tradeoffs...oh well...
 
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