• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

Snub nose revolver only for carrying?

M

M&Patrick

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hello S&W forums. i just purchased my first handgun, an M&P 9mm, and am in the 10 day waiting period....and i know its silly, but i am already looking forward to what my next gun purchase is going to be a year for now.

anyway, i am looking at revolvers and have a question.

is the only benefit of a snubbie over a standard revolver the ease of carry as a concealed weapon? i dont plan on getting a carry license, and i have a shotgun for home defense, so my pistols will just be for recreation/target shooting...considering that, is there any reason that i should consider snub nose revolvers over standard?
 
In my opinion, no. Get a 3" to 6" K-frame 38 special for fun at the range. ;)

14_4_01.jpg


IMG_2569-1.jpg
 
I love shooting snubbies at the range. I enjoy them more than full size revolvers, but they are harder to shoot well. More recoil, shorter sight radius, etc.

Try one out and see for yourself.
 
Easier handling and easier concealment are the advantages to a snubby. Snubbies do lose out in terms of velocity, vs. a revolver with a longer barrel. As well, the shorter sight radius of a snubby can make it more difficult to shoot accurately. However, a shorter barrel, provided the twist rate is correct for the cartridge and bullet weight to be used, is no less inherently accurate than any other barrel length.

As with all things, there are always trade-offs. If you never intend to conceal, then a snubby may not be the best choice for you. Also, if you intend to shoot your (future) revolver at longer distances, say past 25 yards, then a snubby won't be the best choice. They are best at self-defense distances.

Lots of people enjoy them, including myself, but the trade-offs must be considered.
 
Dragon88 is right on - you'll have an enormous amount of fun with a K frame 38 Special. At least, that's been my experience with my under-$300 Model 10 with a 4" heavy barrel. Hundreds of rounds of 158g lead rounds at cowboy load velocities leave only soot, not lead, to clean up. And no hand or wrist pain on old joints, even if I throw in a dozen or two +P rounds just for grins.

That said, I probably shoot as many if not more rounds through my 2" 649 (all stainless.) It IS harder to knock down steel plates at 25 yards consistently with the snubbie than with the longer barrel, but it's a lot more satisfying when you do. The steel gun is heavy enough not to be particularly punishing with cowboy loads, but I find that an Airweight 442 snubbie starts to get old pretty quickly, even with light loads, unless I put a big cushy Pachmayr grip on it. YMMV on this point if your joints are younger and/or tougher than mine. But if it were me looking at a snubbie I'd go for an all stainless gun unless I absolutely knew I wanted to carry it in a jacket or pants pocket, were the much lighter weight DOES make a big difference.

You say you have a shotgun for home defense. I wouldn't argue against that choice, but you might also consider the "convenience" that a small but powerful handgun might offer over the long gun if you were to find yourself maneuvering in a confined space (hallway, curved staircase, etc.) With a laser grip on it, a snubbie revolver will put a round exactly where the red dot is (if you've adjusted the sight properly and practiced a bit) without your having to align sights in front of your eye. And there's very little for an attacker to grab in an attempt to disarm you, should things ever get to that close quarters. Just a thought.
 
I agree with the other posts regarding the advantages of a snubbie, but given the OP's stated purpose for the revolver as a fun range gun, I would strongly recommend against starting with a snubbie as your first revolver. They are more difficult to shoot accurately, and IMO much less fun to shoot. My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be for a 4" K or L frame 357 mag. That way you have the versatility of shooting 357 mag or 38 special. Someday you'll probably want a snubbie too, but I would not recommend starting with one or you might get discouraged with revolvers!
 
BCDWYO said:
...but given the OP's stated purpose for the revolver as a fun range gun, I would strongly recommend against starting with a snubbie as your first revolver. They are more difficult to shoot accurately, and IMO much less fun to shoot.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. Get maybe a Model 10 with at least a four-inch barrel. It will be easier to shoot accurately at the range. You can always get the snubby down the road.
 
thanks guys, i'm already looking at handgun #2 during my waiting period of # 1...so i know i'm not gonna stop at only 2, sounds like i should def go with a standard revolver for my first of that type
 
Yes, if it is only for range use, and possibly for use in the home then I would consider a 4 or even better a 6" revolver.

While a 38 Special would work just fine you might think about a 357 Mag.

You can shoot 38's, and 357 Mags.
 
For the stated purposes, range/recreation, my suggestion would be a 6" K22. 500 rounds of 22 for the price of 50 38 spec. Just as much fun.
 
Consider looking at a Model 17 K22 revolver. It has a six inch barrel.
Then when you decide you need another gun and you will. Look at a Model 14 K38.
These two guns are of the same configuration and weight. Cheap to shoot and accurate as any made.

Kframes.jpg
 
Here are a few k frames I enjoy shooting. Police trade-ins, bought on the net. Snubs are great for carry, and you will probably end up with one, but for fun at the range, start out with a K.
 

Attachments

  • Spring , Mod. 64(3) 009.jpg
    Spring , Mod. 64(3) 009.jpg
    35.3 KB · Views: 226
  • snow, 64 trade in target 023.jpg
    snow, 64 trade in target 023.jpg
    64.9 KB · Views: 172
M&Patrick said:
Hello S&W forums. i just purchased my first handgun, an M&P 9mm, and am in the 10 day waiting period....and i know its silly, but i am already looking forward to what my next gun purchase is going to be a year for now.

anyway, i am looking at revolvers and have a question.

is the only benefit of a snubbie over a standard revolver the ease of carry as a concealed weapon? i dont plan on getting a carry license, and i have a shotgun for home defense, so my pistols will just be for recreation/target shooting...considering that, is there any reason that i should consider snub nose revolvers over standard?
Click to expand...
I CARRY and SHOOT my S&W revolvers.

I would strongly recommend 2.5"-4" K/L frame 38/357 models.

You can : Have plenty of fun at the range. Carry it, if and when You will carry. Home protection . ETC.
 
Check YouTube for videos of Bob Munden. There's at least one of him popping a gallon jug at a hundred yards with a 2' M36!
 
If you're that serious get 2 revolvers, a .38 (some previously mentioned) and a .22. I have 2 favorites, a 617 4" and a 14-3 (6"). Both shoot better than I ever will, the 617 likes (cheap) bulk ammo and the 14-3 reloaded HBWC. And if you want SS, I'd consider a 67. It's my 3rd choice for the range. Then there's......Oh forget it - buying guns is like eating potato chips, you can't have just one.
 
Model 13/65 and 10/64 with three inch barrel (assuming they shoot close to the point of aim ) are some of the very best revolvers to carry .

They are also big enough to enjoy them at the range out to 25 yards and beyond .
 
Iggy beat me to it...

for pure fun...a 22lr. The money you save is untold. Your bank account will love you for it. You can spend $23 for WW white box for 100 rounds or get 500 plus rounds of 22lr for under $20. It will improve your shooting for sure. Most women love a low recoil handgun. And you can use them at steel match's. Also a lot of fun. What you save in ammo will pay for your revolver!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top