View Full Version : Going back to Snubbie
leidenheimer
02-09-2008, 16:07
Some time ago I got rid of all of my snubbies. :crazy: :crying: My primary carry is either a G19 or PM9 but deep down I wish I had a snubbie to carry at times. The thought of a light 5 for sure pistol to throw in the pocket keeps coming back to me. I have holsters, 2 CT laser grips, and all the goodies for the snubbie collecting dust and the thought of not having a snubbie has got to me. I'll probably get a S&W 442. I like the recoil of the .38+P over the .357 and I do not want to spend the money for a Scandium to get in the 15 oz or less weight group.
I hope I can get one this coming weekend as well as a P3AT at the gunshow!
I feel with a snubbie back in my collection all will be well. :supergrin:
I've tried a number of small autos, but the 5 shooter keeps winning the contract.:supergrin:
I just picked up a 442 today. I did alot of research first. I also had the chance to shoot the lighter scandium models and did not like the felt recoil. I did lean a bit towards the Ruger SP101 but the extra weight was not worth it. This is my first revolver and I could not be happier. It just overall conceals better than my G26.
The snub nose revolver, in one form or another, has always been a great concept, and a great tool for close quarters fighting. In fact, it NEVER STOPPED being a great concealed carry/fighting tool, but when the high capacity 'Wonder Nines' began to come to prominence in the l980s, revolvers, including the 'snub nose', gradually were stuck in drawers, safes, or sold.
Polymer became 'the thing', and as concealed carry laws swept the nation, manufacturers brought out a variety of compact, sub-compact, and micro autoloaders to fill the need, but with exceptions, some of those smaller autoloaders had maybe only a 1 or 2 round advantage over the old 'snub nose' revolver, but some of those autoloaders were ALSO less accurate, and less reliable.
The thing is, the intent with carrying a small handgun, especially as a back-up to a larger gun, was that this may in fact be a last ditch tool to save your life. Having to pull the back-up meant that your primary plans of awareness and confict avoidance didn't prevent the emergency, and your primary pistol AND your spare ammo didn't solve the problem. Perhaps by this time you were already wounded, and any back-up weapon you pulled HAD to work, with unquestionable reliability and simplicity in operation. With this in mind, many people in the know chose the 'snub nose' revolver.
Personally, I was raised with the revolver, shooting and wearing out cap n ball revolvers at the range, and using them, and other single actions in competition. My first duty side-arms were revolvers, and I recognized when we switched to autoloaders that we may have gained in capacity, but we regressed in both the quality of the firearm, and the accuracy as well.
Now, I have a variety of revolvers, including several snub noses in my collection, and those snub noses see carry time. When someone approaches me and asks for a recommendation on a handgun for self defense, my thoughts immediately go to Smith & Wesson, with a 5 shot snubby, or even an 'old' model 10 as a 'best' choice (auto loaders not being ruled out, of course) with it all depending on the particular persons needs and situation.
In my mind, a good 'snub nose' revolver is mighty hard to beat as an ideal carry gun....
leidenheimer
02-09-2008, 22:34
The snub nose revolver, in one form or another, has always been a great concept, and a great tool for close quarters fighting.
In my mind, a good 'snub nose' revolver is mighty hard to beat as an ideal carry gun....
The more I carry autos the more I agree with your statements. It is hard to beat a reliable, lightweight revolver that can be put into a lint filled pocket and still fire. So much emphasis is put on keeping pocket autos clean for reliability. I also like the idea of being able to fire in the pocket if a BG gets the drop on me or if I am wary of someone approaching me I can have my hand casually in my pocket and be ready to fire. Even though I only have 5 rds I feel at close quarters the snub can get the job done along as shot placement is there. I will have CT lasergrips on it to aid in shot placement and hopefully the laser would be a threat ender before shots are fired. The snub is a great all season gun and I'm getting anxious to have another one.
I've tried a number of small autos, but the 5 shooter keeps winning the contract.:supergrin:
I resemble that remark! I tried and then sold a Kahr K9, a Walther PPK, and a G27, always going back to the SP101. I also tried a Colt Mustang, and still have it, though it is not carried anymore. My SIG P229s won't go away, as they are my duty pistols; I must use certain DA .40 autos by policy, but for CCW, and "back-up" on patrol, the SP101 is my foundation. In a way, SP101 snubbies are my "primary" firearms, as I have one or more with me virtually 24/7.
In a way, SP101 snubbies are my "primary" firearms, as I have one or more with me virtually 24/7.
Ditto with me and my two Ti-Scan J-frames.
.
I'm pretty satisfied with my S+W 442 and Glock 27 either individually or as a pair.
If my brother ever reclaims the G27 (:crying: ) then a Ruger SP101 will replace the Glock.
I only carry Snub Revolvers. A 357 IWB and a 38+P in a pocket. I feel the average Citizen such as myself, if attacked, it will be up close. The attacker may be in your car, or on top of you, or maybe have you pinned against something. In that situation I do not want to worry about a slide being interfered with, turning my 20 rounder into a single shot, or its ejection port being blocked and causing a stove pipe, or a bad grip limprist shot causing a failure to feed. My Revolvers will give me a more reliable 10 shots. If I were a Duty Cop or Lived in a gang area I my want a Semi Auto Multi shot, but it would be backed up by a Revolver. I also carry reloads for each gun. If I need to arm someone such as my wife to help me, they get a Revolver (no training needed).
I will still carry my 3" GP100 and my 4" GP100 whennever i may and I do carry them in a Unclemikes holsters,concealed. 17z,Omaha,Ne.
Glockanatorrrrr
02-12-2008, 20:38
I only carry Snub Revolvers. A 357 IWB and a 38+P in a pocket. I feel the average Citizen such as myself, if attacked, it will be up close. The attacker may be in your car, or on top of you, or maybe have you pinned against something. In that situation I do not want to worry about a slide being interfered with, turning my 20 rounder into a single shot, or its ejection port being blocked and causing a stove pipe, or a bad grip limprist shot causing a failure to feed. My Revolvers will give me a more reliable 10 shots. If I were a Duty Cop or Lived in a gang area I my want a Semi Auto Multi shot, but it would be backed up by a Revolver. I also carry reloads for each gun. If I need to arm someone such as my wife to help me, they get a Revolver (no training needed).
I agree with the up close or on top of me. I love my snubbie!
plasticslap
02-12-2008, 21:03
:rock:S&W:rock:642:rock:135g+P SB GDHP :rock:
leidenheimer
02-12-2008, 22:40
I see a lot of posters have the 642. Any reasons for chosing the 642 over the 442?
I see a lot of posters have the 642. Any reasons for chosing the 642 over the 442?
Was easier to get deal on 642 in my case.
Like both.
:supergrin:
I see a lot of posters have the 642. Any reasons for chosing the 642 over the 442?
The 642 has a more durable finish on the cylinder/barrel/yoke.
.
leidenheimer
02-17-2008, 11:28
I officially went back to snubbie. Picked up a S&W 442 yesterday. Still debating on the grips for it whether to keep the Houges or use the CT 205 or 405. The CT 105 may give me the best of both worlds in grip thickness and overall feel but not sure if I want to invest in a third grip. What I already discovered about the 442 as compared to my PM9 is even though they are similar in weight the 442 is more evenly distributed to where the PM9 is all in the slide and the 442 carries better in the pocket and prints less. I think I have a winner here in the 442. No regrets going back to snubbie so far!
Snubbies rule! :rock:
SAWBONES
02-18-2008, 14:37
The compact snubby is easy to carry, easy to conceal, adequate in terminal ballistic effect (assuming .38 Special+P LSWCHP or better), and although harder to shoot well than an optimally set-up semiautomatic pistol in 9mm-.45ACP, is nonetheless worth the effort to learn to shoot well.
And carried in a pocket or under a "bloused" shirt by using a Barami Hip Grip or similar CCW aid, it represents an adequate CCW option when nothing else will suffice due to hot weather or particular clothing constraints.
I just returned to the fold. I have nothing against autos, and it was a hard decision to trade away my Kahr P40. My decision was based on my desire to wear primarily OWB, but still conceal effectively with a polo shirt or t shirt. I have had a Kahr PM40, that I was able to do this with, but I had a hard time with purchase when trying to draw quickly unless I used mag extensions (which hindered concealment). I think the concealment has to do with the rounded grip and the fact that there is no rear of the slide protrusion sticking out. Honestly, if I wasn't having hip pain carrying IWB I would have stuck with my G27 in a RMLowrider, but I don't feel like I am losing much by switching to the 442.
AJSully421
03-14-2008, 16:34
same here, I had a G27, i sold it for a Kahr MK9, and i sold that for a P3AT, and i sold it for a G27 again! since i decided to carry the G30, the 27 went away, and i was not going back to the KT for a BUG, as it was a little monster, so i looked into snubbies, and life has been good since.
Osprey4950
03-17-2008, 16:32
Just ordered a S&W 360ss today. I haven't had a snubbie in quit a few years but can't wait to get this one.
I find all my autos to be just too heavy for hot summer carry. The 360 will ride in your shorts pocket with no problem.
Slide Lock Satch
03-25-2008, 18:32
I have decided to carry two j frames a 442 and a 642. The 442 with black finish conceals better in ankle holster etc.
Just bought the 642 today. I have owned a 649 and 340 PD but have found the Airweights to be the best midlle of the road snuibbie. The 340 PD was to light and it was tough to shoot 357 mags.
Satch says the 442/642 is otay.
yotecaller
03-25-2008, 19:23
I like to carry my Airweight J frame in my ankle holster for backup.But when my back hurts I carry it as my primarry gun.
What? Me worry?
03-25-2008, 19:33
I just got my 442 yesterday. I see a long and happy life together for the two of us. :pepper:
Gunnut 45/454
03-27-2008, 09:37
Yea I like my auto's but I've always been a revolver guy and there's just something comforting about a nice snubbie(SP101)!:supergrin:
beaversgs
04-23-2008, 13:34
I'm considering 2 snubbies for concealed carry as well. Trying to decide on two Colts (Agent/Cobra and Detective Special) or two J frames, or an SP101 and and a light weight or mix and match? Suggestions?
GregB
I'm considering 2 snubbies for concealed carry as well. Trying to decide on two Colts (Agent/Cobra and Detective Special) or two J frames, or an SP101 and and a light weight or mix and match? Suggestions?
GregB
I like the idea of a stainless .357 J-Frame on the strongside hip and an airweight .38 in the weakside pocket. For me the perfect combo would be 649 and 638.
I like the idea of a stainless .357 J-Frame on the strongside hip and an airweight .38 in the weakside pocket. For me the perfect combo would be 649 and 638.
I've done that using the Sp101 3" OWB/Hip and 442 in a pocket.
Both use same speedloader with +P+ 147gr jhps .38sp.
I have a safe full of decent carry guns, mostly .45's and a few high cap nines. Of all, my S&W 360 M&P with CT laser grips gets the most carry time.
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