Hi all,

I have been lurking for awhile and just anted up and made an account. I am 19 and live in Indiana

As of now I am shooting a SW9VE and just do not like it. The trigger pull almost scares me on it.

Anyway, I will be getting a CCW in the next month or so. For all those with experience, is it possible to carry a S&W 686 4" safely? Is it too big or bulky?

Thanks all!

Welcome to the board, Damillio - good bunch of folks here that are more than willing to help you with any questions.

Golden Rule applies as you probably know if you've lurked for any while.

I'll add my welcome to kdubs Damillio. Sure you can carry it safely, but it's really bulky and needs a pretty good sized holster. If your of light build an inside the pants holster will need a size larger waistband in your jeans. Bigger guns like that work better in one of the belt pouch concealed carriers advertised.

Your way better off with something smaller. I carry a Taurus Ultra-light snubby in a pocket holster in a front jeans pocket in a pocket holster that stays in the pocket when the gun is taken out with a speed loader with five more plus-P Speer gold dots in the other pocket. It just dissapears.

Bottom line that's a fine handgun, but just plain to big for a ccw gun.

Damillio,
Welcome to the forum. Glad you're here. A couple of ?'s please. Are you actively enlisted or honorably discharged from a branch of the military? I guess I just didn't realize that there were States out there with an 18 year age limit for CCW or CHL. Thought that the Federal statutes would prevail.
Just wondering.

That's why I love this Forum it makes me dig. OK I found that Indiana is an Open Carry state with no statutory age limit, what? I couldn't find much about concealed carry but it looks difficult to achieve with the local LEO making that decision.

Are you big in size? I like a Colt 1911 (45acp) because of the single action but I carry a Beretta 96FS (40 s&w) which is a SA/DA not a double action only like the Sigma.

Again welcome,
Greg

Yes- it is 18 here in Indiana.

The reason I am looking for such a "big" gun is that I don't really care for the looks of anything shorter than a 3" barrel.

I am not a big guy by any means. 6 foot 150lbs

Welcome to the Forum Damillio
I'm sure that you will like it,here,it's a friendly place.
That gun is pretty big to carry,butWhere there's a Will,There's a Way.
If you a physicaly big,it's a help.
Frank

I used to carry a S&W 681 4 inch in a pancake holster off duty. It isn't something you can hide under a tee shirt. I usually wore a vest or light jacket to conceal it. Glad to see you going for you CCW permit. If a young man is old enough to join the army and carry a gun, he is old enough to carry one at home. Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for all the replies!

It seems I am full of requests and questions though -

Would it be possible to have one of you post some pictures of size comparisons between maybe a S&W 686 and a PX4? I want to see just how much more bulk I will be dealing with. The PX4 is the semi-auto I am leaning towards if I forgo revolvers.

Cannot help you with pictures, but can lend a bit of assistance in Carry.
I recently bought a Smith & Wesson Model 325pd...it's Smith's titanium N frame, in 4 inch.
Thought it might be a hoot to carry, as loaded it is only 21 ounces. Bought a hi-ride pancake holster from Galco, and went about it.

you cannot conceal it under just a shirt.
it rides high, so the grip of the large N stuck in your rear-ribs/kidney in the car.
under a jacket, or coat, as in a Law enforcement capacity as a detective or such, it would be passable, but visible.
Heavy gun too, that 686.
If a wheel gun is waht you are after, there are other 357 shoices out there. One would be the scanium framed 357 from Smith....but at a big price.

good luck in your choices.
Why not an XD from springfield in 357sig or 45acp?

There is soooo much more involved than just your size or the size of your gun. Weather in your part of the country, lifestyle and usual mode of dress, places you frequent the most, your job, etc. all have something to do with your choices. Most of us end up with a safe full of guns and a sack full of holsters.
A SW 686 w/ 4" barrel is a great gun. If you wear vests and/or baggy shirts you can conceal it. Carrying any gun is something that you are always working at. In my early 20's I carried a 4' Colt Python because that is what I had. Don't buy any of the new 357 / 38+P "Scanaluminadium" guns if you also plan on shooting more than occassionally. They are just not that pleasant to shoot full power very often. Get yourself a gun that you will shoot comfortably and shoot the H$%#$ out of it. Practice, practice, practice. Good luck and have fun.:D

Other than on the internet have you looked at the small (J) frame 340 or 360 models. There not a bad looking as some of the other small wheel guns. There small light weight hammer or hammerless make them easy to carry and they are 357mag/38sp+p

welcome damillio,i`ve found lots of good advice and quality people on this forum. i`m sure you`ll find the same. for me 686 would be to bulky but is concealable. in our ccw class we had a talk on concealability and it changed my thoughts even though i had carried for years. i now carry a smith hammerless airweight in .38 special. loaded with speer tp jhp`s carried in pocket holster, very concealable and comfortable whatever you choose PRACTICE. remember also, the element of surprise, you don`t want people to know you`re carrying so pick something that you can conceal and access well. goodluck!