The 5 Best Snubbie Revolvers

[Diamondback]

I'll be more general...and rather than name specific models say that just about any of the Colt D frames, S&W K frames and J frames with 2.5" barrels or less will be at the top of the snub category. You could hand me just about any from that list and I'm pretty sure I would have a fine snub nose revolver. I'm partial as well to the Rugers, but since the Six series begin at 2.75 inches then the snub SP101 is the one I will single out.

I don't have much experience with Charter Arms so I can't really form an opinion on those.

 

[P5 Guy]

I picked up one like this a few years ago.

Yeah I know the 681 doesn't count at 4 inches. 696 is a three inch and the 686-4 is two and a half inch.

Two inch 60 no dash.

 

[Tallball]

I'm not counting 3" models...

LCR (38 special)
S&W 642
Model 10 2" (for belt carry)
something in 32 H&R (Smith or Charter or Taurus or w/e)
something in 44 special or 45acp or 45 colt (Smith or Charter or Taurus or w/e)

I've learned to like my SP101's, but they are heavy enough that I might as well carry the Model 10. The Model 10 is a former LE revolver with a fabulously smooth trigger. Would also make a good cudgel.

IMHO, the LCR and 442 are so good that they're in classes of their own. Other than that, I'm okay with Smith or Charter or Taurus revolvers that work well.

My 32 and 44 are both CA. I've owned a bunch of Taurus Model 85's that worked fine.

I carried this a lot when I had to wear overalls.

Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special

• Tallball
• Apr 6, 2020

 

[lightman]

I don't know about "best" but the S&W J frames and the Charter Arms snubbies are pretty good.

 

[lee n. field]

Looked at a website today that was claiming to name the 5 best snubnose revolvers. There are lots of these opinion pieces out there and all are subject to varying opinions. But what I picked up on with this one was that I've got 4 of the 5, and a better (to me) choice for the 5th. You?

Ruger SP 101
Smith J-frame
Smith Model 13
Colt Detective Special
Charter .44 Special

Of this list the Model 13 is my favorite, I've had one for years. Instead of the Charter Arms, I have a Smith 696 .44 Special, which is unusual, heavy and bulky but a fine revolver if you can find one.

The five best snubbies are....

1. Taurus 605
2. Ruger LCR
3. S&W 642

(Of course, an idiosyncratic list reflecting my own experience.)

(The Charter .44 Bulldog is borderline not a snubby. And it's an interesting idea, rendered as a "meh" gun. (Mine came with a handwritten note from a prior owner, not to dry fire.))

 

[Offhand McFlan]

I own one snub-nosed revolver. I put it in the same category as my spare tire and fire extinguisher. A good and proper revolver has a 4 - 6.5 inch barrel.

Wholeheartedly agree!

Only revolver I ever owned under 4" is a S&W 60 I bought off a co-worker who was hard-up and needed to pay her rent. I think it's like 1-7/8". I actually do really like the little thing though. It's great for going on vacation. Easy to stow in bags, pockets, etc. I actually prefer a revolver when I travel.

 

[JERRY]

64
642
342pd
Lcr
431pd

 

[Buckeye63]

S&W Model 12

LCR357 LCR327

642

Charter Arms Bulldog 44

Honorable mention 856UL

 

[bannockburn]

Buckeye63

Love the Model 12; a definite classic among lightweight .38 Special snubbies!

 

[nofendertom]

1 --- S&W Mod 25 --- 2in, K frame round butt --- Jovino
2 --- S&W Mod 29 --- 2in, K frame round butt --- Lew Horton
3 --- S&W Mod 624 --- 2in, stainless, K frame round butt --- Lew Horton
4 --- S&W Mod 64 --- 2in, round butt
5 --- Ruger SP101 --- 2in, .357

 

[Dain Bramage]

Here are all five of the snubbies I own, so they must be best.

S&W Model 431PD
S&W Model 649
Ruger Single Seven Birdshead
Ruger Lipsey's Bisley Super Blackhawk
Charter Arms Boomer

 

[stonebuster]

DW 15-2 357 Magnum. Not necessarily the "best" but you could do worse and I can make it a 4", 6" or 8" in under 5 minutes.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I used to own these four:

 

[Rexster]

Ruger SP 101
Smith J-frame
Smith Model 13
Colt Detective Special
Charter .44 Special

I agree with the SP101. This one fits my hands amazingly well, is so very shoot-able, and is a tough little weapon. I have several of them, 2.25”, 3”, and 4”. All are chambered .357, except that the 4” is .32 H&R.

I find it interesting that “J-Frame” is listed, as it is a frame size, rather than one model, and many have been made that are not snub-length. If minimal grips are installed, to optimize shoot-ability, a J-Frame is a bit small, for me, and since my early forties, it has been somewhat painful to shoot .38 ammo though Airweight J-Frames, and torture to shoot the Airlites with my gimpier right hand. A .32 J-Frame, made of solid stainless steel, is now, in my early sixties, more my cup of tea, but an SP101 is my more-usual minimum for actual carry.

Regarding the Model 13, I have not yet had the pleasure of owning one, but do have two of the Model 64, the stainless counterpart, chambered .38 Special, though mine have the tapered 2” barrels. One is a regular carry gun.

I have owned a couple of Colt Detective Specials, at different times, long ago, but let them get away from me.

I briefly owned a .44 Special Charger Arms Bulldog, long ago. I traded it away, before I got around to shooting it, if I remember correctly.

 

[Legionnaire]

3-inch GP100, 2.25-inch SP101, both .357 Mag

CA Bulldog .44 Spl

 

[Old Dog]

After reading the last many posts since I commented, I realized I must truly be a Luddite. I just can't take seriously the notion of a polymer-framed revolver included in a "top five" list of snubby revolvers (much less any handguns, really).

 

[Anchorite]

I’ll take a stab ~

1. any J frame
2. Ruger Speed Six
3. S&W Model 19
4. Ruger SP 101
5. Colt Detective Special / Cobra / Agent

(no particular order)

 

[mavracer]

I'm gonna go Will Rogers on this one I've shuffled thru several different "snubs" and have really never had one I didn't like.
So I'll just list the ones I currently have.
Ruger LCR
Ruger Speed 6
Smith M36
Smith M19
Colt DSII

 

[Varminterror]

Ruger LCR 357mag
S&W 638 38+P
Ruger Alaskan 454casull

 

[Varminterror]

After reading the last many posts since I commented, I realized I must truly be a Luddite. I just can't take seriously the notion of a polymer-framed revolver included in a "top five" list of snubby revolvers (much less any handguns, really).

Polymer frames (and other materials like aluminum and scandium) only exist because we as revolver shooters wanted it. We loved the form factor, function, and force of revolvers, but we weren’t so much in love with the 25-30oz weight.

Why do revolver cylinders have flutes? Weight reduction of revolvers is not a modern invention.

 

[The Kingfish]

Ruger Redhawk Kodiak Backpacker 44 magnum 2.75"
Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan 44 magnum 2.5"
Ruger Super Redhawk Alakan 454 Casull 2.5"
Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan 480 ruger 2.5"
Smith and Wesson 500 3.0"

Yeah....I love BIG BORE Snubbies!

 

[DDDWho]

My one and only snubby revolver. Taurus 85 UL. It was my first purchase with the intent to carry. When S&W and Taurus were affiliated S&W taught Taurus how to make revolvers. Although to some it may not be a top 5 but I like it and have never apologized for it’s lack of quality because there is none.

 

[Tallball]

My one and only snubby revolver. Taurus 85 UL. It was my first purchase with the intent to carry. When S&W and Taurus were affiliated S&W taught Taurus how to make revolvers. Although to some it may not be a top 5 but I like it and have never apologized for it’s lack of quality because there is none. View attachment 1148546

I think I've owned six of those. Still have one of them. They all went bang.

 

[chaim]

Their list isn't bad, and covers several bases. My biggest beef with it would be that they went general with the S&W J-frame (covers 1 7/8" steel .38s, 2" .357mags, 3" guns, and lightweight alloy snubs), then specific with everything else.

My list:

• 3" K-frame (M65 or M13 ideally for the fixed sights and .357mag, but .38 or adjustable sights will be fine as well).
• S&W 442 or 642 for light and small pocket carry and "deep concealment" but more controllable recoil than the .357mag scandium monsters.
• 2" Taurus 856 for 6 rounds of .38 instead of 5. A new model Colt Cobra would work well here too, though I went with the Taurus.
• 3" Taurus 856 Defender or new model Colt King Cobra. I went with the Colt for .357mag (though if the Defender was out when I bought it, I probably would have gone that way, and I'll probably be adding one anyway).
• I agree on the large bore. Mine is a 2 1/2" Taurus 431.

 

[Weflyfast]

.....LOL.... Smallest I got....N frame 44 mag-