What's the best big bore snubby?

[1KPerDay]

Now that is cool. Who did the work? S&W sights, looks like?

 

[batmann]

I have just ordered a Ruger Alaskan in .44 Mag, so I guess that would be my choice.

 

[TXSWFAN]

Here's a pair of Lew Horton .44 mags. 629-4 on the left, 629-1 on the right. They handle full power mag loads with no problem.

 

[papajohn]

Another vote for the 44 Special. In my case, the 5-shot Rossi Model 720. I wanted a Smith 696, but couldn't find one at a price I could afford, the collectors have driven the prices into the Insane Zone. My 720 cost about a fourth of what a 696 would have set me back, and I like it just fine. The trigger isn't bad, the accuracy is better than I expected, and it's a hoot to shoot, like a hot 38 without all the blast and noise.

It carries well in the same holsters I use for my M-65 Smith, and if I'm in a situation where I need more than 5 rounds, I'm either missing a lot or I took on a mob, which isn't likely to happen, I prefer extrication to confrontation.

I carry a 38 on duty, but when I get off work, I put on something better. It's hard to beat a 44 Special!

PJ

 

[.41Dave]

I vote for the 3" 657 .41 Magnum

 

[mavracer]

taurus 431 44 special if you count 3"

shoots good too @15 yards

I'd give a sheepish vote for the CA bulldog I have a recient production gun it shoots good and carrys well but I don't think it'd stand up to abuse I'd trade it in a heartbeat for a 296 smith .

 

[mtngunr]

Single-actions are tops in offering pleasant recoil control of big bore bellyguns....owned/owning several, this is a fact, whether an OMBH converted to 3.75" 44Spl shooting 250's@1100fps, Vaquero .45 Colt chopped to 3.75" with 250's@1000fps, or an AWA 3" sheriff's model SAA shooting the same .45 Colt load....convinced enough just went halfsies with pal on these....
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=105967214
To my smallish hands, they're much more comfy than any centerfire DA snubbie, to include .38 Specials...and you simply cannot fit a .45 Colt in a smaller gun.

 

[Hawk72]

Check out the S&W 296, yep 2-9-6.

L frame / 5-shot / Alloy & titanium / snub


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[meef]

PremiumSauces:

Is a 3" a "snubbie"?

Your wife or girlfriend would tell you it was.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Lol, I guess so.

I just thought that a "snubbie", by definition, meant a 1.5-2" gun, and certainly no more than 2.5". No?

 

[mtngunr]

I consider it a snubbie/belly-gun if it will fit in the back pocket of jeans with only the grip (and possibly the hammer) protruding from the pocket....or, it fits in a large coat pocket...strictly a personal line of demarcation....I know folk consistantly talk about J-frame .38's as front pocket guns, but the trousers need to be roomy, and folks still risk comments of "is that a loaf of bread or are you etc.....?"

 

[batmann]

meef-----LMAO!!!!!

 

[moph759fl]

My Taurus Model 44C, .44MAG/.44SPL, 2"
I prefer shooting .44SPL 200gr Gold Dot Hollow Point. With that said for conceal carry the first round will be Federal Power-Shok .44MAG 180gr JHP and the rest (if needed) will be the .44SPL

 

[SwampWolf]

I like my Taurus Model 415 .41 Magnum, 2 1/2" barrel, five shot "snubbie". I think it's a hair smaller than a Smith "K" frame. The barrel is ported and has all the advantages (less preceived recoil offering better control with repeat shots) and disadvantages (more noise and muzzle blast/flash) a ported barrel provides.

Lots of controllable power and Taurus reliability (whatever that means to whichever camp you belong to-you know, the love 'em or hate 'em Taurus clubs) in a relatively small package.

 

[memphisjim]

hey hawk72 the 296 was a great gun for personal defense it was a centennial (enclosed hammer) but loses a little as a trail gun because it has a maximum bullet weight of 200 grains

the new night guard 44spec has a stainless cylinder better sites and a traditional hammer its only 6 ounces heavier but doesnt have the bullet weight restrictions

 

[AWMP]

what is the difference in cost in .38 special and .44 special practice ammo?
On the fence about what revolver to buy a .357 or .44 mag, and it might come down to ammo cost as the tie breaker.

 

[SwampWolf]

You'll find that .38 Special "practice" ammunition is a fraction of the price of .44 Specials. Reloading will help narrow the difference but the .38 stuff will always be much cheaper.

 

[moph759fl]

My practice ammo in .44SPL from my Taurus M44C, .44MAG 2" ported subbie is $23.75 box 50, .44SPL 200GR Gold Dot Hollow Point (G44SC) from Georgia Arms.

 

[cottonmouth]

3 incher

I like my model 24, 625 and 629. The 24 is by far the best carrying N frame I own and it shoots pretty darn good too.

J.B.

 

[rswartsell]

I own 2 short barrel revolvers, one is the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 spl that others have discussed on this thread. I have owned it for about 30 years and have had no problems with it. I also agree that recoil is definitely manageable with one caveat. When practicing with this pistol and shooting 20 rounds or more, my strong hand (right) from the webbing of the thumb down to the palm will suffer for days afterward. Feels like my thumb was being torn off like a chicken leg about to be devoured by a Viking.

I think this is a result of the less than substantial grips and the bore center height above the backstrap of the grip making me fight the rise. Or maybe I'm just sensitive (not usually though). I would give the gun fair marks on everything but ergonomics.

What I really like is my late 70's-early 80's Colt Lawman .357 2". I like the Mark III Colt J frame strength, and can send as strong a .357 down the tube as I'm willing to buy without the same problem.

As with all short barrels, a lot of the extra powder will go toward a lot of noise and flash unless you get some of the specially formulated loads that are appearing now. Don't know if I've noticed any .44 spl and up ammo formulated for short barrels.

When it comes to snubbies a full frame 6 shot .357 is as big as I want. Not the easiest to carry concealed already, big enough for me.

 

[BADSBSNF81]

Any of the 3" N Frame S&W's

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

Ruger alaskan hands down.

 

[Bigger is Better]

Your wife or girlfriend would tell you it was

I don't know if it could be considered a "snubby" gun, but some time ago I've had, but for very little time, a .45-70 Gov't Derringer... ... terrible.

 

[Virginian]

I have a Taurus 431 (or is it 441?) stainless 4" fixed sights and I love it, but it is a handful with very warm 44 Specials. 3" in 357 is great for me, but I want that extra inch with the 44. With regular loads it's great. I killed a lot of snakes with shot loads too.

 

[pinkymingeo]

At the range I wear a nice, comfy, padded shooting glove. My hand feels fine at the end of the day, even practicing with a lot of heavy loads in light guns. Can't imagine a range session without one.