Interesting Book About Snubby Concealed Carry Use

[mikerjf]

He pointed out one snubby advantage I haven’t seen mentioned elsewhere. He says that he’s never seen a squib stick a bullet in a 2”, only in longer barrels.

Now that I think about it, wouldn’t lead have a similar advantage over jacketed rounds? Less likely to stick in any given length of barrel?

 

[Ziggy2525]

He pointed out one snubby advantage I haven’t seen mentioned elsewhere. He says that he’s never seen a squib stick a bullet in a 2”, only in longer barrels.
...

I probably drew the short straw one day at the range, but I've had a squib with a factory lead wadcutter in a 642. It was the only one I've ever had.

 

[AZretired]

I have an original copy of Lovette's snubby book and have read it several times. I actually took a firearms course from him while he was an Firearms Instructor at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy back in the 80's. Great guy and took his time working with students

 

[Diego]

I have been researching the idea of a snubby for CC use and during this process I came upon reference to a book written by Mr. Ed Lovette titled The Snubby Revolver: The ECQ, Backup and Concealed Carry


The revised and updated addition was printed in 2007 by Paladin Press which I believe went out of business in 2017. Used copies sell for $89 to $110 on the internet but I was able to find an available PDF copy which I read last night.

Mr. Lovette was a Captain in the Army Special Forces, a 10 year LEO and a Paramilitary Officer employed by the CIA. I had read an interview written about him and found his thoughts about addressing the challenge of personal security to be very sound and valuable. The interview is available on the Armed Citizen's Legal Defense Network Inc. site in their April 2019 edition.

I have been reading a great deal about snubby employment for self-defense of late and found this book to be well worth the time to study what the author has to say regarding this area of interest.

Harry

I already own that fine book, as you can see. Now I only have to obtain a snubby

 

[Classic Radio99]

Being a resident of the Worker's Paradise known as the Democratic People's Republic of Illinois, I haven't been carrying all that long. But after reading this very thoughtful thread, I had a few thoughts of my own.

1. Harrychristopher's experience with numb fingers really hits home with me, and the possible loss of dexterity in a defensive situation is why I've switched to all DAO semi-autos with external hammers.
When I first started to carry, I figured I would use a standard DA/SA. But a couple of classes and dry-fire practice at home have convinced me that dealing with a safety is an added complication I don't want to worry about. One time fumbling with the safety may be all you get.
So, with the DAO, I get whatever round capacity I want, depending on which "revolver with a magazine" I choose to use. In my case, that's 8 to 17 rounds. Plus, all my defensive handguns work pretty much identically: Get the sights on target, pull the trigger.
Additionally, I like the external hammer as I can keep my thumb on the hammer as I holster for an additional safety factor.

2. I also have a Ruger LCR snubby in .38, and I have found that quality lead full wadcutters from Winchester, Remington, or Federal have relatively low recoil, and probably enough energy to be useful. I shoot those very well, they're not too expensive, and follow up shots can be quick.
When I've had someone tell me that I should be using something a lot more powerful, my reply is that my job is not to deprive someone of their liberty or their life, but simply to break contact and make-it-stop or escape.

3. I wish I could find a modern polymer DAO with external hammer semi-auto, but I don't think anyone makes anything like that anymore. Having the DAO advantages in a plastic gun would be nice, my bigger all metal guns are tanks but heavy. I'm going to need suspenders to carry so my britches don't fall down.

 

[haywood]

I put Hogue Tamers and Pachmayr Compacts on my 442’s. Thy take the nasty recoil, and my wife who has the weakest hands in the world, can handle them at Range Time. The guns still fit most of my pockets. I like shooting these and no matter the ammo a hour of Range Time is no big deal. I practice with Federal American Eagle 130 grain full metal jacket and carry Speer Gold Dot 135gr 38+P They are my daily carry guns.

 

[Classic Radio99]

Very Nice!

 

[swsig]

... I wish I could find a modern polymer DAO with external hammer semi-auto, but I don't think anyone makes anything like that anymore. Having the DAO advantages in a plastic gun would be nice, my bigger all metal guns are tanks but heavy. I'm going to need suspenders to carry so my britches don't fall down.

I own a hammer-fired DAO polymer SIG P250 subcompact in .380. It also is available in 9mm. It's small and light enough to be pocket carried and has a 12+1 round capacity. It is accurate and reliable, and the DAO pull is extremely smooth. Unfortunately, SIG stopped making them a couple of years ago, but there may be some new ones still lying around. And there should be some good used ones available as well. If you can find one, check it out. It may be just what you need.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I wish I could find a modern polymer DAO with external hammer semi-auto, but I don't think anyone makes anything like that anymore. Having the DAO advantages in a plastic gun would be nice, my bigger all metal guns are tanks but heavy. I'm going to need suspenders to carry so my britches don't fall down.

It may be difficult to find, but I know Beretta made a DAO version of the PX4, the PX4D. It was a hammer-fired DAO with repeat-strike capability. I was strongly considering getting this version but couldn't find one for sale, and ended up getting a good deal on a LE DA/SA model.

I also know that HK made some pistols that were either DAO or could be easily converted to DAO. I'm not that familiar with the HK line, though.

There's also the Sig P250, like swsig mentioned, and that was on my list of 9mms to try before Sig discontinued it. You may still be able to find one for sale on the used market. If you do go looking for one, make sure to avoid the 1st generation model as that was the one that seemed to have functional issues.

 

[petepeterson]

I probably drew the short straw one day at the range, but I've had a squib with a factory lead wadcutter in a 642. It was the only one I've ever had.

Me too. Speer GDSB 135 +P. Only plus was that it took less time to drive it out!

 

[ContinentalOp]

I probably drew the short straw one day at the range, but I've had a squib with a factory lead wadcutter in a 642. It was the only one I've ever had.

I'm not too surprised. Some of those wadcutter loads have really low velocity. I've tried one brand in my 642 so far, and pretty much every round fired resulted in keyholing in the target. No clean holes, just really long vertical tears. I was also shooting some SB-GDHP during the same session and those left nice, clean, round holes. I'm hesitant to shoot the remaining wadcutters.

 

[Ranger514]

Since I retired over five years ago, my EDC has transitioned from a DAO hammer-fired Sig P290RS with 8+1 in 9mm, to a 642 PC like the OP is referencing. The +P recoil in both is rather stout, but ordinary fMJ loads won't beat you up much. The P290RS is no longer produced, but many are still available in 9mm or .380 for those who want a DAO, hammer-fired, polymer-framed semi-auto. Sounds like the OP's wife could handle just about any snubby, revolver or semi-auto.

The 642PC is a great for cc, and I enjoy having mine in a pocket holster. It has a smooth DA trigger, as claimed, and shoots well enough for defensive use. While I like the simplicity of revolvers, I also rely on my semi-autos, most of which are metal-framed Sigs. Having used both types in cold weather, outdoor firearms training and qualifications, I can't really see an advantage of a revolver over a semi-auto when it comes to having to deal with reloads or failure issues. Both require using fine motor skill finger manipulations. Numb fingers will hamper using either. I have arthritis and muscle cramping issues in both hands. Like a lot of us older retirees, I have to pay attention to hand warming in cold weather.

 

[max503]

I was once in a panic situation - The kind where your brain goes from zero to 1000 mph in a split second and you are faced with a dire situation. In those situations your fine motor skills can leave you. Trust me I know.
Due to that memory, I want the simplest, most fool-proof device on my side.
That's why I carry an S&W 638. I consider the long trigger pull to be a good safety feature.

 

[7shooter]

Several posters have mentioned Grant Cunningham. I reread the few snubby books I have and am currently rereading Protect Yourself With Your Snubnose Revolver by Grant Cunningham.

Excellent book. I learn something every time I read it.

 

[Harrychristopher]

Several posters have mentioned Grant Cunningham. I reread the few snubby books I have and am currently rereading Protect Yourself With Your Snubnose Revolver by Grant Cunningham.

Mr. Cunningham's web site,grantcunningham.com, is interesting because he not only shares his thoughts on various aspects of the firearms field but he also links to articles from other people that he has found to be of interest. His site is the only one that I have signed up on his email list for upcoming news. I find myself rereading his various articles because his perspective on this field makes a lot of sense to me.

Harry

 

[Harrychristopher]

The 642PC is a great for cc, and I enjoy having mine in a pocket holster. It has a smooth DA trigger, as claimed, and shoots well enough for defensive use. While I like the simplicity of revolvers, I also rely on my semi-autos, most of which are metal-framed Sigs.

I was rather surprised at the smoothness of the PC 642 when I first handled it in the store. The majority of my past handgun shooting has been with autos mostly of the Sig manufacture. Prior to trying the double action on the 642 I had not seriously given thought to a double action only snubby for self-defense employment.

I enjoy shooting my Sig 1911 U.C.9 mm and 226 SAO Legion pistols but I find that the PC 642 rides well in a pocket holster in my front pocket and doesn't require that I thread a OWB holster on and off my trouser belt every time I wish to engage in concealed carry. The carry ammunition of .38 Special + P seems to me to be a fair compromise between a larger caliber and the convenience of having a smaller revolver in my pocket should the need hopefully never arise.

Harry

 

[Sol-Invictus]

The beat advice for any j frame, especially the 642 variant is to use a grip that covers the back strap. They come stock on the 640 and 60, the 642 at top has the SW grips ordered from their site. It is the difference between useful and painful.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[haywood]

The beat advice for any j frame, especially the 642 variant is to use a grip that covers the back strap. They come stock on the 640 and 60, the 642 at top has the SW grips ordered from their site. It is the difference between useful and painful.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I always change mine to shootable grips and they still fit most pockets.

 

[Harrychristopher]

The beat advice for any j frame, especially the 642 variant is to use a grip that covers the back strap. They come stock on the 640 and 60, the 642 at top has the SW grips ordered from their site. It is the difference between useful and painful.

I originally replaced the factory grips with Pachmayr wooden grips that were still a bit small for my hands. After shooting the 642 55 rounds worth I replaced those grips with a Hogue Monogrip which feels much better in the hands and still affords me the ability to pocket carry the gun.

 

[SuperMan]

Mr. Harrychristopher....one of the most eloquent and well thought out series of posts I have read in a long time...do you happen to live in the People Republic of Taxsachusetts?

As to pocket carry...I was just wondering if you have practiced at all drawing the gun while seated seat belted in a car or in the booth at a restaurant...

Thanks again for all your thoughts and observations...

Bob