Revolver carry....any tips?

[heresyourdipstickjimmy]

Well I finally received my Dan Wesson .357 Magnum pistol pack and I'm quite pleased with it. I decided to carry it for a while to get used to where and how it sits in a Galco pancake holster.

Naturally, being a semi-auto shooter I'm not exactly comfortable carrying a revolver or speedloaders, so I've got to get my brain in training mode and get used to this thing if I'm going to use it for IDPA.

So my question is this: Do any of you have any quality tips for carrying a revolver and speedloaders (open or concealed does not matter) as far as placement on the body and angle of the holster?

Pistol is a 15-2 with a 2 or 4 inch barrel at any point in time. (depends on my mood and how I'm shooting that week) I've already noticed that this particular Galco rides verticle and has no cant at all, which makes me have to draw to the armpit to clear the muzzle with the Hogue woody that's on it. So I'm already thinking FBI canted holster is the way to go.

I do have a Safariland 333 carrier coming for my loaders, but placement will be an issue with that as well.

I know it's going to take time to get used to the change and that I'll be a stronger shooter for bridging that gap, but the comfort level just isn't there like I had hoped it would be.

 

[Don Barnett]

??

I carry a Smith and Wesson 686 with a 3" barrel; I don't carry any speedloaders.

As far as tips, I don't know. I just carry it in a Galco holster and it is fairly comfortable.

It is a bit heavy and the older I get and the worse my back gets the more attractive it is becoming to look for something lighter...like a Kimber Pro-Carry...but don't tell my wife.

 

[heresyourdipstickjimmy]

I carry a Smith and Wesson 686 with a 3" barrel; I don't carry any speedloaders.

As far as tips, I don't know. I just carry it in a Galco holster and it is fairly comfortable.

It is a bit heavy and the older I get and the worse my back gets the more attractive it is becoming to look for something lighter...like a Kimber Pro-Carry...but don't tell my wife.

I have a Galco pancake for a S&W K frame that fits my Dan Wesson and I'm ok with how it wears, but it's pretty worn-in and floppy, so it's time to replace it.

 

[TOF]

I use a Galco Summer Comfort for my 4" GP100 and also use one for my Auto's. They have an FBI cant. I find them comfortable for both revolver and Auto applications. Using the same style and brand holster places both type guns in like positions allowing transition from one to the other without much thought or difficulty.
When carrying the GP100 I also carry 1 speedloader and one 6 round speed strip in my weak side pocket. Works for me. YMMV

Using the revolver in our local USPSA matches rapidly taught me the auto is a lot easier to use when involved in high round count events. I reserve it for trips into the boonies when I might want a bit more penetration than my .45 achieves.

 

[skidmark]

I prefer the zero-cant holsters, but that's just what I prefer. YMMV.

A hint - you can take your pants to a tailor and have belt loops moved to wherever you want them to be. This can make wearing your holster infinitely more comfortable. Also, some shoe repair shops that still do real leather repairs may be willing to make adjustments to a stock holster to give you a better angle or rake, or adjust the size of the loops, or even move them.

As for where you put the holster - try starting out at about 2:00 and move by :30 increments to 5:30 to see what you like. The farther forward of 3:00 the more you might want a muzzle-forward cant; the farther back from 3"00 the more you might want an FBI cant. Wherever you put the holster, try it for a few days and a few hundred dry presentations just to see how it feels. If you don't like it, move it. Try again for a few days and dry presentations.

There are speed-loader holders that let the speed loader straddle your belt. That takes off half the diameter and I do not find the portion inside my belt to be uncomfortable. If you do not like speed loaders there are speed strips (Bianchi and Tuff-Stuff) and drop pouches. They are slower than speed loaders. You can also get your cylinder cut and use moon clips, which are probably the fastest reloads. Moon clips can often be stacked one on top of the other in a speed loader pouch - 4 reloads in the space of 2.

stay safe.

 

[Devilinbp]

I carry a GP-100 in an Uncle mike's at 9 o'clock (left handed) and a double speed loader pouch at about 2 o'clock. this setup works well for me. Practice drawing your revolver and loading it regularly to get comfortable and proficient. The off-hand through the cylinder space hold while grabbing a loader with my strong hand seems to work well.

Bottom line....everyone will carry however is most comfortable/works best for them. Try out different methods and find what suits YOU.

Note.....plan on getting a Galco DAO for it next.

 

[Maverick9110e]

I carry a S&W K frame in just a cheopo nylon holster with thumb break (6" barrell) it has a nice forward cant to it and doesn't give me any issues drawing at all, actualyl not as bad as i would have initially thought.

 

[Lethal Overdose]

I usually have a 4" S & W "K" frame holstered on my right hip whenever possible.

I began researching the affects of carrying that much weight one side a belt for long periods of time. I decided that I needed 2 speed loaders on my left side to even out the weight a little better. Muck more comfortable now. It might even be a little better for one's back.