S&W model 19 4" for CCW?

[Deer Hunter]

I've been thinking about a CCW weapon (When I get my license) for a while now, and I've decided on an old S&W model 19. I found a holster that I like (A hoffner), and I would like any advice. Does anyone here carry a 19 or have carried a 19? What are your opinions?

 

[ChristopherG]

I've carried a 4" 66, a bit (i.e., a stainless 19). To me, a 4" sixgun shoots better than it conceals (indeed, it shoots about as well as any handgun there is). With a holster that is well made and fits you well, such a gun can be concealed very tolerably, but it will never be as comfortable as a 2" j-frame (like a 60 or a 640); even the difference between a 2.5 or 3" k-frame and the 4" version of the same gun is significant in my experience.

The 4" k-frame .357 (the model 19/13/66/65) was intended to be an open-carry gun for patrolmen, and was indeed the top of the LE heap for some time. For open carry, it is my absolute first choice for comfort and shootability. Border Patrolman and pistolero Bill Jordan, who had a hand in its design and introduction, would not have considered it very suitable as a primarily concealed weapon. Opinions will vary on this, but in my experience, Mr. Jordan was right.

If you're an experienced revolver shooter (i.e., you can shoot accurately and fairly quickly in double action) looking for something primarily for concealed carry, I'd consider getting a shorter gun. If you're new to revolver shooting, then a 4" k-frame is the perfect place to start and learn--but recognizing that you probably will want to get a smaller carry-gun at some time in the future.

 

[Deer Hunter]

The way I carry the gun will make the difference, correct? I'm planning on purchasing one of these holsters soon.



I think it would work great with this sort of gun. I can shoot revolver fairly nicely, and I Think I'll be able to conceal a K frame 4" smith rather nicely. I'm 6' 170, if that helps.

 

[Iggy]

ChristopherG spoke some wise words.

A K-frame can be carried, but you are slender enough that you may find it difficult to carry and conceal comfortably.

The butt of that gun in that holster may be ticklin' your armpit!!

 

[SeanSw]

If IL allowed CCW I'd have a lot of carry rigs to try out. I am 5'10", 140 pounds, and feel most comfortable with my 4" S&W. People can see if I'm concealing pocket change.....

I'll keep an eye out for those Ultrux revolver holsters. My GF and I are both interested in CCWing revolvers eventually.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Iggy,

I think the gun used in the advertisement is an N-frame. I like the design of the holster because it leaves the cylinder exposed, making the rig a little bit more slender. It's an interesting holster design for CCW, much better than the holster I have for my S&W 625. I wouldn't even attempt using my 625 as a CCW.

And if I'm desperate enough, I do have a very nice London Fog trench coat I could use...

Sean,

You said you can conceal 4" S&Ws? What model/frame size?

 

[RustyShackelford]

FYI; model 19/66 no longer made...

Smith and Wesson decided to drop the K frame 19/66 models. S&W now makes the 7 shot 520 .38/.357 DA revolver. I think it's slightly larger than the K but smaller than the S&W L frame. They run around $500-550.00 NIB.

I may buy a 520 soon.

As far as CC use of medium frame DA revolvers, I'd say check www.miltsparks.com or Kramer Gunleather . They have nice leather rigs for 4" bar .357s.

Rusty S

 

[Master Blaster]

A 4" k frame 19 is one of the best revolvers/ handguns ever made. power accuracy balance weight it has all of them in excellent proportions. Remember every handgun is a compromise of some sort.

I can carry my 4" 686 or 19 most comfortably Mexican style tucked in side my pants with a good belt. Minimal stocks like a boot grip or a set of traditional S&W stocks will aid concealment.

You may want to look at milt sparks holsters if you have a few dollars to spend and dont mind waiting.

While a 2" j frame snubby is easier to carry its certainly much harder to shoot accurately. If you are talking a model 66 k frame the extra two inches of barrrel makes no difference at all as far as how difficult it is to carry.

JMHO YMMV

S&W now makes the 7 shot 520 .38/.357 DA revolver. I think it's slightly larger than the K but smaller than the S&W L frame. They run around $500-550.00 NIB.

The 520, 619, 620, are all L frame revolvers. They have dropped the full underlug barrel on those models and are using a barrrel shhroud and a rifled insert instead of a one piece barrel. The 686 686+ are full underlug models with a one piece barrel.

 

[OhioPaints]

It depends on your body, where you will be carrying, and how you dress. And of course, the holster.

Will you be carrying IWB or OWB?

I've carried a 4" 686 and a 3" Security Six (that's on my hip right now). I feel they conceal just as easily as my autoloaders, maybe a bit better because the grip sticks out less.

So many folks feel that you cannot carry a full sized revolver because "the cylinder is so big". Well, there's only a tenth of an inch difference between a 5 shot and a 6 shot cylinder. AND, the cylinders are not as wide as many semi autos that are carried CCW! Model 19 cylinders are about 1.4" wide. A Sig 226/228 are listed as 1.5" wide. Even 1911's are 1.3".

The advantage of a revolver is that it has it's maxium width in a small area whereas a lot of the autoloaders have that width over most of the gun.

Ken

 

[Deer Hunter]

I'll have to read a lot into CCW before I get my license, because I don't know much about it. I know I can carry concealed, I know it has to be concealed, and I'll need to check out the Texas laws to make sure I'll be doing everything right.

Since I've heard good opinions about carrying the 19, that assures me of my choice. It'll be a while till I buy one, I think. I may try to look for one when I'm in college and maybe scrape up some money to buy it with. Right now, I've got a CZ 97 and a S&W 627 in line before the 19.

 

[Zundfolge]

Wow, Hoffners makes that holster for a 4" N frame ... I should get one and start packing my Model 29!

 

[BRASSM]

I'm 5'11" and weight 150#, I'm definetely a string bean. But from time to time I do carry a S&W 13 (with four speed loaders) as my CCW. Yes skinny me can conceal a K-frame and no one is the wiser.

 

[JMACDONALD]

model 19

I used to ccw my 4' model 19 (Jordan is my hero) in the winter time under flannel shirts and coats no problem...I'am certainly no 150 pounder though. If I remeber corectly jordan used to carry a four inch model 19 with a boobed hammer and dehorned rear sight concealed in an open top holster. - mac

 

[Iggy]

Jordan was a big man, and his hands were huge. A 19 in his hand looked like a j-frame in mine. I'm 6'2"

I spent an afternoon shooting with him. Neat guy, and he was every bit as fast as his reputation indicated.

 

[blackedoutharley]

Check out Don Hume for a quality revolver holster. I carry a 4" model 28 N frame and have two of their holsters; a simple belt slide for "Levi's and boots" and a "JIT" slide for slacks and loafers use. Both are very comfortable and easily conceal this with gun with no problems. It may help that I have packed on a few pounds in the last decade (but I carry it well I am told, LOL) 6'1" & 260 lbs.
www.donhume.com

 

[Deer Hunter]

I'll take a look at various holsters that fit me best, but somehow I keep going back to that Hoffner holster. I don't know why, but I like it. Maybe it's the open cylinder?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I don't think I'll be putting on much weight anytime soon, so I'll be 6' 165-170 (it varies) for a while. I wont be getting the gun, the holster, or the license until I'm old enough to apply for one.

 

[MCgunner]

When you take the course, if you have a suitable auto, qualify with that. If you qualify with the revolver, that's all you'll be allowed to carry. Qualify with an auto and you can carry either.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Really? There's something I didn't know. I would assume that it wouldn't matter. What's the reasoning behind that?

 

[absolute0]

I carried a 4" K frame size gun (security six) IWB for a short while but quickly decided there were better options out there for me. I found the butt printed rather dramatically at times and the 6 round cylinder had more "girth" than I wanted.

My carry guns are now an SP101 (smaller) and a commander (slimmer).

But the model 19 is a fine revolver and will certainly work for conceal carry if you decide it's what you want to use.

 

[medmo]

I saw a nice Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB rig with a 4" Model 65. The Summer Special holster put more of the gun under the belt line then the brand I saw posted here with photos. It might be worth while to do a round butt conversion on your revolver to reduce the grips. I really like the Hogue Bantam K frame round butt grips for CCW. The problem I have had with longer bbl'ed handguns and IWB is they tend to to pinch more when sitting down.

 

[BluesBear]

ITP Ultrux Mirage holster

Being a 6" N-Frame guy when I first saw one of those holsters I had to have one.

Now I've CCW'ed a 4" N-frame in a Roy Baker pancake holster for years. But I wanted something other than a shoulder holster that enabled me to carry my 6 inchers.

Big diasappointment.

Now I am a long waisted guy. But this rig put the damn grips up inside my armpit! It was nearly impossible to draw from. Wyatt Earp could draw his Buntline Special smoother.
When you drew from this rig everybody knew it.

It was useless unless it was worn outside of the shirt with a cover garment. No loose hawaiian shirt for this rig no sir.
You need a coat. With a vest the grips show in the arm hole.

And reholstering?

It takes two hands. One to raise the arm to your cheek and the other to guide the muzzle into the holster.
It would be quicker and more comfortable to just shove a Mossberg in my pants.
Not to mention the awful beating my ribs took from the stocks. Inless you're willing to cinch your belt tighter than a Rodeo Cowboy on a Brama Bull that high center of gravity causes the gun wobble like Rosie O'Doughnut's ankles wearing 6" stilleto heels.


It just didn't work for me.

I got $15 trade in credit with a local dealer who had it so long he eventually sold it for $5 in his yearly cleanoutthecrap grab box.


It looks and sounds good on paper though.

 

[pat86323]

ive been carrying my smith model 19 6 incher for about the last week while my 45 sits at the smith awaiting some refinish work. Its not bad at all, and all i have is a cheap belt holster.

 

[GrandmasterB]

The S&W 19 is a fine gun. I personally wouldn't pick one as my primary CCW for the following reasons:

1. Square butt doesn't conceal as well as round butt: I have not carried a model 19, but have carried the Ruger Security Six and Speed Six and they are VERY similar in size. The round butt Speed Six concealed better than the square butt Security Six with all the other variables the same (same belt, same holster, etc.)

2. Being in a high heat, high humidity environment here in southeast TX, blued guns and carry = rust, and fast!

Overall though, the difficulty of concealing a model 19 over most full size autos won't be a statistically significant difference. Carry what you like, what you shoot well, what you are confident with and what you practice with and you will do fine.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Thank you all for the pointers. I'm still set on carrying a 19 with a 4" barrel, though. I just don't want to carry anything else. This will be a fall/winter kind of carry, no spring heat or summer. I'd prefer not to carry at those times unless I really felt like it, because Texas heat can be a hassle to deal with.

I'm an N-frame guy too, but not for carry! I think the K frame would fit this holster a little better. Testing out the basic workings of this holster with my N-frame Smith, I could probably work with an N-frame. However, a smaller K-frame would be ideal in my mind.

Like I've said, I'll be carrying this gun with this rig probably with a jacket or another shirt.

 

[roo_ster]

My first centerfire was a SW686 4"...it was also my first CCW.

You can make it work, but you must have appropriate, quality gear. That precludes the gimmicky stuff and half of what the big holster makers produce (Galco, DeSantis, etc).

To conceal a 4" revo bbl, you are going to have to go IWB, unless you wear a long jacket.

Good luck & make sure you get a reliable auto in .32ACP or larger when you take your CHL course.