I have used a Ruger LCR as my “deep concealment/backup gun” for well over a decade now and I have experimented with carrying it in every way possible. I used to pocket carry it for quite some time. I used to ankle carry it to accommodate formal dress, and I still ankle carry it quite often as a second gun. I used it for quite some time in a variety of belly bands. Now, for the past few years, it spends most of its time on a Phlster Enigma, serving as my deep concealment and sweatpants gun. The only way in which I never wore it much was with actual belt carry.
I find that small frame revolvers, think LCRs and J Frames here, are ideal “alternate carry mode” guns, suited well for ankle, pocket, and deep concealment in belly bands or the Enigma. However, I have always found carrying them in a traditional sense, on an actual belt with a regular belt holster, be it AIWB, OWB, or strong-side IWB, less than ideal. The small profile of the gun, which makes it great for alternate carry modes, in my opinion, actually works against it as a belt carried gun.
Even a good AIWB revolver holster like the Phlster City Special, which I use and love on the Enigma, does not work for me when worn on a belt. I find that small frame snubs always tip out too much away from the body. Granted, this might have much to do with my less-than-ideal fighting weight as that gut pushes the little gun out and away from the body. This is called the “keel effect” and the way to mitigate it is with a longer holster so that more surface area sits below the belt than above. Wedges also help to offset this. As an example, my primary carry gun is a Glock 26, but it rides in a Glock 17 length holster, because the longer holster offsets the keel effect and the gun disappears in anything I am wearing.
Now, the keel effect of the snub can likely be offset as well if I were to use a holster designed for a 3-4” barreled gun and a wedge. However, it would beg the question, why am I carrying only a snub when I need to go through the hassle of strapping on a full-size holster? At some point that defeats the advantages of the snubby. Now, when on the Enigma, the gun rides lower and the whole Enigma apparatus kills the keel effect. I find the small revolver ideal for this application. Likewise, it remains my preferred ankle gun. But, for me, it does not work for traditional belt-carry. If I am going to put a gun on my belt in my “standard” carry mode then I am going to put my primary gun on.
But, that is just my experience, your mileage may vary. If a snub rides well for you on a belt in the AIWB position one of the benefits is comfort. The top of the slide, combined with the rear sight and/or optic, tends to be the part of an auto that is most irritating when it digs into your skin. In fact, I always wear either an under-compression shirt or a pair of Breach Gear boxers to provide a barrier between the gun and my stomach. With a hammerless revolver I find no such need, so comfort is a true selling point. Further, the lack of a tang, and the rounded shape of the revolver grip, aids in concealment. So, if a good AIWB holster combines well with your snub, I can’t find any problems with that, but for myself, it does not work.
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