What are some of your favorite snubbies?
I own a S&W 642, love it, goes everywhere with me, but want to get an "old school" snub, and deck it out with some exotic grips. Can't decide if I will go with a Colt or Smith. Prolly a Smith, but the Colts are sweet.
I have a S&W mod. 12 Airweight (Steel cylinder). For over 20 years, it's almost never out of reach. It's been with me on and off the beat since I've had it. It's my go-to, last-resort handgun. The ballistics are sorely lacking compared to the rest of my collection (I don't count .22's), but it is what it is. Highly concealable, ultimate reliability. 10's of thousands of rounds through it and not a single hic-up. Not one. No FTF. No FTE. Always ready. I've carried it in every imaginable position (almost, depending on your imagination) in countless holsters/systems. My favorite has always been the old stand-by, Safety-Speed leather (black basket weave, of course), high-ride paddle. Very comfortable, concealable, and quick to access/draw. It's a bit wider than the 642, 36/60 types, but 6 is always better than 5. I'll probably be buried with it, along with the G20 and .41M (for the zombies).
I think the Colt Detective special is an awesome small gun. Same reasons that DM1906 likes his model 12 - six beats five.
If I have to select a modern snubby, I am a fan of the Ruger SP101. Having shot several, it is a very nice gun at a reasonable price. The 3" barrel option is nice too. Still a snubby, but 50% more barrel.
I would like to try a Taurus or Charter Arms in 40S&W. If the price were right on one of those it would likely make it into my safe for a "try-n-see". If I felt like it was a solid performer, I would probably have the cylinders reamed to, wait for it, 10mm.
I also have always had a soft place in my heart for the Charter Arms Bulldog in 44 special. My uncle had one that I got to shoot on occasion. Small package, but the 44 special packs a real wallop.
I have a S&W mod 10 38spl (M&P of its day) 2" bbl, this is a 6 shot steel piece square butt, great shooter too. :D
S&W 360 is my roscoe of choice. Keep it loaded with 158 grain .357 mags (Hornaday XTP's). Great backup to the 10mm CCO or even as a primary when dressed down and need something smaller.
I am a big fan of snubs. Some of my favorites in my collection:
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/yeahitsthatbig/IMG_1409.jpg)
Same gun as above, but with Badger Grips
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/yeahitsthatbig/100_2934.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/yeahitsthatbig/IMG_1399.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/yeahitsthatbig/100_2741.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/yeahitsthatbig/100_0971.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/yeahitsthatbig/IMG_1415.jpg)
And last, my Speed Six.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/yeahitsthatbig/IMG_1449.jpg)
Nice set of guns Danimal. Love that SP101 with the 3" barrel.
Nice snub nosed J-frames.
'Danimal' I can tell you see the advantages of a shrouded hammer in a snubbie.
I can be on target under 'Condition Orange' without aggravating the situation.
One shoots from a jacket or coat pocket. Thrust the gun toward the target, away from your body before firing. Instead of pulling the gun out after the first few firings, push it through the hole formed in the jacket for follow-up shots. I've seen photos showing jacket fabric won't flame up.
Here's mine, a S&W 640-1 in .357 Mag:
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d199/harrygunner/misc/sw_640-1_357mag.jpg)
I have a Comp-TAC CTAC IWB holster and a Galco Ankle Glove for it. Typically carried on my ankle on long drives or sensitive business meetings.
If you count 3" k-frames as snubbies then those are probably my favorite. Here is a pic of my S&W model 13-2 and its brother the 65 - both 3":
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj168/personality16623/Holsters1.jpg)
I've got a couple J-frame snubbies, but I don't tend to shoot them as well as the k-frames so I'm not as big a fan of them as most people seem to be.
The next snubbie I've got my eyes on is the S&W 627 PC with a 2 5/8" barrel (the "Bloodwork" gun). If I can find a decently priced used one, I'll have it!
I like 'em too!
I have a S&W 638, pretty much stock sans the grips, excellent shooter. This one has floored more than a couple people. I out shot a guy with a 30-30 marlin one day at the 100 yard range!! He was NOT a very good shot, but his gun wasn.t much better. 5-6" groups was the best he could do. I shot my five into a group just over 4". ;D
Second is a old Ruger Speed Six in 357 Magnum. 2 3/4" barrel, I added a nite site capsule into the stock front blade as well as a "bar" into the base of the rear fixed. Then removed the SA notch and the hammer spur. Effectively making a DAO gun. Its smooth and very shoot-able.
CW
I only have one snubbie. A Llama Comanche II. I bought it from a guy at the range who was frustrated (because he could hit anything with it) and sold it because he was so frustrated. I asked if I could try it, he said sure. I put all 6 shot center mass. He said "I thought about selling the damn thing." I told him to let me know and I would buy it. My dad called a couple hours later and asked if I was serious about buying this revolver. This guy is a friend of my dad. I told him I was depending on what he wanted for it. He said "$75 and you can take this POS home." I asked my dad if he would cover it until I made my way back over there. He obliged. I have been thinking about getting a Ruger LCR. When I do finally find a good deal on a Ruger Alaksan 44 Mag, that will be my favorite snubbie. I shot one of those expecting a ton of recoil and I think it had less than my 7.5" Blackhawk.
Shooting snubbies is just like shooting everything else...Maintain sight picture during trigger pull/release. The problem is the short barrel, light weight, and DA trigger magnify greatly the slightest deficiency in your technique.
Lots of folks blame the gun. They are hard to shoot well. But I love to shoot them because they always reveal what I need to focus on.
S&W 500 2.75" just for fun
Haven't owned one yet. Been considering this one in 44 Mag...
(http://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/images/5026.jpg)
...just not sure if it actually qualifies as a snub. :-\
This one does:
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkAlaskan/models.html
Guess I just like the shorter grip and longer barrel in basic Redhawk form better.
Me too. I have never understood the appeal of the Alaskan. But it came to mind so I had to post it.
I think that 4" you had in your picture is about the perfect packin' pistol for 44 mag. Longer is better to shoot, but not carry.
Quote from: sqlbullet on August 02 2012 01:51:55 PM MDT
Me too. I have never understood the appeal of the Alaskan. But it came to mind so I had to post it.
I also posted that I want an Alaskan in 44 mag. I also never saw the appeal in it until I got to shoot one. That is one hell of a fun gun. I dont know what I would use it for since I never get into bear country. I wouldnt use it deer hunting. The recoil was actually less than my Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel. I love it and want one in the worse way.
A pair of super lightweight S&W 360PD's for ankle and pocket carry.
A pair of steel S&W 640's for pocket and belt carry. One in 38sp and the other in 357mag.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d98/leflers/DSCF0481.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d98/leflers/Bettys640.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d98/leflers/BBQgun.jpg)
Quote from: sqlbullet on August 02 2012 01:51:55 PM MDT
Me too. I have never understood the appeal of the Alaskan. But it came to mind so I had to post it.
I think that 4" you had in your picture is about the perfect packin' pistol for 44 mag. Longer is better to shoot, but not carry.
It's called the Alaskan for a reason. Being bear jumped happens fast. Imagine back pedaling over roots, rocks and your own big feet and trying to draw your gun. Pulling a handgun at that moment doesn't need sight radius or increased velocity. it needs all the possible speed to get on target that you can get. A short barrel will come up faster. A couple years back a guy walking his dog, outside of Soldotna used a Super Redhawk Alaskan, to stop a bear charge. Since this is a firearms forum, bear stories always do well.http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/080709/out_478669517.shtml (http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/080709/out_478669517.shtml)
Just an opinion, but I'm not sure about not needing, let alone wanting, greater sight radius or increased velocity.
To me that's like saying if I had both a long gun and handgun on me that I'ld still go for the handgun. I would still want to create the most damage to the bear possible per round, and having an option I'ld go with the long gun.
Taking it back to just handguns, a 4" barrel isn't much to pull, and at some barrel length and less I wouldn't think there would be a measureable difference in the draw. Just a difference in holsters could probably lengthen your draw time more than the difference between a 2.5" or 4" barrel.
I guess it's all for each to decide for themselves with various options to consider and blend accordingly.
Quotedoesn't need sight radius or increased velocity
It does sound like I may have overstated my point a bit, doesn't it? ;D
I chrono'ed some Buffalo Bore 158gr .357 Mag rounds through the S&W 640-1 snubbie.
158gr JHC : 1242, 1231, 1226, 1260, 1255 : avg 1243 ft/s and 540 ft-lb energy
Really like the performance and controllable-ness of this round.
Unfortunately, from Buffalo Bore, one can receive different ammo listed under the same product number. I chrono'ed some of my older rounds, the ones that appear to have Speer bonded bullets. Liked them and stopped by a Cabelas to pick up more. I should have opened the box and inspected the ammo.
Here's a photo of two rounds purchased a couple of days ago (on the left) and a few years ago (on the right). They were both sold in boxes identified as "Item 19C/20".
In my mind, ammo manufacturers should present the same consistency as McDonalds. Any place and any time, Big Mac's are the same. If the ammo is different, give it a different product number.
I'm placing an order with Underwood for their 158gr .357 Mag ammo.
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Quote from: harrygunner on November 17 2012 03:24:14 PM MST
In my mind, ammo manufacturers should present the same consistency as McDonalds. Any place and any time, Big Mac's are the same. If the ammo is different, give it a different product number.
Definitely agree! Because of that Buffalo Bore is right at the bottom of my list with Double Tap as ammo companies that don't deserve and won't get any more of my business based on their shady business practices. It especially makes me mad with Buffalo Bore as they're already charging a premium price for their ammo.
Quote from: harrygunner on November 17 2012 03:24:14 PM MST
I chrono'ed some Buffalo Bore 158gr .357 Mag rounds through the S&W 640-1 snubbie.
158gr JHC : 1242, 1231, 1226, 1260, 1255 : avg 1243 ft/s and 540 ft-lb energy
Really like the performance and controllable-ness of this round.
Unfortunately, from Buffalo Bore, one can receive different ammo listed under the same product number. I chrono'ed some of my older rounds, the ones that appear to have Speer bonded bullets. Liked them and stopped by a Cabelas to pick up more. I should have opened the box and inspected the ammo.
Here's a photo of two rounds purchased a couple of days ago (on the left) and a few years ago (on the right). They were both sold in boxes identified as "Item 19C/20".
In my mind, ammo manufacturers should present the same consistency as McDonalds. Any place and any time, Big Mac's are the same. If the ammo is different, give it a different product number.
I'm placing an order with Underwood for their 158gr .357 Mag ammo.
Tim openly admitted a few years back to using Montana Gold Bullets during the ammo/reloading component shortage. Looks like he is probably still using them.
https://www.montanagoldbullet.com/Images/320x200/38-jhp-158.jpg
I generally agree about the Montana Gold bullets. For me it more about the velocity just not being that great. Then add in the smoke cloud everytime you set one off..........and at the end of the day, what's the point for the price they ask.
Please know that I have great respect for Buffalo Bore with many of their loadings. It's only their 10mm that I find lacking for the price they want.
My trusty old friend has ridden in my pocket for quite some time. Just a plain old nuthin' fancy Model 36.
She'll put at least 4 outta 5 into a playing card at 60'.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp240/LeMat_photos/Forum%20Guns/2012-10-09_12-40-26_315.jpg)
I've been carrying a brace of Smith M&P 340's for a few years, love 'em, but I would love to find a Colt magnum carry, but they demand so much money now it would be hard to cram it a pocket for all day carry.
I'm not real fond about snubbies. I actually like LONGER barrels (Except for my carry guns, which are all semi-autos) I have like ONE snubbie barrel. It was part of the 4 different length barrels that came in my Dan Wesson .357 mag pistol pack. I can put on the .25, 4. 6. or 8 inch barrels.
But I'm actually trying to find one of the Wesson 10,12, or 15" barrel assemblies for it. About the only thing I can say about the 2.5" barrel assembly. is I shot it. I find my accuracy is just so much BETTER with one of the longer barrels.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Gandog56/DSCN1100_zps5eeccdb7.jpg)
I did just put a red fiber optic front sight on the 2.5 inch barrel. Have to see if I shoot any better with it.
Quote from: gandog56 on February 28 2013 04:01:39 PM MST
I'm not real fond about snubbies. I actually like LONGER barrels (Except for my carry guns, which are all semi-autos) I have like ONE snubbie barrel. It was part of the 4 different length barrels that came in my Dan Wesson .357 mag pistol pack. I can put on the .25, 4. 6. or 8 inch barrels.
But I'm actually trying to find one of the Wesson 10,12, or 15" barrel assemblies for it. About the only thing I can say about the 2.5" barrel assembly. is I shot it. I find my accuracy is just so much BETTER with one of the longer barrels.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Gandog56/DSCN1100_zps5eeccdb7.jpg)
I hadn't realized such a setup existed. Thanks for posting.
This type of thing is what Dan Wesson was actually known for before Bob Serva came on board and started them making 1911's.
Interesting.
Only a snubbie if I put the 2.5" barrel on. I like choice!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Gandog56/DSCN1100_zps5eeccdb7.jpg)