What's the best big bore snubby?

[Patrick Henry]

Here, I mean "big bore" to be greater than .38/.357 caliber.

I saw some Taurus snubs on Gunbroker a while back chambered in .44 special and .45 colt. 2-inch, 5-shot. The 45. colt was ported. I can't remember the model number, I wanna say 450 or 550. Now those looked like some serious self-defense guns, I wish I could have got one.

I wonder how the recoil of a .44 special is compared to a .38 out of a snub?

Anyone carry a snub revolver in a large caliber?

 

[alde]

My favorite woods carry gun is a 3" S&W 629. With specials it's a piece of cake to shoot. It's not too bad with mags either. I have the X-Frame grips on it that cover the backstrap. This rig carries well in a Simply Rugger Sourdough Pancake holster.

 

[jmr40]

I am right fond of my 3" Smith 629. I use mostly 44 Specials and consider them the equal to 357 magnum loads in effictiveness. Recoil is a bit more than 38's but can be quite mild. Much softer than 357 mags. About equal to 45 ACP. There are some mild 44 mag loadings out there that are not bad recoil wise and split the difference between 357 and 44 mag loads.

 

[smee781]

Rossi

Every once in a wile I carry my rossi 720, its a 3" barrel 5 shot 44 spl. almost as big as a K frame.

 

[calaverasslim]

44 special

I carry a Charter Arms 44 special, 3" barrel and use CCI Blazer factory ammo, 200gr GDHP.

Now before you fellers start bad mouthing this pistol, I have heard it all.

I have put maybe 500-550 down range and nary a malfunction. Accurate out to 15 yards, most I measured, and the recoil is very manageable.

Having said that, I don't find the recoil on a 45acp revolver that bad either. Bout the same.

I do shoot a Colt SAA in 45lc but I don't that that is the same as a DA revolver while considering recoil.

Matter of preference and good luck

 

[Snapping Twig]

3" stainless .44 is my pick.

Ported is good for full power rounds, but specials are more 'n enough.

 

[Hutch]

I have had 2 Charter Bulldogs. Recoil was no biggie. Guns didn't hold up well, but that's a different story. I have 2 (I can't believe it!) 3-inch 629's, one a ported Trail Boss, and the other a plain-ol', and they are a joy, right up to the full-house magnum. Then, it's a little surly.

 

[Loomis]

44 special is no slouch.

Theoretically, the ultimate big bore snubby would be a 5 shot 45ACP, imo. But to my knowledge, it's never been built by anyone. Or actually, better yet, a 5-shot 50GI would top it, I suppose.

 

[esq_stu]

Theoretically, the ultimate big bore snubby would be a 5 shot 45ACP, imo. But to my knowledge, it's never been built by anyone.

Taurus 455. (I don't recommend it, but it exists.)

 

[pinkymingeo]

Why 5-shot? These hold six, and the heaviest is 24oz.

 

[9mmepiphany]

for me it's the 3" S&W 696 .44 spl loaded with 200gr JHP blaser ammo

mine came mag-na-ported and feels like shooting a .38 spl wadcutter. i had Randy Lee of Apex Tactical tune the action and bob the hammer

 

[bluetopper]

Oh yes, the Taurus 45acp snubbie definetly exists because I have one. Terrific snubbie!

Some might consider it the best platform for a snubbie, but it being the best quality???? Hey it's a Taurus. It's mine, but I'm a realist.
It is plenty good and has never failed me, but its no old school Smith & Wesson.

 

[bluetopper]

The 5 shot cylinder just allows for a smaller frame........the size of a K-frame.

 

[Indifferent]

 

[Patrick Henry]

Pinkeymingeo, I gotta ask about the .45 Colt, what's that model called? Those are some sweet guns.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Is a 3" a "snubbie"?

 

[KC0QGL]

Ruger Super Red Hawk Alaskan in .460, .454/.45lc, .44mag,
2.5 inch bbl.

 

[pinkymingeo]

That 45Colt is a Model 625-11. Scandium frame, SS cylinder. 24oz. S&W Performance Center only made 103 of them. I got that one at a reasonable price, but a couple just sold on Gunbroker for crazy money.

 

[BusMaster007]

If forced to this, I'd get the RUGER ALASKAN .44...

 

[Navy joe]

Now I want a 625-11. Arrgh.

This one does the job though.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

S&w 24-3

 

[Cocked & Locked]

these are my two...

2.5" S&W 629-5 .44 magnum





2.5" Colt New Service 1917 .45 ACP

 

[jjohnson]

Bulldog. I KNOW it's Ugly.

Yeah, same here - don't tell me it's ugly, I already know that. And there are plenty of nicer - and spendy - options out there like S&W N-frames, BUT -

I paid $150 for my ugly Charter Arms Bulldog. It's been very reliable, it's lightweight, compact, and although it's no real joy to shoot hot .44 special loads, it's a lot more "comfort" firepower than a .38 snubbie with six rounds. I added Pachmayr grips to mine, and have over 500 rounds through it (no, it's NOT my favorite range gun) and zero malfunctions.

If money's an object, or you have a chance to pick up a nice used one at a gun show, it's worth a look.

 

[Biker]

I've been carrying the Taurus 450 (.45 Long Colt) for years. At 17oz, it's easy to carry and the recoil ain't no thaing.

Great little gun and 5 rounds of .45 LC is good medicine for bad days.

Biker

 

[Steve 48]

I have a S&W 629 3 inch non-fluted barrel I love to carry in a DeSantis holster. Steve48