What constitutes a snub nose 2" barrel? 2.5" barrel? could a 3" barrel be considered a snubby? Does caliber matter?

There's no formal definition. This gets debated every so often on the forum, sometimes pointedly so, which is funny.

I'd say much has to do with frame size, but as a general rule all 2" and 2.5" guns'll be snubbies irrespective of frame. At K and L size, I think 3" still constitutes snubby, and at N it jumps to 3.5"

Anyway, let the games begin...

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Pickpocket

1.75"-2" barrel in my experience. But like others have said, depends on frame size... S&W governor has a 2.75" barrel, but it is a huge frame, so it's a snubby... You can find 2" barrel K frames but they are rare, so maybe a 3" would be considered a snubby?

All these have 1 7/8" or 2" barrels...

S&W 36 no dash J frame, S&W 34-1 J frame, and Ruger LCR

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FWIW, imo, 2” = snubby in J and K frames.

2 1/2” in L frame.

I think a 3” J frame = a 4” K frame.

I think of 2 1/2” or 3” K frame or 3” L frames as “compact” guns, between snubby and full size

I vote for anything 3" and under to be a snubby.

Same here...I like my 3" N-frames......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Years back I shot a lot of PPC. We had 3 classes Revolver, Semi Auto and Snub Nose/Off Duty. The snub nose definition we used was 2 1/2'' Frame size not a issue!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

So this 2 3/4" 500 Magnum counts


I go for 3" and under on most all frames. I do make the exception for the 3 1/2" Model 27s

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"Acta non verba"

Might be a stupid definition but for me it's a snubby when the part that protrudes beyond the frame (barrel minus threading and forcing cone) is shorter then the cartridge (casing plus bullet) it loads.

3" as a general rule. 3.5" for an N-frame.

Yea, but it'd be hard to hide

Anybody big enough to tote that cannon everyday doesn't need to hide......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

2 1/8" and under is my personal definition.

As good as any definition, I suppose.
I've never liked the term. I think it's stupid, frankly, and I try to never use it. But then I also don't like "revo" "wheelgun" "wheelie" (ugh) "roscoe" and so on.
Just not into cutesie names, I guess....

I wish I could locate a 3” model 19 and 586

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Justin
S&WCA #3623 S&WHF #814

A couple days of binge watching Peter Gunn might reveal the answer. Hollywood never lies.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

Growing up a Snub was something my Dad's NYPD Detective/Inspector and business buddies carried as they needed to be concealed.

Today it might be the relationship between frame size and barrel length. 3.5" or less seems to be a good compromise for shooting Snub class events.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

Although I'm a big fan of the 3-1/2" bbl. N-frames, I think that they are just too large to be classified as a snubby. I think a revolver with a 2-5/8" bbl. or under (e.g. my 8-shot Model 627-5 with 2-5/8" bbl., my 2-1/2" Model 19-4, my 2" Detective Special, and my 2" Model 15-2) would be a snubby.