What makes a Snubby a Snubby?

As for my own personal predilection, I believe a "real" snubby should have a barrel of 2" or less.

2.5” or less. Not sure when 3” became “in” as a “Snub Nosed Revolver”.

Pat Riot

Now I have nothing against Colts, S&Ws, Charter Arms, Taurus, and Ruger making revolvers with 2.5" or 3" barrels; it's a pretty handy length to have for many different activities. But to my way of thinking a snubnose revolver should be just that ; a short little barrel that makes it easier to carry concealed.

bannockburn said:

Pat Riot

Now I have nothing against Colts, S&Ws, Charter Atms, Taurus, and Ruger making revolvers with 2.5" or 3" barrels; it's a pretty handy length to have for many different activities. But to my way of thinking a snubnose revolver should be just that ; a short little barrel that makes it easier to carry concealed.

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I can see that, but I think the size of the revolver plays a part. A J frame? 2”. An N frame? 2.5”.

These are my “Snubbies”. Notice how the model 327 appears as compared to the Colt DS and the 442 and 36.

Styx said:

Simple question. To be considered a snubby, what is the longest length of the barrel?

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Less than twice the length of the cylinder, in my opinion, is a short barrel. The .38Spl has a case length of 1.55” but most cylinders are 1.8-2.0” so less than 4” is short barrel. A barrel the same length as or less than the cylinder - approximately 2” - is a snub barrel. That would make 3” a mid-length, neither short nor snubby. Again, my opinion not some hard and fast definition.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Less than twice the length of the cylinder, in my opinion, is a short barrel. The .38Spl has a case length of 1.55” but most cylinders are 1.8-2.0” so less than 4” is short barrel. A barrel the same length as or less than the cylinder is a snub barrel. Again, my opinion not some hard and fast definition.

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Your opinion is well defined.

Depends on caliber. A 2" .38Spl is a snubby, a 4" is not.

A 3" .44RemMag is snubby too!

A 2" .500S&W is very, very snubby, and a 4" is still snubby or nearly so.

Did someone say "Snubby" ?

I also think that it depends on the frame size. A 3 inch barrel looks kind of long on a J frame, but not so much on an N frame. In general I would call about any revolver with a 2.5” or shorter barrel, a snub nosed revolver

The 2" are definitely snubs. The 2.5" sure look like snubs. The 3" really don't, to me, though I haven't handled a 3" N-frame.



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M&P 5 screw square butt pre Model 10 .38 .
Model 12 Airweight K-frame .38
Taurus 450T full titanium .45 colt.
True snubs...

I voted for 2-1/2" or less. They're easy to hide anywhere; a 3" gets more difficult, especially in a shoulder rig, but hey, you could hide a buntline if you stick it down your pants leg.

The term "snub nosed" as it relates to the look of a specific facial feature is long gone from the national lexicon so it can be hard for many folks to understand the origin.

The term was originally applied to a somewhat flattened nose that was turned up at the end (the front site provides that last). These pistols could have just as easily been saddled with a pug-nose moniker as it referred to the same look.

To me, the 1 7/8" S&W Mod36 comes to mind when I now hear the term.

Since it is all about the LOOK of the barrel in relation to the rest of the handgun, some larger handguns can sport a barrel a bit longer than 2" and still maintain the same LOOK of the originals.

I have a 3" RB 629-1 (.44mag) that I bought NIB in 1989 that, to my eye, almost makes the cut ... almost ... if it were 2¾" or, certainly, 2½" it would be there.

BTW, shrouds usually help to produce "the LOOK".

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Less than twice the length of the cylinder, in my opinion, is a short barrel. The .38Spl has a case length of 1.55” but most cylinders are 1.8-2.0” so less than 4” is short barrel. A barrel the same length as or less than the cylinder - approximately 2” - is a snub barrel. That would make 3” a mid-length, neither short nor snubby. Again, my opinion not some hard and fast definition.

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I agree with what you said. I have both 2" and 3" revolvers. The 3" definitely doesn't conceal as well and there is a difference when shooting both. That extra 1 inch does make a difference for accuracy and recoil, even if only by a small amount.

Styx said:

Not sure why an extra 1" of barrel in the pants would make a revolver that much harder to conceal. What method of carry are you using?

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Being a skinny guy I like using IWB holsters. Plus the fact that most holsters that fit a 3" are actually made for 2" barrels which causes the 3" barrel to stick out below the holster. It really isn't any harder to conceal a 3" but it is more uncomfortable for me.

Styx said:

That 3" 85 is a nice looking peice IMHO. I wish Taurus would have kept those aesthetics.

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My Taurus 85 has a ported 3" barrel.

GBExpat said:

I have a 3" RB 629-1 (.44mag) that I bought NIB in 1989 that, to my eye, almost makes the cut ... almost ... if it were 2¾" or, certainly, 2½" it would be there.

BTW, shrouds usually help to produce "the LOOK".

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I agree that a 2.75 N-frame would probably make the cut, but make it an L-frame (mod 69) and it does not, to my eye. Now a 2.5 L-frame does look like a snub to me, but a rare 2.5 J-frame would not. I guess fractions matter.

Snubby is like a guy with a short wee wee. Snubby rhymes with stubby.

I used to think 3 inch guns qualified, but here in my later years I no longer feel that way.

True 3" guns are kind of in a class of their own with this, IMO.
Neither fish nor fowl.

None of my 3" guns truly do well in a pocket. Not one.


I would say 2.5", or maybe 2.75" at the absolute max.
I voted 2.5".

I despise the title 'snubby'. I vastly prefer to identify revolvers by barrel length (if applicable). For example a two inch model 10.
Some explanation: S&W makes (used to make?) a "Combat Masterpiece" (model 15). That revolver was offered in two inch barrel configuration. That revolver come standard with adjustable - target - sights. I always considered a two inch barreled revolver with adjustable sights as absurd. I still do, for that matter.
The classic Chief's Special revolver was available in three inch configuration. The extractor stroke was much more positive. As it had the smaller frame size (J frame) and five shot cylinder, I found it much easier to conceal than a two inch K frame. Yet both are considered 'snubbies'.
The three and one half inch ".357 Magnum" - model 27 - was considered a snubby at time of release (1935 as I recall). In my mind an N frame revolver is a hideout gun only when wearing a trench coat. Fully buttoned.
As of late, I often carry a three inch model 10. I find it both easy to carry and has a bit more sight radius and a more positive extraction stroke than shorter barrels. Is that a snubby? A hoot not I give.

When I was growing up “Snubbies” were called “Snub-nosed revolvers”. I do recall people in the 60’s and 70’s calling them “Snubbies” as well. Most used the term “snub-nosed”.

If someone uses either term I pretty much know what they mean - a short barreled revolver.

I also recall people misusing the term “Saturday Night Special” in regards to any snub-nosed (short barreled) revolver.

Like others have mentioned, cartridge and frame size with a proportionally short barrel are what I would consider a snub.

J-frames = equal to or less than 2" barrels
K-frames = equal to or less than 2.5" barrels
and so on.