Who carries a 6 inch revolver for CCW or even LE these days?

Doug.38PR · June 7, 2007, 08:27 PM

If so, how? Why? and Where?

mashaffer · June 8, 2007, 12:29 AM

I have a few times. Belly band, cross draw with about half of the gun below the belt line. Worked surprisingly well.

mike

jad0110 · June 8, 2007, 06:22 PM

I think the LAPD issued 6" S&W Model 14s for a brief time in the late 70s and early 80s.

My 14-4, from 1980 (it doesn't get carried

):

AR15FAN · June 8, 2007, 06:43 PM

Nice gun and very "hot" grips, where did you get them?

357 Python · June 8, 2007, 07:24 PM

From 1979 through the mid 1980's I carried a six inch Python and off duty. I first carried it in a Bianchi model 5BH highride then a Bianchi model 27 Breakfront. For off duty I used a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster. I have since retired the six incher. Now I carry various semi-autos and 2 1/2 to 4 inch revolvers.

jad0110 · June 8, 2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Nice gun and very "hot" grips, where did you get them?

Thank you AR!

For the answer to your question (and more pics), follow this link ... (cross fingers for THR to be up and running) ...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=281488

FM12 · June 8, 2007, 09:56 PM

I tried a 6" Python once, but stuck down on the seat and roade up too much. Went back to my Hi Power. Sold 'em both since then. A Big dummie am I.

RevolverLover · June 8, 2007, 10:20 PM

In regards to LE, revolvers are mostly issued to correctional officers.

BillCA · June 9, 2007, 01:25 AM

Very few LEOs carry wheelguns anymore. You're more likely to see them in holsters of reserve or auxillary officers if you see them at all.

I've CCW'd my 6.5" Model 25-2 in a Safariland shoulder holster with some comfort before. Same for my 6" M57. Mostly to see if I could do it comfortably. A 6" barrel is easier to carry in a shoulder holster than a belt holster. OWB holsters require a long coat and most IWB holsters will require drawing almost up to your armpit to clear the holster.

Now that I have a more CCW friendly M25, it's more likely to be carried than the big one.

Ocraknife · June 9, 2007, 04:01 PM

I did a few times but it was pretty uncomforatable.

dogngun · June 10, 2007, 07:31 AM

PA State Police carried 6" stainless Ruger Security Six's in .357 Mag for a few years in the mid to late 1970's.

I carried several 6" revolvers, mostly in shoulder holsters.
Several Securitry Six's, a S&W Model 19, and a Ruger Super Blackhawk
7 1/2" .44 Magnum.

I now sometimes carry a 5" Smith Model 29-5 .44 Magnum in a belt holster.

You need a good holster and a good belt, but it's not too hard to do.

Mark

newerguy · June 10, 2007, 08:24 AM

Today, next to nobody. If I recall, the LAPD carried 6" revolvers in a clamshell holster, that broke open when you drew, so you didn't need to get the whole six inches out of the holster. Great idea for the draw, but your couldn't reholster one handed. That's the bigger problem, you can conceal a 6" (it may be uncomfortable) but you can't draw it as fast as a 4 or 2 inch. (except from a shoulder holster with an open front, but I'm not a shoulder holster believer.)

RangerHAAF · June 10, 2007, 08:50 AM

I carry a S&W model 29 that I had chopped down to 5 inches whenever I have to go walking in downtown Atlanta.

100W_Warlock · June 10, 2007, 10:51 AM

still carry either a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" or a Model 629 in 6".

Most carry the Ruger cause of cost.

The rangers I know are being told to "think" about going Glock or S&W M&P in 40sw. They have the option of using 10mm instead.

None of the guys I know are issued revolvers that big.

Jim Preston · June 10, 2007, 12:21 PM

As usual, jad shos up to make us all drool
Hi from CZ.22

Magnum.35744 · June 10, 2007, 02:40 PM

What kind of Park Rangers are we talking about here...and from where (Not asking about the whereabouts of your place) But were are they stationed...the only reason I ask because I was just curious if they carry them because of the bear population wherever there at...Hmm interesting our Park rangers carry Glocks and such

. Take care.

-Tre

Doug.38PR · June 11, 2007, 02:02 PM

I carried my 6 inch S&W Highway Patrolman this Saturday and Sunday in a nylon belt holster while I was out on my property looking around and staking out an area for the pond, house and gun range and even carried it CCW with a sport coat on when I left to go out there and stopped off for dinner.
Put one 125 gr magnum flat nose round through it when I was out there just for fun. Didn't do anymore because it was so loud and I didn't want to get the neighbors all alert with constant sounds of BOOM BOOM BOOM out there. Forgot how loud Magnum loads are. But man, with that one shot I sure like the heavy N frame and long barrel when firing off the more powerful magnum loads.
Unfortunately, later that night when I brought the gun in from my truck the hammer tip fell off....don't know what happened, it just broke right off after I unloaded the gun and dryfired it once or twice. Didn't drop it or anything.

I tried carrying that gun 3 years ago in a mall under my sport coat at crossdraw with the same kind of holster. That thing was so bulky, my imagination kept scaring me into thinking my coat was was going to breeze open (or buldge if I buttoned it) and reveal this cannon on my hip). I tried carrying it in a shoulder holster a few times...but I felt so ridiculous with all the gun on me sitting down in Applebees. Felt like I had a fire hydrant under my arm.

One thing that gives it a lot of bulk are the wooden checkered target grips that are on it (like your M-57 BillCA). Those were really bobbling the gun around on my belt Saturday and Sunday

100W_Warlock · June 13, 2007, 01:58 PM

Although they are all moving to Glock 22s.

Since they have to buy their guns, and MN gets a nice discount with Glock, folks are getting G22s.

Some of the older guys still carry their 6" model 629s, though. They were not issued by the gubmint, but, they were on an approved list years ago.

The MN DNR standard issue is the G22, FWIW, as of 2004 (?).

[Edit: they had 357s and 44s to handle animals as needed, but, went with G22s to handle meth labs... how times have changed]

plom · June 13, 2007, 04:30 PM

the French anti terror unit GIGN still issue 5 1/2" Manurhin in 357 mag as primary handgun, they're backed up by Glocks.
the Idea is that the 357 mag round is more accurate and potent to stop a BG. when the cylinder is empty, if they have to empty it, they switch other to their 9 mm.
Not only are revolvers more reliable than automatics in the right hands they are also very accurate, according to them a good shot can hit a 4cm wide disk at 100m. The compactness of the setup is another factor in using the revolver instead of an FR-F1.
look at this cool sniper revolver

http://www.specialoperations.com/For...GN/default.htm

Doug.38PR · June 14, 2007, 06:58 PM

I saw one of those (pronounced Man-ure...:barf: isn't it) in great condition a few weeks ago at a local gun range.

larvatus · June 14, 2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

(pronounced Man-ure...:barf: isn't it)

Thanks for a thoughtful eructation.

9mmhpfan · June 18, 2007, 09:41 PM

I have carried a 6 inch 357 Magnum before in a shoulder holster and had no problems. It works great for winter time carry and I just needed a slightly bigger jacket.

Mr. James · June 19, 2007, 08:06 AM

Frequently carried a 6-inch M66, concealed in cold weather, openly on warm days. Usually carry a 4-inch 1911 or an Airweight J-frame nowadays.

essexcounty · June 19, 2007, 12:11 PM

I don't have one at the present time, but a 6" K-Frame and a good shoulder holster is a match made in heaven.........Essex

Mark Milton · June 19, 2007, 12:21 PM

In the town I live in now, there are some LEOS who carry four inch .357s and snubby .357s and one guy who carries a bulldog .44 spl.....

Some of these guys are about HALF my age and are in their 20s....
They could pack tactical tupperware if they wished but won't.....

Years ago, when I lived in a bigger city members there on the local PD were unhappy with their 9s and some wanted permission to carry six inch .357s in the old swivel type holsters. We are talking late 80s, early 90s.....

My first CCW weapon was a six inch model 29 in a shoulder holster. This was when carrying concealed was a misdemeanor in Kentucky, punishable with a $100 fine....I carried the $100 bill in case I ever got arrested.
Despite hanging around with friends in LE, nobody ever realized I packed heat, let alone a cannon. Of course, I had a 55 inch chest and a 40 inch waist back then.....
When house bill 40 passed in Kentucky, the original ruling was supposed to be that whatever you qualified with, you had to carry. At that time, I was seriously thinking about using my Colt Anaconda 6 incher as it was my most unusual gun. Of course, by then ,I had a 55 inch waist and a 63 inch chest, LOL..and I could no longer hide a big cannon like I used to.

June 7, 2007, 08:27 PM	#1
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	Who carries a 6 inch revolver for CCW or even LE these days? If so, how? Why? and Where?

June 8, 2007, 06:43 PM	#4
AR15FAN Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2006 Posts: 179	Nice gun and very "hot" grips, where did you get them? __________________ Use your most powerful weapon first, your brain.....

June 8, 2007, 10:20 PM	#8
RevolverLover Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Posts: 1,682	In regards to LE, revolvers are mostly issued to correctional officers. __________________ All I ever seem to read on this Internet is a bunch of "I heard..." or "I read..." sort of stuff. "One test = 1,000 expert opinions." -Art Eatman

June 9, 2007, 01:25 AM	#9
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	Very few LEOs carry wheelguns anymore. You're more likely to see them in holsters of reserve or auxillary officers if you see them at all. I've CCW'd my 6.5" Model 25-2 in a Safariland shoulder holster with some comfort before. Same for my 6" M57. Mostly to see if I could do it comfortably. A 6" barrel is easier to carry in a shoulder holster than a belt holster. OWB holsters require a long coat and most IWB holsters will require drawing almost up to your armpit to clear the holster. Now that I have a more CCW friendly M25, it's more likely to be carried than the big one. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

June 10, 2007, 10:51 AM	#14
100W_Warlock Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 267	some park rangers... still carry either a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" or a Model 629 in 6". Most carry the Ruger cause of cost. The rangers I know are being told to "think" about going Glock or S&W M&P in 40sw. They have the option of using 10mm instead. None of the guys I know are issued revolvers that big.

June 8, 2007, 12:29 AM	#2
mashaffer Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Posts: 85	I have a few times. Belly band, cross draw with about half of the gun below the belt line. Worked surprisingly well. mike

June 8, 2007, 06:22 PM	#3
jad0110 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Posts: 761	I think the LAPD issued 6" S&W Model 14s for a brief time in the late 70s and early 80s. My 14-4, from 1980 (it doesn't get carried ):

June 8, 2007, 07:24 PM	#5
357 Python Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 941	From 1979 through the mid 1980's I carried a six inch Python and off duty. I first carried it in a Bianchi model 5BH highride then a Bianchi model 27 Breakfront. For off duty I used a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster. I have since retired the six incher. Now I carry various semi-autos and 2 1/2 to 4 inch revolvers.

June 8, 2007, 09:56 PM	#7
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	I tried a 6" Python once, but stuck down on the seat and roade up too much. Went back to my Hi Power. Sold 'em both since then. A Big dummie am I.

June 9, 2007, 04:01 PM	#10
Ocraknife Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2002 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,117	I did a few times but it was pretty uncomforatable.

June 10, 2007, 07:31 AM	#11
dogngun Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2002 Location: South east PA Posts: 570	PA State Police carried 6" stainless Ruger Security Six's in .357 Mag for a few years in the mid to late 1970's. I carried several 6" revolvers, mostly in shoulder holsters. Several Securitry Six's, a S&W Model 19, and a Ruger Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" .44 Magnum. I now sometimes carry a 5" Smith Model 29-5 .44 Magnum in a belt holster. You need a good holster and a good belt, but it's not too hard to do. Mark

June 10, 2007, 08:24 AM	#12
newerguy Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2005 Posts: 218	Today, next to nobody. If I recall, the LAPD carried 6" revolvers in a clamshell holster, that broke open when you drew, so you didn't need to get the whole six inches out of the holster. Great idea for the draw, but your couldn't reholster one handed. That's the bigger problem, you can conceal a 6" (it may be uncomfortable) but you can't draw it as fast as a 4 or 2 inch. (except from a shoulder holster with an open front, but I'm not a shoulder holster believer.)

June 10, 2007, 08:50 AM	#13
RangerHAAF Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2007 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 269	I carry a S&W model 29 that I had chopped down to 5 inches whenever I have to go walking in downtown Atlanta.

June 10, 2007, 12:21 PM	#15
Jim Preston Member Join Date: May 12, 2007 Posts: 33	As usual, jad shos up to make us all drool Hi from CZ.22 __________________ "The most pervasive and least condemned form of dishonesty is not doing the best you can."-Jeff Cooper

June 10, 2007, 02:40 PM	#16
Magnum.35744 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 269	100W_Warlock.... What kind of Park Rangers are we talking about here...and from where (Not asking about the whereabouts of your place) But were are they stationed...the only reason I ask because I was just curious if they carry them because of the bear population wherever there at...Hmm interesting our Park rangers carry Glocks and such . Take care. -Tre

June 11, 2007, 02:02 PM	#17
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	I carried my 6 inch S&W Highway Patrolman this Saturday and Sunday in a nylon belt holster while I was out on my property looking around and staking out an area for the pond, house and gun range and even carried it CCW with a sport coat on when I left to go out there and stopped off for dinner. Put one 125 gr magnum flat nose round through it when I was out there just for fun. Didn't do anymore because it was so loud and I didn't want to get the neighbors all alert with constant sounds of BOOM BOOM BOOM out there. Forgot how loud Magnum loads are. But man, with that one shot I sure like the heavy N frame and long barrel when firing off the more powerful magnum loads. Unfortunately, later that night when I brought the gun in from my truck the hammer tip fell off....don't know what happened, it just broke right off after I unloaded the gun and dryfired it once or twice. Didn't drop it or anything. I tried carrying that gun 3 years ago in a mall under my sport coat at crossdraw with the same kind of holster. That thing was so bulky, my imagination kept scaring me into thinking my coat was was going to breeze open (or buldge if I buttoned it) and reveal this cannon on my hip). I tried carrying it in a shoulder holster a few times...but I felt so ridiculous with all the gun on me sitting down in Applebees. Felt like I had a fire hydrant under my arm. One thing that gives it a lot of bulk are the wooden checkered target grips that are on it (like your M-57 BillCA). Those were really bobbling the gun around on my belt Saturday and Sunday

June 13, 2007, 01:58 PM	#18
100W_Warlock Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 267	State parks in WI and MN... Although they are all moving to Glock 22s. Since they have to buy their guns, and MN gets a nice discount with Glock, folks are getting G22s. Some of the older guys still carry their 6" model 629s, though. They were not issued by the gubmint, but, they were on an approved list years ago. The MN DNR standard issue is the G22, FWIW, as of 2004 (?). [Edit: they had 357s and 44s to handle animals as needed, but, went with G22s to handle meth labs... how times have changed]

June 13, 2007, 04:30 PM	#19
plom Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 582	the French anti terror unit GIGN still issue 5 1/2" Manurhin in 357 mag as primary handgun, they're backed up by Glocks. the Idea is that the 357 mag round is more accurate and potent to stop a BG. when the cylinder is empty, if they have to empty it, they switch other to their 9 mm. Not only are revolvers more reliable than automatics in the right hands they are also very accurate, according to them a good shot can hit a 4cm wide disk at 100m. The compactness of the setup is another factor in using the revolver instead of an FR-F1. look at this cool sniper revolver http://www.specialoperations.com/For...GN/default.htm __________________ DUX BELLORUM

June 14, 2007, 06:58 PM	#20
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	I saw one of those (pronounced Man-ure...:barf: isn't it) in great condition a few weeks ago at a local gun range.

June 18, 2007, 09:41 PM	#22
9mmhpfan Member Join Date: May 16, 2007 Posts: 86	I have carried a 6 inch 357 Magnum before in a shoulder holster and had no problems. It works great for winter time carry and I just needed a slightly bigger jacket.

June 19, 2007, 08:06 AM	#23
Mr. James Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2001 Location: The Old Dominion Posts: 1,521	Frequently carried a 6-inch M66, concealed in cold weather, openly on warm days. Usually carry a 4-inch 1911 or an Airweight J-frame nowadays. __________________ "...A humble and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Ps. li "When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law." —Frederic Bastiat

June 19, 2007, 12:11 PM	#24
essexcounty Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2005 Posts: 646	I don't have one at the present time, but a 6" K-Frame and a good shoulder holster is a match made in heaven.........Essex

June 19, 2007, 12:21 PM	#25
Mark Milton Junior member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 504	In the town I live in now, there are some LEOS who carry four inch .357s and snubby .357s and one guy who carries a bulldog .44 spl..... Some of these guys are about HALF my age and are in their 20s.... They could pack tactical tupperware if they wished but won't..... Years ago, when I lived in a bigger city members there on the local PD were unhappy with their 9s and some wanted permission to carry six inch .357s in the old swivel type holsters. We are talking late 80s, early 90s..... My first CCW weapon was a six inch model 29 in a shoulder holster. This was when carrying concealed was a misdemeanor in Kentucky, punishable with a $100 fine....I carried the $100 bill in case I ever got arrested. Despite hanging around with friends in LE, nobody ever realized I packed heat, let alone a cannon. Of course, I had a 55 inch chest and a 40 inch waist back then..... When house bill 40 passed in Kentucky, the original ruling was supposed to be that whatever you qualified with, you had to carry. At that time, I was seriously thinking about using my Colt Anaconda 6 incher as it was my most unusual gun. Of course, by then ,I had a 55 inch waist and a 63 inch chest, LOL..and I could no longer hide a big cannon like I used to.