S&W Model 60 .357 How Should I carry it

rljohns · July 10th, 2009, 12:20 AM

I bought a new S&W Model 60 .357 2.5 inch barrel. I love the weapon. It has a hammer and is okay on weight. i wanted a revolver that would shoot .357 Mag without killing my hands. It shoots very well, but I can't decide how to carry it best. I bought the Galco deep cover IWB holster. It fits the model 60 well, but it feels like I have a walnut in between my belt and pants. Then the belt hook sticks out like a sore thumb.

Any ideas?

NC Bullseye · July 10th, 2009, 12:32 AM

Welcome to the concealed carry rite of passage. Asking how to carry is like asking what to have on a hamburger. Ya gotta have it your way. Some swear by leather OWB others kydex IWB, just remember concealed carry isn't really comfortable but it's comforting.

You have to get used to a different way of dressing. Maybe going up a pants size for IWB and DON'T forget a true gun belt (thebeltman.net). The belt will solve a plethora of problems encountered while carrying. You dress to conceal, if you try to conceal to the way you dress you'll drive yourself nuts.

About the best advice is don't go cheap. You don't want to bet your life on the sales ads.

I like the Comp Tac line of holsters (C-Tac & M-Tac) but that's just what works for me, for leather there are as many sources as there are opinions too.

Congrats and don't forget to practice.

rljohns · July 10th, 2009, 12:42 AM

I have the MTAC for my 1911 4.25 in GSR and it works like a charm. I also have the body for the P229 and it works great. MTAC doesn't make a body for the Model 60. I may get the OWB Galco for the model 60. Is it too big to pocket carry? How about smart carrying it?

lilop · July 10th, 2009, 12:49 AM

I carry a s&w 60-9 daily in a bare asset holster by high noon holsters...google them, research it, then just buy it...it won't cost you much to see, and the secret to the holster is in their version of the holster clip....it securely loops under the belt, won't come off, and won't print....you will be stunned at how simple and effective it is.

wjh2657 · July 10th, 2009, 11:51 AM

I carry a 640 or 60 (if 640 is being fired or cleaned) during cold weather. I carry it two ways: belt carry OWB (dress slacks) and pocket carry with suspenders. I tried the IWB and it rubbed me raw! I tried several holsters and I never did find one that was comfortable. Some people can wear IWB and some can't, probably body configuration.

Forget the "sage" advice around here that you carry for "comfort" not for "comfortable". If the rig isn't comfortable, you stop carrying all the time, human distaste of pain prevails.

There are many OWB Concealment holsters for the J-Frame that conceal well under a sweater or Sweat shirt. (Buy sweater or shirt 1 size larger than you actually wear.) If this strikes you as sloppy, just think of it as cultivating the "Tony Soprano" look!

In cold weather I try to wear Haggar corduroy pants in the Relaxed Fit as much as possible. The pockets are deep and the material is heavy enough to keep gun and pocket holster from sagging. I wear Perry Suspenders under the sweater and the whole rig looks very natural.

shooterX · July 10th, 2009, 11:53 AM

Send it to me, I'll carry it for you!

Sorry couldn't help myself. I use a Don Hume H715 SOOT IWB for my J frame and colt Detective Special, works very well for me.

Thumper · July 10th, 2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

S&W Model 60 .357 How Should I carry it

With pride man, with pride!

Sakeneko · July 10th, 2009, 07:01 PM

I'm another S&W Model 60 owner. (60-10, 3" barrel, Crimson Trace grips, to be exact.) I bought it in late March; it's my first gun. I also got my CCW permit, which arrived in mid-May, so I've been legal to carry concealed for about a month now.

I've tried the following types of holsters:

1) Cheap nylon shoulder holster. Verdict: Fine for open carry, sticks out like a sore thumb when carrying concealed with anything I'd normally wear and is hard to draw from quickly. Also disadvantage of cross-body draw and having the gun handle pointing forward *towards* the bad guy. I wear this only when hiking now.

2) Cheap Uncle Mike's IWB holster. Bought one intended for left-handed people, unfortunately. :( Might try the other one, but...

3) Simply Rugged "Silver Dollar Pancake" holster. I *love* this thing. It came built to spec for my specific gun model. The guy who makes these uses heavy cowhide, and pancake holsters blur the outline of the gun nicely, making it fairly easy to conceal. There are two sets of straps that screw on with heavy duty screws that hold it securely, one set for OWB and one for IWB. I've worn this both OWB and IWB, and also attached to a good, solid support bra. (Okay, that probably won't work for a guy.)

At this point, I'm going to give away the cheap Uncle Mike's to a southpaw friend, and likely will get rid of the shoulder holster eventually as well. The pancake holster works so well I'd just as soon use it even when hiking.

redrick · July 10th, 2009, 07:07 PM

I would try a VMII, my 642 rides very comfortable in it and it will hold the weight of yours just fine. The only bummer is the wait.

NC Buckeye · July 10th, 2009, 08:51 PM

I am waiting on a Milt Sparks PMK for my Det Spl. I can't wait for it and for what I have read you can't get anything better for a snubby.

July 10th, 2009, 12:20 AM	#1
rljohns Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 631	S&W Model 60 .357 How Should I carry it I bought a new S&W Model 60 .357 2.5 inch barrel. I love the weapon. It has a hammer and is okay on weight. i wanted a revolver that would shoot .357 Mag without killing my hands. It shoots very well, but I can't decide how to carry it best. I bought the Galco deep cover IWB holster. It fits the model 60 well, but it feels like I have a walnut in between my belt and pants. Then the belt hook sticks out like a sore thumb. Any ideas?

July 10th, 2009, 12:49 AM	#4
lilop New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: indiana Posts: 1	s&w 60 I carry a s&w 60-9 daily in a bare asset holster by high noon holsters...google them, research it, then just buy it...it won't cost you much to see, and the secret to the holster is in their version of the holster clip....it securely loops under the belt, won't come off, and won't print....you will be stunned at how simple and effective it is. __________________ [SIZE="2"]2x[/SIZE]

July 10th, 2009, 11:51 AM	#5
wjh2657 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lafayette, Tennessee Posts: 545	I carry a 640 or 60 (if 640 is being fired or cleaned) during cold weather. I carry it two ways: belt carry OWB (dress slacks) and pocket carry with suspenders. I tried the IWB and it rubbed me raw! I tried several holsters and I never did find one that was comfortable. Some people can wear IWB and some can't, probably body configuration. Forget the "sage" advice around here that you carry for "comfort" not for "comfortable". If the rig isn't comfortable, you stop carrying all the time, human distaste of pain prevails. There are many OWB Concealment holsters for the J-Frame that conceal well under a sweater or Sweat shirt. (Buy sweater or shirt 1 size larger than you actually wear.) If this strikes you as sloppy, just think of it as cultivating the "Tony Soprano" look! In cold weather I try to wear Haggar corduroy pants in the Relaxed Fit as much as possible. The pockets are deep and the material is heavy enough to keep gun and pocket holster from sagging. I wear Perry Suspenders under the sweater and the whole rig looks very natural. __________________ " A man has got to know his limitations!" Inspector Harry Callihan, SFPD

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July 10th, 2009, 12:32 AM	#2
NC Bullseye Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 163	Welcome to the concealed carry rite of passage. Asking how to carry is like asking what to have on a hamburger. Ya gotta have it your way. Some swear by leather OWB others kydex IWB, just remember concealed carry isn't really comfortable but it's comforting. You have to get used to a different way of dressing. Maybe going up a pants size for IWB and DON'T forget a true gun belt (thebeltman.net). The belt will solve a plethora of problems encountered while carrying. You dress to conceal, if you try to conceal to the way you dress you'll drive yourself nuts. About the best advice is don't go cheap. You don't want to bet your life on the sales ads. I like the Comp Tac line of holsters (C-Tac & M-Tac) but that's just what works for me, for leather there are as many sources as there are opinions too. Congrats and don't forget to practice.

July 10th, 2009, 12:42 AM	#3
rljohns Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 631	I have the MTAC for my 1911 4.25 in GSR and it works like a charm. I also have the body for the P229 and it works great. MTAC doesn't make a body for the Model 60. I may get the OWB Galco for the model 60. Is it too big to pocket carry? How about smart carrying it?

July 10th, 2009, 11:53 AM	#6
shooterX Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,587	Send it to me, I'll carry it for you! Sorry couldn't help myself. I use a Don Hume H715 SOOT IWB for my J frame and colt Detective Special, works very well for me.

July 10th, 2009, 07:01 PM	#8
Sakeneko Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 24	I'm another S&W Model 60 owner. (60-10, 3" barrel, Crimson Trace grips, to be exact.) I bought it in late March; it's my first gun. I also got my CCW permit, which arrived in mid-May, so I've been legal to carry concealed for about a month now. I've tried the following types of holsters: 1) Cheap nylon shoulder holster. Verdict: Fine for open carry, sticks out like a sore thumb when carrying concealed with anything I'd normally wear and is hard to draw from quickly. Also disadvantage of cross-body draw and having the gun handle pointing forward towards the bad guy. I wear this only when hiking now. 2) Cheap Uncle Mike's IWB holster. Bought one intended for left-handed people, unfortunately. :( Might try the other one, but... 3) Simply Rugged "Silver Dollar Pancake" holster. I love this thing. It came built to spec for my specific gun model. The guy who makes these uses heavy cowhide, and pancake holsters blur the outline of the gun nicely, making it fairly easy to conceal. There are two sets of straps that screw on with heavy duty screws that hold it securely, one set for OWB and one for IWB. I've worn this both OWB and IWB, and also attached to a good, solid support bra. (Okay, that probably won't work for a guy.) At this point, I'm going to give away the cheap Uncle Mike's to a southpaw friend, and likely will get rid of the shoulder holster eventually as well. The pancake holster works so well I'd just as soon use it even when hiking.

July 10th, 2009, 07:07 PM	#9
redrick Distinguished Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,575	I would try a VMII, my 642 rides very comfortable in it and it will hold the weight of yours just fine. The only bummer is the wait.

July 10th, 2009, 08:51 PM	#10
NC Buckeye Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 237	I am waiting on a Milt Sparks PMK for my Det Spl. I can't wait for it and for what I have read you can't get anything better for a snubby.