ccw questions with s&w 642

[_CY_]

exactly! ... if you are going to belt carry, then a bigger gun makes more sense. always nice to have options..

yes there's drawbacks already mentioned. like drawing seated and running with tight jeans. all I can say is you've got a choice of which jeans to wear.

with semi-loose pants... no problems drawing when running or seated. as always the best CCW is the one on your person.

don't underestimate importance, ease of use. being able to drop your CCW into front pocket in 2 seconds and go.... could make all the difference between packing or coming up empty handed.

If a guy wants to use up his belt- mounted real estate I'd always suggest going with a the biggest gun he can carry and hide on the waist. I have a good belt hoster for a J frame... and it gets used when that little gun is all I can figure out clothes for.

 

[fatcpa]

I picked up a Don Hume IWB holster for my 442. It's still pretty stiff, but isn't too bad. The price was right.

 

[Josh-L]

Comp-Tac 2 o'clock will solve your problems.

 

[BuddyL]

http://jeffreycustomleather.com/index.html

Dennis has made several for me and does MOST EXCELLENT work. The one for my Colt Detectives was exemplary. Give him a call. He is in Yale Oklahoma.

 

[gillman7]

Comp-Tac 2 o'clock will solve your problems.

Make it 10 o'clock, he is a leftie......

Agree with above, appendix carry, Comp-Tac or Crossbreed.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Here's the skinny on J frames and IWB holsters.

The reason IWB works so well with say a 5 inch Colt 1911 as opposed to a 2 inch J frame revolver is the length of the barrels on both weapons. The 1911 hides so well because the longer barrel keeps the grip from tilting outward when your love handles push on the left side (or in your case, right side) of the grip. The longer barrel helps to stabilize the weapon, keeping it relatively flat against your side.

With the short snouted J frame, there's no long barrel to ride along your hip, therefore, the grip tips outward. If you wanna carry a J frame on the belt, an OWB holster is your best bet. It's short enough that the bottom of the holster won't show past the hemline of your cover shirt like a full size pistol could. I sometimes tote a pair of Jaybirds - one on the belt in a Galco "Concealable" and, as always, my Bodyguard in my pocket in a Milt Sparks "PCH" pocket holster.

And yes, I am a bit of a holster snob. I don't think I own anything cheaper than Galco or Milt Sparks. Maybe a Don Hume or DeSantis holster here or there.

 

[druryj]

The Mr. Softy by High Noon rides low and is a good IWB for an airweight J frame, IMO.

 

[Republicanhack]

I just stick with the trusty ol hack method, we are about the same size and it has served me for years. Search hack method and you'll find the thread

 

[Burk Cornelius]

I have a smith and Wesson model 642 with the crimson trace grip

Which Crimson Trace grips?

 

[_CY_]

two styles of CT for J frames... if you plan on shooting .357, only get the style that covers metal butt. direct metal to skin shooting .357 is bad.

Which Crimson Trace grips?