Model 10 or 64 Snub for CC

[Whit]

What is the opinion of the fixed sight K frame snub, either blue or stainless, as a conceal carry revolver? Don't seem to see much written about either as a carry piece. It appears the J frame snubs are more popular.

While I've not carried the K snub, it would appear to me to not be that much more difficult to conceal while giving the user a larger grip surface and an extra round, not to mention the small amount of extra weight to help mitigate recoil.

Way back in the 60's an officer in my PD cadet class shot the PPC using a 2" Model 10. If I remember correctly he outscored several of the guys during qualifications with that snub.

So who carries the K snub and why?

 

[sigp220.45]

I carry this Model 12 every day.

Why? Smooth action, nice sights, 6 shots, light weight.

 

[KEN L]

Definitely go with the Model 64. All things considered, they are essentially the same gun. However, the stainless gun will better serve your needs in durability over the blued finish.

 

[ACP230]

I have sometimes carried a two-inch M15.
Shoots better than my J-frames. The adjustable
sights help.

Last gun I carried was my snubnose M38, however.

 

[John Patrick]

I carry this Model 12 every day.

Why? Smooth action, nice sights, 6 shots, light weight.

Very nice!

 

[krsmith58]

model 10 2 inch. i bought the gun for the grips, ivory, but it has really grown on me. carry it often. it no longer wears the ivory.

when i have to leave my gun in the truck it would be missed less than others should some lowlife steal it. krs/smith

 

[CH4]

I like the K frame snubbies. For fixed sight snubbies, I often carry my 2" 15s and 3" 13/65s. I also have my dad's modified 2" Victory/M&P that he carried off duty, but it's a safe queen.

 

[max503]

I don't know about CC but a 2 inch round butt Model 10 has been a grail gun for me for years. If I had one I would take it out on walks for sure.

 

[loeman]

I'd choose the 2", Md. 64 over the 10 only because it is stainless. I love my 2" 64 but admittedly I don't carry it much, but would likely do so if I didn't have my Md 649-3 which is a superb pocket carry choice. That being said, K frame snubbies are among my favorites. I have 2 inch versions of the 12, 15 and 64 and still waiting for a 2" 10 to show up.

 

[Bald1]

I like the K frame snubbies. For fixed sight snubbies, I often carry my 2" 15s and 3" 13/65s. I also have my dad's modified 2" Victory/M&P that he carried off duty, but it's a safe queen.

Here's a question. Is a 3" actually a snubbie? I love them but does it have to be 2" to be a snub?

 

[Old cop]

I carried both snubs during my career and preferred the M64 only because it was easier to maintain. Aside from that they're the same gun.

 

[.38SuperMan]

Here's a question. Is a 3" actually a snubbie? I love them but does it have to be 2" to be a snub?

I've asked the same question but never had a response.

I personally carry revolvers with 1-7/8" up to 3" barrels. I consider the 3" a snubnose and has become my favorite for many occasions. I frequently carry a 3" Colt King Cobra.

While I still often carry my 640 no dash I also carry a 2" Colt Cobra or 3" King Cobra. I have 3 K frame snubbies and really like them but have gravitated more to the Colt 2 or 3". Size wise the Colts are about the same size or a hair smaller than the K frame Smiths. They are excellent and worth consideration.

 

[G-Mac]

For fixed sight snubbies, I often carry my 2" 15s and 3" 13/65s.

I thought all Model 15s had adjustable sights. My 4" does and I assumed all 2" did too.

 

[G-Mac]

Here's a question. Is a 3" actually a snubbie? I love them but does it have to be 2" to be a snub?

I consider my 2-1/2" Model 66-1 to be a snubby. 3"....nice barrel length but not so much a snubby. Just my opinion.

 

[Dieseltech56]

I don't consider a 3" barrel to be a snubbie either. Even on a 629 which proportionally looks like a snubbie.

 

[Xfuzz]

Based on your location go with
a 2" model 64 if you can find one.

 

[Echo40]

My brother has an old Police trade-in Model 10 4" Heavy Barrel which I've shot at the range during trips together.
Based on my personal experience with that particular example of the Model 10, I would feel very confident carrying one. Smooth action, feels good in the hand, not too heavy, reliable, chambered in an adequate self-defense cartridge. What's not to like?

 

[Biggfoot44]

Love them ! Have one of each , only difference is M10 wears Secret Service ( boot) grips ; and M64 Pacmyer Compacs .

A 2in K frame with Magnas or Boot grips conceals as easily as a J frame w/ oversize grips. With a good belt holster , or IWB, the weight isn't an issue .

I actually don't care as much for the balance of 3in RB . In the Other Brand Dept ; the 2.75 Speed Six is the bee's knees.

 

[Doug M.]

I would carry a 2" K frame in preference to the J, and a round butt 3" before that. K frames have much better ergonomics and triggers, and with most holsters under most conditions, will conceal adequately well.

 

[31FordA]

I often carry a 2" Model 64-2 at work, and carry a 2" Model 12-2 on the weekend, or on days when I'm working in the office shuffling papers. They are easy to carry and they are just as accurate as their 4" relatives. Snub nosed K frames are also great house guns. I've accumulated a bunch of 10, 12 and 64 snubs over the last few years, they can become addictive.

 

[Dgfrtsgt]

I have been carrying a snubbie for a few years. They include a S&W model10 with a 3" barrel, a S&W model 19 2.5" barrel and a Colt King Cobra 3" barrel. They all conceal for me here in Vegas with just a t-shirt.

 

[GerSan69]

Here's a question. Is a 3" actually a snubbie? I love them but does it have to be 2" to be a snub?

I suggest a new category for an old configuration: Let's call the 3" a Hybrid!

Think about it... it's an inch longer than a snub-nose, but an inch shorter than a standard duty revolver.

After all, police departments in the old, old days issued 3"ers to woman officers
(and in not-so-old days, that was done in Australia.)
It's the in-betweener with "the best of both!"

I think I'm 75-80 years behind; I'd bet that S&W could've used this for marketing back then.
Oh well, I'm late for dinner a lot, too.

 

[sipowicz]

I carry this Model 12 every day.

Why? Smooth action, nice sights, 6 shots, light weight.

Sig, What holster is that? Looks like a modern version of a Bianchi 9R.

 

[sipowicz]

Here's a question. Is a 3" actually a snubbie? I love them but does it have to be 2" to be a snub?

Certain men might not consider 3" a snubby…but they might have other non gun related issues.

 

[sigp220.45]

Sig, What holster is that? Looks like a modern version of a Bianchi 9R.

Its a 40 buck eBay special! Probably from Thailand, but it works great.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have a 2" Model 64 round-butt .38 Special, purchased as surplus from the local police department about 12 years ago. Local dealer had 4 of them as trade-ins from the department, along with 4 Model 28 Highway Patrolman .357 4". Like most LE handguns they were all carried a lot and shot very little, very good condition mechanically but not pristine in appearance. The dealer needed to replenish his operating funds, let me have all 8 of them for $250 each. I'd like to find more deals like that.

The 2" Model 64 has become my daily carry piece over the past couple of years. Surgeries to my wrist, elbow, and shoulder have left me with diminished strength and dexterity, no longer fully confident with larger and heavier pistols of greater recoil.

So, a 40-year old used police surplus revolver in good mechanical condition. Good cleaning and test firing for function and accuracy. Purchased a Wilson Combat spring set (mainspring and trigger return spring), added an old Tyler T-Grip adapter with the factory magna grips. Very much like what I carried back in the 70s and 80s and I am perfectly comfortable with it. Enough weight and strength to handle +P ammo without punishing recoil. When I do my part properly there is no difficulty in putting every shot within the 8-ring of a B-27 silhouette at 25 yards. Capable of better accuracy when I really concentrate and take the time to do my best, but certainly capable of taking care of business if needed.

In my opinion, one of the most practical personal defense handguns ever offered.

 

[sipowicz]

Its a 40 buck eBay special! Probably from Thailand, but it works great.

Bet it works better than this one

 

[AzShooter]

Can't live without my Model 10 HB with Pachmeyer grips. I picked this up a few years ago from J&G sales in Arizona for $ 185 and it's been a great shooter.

Nothing has been done to the action and it's a true representative of Smith's earlier manufacturing.

 

[ironhead7544]

I have owned numerous K frames over the years. I only have one left. It is a 3 inch heavy barrel M64-3. This is about the best size for a 38 Special carry revolver. I checked the velocity of factory 158 gr +P Lead SWCHP and got 880 fps. In a 4 inch, 905 fps.

With the K frame, there is very little difference in carrying a 2 to 4 incher with a proper holster. Had a Model 12-3 with a 4 inch and it made a fine carry piece. Also had a 2 inch M64 and at close range could shoot it as well as the 3 or 4 inch.

Note that today the 3 inch revolver is much sought after. I consider the three inch the best snubbie.

If you want to drop down in size a bit, then look for a steel framed J frame. I once had a 3 inch M36 heavy barrel with a square butt and 1/8 inch sights. They were an over run supposedly from NYPD designed for the women members.

 

[VaTom]

A round butt, 2" K frame is excellent for concealed carry. I have posted pictures of mine before but here is a recap. Bought my 64 2" in 1976 as my off duty carry when I became a LEO. From 1983 - mid 1990's it was my daily carry in my job as chief of a small campus department. We went to Glocks and I then carried a G23. With a good pancake holster it was easy to conceal under a suit coat, blazer, etc. and comfortable. More so than the Glock. I was always able to qualify with a score in the 90s with it (as good as a 4"). Our qualifications included 18 rounds from 25 yards. My holster I carried it in all those years is in the picture.

Still have it, but I now carry a Shield 9mm but would not hesitate to carry it.