Snubby for big hands (help me)

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Big Tom

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Hello everyone,

I am new to this site and let me start by saying I am glad to be here. I could really use your help with finding a SD weapon. Now I am looking for a first SD weapon, I love revolvers, the looks, they are just beautiful!

I prefer double action revolvers. I never shot a handgun of any kind but know my calibers well and fully what any gun is capable of. Now, having said that I was wondering if a .38 is okay for me to start off with. I have been held up 3 times coming home from work. Its a 2 mile walk at 9-10 at night. I am tired of being walked on and scared for my life.

The only thing I carry are 2 fold out knives. One is almost like a switchblade, but not quit. Anyways it does little good when your getting chased by a guy way bigger than you (I am 6'3 300lbs and yes many are bigger than me) chasing me down with guns. I NEED ALL OF YOUR HELP! I need a concealable weapon that will be ok for my hands (fat Italian here)...lol. Already I have seen some guns like the S&W models 442, 637, 638, Ruger LCR, and Taurus Models 856, 85, 850 CIA, and 851 on the net....any suggestions for my big hands?
 
Can you go to a rent a gun range and try out some of these pieces? For the information you want nothing matches having it in hand, feeling the implications of the geometry and the quickness, or lack , of the balance.
 
If the new Charter Arms Undercover, Ruger LCR, and Taurus 85 have grips too small for you, I don't know what will fit. However, aftermarket grips can certainly be considered.
My hands aren't huge, but I have long, slim fingers, coupled with small wrists. This made it hard to get used to the grip on my older (1987) Undercover when I got it back then. The grip isn't much bigger than a chicken drumstick bone, but I am able to shoot this thing pretty well.
 
Large Hands, only one good Revolver -


Colt 'New Service'...

Snubby versions are kind of hard to find...but, easy enough to make or have made.


Try one, you'll never go back.
 
I can't help on the big hands question but can make some comments on snubbies.

Half a year ago, I had never fired a handgun (like you). Now my arsenal includes 2 revolvers and 3 autoloaders, not to mention an AK-47 (guns are addictive).

You say you want to be able to conceal carry the gun. A snubby is a great choice for conceal carry. Mine goes with me in a De Santis Nemesis pocket holster everywhere it's legal to carry. Sometimes I carry a compact autoloader IWB but not very often as often it doesn't fit with my mode of dress. Be aware that a revolver will typically have much more perceived recoil than an autoloader especially in a snubby. My snubby is an S&W M&P 340CT. I love the ergonomics of it and I shoot it accurately enough at short ranges. It weighs about 16 oz loaded IIRC. It's compact and light enough that I forget I have it on me. I love the Crimson Trace laser. I imagine a self defense shooting would most likely be in low light when I may not be able to see the sights. Also with the laser, I can shoot from any position. I carry it loaded with Gold Dot 357 Mag Short Barrel rounds. These are a bit painful to practice with even though they are not full power 357 mag but I tolerate that. I mostly practice with38 Spl but shoot a cylinder full of 357 Mag Short Barrel at each range visit.

You ask if 38 Spl is OK as a defensive round. This has been much debated on this forum but I think the consensus is "yes" especially in +P. You might want to think about a 357 mag snubby then you have the option of 357 mag or 38 Spl. I doubt full-house 357 mag is practical in a snubby (never tried it) but the Short Barrel Gold Dots represent a useful increase in power over 38 Spl +P without being unmanageable.

It would be good if you could handle various snubbies in the shops before making a decision to check out the ergonomics. Be aware when you are doing so that there is a trade off between big comfortable grips and concealability.
 
Well, I am 5 11, 145 lbs...and I never had any trouble carrying a New Service 'Snubby' in my Trouser Pocket or Shoulder Holster if wearing a heavy Shirt or Jacket.

I do not even have big Hands...but, myHands are j-u-s-t large enough for the New Service to be alright.

New Service is quite a bit larger of Revolver than say, an S&W 'N-Frame' is...it's a considerable step 'up'.

Calibers of choice would be .45 Colt, or, .45 ACP., with the latter offering the amenity of using full Moon Clips.
 
Big hands, I assume you're a large man. Check out the S&W Nightguard 386. 2.5" barrel, 7 shot, very light. Easily pocketable, I've pocket carried mine and I'm 5'9", 155#. They come with a large tritium dot front sight. The 686+ is the same gun in SS you could have in 2.5" and 3" barrel lengths. There is the S&W 60's that come in a few different barrel lengths, 1 7/8, 2 1/2 and 3" versions would work well for carry though a 3" 60 really does'nt look much like a snubby. All are great guns but the 386 seems to fit the bill best for you. Good luck, it's a hard but enjoyable decision. A simple solution would be to get a 5 shot and a seven shot so you could have a choice depending upon weather, clothing and surroundings.
 
The good thing about the small common revolvers is that you can find grips or have them made.
My pocket gun is a 2.5" Taurus 85 (good luck finding that again, or a holster for it) with a Hogue Monogrip. My hands are small but relatively long-fingered, and while I think this is the most comfortable a revolver could be, my large-handed friends also have no complaints.

That gun will hide in my pocket, and I'm 5' 8" and short of 130 pounds. You may be able to hide square-butt design that may fit your hands better, and if you're willing to move out of the pocket and into a belt or IWB holster, your options open up very widely with 3- and 4-inch guns with different frame sizes.

I'm also surprised that not many other people have mentioned Rugers aside from the LCR. Excellent guns all around, and while I've never held a Speed Six, I can attest that the SP101 is still pocketable but a step larger than J-frame. Enough so that I'm not a fan of the stock grips, but larger hands may be.

And aside from the grip, I'm also a fan of 2.5" guns, FWIW. 3" is out of 'snubby' and pocket range, but 2" and shorter barrels can lack velocity without stout +P loads, IMO. I'd still be fine with lead HP SWC in a 2", but 2.5" is a good compromise.
 
You mighy want to try the S&W model 19 with a 2 1/2" barrel, or...

a Ruger SP101 with larger grips put on it. If you want to carry a smaller 38 special , it will work as well , but change the grips to make it fit your hand.
 
I'd recommend you look at the S&W model 19 (which has already been mentioned) or the model 66 (its stainless steel equivalent). Both are K frame guns, which should fit your large hands.
 
a Ruger SP101 with larger grips put on it. If you want to carry a smaller 38 special , it will work as well , but change the grips to make it fit your hand.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm 6' tall weigh 225# and I wear X-Large gloves..........
I handle an SP101, .357 mag., just fine. It's my every day, all day carry.
It conceals easier with smaller grips.
Now, if I had Really big hands, I might change the grips.
 
don95sml said:
I'd recommend you look at the S&W model 19 (which has already been mentioned) or the model 66 (its stainless steel equivalent). Both are K frame guns, which should fit your large hands.
Click to expand...
+1 to that.

The S&W 19 or 66 are much larger than the "J" frames mentioned above.

4667093193_81821b4a7d.png

You can adjust the grips as needed for concealment or controllability.

These two Smiths are only going to be available used now. So if you want a new pistol, the Rugers mentioned above are good choices as well. A Ruger range report.

Before you go to much farther down this road, I would suggest you get some training on concealed carry, get the permits (what ever is needed at your locale) and reevaluate how you get home at night. Just my $.02
 
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A K frame or larger with the old "Coke bottle" style grips should do the trick. You can find the grips on GB and elsewhere for most classic frames.
 
Not necessarily so...

Using larger grips on smaller revolvers may be very beneficial depending on the size of ones hands or the carry mode. In his wonderful book, "The Snubby Revolver", Ed Lovette shows several examples of small-lightweight guns with larger grips so as to have better control and quick follow-up shots as well. Of course the carry mode can influence this as well. He also uses the S&W 642 with larger grips IWB, his preferred mode of carry. I also like this carry mode and use larger grips on a Colt snubby. That said , if one uses the pocket for carry , especially in the front pants pocket, I would see the larger grip as a disadvantage.
 
I am similar in size to you- 6'4'' 315 lbs. I've learned to live with small grips- however, there is plenty of help out there for big grips on small revolvers. I often carry a smith m36 (an older J frame) and pachmayr sells full sized presentation grips for the J frame. I own a set and they are EXTREMELY comfortable! as previously mentioned, don't overlook K-frame sized guns (J and K being frame sizes from smith and wesson, with J being smaller than K frames) with 2.5 inch barrels. I also occasionally carry a ruger security six, which is fairly comparable to a K frame in size. the bigger grip really helps acquire a quicker, more accurate sight picture.

As a final suggestion, please also consider a quality flashlight to carry on your person. A bright defensive light used in conjunction with a firearm can really make a difference in your ability to quickly discern targets and make more accurate shots in low light conditions.

Stay safe, and if you haven't already, also ask your local PD for extra patrols in the area of your route. Its obviously a hot spot for crime. I'd also say consider alternate routes, but I have a feeling you already exhausted those options and are on the most safe path you can possibly take.

I hope you find a firearm that fits you well, and I also hope you never need to use it :)
 
Big Tom,

Most of the Smith & Wesson J frame snubbies come with the small grip that most of us can only get two fingers on. But for about $35, you can get an S&W OEM full-size J frame grip, and it makes a big difference. I installed one my 340, and it's now easy to get a full three finger grip on the gun. The full-size grip really makes it easy to control during rapid fire practice. It's not only longer, but it's also a little larger (thicker?) front to back. Makes it feel like a different gun. With the original "shorty" grip, my gun used to slip in my hand during recoil, but not any more. I carry IWB, and the extra size of the grip wasn't even noticed while carrying. This grip will work just as well on the Smith & Wesson 442 and 642. Both excellent (and light weight) CC guns. Their prices are pretty reasonable too.

If you want to see how the grip looks on my gun, use this link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36581241@N07/4774975278/sizes/l/in/photostream/
 
You could purchase the smith and wesson airweight than add crimson laser grips which extend the grips and allows for your pinky. But consider this if you have already been held up 3 times and lived, sounds like you should live it alone. It looks like more than one person is always chasing you, you pull out a 5 or 6 shot revolver and you are untrained, your gonna get yourself killed. At this point the guys or gangs are just muggers, you may turn them into killers.
 
ms6852 Quote: But consider this if you have already been held up 3 times and lived, sounds like you should leave it alone. It looks like more than one person is always chasing you, you pull out a 5 or 6 shot revolver and you are untrained, your gonna get yourself killed. At this point the guys or gangs are just muggers, you may turn them into killers.

...............................................................



I hope I'm misunderstanding what you are saying to Big Tom. Are you actually saying that in the face of threat by attackers, Big Tom will be better off unarmed? He obviously lives in, and walks through a high crime area, and are you saying that he should not make the criminals mad by carrying a means of self-defense?

If that is what you are saying, I disagree. I think that in the hands of a rational thinking man who is aware of his surroundings, 5 rounds of .38 special will be an excellent tool for keeping him safer. That is why we carry.
 
I love my sp101.the difference between snubby and 3" barrel isn't much for concealment but huge on accuracy for me. Go long
 
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