High Capacity Carry Piece with Longer Barrel

[Tallball]

My shooting buddy is younger and chuckles at my antiquated ways.

I normally carry a five-shot snub 38 (LCR) in a pocket holster in my cargo shorts pocket.

Apparently I can't be properly armed unless I carry something "high capacity" "with a longer barrel", and people who are serious about it carry "in a belt holster".

To my lasting regret I have committed several examples of social faux pas in the past, and would hate to add being underarmed in public to that list.

Since I am older, I did some research to make sure that I understood his terminology correctly. I used Google and Urban Dictionary and the THR archives. After puzzling my elderly brain cells for many, many moons (I web surf even slower than I drive), I was pretty sure that I understood what he meant. I needed a new "carry piece" that was "high capacity" and had a "longer barrel" that I could carry "OWB" under a "cover garment". If I could find one, he wouldn't have to be (so) embarrassed to be seen with me at the shooting range.

My decision making had several parameters:

I am comfortable carrying 38 special handguns. I wanted a caliber at least as effective as 38 special.

There is no point carrying something tiny in a leather holster on my belt with a long shirt or light jacket hanging over it. It needed to be larger than a j-frame.

My carry handguns typically have a 2" barrel. That is apparently not long enough. I needed something with a barrel that was longer.

My carry handguns typically hold five rounds. That is not enough. I needed something that carried more than five rounds.

I also don't carry anything unless it is snagproof and DAO (or the equivalent) with fixed sights.

My friend carries a small plastic thing called a "Block". I am older and uncomfortable with modern technology such as fire and agriculture, so my handguns have to use simple technology that someone who is generationally challenged can understand.

There was an obvious answer, of course. But I didn't have the heart to do it. A 3" Model 10 would fit all of the requirements exactly, but I couldn't bear the thought of grinding the hammer spur off of a classic S&W like that.

So I found an older Taurus Model 82 with a 3" barrel and overpaid for it a bit. It was made in 1992 and is in excellent condition. It barely has a turn line. The finish and grips are almost perfect. It locks up tight and the rifling is very nice. The trigger is good for a Taurus. I'm going to take it to the range next Saturday with my friend and see how it shoots. If it shoots well (which I'm predicting, since it looks practically new), I will brutally grind off the hammer spur.

After that, it will be ready for use as a carry piece this fall and winter when I walk my dog in the woods. I also ordered some NoS black boot grips for it, just to see how they'll fit.

I have only rarely carried a handgun in an OWB belt holster. Any advice on holsters would be welcome.

$350 was too much, but I have a soft spot for Taurus revolvers from that era.

Taurus Model 82 38 special

• Tallball
• Oct 2, 2021

 

[Tallball]

Sorry, I intended to start this thread under "revolvers". If someone could move it for me, I would appreciate it.

Although I wrote (or attempted to write) the thread in a humorous way, I really did purchase the Taurus to carry on my belt as described and would appreciate advice on belts and holsters.

My "belt pistol" up until now has actually been my Glock 26. However, as I get farther into middle age, I prefer revolvers more and more.

A 3" K-frame is the largest thing I'm willing to carry, and I shoot them reasonably well. It seems like a good choice for fall/winter carry for just getting gas or taking the dog for a walk or something like that.

I'll just need to find a belt and holster that are comfortable to walk and drive with. That's where I could use a few pointers.

 

[trackskippy]

I have a couple of Galco Combat Masters for my K and L frame 2.5-3" Smiths. I like them pretty well. They are basically a 4-4:30 position holster. Comfortable, body hugging, and stable. They have a couple of versions, one covers more of the gun than the other, and that one is more secure. I have one of each and prefer the latter.

I also have a couple of IWB/AIWB holsters for them, ones an El Paso, the other I cant remember right this moment. I prefer the AIWB, and I find it to be more comfortable and more accessible than the others.

I just use my normal belt, a 1.75" Wilderness "Frequent Flyer" 5 stitch.

 

[commygun]

Actually $350 is very fair for a ‘90’s era, excellent condition, Taurus K-frame these day. I got a pristine ‘90’s 2.5” Model 65 for $275 pre-Covid/Biden and considered myself lucky. I’m a pocket-carry guy, but if I was to belt carry, well, that’s what I bought the 65 for.

 

[Tallball]

"I got a pristine ‘90’s 2.5” Model 65 for $275 pre-Covid/Biden and considered myself lucky. I’m a pocket-carry guy, but if I was to belt carry, well, that’s what I bought the 65 for."

Nice deal on the 65! I would have hurt my arm whipping my wallet out for that one.

There are no bears in the woods where I walk. Maybe coyotes or meth heads. 38 special is good enough for a "woods gun" for me... but a snub 2.5" 357 on the same frame would be even nicer.

 

[bannockburn]

Tallball

DeSantis makes a pretty good holster for a fairly decent price. They have their Speed Scabbard for a 3" K frame for under $80.

 

[Jonesy814]

Another vote for the Galco Combat Master. They hold the revolver nice and tight to the body

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Desantis make a great Holster, I have the Galco also. I prefer Cross draw. If your genuine about what you want, Find it and save for it…. It’s worth the money. I have a 18oz S&W revolver I’m very happy with. It’s a 44 spl, they make the same revolver in 38spl/7 shot. Snag free and reliable. I have a steel one and Got my Dad a 7 shot Scandium 357 he really enjoys. I have a 3” Smith 357 model 13, yet it tends to be a tad heavy at days end, even with a good belt.
Seek and you will find what your looking for- many options.

 

[bdickens]

Very nice find!

Shooting my Taurus M66 (old 6 round one) is a blast. Pun intended.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Edit- Longer barrel only “needed” for 357 in my opinion

 

[ThomasT]

If you are going to belt carry there is no reason at all to grind off the hammer spur. And I sure hope you don't. That gun came from one of the best periods of Taurus built guns. They are simply some of the best Taurus ever made. Don't wreck it by grinding on it. Plus some holsters use the hammer spur to lock the gun in the holster with the strap over it.

I think you made a great choice and the price sounds right for the times. The price will be forgotten after you shoot it the first time. Don't forget we need a range report. And pictures of your groups would be nice.

And just ignore your friend. You were very well armed with you 38SP LCR in your pocket. You don't need anything else.

 

[bangswitch]

My shooting buddy is younger and chuckles at my antiquated ways.

Apparently I can't be properly armed unless I carry something "high capacity" "with a longer barrel", and people who are serious about it carry "in a belt holster".


I am comfortable carrying 38 special handguns. I wanted a caliber at least as effective as 38 special.

There is no point carrying something tiny in a leather holster on my belt with a long shirt or light jacket hanging over it. It needed to be larger than a j-frame.

My carry handguns typically have a 2" barrel. That is apparently not long enough. I needed something with a barrel that was longer.

My carry handguns typically hold five rounds. That is not enough. I needed something that carried more than five rounds.

I also don't carry anything unless it is snagproof and DAO (or the equivalent) with fixed sights.

My friend carries a small plastic thing called a "Block". I am older and uncomfortable with modern technology such as fire and agriculture, so my handguns have to use simple technology that someone who is generationally challenged can understand.

I have only rarely carried a handgun in an OWB belt holster. Any advice on holsters would be welcome.

I'll just need to find a belt and holster that are comfortable to walk and drive with. That's where I could use a few pointers.

I'm not familiar with Taurus' offerings in medium frame snubbies, but something along the lines of a round butt M19 or M66 S&W with a 2-1/2 inch barrel would certainly fit the category you're looking for. One more round, and what's wrong with toting speed strips or a speedloader if you think you'll need more than 6? Get a simple, high-riding shortie belt holster to carry it in. The holster below is a Triple-K "Secret Agent"; holds the gun close and high, a tee-shirt will conceal it. Last two pics are mirror-image, BTW, I'm right handed.

 

[ThomasT]

Bangswitch I like your rig. The only 3" snub I own is a S&W model 36-6. Supposedly S&W only made 615 of those guns. They have adjustable sights and a full lug barrel with matt blue finish like on my model 28. Thanks for tell ing what holster that is. I'm on the hunt for one now.

 

[Brian Williams]

Most folks do not realize how close a 3 inch S&W is to a full sized 1911. And yes the S&Ws hammer is slightly bobbed by myself.

 

[Monac]

View attachment 1029323 View attachment 1029324Most folks do not realize how close a 3 inch S&W is to a full sized 1911.

Did you have the hammer spur shortened on that Smith & Wesson, Brian Williams? Because until I made out the word "Magnum" on the barrel, I thought it might be a Model 547, the 9mm K-frame. Those came with a short hammer spur from the factory.

And you make a very good point about the size. I like the 3-inch K-frames, and I have a 3-inch Model 547, but my Kahr E9 (like a P9, but an economy model) offers one more round, a faster reload, and significantly less size and weight.

 

[GEM]

Oh, yawn - a mild attempt at humor in the endless "I carry a revolver" - give me an attaboy set of threads. Since I'm older, but carried since I was younger, I don't believe in the gun as a fashion accoutrement but an instrument of deadly force with the most utility for a mode of carry, the larger revolvers aren't optimal. Can't beat the G19s or similar guns for the reality of an optimal gun with current technology.

I've carried an SW Model 19 - great gun. I like it but comparing carrying it vs. a Glock 19 or even a 1911 for an optimal gun in more than the one opponent scenario which hopefully goes well, there's no contest.

Let's do this again. Maybe the BP OC crowd will chime in. Let's see another square range group.

The RDS debate is being empirically tested. I know folks doing that with proper human factor analyses.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Oh, yawn - a mild attempt at humor in the endless "I carry a revolver" - give me an attaboy set of threads. Since I'm older, but carried since I was younger, I don't believe in the gun as a fashion accoutrement but an instrument of deadly force with the most utility for a mode of carry, the larger revolvers aren't optimal. Can't beat the G19s or similar guns for the reality of an optimal gun with current technology.

I've carried an SW Model 19 - great gun. I like it but comparing carrying it vs. a Glock 19 or even a 1911 for an optimal gun in more than the one opponent scenario which hopefully goes well, there's no contest.

Let's do this again. Maybe the BP OC crowd will chime in. Let's see another square range group.

The RDS debate is being empirically tested. I know folks doing that with proper human factor analyses.

Just missing the expression "recognized trainer".

 

[trackskippy]

As I said, carry what you want, nobody is telling you different. Just be honest with yourself as to why youre choosing what it is you choose.

Just from personal observation at most places Ive ever shot, I think most really arent, and that gun is more of a fashion statement, or cool thing to do, than a serious tool, revolver or auto.

 

[GEM]

If folks want to ignore people with expertise as compared to their own insights, not my problem.

As note in the last revolver attaboy thread, even the national revolver champs usually EDC a semi auto for belt carry. As I've already mentioned, pocket J frames are popular for those lazy days or dress circumstances.

 

[Kleanbore]

Just be honest with yourself as to why youre choosing what it is you choose.

I think most really arent,...

That may apply in some cases, but I doubt that it is common. One can be entirely honest, but misguided. I started out carrying a firearm that I have since concluded was far less than optimal. The reason? A lack of understanding on my part of a number of key things, including....

• a realistic appreciation of how quickly things can be expected to occur in a real self defense incident
• even the most basic understanding of handgun wounding mechanics, and how it could influence the number of hits that might be required to effect a timely physical stop
• The practiced skill to fire rapidly enough to prevail in a real live or death scenario
• Sufficient understanding of tactics

In succeeding years I have carried different handguns in different holsters. But that's not the important thing.

We need to stop thinking first about the gun. We need to stop accepting that we should carry what we think we like. Toolset should come last, after mindset and skillset. We are not trying to hit targets at the range in imagined scenarios.

I hope this proves helpful.

 

[.455_Hunter]

If folks want to ignore people with expertise as compared to their own insights, not my problem.

Yeah- the "people with expertise" who magically have more knowledge about your personal threat matrix than you do.

 

[Kleanbore]

Yeah- the "people with expertise" who magically have more knowledge about your personal threat matrix than you do

For civilians, I do not think that distinctions among descriptions of assumed "threat matrices" are real drivers.

 

[WheelGunMan]

Try Relentless Tactical They have great deals on quality leather holsters.

 

[.455_Hunter]

For civilians, I do not think that distinctions among descriptions of assumed "threat matrices" are real drivers.

Threat matrix differences are absolute drivers for defensive armament choices.

 

[GEM]

What threat matrix supports a lower capacity gun of the same size as a higher capacity gun that is easier to reload? I don't remember that in linear algebra.

Is it the the eigenvector of a good neighborhood matrix? We going down the nice neighborhood rabbit hole, yet again?