30 Day Revolver Carry Experiment

[crebralfix]

Nope, not going into gear mode. The belts, light, knives and holster locations are the products of over a decade of carry experience.

I use a strong-side IWB or an appendix carry IWB for the 625. A Blade-Tech IWB is the same.

The J-Frame is carried in a Nemesis for pocket carry or an appendix carry holster. Blade-Tech makes a similar holster. The Nemesis is made by DeSantis and every gun person I know has at least one.

I rotate them around a bit to see what works and what does not. The 625 carried strong side hides very well with a sport jacket on. The same gun hides well under a loose t-shirt (dark colored or patterned) or a sweat shirt.

The J-Frame can go anywhere, including a 511 6"x4" med bag in the glove box.

Ammo:

625:
a) California Competition Works Moonclip Holder

b) Simple Moonclip Holder for pocket carry

24 rounds total...almost the same as with a SIG P220 or 1911. 10-20 rounds is not enough. I shoot really, really fast.


J-Frame and SP101:

a) Bianchi speed strip
b) HKS Speedloader
c) Experimental speedstrip holder. There are a variety of holders available. A commercial leather one that holds two is probably the way to go.

5 rounds in the gun + 5 spare rounds

Belts: Current carry belts.

Support gear: phone, light, knives

***

I don't feel comfortable with Mexican carry, even if the Hip grip is secure. I just prefer the consistent presentation of a holster held gun.

 

[crebralfix]

Dec 5, 2008

Carried the 625 strong side IWB under a sport coat. I placed all three moonclips in the strong side coat pocket (tips pointing out). Light was on the opposite internal breast pocket. Only one knife today since the shirt was tucked in. No BUG.

LESSONS LEARNED:

1) Sport coats work very well for concealing guns. Get one with several internal pockets. I used them to hold my CCW permit, flashlight, and iPod.

2) All the weight on one side is not a problem for someone who keeps their back in shape. However, after 8 hours of sitting, I did notice some fatigue on one side. Remember, the 625 weighs >40 ounces and three were three full moonclips on the strong side. Nothing on the weak side counterbalanced the gun and ammo. I think a 12 hour day would result in some back pain.

Counterbalancing with another gun may be beneficial in this regard.

3) Revolver stocks tend to go UP into the arm, not OUT BACK. This shape is a bit more concealable and has less of a tendency to print.

 

[crebralfix]

No worries average_shooter. It seems to me that more people use speed strips than speed loaders. I think my sample size is too small though.

 

[pps]

I guess I'm just a simpleton. I just throw my j frame in a Nemisis holster in the front strong side pocket or one in each front pocket if it's a real bad area I'm working...a couple of speed loaders and fugetaboutit.

In the 1 or 2 weeks of winter we get here in California, I have carried a 627 shoulder holstered under a sports coat. But I have to admit, that was just to see if it was plausible....it is.

 

[The_Shootist]

Grin

With all due respect, even in shorts and t-shirt weather we have mostly here in Texas, carrying my 4" bbl 686+ has never been an issue. Trick is, the correct IWB holster. A thin but sturdy Desantis holster works for me!

 

[jad0110]

With all due respect, even in shorts and t-shirt weather we have mostly here in Texas, carrying my 4" bbl 686+ has never been an issue. Trick is, the correct IWB holster. A thin but sturdy Desantis holster works for me!

In addition to the belt and holster, the shirt itself can make a huge difference. A light colored, solid pattern tight fitting shirt of a "clingy" material couldn't hope to conceal my J Frame, but a somewhat looser fitting, "starchy" shirt with patterns (plaid works great) will hide a 5" 1911 all day.

I've got a 4" 686+ that I'd love to start carrying one day, though I need to get a holster and speedloader holders. I'd really rather carry it than my 1911 as I am a slightly better shot with the 686. But, for now I'm itching to get a K Frame S&W with a 2.5-3" barrel, so it will wait a little longer.

 

[crebralfix]

December 6, 2008

Carried the 625 appendix under a sweatshirt. Two simple holders of ammo in the pocket and the CA Competition Works moonclip holder turned IWB.

 

[Dr. Snubnose]

FWIW The last time I gave a Pistol Marksmanship Firearms Safety course I decided to carry concealed a few firearms, cause newbies always ask me how can you carry a gun comfortably and keep it concealed. You can imagine the looks on the faces of my students when I asked them if they could tell I was carrying a firearm and nobody could tell... then one by one I placed on the table the following guns I was carrying... I was wearing jeans T-shirt Over-shirt and Vest....and every imaginable type of holster from ankle to hip, small of the back, shoulder, groin holster, pocket holsters, Barami grips...etc. Here's what I laid on the table before the class:

1)American Derringer DA38
2)American Derringer .45 ACP
3)Colt Government .380
4)Colt Officers Model .45ACP
5)NAA Mini .22mag
6)NAA Black Widow .22mag
7) Ruger Sp101 .357 mag
8) Ruger Sp101 .357 mag
9) Sig P220 .45
10) Sig P226 9mm
11) S&W Model 60 .38 special
12) S&W Model 340PD .357 mag
13) Colt Detective Special .38
14) Berretta 950BS .22
15) Wilkinson Sherry .22
This is not my daily carry LOL, but was an experiment to prove 15 firearms could be concealed under somewhat light dress. The point made to students was..if I can conceal 15 and you couldn't tell...you shouldn't have a problem concealing and carrying one! Uh.... was I comfortable...hell NO! but I was well armed....
Doc

 

[ironvic]

Once the carry gear (homemade or not) is discussed and the types of firearms hashed over, the conversation needs to move on. New shooters need to feel comfortable carrying to the point that the gun is hardly noticed on the hip (or wherever). You gotta be so comfortable, you can pass by a cop and not look nervous, wondering if he'll stop you and shake you down. Never pat it in public or shift it around so it's obvious you're carrying. Little things like keeping quiet about carrying, not getting into public arguments that can escalate and obeying all carry laws are also important when training new shooters in the esoterics of concealed carry.

 

[sidheshooter]

Another wheelgunner here...

These are all good ideas. However, what works for me, and I carry a revolver quite a bit, is a Barami Hip Grip with a Tyler T Grip. I need no bulky holster and it is easy and secure to carry.

Ditto on the barami and tyler. I use both on my beloved 3-inch heavy barrel chief 36, along with a couple of hks loaders for spare in the r.h. pockets of whatever cover garment I have on. This is indeed an easy to carry, and conceal, secure rig. One hand re-holstering requires some dedication (it can be done with a bit of sliding-the DAO hammer bob on my "Frank McGee" special makes this easier and safer...).

FWIW,
-M

 

[crebralfix]

More revolver carry...the usual N-Frame stuff.

I am working on a Blade-Tech style IWB holster for the SP101. I guess it's more of a "K-Frame" sized gun, so I'll give that a whirl. I'll back it up with the S&W Airweight, for a total of 10 shots. All spare ammo will be in 38 Special so both guns can be reloaded.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I pocket carry a Smith M640 or a safety hammerless. if I'm dressed very light it's a Colt vest pocket. When I was young I carried large revolvers or autos, M27, M29, 1911. I'm old and decrepit now, and have found that little guns work as well.

 

[GRIZ22]

but was an experiment to prove 15 firearms could be concealed under somewhat light dress.

This reminds me of the old Bianchi ad where you saw John Bianchi with a suit on one side and the other side showed 9 or 10 guns he had concealed (all in Bianchi holsters of course).

 

[BP44]

Nice looking home made holsters how hard is it to mould the kydex and how do you do it?

 

[crebralfix]

It's not hard. Google "holster making" and you'll find some resources.

The main problem is that dummy guns don't work well because they're not exact copies. If you're doing your own guns, then it's not an issue.

 

[Deadmanwalking_05]

Don't know if anyone else has done this,but here goes.


If you only have a hip holster *Uncle mikes will hold up better than the Gunmate holsters for this type of carry* Put the holster on, tuck the muzzle into an empty jeans pocket,it's functional and a bit practical, with that type of carry I was able to hide an S&W 686 With a six inch barrel. Just cover the top of the holster and Revolver grip with an untucked shirt or vest.

 

[DarkSoldier]

As I've posted before, when I carry revolvers it will almost always be a six inch S&W M-29 in a Bianchi X-15 leather shoulder holster with a S&W M-29 (Lew Horton) three inch over my right kidney in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II as BUG. Even though I'm not a big guy, concealment is not a problem under a business suit or sport jacket. Carrying the three speed loaders to feed them is the real challenge.

Respectfully,

DarkSoldier

 

[Gordon]

I carry a Colt Agent in a Myka pocket holster as it is on my Kali CCW. However if I want to, these don't take a holster for even less bulk and clipped into rear pockets with something untucked over them are pretty darn slick.

 

[crebralfix]

Dec 13, 2008

I whipped up a new holster for my Ruger SP101. It's a combo strongside and appendix carry holster. The SP101 carries well, but is large enough that it should hold six rounds. The speed loader holder went into the front pocket and a speed strip (in a kydex holder) went into the back pocket.

 

[crebralfix]

Today's carry gear includes a pocket speed loader holder and a pocket speed strip holder

Take a knifing course and you'll understand why there are three knives in the kit.


IWB Combo Holster: carries well strong side or appendix. Includes tension screw.




Gun is set deep into the holster for protection

The kydex is not so high that it gouges. I had to cut the top back and round the rear a bit because it was digging into my stomach. Once it was fixed, it was very easy to carry in the appendix position.

 

[crebralfix]

Oops...doubletap

 

[crebralfix]

14 Dec 2008

Carried the following under a sport coat:

Ruger SP101 (strong side, left)
HKS speed loader in the left pocket in the holder (Remington UMC 125 grain JHP)
S&W Model 36 Airweight in a DeSantis Nemesis (right pants pocket with Federal Hydra-Shok 110 grain JHP)
Two Bianchi Speed Strips loaded with Winchester 130 grain FMJ flat point 38 Special
One Bianchi Speed Strip loaded with Remington UMC JHPs in the speed strip holder in the back pocket
Two knives

It seemed to work out pretty well. I wasn't weighed down too much, though adding the S&W 625 would have been over the top.

Sport coats can hide a lot of stuff

I have also noticed that standard pressure 38 Special JHPs are hard to come by. My M36 cannot handle +P 38 Specials.

 

[crebralfix]

Today's carry choices:

Smith & Wesson Model 27 "new" Registered Magnum from Lew Horton with 3.5" barrel
Ruger SP101
4 Bianchi Speed Strips
1 HKS Speedloader for the SP101
3 Knives

The M27 was carried appendix and the SP101 was carried strong side IWB.

 

[revolverforums]

What I have found is don't vary your concealment, keep it the same all the time and practice with it. If you ever really need the gun it will be instinct and reaction that lets you survive the incident and having to remember where the gun is and what type it is on a given day could make the difference between surviving and not surviving.

I also like BIG N frames and have a bunch of them but I don't consider them practical for carry. I also don't consider magnums over 32 caliber to be practical for carry. The last thing I would want to do is have a round go through a person and do unexpected damage. For myself I carry a 686 2.5 inch at the two oclock position. Easy to conceal with a good galco holster and using 38 caliber rounds still plenty of firepower to get the job done. When I go to the range though I still practice hitting the target, one well placed round is worth a dozen wild shots. IMHO

Oh and for carry I also prefer stainless, blue is pretty but doesn't wear nearly as well over the long haul.

If you don't own an N frame or a 686 this shows the difference in size between the two. Much harder to conceal good.

 

[Deadmanwalking_05]

I use a standard S&W K-frame Model 12 with 4-inch barrel and uncle mike's size 2 hip holster, I just tuck the muzzle down an empty pants pocket and cover it with an un-tucked shirt and/or my vest.

I carry two-three speed loaders in my my other pocket.

Nobody's really noticed.