[Nightcrawler]

Who here has carried (regularly or at all) a revolver with a 6" (or longer) barrel? Thinking more of field carry than of concealed, but if you manage to conceal a big hogleg I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Any police here ever carry a revolver with a 6" barrel? Was there a reason you chose it over a 4" model?

Hunters, same question? What kind of belt and holster combination did you use? Anybody use a vertical shoulder holster for field carry (seems it would free up more room on the belt)?

What I think would be neat for large handguns would be a load-bearing vertical shoulder holster, that basically attached to your gear belt and served as suspenders for distributing the weight and holding it up (think old military ALICE suspenders). I don't think anyone makes such an item, though.

So, anybody?

Little curious, since CR Sam convinced me not to chop or rebarrel my 25-5 or 57; until I can find a 4" big bore the only two wheelguns I've got have 6" barrels!

Oh, and if you feel like sharing, let's see your hogleg photos!

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=265108

I'm in the market for better grips. The S&W factory grips featured on the M57 in the picture look good, but are very uncomfortable. The trigger loop would knock against my knuckle and it'd be quite unpleasant.

On the other hand, the Pachmayer Gripper grips are comfy, and nicely, cover the backstrap (necessary on .41 mag, I think) but look kind of icky.

Any suggestions? The M57 now sports Pachmayr grips as well, though they're more traditionally shaped.

[Ala Dan]

Not all the time; but I have carried a 6" model 19
as both a LEO duty weapon, and as a field piece. Early
on, the swivel holster worked well for duty use; but I've
got too old and too darn fat for that to be comfortable
any more!:uhoh: Heck, I even carried a nickel 6" S&W
model 29 .44 magnum (on duty) in a swivel; for at least
one shift.:rolleyes: But after the tour of duty ended,
fellow LEO's inquired as too why I was walking side-
ways so I never carried it again!:D (Laughing Loudly)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Hkmp5sd]

Occasionally I carry my 6" Ruger GP-100 in a Rogers J86 shoulder holster. It is a horizontal carry rig with 2 speedloader pouches on the opposite side to help offset the weight. It is similar to the Galco Miami Classic.

I conceal it under a "big shirt" worn over a t-shirt. I've had people that knew I was carrying a gun that were unable to detect where.

For field use, I use one of the old WWII holsters that hangs across the chest.

[jar]

http://www.fototime.com/3A624EBAEE32E91/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/1125616B7032B4A/standard.jpg

[Tamara]

Nah, I don't even much like wheelguns with barrels longer than 5", and prefer a 3" or 4". Shorter tubes just balance better and handle faster for me; if I need more sight radius or muzzle velocity, I'll use a long gun... ;)

[Nightcrawler]

I've never fired a 4" revolver, so it's hard to say. The M25-5 handles VERY well; it's very light for its size.

The M57 is noticably heavier, though. Smaller holes than the 25-5, after all, less metal to it.

[manwithoutahome]

Whew, I was afraid this post was asking if I carried just a 6", was about to become embarressed when I had to answer yes..

Err... opps, wrong 6" subject :D.

I carry my GP100 sometimes in a shoulder holster. I don't like them (the holster) but sometimes I like to go "dirty harry". It's 5.5 but I like to round up (refer to start of my post :D).

M

[ACP230]

I used to carry a Ruger Blackhawk .357 with a six-inch barrel for small game hunting, and occasionally when deer hunting. I got an old "throw in" leather holster with the gun and carried the Blackhawk in that most often.

The Blackhawk was an Old Model and those older Ruger's carry very well in the woods.

I have carried a Smith & Wesson 1917 like the one pictured above in an Uncle Mike's nylon holster on some rabbit hunts. Not surprisingly, it feels bulkier than the Ruger but worked OK.

I hunted deer with a scoped Contender in .357 Maximum for a few years. I found a Contender shoulder holster for it cheap. It worked OK, but was more hassle to use than the hip holsters.

Now I mostly just stick my Smith M649 in a pocket holster and use that as a self-defense piece and backup to my rifle or shotgun.

[Nightcrawler]

You know what I'd really dig?

http://www.wildwestguns.com/Pistolsmithing/Custom454.jpg

That's what.

[Tamara]

Dear gawd, what is that!?!?! :eek:

I wouldn't let my neighbour's dog relieve himself on a gun that looked like that. :uhoh:

[caz223]

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27501&highlight=454
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7073&highlight=454
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4499&highlight=454

[Nightcrawler]

Yeah it's ugly, but it's cool. Sort of like if Kalashnikov made a revolver.

[Tamara]

Sort of like if Kalashnikov made a revolver.

...or if Bill Ruger hadn't stayed away from the brown acid. :scrutiny:

(Y'know, every time I think you couldn't make a DA Ruger any more heinous looking... :uhoh: )

:D

[Nightcrawler]

Wouldn't shoot a whole lot of .454 through it, but it'd be nice to know I could. The gun in the pic is also able to accept moonclipped .45ACP; I bet that'd be pretty soft-shooting out of the big SRH frame.

Here's the really cool thing; according to Wildalaska (the gun is made by Wild West Guns, IIRC) the revolver only weighs like 39 ounces, the same as a 1911.

I'm sorry, ugly or no, that's neato-friggin'-torpeedo, alright? :cool: :D


neighbour's

Feeling a little European tonight? Going to fill up the car with a few litres of petrol and take a spin on the autobon? Now where'd I leave that speedo.... :neener:

[Tamara]

It's autobahn, thank you. ;) :p

(...or at least that's how it is in the liner notes of the Kraftwerk album I'm listening to... :uhoh: )

[Nightcrawler]

So sue me. I took Spanish in high school. :D

¿Dónde es la puta casa?

That's about all I remember. :o

[Tamara]

Neat as it may be, I'd have a hard time lining the sights up on a charging grizzly with a paper bag over the gun. (I'd hate to have Yogi laughing as he gnaws on me... :uhoh: )

:D

[Nightcrawler]

Well, look at the bright side. If you miss, you'll still probably set the bugger on fire. *shrug*

Or, you could cut little holes in the paper bag so the sights will poke through. Will still slow down your reloads, though.

[Poohgyrr]

Field carry ?? Ahhmmm yes indeed. I no longer have my old scoped 7.5" .44 Redhawk, but it seemed to work in an old UM (IIRC) shoulder holster with wide thick straps. Put Pachy Presentations on it and it was a sweetie to shoot full power maggies out of.

For concealed carry, I wimpout and limit myself to 4" or less in a good leather holster.;)......

And for grips, there are lots to choose from. I'd try a set of Spegels or Ahrends, try www.pickagrip.com for good service. I bought a pair of Ahrends for my 4" M24 and they're pretty good. A set of Hogue Pau Ferro's worked very well for two old 4"ers (686 & Security Six) when I had those two "classics". Depending on your budget, some folks can justify a set of Blu Magnums. :)

[C.R.Sam]

On rare occaisions pack N fram 6s.
Bianchi, high n tight with really really good belt.
And longished tailed coat.

Actually easier on body to carry pair.
And GOOD suspenders a must.

Sam

[45crittergitter]

OK, the custom hoslter maker didn't believe me either, but.... I sometimes carry a 6.5" S&W 657 Classic Hunter in an IWB. Works great, as all that weight is INSIDE the belt and pants. Have to be pretty careful when I sit, though. If it makes a difference, I'm a little guy.

[Lone Star]

Nightcrawler-

No se donde que las mujeres vive! Tengas cuidado con ellas! (Mucho peligro a su salud...) (Insert big grinning Smilie here.)
Better yet, date a "non-professional" gal! May be healthier, and at least, you won't wind up in a bad episode of, "Cops!", where they're operating a hooker sting...

Well: sure, a six-inch makes a splendid outdoors gun, especially when only the sidearm will be worn. The S&W .357 M19/66 is a very effective weight/power combo, and it used to be rather common among Dallas cops, before most went to autos.;) :D

In fact, I plan to buy a six-inch M66 next year, after I pay off the car...

Lone Star

[badgerrr]

My wet weather sidearm is a Ruger Security Six - Stainless - with rubber grips and a 6" barrel. Just keep it cross draw, on my belt, in a dirty old Hunter leather holster.

Would show ya a pic but Sony Image station just screwed up my online album (I just discovered). :(

[BluesBear]

Nightcrawler, let me know when you find a 25 and a 57 with 4" barrels. I'd be willing to give those big ol' long barrels you're stuck with now a good home. :D

[Nightcrawler]

You guys know, all of this pining for my 25-5 and 57 are beginning to think they're somehow more valuable than I thought...better hang onto them, I think... :neener:

Seriously, I don't think either are collector's items by any stretch of the imagination, and I wouldn't have bought them if they were. I want shooters, not wall hangers! :)

[BluesBear]

I love carrying 3" N-frames.

I love shooting 6" N-frames.

Aw heck I just love N-frames. (The real ones that is. :neener: )

[Majic]

I've carried 6 and 7 1/2 inchers on the belt for years hunting. Nothing special about it and you are not trying to quick draw in a hunting situation. A high and tight holster works just fine for me as it keeps the handgun close to the body for less banging around, and just remove the handgun when sitting for extended periods. A 4 incher only offers an advantage while sitting.

[ChristopherG]

Revolver guru Bill Jordan agreed with Majic; only reason for a barrel shorter than 6" is that we sit in cars instead of on horses these days (and that was back in the day of bench seats). Course, he was talking about open carry for peace officers. I don't hide nothin bigger'n a J.

For your holster question, NC, let me make a recommendation that will strike some as repugnant in its untraditional plasticity: Sidearmor. They make a holster called the OWB Modular that allows you to set (very securely) the cant to whatever you want; so you can carry your 6" N-frame on the strong side straight drop, FBI cant, crossdraw, or in the small of your back (assuming you're 3 feet wide). And more importantly, it's rock solid protection for your gun--very well made. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but I can't imagine a better, more durable and protective field/range holster for my 657.

http://www.sidearmor.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=25&cat=15&page=1

Speaking of my 657, I'll also join Poohgyrr in recommending the Pachmayr Presentations. They're not wood, no, but they're the most traditional thing this side of wood; and more importantly, they are great pointers and tame recoil like noone's business.

[Nightcrawler]

I have a set of Presentations on my Model 57.

Unfortunately, I don't think Sidearmor holsters are available in left hand. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Johnny Guest]

Well, occasionally, for special purposes.

Back in the 70s and 80s, I used to help run felony search warrants fairly often. Some of the bad guys thought themselves pretty salty, and were given to making ridiculous brags.

At different times, I carried my six-inch model 29 or 6.5-inch 1955 Target .45, strictly for visual effect. I used a Roy Baker Pancake holster worn crossdraw, opposite my .45. The entire ensemble hid pretty well under a windbreaker or sport jacket, but this much iron, plus spare ammo and handcuffs, were unconfortable after a short time.

The "Impressive" aspect must have worked well enough - - None of the BGs ever tried to make good their big talk, and there was never a need to fire either big resolver . . . . :D

Best,
Johnny

[Litlman]

I was just on the sidearmor web site and could not find anything for us lefties.....

[ChristopherG]

No, I don't see left handed accomodations either. Sorry