The 5 Best Snubbie Revolvers

[wgp]

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.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Colt 1849 Pocket
Charter Arms Bulldog
Webley .455
Ruger LCR
Kimber K6S

 

[.38 Special]

I figure most of those sites are generated by AI or some guy in India - I handle most of the "search engine optimization" at my business, a great deal of which involves re-writing such stuff so that it makes some kind of sense.

At any rate, it seems to me that "best" snub is going to be pretty individual. All of them are a severe compromise. To my way of thinking, things like the SP 101 don't make a whole lot of sense. It already is kind of bulky and heavy. I'd rather have another inch or two of barrel on a gun like that, and kind of do: a 4" Model 19.

So for my money, if I'm going to handicap myself with a snub, it's going to be the lightest one I can get: something from the S&W 340/440 series is about perfect in that role.

 

[Pat Riot]

Here are my snub nosed revolvers.

I have been thinking about my next one. Perhaps a Ruger SP101 or an LCR.

 

[bangswitch]

S&W M66-1 and Taurus M85 are the only snubbies I own. They must not be any good if they're not on a "top 5" list.

 

[P89DCSS]

In no particular order:
Gp100
SP101
LCR
Super Redhawk
Super Blackhawk

 

[mcb]

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.

 

[UncleEd]

S&W Model 66 2.75-inch barrel
S&W Model 19 compensated 2.75 inch barrel
Ruger GP100 3 inch barrel
Ruger GP100 2.5 inch barrel
Kimber K6 2- or 3- inch barrel

Any of the older Smith K-frame snubbies,
be they Model 19s/66s/10s/13s and the
Model 15 as well. And let's not forget
the Ruger Speed 6s.

 

[trackskippy]

S&W's are my favorites, Model 19 and Model 10. A 66 and 64 would do just as well too.



686+ 2.5" 7 shooter. The L frames are a tad bulky, but a good shoter. I have a 696 as well, but I really dont consider the 3" guns to be "snubbies". The 2.5" guns barely make it.



And of course...the J frames.



If I had to pick just one, the 19 is "the one".

 

[UncleEd]

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.

Well, fiddle dee dee and are those "proper" revolvers capable
of moon clips?

 

[mcb]

Well, fiddle dee dee and are those "proper" revolvers capable
of moon clips?

Is there any other type of proper revolver? Moonclips rule!

 

[Old Dog]

5 best snubby revolvers? According to whom? Best for what purposes?

That list is like someone putting out a list of the 5 best 4WD sub-compact SUVs.

Or a list of the 5 best domestic light beers.

Some things there just ain't no "best." Just someone's personal opinion.

 

[5-SHOTS]

S&W 642
Ruger LCR
Charter Arms Undercover
Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite
Colt Cobra

 

[UncleEd]

According to whom?
Some things there just ain't no "best." Just someone's personal opinion.

Aw, come on, play the game. Don't be a party pooper. Name us five.
Just for fun. Give us your opinion. We'll respect you. Or laugh.

 

[stonebuster]

Since there's no "best" here's my favorites : Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4" 357, S&W Model 64-5 3" 38spl, SP101 2.25" 357, Model 19 & Model 66. I like mine on the hefty side.

 

[Old Dog]

Aw, come on, play the game. Don't be a party pooper. Name us five.
Just for fun. Give us your opinion. We'll respect you. Or laugh.

If I must, I must...

My top 5, in no particular order:
S&W 66-1 2.5"
S&W 13-2 3"
Colt Diamondback .38 SPL 2.5" (1968)
S&W 36-1
Colt King Cobra 3" (2020)

 

[Riomouse911]

My all-time favs:

Model 640 .38 Spl.
Model 36 3” .38 Spl.
New Colt Cobra .38 Spl.
Model 317 .22 LR
Model 19 2 1/2” .357

Stay safe.

 

[mcb]

To make @UncleEd happy...

1) S&W 442 Moonclip, because moonclips rule so a Snubby moonclip fed revolver has to top the list!
2) British bulldog revolver from Webley and Scott (lot of makers made copies some good some not) but something in 450 Adams would be fun.
3) S&W 38 S&W top break, I like 38 S&W and I love top breaks. I have an 3-inch Iver Johnson but always thought the S&W's were a bit nicer
4) S&W Terrier in 38 S&W, the I-frame needs to come back but chamber in 9mm and moonclips
5) Taurus 380, as close as you can probably get to the old I-frame but in 380 ACP on moonclips!

 

[UncleEd]

If I must, I must...

My top 5, in no particular order:
S&W 66-1 2.5"
S&W 13-2 3"
Colt Diamondback .38 SPL 2.5" (1968)
S&W 36-1
Colt King Cobra 3" (2020)

Excellent choices.

 

[UncleEd]

MCB,

Let's have a drink!

 

[lee n. field]

I figure most of those sites are generated by AI or some guy in India - I handle most of the "search engine optimization" at my business, a great deal of which involves re-writing such stuff so that it makes some kind of sense.

I think I saw that piece, and I would not be at all surprised if an AI had churned it out. One sees that a lot, out there in the world, stuff that looks informative but only borderline makes sense, and isn't really profitable to read.

 

[bannockburn]

Maybe not the 5 Best Snubbie Revolver list but I would go with:

1) S&W Model 442
2) Colt Detective Special
3) Colt Agent
4) S&W Model 66
5) British Bulldog

To me a snubby should have a barrel length from 1 7/8" to 2 1/2" to be considered a true snubby. Runner-ups would include those ones with a 2 3/4" to 3" barrel lengths:

1) Ruger Speed Six
2) S&W Model 13
3) S&W Model 36
4) Colt Python
5) Colt King Cobra

 

[earlthegoat2]

A snub will have a barrel not longer than 2.6”…..just my own rule.

Colt Magnum Carry / Kimber K6s (6 shot and 357 capable)
Smith 640 (J-Frame and 357 capable with all steel construction)
Smith 342PD (ultra light 38 Spl)
Taurus 450 Ultra Lite Ti (5 shot Ultra light K frame size big bore 45 Colt)
Charter Arms Bulldog (5 shot big bore 44 Spl lightweight steel K frame size)

 

[Old Dog]

Excellent choices.

Thank you. Don't know if I'm a outlier here, but I only named revolvers I own (or have owned).

I also love my Model 10-5 nickel snubby and my Taurus Model 85CH stainless. Oh, and a S&W Model 60-1.

My point though, is that snub-nose revolvers are a compromise handgun. Nowadays, with reliable, lighter, narrower, better-concealing, higher-capacity, easier shooting, lower-recoiling, better sighted, semi-auto pistols, the snubby is basically obsolete. However, there's no denying that they are still cool and fun. But the "best" in any category? Hmm...

 

[KYamateur]

I’ve almost had them all at one time or another. Smith & Wesson revolvers are nice but they have never quite fit my hands comfortably. Now I have two that I don’t plan on ever parting ways with: Ruger LCR in 38 and a Kimber K6. Ruger is lighter and easier to carry but Kimber holds 6 rounds and shoots like a dream. I bought my Kimber prior to Covid and got it at a real reasonable price. The last few I’ve seen were pretty expensive.