Carrying Revolvers

[roland17]

Doc, First off I love the show and can't wait for your next episode.

Several times you've mentioned that you prefer revolvers to the semi-auto pistols.  I think you presented some rather valid points on several of your episodes.  One item that that I've not heard you discuss (at least that I remember, anyway) is how you carry your wheel-guns.  Obviously for a small J-frame it's not difficult, but what about the larger revolvers like a S&W N-Frame.

I ask because I just inherited several large revolvers when my dad passed away.  He loved shooting these big guns, but he didn't carry a gun.  He tended to hide guns in strategic places where he was so that he was always within arms reach of one, but never really had one on him.  So now I've got all these revolvers with no holsters! 

So, do you have any recommendations on carrying large guns like the following?

S&W Model 58 - 4" bbl - .41 magnum
S&W Model 57 - 6" bbl - .41 magnum
S&W .357 magnum 4" and 6"

Concealing such large and heavy guns presents obvious challenges, but I'm not really interested in that since I live in an open carry state and do so regularly with my Springfield XD-M.  Obviously a good belt will help with the weight, but what about retention?  Is the thumb-snap the best option?  What about reloads, carrying a couple of speed loaders on your belt will certainly make you look like a cop from 20 years ago, and going with ammo loops will make you look like a classic gunslinger and probably attract the wrong kind of attention from LEOs.

This may be a good topic for part of show as I don't recall any other GRRN podcasters discussing this topic.

Thanks for creating such high-quality shows! 

[Jerome from California]

Hey Roland, What models are the .357 Mags? Sounds like you have a nice brace of classic wheel guns.

[roland17]

Thanks Jerome.  My dad loved loved the classic guns.  Those are just a few of the revolvers he had, and the .41's were his favorite.  He also had some others like a Ruger New Blackhawk in .45 Colt.  That one is too pretty to carry, in my opinion. 

One of the .357's is a model 27-2 and the other is a 28-2.  I think the longer one is the 28 also called The Highwayman. 

[RichardInFlorida]

For spare ammo, think about Bianchi's SpeedStrips or Tuff's QuickStrips.  Both are short strips of rubber that hold 5-6 rounds in a line, making them easy to slip into a pocket, yet keep them from rolling around loose.  I think Bianchi only offers Speed Strips in .38/.357, while Tuff offers the QuickStrips in a wide range of calibers, including .38/.357 and .41 Mag.  I've not used the QuickStrips, but I have used the Speed Strips for about 15 years, and I love them.

http://www.tuffproducts.com/product.php?productid=16230&cat=265&page=2

http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25166/catid/14/Bianchi_Speed_Strip__38__357

I couldn't fins the Speed Strips on Bianchi's site, so the link goes to Dillon.  The Dillon site shows the Speed Strip being used with a discreet belt ammo carrier, which may be of interest also.

--Richard

[staysafebob]

For spare ammo, think about Bianchi's SpeedStrips or Tuff's QuickStrips.  Both are short strips of rubber that hold 5-6 rounds in a line, making them easy to slip into a pocket, yet keep them from rolling around loose.  I think Bianchi only offers Speed Strips in .38/.357, while Tuff offers the QuickStrips in a wide range of calibers, including .38/.357 and .41 Mag.  I've not used the QuickStrips, but I have used the Speed Strips for about 15 years, and I love them.

http://www.tuffproducts.com/product.php?productid=16230&cat=265&page=2

http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25166/catid/14/Bianchi_Speed_Strip__38__357

I couldn't fins the Speed Strips on Bianchi's site, so the link goes to Dillon.  The Dillon site shows the Speed Strip being used with a discreet belt ammo carrier, which may be of interest also.

--Richard

Richard is right that the Bianchi only come in .38/.357......I have several of the new Quick Strips in various other calibers and they work just fine.  I use the Dillon speed strip carrier mentioned above and it is very much worth having IMHO........

[ZEBRA NINER]

I've also got that S&W 28-2 Highway Patrolman. I like the galco and bianchi holsters. I've only ever concealed it under a jacket.

I will say that the Bianchi speed strips are GREAT! I carry a couple in my front pocket every day, and while slower than an HKS, they lay down nice and flat.

[BikerRN]

Howdy.  

I have been known to carry a 4" N-Frame revolver in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II. If I want to carry OWB I can use a Matt Del Fatti OWB Holster that I have. I usually prefer the IWB mode of carry though.

If you want to carry Speedloaders instead of the "slow-strips" I have found that a Lowe Pro Digital Camera Case works pretty good. You have to stack the two Speedloaders, but it doesn't look "gunny" and does let you carry Speedloaders instead of "slow-strips".  

For what it's worth, I also carry two "slow-strips" to supplement the Speedloaders and a couple of extra revolvers too. Off Duty I was carrying revolvers until just this year when I switched back to the Single Action Autoloader. Before that I was packing a Glock off duty.

Next year I'll probably change my off duty platform again, but I haven't decided yet. I do know that I love revolvers and one of my two off duty guns is a J-Frame, that I carry as a BUG.

I forgot to add:

This thread brings back memories for me. My first handgun was a 4" Highway Patrolman. I wish I still had it.

Take care and stay safe.

Biker

[RichardInFlorida]

N-frame, eh?  Something in the .44 variety?

[BikerRN]

N-frame, eh?  Something in the .44 variety?

While I have a .44 specimen I much prefer the .45 variety. 

Biker

[roland17]

I just found another Model 28-2 Highwayman that has been converted to .45 colt.  I guess it's been converted since I don't see where that model was made in anything but .357 magnum.

Plus it has a sweet trigger job on it.  Super smooth with a surprise break every time.  I can't wait to shoot it.

[Doc Wesson]

Folks,
Sorry to get in on this so late.. my hard drive crashed and I am working on the hardware... borrowing a computer to check messages.  I will put in my .02 as soon as I can.. this is a great thread and I hate to miss out on it.
I have a good  show ready.. just need to be able to get to it... I have had it ready for a few weeks now, but can't get it off my hard drive.
BTW, I am carrying a 629 4" all this past week... will discuss soon.
Thx all....

[Tennessee Jed]

Oh man, this is a topic near and dear to my heart.  I'm a revolver fan and enjoy carrying the big ones.  I use a Concealco IWB for an S&W 65 3" barrel, and a Fist Kydex IWB for an S&W 629 with a 6" barrel.  If the revolver has a rounded grip (like the Hogue monogrips), I find these much easier to conceal than any semi-auto because it's impossible to make the rounded grip print underneath a shirt.  It's weird, but when it's hot and I'm not wearing bulky clothes, I can conceal the big 629 easier than a Glock 23. 

I understand the arguments for semi-autos over revolvers, more rounds, modern tactical stuff, etc., but at the end of the day I just feel better armed with big revolvers shooting big, fast ammo.

[bart11]

For carrying large handguns in an On the Belt fashion, I highly recommend the holsters from Simply Rugged.  http://simplyrugged.com/  They can be ordered with belt slots in a variety of locations for carrying on the strong hip or crossdraw (which is handy for longer barrels).  I originally bought one for my "Javelina" (a 10mm 7-inch barrel 1911), for which I could find no holster that met my needs.  They were able to custom make exactly what I wanted for around $90 delivered.  The leather is thick and quality of construction is excellent.

I have since ordered one for my 629 Mountain Revolver and it is very comfortable and protects the gun well.  I also bought one for my Freedom Arms 454 Casull (it was a SIN to carry that revolver in a nylon holster!  Next, I will buy one for my Desert Eagle!

They have a number of options on the basic simple design.  A great way for carrying the big guns around!

Bart11

[roland17]

I'm going to post OT in my own thread.  Sorry if that's a problem.  But I figure that anyone that had already posted here would like to read this post, so here's your email notification!

I got a chance on Sunday to take the 'big guns' out for some range time.  Man oh man did I have a good time with my brothers and daughter.  I only put one magazine through my XD-M .40, but put double or triple that through each of different sizes in the revolvers.  I must say that my favorite is the model 57 in .41 magnum.  That's such a sweet shooter and accurate as can be.  First six shots at 10 yards were all on top of each other in the center of the target. 

My 2nd favorite of the day was the last revolver that we found of my dad's.  It was a 28-2 (highway patrolman) that had been converted to .45 colt.  Apparently it's had some fine tuning in the trigger and action department because that gun is as smooth as butter.  It finished off the board we were using to hold the targets up.  Blasted that 2x6 clean through.  We were shooting all custom hand-loads that my dad had worked up so I'm not entirely sure of the bullet weight and speed, but man those .45 colts had some intense blasts to them.  Not painful in the big gun, but awe inspiring.   

The highlight of the day, however, has to be when my 9 (almost 10) year old daughter decided she wanted to try a .38 special out of a highway patrolman (.357 mag).  She's been shooting a .22 rimfire S&W revolver with me for a couple of months and she's very good with the 4 rules and is getting stance and trigger control down.  She's usually a fairly shy girl, but she stepped up and handled that big N-frame revolver and put down some good hits.  No grouping or anything, but center of mass for certain.  The smile on her face afterwards was amazing.  She took her targets and went running up to my mother to show off how great she did with that "HUGE GUN!"   

We had a great time and I could not think of a better way to remember my father than to shoot his guns with my family.  Now I just have to find some more time before the 9 year old drives me nuts asking when we can go shooting again!