large frame guns and 44Special

[jamaldog87]

can a large frame gun like a L or N size S&W be conceal? also how go is a 44Special for carry?

[John R.]

They can be concealed, but you have to work at it a little harder.

[gstewart44]

Also depends greatly on your size.   My wife is 5'2" and petite.   A Smith 629 or ruger RH would be impossible to conceal and carry.    My brother is 6'4" and 240lbs.  He loves carrying his Ruger Alaskan whenever out in the field. 

[mcwoodduck]

44 special is similar to 45ACP in power and recoil.  I think a little less as my 44 mag is heavier than the 1917 revolvers I have shot.
One day I had to take the bus in Norfolk and stuck my 6" M29 in my waistband filled with specials and a light jacket over it.
Spoke to two police officers, neither asked to see my CCW.  And when I got to my buddys house and pulled it out to leave it there while we went out to eat and drink everyone freaked that I had a huge revolver on me and no one saw it till I took it out.
At the time I was about 175 pounds.  And I'm 5'10"

[gstewart44]

Mcwoodduck - did you carry the SW29 just with belt friction ala 1911 mexican style?   the reason I ask is I have tried to carry my SW1917 in such a fashion and I could not keep it from slipping down.  My 1917 has a bobbed barrel, grip and hammer and weighs just over 30 oz.  I just cant' keep it secure without a soft holster. 

[mcwoodduck]

Yes,
Just loosened the belt a notch and stuck it between my jeans and my boxers.
The 6" barrel had a lot to do with keeping it in place

[williamlayton]

GB said he had the problem of it sliping down. I never have.
Of course I wear a belt and keep it snug.
Blessings

[jamaldog87]

ok,  i had wonder how you could carry such a gun and it's power.  thanks.

[mcwoodduck]

Whoa,
I said I did it once.  I did not say it was a good idea.
When ever I carry now I use a holster.  Unfortunatly they do not make many holsters for the big N frames any more.  I think I had a choice of about 6 holsters when I got my 4" M28.   
Using a holster will keep the gun safe and secure where you want it to be and will not allow for snags or hang ups if you need it.  using a holster you will not have to fumble for the gun if it slips.  In the holster it will not slip.  The holster will also protect the gun.  Keeping sweat, lint, and other debris from you from fouling up the mechinism.  I used to joke with a cop friend as to why he liked the Glock.  I told him with the striker action there is no way french fries from your burger combo can get stuck under the hammer.
I learned my lesson about not using a holster.  I was carring a Colt Det special in a front pocket of a pull over jacket and had an A.D.
Put a hole through my thigh.  Long story about the A. D. but that is for another post.
The N frame is a great gun and really is not that much bigger than either a K or L frame.
If you are thinking of a one gun for everything.  Home, Personal, target, and hunting.  You can not go wrong with a 4 to 6" N frame in 357, 41, 44, or 45 colt.  A reloader will help in making the big bore guns affordable to shoot for target.

[jamaldog87]

thanks again.

[Hook686]

44 special is similar to 45ACP in power and recoil.  I think a little less as my 44 mag is heavier than the 1917 revolvers I have shot.
One day I had to take the bus in Norfolk and stuck my 6" M29 in my waistband filled with specials and a light jacket over it.
Spoke to two police officers, neither asked to see my CCW.  And when I got to my buddys house and pulled it out to leave it there while we went out to eat and drink everyone freaked that I had a huge revolver on me and no one saw it till I took it out.
At the time I was about 175 pounds.  And I'm 5'10"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Heavy .44 Special    Printed Order Form
   

Item No. 14A 180 gr. JPH 1150 fps
543 ft. lbs.
(personal defense load) Per Box of 50
$70.44
Order Now!  Per Box of 20
$33.95
Order Now
Item No. 14B 255 gr. SWC (Keith-type)
gascheck 1000 fps
566 ft. lbs.
(for big game up to 500 lbs.) Per Box of 50
$70.44
Order Now!  Per Box of 20
$33.95
Order Now

1. 6" Ruger .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk

            a. Item #14A - 1203 fps
            b. Item #14B - 1044 fps

2. 3.25" S&W Model 396

            a. Item #14A - 1155 fps
             b. Item #14B -  984 fps

45 ACP +P       Printed Order Form
   

Item No. 45185/50 185 gr. JHP @ 1150 fps (543 ft. lbs.) Per Box of 50
$47.34
Order Now!  Per Box of 20
$24.94
Order Now
Item No. 45200/50 200 gr. JHP @ 1050 fps (490 ft. lbs.) Per Box of 50
$47.34
Order Now!  Per Box of 20
$24.94
Order Now
Item No. 45230/50 230 gr. JHP @ 950 fps (461 ft. lbs.) Per Box of 50
$47.34
Order Now!  Per Box of 20
$24.94
Order Now
Item No. 45230FMJ/50 230 gr. FMJFN @ 950 fps (461 ft. lbs.) Per Box of 50
$47.34
Order Now!  Per Box of 20
$24.94
Order Now

All 45 ACP +P ammunition is loaded with FLASH SUPPRESSED powders
that deliver HIGH VELOCITIES with LOW PRESSURES
 

The .44 Special is a fine round. I carry the 185 grain Buffalo Bore in my S&W 329PD (Light weight N frame) when I am out in rural areas in cool weather. As can be seen from the Buffalo Bore data, the .44 Special is about the same as .45 acp +P in 180 grain bullet weight. None of the +P .45acp bullets rise to the level of the 255 grain SWC with the .44 Special.

I think the light weight S&W 329PD shoots a little easier with the .44 Special ammunition than a .45acp and has a little more punch.

[mcwoodduck]

Good post.
Plus the 44 you can carry loose rounds if you want that go right in the gun.
with the 45ACP you have to have a moon clip or 45 auto rimmed. The only up side to the 45 is the full and half moon clips that allow for faster reloads. 

[Old Griz]

I normally carry a Glock 21, and it is not a small gun. Likewise, I sometimes carry a 4" S&W 57 N-frame. It depends on what I am wearing of course.

As for the .44 Special, it's an awesome round, second only to the .357 as a defensive round (my biased opinion, of course). The ammo is really expensive today, but it is a very accurate round and it makes nice big holes. I love my .45 ACP, but if I only had one gun (perish the thought) and it was a .44 Special, I'd still be a happy guy.