Snubbie Q?

[MCorps0311]

How many inches a barrel has to be before it's consider not to be a snub nose revolver?

 

[diyj98]

I generally say 3" or less, but others may have different opinions.

 

[chiefbob81]

2.25 inches IMHO

 

[Richard Simmons]

Over 3" is not considered a snub as I've come to understand the term. That being said I would wager that a 4" was pretty much the standard for general issue revolvers in the military at the time as well as most law enforcement agencies/departments. Yes, many were longer than 4" and quite a few were shorter but 4" was the standard so you could call just about anything under 4" a snubby.

The 3.5" on the M27 is one that comes to mind. Might be the fact that it's an N frame but that barrel has always looked shorter to me than 3.5" and if you wanted to call it a snubby I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I'm with chiefbob81 on this. 2.25 is snubby, any longer and it isn't a snub nosed revolver to me anymore.

I have a 3 inch Model 36, definitely not snubby. I also have a 3 inch Model 10, same story. Even the big N-frames with 3 inch barrels aren't snub nosed to me. But a Model 19 with a 2.25 inch barrel - yeah, that's snub nosed.

 

[Grayfox]

This has been discussed several times before. I think the general consensus is that its mainly a matter of personal opinion.
To me its mostly about how it looks. A 3" J-frame is not a snubbie, but a 3" N-frame is. But that's just me.

 

[crazyphil]

I've always thought of 3" or less as being snubby.

 

[andy52]

This has been discussed several times before. I think the general consensus is that its mainly a matter of personal opinion.
To me its mostly about how it looks. A 3" J-frame is not a snubbie, but a 3" N-frame is. But that's just me.

I'm in agreement with that, I consider my 24-3 Lew Horton to be a snubbie.

 

[bigggbbruce]

History itself tells a good story...Wikipedia has it's own..
Snubnosed revolver - Wikipedia

 

[BAM-BAM]

LOL....not this .....AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

J-frame 2"....... classic Model 36/60

K-frame 2 1/2"..... classic model 19/66 (some say 3" as they were introduced 13/65 before the L-frame was introduced) For me the "best of class" is the uncommon to rare ( only about 5500 made) 3" 66

L-frame 3"....... just cus

N-frame 3 1/2"....... the classic 27

 

[Clarke Hammer]

I'm with chiefbob81 on this. 2.25 is snubby, any longer and it isn't a snub nosed revolver to me anymore.

I have a 3 inch Model 36, definitely not snubby. I also have a 3 inch Model 10, same story. Even the big N-frames with 3 inch barrels aren't snub nosed to me. But a Model 19 with a 2.25 inch barrel - yeah, that's snub nosed.

So, a Model 19 with 2.25 inch barrel is a snubby, but a 19 with 2.5 inch barrel is not? (I'm just being a smartass--everyone knows what you meant.)

 

[Cocked & Locked]

2.5" or less. Anything more is a wannabe snubby.

 

[jack the toad]

Just my opinion but, <3", I generally refer to as a snubby.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

3" or less

 

[murphydog]

A classic "snubby" was a 1 7/8" model 36 or 2" you-know-what Detective Special. However, it also seems to be a matter of proportion - a 3" J frame doesn't look like one but a 3" N frame (or 2 3/4" X frame) does. Let the debate rage on .

 

[colt_saa]

LOL....not this .....AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

J-frame 2"....... classic Model 36/60

K-frame 2 1/2"..... classic model 19/66 (some say 3" as they were introduced 13/65 before the L-frame was introduced) For me the "best of class" is the uncommon to rare ( only about 5500 made) 3" 66

L-frame 3"....... just cus

N-frame 3 1/2"....... the classic 27

I agree it depends on the frame of the revolver. I mostly agree with Bam-Bams figures except when we get to the N-frame.

True belly guns

GREAT Detecives revolvers

3" on the K frame is a bit of a stretch. While I love the longer extractor rod of the 3" 66, I think it looks dipropotionate . . . like it was stretched. Cant find my photo of this one right now

I agree with 3" on the L-frame

Snubby N-frames need to be 3" or less.

While very popular, I do not think the 3 1/2" N-frames portray the snub nose image, This is both because of the length of the barrel and the square butt grip frames

However, when we do get to the N-frames, there are revolvers that I refer to as Pug nose. These are the 2" N-frames, the ones that the barrels are too short to even write the cartridge name on

I had almost forgotten about the X-frame. The TRUE BIG BORE Snubby

OK I admit it, I LOVE snubbies

 

[mrchuck]

2.5" or less. Anything more is a wannabe snubby.

Ahhhh yes. That "slap" was my favorite "attitude adjuster".

 

[Echo40]

I agree it depends on the frame of the revolver.

I had almost forgotten about the X-frame. The TRUE BIG BORE Snubby

OK I admit it, I LOVE snubbies

Gotta love them big bore snubbies, particularly because when most folks hear "snubby" they think of something like a Colt Detective Special, so their reaction to your "snubby" takes them completely by surprise.

 

[colt_saa]

Gotta love them big bore snubbies, particularly because when most folks hear "snubby" they think of something like a Colt Detective Special, so their reaction to your "snubby" takes them completely by surprise.

I was waiting to see a Smith and Wesson Z Frame. I do not own one.

Was there a shorter barrel available on the Taurus? I think it was called the Public Defender or some such



The 500s snubbies are something.
5 pulls of the trigger can send over 1/2 pound of lead down range

Those are 725 grain wad cutters that still top 1100 FPS from the snubby, the little tiny comparison round is a 250 grain Core Cast Factory 41 Magnum

If we are going outside of Smith and Wesson, there are some cool snubbies out there from other manufacturers, Taurus had a series of 5 shot L frame sized snubbies available in steel, alloy or Total Titanium

The top two are 41 Magnums. One in stainless and the other in Total Titanium. The lower revolver is a Total Titanium 45 LC finished in Shadow Grey. The Titaniums weigh in right at 19 ounces

Of course the most intimidating view of any snubby is when you are on the Wrong End

Those are Barnes solid copper hollow points in 45 LC

Have I mentioned yet that I Love Snubbies?

 

[indigo22]

I am a fan of short barrels too. Handguns and Carbines. I've started the hunt for a 16" .357 Carbine to go with my 2 3/4" Police Service Six.