smallest snub nosed

dezir

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This is a new area for me but I'm looking for the smallest frame revolver that S&W makes that's larger than 22 caliber.
 
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This is a new area for me but I'm looking for the smallest frame revolver that S&W makes that's larger than 22 caliber.
 
Hi, The smallest current production revolver S&W makes is a .38special/.357magnum J frame or a .32H&R magnum J frame. What caliber are you looking for??? What are you going to use it for??
 
I'd like to try a revolver for a carry gun but the cylinder diameter always seems to deter me. I am not that opposed to a .22 but a little bigger would be better.
 
Look around for a used Model 36 or 60 (.38spl). They each have a 1 7/8" barrel and are great guns. They are easily concealed and getting used to them is a breeze. There are other models with that barrel length made from aluminum or titanium, but they're not fun to shoot.

A slim, reliable but awful gun to shoot is a Walther PPK/s in .380.
 
All of Smith and Wessons small j-frame revolvers have the same size cylinder, regardless of caliber - .22, .32, .38, .357, etc. I don't think the competitors (Taurus, Ruger, etc.) have smaller cylinders. Spend some time with a j-frame, you will like it!
 
I have a Model 640 357 mag that I carry in a pocket holster,belt,and shoulder rig in winter.Easy to conceal and nice shooting....God Bless......Mike
 
What the others said: Get ahold of a J-frame Smith & Wesson, carry it for a week or so. You'll never look back. Sure, the Glock 26 is the smallest Glock - and I have one - and sure it's 10+1 - but it prints much more, whereas, for example, my Model 36 prints hardly at all and can be carried in a pocket if need be.

As for the Glock's 10+1 capacity, simply carry a speedloader (and practice, practice, practice with it) and the playing field is pretty much equal.

I tend to carry my Model 36 in either an OWB Widowmaker or a Galco IWB. Both do nicely. Never tried a pocket holster, but you might want to.
 
If I ever feel the need to carry something smaller than a J frame, it will be a Kel-tec P3AT, and/or North American Arms Black Widow. The Black Widow is of excellent quality. I highly recommend it for a deep concealment BUG and carry one daily. I will, however, caution that one should never carry a .22 as a primary if you can carry something bigger. P3ATs can be finicky, but have a lot of power for their size and weight and are much thinner than a J frame.

Smith and Wesson isn't smart enough to do it, and neither is NAA, but sooner or later someone is going to design and make a 5 shot DA revolver of about .28 cal. from the ground up and fill a much needed niche in the carry market.
 
If you really want a smaller centerfire revolver, try a Colt Pocket Positive. They are chambered in .32S&W and are substantially smaller than a J-frame Smith. While there are Pocket Positives with 2-inch barrels, they are rare. The common 2.5-inch barrel Pocket Positive is still smaller than a 2-inch J-frame.

Isn't the Smith I-frame Terrier a bit smaller than a J-frame?
 
Judge,
Yes it is. Early Chiefs Specials are smaller than those made after about 1953, but I frame guns are even more compact.

Baby Chief
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Originally posted by dezir:
This is a new area for me but I'm looking for the smallest frame revolver that S&W makes that's larger than 22 caliber.

Keeping strictly within the stated specifications, you want a 32 S&W top-break, "New Departure", BICYCLE gun. They made them as short as 1-1/2", 5-shot .32 S&W short; produced somewhere between 1900 and 1920. Not a whole lot better than a 22LR, but it would fit your stated criteria. They're kinda scarce & pricey. I'd go with a 640 first; a Seacamp or Keltec if size is your overarching concern. -S2
 

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