A cheaper to shoot snub for fun at the range (not for carry)

[chaim]

I'm considering a 2" snub for my next purchase. I have several small framed snubs: a Taurus 85CH I've had for 15+ years (I'm probably giving this to a buddy), a Taurus 856UL, a S&W 442, a S&W 317 (3" .22lr), a new model Colt King Cobra, and a Taurus 856 Defender. I used to own a few others (two Rossi 461s, a 2" and 3", and my first was a Taurus 605 I had for about a year 20 years ago). I also have a couple medium framed snubs: a 2.5" Taurus 431 (.44spl), a 2.75" S&W 66 (current production), and a 3" S&W 65LS. I do know how to shoot snubs well enough. However, .38spl has become pretty expensive over the years, and .44spl and .357mag have always been comparatively expensive (compared to most other calibers). I do have the .22lr, but it is a 3", and it is pretty ammo sensitive (the wrong ammo, and the chambers will get gunked up and it will be hard to get rounds into some of the chambers in the cylinder).

So, for more fun and 2" snub practice, I want a cheaper round. Sure, .22lr is the logical choice, but I want something a bit more fun (recoil, or at least a bit more "drama").

9mm is an obvious choice. I have many 9mm autos, and it is the one caliber I buy in bulk (I usually buy defensive ammo by the half case/500rds to I can practice fairly regularly with it, and I buy FMJs by the full 1000rnd case). Practice ammo is about half the price of .38spl. However, I doubt I'd ever carry it (I'd go with my P365 if I wanted to carry 9mm, and double or more than double the round count). Also, the recoil would be closer to .357mag (or at least a stout +P) rather than the weaker .38spl practice ammo. The Taurus 905 has always had my eye.

I'm thinking strongly about .22mag. It won't have a lot more recoil than .22lr (I'm not even sure if the difference will be noticeable), however, it does have a lot more noise and "drama". It isn't as cheap as .22lr, but is similar to 9mm and much cheaper than .38spl. On the rare occasions I might decide to carry it as a backup, the S&W 351 is even lighter than my S&W 442, and it holds 7 rounds which is nice. Though, those are just theoretical advantages, since I doubt I'd ever actually carry it.

Even though it isn't really what I want, I am considering a .22lr. It is the cheapest option, and with virtually no recoil I could shoot it all day. However, (for me) it wouldn't be as fun as .22mag or 9mm (I like the noise and to a degree, I like some recoil). While I doubt I'd ever carry a .22mag, I know I would never carry the .22lr. So, the light weight and 8 rounds of the S&W 43 doesn't really matter. I do wonder, since it has similar construction (most of the gun is alloy, including parts that are steel in aluminum .38s), will it have similar issues with fouling and not chambering rounds in the cylinder as the 317? That is an annoyance, and also means I have to stick with more expensive .22lr (though there will still be significant savings over the other chamberings). The Taurus 942 is almost impossible to find. An all steel .22lr definitely doesn't appeal to me, though I suppose I could consider one.


TL/DR:
I don't really want a .22lr but I'll consider it. I most want a 9mm or .22mag. Which would you suggest?



Disclaimer: Yes, I've been around a while. I have not yet owned a .22lr, .22mag or 9mm 2" snub, and I haven't owned a .22mag or 9mm small framed snub at all. I have been considering this for a few months, and I simply can't decide, so I want to see other peoples' thoughts.

 

[Armored farmer]

I think a 9mm revolver would be a good choice.
A ruger Single six with 22lr/22mag cylinders is my suggestion for fun gun.
Hands down.

 

[243winxb]

Ammo cost 22 mag & 9mm , about the same @ AmmoSeek.

Taurus 905 9mm has moon clips. I hate the clips. $350.

Charter Arms 79920 ss 9mm has no moon clips. But does the extraction system work? $448.

S&W 986. $1170 in 9mm.

I dont consider 2" barrel revolvers "target guns". But can be accurate. My two J frame 38 specials are.

 

[P Flados]

All of the statements in the OP make sense.

The discussion seems to focus on getting a better "bang for the buck". I know there is a reluctance by many, but I will make the obvious counter suggestion.

Just choosing to start reloading 38s would drastically change the situation for the better. For reloading, it does not get any easier than 38s. Even with the "shortages" you can find what you need right now. Given that you seem willing to buy ammo in bulk, one 8 lb jug of powder can feed a 38 for years. That plus a bulk order of say 125 gr powder coated bullets and several thousand primers sets you up for more ammo than your 1000 round 9mm blammo purchases. For any 38/357 snubby, reloading lets you customizes power level to be "just right" for range blasting.

If you were to start reloading, it would also open up your options for "new & fun" cheap snubby shooting to include 32 H&R.

 

[stonebuster]

All of the statements in the OP make sense.

The discussion seems to focus on getting a better "bang for the buck". I know there is a reluctance by many, but I will make the obvious counter suggestion.

Just choosing to start reloading 38s would drastically change the situation for the better. For reloading, it does not get any easier than 38s. Even with the "shortages" you can find what you need right now. Given that you seem willing to buy ammo in bulk, one 8 lb jug of powder can feed a 38 for years. That plus a bulk order of say 125 gr powder coated bullets and several thousand primers sets you up for more ammo than your 1000 round 9mm blammo purchases. For any 38/357 snubby, reloading lets you customizes power level to be "just right" for range blasting.

If you were to start reloading, it would also open up your options for "new & fun" cheap snubby shooting to include 32 H&R.

I was going to suggest reloading myself. I started in 2020 and haven't bought factory ammo since, all 38spl & 357. I saved my brass for 5 yrs prior in case I ever did start reloading. I'm retired and reload in the winter when I've got plenty of time. If the OP has the time, he should consider reloading.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Frankly, with multiple variables including economy, recoil, short barrel, and fun, I'd recommend going to a range where they do handgun rentals. Recoil, drama and fun are subjective qualities, and my idea of economy could differ from yours.

Consider a S&W Airweight or Ruger LCR using hypervelocity .22 LR or .22 WMR. Lots of muzzle flash, and so lightweight that you might even like the recoil. BTW, while a box of .22 WMR is cheaper than most centerfire ammo, it's nowhere as cheap and plentiful as it's smaller cousin, even at today's prices. I'm old enough to remember the days of sub-$10 bricks of 500 rounds of .22 LR.

I'm also in the reloading camp. Both .38 Special and .32 H&R/.327 Fed are inexpensive to reload in quantity, though it comes down to spending your free time instead of cash. Think about it anyway.

 

[tubeshooter]

Ask S&W if they will install a steel cylinder for your model 317. This is what I did. Makes it a nicer shooter without the weight of an all-steel model 63. Also no binding/dirty cylinder issues for me since then.


It should be cheaper than buying another gun, provided they agree to do it. And whatever 2" .22LR snub you can get won't be all that much different/better than the 317 you already have. Want more recoil and blast? Get some Stingers/Punch/hyper-vel du jour. Generally still cheaper than 9/22Mag. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Oninotaki]

I would also add that the Charter Arms Pitbull in .380 is a fun 3" barrel (you might be able to find it in 2.5" as well) six shooter that doesn't need moon clips for about $375.

Ammo is not as cheap as 9mm but much more fun to shoot out of such a small frame. .380 has more kick than .22 wmr, but significantly less than .38 spc and 9mm.

 

[adcoch1]

Of the choice between 9mm and 22mag, cost really isn't different enough to matter for me. What does matter to me is how much noise is happening that close to my ears. Now I like a big boomer as much as anyone, but in a 2" barrel, a 22 mag is basically a much more obnoxious 22lr. Yes, it's a little faster, but for targets, who cares? It's not significant over a 22lr and costs over twice as much. 9mm is still pretty flashy out of 2" barrels, but at least it's trajectory is similar to other 9mm handguns. Plus 9mm makes a bigger hole, so for target shooting factory ammo, it would be 9mm for me. And my first CCW was a 22 mag NAA black widow. Great gun, but I should of bought a 9mm first.

 

[.38 Special]

As a handloader I would choose one of the .32s. A Detective Special in .32 would make me a very happy boy.

Out of the OP's choices, I would stick with the .22 Magnum. Factory 9mm rounds would simply recoil too much in a snub for me to find them enjoyable.

 

[Oninotaki]

I would like to add that Taurus makes a tiny 2" snubbie in 380 as well that might be right up your alley. However it does use a variant of moon clips.

Taurus 380

www.taurususa.com

 

[ThomasT]

Like a couple of other posters I would start reloading for a 32 Long and find a used gun on gunbroker. I have four 32 long revolvers and they are so much fun to shoot. I cast my bullets too so for me shooting them is very inexpensive.

I also cast a 124gr 9mm bullet I like to load in 38 cases and shoot from my snubby revolvers. There is recoil but not a lot. Its a good round for new shooters so they aren't spooked by recoil. There are several ways to have a cheap shooting snub with a little bump to it without having to buy a new gun since you already have 38 snubs.

If you don't reload and don't want to buy a big set up to start with a simple Lee Loader will let you load ammo with just a few simple tools and let you get a taste to see if reloading is for you. Hopefully you have been saving all your 38 Special brass. Its the most expensive part of reloaded ammo. At least it used to be.

 

[chaim]

There have been a lot of reloading suggestions. I am set up for .38/.357 and .45LC, and I may buy dies, brass and bullets for .44spl. I do reload occasionally. However, there are those for whom reloading is a fun part of the hobby. For me, it has always just been a chore. I don't enjoy it at all. I do it occasionally to keep costs down, but not enough to feed my range trips. Maybe if I ever buy a big enough house to dedicate a room to it and get a multi-press it will be less of a chore and I'll be happy to do it enough to keep up with the ammo I expend. However, having a single press, and having to set up the room each time (since it is used for other things), it is just a chore and I'd rather spend the money on ammo than the time on reloading. Hence, managing the cost by wanting to add cheaper to shoot guns.

There were a few .32 revolver suggestions. I have had my eye on .32 H&R since around 2000, and I might consider a .327mag, however, I don't really want to add a gun for a fun gun that needs reloading. Heck, if I ever change my mind about liking reloading (I doubt I will, I've been doing it for 20 years), I would just load a crap ton of .38 and shoot what I have already all I want. When I get one, it will be because it is an interesting caliber that meets its niche CCW role very well as well.

The .380 idea is interesting. Not as cheap as 9mm, but lower recoil so I could spend a lot more time on the range. It isn't inexpensive like 9mm or .22mag (let alone .22lr), but it is a bit cheaper than .38spl.

I think a 9mm revolver would be a good choice.
A ruger Single six with 22lr/22mag cylinders is my suggestion for fun gun.
Hands down.

I have definitely considered a Wrangler (cheap fun) or a Single Six (just a nice gun) with dual cylinders. That wouldn't be instead of what I'm currently looking for, cheaper practice with a 2" small framed snub.

Ruger LCR using hypervelocity .22 LR or .22 WMR.

The LCR is a possibility, especially if I go 9mm and if I eventually go .327mag it will almost certainly be an LCR.

I'm old enough to remember the days of sub-$10 bricks of 500 rounds of .22 LR.

Me too, and WWB 9mm could be had in the $5-6 range if memory serves. I wish I stocked up more back then.

 

[chaim]

Ask S&W if they will install a steel cylinder for your model 317. This is what I did. Makes it a nicer shooter without the weight of an all-steel model 63. Also no binding/dirty cylinder issues for me since then.

That is an idea. If I get the 43c or 351c, it concerns me that it may have the same issue with dirty cylinders. I don't get binding, I get where I can't even get a round into some of the cylinders. I can shoot CCI and other higher end stuff all day, but cheaper and dirtier rounds will clog up one of the chambers after only a few rounds and then it becomes a 7 shot, until a few more cylinders when it becomes a 6 shot, on down. Being able to swap out cylinders through S&W if needed does make me less concerned about the 43c or 351c. Though, I suspect that just feeding it better ammo (and leaving the junk .22lr to my Taurus Tx22) will be more cost effective.

 

[NeroM]

Since OP already has several revolvers in 38 Spl, i echo others comments to start reloading it ! At one time, I shot quite a few 22 Mag in a convertible Ruger it is fun and shot great- but due to the relative cost and availability of 22 Mag now shoot many more 38s. Currently, 22Mags have been running around 35-50 cents each - I can reload 38 Spl for approx 25 cents ea, plus I have more control over the supply. Plus I can tailor the loads to mission or use.

 

[Pat Riot]

Around here 9mm is cheaper than .22 Magnum. At my LGS, Bass Pro, Sportsman’s Warehouse 9mm FMJ runs $12-$15. .22 Magnum is $18-$22.

I am pretty sure the 43C and the 351C have steel cylinders. I think the 317 is the only .22 with an aluminum cylinder.
I had actually planned to buy a 317, but decided on a model 63. I call it my fishing gun. I carry it in case of copperheads. It’s light enough but not too light. It’s a 3” so it may or may not be a snubbie. (I try to stay out of those debates.)

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-63

I did put a Hogue Monogrip on it. The factory grip was just too narrow at the bottom.

 

[Tilos]

Charter Arms

Model # 79920

The 9mm Rimless Revolver Pit Bull now features a 5-shot cylinder in line with the rest of the Pit Bull family. The 9mm uses same unique rimless cartridge extractor assembly system as the Charter Arms .40 caliber Rimless Revolver. A dual coil spring assembly located in the extractor allows...

charterfirearms.com

Model # 69920

The 9mm Rimless Revolver Pit Bull now features a 5-shot cylinder in line with the rest of the Pit bull family. The 9mm uses same unique rimless cartridge extractor assembly system as the Charter Arms .40 caliber Rimless Revolver. A dual coil spring assembly located in the extractor allows...

charterfirearms.com

.

 

[Tallball]

I gave up on 22 magnum some years ago. It's just a noisy 22lr that's much more expensive. I'd prefer 32 S&W long for small game.

My current practice snub is a Taurus Model 905 9mm I got 2-3 months ago.

Ammo is cheap and easy to find. The moonclips are easy to use (for me, compared to others I have), and you don't have to use them if you don't want. 9mm range ammo is a little spicier than 38 special range ammo, but it's not obnoxious.

I got it for something like $299 off GB, plus shipping and FFL or whatever. It will easily pay for itself in ammo savings.

I bought it just for practice, but it would be fine for SD in a pinch.

The 905 works fine. I replaced the mainspring and now the trigger is quite good. I kinda wish I'd paid more for stainless. I don't like the dark finish. That's my only real complaint.

Taurus 905.jpg

• Tallball
• Oct 9, 2023

 

[HB]

If you do go the .22LR route, I would avoid the Taurus 94. I bought mine used as a trainer for my snub. The trigger is horrendous which wasn’t bad in of itself as it made shooting a s&w easy. However, the hammer eventually battered the transfer bar to pieces and is now inoperable. Taurus doesn’t sell parts and there are none available aftermarket. Shipping the gun for service is worth more than the gun.

 

[cfullgraf]

If you do not reload, 22LR us going to be the best economical round to shoot. I like my S&W 317 but many folks do not like the rear sights. The Ruger Single-Six is another choice and you have the 22 WMR cylinder option if you want to shoot higher power ammunition.

I also have an S&W 43C. It is a 22LR Centennial Snubby, DA action only. It will probably be a disappointment unless you are wanting to become proficient with DA pocket revolvers. I have S&W 642 and 442 revolvers, both 38 Special, and the 43C provides me with cheap practice ammunition but except foir DA only practice, the 43C is a bit constraining.

If you reload, a Ruger Single-Seven in 327 Fed Mag woukd be a good choice. You can load 32 SWL ammunition for economical practice and still have the capability of more powerful 32 H&R mag or 327 Fed Mag.

I feel if it had been marketed correctly, 32 SWL could have been the "reloadable 22 LR" round. But alas, it was not.

 

[ms6852]

This is more drama I care to handle, just buy both 9mm and 22 magnum. Keeps you from getting an ulcer.

 

[chaim]

I gave up on 22 magnum some years ago. It's just a noisy 22lr that's much more expensive. I'd prefer 32 S&W long for small game.

My current practice snub is a Taurus Model 905 9mm I got 2-3 months ago.

I want the .22mag, it is the current emotional (but not logical) choice. I don't have any .22mag firearms, and it seems like it would be fun. The recoil of .22lr (for lots of practice) but the noise and drama of a larger caliber, which for me adds to the fun. I tell myself that the weight would make for a nice back up gun at times (I often carry two guns this time of year when I carry revolvers, and in the winter I often carry a revolver in a coat pocket even when carrying an auto IWB), and I like 7 rounds of ammo on board. However, I also know that I'll never carry it even though I know that .22mag is night and day different than .22lr for defense (it actually penetrates enough if you don't try for expansion with JHP), I will never trust it with my life.

9mm for practice makes sense. I have a lot of 9mm pistols, I always have a lot of 9mm ammo on hand (I order another 500 rounds of defensive ammo when I get down to about 100 rounds, and I buy another 1000 rounds of practice ammo when I'm down to about 400-500). Other than .22lr it is the cheapest to shoot (doesn't cost much more than my .357mag reloads, and I hate reloading), and if I ever do want to carry it, it will work well (though, I doubt I'll carry a 5 round revolver in 9mm, I'd rather carry my 10-12 round P365 in 9mm or one of my many .38 revolvers).

Then, for more than 5 rounds in a backup role, but smaller than the 856UL, I could happily go with a .327mag Ruger LCR or the new Lipsey's S&W 432 in .32H&R (I love the features on it, when it is actually available I "need" to either get a backup 432 and/or replace my standard 442 with the Lipsey's).

If you do go the .22LR route, I would avoid the Taurus 94. I bought mine used as a trainer for my snub.

Taurus always seems to be on a roller coaster when it comes to quality, and currently they are on an upswing, and have been for five or six years. I've read very little good about the older 94, and very little that was negative about the newer 942 (other than it is hard to find).

This is more drama I care to handle, just buy both 9mm and 22 magnum. Keeps you from getting an ulcer.

You seem to know me

There is a very good chance that I'll get the .22mag I want, the 9mm that makes sense, and the .32H&R Mag or .327Fed for BUG use within a few months of all the hand wringing over which one I should buy. I do that from time to time. Drive myself nuts trying to decide "which one..." and end up with my top 2 or 3 choices within months, and sometimes within days.

 

[barnett]

I have a pair of Detective Specials, a 66-2, 640 Pro, 642, and a 351PD. The most fun at the range, and the one I actually carry from time to time, is the 351PD. In my opinion, a very under appreciated little revolver.
That said, I would like to have an SP101 in 9mm, because most of my carry guns are 9mm and that is the ammo I order in bulk.

 

[Armored farmer]

Partially because of this thread, partially because of my recent frustration with my brass-flippin', off-center shooting Hellcat, I took my sp101 to the range.
I have loaded some mild .38spl with 158 grain cast lnfp swc. It was a joy to shoot with pleasant recoil, and seeing my bullets punch holes in the black right above my sights.(6 o'clock hold).
Double action draw/fire drills also produced satisfying results.
You can't go wrong with a 9mm sp101. The weight absorbs recoil. It would make a good range gun/carry gun.




Good luck finding one.

 

[Pat Riot]

I want the .22mag

Right there is your answer. If that is what you want, that is what you should get.
Now you just have to pick which one.