CH47gunner
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S&W
Smith & Wesson N Frames -
Bruce
624 ND 3" LHS
Smith & Wesson N Frames -
Bruce
624 ND 3" LHS
What's the best big bore snubby?
- Thread starter Patrick Henry
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george29
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I had a Taurus 44c. Be careful with Taurus, some are better than others. I would either go with a 29/629 Lew Horton or a custom made 3" Redhawk with rounded grips. Anything S&W or Ruger are really fine (I could be a snob but that comes from too many Rossi's/Tauruses that didn't always do as expected which is unacceptable as a CCW).
memphisjim
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its alive!!!!!!
this is an old saved thread i subscribed to
and im resurrecting it simple because
s&w came out with a night guard snub revolver in 10mm
moon clips!!!
this is an old saved thread i subscribed to
and im resurrecting it simple because
s&w came out with a night guard snub revolver in 10mm
moon clips!!!
dairycreek
Member
S&W M29 "Trail Boss" - great carry "snubby"!
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dairycreek
Member
For me the 5.5" Redhawk in a holster by Simply Rugged. Have taken both deer and elk with this rig. Most taken at less than 100 yards using open sights. Works for me:neener
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earlthegoat2
Member
325 Night Guard
Stainz
Member
For a CCW, I prefer my 296 - a 5-shot 2.5" .44 S&W Special L-frame AirLite Ti. Loaded with Speer #4427 200gr Gold Dot JHP bullets (Georgia Arms), I feel protected from two-legged predators. Below you'll see it with a Buck 560XLT - a Ti handled 110:
Here it is - the Ti atom on this side's frame indicating it is my 'Atomic Cannon'! You'll also see a Robert Mika pocket holster, those GA Arms rounds, and a Buck Custom Shop 110 with BG-42 blade, Fiji orange wood, and nickel silver bolsters:
Now, if you count 3" as 'snubby', I do have a 696, too. Sadly, it sure looks big... note how 'close' it is, size-wise, to a standard 4" 629:
Naw, a 3"-er isn't a snubby!
Stainz
Here it is - the Ti atom on this side's frame indicating it is my 'Atomic Cannon'! You'll also see a Robert Mika pocket holster, those GA Arms rounds, and a Buck Custom Shop 110 with BG-42 blade, Fiji orange wood, and nickel silver bolsters:
Now, if you count 3" as 'snubby', I do have a 696, too. Sadly, it sure looks big... note how 'close' it is, size-wise, to a standard 4" 629:
Naw, a 3"-er isn't a snubby!
Stainz
oldhunter
Member
I also am an advocate of big bore revolvers and my frequent carry gun in the winter is a S&W 696 3" loaded with either Hornady 180gr HP/XTP or CCI Blazer 200 gr GDHP ammo. Very accurate with mild recoil and produces a big hole in whatever it hits. During deer and bear season here in New York, this is also my companion to a 30-06 and when loaded with Buffalo Bore Heavy .44spec. 255gr S.W.C rated at 984fps and 500+ ft. lbs. of M.E. (from 3.25 barrel), is quite capable of putting meat on the table if the rifle should have a malfunction. Recoil with this ammo is very stout in a 3" barrel and probably could be hard on this gun if used too often.
oldhunter
oldhunter
Stainz
Member
Welcome to the forum, oldhunter, from another NY-er (Brooklyn!), even if I live elsewhere (Alabama).
I love my 696 - and that 296. My 296's diet is solely the same Speer #4427 200gr Gold Dot used in your Blazers - but loaded in new Starline brass by Georgia Arms actually for less (google them!). I had a Blazer Al case burst in my 696 a few years back, ending my use of same. My 296 had seen >1k of them by then - but never again - now it's brass only!
I would be careful re the hot ammo in any X96 S&W - like your 696. The dimunitive forcing cone limits it's life with Elmer Keith-like loads - like those Buffalo Bore loads. Mine see's 240gr LSWCs over 4.8gr of Titegroup in Special cases for >800 fps as a max load. My minimalist load, viewable by those who have shot it in my 696, is heralded as a 'poof' load. It's the same 240gr LSWC over 3.5gr Titegroup in a .44 Russian case for 692 fps - which, as hard as it is to believe, makes major power factor. Fun gun - fun round.
Still, it sure 'looks' big for a snubby.
Stainz
I love my 696 - and that 296. My 296's diet is solely the same Speer #4427 200gr Gold Dot used in your Blazers - but loaded in new Starline brass by Georgia Arms actually for less (google them!). I had a Blazer Al case burst in my 696 a few years back, ending my use of same. My 296 had seen >1k of them by then - but never again - now it's brass only!
I would be careful re the hot ammo in any X96 S&W - like your 696. The dimunitive forcing cone limits it's life with Elmer Keith-like loads - like those Buffalo Bore loads. Mine see's 240gr LSWCs over 4.8gr of Titegroup in Special cases for >800 fps as a max load. My minimalist load, viewable by those who have shot it in my 696, is heralded as a 'poof' load. It's the same 240gr LSWC over 3.5gr Titegroup in a .44 Russian case for 692 fps - which, as hard as it is to believe, makes major power factor. Fun gun - fun round.
Still, it sure 'looks' big for a snubby.
Stainz
jjohnson
Member
It Depends.
Yep, that's nearly always a good answer on questions that leave a lot of background to work with.
I've had a Charter Arms Bulldog for over 20 years, and though it's not as pretty as a Smith or Colt, it does what it was designed to do very well. That purpose is to provide more power than a 38 Special in a similar sized package at an affordable price. Charter has had good years and bad (sort of like GM
).
They were sold a couple times, so "under new management" was there a lot.
The CA is fairly concealable, sturdy and reliable. With full power .44 Special loads, having only 5 shots available isn't a big deal. A .44 slug beats the .38 handily, if they're coming out of a same-length barred. Lots of guys don't like to CCW anything that doesn't "start with a 4," that is, .40, 44, .45. The full power 44 Special loads can be uncomfortable to shoot a lot in the Bulldog, but can be mitigated a LOT just by putting Pachmayr grips on it. That's the only change I did on mine and I'm happy with it.
I have a Taurus 5-shot with a 4" barrel, and will fit in a K-frame holster. It's finished better than the CA, but it's had more problems than the CA (no problems to date).
The CA has done all I've ever asked of it, and I got mine used at $150 or less.
Yep, that's nearly always a good answer on questions that leave a lot of background to work with.
I've had a Charter Arms Bulldog for over 20 years, and though it's not as pretty as a Smith or Colt, it does what it was designed to do very well. That purpose is to provide more power than a 38 Special in a similar sized package at an affordable price. Charter has had good years and bad (sort of like GM
).They were sold a couple times, so "under new management" was there a lot.
The CA is fairly concealable, sturdy and reliable. With full power .44 Special loads, having only 5 shots available isn't a big deal. A .44 slug beats the .38 handily, if they're coming out of a same-length barred. Lots of guys don't like to CCW anything that doesn't "start with a 4," that is, .40, 44, .45. The full power 44 Special loads can be uncomfortable to shoot a lot in the Bulldog, but can be mitigated a LOT just by putting Pachmayr grips on it. That's the only change I did on mine and I'm happy with it.
I have a Taurus 5-shot with a 4" barrel, and will fit in a K-frame holster. It's finished better than the CA, but it's had more problems than the CA (no problems to date).
The CA has done all I've ever asked of it, and I got mine used at $150 or less.
SharpsDressedMan
member
Couldn't resist. A .45 ACP round shown for comparison. S&W 500ES with after market "boot" grips.
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PhrankKastle
Member
Ruger Alaskan 44, I got mine just before Xmas and I love it. I got one of the sourdough pancakes from Simply Rugged and it has become my favorite carry gun. Sadly with the warmer weather I'm having to try to come up with some new ideas on carry or take the Sig back out for the summer. I'm using the Gold Dot short barrel 44 magnums and I think it's an absolute pussycat with those loads.
krs
Member
.44 Spec. is my 2nd favorite caliber, and this is my parka pocket revolver:
memphisjim
Member
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- Jul 15, 2008
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reply
to dr tad if you only have 3 inches you know its a snub
to stains thats my gun slaps the hell out of your hand doesnt it
i still have a few boxes if the blazer bullets
aluminum cases less weight
wanna sell it?
to dr tad if you only have 3 inches you know its a snub
to stains thats my gun slaps the hell out of your hand doesnt it
i still have a few boxes if the blazer bullets
aluminum cases less weight
wanna sell it?
Stainz
Member
memphisjim,
Just put some S&W/Hogue .460/.500 Magnum grips on your 296 (see below) and that 'slap' recoil is well controlled. Those grips fit K, L, N, & X-frames. Of course, you can't quite get it in your pocket so fitted!
Stainz
Just put some S&W/Hogue .460/.500 Magnum grips on your 296 (see below) and that 'slap' recoil is well controlled. Those grips fit K, L, N, & X-frames. Of course, you can't quite get it in your pocket so fitted!
Stainz
BENELLIMONTE
member
Taurus 444 UltraLite 44 Mag 2.25". I have one of the 4" models for my sidearm when I go elk and deer hunting. These things weigh only 26 oz. so they kick like a mule when you touch one off. You can also shoot 44 Special ammo which kicks quit a bit less.
DammitBoy
Member
I don't know about best, but I do love my new Ruger Alaskan .454
*shrugs*
Everybody needs at least one dumb idea in their arsenal...
*shrugs*
Everybody needs at least one dumb idea in their arsenal...
cliffy
member
Of Course, Consider the .454 Ruger Alaskan
If you can handle the recoil, this is one caliber to consider. If you handload, I'm sure you won't load full-boat loads. I load .454 Casulls to indoor target power, so I know "outdoor" loads are not required except for detering Big Bears in State Parks. State Parks are dangerous places to be walking around in, because people seem to love feeding animals. When animals lose their fear of people, all hell breaks loose. cliffy
If you can handle the recoil, this is one caliber to consider. If you handload, I'm sure you won't load full-boat loads. I load .454 Casulls to indoor target power, so I know "outdoor" loads are not required except for detering Big Bears in State Parks. State Parks are dangerous places to be walking around in, because people seem to love feeding animals. When animals lose their fear of people, all hell breaks loose. cliffy
DammitBoy
Member
I've shot the 300 grain and 260 grain federal match loads out of mine.
Both pack a pretty good wallup. I suggest practising at the range with .45 longcolt to save wear and tear on your wrist and palm and to save money on ammo...
Both pack a pretty good wallup. I suggest practising at the range with .45 longcolt to save wear and tear on your wrist and palm and to save money on ammo...
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