4” revolver for carry?

[Fiv3r]

I had a 4" .327 sp101. Nice shooter. I just didnt want to invest in the .327 further as it was (and still is) not found in any of the local shops. It carried very well owb.

I dont mind heavy wheel guns. I carry a .357 blackhawk in a stout crossdraw holster. It's not too heavy to carry, but it's kinda rare that a 5.5" .357 is the best gun to carry above others.

I'd look at the match champion if I were shopping again. However, I think a 3" lcr would make more sense for my personal needs.

 

[Buckeye63]

I used to carry my Ruger Security Six quite a bit back in the day , useally loaded with Remington 357mag
125gr SJHP ...

 

[bannockburn]

I have carried my 4" Model 686 in an old Uncle Mike's shoulder holster and have found it to be very comfortable to carry this way. Still not my first choice for concealed carrying a revolver, much preferring instead a J frame like my Model 649. Wouldn't mind another J frame maybe with a 2.5" or 3" barrel for better balance and a longer sight radius.

 

[Armored farmer]

here's my 4" Python in an Azula owb.
I can cover the owb with a sport coat.
This rig accompanies me to church quite often.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've carried a 4" K frame on and off over the past 45 years. OWB, IWB, or shoulder holster. Never saw any problem. A 4" K frame is not much more harder to conceal than a 2 1/2 or 2 3/4".

 

[RealGun]

4" SP101 with 6 rounds of 327 Magnum or H&R came to mind first. My carry load for 327 is subsonic, so it doesn't have to be the noisy pressure wave bugger that many think of for this cartridge.

 

[Alte Schule]

5 Shot 3" Ruger LCRx 38 SP+P with Mitch Rosen Holster weighs less than 20 ounces.

 

[MedWheeler]

With a long cover shirt, I used to carry my four-inch Police Service Six quite a bit in an IWB holster worn between the belt and pants (a technique known as "inside-the-belt", or ITB, carry.) The thick basket-weave belt smootes over the bulge some, and I've found ITB-carry to be my preferred carry method with almost everything I do carry.

I did it long enough to wear out the couple of shirts I had long enough to cover the rig, and haven't found many I like since.

 

[gotboostvr]

A 4" revolver for carry?
I've hefted 4" K through X frames, and Blackhawks and shorter J and SP101's.

I'd pick up a new 4" S&W M66. Or a used M65 if fixed sights are your thing (or 19/13 if bluing gets you going). I've packed a 4" M19 plenty of times with a Square butt nonetheless. A newer Round butt version with "Combat" style grips would be even better.

The only reason I stopped carrying it often is because I replaced it with a 2.5" M19 Round Butt, mostly because the grips easier to hide. I could be happy with an extra inch and a half of barrel no problem.

That 4" M19 is mostly a safe queen now. If I need to open carry a handgun now I'll pack my "4 686-0 cause it's SS and such a good shooter.

 

[fordtrucks]

Went to the lgs. Found a 4” sp101 that seemed to fit right. Using in a desantis iwb strong side/3 o’clock carry. So far so good. Would rather have a 4” new colt cobra, but the sp101 seems nice. Trying a match champion version for the trigger work. Unfortunately the grip seems to obstruct a complete ejection of 1 round frequently. It pushes a round straight into the side of the wood grip as you eject them.

 

[Triggernosis]

Do they make a 4” Jframe?​

No, but they used to make a 5" one in both .357 and .22. I believe it was a model 60-8.
Here, I found a good writeup on it: http://www.gunblast.com/SW60_KitGun.htm

 

[springfield30-06]

I have been carrying a 4" S&W 65-1 for the past six months in an OWB holster. I also have an IWB, but don't use it nearly as much. Prior to that I was carrying my 3" S&W 686-6 Plus in an OWB holster. I have found that it isn't all that hard to conceal. Plus with cell phone holders and whatever other gadget that people carry on their belts, on top of many people not being all that aware of everything in their enviormnment walking around either on or looking at their cell phones, most people don't notice what is going on three feet in front of them let alone what is under your shirt. Get a good carry belt and holster and you should be golden.

 

[HB]

I had a 4” SP101 and currently carry a m66 or m10 pencil barrel. They are really heavy for a gun with 5-6 shots. Good for woods, not good for street.

I carry an airweight all the time. Thats about the weight limit for 5 shots to me. Inside 10 yards the j frame does basically the same thing as a m10 and weighs half as much.

I have a nice vintage owb holster that conceals well. Its comfortable but heavy. The gun rides high enough you have to “chicken wing” to get the gun out of the holster.

 

[luzyfuerza]

My 4" model 64 rides very nicely OWB strong side in an old Galco pancake holster. Can hardly feel it there.

In my opinion, too, the 64 is the perfect match to the 38 special cartridge. The 64 just fits my hand and draws and fires really well.

There are lots of gun/cartridge/holster combinations out there...but this one is a keeper.

 

[Lucky Derby]

So far so good. Would rather have a 4” new colt cobra, but the sp101 seems nice.

I second that request for a 4" Cobra. Or at least a 3".

 

[IWAC]

I have carried a 4" 586 all day without much inconvenience...skinny dress belt, home made pancake holster. I am now making a 1 1/2" 2-layer gun belt, and it looks like it will do the job better than the skinny one I used. Trying to decide now...S&W 3" model 60, S&W M&P compact 9, or maybe a Ruger SR 9. Decisions, decisions!

 

[docbrown]

If you are set on a 4", a Security Six/Service Six would be a good choice as would any of the K frames. Colt made a 4" Model 357. It's an older revolver, but would be a bit lighter because it had no vent rib or under-lug. A 4" Trooper might work too. Lots of choices, but those would work. Although, for concealed carry, any of those will be a bit of a challenge to not print unless you are wearing a heavy coat.

 

[RealGun]

If you are set on a 4", a Security Six/Service Six would be a good choice as would any of the K frames. Colt made a 4" Model 357. It's an older revolver, but would be a bit lighter because it had no vent rib or under-lug. A 4" Trooper might work too. Lots of choices, but those would work. Although, for concealed carry, any of those will be a bit of a challenge to not print unless you are wearing a heavy coat.

I would not be recommending guns that are out of production and not supported, even bone yards for parts out of stock.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I tried carrying my 686 in a shoulder holster for a year back in the day. I regret selling it. But it sure was a beast to carry. Heavy as all heck and the wheel dig into my side.

What kind of rig?

I've been thinking about a shoulder rig for my model 10 4"

 

[John Joseph]

I used to have a round butt 4" Police Positive Special. A slick little D frame if there ever was and very concealable.
I wish I still had one.

 

[.308 Norma]

4" SP101 with 6 rounds of 327 Magnum or H&R came to mind first. My carry load for 327 is subsonic, so it doesn't have to be the noisy pressure wave bugger that many think of for this cartridge.

Would you mind sharing, RealGun? While working around our property here, I've carried a little Taurus H&R snubby with subsonic, cast bullet loads for years. But I'm considering treating myself to a 4" SP101 327 Mag instead. What do you recommend for loads? Thanks!

 

[.308 Norma]

I would not be recommending guns that are out of production and not supported,

Neither would I, and I love my old Security Six. I'm still mad at Ruger for taking Security Sixes out of production. Not mad enough to never buy another Ruger though; I still like Rugers in general. Heck, my wife named our spoiled rotten, Cocker/Springer cross, Ruger!

 

[Sistema1927]

I would not be recommending guns that are out of production and not supported, even bone yards for parts out of stock.

I am guessing that my Speed-Six, built like a tank, is in no danger of needing any spare parts anytime during my lifetime.

At the same time, if someone finds utility using one of these vintage revolvers, and then someway breaks it, and is not able to find a qualified gunsmith to repair it, or replacement parts, then they are only one purchase away from rectifying the situation. They might just get many years of utility and enjoyment by buying one of these "orphans".

 

[Blkhrt13]

I

What kind of rig?

I've been thinking about a shoulder rig for my model 10 4"

I think it was an uncle mikes. It was all synthetic. Adjustable at the shoulder and and just about everywhere else. It had two speed loaders on the off side. The holster itself was thinner. Which was part of why it was irritating to my side.

 

[RealGun]

Would you mind sharing, RealGun? While working around our property here, I've carried a little Taurus H&R snubby with subsonic, cast bullet loads for years. But I'm considering treating myself to a 4" SP101 327 Mag instead. What do you recommend for loads? Thanks!

I use the loads in Brian Pearce's article on loading the Ruger Single Seven 327 Federal Magnum. See Handloader issue Feb-Mar 2015, p. 33, 100 RimRock RNFP, 4.5 gr Power Pistol, 1053 fps. I found .43 cc to equal the 4.5 gr load. Pearce stated that velocities between the 4 5/8 and 7 1/2 inch barrel guns tested did not vary by more than 28 fps in the longer barrel.