barnbwt
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- Joined
- Aug 14, 2011
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About a year and a half ago I bought my S&W TRR8 with the intention of carrying it backpacking. Though I prefer back country hiking, it is nice to go into town to resupply after a long stint without ditching the piece in the woods 
what: j/k, I don't yet hike with it), and I'd rather not stash it inside my pack. I mean, I'm far more likely to be acosted in town, than out in the boonies on my own. I'm also worried that carrying the gun inside my pack may be "concealed carry" to an officer/judge/attorney with a chip on their shoulder (I won't get a CHL until I'm confident I can carry concealed.)
Anyway, I've finally finished researching CC-ing (for now), and am now assembling the gear I need to get started. As I acquire odds and ends, and start trying things out, I'll update this thread. Hopefully it will be useful for someone else who wishes to carry their TRR8/R8. God knows I had a hard enough time finding the info I needed (there's all of a half dozen or so threads on the subject in existence.)
Texas allows concealed carry, but not open carryscrutiny: I wonder which method criminals prefer to carry out their nefarious schemes...) , so I have to find a way to conceal a 5.5" N-frame revolver with a full grip, and at least one extra speed loader/moonclip. I knew I had my work cut out for me, and at the time I bought the gun, I found that Galco's Phoenix was one of very few non-custom holsters that would fit. However, it is an OWB rig that would, shall we say, be "uncomfortable" under a waist strap all day. I later found that Simply Rugged makes a good pancake holster as well, but that was also impractical for me.
Having faith that capitalism would eventually provide an answer, I promptly waited a year for accessories to come online for the TRR8...(and shot my revolver and bought other guns in the meantime)
There still aren't many holster options, but I discovered the Large Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster should fit, as should a Galco VHS shoulder rig (both designed to fit 6" 629's). Most any "roomy" (non-fitted) holster capable of holding a 6" 629 should work. I've not heard great things about the nylon Uncle Mikes or Blackhawk holsters. Since it is regulary available used for like 50$ online, I ordered the X-15. It looks decent, I may add some sort of liner to it (the dry leather lining looked really scratchy in the photos), and add moon clip holder(s) under the opposite shoulder. I may also perforate the leather straps to keep them from giving me saddle-sores from moisture buildup under my pack straps. I might dye the leather black if it looks really crummy.
I also ordered one (for testing) speedloader from 5-Star. Apparently only two companies make speedloaders for the 8-shot Smiths, Thunder Ranch and 5-Star. Thunder Ranch's were like 60$ a pop, and kinda huge. I found out about 5-star today, and they make a smaller (diameter) speedloader for the 327's, for only 25$. SOLD! They aren't anodized like the black Thunder Ranch's, but look much handier. Now I just need to find someone locally who can "murder-out" the bling-like luster of the factory's milled aluminum. I really like moonclips, but I'm not yet sold on carrying them, since they require more careful consideration as far as durability. I am tempted by the North Mountain IDPA Moonclip Holder, though. We'll see how these speedloaders pan out. I'm fast with moonclips (especially with LeveRevolution bullets), but I've not played with speedloaders.
Again, as my "adventure in concealed-carry" progresses, I'll update this thread with photos and commentary. If anyone else carries a TRR8 or +5" N-frame size gun concealed, please chime in with your advice.
TCB
what: j/k, I don't yet hike with it), and I'd rather not stash it inside my pack. I mean, I'm far more likely to be acosted in town, than out in the boonies on my own. I'm also worried that carrying the gun inside my pack may be "concealed carry" to an officer/judge/attorney with a chip on their shoulder (I won't get a CHL until I'm confident I can carry concealed.)Anyway, I've finally finished researching CC-ing (for now), and am now assembling the gear I need to get started. As I acquire odds and ends, and start trying things out, I'll update this thread. Hopefully it will be useful for someone else who wishes to carry their TRR8/R8. God knows I had a hard enough time finding the info I needed (there's all of a half dozen or so threads on the subject in existence.)
Texas allows concealed carry, but not open carry
scrutiny: I wonder which method criminals prefer to carry out their nefarious schemes...) , so I have to find a way to conceal a 5.5" N-frame revolver with a full grip, and at least one extra speed loader/moonclip. I knew I had my work cut out for me, and at the time I bought the gun, I found that Galco's Phoenix was one of very few non-custom holsters that would fit. However, it is an OWB rig that would, shall we say, be "uncomfortable" under a waist strap all day. I later found that Simply Rugged makes a good pancake holster as well, but that was also impractical for me.Having faith that capitalism would eventually provide an answer, I promptly waited a year for accessories to come online for the TRR8...(and shot my revolver and bought other guns in the meantime
)There still aren't many holster options, but I discovered the Large Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster should fit, as should a Galco VHS shoulder rig (both designed to fit 6" 629's). Most any "roomy" (non-fitted) holster capable of holding a 6" 629 should work. I've not heard great things about the nylon Uncle Mikes or Blackhawk holsters. Since it is regulary available used for like 50$ online, I ordered the X-15. It looks decent, I may add some sort of liner to it (the dry leather lining looked really scratchy in the photos), and add moon clip holder(s) under the opposite shoulder. I may also perforate the leather straps to keep them from giving me saddle-sores from moisture buildup under my pack straps. I might dye the leather black if it looks really crummy.
I also ordered one (for testing) speedloader from 5-Star. Apparently only two companies make speedloaders for the 8-shot Smiths, Thunder Ranch and 5-Star. Thunder Ranch's were like 60$ a pop, and kinda huge. I found out about 5-star today, and they make a smaller (diameter) speedloader for the 327's, for only 25$. SOLD! They aren't anodized like the black Thunder Ranch's, but look much handier. Now I just need to find someone locally who can "murder-out" the bling-like luster of the factory's milled aluminum. I really like moonclips, but I'm not yet sold on carrying them, since they require more careful consideration as far as durability. I am tempted by the North Mountain IDPA Moonclip Holder, though. We'll see how these speedloaders pan out. I'm fast with moonclips (especially with LeveRevolution bullets), but I've not played with speedloaders.
Again, as my "adventure in concealed-carry" progresses, I'll update this thread with photos and commentary. If anyone else carries a TRR8 or +5" N-frame size gun concealed, please chime in with your advice.
TCB
