Keeping square butts from printing??

[HiWayMan]

I sometimes carry a S&W 21-4TRS (4" N-frame) which is a round butt, OWB with no printing. However, when I try the same with my S&W 28-2 Highway Patrolman which is a square butt it prints very badly.

Are there any tricks that make a square butt not so square?

I have tried all strong side positions from 2:30 to 4:00 and have had no luck. I have also tried as much as 30* forward cant. I'm beginning to think my only options may be crossdraw (gotta lose some weight for this one) or a 15* rearward cant (like some competition speed rigs I've seen). These would place the butt in a downward position and eliminate/minimize the printing of the heel of the grip frame.

How'd you guys do it in the "old" days when it was all blued steel, pinned and recessed?



Edit to add: Printing is not as bad with Jordan Troopers as with factory coke bottle grips.

 

[Old Fuff]

How'd you guys do it in the "old" days when it was all blued steel, pinned and recessed?

You are adressing the Old Fuff????????

Start by looking at the square-butt "Service Magna's" that S&W used to put on model 10's that were rounded at the bottom/sides. Add to this a Tyler-T grip adapter if you need to. Consider an IWB holster that will hold the butt (the gun's not yours ) closer to the body, and you want a holster where the top edge of the belt is even (or about so) with the rear of the cylinder. This will help pull the gun into your body. Also match this with a top-quality belt that is wide enough to support the weight of a N-frame revolver.

 

[Bobhwry]

GET SOME EXERCISE!!!

 

[HiWayMan]

Lugging a steel N-frame is EXERCISE.


Thanks for the advice Fuff. I'm using a 1.75" quarter inch thick Ross Leather gun belt so I think I have the belt angle covered. I will definately check into the grip situation.

It sucks having a beautiful workhorse and not letting her see any work. Hopefully I'll be able to remedy that soon.

 

[Old Fuff]

Back in the dark ages some FBI agents would carry N-frame 357 Magnums in the manner I described, but in those days they wore suit or sport coats to cover them. There is a hollow above your hips, and that's where you want the cylinder and butt to be. You will find the big gun to be well worth it if you ever have occasion to need it.

 

[Dienekes]

Concur with O.F., plus the square butt Ruger DAs I used had Spegel grips that extended just a bit lower than the bottom of the grip straps. That extra 3/8" or so of wood had all edges, front, rear, and sides--bevelled and rounded. Holsterd it in a Sparks #200AW. I used that setup (and still use it) concealed for 15 years plus and if anyone noticed they never mentioned it to me.

Frankly, you could carry a .50 Ma Deuce through the mall and 98% of people would never bat an eye.

 

[Coronach]

That's pretty much true. Very few people see a 'print' and think "gun". Of those who do, they are probably:

1. Fellow gun nuts. No harm there.

2. Cops. If you're legal, who cares? And generally, cops are looking for other types of printing for guns. (See below)

3. Criminals. OK, this could be a problem, right? Well, maybe, maybe not. Criminals usually carry their guns shoved IWB, often in saggy pants. Not only does this lead to fairly common self-inflicted GSWs (seriously), it also leads to several mannerisms that are clues to the fact that the BG is armed. Other criminals, and cops, tend to look for that, rather than the 'printing' of a properly holstered revolver.

I would worry about it less. Sure, ideally you'd be completely concealed, but life is a series of trade-offs. Completely concealed often means less accessible, or that you're carrying a less-than-ideal gun.

Mike

 

[HiWayMan]

Thanks for the input guys. I was looking in the mirror again last night and it doesn't really print quite as horribly as I remembered. I just wish it could completely disappear like my RB .44 does.

And yes, sheeple are oblivious to those around them.

 

[l-schm]

Stop sitting on the xerox machine!!

 

[1 LT MPC]

Try a high-ride holster. I like to have the bottom of my trigger guard sit above the top of my belt. This places the stock higher under my arm and reduces printing. Kramer belt scabbard or Fitzpatrick holsters work quite well.

 

[Jackal]

I have a good remedy. Buy a Kel Tec p3AT and drop it into a good pocket holster. Dont look back.