Using 4" barrel revolver as CCW

[SmokeRing]

I would like to ccw a 4" barrel revolver such as GP100, S&W686 or S&W28 in a fannypack such as Eagle's or similar. Is this possible? Has anyone ever carried such a setup and if so how did it work? Don't have the revolver yet and thought I would get some input first. Any opinions welcomed. TIA

 

[Rangie]

Totaly do-able. I'd forget the fannypack idea. It's going to look like your carrying $100 in pennies.

Get a good holster and a stiff belt. The belt is very important !

My favorites-
http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ For leather
http://www.comp-tac.com/ For Kydex

 

[SmokeRing]

Thanks for the input. Understand your point but I am trying to find a yearround setup that will work in 115 degree days during the summer. Due to my age and the general area the fannypack won't stand out. Many "geezers" wear them. Have carried a Sig 220 and 229 in a fannypack but want to try a 4" revolver.

 

[BluesBear]

Carrying a 4" barrel revolver in a fannypack is very doable.

Based on your posts I understand your choice and to me it makes sense.

What you'll need to consider is not so much the carrying part. A good, well constructed, fannypack will distribute the weight and it won't giveaway the weight of the contents. I have seen well designed fannypacks that looked empty all the while hiding a full sized steel 1911.

Anyway, what you need to consider is not the carrying but the drawing of the weapon.

Many people worry about the hammer snagging. This is a valis concern. But today we have many more options. Bobbed hammers and hammer shrouds make it easy.

It your revolver has adjustable sights a simple rounding of the corners here and there fixes that problem.

But where most people mess up is in grio selection.
Select grips that afford a good grip but make sure they won't snag, grab or otherwise hangup in the draw. I have seen several fannypack and holster purses that just weren't compatable wiuth certain grip shapes or materials.

Lady45 has a nice Galco Holster Purse that was a Mother's day gift from her children, (with my money). While she loves the factory rubber grips on my Taurus 445 for shooting purposes, they do slightly slow down the draw. However that slight stickness helps retain the gun if the holster compartment is unzipped.

You will just have to determine which combination will work best for you.
It may take some adjustment and experimenting but you should be able to find a suitable combination.

Keep us informed.

Good luck and enjoy your 4".

 

[SLCDave]

Totaly do-able. I'd forget the fannypack idea. It's going to look like your carrying $100 in pennies.

.... or it will look like you're carrying a revolver with a 4" barrel...

I second the stiff belt and good holster idea. With a cover garment, you can hide them well. I have a Taurus 627 Tracker that I can conceal with an OWB holster made by FIST. There are easier-to-conceal options than a revolver of this size, but it can be done.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I dunno. A fannypack with a heavy revolver in in just screams "HANDGUN". How about something smaller and lighter, like a J-frame Smith, or even a Taurus 85? To me a pocket pistol setup makes more sense. YMMV.

 

[Cosmoline]

Sure you can conceal a 4" magnum in a belt rig. But how do you sit down??

My problem is I'm always changing pants during the day, and will alternate between slacks and shorts in the summer and between slacks and poly in the winter. Fanny packs get torn off by the hunds during feeding time. So I ultimately went with a null shoulder rig and it's worked well.

 

[R.H. Lee]

My problem is I'm always changing pants during the day

What are you doing that requires pants changes during the day?

A belly band might be the solution.

 

[Standing Wolf]

A fannypack with a heavy revolver in in just screams "HANDGUN".

I doubt the vast majority of non-gunnies would think of it; even if some do, however, so what?

I occasionally carry a four-inch Colt Python in a very well made holster from http://www.mitchrosen.com

I personally don't care a great deal for waist packs, since they always seem to slide around, and aren't as fast to draw from, but a.) they beat the socks off leaving a gun home, and b.) they're ideal for dental and doctor visits.

 

[Stevel]

Might want to try a Texas Heritage IWB. It is "tuckable" but conceals well with a shirt covering it.

 

[BluesBear]

Don't knock it until you try it.

Gee whiz guys. The gentleman comes here and asks for help in carrying a certain way.

Instead of actually helping him most of y'all just want to tell him he's wrong and that he should do something else.

Has anyone here ever tried a fanny pack or are you just regurgitating what you've read and heard somewhere else?

A fanny pack is not my first choice but I have successfully carried a 4" 1917 S&W in one. I can think of worse ways to carry.
I have known several people who used a fanny pack for CCW every day.
Done properly it can work surprisingly well.

 

[surfinUSA]

Nothing wrong with the guns you mentioned, all (686,GP100, M28) are great, but not great CCW guns.

Since you don't have the gun yet why not go with the S&W 66. The S&W 66 comes in a 4 inch barrel, has the same grip as the 686, but is slightly smaller and lighter than the three you mentioned. Its better, but still not great as a CCW revolver (the 2 1/2 inch version is great).

However, they were the police standard for a combat weapon for many years. Even though there are alot of great defense weapons out there now, that doesn't take away or deminish the M66's capabilities. There are a ton of them out there and can be found at reasonable prices.

 

[Diamondback]

Hello SmokeRing ! I carried a 4" Ruger Security Six for a while in a fanny pack and because everyone from babies to grandma's use them here in the Pac. NW they don't scream GUN. YMMV elsewhere in the country. Stay away from tactical black as I find most non-packers use color in a fanny pack. Although I don't believe a full size 4" revolver in a fanny pack looks like you are carrying a $100 in pennies it did FEEL that way at first..........it took a bit of getting used to initially.........so will most any handgun on your belt if you haven't carried before....... that's to be expected. In my opinion some of the best concealed carry fanny packs are made by : www.andersonenterprises.com. The internal holster is highly adjustable and the craftmanship is supurb. One can also economically purchase different holsters from them for other makes and models of handguns to use in the same fanny pack you buy from them thererby increasing its versitility !

-regards