I have several 2 1/2" 357 Magnum snubbies, though only one of them is fancy.
The Model 19/66 has always been a favorite of mine. I used to carry a Mag-na-Ported Model 66 for a long while. My stepfather carried the snub nosed Model 19. After my step father passed I switched to carrying his 19. When Hogue gave me a few sets of their new Laser grips for testing a few years back, I left them on the Model 19 because I loved the shape of the grips
I have another 2 1/2" Model 66 but I can not find a photo of it. This one has a triple alpha serial number with all zeros. I kind of like the all zeros guns and have a few
Years ago the Diplomatic Security Service ordered up some 2 1/2" Model 19s with a matte blue finish. I have one that shipped in December 1986 and is still unfired since leaving the factory. The DSS ordered these revolvers with the Pachmayr Compoac Professional grips. These show up once in a while, but not often
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUnTBwUHov0[/ame]
Back in start of the 1980s the L-frame 686 revolvers were still pretty new to the market. At the time, the Factory had made the 4" barrel their shortest offering. It took Lew Horton's vision for the 2 1/2" 686 snubby to be born in 1984. He had 2500 produced back then. This early example was nicely engraved by a FEGA member.
Then there is the 2 1/2" Model 327 Night Guard. Theis Scandium alloy framed smubby carried 8 rounds of 357 Magnum . . .
YES I said EIGHT Rounds of 357 Magnum ammunition. The early offerings left the Factory with the Smith & Wesson logoed Pachmayr Compac grips. Later guns had the longer Uncle Mikes grips. The rear sight is a Cylinder and Slide EXTREME Duty model. Yes I have pocket carried this in the generously sized 5.11 Covert Khaki's front pocket
Now on to some Non-Smith & Wessons
I only have a few of the snubby Pythons. I had let some friend by a few of mine before the prices went through the roof. Back in the early 90s, I began carrying this 2 1/2" Bright Stainless Colt Python. I changed the Factory grips out for some Hogue KingWood grips. Around the same time I was thinking about using it for PPC snub nosed matches. So the revolver went to Walt Sherman for his legendary roller bearing action job. The D/A trigger is indescribable. Well I never competed with it, but did carry it for years and I still shoot it
In the late 1980s Colt began offering the most awesone set of 2 1/2" 357 Magnums I have ever seen. The set was called Snake Eyes and consisted of a 2 1/2" Royal blue Python and a 2 1/2" Bright Stainless Python, both with special markings and grips.
The grips had the dice on one side and a Diamond Royal Flush on the other. The case had poker chips, cards and dice mounted in it and it was illuminated. Colt offered up extra cards and poker chips at the time and I bought a set or two of each. I had the big case in my Study. It always started a conversation or two.
