Definition question: Snubbie

[Shinken]

Is the term snubbie applied only to Smith & Wesson revolvers? What size/criteria does the definition have to fit?

CC

 

[The Bushmaster]

Any revolver with a 3" barrel or less...

 

[redneckrepairs]

Any revolver with a 3" barrel or less..

Ill just caution that i have seen the current crop of autos such as the Kahr pm9 and others refered to as snubbys , I will also add that a 3" k frame or larger smith would not meet my deffinition of snubby . To me a snubby is normally a smith , charter , or colt revolver that holds 5 or 6 rounds with a short ( ususaly 2" or under ) barrel . In modern use it can include such autos as a pm9 kahr , Rrabaugh , ect... that basicly fit the formfactor of a S&W j frame of common useage .

 

[spwenger]

I Believe...

...that in the days when cops shot PPC matches, a snub-nose revolver was defined as 2 1/2" or less. The term is in no way restricted to revolvers manufactured by S&W and the Colt Detective Special preceded the S&W Chief Special by many years.

 

[308win]

Any revolver with a barrel under 2".

 

[Dismantler]

I think that a snubby definition can be like the definition between a river and a stream...it depends upon the person doing the defining. I'd say a 2" barrel revolver.

 

[Wolfeye]

I think it depends on caliber. Less than 3" in .357, or less than 4" in .44 mag on up.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Shinken...I'm proud of you...You asked a question that has really raised the interest of all on here. And the multitude of answers will be astranomical....Good question...

Never even in my wildest dreams would I have concidered a Semi-auto as a snubbie. Does that make my Firestar M43 a snubbie (3.39")?

 

[kle]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=298252 -- there was a thread 8-9 months ago about this very topic...

My answer back then was:

My "definition" is more of a personal feeling, and attempts to rationalize it in terms of proportions; the grip and triggers will be basically the same size, but the length/girth of the barrel in relation to the cylinder, to me, determines whether a revolver is a "snub-nose" or not.

 

[rcmodel]

Midway Gun-tech dictionary:
Definition for "snub-nose revolver" : A colloquial term for a short-barreled (normally under 2.5") revolver.

Book: Firearms Encyclopedia, by George Nonte,Jr.:
Snub-nose: An imprecise term describing all short-barreled revolvers.
Generally, it refers to guns of medium and small size frames with barrels no longer then 2 inches, which are easily concealed on one's person.

I have always considered the term to mean 2" - 2 1/2" barrel, small & medium frame revolvers.

A 2" Colt Detective Special is a snub-nose revolver.
A 3" Ruger SP101 is not, even though it is basically the same frame size as the Colt DS.

rcmodel

 

[tipoc]

It's a short barreled revolver, could be an auto too I suppose. The term is imprecise. So call 'em like you feel is right 2-3" in length to me means a snubby. It is independent of caliber. If a fella wants to argue that 2 5/8" barrel is not a snubby have at it. If 2 1/2" is a snubby but 2 3/4" is a short barreled revolver than fine with me as long as they shoot straight.

tipoc

 

[jgo296]

id say the 4 inch 500mag is a snub

 

[Evyl Robot]

Somebody called my 3" 586 a "snub" on my blog. I disagree. It is short-nosed, but I would not consider it to be "snubby."

 

[10X]

I would consider a snub nose to be a revolver with a barrel less than 3".
If the barrel is 3" or longer it is not a snub nose.

rcmodel, how would you classify a 2 1/2" Python ? It isn't a small or medium frame.

 

[FullEffect1911]

I would consider a snub nose to be a revolver with a barrel less than 3".
If the barrel is 3" or longer it is not a snub nose.

I personally believe this one to be the correct definition.

Therefore the 2.5" python would be a snub nosed python.

ymmv

 

[rcmodel]

rcmodel, how would you classify a 2 1/2" Python ? It isn't a small or medium frame.

I'd call it a snubby Python.

It isn't a large .44 / .45 frame, like an N-frame S&W or Colt New Service either.

One of those in 2", I call a Belly Gun or Fitz Special if the front of the trigger guard is gone!

PS: Classifying a snub-nose is kinda like the guy said about porn.
You'll know it when you see it!

rcmodel

 

[texas bulldog]

I would consider a snub nose to be a revolver with a barrel less than 3".
If the barrel is 3" or longer it is not a snub nose.

+1. i would not consider an auto or 3" revolver to be a snub, though i see lots of folks here refer to the 3" SP101 as a snub.

 

[Evyl Robot]

id say the 4 inch 500mag is a snub

I would tend to agree there. I suppose it all comes down to proportions.

 

[Oro]

This is something I've pondered a bit, and I have viewed is as proportional to frame size.

I consider it this:

S&W J frame (or other small frame): 2" or less
S&W K frame (or other med. frame): 2.5" or less
S&W N frame (or other large frame): 3" or less

This keeps a proportional dimensional standard and relative "concealability."

If you cut the X frame down to 3.5", and round the butt, I'll call it a snubbie!

I do not consider a 3" k frame a snubby (much less a 3" J frame!), as redneckrepairs first stated above. I also don't consider a 3.5" N frame a snubby - like on the original RM from the 30s. I waiver on round-butt vs. square butt, but tend to think any square butt is not a true "snubby" as it defeats the concealability angle considerably. Below is a picture of a group to show what I mean by consistent proportionality.

Here's a site I also like for discussions of snubbies - these guys get the idea.

http://www.snubnose.info/