walks with gun
New member
Up until a while ago when I opted for a Commander in .45 I usually carried a S&W M29 mountain Gun, either in a shoulder holster but more often in a high ride pancake rig.
Anyone EDC a 4" revolver these days?
- Thread starter HighValleyRanch
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diggler1833
New member
While I don't carry it all the time, I do have a 686, 4" that sits rather nicely in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster.
Set up like it is, this OWB rig is only concealable under a jacket.
Set up like it is, this OWB rig is only concealable under a jacket.
357 Python
New member
When I carry a revolver I usually carry 1 of 4 that I have. All have 4" barrels except for a 3" S&W 65. The 4" models are S&W 10-8, S&W 28-2, and S&W 686-1. In the past I have carried a 4" Colt Python and a 6" Colt Python. With the proper clothing all of these can be carried concealed with very little problems.
I used to carry a 4" Model 586. That was one heavy gun. And it was one of the first guns made right after S&W sold in the early 80's. It was an unreliable POS. I had to return it to the factory twice. Both times in FTF, they were catastrophic. I finally gave it away. I even paid the UPS fee to send it to my friend's FFL.
If I could get my hands on a P-239 in .40 S&W, I'd be a happy camper.
If I could get my hands on a P-239 in .40 S&W, I'd be a happy camper.
HighValleyRanch
New member
I had one of the early 585, no dash, 4" and used it for bullseye shooting.
Shot one of my highest slow fire scores with that revolver, 96!
That's 3" group at 50 yards one handed, single action!
Should have never sold that gun!
Shot one of my highest slow fire scores with that revolver, 96!
That's 3" group at 50 yards one handed, single action!
Should have never sold that gun!
The question could have as well have been "does anyone dress to conceal everyday?" Mostly, I think we scale the gun to the wardrobe instead of the inverse.
I like to carry a 4" concealed and I dress accordingly, but I find it increasingly difficult to source appropriate clothing for it. There is only so much you can do with a vest that screams "I am carrying". Camp shirts work pretty well in warm weather, but colder weather presents a greater wardrobe challenge. That is partly because the Chinese don't use two-way zippers.
Real Gun,
You've asked the real question. Carrying any gun is like having a little kid with you. You have to pay attention 100% of the time. Not only does one carrying have to assure it's always concealed, one also has to be aware of his surroundings. Bad guys look for opportunities to take guns from good guys.
In LA and assuredly most urban areas, were someone to see a "concealed" gun on a good guy, I'm going with easy money that he's calling cops. Responding cops ain't gonna know whether the CCW carrier is a good guy, so they might just prone out the good guy until they know what they have. If cops can control, they'll win. With the sad upward trend of cop murders, I wouldn't blame cops for proning out someone suspected of carrying a handgun.
One of the easiest guns to conceal is a 1911.
When had to carry a revolver, if I had to stop on the way to work or on the way home, I'd stick it in my waistband.
4" revolvers were the most difficult to conceal.
You've asked the real question. Carrying any gun is like having a little kid with you. You have to pay attention 100% of the time. Not only does one carrying have to assure it's always concealed, one also has to be aware of his surroundings. Bad guys look for opportunities to take guns from good guys.
In LA and assuredly most urban areas, were someone to see a "concealed" gun on a good guy, I'm going with easy money that he's calling cops. Responding cops ain't gonna know whether the CCW carrier is a good guy, so they might just prone out the good guy until they know what they have. If cops can control, they'll win. With the sad upward trend of cop murders, I wouldn't blame cops for proning out someone suspected of carrying a handgun.
One of the easiest guns to conceal is a 1911.
When had to carry a revolver, if I had to stop on the way to work or on the way home, I'd stick it in my waistband.
4" revolvers were the most difficult to conceal.
Good question. I have been following before replying.
Having "cut my teeth" on six inch service .38's, then going to four inch .357's in the late Seventies, I say this: I still everyday carry. Always my LCP front pocket. During the Fall and Winter I also carry my S&W 65 4" in a well broken in Bianch pancake holster. A sweat shirt or flannel un tucked easily covers it. However as of the past few months, my Beretta PX4 full size is just as easy to conceal in a strong side owb snap on holster by Front Line. 18 shots of Federal 9mm 124 vs. six Federal .357 125? Too old to run. Must stay and fight. The 9mm is much easier to use despite over forty years of .357.
...no, I don't everyday carry a 4" revolver much anymore! Not saying it is not still the best manstopper, just saying what I prefer.
Having "cut my teeth" on six inch service .38's, then going to four inch .357's in the late Seventies, I say this: I still everyday carry. Always my LCP front pocket. During the Fall and Winter I also carry my S&W 65 4" in a well broken in Bianch pancake holster. A sweat shirt or flannel un tucked easily covers it. However as of the past few months, my Beretta PX4 full size is just as easy to conceal in a strong side owb snap on holster by Front Line. 18 shots of Federal 9mm 124 vs. six Federal .357 125? Too old to run. Must stay and fight. The 9mm is much easier to use despite over forty years of .357.
...no, I don't everyday carry a 4" revolver much anymore! Not saying it is not still the best manstopper, just saying what I prefer.
Remington 51
New member
I walk my dogs almost every day in nearby woods for an hour or two. While open carry is legal, I prefer to conceal, even though I seldom see anyone.
It's more for dog protection from coyotes (yes, it's happened in broad daylight), the occasional bear (seen a 2-3 times/year) and the more rare cougar encounter (seen a 1-2 times/decade).
In winter, I 'll carry my favorite 1950 M&P in 5", or a 64-0, both in the lighter, tapered barrel. I like the Mernickle holster best for 4-5". I don't normally pack a 4"+ concealed in town. So it's EDC field carry with modest concealment.
In summer, I'll sport a 3", ranging from 60-10, a 13-3, an LCRx to a 696/44 SP. Prefer some version of the Askins Avenger pattern for a higher ride and easier warm weather concealment. I often pack a 3" concealed in town.
It's more for dog protection from coyotes (yes, it's happened in broad daylight), the occasional bear (seen a 2-3 times/year) and the more rare cougar encounter (seen a 1-2 times/decade).
In winter, I 'll carry my favorite 1950 M&P in 5", or a 64-0, both in the lighter, tapered barrel. I like the Mernickle holster best for 4-5". I don't normally pack a 4"+ concealed in town. So it's EDC field carry with modest concealment.
In summer, I'll sport a 3", ranging from 60-10, a 13-3, an LCRx to a 696/44 SP. Prefer some version of the Askins Avenger pattern for a higher ride and easier warm weather concealment. I often pack a 3" concealed in town.
bedbugbilly
New member
I carrt OWB with either a shirt tail or jacket over it - just not comfortable with IWB carry. Normally, I either have my Smith Model 36 sub or sometimes my 36 3" - other times my 9mm Shield. BUT, I also sometimes carry my Smith Combat Masterpiece OWB in a Fobus holster - easy to slip on and off and it rides higher - good retention but still and easy draw if ever necessay. While heavier, I find it a very comfortable carry and it doesn't print
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My regular, day to day (Carry Concealed - how's that Bob?!) revolver is a 3" Smith M60 J-frame...but I do pack a Smith M18 with a 4" tube for chores here on the farm. Given a garment with suitable length, most 4" or shorter bbl's are readily hidden from casual view. Grip length is the real determiner...hard to disguise that telltale bulge behind your hip [for those of us who carry in the 3-4 o'clock position.
Remington 51 wrote, and I agree....
Here are a cpl pics. First is with wife's M36-3", the 2nd is my M69 with its trademark 4-1/4" bbl. Both holsters, home-made. JMHO, Rod
Remington 51 wrote, and I agree....
But siince I build all of my own holsters, for the most part they're open top Tom Threepersons types...the Avenger just has too much stitching and I get tired of the task before it's done! I does give a higher on the belt position, for concealment, tho making the draw movement more difficult.
Here are a cpl pics. First is with wife's M36-3", the 2nd is my M69 with its trademark 4-1/4" bbl. Both holsters, home-made. JMHO, Rod
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walks with gun
New member
Nice rigs rodfac, always like the old Threeperson style.
I've got a blued Ruger GP 100 4.2" barrel in .357 that I would love to conceal carry on occasion. It has that huge Hogue rubber grip on it. The grip does it's job of making shooting very enjoyable, but it also makes it super hard to conceal in an IWB holster. I have ordered an original Ruger compact grip. The one that has the wooden inserts. I am looking forward to getting it and putting it on to see if it will allow me to carry the revolver comfortably.
Joe
Joe