Medium Frame AIWB?

[SGT_Calle]

Is anyone carrying their revolver AIWB? I'm planning to buy a medium frame wheel gun in the near future and curious if anyone can shed some light holster-wise. Ideally I'd like to get a S&W 325 Night guard but I'm unnaturally drawn to the Performance center 327 as well. The Wiley Clapp GP100 is another one on the short list. So, medium frame 2-3 inchers. For reference, I'm 6' 3", 185 lbs and can conceal my G17 and HK45c comfortably.
Any experiences and suggestions welcome. Thanks gang.

[jlw]

Both of those are N frames and are much bigger the medium frame.

[SGT_Calle]

Lol, you know what I mean. I guess it's good I mentioned the actual models then. I knew they are N frames but thought that was considered medium.

[SGT_Calle]

I guess K frame would be more medium? I'm open to those as well but really need to get some more time checking out revolvers in my hands.

[jlw]

I guess K frame would be more medium? I'm open to those as well but really need to get some more time checking out revolvers in my hands.

J = small

K/L = medium

N = large

X = gargantuan

[Wendell]

J = small

K = medium

L = large

N = extra-large

X = gargantuan

[SGT_Calle]

Ha!
I really only have my 686 SSR as a point of reference as it's my only revolver to date.
Also, my original post should read 327 Night Guard (not that that makes any difference). I'm leaning toward the eight shot n-frames partly because I'd also like to pick up a longer 327/627 for range use and maybe some local competition if I can.

[JHC]

I've carried N frames IWB a good bit when that was all I had. It's pretty tough. AIWB N frames just a little but not nearly as much as IWB back in the early '80's. But that's a frame size that IMO works marginally better IWB than AIWB. That's just an awful lot of metal squat around up front.

[SGT_Calle]

Thanks JHC.
The more I've thought about this idea today the more I am convinced the GP100WC might better suit my needs... and bank account. The commonality with my 686 for speed loaders and whatnot plus I can use the SSR for any competitive shooting I decide to check out. That would leave a lot of budgetary wiggle room for any custom work or fine tuning or just some crimson trace grips and as much ammo as I can find, lol.
I've had a very boring work day, but it's been nice bouncing all of this around in my head.

[JHC]

Thanks JHC.
The more I've thought about this idea today the more I am convinced the GP100WC might better suit my needs... and bank account. The commonality with my 686 for speed loaders and whatnot plus I can use the SSR for any competitive shooting I decide to check out. That would leave a lot of budgetary wiggle room for any custom work or fine tuning or just some crimson trace grips and as much ammo as I can find, lol.
I've had a very boring work day, but it's been nice bouncing all of this around in my head.

In the late '80's I had one of those cool 3" Model 29s with the round butt for awhile and had visions of packing it around concealed. Didn't pan out. But I'm kinda scrawny. ;)

[JHC]

As of late I've been refreshing my shooting of a 4" 629 which I've left undisturbed in the safe for years. Keep a portable sized N frame on your list for sure though. They are wicked cool for some applications.

[VolGrad]

I occasionally carry my 637 AIWB in a CCC Versaclip. It's great. Very comfy, stable, and easily concealed even under a t-shirt.

Corrected model #. I always call it the wrong thing.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764937_-1_757768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y


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[jlw]

I occasionally carry my 627 AIWB in a CCC Versaclip. It's great. Very comfy, stable, and easily concealed even under a t-shirt.


Are you sure about that model number?

[1986s4]

I often carry a 3" K frame. Works quite well actually.

[SGT_Calle]

I often carry a 3" K frame. Works quite well actually.

What holster do you use?

[FotoTomas]

Back 35 years ago I often packed a S&W "J" or a Colt "D" in a Bianchi soft leather clip holster in the appendix position. I was a lot slimmer and trimmer and the two or three inch barrel never gave me any trouble. Now days my fat and girth prohibit any AIWB carry of anything. Getting old, fat and lazy is not recommended as a lifestyle choice. :)

[JHC]

What holster do you use?

When you get the chance to grope some of these revolvers, be sure to side by side some medium frames (S&W K frames like a model 10 etc) with any N frame (their .44's and .41s etc) and contrast the difference for fitting it all AIWB. K frames, and I assume the slightly bigger L frames and GP are very manageable. N frames will take some dedication. ;)

[Dagga Boy]

The first gun I really AIWB carried daily was a S&W 3" Model 13. It worked really well. J frame sized guns are flat easy to carry this way. I never had good luck with carrying the N frames in this manner. I also have a custom G. Gordon Davis AIWB holster for a Sheriff's Vaquero that I carried quite a bit. Overall, finding a good 3" medium frame would be the best bet.

[Chuck Haggard]

Back 35 years ago I often packed a S&W "J" or a Colt "D" in a Bianchi soft leather clip holster in the appendix position. I was a lot slimmer and trimmer and the two or three inch barrel never gave me any trouble. Now days my fat and girth prohibit any AIWB carry of anything. Getting old, fat and lazy is not recommended as a lifestyle choice. :)

^This^ is how I have always done AIWB, and it works great for that sized gun.

I have carried my 4" Security Six, or S&W 66 or 681 IWB, but those are too big for AIWB, and I am not a small guy.

[jlw]

I'm a proud member of the 3" K frame club (although the 65 needs proper shoes):

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/chiefweems3102/wheelguns%20and%20leather/1365b_zpsfd676718.jpg


However, I can't speak to AIWB:

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/chiefweems3102/wheelguns%20and%20leather/13lobo.jpg


Sometimes, the Ks invite their big buddy, Jovino, out to play:

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/chiefweems3102/wheelguns%20and%20leather/jovinob_zps8c48200e.jpg

[Vinh]

Now days my fat and girth prohibit any AIWB carry of anything. Getting old, fat and lazy is not recommended as a lifestyle choice. :)
I've actually found the opposite, my gut totally envelopes the gun like an act of phagocytosis, concealing it fairly well. Drawing the gun certainly gets more laborious as the years go by though... :D

[SGT_Calle]

As my revolver research continues I find more and more 3 inch K-frames I really like the looks of but for the money I think the GP100 WC is looking really good.

[1986s4]

What holster do you use?

I like the position, I like the pistol in question and I've carried that way. Just don't have a good holster yet. When I find one I'll let people know.

I've seen and handled a 3" GP-100 in my LGS. A good pistol but a little large for my taste. It would handle the .357 quite well.

[Alpha Sierra]

Sometimes, the Ks invite their big buddy, Jovino, out to play:

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/chiefweems3102/wheelguns%20and%20leather/jovinob_zps8c48200e.jpg
Oh, be still my fluttering heart.......:cool:

[Rex G]

I have carried N- and K-frames, and GP100 revolvers AIWB in the past, using an Eagle Industries 1980s-era nylon rig. This rig will collapse upon the revolver being drawn, which is no longer considered desirable. I have a similar rig that fits j-frames and SP101 snubbies, which I have used more recently, from time to time, usually for a second, not "primary" handgun.

[Al T.]

Calle, next time your down here, holler and we can hit the range. I've got a nice 3 inch M65 your welcome to shoot. :)

[LSP972]

Back years ago I often packed a S&W "J" ... in a Bianchi soft leather clip holster in the appendix position. I was a lot slimmer and trimmer and the two... inch barrel never gave me any trouble. Now days my fat and girth prohibit any AIWB carry of anything. Getting old, fat and lazy is not recommended as a lifestyle choice. :)

Yup. That was my basic shorts/T-shirt weather off duty "rig". I still have that holster, and look at it longingly at times…


As for getting old, fat, and lazy… the fat part certainly has its inconveniences. But I'm getting into the old/lazy parts.:D

.

[SGT_Calle]

Calle, next time your down here, holler and we can hit the range. I've got a nice 3 inch M65 your welcome to shoot. :)

Thanks Al! I was just there this weekend but it was a crazy busy drill weekend. We absolutely need to find a way to go shoot on a Saturday afternoon soon.

[Al T.]

Finally, warmth and DST have arrived!

[SGT_Calle]

So, rather than continuing the search I have decided to save my extra nickels for a nice full sized N frame (327 or 627) for range fun. I picked up a new Gen 4 G19 Friday and am really pleased so far using it with my G17 Keepers holster. I've got so much invested in Glock gear already it really made the most sense.

[JHC]

So, rather than continuing the search I have decided to save my extra nickels for a nice full sized N frame (327 or 627) for range fun. I picked up a new Gen 4 G19 Friday and am really pleased so far using it with my G17 Keepers holster. I've got so much invested in Glock gear already it really made the most sense.

Agree, sounds pretty sensible. What barrel length N frame? Are you after more than 6 shot models now? I only ask because the older guns, like a 4" Model 28 is still "reasonable" vs new N frames and they have a charm only the older guns have. But it's all good.

[SGT_Calle]

I really want one of the 627 v-comp performance center guns. It's going to be my tax return gun-splurge purchase this year. I'd also like to find a 4 or 6 inch 617 to start teaching my boys (9 & 11) to shoot revolvers with. I already have a few 22 rifles and a Pac-Lite 22/45 Ruger.