Is a 4 inch that troublesome to carry?

B

Bonstrosity

New member
I'm thinking of getting a SW 4 in 357 for my first revolver/handgun I might carry it down the road so thats why i'm wondering, is it feasable to carry one of these or is it just too big. I know it won't be as easy/comfortable as a snubby but is it possible?
 
The 4" revolver itself isn't hard to carry, it depends on the overall size of the revolver. Cylinder width, grip size etc. The longer the barrel, its just more uncomfortable to carry, thats all.
 
I do it everyday with an IWB holster. With an OWB holster the barrel is harder to conceal unless you got some long shirts.
 
I have a 4" SW 686 which I have carried in the past concealed. Not uncomfortable or difficult to do IMO. Good first CCW - learn to shoot and operate it well and you'll never need another weapon. (Though you may eventually, as I have, choose to carry another)
 
Let's start out with an assertion and then make a comparison. The assertion? Lots of folks carry standard sized 1911's concealed carry.

Now the comparison. A S&W 686P has a 4" barrel and weighs 38.5 ounces. A "standard" 1911 weighs about 39 ounces and has a 5" barrel. So, there is not that much difference between the guns in terms of "vital statistics". With a good belt and holster combo a 4" S&W is not at all difficult to carry as a CCW.
 
Now the comparison. A S&W 686P has a 4" barrel and weighs 38.5 ounces. A "standard" 1911 weighs about 39 ounces and has a 5" barrel. So, there is not that much difference between the guns in terms of "vital statistics". With a good belt and holster combo a 4" S&W is not at all difficult to carry as a CCW.
Click to expand...
A 4" 686 is an inch longer than a 1911

Here is a 3" 13 on top of a 1911
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In days gone by there used to be a greater selection of small revolvers than there is now. Colt made a range of small frame revolvers and S&W even had a number (well, at least two) of other frame sizes before the J Frame. Many of these were available, at least sometime, in a whole range of barrel lengths up to six inches but most were in calibers other than .38 Special. Most were .38 S&W or .32 S&W or the Colt equivalents.

S&W again has a small frame in four and five inch barrel lengths, although they have adjustable sights, which you may or may not want. The model 60 is the one to look for and it is considerably smaller than the K and L frame sizes.
 
As that pic shows the 3 incher is a big gun. I have found that if you are comfortable with a 3 incher the only time you have a problem going to a 4 incher is if you carry owb as someone already mentioned.

But not everyone is comfortable with a 3 incher or a full size 1911 or whatever.

Basically I would go research how to carry the dirty harry frame size 44 mags, and after doing that for a bit a 4 inch 357 mag will be easy.
 
I used to conceal a 5" M10. The clothing and holster design/style are the concern. Go up a size in your clothing and choose a quality holster. Galco is my choice. IWB Royal Guard. Looser clothes and sometimes going to tall sizes will lengthen the bottom hem/tails of shirts.
 
I have a Colt Official Police in 4 inch barrel..and it feels just right for something more than a snub but still fairly compact...good size barrel all -round
 
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