4" Revolver Concealable?

[MilitantBob]

I was just wondering what the common opinion on the conceal-ability of a 4" revolver, like a ruger GP100.

I live in south Texas and it gets hot as hell in the summer, I am normally wearing t-shirts and jeans, I very rarely wear shorts. Do you guys think it will be doable?

I would (probably will) get a snub nose revolver eventually, but I would like to get a 4" at first so it will be a little more enjoyable for range shooting, and I just want to see what the CCW vets think about using a GP100 as a CCW.

Thanks in advance! :cool:

[Pezo]

you should check out the 3" gp100. it has a smaller grip size. ( in between an sp101 and a adjustable sight 4") with the fixed sights and smaller grip this gun gives you gp100 qualities in a more compact package.

[Bulldozer]

Look to split the difference between a 2" snub and full-size 4", go for a K-frame in 2 1/2" or 3" a la S&W Model 10/12/13/15/19/64/65/66/67.

Another option is the 2 3/4" Ruger Speed/Service/Secuirty Six or the SP-101 in a 3" tube. Also, the GP-100 can be had in a 3" tube.

[100W_Warlock]

I would suggest something a bit smaller. I have a 3" GP100.

Although the factory grips are nice, they are not the best.
A nice set of hogue or other would be a step up.

The GP100 is the same size as a S&W 686. Kinda big...but not unbearable.

A snubby 6shot S&W 66 or 5shot SP101 or Taurus 605SS would be alot easier.

Are you looking for an IWB holster or shoulder holster? Or a boot gun?

Just curious.

[rxrick]

... on a couple of factors. If you are an economy sized guy like me, no sweat. If you are built more like a beanpole, not so easy.

At 6'3" and 275#, I can carry a pretty big package without looking outrageous. With the right gear, a lot can be accomplished. I am attempting to include a shot of my current carry outfit. This is my first attempt at a photo so bear with me. It is a pre-27, 5-screw .357 Magnum, with the original magna grips, serial numbered to the gun. The holster is an Alessi Hideout made specifically for the 3 1/2" barrel. It is very comfortable with jeans, slacks, and hiking shorts. Idaho is never as humid as Texas, but we get 100-plus degree days here in the summer and I've never had an issue with it. I tend to wear untucked polo shirts. There is a large body shield between the cylinder and you, so the only issue is having the leather against your skin.

[Mike Irwin]

I can conceal one quite handily.

In winter.

In a shoulder holster.

Under my winter coat.

In the summer I carry a J-frame.

[Ninjato]

I am 5'10" and weigh 150lbs.....skinny.

With a loose T-shirt I can wear my GP100 3" fixed sight in a DeSantis OWB holster no problem. A 4" would get a little big IMO but doable.

[Sir William]

I carry a Colt GM 5" or a S&W M10 5" regularly. Horsehide IWB by Galco really helps. Royal Guard. My BUG is a 2" S&W M10. I usually carry a BHP lately due to hi-caps. A 4" revolver is easiily concealable. Your wardrobe will need adjustment. Darker overshirts or wilder patterns help. I suggest a undershirt with a second overshirt with a few buttons for concealment. One size larger usually provides for not printing through. Experiment with clothing fit and styles. I generally wear a mesh undershirt and a untucked polo shirt in summer.

[fastforty]

Another inch or 2 of bbl (over a 2" or 3") really isn't going to make a difference. The bbl on a revolver is what, 1/2", 5/8" thick? It's not like the bulge of the thick slide of a semiauto. I'm small framed & carry my 4" Security Six IWB without a problem & have NEVER wished it was shorter; it's mighty accurate just like it is.

[Tamara]

A 3" or 4" RB K-frame carries rather nicely IWB. A dark, untucked tee or golf shirt, or a light, unbuttoned work shirt worn over a tee should conceal it adequately.

[Erich]

A 4" GP is very concealable. The barrel length isn't a problem, as others have noted. If you prefer the shorter gripframe found on the 3" GP, switch out the grips, they're interchangeable. :)

I used to carry a 4" .357 in hot, humid, southern Indiana in an IWB. I'd either leave my t-shirt untucked or wear an untucked long-sleeve overshirt over it.

[MADISON]

In the winter time, with your extra and heavy clothes it should be easy to conceal a 4 inch revolver. In the summer, concealment is a headache.

[ojibweindian]

I live in Alabama, where it's hotter than Hades in the summer. My one and only carry gun is a S&W 586 with a 4" barrel. With the proper clothing, no one knows I have it strapped to my hip.

Concealability really depends on the clothing worn, and not so much the size of the gun.

[Longbowshooter]

A 4" is concealable. As has been suggested different grips help. Mine have pachmeyer compact grips which help and I have a Texas Heritage IWB (http://store.yahoo.com/rlcompanyusa/retehe.html) which works pretty well. If you don't have the gun yet I'd like to give 2 thoughts.

If it will be your only gun a fixed sights are more easily concealable, though adjustable are more versitile.

A Speed or Service six is a little smaller and lighter. I don't think there is as big a difference between 3" and 4" as there is between K frame (speed six) and L frame (GP100)

Steve

[Arub]

Your build has something to do with concealability. I can readily conceal compact and sub-compact Glocks and even the Ruger P95 and P944. I have a devil of a job concealing any revolver under a tee shirt. I've tried J, K and L frames. The grips just want to jut out. I've tried several types of holsters, including iwbs, and just not much luck with the wheel guns. Could be I'm over-sensitive to printing.

In cooler weather, wearing a vest or light jacket, revolvers pose no problems for me. But in the sweltering heat of summer, where tees are standard dress, I have to stick to the bottom feeders.

[fleiger]

Bob, I would say that is one big hung of iron to try to carry concealed. I'm not saying its not do-able, but man packing that much weight in that kind of heat ain't gonna be fun. I think I'd check into the multitude of alternatives for practical concealed carry if I were you. But you know, opinions are like ***holes, everybody's got one. Fleiger

[Gunmann]

South texas heat poses a problem. When its over 90 you will look like an idiot if you have a vest on or a Fanny Pack that yells GUN. Kramer Leather makes a Confidant Shirt that is nylon with holes like the football players use. Has a built in shoulder holster. A Snubbie or small auto is easy to conceal.

If its under 90 you can wear a shooting vest and conceal a full size revolver or auto. Especially in a premium holster that hugs the body not a loose nylon cheapie.

I have over thirty different holsters for concealing various guns and 5 concealed carry vests. Hawiian shirts work well to cover guns carried IWB.

An easy way to carry is a S&W 342PD or 442 in a Kramer Pocket holster.
Most of the time I just thow it in my pocket. But in Indian Country I carry
a Glock 30 or Kimber CDP Pro II or even a S&W 4 " Model 28!

This is from 30+ yrs of experience and yup I also live in South Texas.

[dogngun]

I have carried a 4" Smith and Wesson revolver for many years. I prefer it because
1-I can see the sights better
2-I like the longer tube for more velocity with .357mag ammo
3- the 4" Model 19 is much more comfortable for me to shoot than a smaller gun. I had a 2 1/2" M19, and found the 4" just felt and shot better for me.
4. I find the larger revolver easier th draw from a pocket - it sits higher.
I usually wear this revolver in an IWB covered by an oversized tee shirt or sport shirt in summe, even with shorts. NOTE: you need to wear a sturdy belt.
I also usually carry 2 speed loaders in a double nylon pouch on the opposite side.

I have also sometimes just put the revolver in the pocket of my relaxed fit jeans, covered with a shirt tail.

Mark

[bendable]

I started with a 4" GP-100 in s.s.,
its a wonderfull gun to shoot, and fun.
I still have it , its my favorite.

but for concealed carry, it has its draw backs.

depending on my attire, I now use either a Ruger SP-101
two and a quarter inch with Eagle wood grips ( www.eaglegrips.com ) and .38 special +P ammo.
or
A Ruger P-90 in .45 acp with three mags. in a Preditor kydex holster ( www.predator-holster.com )

I wear one or the other every day.

practice with the mini revolver and .357 loads was
a very unpleasant experiance.

[Sgt127]

I'm with you on the summers in Texas. Since my normal summer dress (if not in uniform) is shorts and a T shirt, I gave up carrying big guns. Its either an SP-101 in an inside the waistband suede holster with the T shirt covering it or a 642 or a Kahr PM9 in the right front pocket. There is no way around it for me. I would rather carry a full size Govt model or a S&W M58, but, then the whole day is spent thinking about that chunk of iron I'm carrying. Tradeoffs...oh well...

[Magnum88C]

Yes, sometimes I carry a 4" GP-100.
Thing is:
1.) I'm big
2.) I carry IWB.

I carry my guns under a t-shirt most of the time.
I live in FL, it's just as hot, and usually more humid than other parts of the country.

I carry in front of the hip, with the gun canted backwards, so the grip is parallel to the belt line. It's faster and easier to draw for me than any behind the hip style of carry, and with the gun canted back, the barrel doesn't hit anything important. :eek:

I carry this way whether it's an SP-101, GP-100, M629, or Sig P220.

Just wear a t-shirt one size bigger than normal (makes it more comfortable in the heat anyway) and wear shorts that accept a belt.

[MilitantBob]

I see I forgot to mention my build. I am around 6'4" and a little below 300lbs, so I am a biggun'.

I handeled a few 4"ers over the last week and I think I am going to give either a 4" or 3" GP100 a shot. I figure if I find it uncomfortable or to hard to conceal then I will just start saving for a more suitable gun. I almost hope it is so I have an excuse to buy another gun so soon. :p