S&W N frames for CCW? Comments?

Y

Yanus

New member
Fellow pistoleros,
I have an interesting question. Does anyone
out there carry and use any of the large
caliber S&W revolvers on a daily basis? I am
considering a M629 4" to go with my Ruger
Redhawk. The Smith would be used as an all
around piece. I wonder what the feasibility
of concealing such a large revolver would be.
Any and all comments appreciated, as usual.

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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
 
Try a Kramer "Thomas Perfectionist" Inside the Waistband holster.

You'd also need to modify your dress code
to include some kind of covering garment.
 
Yanus,

I've carried a N-Frame 4" concealed successfully. There are a couple of keys.
1. Pants have to be at least one size too big to carry IWB. I can't do it with my pants that fit.
2. You have to have a good belt. When I was doing it I used a Galco 1 3/4" contoured Gunsite belt, which is just an awesome belt.
3. You have to have a properly designed hoster, I was using a Sparks Summer Special.
4. You have to have a loose covering garment, like a vest or unbuttoned shirt. You can't expect to hide it under a T-shirt.
5. Carrying a reload is a problem. Do you carry in a speedloader? Too bulky imho. Ideal for me is a 2x2x2 pouch directly in front of gun, not the fastest reload.

Dave
 
Old age is hell! I had completely forgot
about Kramer. I have one of his IWB#3 for
a Glock M30. He makes some of the best holsters I've ever seen. I'll give his site
a look see. I'm 6'2"" x 195lbs, so I can
hide anything short of a rocket launcher!
I knew that someday all of those refried
beans and tortillas would pay off! I had
thought about getting a Taurus Total Titanium
in 44spl since I already load 44mag. Then it
dawned on me, why not a short bbl 44mag with
midrange loads. I like 10gr. Unique with a
cast SWC GC that I make. Wadcutters might work well in a 4" Smith also. That is the one thing I like about revolvers, you don't
have to worry about feeding problems.

I'm reminded of a quote attributed to Patton
on the subject:
"If you want to scare a man, use an automatic. If you want to kill him, use a
revolver".

Many thanks for the thoughtful replies.

------------------
Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
 
CCW with an N frame? Not exactly my normal means of carry, that's for sure. BUT ...

I have a S&W Model 25-2 in .45ACP/AutoRim for which I purchase a Bianchi holster with belt slots for both strong side and cross draw. Wearing a size 46 London Fog rain coat on my size 44+ frame would allow me to carry it concealed. I would elect to go for the cross draw carry as it would be a faster draw from concealment.

Obviously this is not something I would want to carry on a daily basis, but ... if I were expecting trouble what better piece to be carrying along with a dozen loaded moon clips and either my Colt Combat Commander or my Springfield Armour 1911-A1 as a back up.
Add a few loaded magazines for the 1911 types and I would feel sufficiently armed for all but the most serious problems. Anything more serious would require my SLR-95 AK and a gunny sack full of 30 rounders.
Getting sort heavy here, need to get some kind of cart to haul all this.

Oh well, think I stay with my mouse gun for daily "everywhere" carry situations.
 
I've carried a 6" "N" frame model 29 or 57 for over twenty years in plain clothes concealed and as a back up while in uniform. As Dave pointed out dress is extremely important. I've also had good luck carrying speed loaders for reloads in a vest pocket when wearing one. Otherwise I carry a wallet type ammo box in my hip pocket on the strong side.
After so many years I have reached the point that I no logner notice it's there and am often home for a few hours before even bothering to remove it. The ammo wallet on the other hand can be a real pain in the....well if yer sittin' very long you know it's there. ;)

------------------
Gunslinger

We live in a time in which attitudes and deeds once respected as courageous and honorable are now scorned as being antiquated and subversive.
 
Carry one for a while, day in, day out. You may just decide that an S&W Titanium .38 is good enough. Especially when your pants fall down.

Jim
 
Jim perhaps you should seek out a new tailor. :)

------------------
Gunslinger

We live in a time in which attitudes and deeds once respected as courageous and honorable are now scorned as being antiquated and subversive.
 
I have been carrying a 4" 629 in a Kramer IWB and in their Vertical Scabbard. Both can be concealed by a polo shirt. I also alternate with M/D Enterprises AAP with matching speedloader holder. Does an excellent job. Only had to draw once, but the argument stopped there. I have it loaded with Winchester Silvertips.Never has it been spotted, either. But use a GOOD strong belt.
 
For a while when my first Kimber Classic Custom was being hardchromed, I carried a 4-inch Smith 629 in an IWB strongside holster, concealed under an untucked polo shirt. It was not much harder to conceal than the full size 1911 and didn't feel uncomfortable. The key is a THIN holster.
 
Yes, given the above posts, people do it. Nevertheless, consider the S&W 696 (L-frame) in .44 special. This revolver may suit your daily carry needs while presenting fewer CCW problems.
 
Dont forget a good belt!

The greatest guns in the world with the greatest holsters will not do what you want them to do without a quality belt.

Also--if you like the 629,are confident with it,and can hit with it,and are able to practice with it on a regular basis, you should be as well armed as anyone.
 
Love to carry my 5.5" Redhawks........go for it.

I'm thinking Milt Sparks.

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
Thanks, guys for all of the comments. At
least the concept of carrying a large frame
revolver concealed is feasible. The Taurus
titanium might be lighter, but I bet it recoils like h***! At least the M629 would
be heavy enough to be like shooting a .22
with mid range loads. I wonder how well the
M696 44spl. holds up? Call me old fashioned,
but I like 6 shots better than 5. Plus, I don't believe anyone makes a speedloader for
the 5 shot models. Anyone out there using
a Smith M696 feel free to join the discussion.

------------------
Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
 
Yanus, I do not have a 696 but I do however have a CS-1 686. This was the Custom's Service model of the 686 with a 3" full lugged barrel and the round but. It is identical in size to the 696 but chambered in .357 magnum.

I like the size and balance of the 3" L frame a lot. The 3" barrel is a good compromise between decent sight picture and easy carry while still maintaining a full length ejector rod. It is a bit trimmer than an N frame but still noticeably heavier than a K frame. The extra weight makes it easier to shoot than other 2" or 3" snub .357's.

I carry IWB in a Bianchi suede belt clip holster. I don't generally prefer this style holster but due to how thin it is, it works well with the 686. The clip is surprisingly strong and stays attached even when held upside down and shaken vigorously.

For me, I find carrying in the front of the pants, in the pocket of your pelvis and hipbone to work well. It offers excellent concealment, ready access to the weapon and is fairly comfortable. I wouldn't recommend it with anything over a 3" barrel though. A 4" gets uncomfortable walking around and makes it awkward trying to sit :)

As to durability of the 696 I expect it would be quite good. The L frame stands up well to heavy use with full power .357's so the milder .44 Specials shouldn't give it a problem. Plus, with only 5 rounds in the cylinder the cylinder wall should be plenty strong.

I dunno, while I really like my CS-1, I don't know that I'm willing to give up one round to go to a 696. I looked at a Smith M-624 2 1/2" round but in .44 Special and it didn't strike me as being much bigger than the 696. A bit fatter I guess, but a bit shorter too and it actually weighed less as it didn't have the full lug barrel. I'm sure the 696 is a great gun but it strikes me as being a tad heavy for only holding 5 shots.

I'd hold out for a 624 snub personally or possibly one of the Taurus's. Supposely with the compensator an the Ribber grips the Taurus' aren't too bad recoil wise. Also, Smith just made a run of 2 1/2" M-629's with fixed sights. They look like a Model 60 on steroids :)

[This message has been edited by General Tso (edited February 22, 2000).]
 
Welcome to TFL General Tso. :) I have a friend that carries various guns including the 696 and he loves it. However he shoots it very little so the question of durability has yet to be an issue. Like the general said though they should be strong enough to digest a steady diet of .44 special loads with no trouble. As you probably know, Smith also offers the 296 with a titanium cylinder and shouded hammer. The idea of looking for one of the new fixed sight, 2.5" "N" frames is one worth considering. There are also several Lew Horton "N" frames on the market.
I'm currently building myself a custom model 29 that features, among other things, a 1.625" heavy barrel, beveled cylinder, bobbed hammer and no sights that is actualy smaller then the 696.

------------------
Gunslinger

We live in a time in which attitudes and deeds once respected as courageous and honorable are now scorned as being antiquated and subversive.
 
I routinely carry eithe rthe 686 or a Ruger SP101 and while I like both quite well I've been looking at picking up either a .44 Special or a .45 Colt snub. I really regret not grabbing the 624 snub I saw, It was used at around $259 and I dragged my feet long enough for someone else to snag it :(

The Taurus guns are probably fine and I am considering them but, to be perfectly honest, the aesthetics of them just dont appeal to me. Stupid reason not to by a good gun but I have to admit it's holding me up. I'll probably wait until I find another decent Smith N frame snubby instead.

Something to also keep in mind though is the rebirth of Charter Arms. I've recently noticed thier adds in Shotgun News but have yet to see any of the new guns. If quality is decent that may be a viable option as they were pretty compact .44's and look to be priced competitivly with the Taurus.
 
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