[G. Glock]

If you ever pack a 4" N frame around for shooting, what's your favorite holster or carry method?

I'm in the market for a quality holster, either strong side or cross-draw, for a 4" 629. This would be for plinking walks around the farm, more than for concealed carry. One that would serve both purposes well might be okay too, though.

Don't want no black holster - looking for leather. Maybe a strap/snap - maybe not if it holds the gun securely.

Any experiences or opinions appreciated.

Thanks

[ACP230]

I bought a Street Combat holster from El Paso Saddlery for my Smith M58. I haven't used it a lot yet, but it holds the gun well and seems like a good, sturdy holster.
El Paso has other designs for N frame guns too.

[Mike Irwin]

I occasionally carry either a Model 28 or a Model 58.

I've got a Bianchi clamshell shoulder holster that fits both.

Now that I understand better how to draw the gun, I think I'll like the holster a little better. :)

[LAH]

I packed a 4" M-29 for eight years in a very cheap Uncle Mikes holster. Why? It came with the sixgun which I bought used for 300.00. I kept thinking I'd buy a nice leather holster but never got around to it. I packed it on the strong side with butt to the front because of limited movement in my right shoulder. Worked great for both cc and open carry.

[DDGator]

I just bought a Don Hume First Agent for my 6" 625. It is a belt slide. Maybe not what you want since it wont protect the barrel, but it was a steal new at less than $30 delivered.

[Pappy John]

I don't carry mine around home unless I'm involved in one of the "woods walk" type novelty shoots at my range club, but I do carry it when I'm in the mountains. I use a crossdraw convertible #111 Cyclone from Bianchi. It can carry either crossdraw or strongside vertical, depending on which two of it's three belt slots that you choose to use. I did cut off its original retention snap straps (I can't stand them) and replaced them with a rawhide loop.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/pd594650e79fa014af31a0c8927408af3/fb8977d3.jpg
One other type that I saw at a show and wish I would have bought at the time, and haven't seen since, was a primitive full flap style. Very 1800's looking and would have done a better job of protecting the grips while pushing through brush.

[C.R.Sam]

Bianchi 5BH (L&R)s work for me.
Carry em high n tight.

Folks who carry N frames are strange and wierd. Good to see I am not alone.:D

Really good belt is of extreme importance.
Being a little feller, when packin pairs of em, I wear heavy duty suspenders too.

Sam....5'5" n 10 stone.

[Pappy John]

strange and wierd

Heh, heh!:p

[C.R.Sam]

.44 makes quite a hole in the crossbar of your walker.
Also will take the head off of a cane.
Defensive drills can be entertaining for all at times.

Sam

[Walosi]

Sam, I still want to know how a guy your size gets out of a low-slung chair wearing a pair of Ns - I'm 6'!" and have trouble hauling mine out of a Lazy But...er...Lazy Boy with just one 24 on the belt :)

[BluesBear]

Every day for almost 10 years I carried either a S&W M58 or a cut down S&W 1917 in a Roy Baker Pancake holster.

I have never found anything that was as comfortable or secure for everyday wear. I sure wish someone would start making them again exactly like Roy used to.

[C.R.Sam]

Walosi....I have trouble getting out of a chair naked, wearin guns makes so little difference it's not noticable.

Relativity my dear Watkins.

Sam

[Poohgyrr]

Smith N frames are comforting at times, and much easier to carry than I ever thought. Sparks can help. Here is a link to a picture on page two of this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26955&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

[Dr.Who]

I use and like the holster from the Dillion Mag, "Blue Press" It works well in IDPA with my 625 4 inch. It is a Krammer Holster.

[mrstang01]

Ditto the Street Combat from EPSaddlery. Super holster, very heavy though.

[gptrent]

I have tried a few different holsters for the 4" M29... I recently recieved the Milt Sparks "PMK" and love it...

[Mike Irwin]

"Sam, I still want to know how a guy your size gets out of a low-slung chair wearing a pair of Ns..."

He eats a lot of beans for that "jet assist" effect... :)

[C.R.Sam]

Good lighter helps.:D

Sam

[Quartus]

Pappy John, Oh Strange and Wierd One, looks like a clean job cutting off the straps. Did you re-stitch? Glue? Fuhgeddaboudit?

[Majic]

I use a Don Hume Double Nine. Relatively inexpensive, thumb strapped, and has held up very well.

[Dave T]

Here's another vote for the Sparks PMK. I have one for my 4" 625 and can actually conceal this gun under a shirt. Doesn't make it any lighter but it is concealed.

For open carry, I like the Tom Threeperson's design. It is a classic belt holster and I got mine from El Paso Saddlery. They also offer a cross draw version.

[Walosi]

I got a spotless Horton 3" 24 and was too squeamish to carry it. Opportunity arose later to get a 3" 624, a good shooter but not pristine, and I started gathering in the hides :) Strong side OWB is the PMK. Crossdraw is a Kramer, and IWB is a Tucker Texas Heritage. The 24 will be a carry gun, but not until an ADS pancake and belt arrive from Derry Gallagher who, IMO, makes the best horsehide rig to be had. I may not last too much longer, but I intend to go out in style...."Hang a twenty dollar goldpiece on my watch chain", as the old song goes.

[Pappy John]

Quartus....sorry for the delay, was away for the weekend. That Cyclone is a suede lined holster and it was already glued where I made the cut. All I had to do was mix up some paint to match the color that Bianchi uses to seal their cut edges. I have stitched leather before, but have never been fully satisfied with my handiwork, so I thought it were better left as it was than to try and match that stitch pattern.

[Poohgyrr]

Walosi,

Smith .44 Specials are meant to be carried, especially the blued ones. :D
Wear it in good health and with good fortune........

[riddleofsteel]

4" .45 Colt S&W Mountain Gun in a Kramer horsehide belt scabbard

http://www.yerfrockethellhound.com/mgholstercocobolo.JPG

http://www.yerfrockethellhound.com/45coltmgcocobolo2.JPG

I have carried this rig under a variety of situations from deep woods to trips to the Walmart. Comfortable support for a hand cannon.

[triggertime]

4" N-Frames disappear nicely when carried in a decent IWB holster.

I find that Alessi's Hideout is the most comfortable by far.

Kramer's 'Thomas Perfectionist' IWB works pretty well, but its a little too bulky to be practical.

Comp-Tac and Hoffner's has a kydex IWB rig that places the cylinder above the belt line to minimize bulk.

The key to carrying a heavy N-Frame comfortably (or any other gun for that matter) is having a good sturdy gun belt to begin with.

[Hutch]

'Nother vote for the Hume Double Nine. I have a 3" 629 I carry in one, does fine. I imagine the 4" would be just as good.

[trjake]

My vote goes for a thumbstrap holster. For a long time I've carried an N-Frame of one sort or another when I'm at the family ranch. A few years ago the mule I was riding stepped in an armadillo hole and threw both of us to the ground. My foot was stuck in the stirrup and I was unsuccessfully dodging rear legs as the mule struggled to get up. I tried to grab my pistol to stop the mule, but my Model 29 had been thrown clear in the fall. The image of John Wayne in True Grit flashed through my mind, when his horse was shot and he couldn't reach his rifle. Luckily my foot got unstuck and I wasn't hurt badly.

The lesson I learned that day was to have a holster with a thumb strap. It isn't as fast on the draw, but the pistol will more likely be there when you need it most. A sturdy belt such as a Kramer double horsehide is also important with the heavier N frames and works great. I may get my new holster and belt made out of mulehide.

[Walosi]

trjake -sound advice. Sounds like you're in the same frame of mind as the guy in this news lead-in I read a few years back - "Pierre man returns from hospital after being gored bypet bison. Hosts barbecue".