Larg(er) Frame Revolvers for Carry?

[baugh009]

I have never carried before, and don't plan to carry 100% of the time. My only experience with handguns goes back to over forty years ago to the old service 1911, and to twenty years past when I had my old S&W Model 19. Although I know that I am "swimming against the current" on this one, but I am not over-thrilled with automatics. Planning to use my to be purchased, solo handgun as "in-home" defense, and on the range as well as carry, I just can't see buying a "pee-shooter" (2 1/2 - 3 inches).

Do any of you carry a "larger" frame handgun (examples: Ruger G-100; S&W models 686/625), in 4"? If so, how do you carry it, shoulder or belt? Are you satisfied with its "concealability"? Do you feel "weighed down"?

Thanks in advance.

[Stubob]

I do not carry a large frame revolver yet. I am in the process of shopping for a large revolver for packing in bear country for defense.

I do not know what to get yet, or even what caliber -

I have a large frame .357 and love it, but have not carried it except in the woods.

Looking forward to any suggestions on this one.

[baugh009]

Thanks for replying. I have no first-hand knowledge of anything that follows, but have read a fair bunch about it. Of course, Ruger has a tradition of making reliable big-bore revolvers that are proclaimed to stop anything on the continent, or in Alaska. They introduced their Alaskan, a 2 1/2" variant of the Super Redhawk (I think), which is chamber in the 454 Casull, or .45 Colt.

If price is not too great an object, Freedom Arms' .500 Wyoming Express (available in various barrel lengths), might be worth checking into. (They start at over $2,000.) I am pretty sure S&W has developed a .50 caliber revolver for bear country, also.

Like I said at the onset, I do not speak from experience relative to large, unpredictable grizzly, or Kodiak bears. (My only bear encounter occurred over 35 years ago in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, and that only involved a scrawny black bear.) I'll let you younger, more robust studs do the walking (and, talking), through grizz country.

I broke down and bought a Ruger Gp-100 .357. I am not too high on a magnum for carry (I feel it's too 'hot' a round to be using in what probably would be a urban setting), but I like the heft of the weapon. (I would have preferred the S&W 625 JC in four inch in .45 ACP. However, it cost over $200 more. Relative to bullets, how does the .38 sp. "p" compare in terms of ballistics? Is it midway between the .38 and the .357 in muzzle velocity?

Thanks,

baugh009

[nodaywithout]

stu I like the looks of this 460 for bear country


http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Guns-Handguns-Revolvers-Double-Action-460-SW-SW-Model-460ES-Emergency-Survival-Kit-460XVR-460-Caliber-Revolver-Emergency-Suppl_QQ60879_QQ2953

Manufacturer: S&W - Mfr#:163463

Specifications/features:
S&W Model 460ES Emergency Survival Kit
S&W 460XVR revolver
.460 caliber
2-3/4" barrel
5 round capacity
Red ramp front & adjustable rear sights
Yellow Hogue rubber grip
Satin stainless steel finish
Extra-large frame
9" overall length
54.8 oz. empty

Kit includes:
S&W 460XVR revolver
Waterproof Storm case
Blast Match FireStarter & WetFire tender
Saber Cut saw
Jet Scream whistle
Star Flash signal mirror
Polaris compass
2 MPI Mylar Space emergency blankets
S&W Extreme Ops liner-lock folding knife
"Bear Attacks of the Century - True Stories of Courage and Survival" book by Larry Mueller and Marguerite Reiss


I don't know how well it works, cause i have never shot one, and it only has a 2.75 inch barrel and it sounds like you both are wanting a longer barrel. Because of the size of the round it is not leagal for cc but it can come in handy for camping or even when you are taking breaks from rafting.
With the overall kit that comes with it and the case being water proof it looks like a good deal.
But that is just an idea for those of us who like to camp, or raft.

[HairyEyeball]

I carried a 'customized' 4" Smith Model 28 for a while back in the '70s, in a Bianchi #5 shoulder rig, and the only 'problem' I had was where to keep the spare rounds.

The only issues that should affect its 'concealability' are your size and shape, and the cut and fit of your clothing. Jackets of a heavier material, with a good 'drape', will generally conceal anything carried in a shoulder or belt holster, unless they're cut too tight - sometimes, going a size larger is necessary. In my experience, an N-frame (or equivalent) wheelgun wasn't any more likely to 'print' than a full-sized autoloader.

I am a little curious about your statement that you "...don't plan to carry 100% of the time." Not criticizing, just inquiring, but isn't one of the principles involved that one carries because one doesn't know when the occasion will arise that requires the need? I've been accused of being a tad bit paranoid, but I'm as likely to leave the house without my trousers as I am without my 'anti-assault tool', and I have verified accounts of a certain individual leaving home after strapping on his sidearm but forgetting his teeth (that was a sight)!

[Bill of Rights]

As an aside, I was told a few days ago at my range that Ruger has stopped honoring the warranty on their firearms except as what is mandated by the state in which the gun is purchased. As a result, God forbid anything goes wrong with your gun, you may end up paying as much as the gun cost just in repairs. This, to my way of thinking, is no way to do business, and as much as I dislike the idea, at this point I have no plan to purchase a Ruger firearm so long as this policy is in place.

I hadn't heard it, and thought perhaps others had not either.

Blessings,
B

[HairyEyeball]

Perhaps others haven't heard it because it's untrue? I'd be somewhat circumspect about passing on what "I was told at the range" before verifying it with the company, and without questioning just who 'said so', or why. Anything that strains credulity quite that far would have enough impact - if valid - to resound throughout both the industry and the 'shooting world'.

I'd heard a similar statement about Kimber 1911s from two people some time back, but a little 'directed curiosity' traced the sources to a dealer who was no longer carrying them (and not through his own choice) and an individual who had sent his pistol back to be repaired after his home-brewed 'modification' was (ahem) 'somewhat less than ideal'.

Don't currently own any of their products so it's academic to me, but I'd still want serious substantiation before passing that rumor on.

[baugh009]

Jason;

<<[I]>>

That was an aside without given it much thought. I am (fairly) recently retired from the public school classroom, and sometimes forget that I am not an active teacher, anymore. Understandably, you don't carry in a school house.

Best of the rest of the week.

[Bill of Rights]

I should have checked it with the company also, HairyEyeball. I didn't because I was given some examples of what should have been warranty work for which people had been charged, and couldn't think of other reasons why that would be. Be that as it may, next time I'm there, I'll ask for clarification.

Blessings,
B

[pioneer461]

baugh009, my favorite carry revolver is a Taurus 617, 2" .357 mag, 7-shooter. It is on a medium stainless frame, very sturdy and a good shooter. You have the choice of using .38 spl. ammo for targets, and .357 magnum for carry. Taurus has really improved their quality over the past several years, and are more affordable than S&W.

Here's mine.....
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/Guns%20-%20Pistols/Pistols08004.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/NRA/join20nra.jpg

[DAN]

The only large frame revolver I carry is a Ruger Redhawk 44 magnum, 51/2 inch, loaded with 300 grain loggerheads. I spend several weeks a year visiting my son in Alaska. He is an outdoor photographer and climber. battreallphoto.com I tag along with him when he is on assignment every year. Needless to say we get remote, sometimes 150 miles from a road. A 12 gauge is the rule.

For blackbear the 44 mag is probably ok but for anything larger a short 12 gauge shotgun with slugs is the best.

None of the newer big bore handguns are adequate for the big guys. They are like any other adversary, you may fataly shoot them but they can and will kill you first if they get to you.

Last year we had our whole camp eaten by bears. I did not kill any because if you kill one many more bear and the wolves will come in to eat the dead one. It took the plane 30 hours to get in to pick us up.
It was really kinda interesting, Thank God for Sat Phones.
DAN

[jayspapa2002]

back in the early 70's I worked for a bird dog trainer and carried a security-six .357 in a bianchi shoulder holster. only carried it during the periods when I was wearing a carhart coat...wore it 10 hrs a day and it wasn't uncomfortable at all. however , I was never in town with it ( illegal ) , but non of the customers ever knew I had it on . I carried it because of stray dogs gone wild that were running the area.

[Sandhiller]

Late response, but I just saw this thread.

I live in an open-carry state but also have a CCW permit. I don't go to town very often so most of the time I carry on a cartridge belt and that can make a big difference in the comfort of carrying a large sidearm.

I have a couple of big-bore favorites. I sometimes carry a Smith M29 Mountain Gun in .44 Magnum. Basically this is a .44 Special (trim barrel, etc.) with a .44 Magnum cylinder with a L-frame butt frame. Very nice carrying pistol when you need a big boy but don't want to carry a ton.

I also like a 3" 686 (U.S. Customs Service model) that carries like a dream in a vehicle. I tote this one in a Tom Threepersons rig from El Paso Saddlery, also usually--but not always--on a cartridge belt.

I have a nice stainless Ruger old-model Vaquero in .45 Colt. This gun has had a Bisley grip frame installed, and is a 3.5" "sheriff's model." The old-model Vaqueros are BIG revolvers and they will take a helluva handload. This gun with 300-grain handloads is a stout load on the hip but very comforting if you think you might need such artillery.

Most of what I might need a handgun for out where I live, aside from two-legged varmints which we don't get many of being so far off the beaten track, is lesser stuff like porcupines, skunks, badgers, coyotes, and assorted other unwelcomes. The gun I carry most of the time around here is a Smith K-38, 6", .38 Special, also on a cartridge belt. I find that it is entirely adequate for most of the work that needs to be done, or might need doing, around the place.

Hope these ramblings have been useful to somebody.

[BikerRN]

I carry a S&W 4" N-Frame or a Ruger GP100 with a 3" Barrel in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II with a Bruce Gibson Belt.

Yes, it's heavy, but it conceals well and in the words of Clint Smith, "A gun should be comforting not necessarily comfortable." The "trick" is to use a good holster and belt.

Also, dress around the gun. I can conceal my N-Frame under an un-tucked Hawaiian shirt and wearing Cargo Shorts in the summer. Besides the Belt/Holster I also pay attention to the stocks on the gun. I favor the Eagle "Secret Service Grips" for maximum concealment.

Biker[/b]

[teknoid]

4" S&W model 65, most days. With a good belt and holster, it's more than "doable". I never did care for the "itty-bitty" variety of weapon. The grips on those are just too small for comfort. The wheel gun conceals as well as any 4" semi-auto I have. Then again, the only one I own that is much lighter is a M&P 9 full size.

[Reloader]

Until health reasons changed my carry method, I used to carry a S&W 629 3 or 4" in a Kramer IWB holster. Being 6'1" and 250 lbs, I could conceal this under a polo shirt. Used Silvertip 200 gr. 44 Specials and 2 HKS Speedloaders. Never was made and it was VERY fast. Saved my bacon a few times. Something about looking down that barrel tended to change the perps mind... Also carried a 642 as backup. In fact one lady at church stated she was glad that I didn't carry in church. Her husband and I just chuckled. With a heavy belt it did not shift. My belts are made of heavy saddle skirt leather.