The Snubnose Revolver for Contemporary Carry

[jon_in_wv]

I used to like the snubby revolvers but I sold all of mine. I don't see the advantage anymore. The five shot snubs are only marginally smaller than my M&P 9C. If I can carry a cnub I can carry that and with a spare magazine I have 24 rounds of quality hollowpoints at my disposal. Its more accurate, easier to shoot quickly and well, and reloads are much easier. On occasions where my M&P is too big to carry, the revolver is also too big. I have to really step down to a small 380 like my LCP. It is much smaller and flatter than a snubby and I can also shoot it more quickly and accurately than a snubby. I can also carry 2 spare magazine in a mag carrier the that disappears inside my waist band.
The snubby is a good "all around" carry gun for those that can only have one. BUT I will think the small Glocks, M&Ps, Kahrs, and the PF-9 negate much of the advantages the snubbie used to have. But if you are comfortable and competant with a snubby it can serve you very well.

 

[Glock Holiday]

Preach it brother!

I love my snubbies!

 

[gizamo]

I like the bigger kind



Giz

 

[rgs1975]

Great article. Here's my contemporary pocket snub.

 

[J642]

The biggest advantage, in my eyes, is the ability to quickly, reliably, and effortlessly draw from a pocket. I really believe the centennial (and bodyguard) J-frames were built with this purpose in my mind.

 

[Deleted member 66305]

I really, really want a 442 for pocket carry and special attire situations.

My first handgun was the S&W 640, with Crimson Trace grips.

I preferred it to the lighter airweight J-frames because, at 23 oz unloaded compared to the airweight's 15 oz, it's 50% heavier, which reduces felt recoil. It is also capable of handling .357, though I don't really have any intention of using .357. My carry ammo is Buffalo Bore 158-gr LSWCHP +P -- pretty much everything I've read says this is the round to beat in a .38 snubnose.

 

[Kosh75287]

I'm in agreement with the entire premise if, by "snubby", we mean the J-frame S&Ws, Colt Detective Specials and Ruger SPs. Larger revolvers, like the 2 1/2" M19s, are no less bulky than my .40 S&W Firestar, and considerably more difficult to shoot with .357magnum loads. Loading a K-frame with lighter ammunition seems much like taking 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. If less power than a full-house .357 is needed, then it can be had in a more portable package. Indeed, various of the "pocket nines" offer similar ballistics with a more rapid reload in a flatter package of little more size if anymore at all.
A j-frame S&W loaded with .357s, while obstreperous to say the least, delivers the power of the M19 and the concealability/portability of the J-frame. This is the best of both worlds.
Anything less powerful or larger is a compromise better answered by an automatic.

 

[Kosh75287]

I'm in agreement with the entire premise if, by "snubby", we mean the J-frame S&Ws, Colt Detective Specials and Ruger SPs. Larger revolvers, like the 2 1/2" M19s, are no less bulky than my .40 S&W Firestar, and considerably more difficult to shoot with .357magnum loads. Loading a K-frame with lighter ammunition seems much like taking 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. If less power than a full-house .357 is needed, then it can be had in a more portable package. Indeed, various of the "pocket nines" offer similar ballistics with a more rapid reload in a flatter package of little more size if anymore at all.
A j-frame S&W loaded with .357s, while obstreperous to say the least, delivers the power of the M19 and the concealability/portability of the J-frame. This is the best of both worlds.
Anything less powerful or larger is a compromise better answered by an automatic.

 

[deanodog]

Heavy to carry but you have to love the 66-1 P&R 2 1/2 barrel

 

[Maddock]

Welcome to The High Road, rickram. Excellent post, cogent and reality based.

 

[Katana8869]

I have several autoloaders in my collection, but I often carry what I started out with, which is a Ruger SP101. For reliability, simplicity and performance, the SP offers a combination that is hard to beat IMO. Not to mention, the SP is just plain fun to shoot.

As far as it just being a 5 shooter, that problem is easily solved by adding a easily hidden BUG, like my P3AT or a speedloader dropped in a pocket.

I just spent the week out of town on vacation and this is what I packed around the whole trip. The SP rode IWB at 3 o'clock, the P3AT rode in my left front pocket in a pocket holster.

 

[sparkyguy]

S&W mdl 36 ND flat-latch

My thoughts exactly. The j-frame snubby is near perfect for cc and it's simplicity. Unfortunately, my wife agreed whole-heartedly and kept it for her own.

 

[moph759fl]

My favorite carry is the Taurus model 605, all Titanium, .357 snub W/125GR GDHP. In the cooler months here, I can, at times, carry my Taurus model 44C (.44MAG snub) W/200GR .44SPL GDHP.

 

[Frizzman]

That was a very well written essay. I found it to be succinct and it made the points of argument very clear. it was a good read. You should be writing for one of the gun magazines.

I agree with your thoughts. I carry some form of short barreled revolver 95% of the time. Mine range from S&W N frames to a Colt Detective Special/Agent or a J frame S&W, all steel or Airweight. I really like the fact that they all operate the same way and under stress do not require much complicated manipulation. I always recommend such guns to new carriers. Unfortunately, it seems that most of the younger people I talk to seem to think that carrying a revolver is little better than a flintlock...Thanks for the good writing. I will copy that and give it to some people I know...Thanks

 

[kmbrman]

The Snubnose revolver

All of us in the shooting sports probably have revolvers as well as autos. My regret is not buying one of the 66's or model 19 Smiths when they were still plentiful in the gun shows, some with the popular 3" barrels fitted. Well ,we live and learn. Long live the snubs and I will always have one for CC.

 

[ev239]

Wow, some gorgeous snubs out there. Here's my wife's which I end up carrying more than she does.

Yes, it's a Charter Arms, but it's always worked and has a decent trigger. Since it's a CA I don't worry about shining her up.

In case you're wondering, I bought T grips for a K frame S&W and then trimmed/filed/sanded up the bottom to match up to the Charter then coated it with PlastiDip spray.