Feel undergunned?

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parrothead2581

New member
Would anyone feel undergunned carrying on a daily basis, a S&W 649? Five shots should be more than adequate, I would hope. I am looking for something pocket size right now, as replacing a bulk of my pants to accomodate a full size Colt 1991 IWB is a less than thrilling thought. Thanks!
 
I carry IWB and wear my normal pants size. Its actually a help, as it helps hold things in place and minimize movement. Not uncomfortable at all. Give it a good try and I dont think you'll have a problem. IWB does take some getting used to at first, but once your used to it, it only feels strange when your gun isnt there.

As for the 5 shots. I've carried a .45 of some sort and a double reload for about 30 years now and the only thing I've had to shoot, have been some rabid looking critters and maybe half a dozen or so road hit deer. Then again, if you were to really need it, would only 5 shots along be enough for you? Your really the only one to answer that. What happens if you run into 6 rabid raccoons? ;)
 
Thanks! Now this may be a stuid question, but can you realistically squeeze a full size 1991, or even a Commander, into a pair of 32in waist pants with my waist being 32in(some guys like to get an inch or two larger)? I don't doubt that it could work, as you stated, but the "tight fit" mental image of that is hard to shake. Thanks!
 
I normally wear a pair of 32's , sometimes 33's, depends on the maker, and right now I have a P220 in a Blade Tech IWB in them. I buy my pants to fit without the gun in them when I shop. I know a lot of people say to buy a size or two up, but I never have. Never felt like it was a tight fit once the gun was in there. Its slightly snug, but I still cinch my belt down.

Now if your now a 34 and dont want to admit that the holidays may have taken their toll, and those 32's are feeling a tad tight, I cant help you out there. :)

Hey, everyone is different, if it dont work for you, do what does.
 
five is good.

I would say five .38 +P or .357 magnum rounds should be enough for most up close self defense situations. In a gunfight distance is your friend and you should create it as fast as possible even while drawing. Carry a reload and I am sure you will be fine.

649 is a great gun. Maybe you should try byrami (spelling?) hip grips. It's a grip that has a hook that fits in your belt. A guy I trust 100% at my gunshop carries a 649 to work everyday in that manner. He is very skinny and I can never make that he is carrying.
 
Thanks threefivesevenmag,
I've seen those hipgrips (or something similar to them) in Midway and was intrigued but never heard them mentioned so wasn't sure. I'm thinking perhaps a Colt Combat Commander in the Winter and a S&W 649 in the summer with those hipgrips....maybe even mix it up a bit for some variety. I tried fitting my Colt Government (w/o a holster) in some slightly loose fitting jeans, and even with a holster it shouldn't be a tight fit. Thanks!
 
I'm a skinny guy too with a 32-34 wasit. There's no way I can reliably carry a 1911 sized gun in the waistband. I have to go smaller.
 
hip grip

Parrothead,

Back in the days, when I had your waistline, I carried a mod. 66 2 1/2 off duty with one of these without problem. Actualy they can be comfortable, after getting used to them!

As to the 649, I also on occasion carried a mod 49(blued, didn't make then in ss at the time)in a belly band when on certain bodyguard scenarios. Always had a much more potent weapon (smg) near by, but I never felt out gunned for having five rounds on my person.

IMHO, good choice of sidearm!:)

Let us know what you decide, and good luck!

Blair
 
Yo parrot

I carry IWB; unless I'm in the desert, then I carry a cross draw; but which ever mode you decide, be sure its a quality rig. I have tried many makers, and for iwb, it keeps coming back to milt sparks; and yes, I do have a 1911, iwb. ooooops, buy a quality belt also.
Duty Honor Country........
 
649-49.jpg



You'll notice the 49 has a Barami grip on it. I put it on after I bought the 649.
I carried the blued 49 from 1975 until 1995 when I bought the 649. I've carried one or the other everyday as my backup/2nd/off duty/covert weapon. The only load that has been run thru either was W-W or Fed 158 gr LSWCHP+P. They've both had a lot of rds thru them, of course the 49 more since I've had it longer.
I felt undergunned one time. Oct 2, 1996. I was commanding a fugitive apprehension unit and 2 drug task forces at the time. We had located a federal fugitive holed up in a local hotel. He was known to be armed and had said he would never be taken alive. He viewed himself as a survivalist and a hitman after the movie "Goodfellows". It was in the evening and my guys had been out running leads when they stumbled into this guys location. I had taken the day off and was just getting ready to go out for dinner with my wife. The only gun I had on me was my 649. We set up to make entry into the room. When we hit the door with the ram he had barricaded it so it took a couple of swings. When the door finally swung open he began firing at us with a TEC-9 in one hand and a Colt .380 Mustang in the other. It took the door just a second to swing open, hit the wall, and swing closed. In that length of time he fired 11 rds at us. I was 3rd in the stick. Our computer generated after-action showed the lead was hit with 4 rds, #2 hit with at least 2 rds, and me getting hit with 2 rds. Fortunately, and miraculously, none of us were hit. Why? Don't know, just nothing but plain ole luck. Computers don't know everything. Anyways, all I had that night was my 649. When coming around the doorframe and seeing that TEC-9 and Mustang firing our way, that 649 seemed like the smallest gun in the world at that point. We fell back when he started shooting and I remember looking down at my 649, which in my hand I can almost palm, and wishing I had my 645 or 870 which I usually carried on duty when making raids. That 649 couldn't have looked any smaller if it had been a NAA .22 short.
For a long time I still carried the 649 but I always had a bigger gun on me too. Even now, the only time I carry only the 649 is if it's hot weather and I'm dressed where I just can't conceal anything larger. That's rare.
 
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