Snubby Secrets....what have you discovered?

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How fast can you guys do a reload?

De Bethencourts method seems rather non-efficient and problem prone.
 
Obviously not as fast as a auto loader. I carry a speed strip and have practiced loading two cartridges at a time which can be accomplished fairly quickly...well under 10 seconds from brass dump to sights on target. Including fishing the speed strip out of my pants front pocket.
 
Water-Man said:
I learned many years ago that five rounds are enough to get the job done.

In my experiences anyway.
Click to expand...

I adhere to the Cooper principle that its poor form to go home with a partially loaded or completely empty gun.

In a recent armed citizen event, the good guy shot his gun dry and had no reload. The moments that followed were agonizing, as he did not know if he hit the perp or if the perp would return, maybe bringing a friend or two back with him.
 
wrs840 said:
I own a 442 and a 637. I've owned the 442 longer. The 637's 5/8" longer bbl still allows for pocket carry in a Desantis Nemesis with no trouble, although I carry it IWB about 20% of the time also, which presents no noticeable difference either. The hammer does not impede my draw in either case, which is a thumb-placement function.

The real difference is I can keep the 637 on 8.5x11" paper at 20 yards (firing SA) and I can't do that with the 442. Yeah I know, they're supposed to be close-range tools anyway, but I like being more confident in my shot-placement at any distance, and the 637 does that for me. I can't even remember what prompted me to buy a 637 with a 2-1/2" barrel, but I have grown very fond of it, and the 442 just sits in the safe ever since. I think I carried it at a wedding exactly once since getting the 637. I do, however, opt for a full-frame 9mm IWB about half the time also, especially in street-wear. I'm at home on the farm right now and the 637 is in the pocket of my Carhharts, with two speed strips in my back pocket, each has five Rem +P 158gr SWCLHP R38S12, and one CCI shot-load... (... for Copperheads, I hate those things... a neighbor's three-year-old daughter almost lost a leg to one...)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input!

I have 2- and 3-inch J-frames. The 2 1/2-inch flavor seems to be missing from my inventory... :(

.
 
David E said:
How fast can you guys do a reload?

De Bethencourts method seems rather non-efficient and problem prone.
Click to expand...
What part of deBethencourt's method seems problem-prone and inefficient to you?
I feel that keeping the weapon in the strong hand eliminates most of the fumbling and switching of hands that complicates and slows down reloading.....

I practice his method, and can get back in the action rather quickly using speed strips.
I only put four rounds in during reload, and sometimes even two, depending on need for speed......with practice, one learns to index the cylinder enough to get the first round under the hammer when the trigger is pulled.
 
Water-Man said:
David E,

I'm not quite sure what point you're trying to make.

Would you care to elaborate?
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The point I'm making is that it's always prudent to carry a reload, no matter what the capacity of the gun is.

Folks have written before that they carry a 5-shot snub with no reload or backup.

Your sparse post stating you discovered 5 rds is enough could[/ i] be interpreted that carrying a reload is unnecessary, but maybe you do carry one and maybe you did reload after the event. Your post was unclear on that point.

I was speaking in general terms that carrying a reload is a good thing to do.
 
wheelyfun66 said:
What part of deBethencourt's method seems problem-prone and inefficient to you?
Click to expand...

Mainly the ejection motion/stroke. Seems like inefficient and extraneous motion to me. Plus, in the heat of the moment, it appears way too easy to miss the ejector rod.

Ayoob's StressFire reload addresses those points better, IMHO and you can still keep the gun in the strong hand if you wish.
 
I agree, it is more fumble prone compared to other techniques. I've managed a technique that allows for on average, 3-second reloads using HKS speed loaders. That's only 1.2 seconds slower than my average 1.8 second reload with my HK P30. Practice does breed proficiency and these J-frames require a lot of practice.
 
What have I learned?
1. If you learn how to use it and practice, Snubs are just as accurate as larger guns.
2. your definition of a snub may differ from mine since I own several 3 inch guns that I consider to be snubs
 
After 6 years as my departments chief firearms instructor and then 10 years of running my own firearms training business, I've learned that very, very few people can shoot a 2", 5-shot DA revolver well. I never met one but I keep reading about them on the internet.

I also learned that it is a weapon for the experienced expert, certainly not the weapon of choice for a beginner.

I've also become convinced that chambering the J-frame S&W in 357 Magnum was a sales stunt that is in practical terms a terrible idea and of little or no benefit except possibly for boasting and/or bragging.

As always, YMMV!
Dave
 
Hokkmike said:
David E, (or anyone) at what barrel length does a revolver exceed "snubby" classification?
Click to expand...

In my view, it quits being a snubby at 2.25" or so.

A 2.5" Model 19 is much easier to shoot than a Model 36 with a 1 7/8ths" barrel.

Dave T, please define your parameters for being able to shoot a snubby well. Would that be different for non-snubs?
 
snubby carry

No "secrets" to add, mostly just "yes" to much of what has already been said.

I carry two.

For extra ammo, I carry speed strips because they are easier to conceal. With two guns I feel I am unlikely to need the potentially quicker reload provided by a speed loader.

The pic is of my 386PD and 386NG. If circumstances don't allow them, I have 2 J-frames, a 37 and a 643-2, in the other pics. Speed strips for all.

385PD & NG small.jpg

37 small.jpg

S&W 642-2 Airweight small.jpg
 
About the only thing possibly of interest I have to add...a piece of cardboard makes for a decent anti-print panel for pocket carry. Won't last forever, but it's not difficult or expensive to replace, naturally. I have a Desantis pocket holster with included panel for a G26, it works fairly well. But my holster-of-choice for my LCR is the Tuff model with the pocket for a speed strip.

My preferred reloading method, courtesy Grant Cunningham: http://www.grantcunningham.com/revolver-reload.html

(A "secret" one can pick up quickly if they're a klutz like me, keep yer thumb out of the way of the ejector rod...!)
 
Once or twice a month, I go through our IDPA course with one of my snubs after the real timed match is over. The times are slower...but the practice is good and really helps with reload practice.
 
In my view, it quits being a snubby at 2.25" or so...
Click to expand...

Maybe so, bit I have a 36-1 3"bbl that I'd joyfully pocket-carry if it wasn't in such good shape.
 
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