Carrying a Large Revolver

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The Evangelist Cowboy

The Evangelist Cowboy

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Is anybody going to San Antone?
IMG_20190923_203733901.jpg There have been some interest in carry large revolvers lately and I thought I'd share my experiences (and see if I can assist some of you large carry virgins in the process) and you yours. I count large revolvers as anything L frame size comparable on up.

First off is a good holster and a solidly constructed belt, this is what will make or break your experience and comfort carrying a behemoth. Dept. store belts and MOST off the shelf leather holsters suck and are INFERIOR to semi and fully custom work. I currently use Mernickle products for my holster and KORE Essentials for the belt. The combination is extremely comfortable even on 8 mile hikes in the Texas Hill Country. KORE Essentials uses a ratcheting system instead of traditional holes and works extremely well and allows you more customization on tightness rather than only one hole on a typical belt.

The holster needs to be able to support a full size revolver, ****e and skinny leather is a no go here, we want support and thickness, There are several good makers but the ones I have personal experience with that I KNOW will work are as follows:

Mernickle
Simply Rugged
Lobo Gun Leather (Pre and Post Ray)
CME Holsters
Galco
Bianchi

Again this list is not all-inclusive as there are others that will work, These are just the ones that I have personal experience with. A heavy clunk of steel next to you in my experience will never be a "youll never know its there feeling" you will know its there even with the best holster/belt selection but it will be very comfortable and easy to carry the weight may actually be "comforting" should the need ever arise to use it.

Someone asked about IWB with large revolvers on some prior thread, I really think these guns shine in OWB carry but I have done IWB carry as well, the holster selection on IWB is now twice as critical. I highly recommend wearing at least one size (two is preferable) bigger than your normal waist line size. I have never carried a gun longer that 4 inches IWB, I have carried the 3 inch 629 Trail Boss and the Ruger Bisley .44 mag in 3.75 inch barrel IWB, I am not the biggest proponent of this but it can be done, sitting is a bit more awkward at least it was for me. I hope this clears up anything and helps yall that want to get into carrying like a "Man" get to it. I dont carry this everyday, I don't know anyone who truly does carry this way everyday that is not an officer, trainer, gunshop employee, or self employed. Most of what the u tube warriors show is to me just not realistic, who is carrying a Glock 19 day in and day out to the office? I'm sure they're out there but I havent met them, I carry a J frame for work situations and Carry a large frame revolver during the weekend and when I have time off so while I dont "EDC" this I do carry this way semi regularly. What about our other revolver gurus out there?
 
I switch between a K, L, and N frame. All are 4in barrels. I like 1791 and Tagua holsters because those are the ones I’ve tried. Each of the guns will fit in the same holster. A J frame is always in my pocket. A good belt and good holster will make almost any gun easy to carry.
 
If the revolver is bigger than a J-frame I am probably not trying to conceal it. I have one K-frame and it gets belt carried. My N-frames get both belt and chest carry depending on the application/situation. My revolvers are my competition, work, and hunting guns so other than my J-frame they get carried open 99% of the time.

I use synthetic belts. A good 5.11 Tactical Trainer or Bison Designs Last Chance Heavy Duty. They are stiff enough to support the weight and the infinite adjustment of that type of buckle and velcro makes them easy to adjust to various clothing and control the tail of the belt.

I tend to polymer holsters or polymer reinforced leather. The rigidity and adjust-ability of the polymer holsters is nice and for the most part eliminates the need for a retention device.

oROSLEYl.jpg
My well worn Model 10 and is Safariland 567. This rig is my IDPA rig and is carried anytime I am out at the hunting property.

I like the 567 so much I have a 567 for my 5-inch N-frames tool I really love this holster for the price. It really is a nice marriage of leather, and polymer in all the right places.
McT0oosl.jpg

I have a Galco leather holster from my 6.5 inch N-frames and it's decently comfortable but at 6.5 inches I don't have enough arse to sit comfortably with this holster.
WW9XWZpl.jpg
The muzzle ends up hit the seat, especially the seat in a vehicle or tractor. So for carrying the long N-frames I have switch to a chest rig.
SDwcHPal.jpg
I can wear it over my heavy hunting coat that would make getting to a belt holster difficult. All my N-frames will fit in this one but usually it just the two 6.5 inch guns a S&W 610 and M29. It's the Gunfighter Kenai, and after borrowing a few different chest rigs I settle on this one for its stability and comfort. The wide straps are comfortable and the design keeps even long heavy revolver from flopping around on your chest. Re-tension is positive but the draw is smooth.
mswIaA9l.jpg

And when its time to battle against the hordes of cardboard, pepper poppers and the dreaded Texas-star overlord you have to go to pure plastic. I use a two belt system with a liner belt through my belt loops and a wide 2-inch belt velcos over the liner belt. 8-moonclips cause you can never have too much ammo unless you are drowning or on fire.
qnmfgAWl.jpg
Major: 625
r7RdpAul.jpg
Minor: 627

This one is mostly for show and only gets shot on occasion.
D3dOdVgl.jpg
My Webley Mark IV with an over the should leather flap holster. As you can see not used much.

-rambling
 
mcb said:
If the revolver is bigger than a J-frame I am probably not trying to conceal it. I have one K-frame and it gets belt carried. My N-frames get both belt and chest carry depending on the application/situation. My revolvers are my competition, work, and hunting guns so other than my J-frame they get carried open 99% of the time.

I use synthetic belts. A good 5.11 Tactical Trainer or Bison Designs Last Chance Heavy Duty. They are stiff enough to support the weight and the infinite adjustment of that type of buckle and velcro makes them easy to adjust to various clothing and control the tail of the belt.

I tend to polymer holsters or polymer reinforced leather. The rigidity and adjust-ability of the polymer holsters is nice and for the most part eliminates the need for a retention device.

View attachment 861663
My well worn Model 10 and is Safariland 567. This rig is my IDPA rig and is carried anytime I am out at the hunting property.

I like the 567 so much I have a 567 for my 5-inch N-frames tool I really love this holster for the price. It really is a nice marriage of leather, and polymer in all the right places.
View attachment 861664

I have a Galco leather holster from my 6.5 inch N-frames and it's decently comfortable but at 6.5 inches I don't have enough arse to sit comfortably with this holster.
View attachment 861665
The muzzle ends up hit the seat, especially the seat in a vehicle or tractor. So for carrying the long N-frames I have switch to a chest rig.
View attachment 861666
I can wear it over my heavy hunting coat that would make getting to a belt holster difficult. All my N-frames will fit in this one but usually it just the two 6.5 inch guns a S&W 610 and M29. It's the Gunfighter Kenai, and after borrowing a few different chest rigs I settle on this one for its stability and comfort. The wide straps are comfortable and the design keeps even long heavy revolver from flopping around on your chest. Re-tension is positive but the draw is smooth.
View attachment 861667

And when its time to battle against the hordes of cardboard, pepper poppers and the dreaded Texas-star overlord you have to go to pure plastic. I use a two belt system with a liner belt through my belt loops and a wide 2-inch belt velcos over the liner belt. 8-moonclips cause you can never have too much ammo unless you are drowning or on fire.
View attachment 861668
Major: 625
View attachment 861669
Minor: 627

This one is mostly for show and only gets shot on occasion.
View attachment 861670
My Webley Mark IV with an over the should leather flap holster. As you can see not used much.

-rambling
Click to expand...
Nice pics, still love your comp vid with that model 10 I learned alot and incorporated some of your technical skills into my reload. Still learning but I'll get there
 
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Great tips.
You and i were just talking about this.
Heaviest i have a holster for is a 5" super redhawk. Thats my limit but like i mentioned before to you (in a serperate thread) , i have no luck trying to conceal a 6" gp100 (not that i consider that a carry gun). Ive got 2 very good holsters for my super redhawk, a kenai chest holster as MCB and a custom kydex belt holster i had made by black rhino. Both are excellent for short term comfort but the chest holster gets the nod if im woods walking and unconcerned with concealment. I live in illinois so open carry is forbidden and printing is HIGHLY frowned upon/borderline illegal. But i have rarely carried my super redhawk if im feeling frisky and wont be walking too much and the temperature is low enough that a heavy jacket doesn't make me look crazy. I am considering a leather holster just not sure if it will do anything the kydex doesn't. 20190923_235103.jpg
 
I occasionally carry a large revolver, but it's not EDC. Usually it's to or from the range or hunting or similar situations. I have carried them other times, but usually I carry a smaller revolver or my Detonics Combat Master .45.
I make all of my own holsters, and while they are not to a professional standard they work well. I also made my belt out of heavy-duty leather, but it's starting to roll, so I'll be reinforcing it over the right side with another section of leather stitched on.

This is my carry rig for my Webley Mk.1. The home-made moon-clip holder rides right up against the front of the holster (unlike the picture, when the holster and belt were new.) I have carried this concealed under an open flannel shirt; I'm a big guy, and can get away with more than a lot of people-
mkDsqxw.jpg 9skjyMQ.jpg

My hunting sidearm (as opposed to a hunting revolver) is a custom 3-1/2" Hawes Western Marshal .45 Colt, made by JP Sauer & Sohn. It's built on their .44 magnum frame, so it will handle stout loads. I made this Threepersons-style holster and a belt based on a museum-piece is saw decades ago. The belt is big enough to be worn over a jacket when hunting. Again, the photo is from when it was new; it has a bit more 'character' now. Hunting season tends to be more than a little damp in these parts, so I had Tracy Denius CeraKote the gun in 'Tactical Gray' and 'Tungsten.'
fLQ4Os2.jpg gGQOMEx.jpg

I carry my Astra Police .38, an L-Frame sized gun in the same style of holster as the Webley. It rides nice and tight and conceals well under surprisingly minimal cover. The cracks in the grip, by the way, are fully stabilized. This is century-old pre-blight American Chestnut, so I could only be so choosy about the pieces I used...
hGApGFI.jpg mPEdMap.jpg
wRi5yVD.jpg

I have some other large carry-revolvers waiting for holsters, and they'll probably get something very similar to one of these.
 
The only time I carry a large revolver is with a shoulder rig, usually a Bianchi but if hunting a nylon rig with either kydex or nylon holster on one side and 2 speed loaders on the other with a shirt or vest over it.
 
When I carry one of my larger revolvers (Smith K frame or Colt E frame or larger) it's almost always with a leather holster. Belts are either custom from a Craft Fair maker, High Noon Holster or Relentless Tactical.

S&W M-28 & Bianchi Thumb Break:
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Colt Army Special in a Don Hume Basketweave:
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Dan Wesson 15-2 6" in Bucheimer Perfect Fit:
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Colt New Service in a Hunter Field:
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Webley Mark IV in a Bucheimer B-7 Perfect Fit:
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​
 

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mcb said:
The exposed triggers on the holsters for double action revolvers gives me the willies... :eek:
Click to expand...
The exposed triggers was actually a evolved feature designed to allow rapid access. Earlier holster had the triggers covered and even the whole grip covered. But if you note in each of those pictures there is also a strap over the hammer. It is nearly impossible to pull the trigger while the revolver is in the holster.

Probably the most extreme fighting holster was the Jordan Border Patrol style. Not only was the trigger exposed but the butt was tilted out way from your body and the whole holster canted forward.

 
Last edited:
jar said:
The exposed triggers was actually a evolved feature designed to allow rapid access. Earlier holster had the triggers covered and even the whole grip covered. But if you note in each of those pictures there is also a strap over the hammer. It is nearly impossible to pull the trigger while the revolver is in the holster.
Click to expand...

I believe you but I have never found a covered trigger to slow me down on my draw, revolver or not. I manage a fairly consisten ~1.0 second draw on close targets from my blade-tech and the trigger guard of my N-frame is completely covered. Knowing my luck I would would catch an exposed trigger on something stout climb down off something and shoot myself in the leg. I like the peace of mind of keeping the bang switch covered up.
 
My 4.2" GP100 conceals IWB in a Simply Rugged sourdough pancake w/belt straps. I almost didn't order the IWB straps because I didn't think I'd be able to carry a GP 4" IWB but it actually works well. Instead of 40 ounces hanging off your belt OWB the IWB helps lessen the weight felt. Sitting I slide it back to 3:30 position. In cooler months my model 10 carries well in a OWB Bucheimer "concealer" and a Beltman dual bullhide w/stiffener belt.. IMG_0100 (2).JPG IMG_1605.JPG
 
jar said:
The exposed triggers was actually a evolved feature designed to allow rapid access. Earlier holster had the triggers covered and even the whole grip covered. But if you note in each of those pictures there is also a strap over the hammer. It is nearly impossible to pull the trigger while the revolver is in the holster.

Probably the most extreme fighting holster was the Jordan Border Patrol style. Not only was the trigger exposed but the butt was tilted out way from your body and the whole holster canted forward.


​
Click to expand...

I had one of those for a 6" N-frame... made by Don Hume. It was one heck of a holster, if not a bit cumbersome. My only gripe with it was you had to be careful drawing the weapon or you would scratch it on the retention strap snaps.

For revolvers, I'm very fond of my Galco holsters, but I bought a Bianchi for my 4" 57 that I needed in a pinch... it seems well built enough.

For automatics... it's High Noon for the belt, and Alessi shoulder holsters.
 
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